My Goal is to have in between $3000 and $4000 in the bank on 7/1/08 so I want to ask

[project15]

$160 but with the Sports package it was $205 the last 3 months

I pay $10 for very basic cable. The thought of the basic digital at $60 a month seems a little outrageous to me. I hope the $205 includes internet and VoIP phone.

[tmango]

I pay $10 for very basic cable. The thought of the basic digital at $60 a month seems a little outrageous to me. I hope the $205 includes internet and VoIP phone.

Either that or I hope he/she has some sort of smellovision or a 3d tv

[disneysteve]

$160 but with the Sports package it was $205 the last 3 months

Perhaps one reason why you can't afford to pay your bills and have been having trouble building any savings is that you are paying an obscene amount to watch television. I pay $11.30/month for cable tv. That is the limited basic, the cheapest package available. I know tv is a priority to some, so I can understand spending $40 or $50, but over $200! That is insane unless you are rolling in dough, and it certainly sounds like you aren't. I'd suggest calling them first thing Monday morning and cutting back to the basic cable package at least until you have your finances in order.

[Seeker]

What should I do now in my current situation? I have $1000 in my savings and my cable, Gas, and electric bill total up to $660. So should I lower my account and pay the money I owe to my bills in full and start over from $500 or do I just continue to save and send partial each month?

AccountAnalyzer if you are serious about your goal, then you need to list you monthly income (you mentioned a paycheck earlier... how much do you earn? how much money do you get each month?), and your monthly outgo (how much do you pay for everything? Or where your earnings are spent each month).

I haven't the foggiest idea how you can have "utilities" if you only pay part of the bill.

Cable TV is certainly not a ultility.... it's a "want" and you should NOT have any cable if you cannot keep your "needs" in financial order. If you lose your electricity, then the cable tv will be rather useless. Utilities are a "need" (along with a roof over your head, and food to eat). Things like cable tv are a "want" -- you can live quite well without cable tv.

Please list your income (money earned)...

Please list your expenses (what amounts you do pay each month and what you owe).

[Pitman]

I definitely think the post starter's priorities are in need of changing. If he doesn't change his lifestyle a bit(cutting the cable, paying bills in full), I really don't see reaching 3K or $4K by July happening.

[AccountAnalyzer]

I definitely think the post starter's priorities are in need of changing. If he doesn't change his lifestyle a bit(cutting the cable, paying bills in full), I really don't see reaching 3K or $4K by July happening.

I'm 100% sure I will be in between $2000 and $3000 by 7/1/08 but not sure about between $3000 and $4000

[disneysteve]

I'm 100% sure I will be in between $2000 and $3000 by 7/1/08 but not sure about between $3000 and $4000

Cut out the $200/month cable bill and that gives you another $1,000 by July.

[AccountAnalyzer]

Cut out the $200/month cable bill and that gives you another $1,000 by July.

It's no way I can ever get rid of Cable.

[disneysteve]

It's no way I can ever get rid of Cable.

Ok. Cut down from the $205/month plan to basic cable for, say, $40/month and save $825 by end of July.

[Seeker]

My point is that there's no way that we're going to be able to determine how this person can or cannot reach his goal....

Without his list of where the money is spent, we have nothing to judge by except his limited statements here. We have no idea how long it's taken him to reach this stage either.....

Without knowing his income, we have no idea where he can save.

It's fine to set a goal.... but what's a goal without a plan?

Until OP lists his expenses and income.... we're working blindly.

[billchrz]

Something doesn't add up

You can get Directv's ultimate super duper package with the sports pack, every premium channel available, high def, and an HD-DVR for less than $100/mo. What the heck are you getting for $205 a month?

I've never actually heard of not paying your utilities in full every month...I never even knew that this was an option (a very bad one at that)

[Pitman]

I'm 100% sure I will be in between $2000 and $3000 by 7/1/08 but not sure about between $3000 and $4000

Congrats, I guess, but why only settle for $3K, when if you plan, change a few things, and save more, you might be able to have $4K or maybe even $4.5K by July.

[srblanco7]

Please clarify if what you are saying is that you can save between 2k and 3k by July if you don't pay your utility bills in full?

[maat55]

AccountAnalyzer

You need to read a book called The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It will give you a solid plan for your money.

Paying your food, utilities and housing in full every month are the basis of any budget. If you cannot do these things first, you need to cut back additional spending to where you can. Not paying normal bills on time is a horrible financial plan. You appear to be young, read the book above and you will have important knowledge for your future. Good luck.

[Ima saver]

Paying your bills in full is your first priority!