More lessons learned from tracking - Gas at $35 a week!

[Radiance]

WOW,

I just never new how much I spent on Gas alone.
Some of you following my saga know this is the first time I track.

I am not sure how much I was expecting, but $35 sounds like a lot for some reason.

My main travelling is get out of the house, drop my son at preschool, go to work. Coming back, same thing plus I stop at the store 2-3 times a week.
Weekend going to the park, library, all close by.

It seems I have to allocate $150 per month for Gas.($35 times 52 divided by 12 = 151.6)
Plus $35 a month in tolls, going to work is costing me $185.
(there is car depreiation and such, of course)

OK, one less item I have to figure out. I still need to figure out groceries and household items.

I am currently about $300 in the red each month, for what I know, some numbers have been estimated as you can see.

In other news, I am 60% done organizing and de-cluttering my home
I plan to rent one of room for $500 to make out the difference.

[anonymous_saver]

If you live close to the park, library, and things like that, try to walk or bike to those places. It would be fun, good exercise, and save money for your family. Good job on starting to track your expenses, keep tracking for a few months on gas and other things and then you can average your expenses to get a pretty accurate figure. Also, think ahead, if you go for a long car ride for a mini-vacation, where does that money come from for that gas?

Hearing stories like this sure makes me happy I'm a bike, bus, walk commuter. It saves an amazing amonut of money.

[GREENBACK]

What type of vehicle do you drive and how long is your commute? Can't really comment without knowing this. The good news here is that you're starting to figure out your spending habits and what is going out vs. what's coming in. You're on the way to getting things turned around here

[Radiance]

Work is 22 miles one way on 30-45 minutes due to traffic.
My job is rewarding, I am appretiated and I get good pay and benefits so it is worth the expense.

I usually drive my Honda civic 2006 but it is on the shop recovering from an accident I had. It should be ready by July 6th, God Willing.

I am currently driving Nissan maxima 1996 that a friend is letting me drive. He was about to sell it.

I would love to use public transportation but here in South Florida is almost non-existent and not safe after 6:00 PM

Everything is rather far, but the main reason I don't walk much to places is the rain and/or scorching heat.