Wrote down our monthly expenses - GULP! - Page 2

DivaJen · #21 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 02:59 PM

I'd think about paying off the car if you can. You're spending about 250+165+80+50 = $545/month on autos right now. Paying it off would save nearly half of that right off the bat. Is $165/mo the best rate you can find for car insurance?

I'd also see about finding an apartment that was even $100 less per month. Those two things would put $350 more in your pocket every month. You could use that to build up your savings again, depending on how much paying off the car might deplete it.

Someone else mentioned the cheaper Netflix plan. I might look into that for us, as we don't seem to be using it as much these days. It wouldn't save a bunch of money, but every little but helps.

Are you sure you only spend $150 a month on groceries? That seems awfully low. If you do - mind sharing how you do it?

gakline · #22 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 03:22 PM

Are you able to buy into your wife's health insurance plan? Kashi does have a good point though

Russell · #23 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 04:33 PM

I would love to be a SAHD

but I make the bulk of the money so I have to work. All three of us have the health insurance through my wife's work.

Jen, that's the plan, the car will get paid off very soon. In regard to the groceries...since I'd been eating out the groceries covered the bread, cereal, milk, eggs, a few frozen items like pizza, gardenburgers, hotdogs and drinking water etc for two adults. My wife does use coupons or buy 1 get 1 free deals for the cereals

loveofpets · #24 (**permalink**) 03-02-2005, 06:04 PM

Using coupons is great. Each coupon can save you close to $1, especially if you go to a store that doubles coupons. I have used coupons for years and am fairly good at getting 50% or more off my grocery bill. And, I rarely buy junk food...I haven't paid full price (if anything) for health and beauty aids or laundry aids in years...

If you live near a Rite Aid or a Walgreen's and you need shampoos, soaps, conditioners, etc. keep an eye out on their monthly rebate catalogs - there are usually items you can get for free by submitting a rebate. For instance, at Eckerd Drug Stores this week, they have a store coupon for toothpaste leaving the price at $.99 for the tube. combined with a manufacturer coupon (from Sunday's paper). the tube of toothpaste is absolutely free.

I subscribe to a monthly rebate magazine that now is online - and is bringing "good deal" alerts to my attention almost every day. I found it's well worth the $12/year to subscribe to and I learn from almost every issue. Plus, I always earn the subscription fee back within the first month by participating in special coupon savings (like the Eckerd one described above) and in rebates.

PennyPincher · #25 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 07:05 AM

Although it's a small portion of the total, I'd address the Netflix. I am a movie lover too, and don't necessarily suggest giving it up, especially without cable.

However, Netflix dropped their rate months ago to compete, and you should only be charged $17.99 now. If they haven't granted you the new price, call and demand it.

Otherwise, switch like I did! We use Blockbuster Online now, and it's even cheaper ~ $14.99 a month, AND they send you two coupons a month for in-store rentals (games OR movies). It's wonderful, and that is $10 less than you're paying right now ~ or $120 a year!!! It adds up...

You've made the biggest step by being aware of where it all goes... Good luck.

Momof3grls · #26 (**permalink**) 03-03-2005, 12:02 PM

I also would consider a cheaper apt I cant even imagine 1700.00 a month for an apt my house payment is $450 & here an expensive apartment in the richest areas are not even $1000 but of course I am in IOWA & you are in Califorinia but is thier something cheaper & maybe closer to where you guys work at?

Then I would brown bag the lunch I dont understand why some men wont do that my husband wont do it either & it makes no since to me I cant imagine & dont want to know what he spends eating at work & school everyday I know its way way up thier!!

And then daycare check into that see if thier is a cheaper good daycare somewhere else maybe even closer too save on gas. Then the cars I would buy cheaper ones I have never in my life had a car payment dont make since to me to have one anyways I would sell the cars & buy ones you can afford to pay cash for just a few thoughts to think about!!

mccartygirl · #27 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 10:04 AM

Momof3girls you make me laugh! My husband almost refuses to take a lunch to work. It's not that he's eating out, he just won't eat lunch then. I'll even pack his lunch and he won't take it. Not sure why.

mccartygirl · #28 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 10:06 AM

Momof3girls you make me laugh! My husband almost refuses to take a lunch to work. It's not that he's eating out, he just won't eat lunch then. I'll even pack his lunch and he won't take it. Not sure why.

Russell, we pay $910/month for daycare and we live in Michigan. Daycare is not something we're going to scrimp and be tight on. This daycare is very reputable and doesn't have any dings against it with the state. I don't trust in home daycares and with my daycare I get webcam and get to watch our little 11 month angel all day long, plus I can keep an eye on her caregivers. I guess my point is there are other places you could save a few dollars at.

MrsChambers · #29 (**permalink**) 03-14-2005, 02:36 PM

Elizabeth Warren was on Dr. Phil today, she has a new book out called ALL YOUR WORTH.. it just came out on March 8th.. I think i'm going to the store tonight and pick it up.. I will tell you if it pertains to your situation and if you should pick this one up and read it or not (but I suspect that it's a good read)

HAVE YOU CHECK OUT THAT TWO INCOME TRAP YET?

Russell · #30 (**permalink**) 03-14-2005, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the info.

No unfortunately I haven't had a chance to pick up that book yet. The wife and I were able to reduce some costs like the car insurance by moving from Alstate to 21st Century and going with the cheaper Netflix plan but then we also found about 4 or 5 more expenses that I never put on my list

I think its time to move out of CA...the housing costs are ridiculous here

MrsChambers · #31 (**permalink**) 03-15-2005, 08:30 AM

oh yeah, california.. I had no idea you were in california.. My husband and I moved to california back in 2000.. KICKED OUR A$$'$.... we were litterally homeless for 3 months just because the area that we moved to (central coast) there was no housing.. I mean, no housing at all!!.. and then the homes that were available, were so $$$ that we wouldn't be able to pay the rent with the money that we made each month... It was a crazy time for us.. indeed. we finaly found a place a little out of the way - in the country - that we could afford.. but like I said, we were homeless for three months. IT SUCKED
I don't know what part of california your in, but I can feel your pain.

((((HUGS))))