How to spend less money and manage my budget?
October 3, 2024 5:15 PM Subscribe
I am inviting some eyes and perspective on my budget and spending habits. Please advise any tips you have to meet and track your budget goals and reduce spending.
I am 31F, soon to be 32, and live in a midsize Midwest city. I work in corporate customer service for a manufacturer, I have a BA in Communications, live alone, and currently live paycheck to paycheck, but I know I can be managing my money better. I currently track all of my expenses in Rocket Money and also in a Google sheet. I have set budgets but consistently go over in certain areas (food and shopping) and have yet to reign those areas in. I get paid weekly. I know I am behind in my finances, I rent, I don't make a fabulous salary, I still have student loans (graduated 2020), I am trying to get a better job, I am very behind on my 401k. I do own my car (my dad bought it for me 8 years ago, it is a 2004 and has 268,000 miles on it).
At times I do log in every day and track on my app and spreadsheet, but I just go over the categories by not managing my behavior. I am attempting to follow Dave Ramsey's 7 baby step plan for lifetime financial peace, if you are familiar, however I am struggling to save the small $1,000 emergency fund. Honestly, it is mostly because I spend way too much here and there daily on eating fast food and buying things I don't really need. I know what I need to do, I could be saving $646 monthly, but each month it is gone. I get paid every Friday.
Income
Approximately $53,000 annually gross
Approximately $750-800 weekly net (usually paid 4x a month)
Fixed Expenses:
Rent $962
Student Loan $235
Internet $57
Netflix $15
Electric $131
Meal Plan App $6
Apple Storage $3
Mobile $48
Gym $11
Auto Insurance $59
Renter's Insurance $20
YouTube $19
Patreon $7
Gas $21
Budget App $10
Variable Expenses Goal for October (Plus Sept. Actual)
Auto & Transport $250 ($332 in Sept., gas plus one $10 car wash)
Dining & Drinks $100 ($650 in Sept., I know this is outrageous)
Groceries $200 ($222 in Sept., I go to ALDI, I should cook more)
Shopping $100 ($362 in Sept., I had to buy a new Chromebook, cat litter, personal care items)
Everything Else $100 ($170 in Sept., urgent care, therapy, interest on credit card that is now paid off)
My Debt:
Federal Student Loans $20,350 (4.54% interest)
Investments:
401k Balance $7,400 (I currently contribute 3% with 3% match)
https://imgur.com/a/j97g8T1
I am 31F, soon to be 32, and live in a midsize Midwest city. I work in corporate customer service for a manufacturer, I have a BA in Communications, live alone, and currently live paycheck to paycheck, but I know I can be managing my money better. I currently track all of my expenses in Rocket Money and also in a Google sheet. I have set budgets but consistently go over in certain areas (food and shopping) and have yet to reign those areas in. I get paid weekly. I know I am behind in my finances, I rent, I don't make a fabulous salary, I still have student loans (graduated 2020), I am trying to get a better job, I am very behind on my 401k. I do own my car (my dad bought it for me 8 years ago, it is a 2004 and has 268,000 miles on it).
At times I do log in every day and track on my app and spreadsheet, but I just go over the categories by not managing my behavior. I am attempting to follow Dave Ramsey's 7 baby step plan for lifetime financial peace, if you are familiar, however I am struggling to save the small $1,000 emergency fund. Honestly, it is mostly because I spend way too much here and there daily on eating fast food and buying things I don't really need. I know what I need to do, I could be saving $646 monthly, but each month it is gone. I get paid every Friday.
Income
Approximately $53,000 annually gross
Approximately $750-800 weekly net (usually paid 4x a month)
Fixed Expenses:
Rent $962
Student Loan $235
Internet $57
Netflix $15
Electric $131
Meal Plan App $6
Apple Storage $3
Mobile $48
Gym $11
Auto Insurance $59
Renter's Insurance $20
YouTube $19
Patreon $7
Gas $21
Budget App $10
Variable Expenses Goal for October (Plus Sept. Actual)
Auto & Transport $250 ($332 in Sept., gas plus one $10 car wash)
Dining & Drinks $100 ($650 in Sept., I know this is outrageous)
Groceries $200 ($222 in Sept., I go to ALDI, I should cook more)
Shopping $100 ($362 in Sept., I had to buy a new Chromebook, cat litter, personal care items)
Everything Else $100 ($170 in Sept., urgent care, therapy, interest on credit card that is now paid off)
My Debt:
Federal Student Loans $20,350 (4.54% interest)
Investments:
401k Balance $7,400 (I currently contribute 3% with 3% match)
https://imgur.com/a/j97g8T1
Oh friend, you are really beating yourself up. Your whole question is full of self-deprecation. It sounds like you like and enjoy eating out. It sounds like you are depriving yourself by setting a very unrealistic $100 budget. I think it's worth spending some time thinking about these habits and how they make you feel. Are you typically eating fast food on the run? Are you eating out with friends? Figure out what it is you like and need and give yourself permission to do some of it, but maybe slightly less than what you are doing now.
Also, honestly, are you expecting to feed yourself on $200/month at the grocery store and then $100/month for eating out? Is that really realistic?
You are doing something really great: you are tracking your expenses. You know exactly where it is going. I wonder if you're blowing past that $100 because you don't really mean it. What if you gave yourself, say, $250 for groceries and $200 for eating out? Do you think it might be easier to achieve?
posted by bluedaisy at 5:32 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
Also, honestly, are you expecting to feed yourself on $200/month at the grocery store and then $100/month for eating out? Is that really realistic?
You are doing something really great: you are tracking your expenses. You know exactly where it is going. I wonder if you're blowing past that $100 because you don't really mean it. What if you gave yourself, say, $250 for groceries and $200 for eating out? Do you think it might be easier to achieve?
posted by bluedaisy at 5:32 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
1) Open a high yield savings account
2) Set up a direct deposit to put $125 from every weekly paycheck into that high yield savings account
3) pretend like that account doesn't exist
4) continue living your life
posted by phunniemee at 5:50 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
2) Set up a direct deposit to put $125 from every weekly paycheck into that high yield savings account
3) pretend like that account doesn't exist
4) continue living your life
posted by phunniemee at 5:50 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
Also, I am 38.
When I turned 26 I had zero money and zero job and mucho student loans. Then I finally got a job that paid me a living wage (at the time this was $30k). I got fired from that job at 30 and basically started over (temping, no real goal), making less than you do now. At 34, zero student loans, I bought a house by myself. I'm proud of myself but I'm not sharing that to brag, but more to tell you that you've got everything you need to be okay.
The things that changed my life for me: 1) having a consistent job, even if it was unglamorous and for a long time unimpressively paid. 2) Setting my direct deposits up based on my known budget, with savings accounts to pay my future self first so there was nothing else to touch until my personal goals were met.
posted by phunniemee at 5:55 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
When I turned 26 I had zero money and zero job and mucho student loans. Then I finally got a job that paid me a living wage (at the time this was $30k). I got fired from that job at 30 and basically started over (temping, no real goal), making less than you do now. At 34, zero student loans, I bought a house by myself. I'm proud of myself but I'm not sharing that to brag, but more to tell you that you've got everything you need to be okay.
The things that changed my life for me: 1) having a consistent job, even if it was unglamorous and for a long time unimpressively paid. 2) Setting my direct deposits up based on my known budget, with savings accounts to pay my future self first so there was nothing else to touch until my personal goals were met.
posted by phunniemee at 5:55 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
What I've had to do at times to reset my spending habits was to only use cash. I had an envelope of cash each week (80) for my fun stuff that I could use and if I bought fun stuff online or with a card, that cash was also removed from the envelope. If money was left over at the end of the week it was then set aside for something big like an art workshop (250) and most importantly not added to the next week's money. I'll be going back to that come Jan. after I leave my current job and will need to do a better job of controlling my spending again so that my savings can last longer.
Also it sounds like you're not using the meal prep app since you're eating out a lot and that's an easy cut right there.
I'd also drop either netflix or youtube and see if you really miss it (that money should be coming out of your fun budget too and not a general budget)
Plan and accept for who you are not who you think you should be.
I know I could save a lot cooking for myself and have in the past, but currently I can't cook as much due to migraines, so my budget is less food/cooking and more dining out and I try to spend less in other areas.
posted by Art_Pot at 6:23 PM on October 3 [3 favorites]
Also it sounds like you're not using the meal prep app since you're eating out a lot and that's an easy cut right there.
I'd also drop either netflix or youtube and see if you really miss it (that money should be coming out of your fun budget too and not a general budget)
Plan and accept for who you are not who you think you should be.
I know I could save a lot cooking for myself and have in the past, but currently I can't cook as much due to migraines, so my budget is less food/cooking and more dining out and I try to spend less in other areas.
posted by Art_Pot at 6:23 PM on October 3 [3 favorites]
Checking your finances everyday is not that useful, and is probably stressing you out enough that you're more likely to get fast food than cook. Cut it down to once a week, make a little list for yourself, and give yourself a treat after.
You are overambitious. How could you cut both groceries and eating out? Try cutting just eating out by 100 a month instead so you can actually achieve your goal. Then next month try to shave off 100 more and see how much your grocery bill increased.
Save at the beginning of the month, not the end. Start small. For October put 100 dollars from your next paycheck into savings. Then as long as you don't go into debt this month, you succeed. Work that up until you get to your goal.
Specific things:
Can you get your mobile bill down? Try a low cost carrier.
Check out food banks and see if any work for you. People who make more money than you use them.
Your renters insurance seems high depending on what is covered. See if you can combine it with auto and save some money.
posted by hermanubis at 6:25 PM on October 3 [1 favorite]
You are overambitious. How could you cut both groceries and eating out? Try cutting just eating out by 100 a month instead so you can actually achieve your goal. Then next month try to shave off 100 more and see how much your grocery bill increased.
Save at the beginning of the month, not the end. Start small. For October put 100 dollars from your next paycheck into savings. Then as long as you don't go into debt this month, you succeed. Work that up until you get to your goal.
Specific things:
Can you get your mobile bill down? Try a low cost carrier.
Check out food banks and see if any work for you. People who make more money than you use them.
Your renters insurance seems high depending on what is covered. See if you can combine it with auto and save some money.
posted by hermanubis at 6:25 PM on October 3 [1 favorite]
You simply don’t make enough money. Finding a better job or augmenting with a part time job is your key to success. Alternatively, if it’s an option for you, move in with a relative until you’ve got a better job. Focus on the big numbers.
posted by shock muppet at 6:26 PM on October 3 [4 favorites]
posted by shock muppet at 6:26 PM on October 3 [4 favorites]
I'm a rip-the-bandaid-off person. I'm a suffer now and reap the benefits later person. It's not for everyone. Like phunniemee, I'd direct deposit but aim for $250. In 4 months you'd have your emergency fund. Bingo. That's doable. It still leaves you some wiggle room for some dining out, and it's short enough timeframe that you can probably hold your nose and do it.
In the meantime, I'm concerned that all of your September actuals are over. Are your goals realistic or are you being overly draconian, or was September an anomaly? Hard to tell. What would be more informative is to average out the last 12 months. Or 4 months, or 3? Do you have that data? (Some things like heat, clothing, travel, etc. will be seasonal so a full year retrospective can be helpful). If an average is possible, see what those numbers tell you. Pick a fair number close to the average, but lower than the average, and have that be your new goal. Once you have a new, informed amount that you could be saving each month, that's the amount to direct deposit partly into your 401k and partly to pay down your student loan (because your $1000 emergency fund is already done, right 🙂).
Ok - whoa - I'm looking at your "fixed expenses". I strongly encourage you not to think of the following items as fixed expenses: Netflix, meal plan app, gym, YouTube, Patreon. Those are nice to haves. Those are discretionary. I could be persuaded the gym is a cost saving long-term for mental, physical and emotional health, but the others... Now, you're welcome to choose to pay for them, but by categorizing them as fixed expenses, you skip right over them mentally. You train yourself that they're off limits for review. That's a bad habit when you want to save money. I'd move them to the Variable Expenses categories so they're open for negotiation.
posted by cocoagirl at 6:28 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
In the meantime, I'm concerned that all of your September actuals are over. Are your goals realistic or are you being overly draconian, or was September an anomaly? Hard to tell. What would be more informative is to average out the last 12 months. Or 4 months, or 3? Do you have that data? (Some things like heat, clothing, travel, etc. will be seasonal so a full year retrospective can be helpful). If an average is possible, see what those numbers tell you. Pick a fair number close to the average, but lower than the average, and have that be your new goal. Once you have a new, informed amount that you could be saving each month, that's the amount to direct deposit partly into your 401k and partly to pay down your student loan (because your $1000 emergency fund is already done, right 🙂).
Ok - whoa - I'm looking at your "fixed expenses". I strongly encourage you not to think of the following items as fixed expenses: Netflix, meal plan app, gym, YouTube, Patreon. Those are nice to haves. Those are discretionary. I could be persuaded the gym is a cost saving long-term for mental, physical and emotional health, but the others... Now, you're welcome to choose to pay for them, but by categorizing them as fixed expenses, you skip right over them mentally. You train yourself that they're off limits for review. That's a bad habit when you want to save money. I'd move them to the Variable Expenses categories so they're open for negotiation.
posted by cocoagirl at 6:28 PM on October 3 [16 favorites]
In contrast to everyone else, I'm going to totally avoid discussing savings strategy and just ask what's up with that electric bill, which is the number that really sticks out.
Is that just last month's bill (from near-peak heat in August/September and I assume air conditioner use) or are you really paying an average of $131/month throughout the year? Seems very, very high for a single person household in the Midwest, even in the South. Something seems wrong there.
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 6:35 PM on October 3 [6 favorites]
Is that just last month's bill (from near-peak heat in August/September and I assume air conditioner use) or are you really paying an average of $131/month throughout the year? Seems very, very high for a single person household in the Midwest, even in the South. Something seems wrong there.
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 6:35 PM on October 3 [6 favorites]
I think I recognize you from a previous question -- good on you for trying to address this in a more healthy way than moving into a problematic cohabiting situation!
YNAB is expensive, but their philosophy works with my brain. I finally gave it a go after seeing a lot of recommendations for it here :) I'd recommend trying the free trial then taking the methodology into you own spreadsheets. (And this guy does a good job explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exS0gU-Ie8E) YNAB has two core things that I love:
1) You figure out your yearly expenses, and divide them into months. Then, when that big yearly thing comes up, you've already saved for it. This really reduces the feeling (and excuses!) of "big one-off expense blew my budget", since most of these are actually somewhat predictable, even if you don't know exactly when/what it'll be. (Medical bills, car maintenance, etc.)
2) You assign your $$ at the start of the month to categories, including savings. Then, when life happens and your estimate isn't accurate and you spend more in one category, you decide which other category gets cut. This works wonderfully for me -- somehow, it's more concrete that "eating out is going to mean that I won't have enough to pay my auto insurance next month" rather than a nebulous anxiety-inducing "I should be spending less".
Crucially, it doesn't try to focus on guilt. Your money is yours to use how you want, there's no "ought" or "should" about it -- they view budgeting as a tool to help you allocate your money in a way that's aligned with your goals.
And long-term, I agree with the others that finding a better job is a good goal, but I think you can also improve things for yourself within the constraints of your current income!
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:48 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
YNAB is expensive, but their philosophy works with my brain. I finally gave it a go after seeing a lot of recommendations for it here :) I'd recommend trying the free trial then taking the methodology into you own spreadsheets. (And this guy does a good job explaining it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exS0gU-Ie8E) YNAB has two core things that I love:
1) You figure out your yearly expenses, and divide them into months. Then, when that big yearly thing comes up, you've already saved for it. This really reduces the feeling (and excuses!) of "big one-off expense blew my budget", since most of these are actually somewhat predictable, even if you don't know exactly when/what it'll be. (Medical bills, car maintenance, etc.)
2) You assign your $$ at the start of the month to categories, including savings. Then, when life happens and your estimate isn't accurate and you spend more in one category, you decide which other category gets cut. This works wonderfully for me -- somehow, it's more concrete that "eating out is going to mean that I won't have enough to pay my auto insurance next month" rather than a nebulous anxiety-inducing "I should be spending less".
Crucially, it doesn't try to focus on guilt. Your money is yours to use how you want, there's no "ought" or "should" about it -- they view budgeting as a tool to help you allocate your money in a way that's aligned with your goals.
And long-term, I agree with the others that finding a better job is a good goal, but I think you can also improve things for yourself within the constraints of your current income!
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:48 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
(Also, instead of paying for Youtube, install an addblocker. I use UBlock Origin, and it's effective. I use youtube playlists to listen to music all day long, and tend to forget that ads are even a thing.)
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:51 PM on October 3 [5 favorites]
posted by Metasyntactic at 6:51 PM on October 3 [5 favorites]
I’ll just tackle three things.
Spending - you have predictable expenses like cat litter in there. Try to budget for everything you can anticipate, so create a cat category, etc. if you can get rid of one streaming service go for it.
Groceries and food - decide for one month not to eat out to break the habit, unless it’s like a friend’s birthday.pack lunches for work (you can AskMe for ideas with your preferences and lunch set up.) Invite people to your house for pasta or chili or potluck (weekly or monthly potlucks with friends can be awesome.) Bake cupcakes from a cheap box cake and ask everyone to bring one kind of topping (like sprinkles, marshmallows, etc.) Bring hot chocolate in thermoses to a park. Eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner with baby carrots, or egg fried rice, or whatever a kid favourite was.. See if your friends will join in on this challenge.
Fun - maybe the month after that find alllll the free fun you can. I recommend you start at the library - mine provides a lot of free streaming, museum passes, etc. Find out free or really low cost activities. Do you own ice skates? Find free rinks. Free admission hours at museums. Free book readings and film screenings. Inexpensive local theatre tickets…anything. Part of why we overspend is feeling deprived -and that’s a bad cycle.
posted by warriorqueen at 6:52 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
Spending - you have predictable expenses like cat litter in there. Try to budget for everything you can anticipate, so create a cat category, etc. if you can get rid of one streaming service go for it.
Groceries and food - decide for one month not to eat out to break the habit, unless it’s like a friend’s birthday.pack lunches for work (you can AskMe for ideas with your preferences and lunch set up.) Invite people to your house for pasta or chili or potluck (weekly or monthly potlucks with friends can be awesome.) Bake cupcakes from a cheap box cake and ask everyone to bring one kind of topping (like sprinkles, marshmallows, etc.) Bring hot chocolate in thermoses to a park. Eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner with baby carrots, or egg fried rice, or whatever a kid favourite was.. See if your friends will join in on this challenge.
Fun - maybe the month after that find alllll the free fun you can. I recommend you start at the library - mine provides a lot of free streaming, museum passes, etc. Find out free or really low cost activities. Do you own ice skates? Find free rinks. Free admission hours at museums. Free book readings and film screenings. Inexpensive local theatre tickets…anything. Part of why we overspend is feeling deprived -and that’s a bad cycle.
posted by warriorqueen at 6:52 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
I think you're doing pretty decent, actually. You don't have increasing debt! This is good!
September looks like it was a little rough, with needing a new laptop, which is a rare expense. You have a lot of small recurring bills for things that are nice but not really necessary. You could replace the planning apps with a pencil and paper, for instance, and make some other small cuts here and there, but it'll only add up to $100/month.
What really sticks out, as you obviously see, is the eating out. You spent more than $20 per day, and I assume you didn't go out every day, so when you do go out these bills are pretty darn big. Perhaps in one day's eating out you spent more than all the apps and little things combined. In two or three nights, maybe you spent more than the whole month at the grocery store.
So I think you have two ways you can go, to make a big difference. It's easy to find them, just look at your two biggest numbers, and see that they are WAY bigger than the rest. Either you have to stop eating out, or you need to split rent (and utilities) with a roommate. Living alone and eating out are both wonderful luxuries, but it looks like you can only afford one of them, not both.
posted by fritley at 7:05 PM on October 3 [3 favorites]
September looks like it was a little rough, with needing a new laptop, which is a rare expense. You have a lot of small recurring bills for things that are nice but not really necessary. You could replace the planning apps with a pencil and paper, for instance, and make some other small cuts here and there, but it'll only add up to $100/month.
What really sticks out, as you obviously see, is the eating out. You spent more than $20 per day, and I assume you didn't go out every day, so when you do go out these bills are pretty darn big. Perhaps in one day's eating out you spent more than all the apps and little things combined. In two or three nights, maybe you spent more than the whole month at the grocery store.
So I think you have two ways you can go, to make a big difference. It's easy to find them, just look at your two biggest numbers, and see that they are WAY bigger than the rest. Either you have to stop eating out, or you need to split rent (and utilities) with a roommate. Living alone and eating out are both wonderful luxuries, but it looks like you can only afford one of them, not both.
posted by fritley at 7:05 PM on October 3 [3 favorites]
Apply for an income driven repayment (IDR) plan for your student loans. Because IDR plans are a mess right now, you will want to call your servicer to request forbearance. While your federal loans are on forbearance, put $235/month into a Roth IRA instead.
Look up The Money Guy or Ramit Sethi to see if a different approach to personal finance would work better for you.
Consider getting another source of income.
You need to pay yourself first. Automate separating your income into different buckets /bank accounts. Pretend your long term savings bucket doesn’t exist. It also sounds like a credit card is not a good idea for you right now.
Fast food is designed to be addictive. You need to figure out how to set your self up for succes… so it is less of a temptation.
posted by oceano at 7:12 PM on October 3
Look up The Money Guy or Ramit Sethi to see if a different approach to personal finance would work better for you.
Consider getting another source of income.
You need to pay yourself first. Automate separating your income into different buckets /bank accounts. Pretend your long term savings bucket doesn’t exist. It also sounds like a credit card is not a good idea for you right now.
Fast food is designed to be addictive. You need to figure out how to set your self up for succes… so it is less of a temptation.
posted by oceano at 7:12 PM on October 3
You are doing exceptionally well with your current resources. You have the discipline to record and track and plan. You know where your $ is going. You are working your plan! Be encouraged to keep going!
Dietary habits are one of the most difficult things to alter. Eating can be so driven by our emotions.
When I was about your age I lived for a couple of years in a place with a very high cost of living but was on a very limited budget. I simply could not afford to eat out and had to pick up the new skills of shopping and cooking. I learned to comparison shop for groceries and cook and bake from scratch. I wore out one copy of this cookbook which features recipes from around the world. My own midwestern high meat diet began to give way to many more homemade beans and rice and TVP and tofu and complementary protein meals along with vegetable and fresh fruit discoveries. I never became really good at it, but by the end of those two years I had a repertoire of dishes that I could really like and could even entertain others with.
Hyper-processed foods and fast foods can end up costing you more in long-term health issues than is supposedly saved by their convenience or pleasure today.
So consider investing part of this season of your life in developing skills that will keep you healthy for years to come.
Comparisons are not always helpful, but my wife and I have consistently managed to keep our food budget for the two of us at around $250 per month. We rarely eat out and almost always pack our own lunches for workdays, but we enjoy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of protein sources including fish and meats. Lots of good home cooking and baking!
posted by tronec at 7:51 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
Dietary habits are one of the most difficult things to alter. Eating can be so driven by our emotions.
When I was about your age I lived for a couple of years in a place with a very high cost of living but was on a very limited budget. I simply could not afford to eat out and had to pick up the new skills of shopping and cooking. I learned to comparison shop for groceries and cook and bake from scratch. I wore out one copy of this cookbook which features recipes from around the world. My own midwestern high meat diet began to give way to many more homemade beans and rice and TVP and tofu and complementary protein meals along with vegetable and fresh fruit discoveries. I never became really good at it, but by the end of those two years I had a repertoire of dishes that I could really like and could even entertain others with.
Hyper-processed foods and fast foods can end up costing you more in long-term health issues than is supposedly saved by their convenience or pleasure today.
So consider investing part of this season of your life in developing skills that will keep you healthy for years to come.
Comparisons are not always helpful, but my wife and I have consistently managed to keep our food budget for the two of us at around $250 per month. We rarely eat out and almost always pack our own lunches for workdays, but we enjoy a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of protein sources including fish and meats. Lots of good home cooking and baking!
posted by tronec at 7:51 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
I think you're doing generally ok and being overly hard on yourself, but some thoughts on where you can trim:
-Dinning and drinks: Yeah, I agree, $650 for one person in a month is a lot of money. If that's unusual fine, but if that's common for you, I'd figure out what's going on there - are you being pressured to eat out with friends? Is it because you're not waking up early enough to eat breakfast at home? (Making up a large batch of oatmeal can last for days and is a good quick option) Not packing a lunch?
-Electricity: I agree with the other comment - that seems really high for one person. What's up with that? Are blasting the AC or heat?
-YouTube: the free version is fine.
-The $48 phone plan: I pay $8 a month with Tello - they have more expensive plans, but that provides plenty for my purposes.
-Do you think the $10 a month budget app helps you save $120 in a year?
-You never technically need a car wash (except maybe in the winter if you live somewhere where they salt the roads - that can hurt the undercarriage).
posted by coffeecat at 8:36 PM on October 3
-Dinning and drinks: Yeah, I agree, $650 for one person in a month is a lot of money. If that's unusual fine, but if that's common for you, I'd figure out what's going on there - are you being pressured to eat out with friends? Is it because you're not waking up early enough to eat breakfast at home? (Making up a large batch of oatmeal can last for days and is a good quick option) Not packing a lunch?
-Electricity: I agree with the other comment - that seems really high for one person. What's up with that? Are blasting the AC or heat?
-YouTube: the free version is fine.
-The $48 phone plan: I pay $8 a month with Tello - they have more expensive plans, but that provides plenty for my purposes.
-Do you think the $10 a month budget app helps you save $120 in a year?
-You never technically need a car wash (except maybe in the winter if you live somewhere where they salt the roads - that can hurt the undercarriage).
posted by coffeecat at 8:36 PM on October 3
Take lunch to work. Eat breakfast and coffee at home. You can eat healthier and a lot cheaper. I cook oatmeal on low in the microwave while I get ready, have it with brown sugar, some walnuts and apricots on the side. Or I make muffins with bran, pumpkin, apricots, walnuts.
Buy good quality/ common sense stuff. I shop at thrift shops and get kitchen stuff that's in great shape. I buy a lot of my clothes thrifted, too, but slowly.
Take care of stuff. I have leather boots I love; I have polished them many times and they've lasted well. Take care of the car, your body. It pays off. I don't put underwear and bras in the dryer and they last 3x as long.
Avoid credit card debt, which has crazy interest rates.
Do go out with friends, maybe for a couple beers instead of expensive cocktails, but concerts, live music at bars, museums, plays are not cheap but do enrich life, esp. with friends.
posted by theora55 at 8:42 PM on October 3
Buy good quality/ common sense stuff. I shop at thrift shops and get kitchen stuff that's in great shape. I buy a lot of my clothes thrifted, too, but slowly.
Take care of stuff. I have leather boots I love; I have polished them many times and they've lasted well. Take care of the car, your body. It pays off. I don't put underwear and bras in the dryer and they last 3x as long.
Avoid credit card debt, which has crazy interest rates.
Do go out with friends, maybe for a couple beers instead of expensive cocktails, but concerts, live music at bars, museums, plays are not cheap but do enrich life, esp. with friends.
posted by theora55 at 8:42 PM on October 3
I don’t know the price of gas where you live, but where I live, $320 is about 8 tanks of gas for a sedan. If you could find a way to reduce your driving, that would help (and prolong the life of your car, which you need to budget to replace in the near future).
posted by Hex Wrench at 9:18 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
posted by Hex Wrench at 9:18 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
Put some thoughts into WHY you spend so much money on food, and figure out how to shift that.
*If it's because it's the main way you socialize with friends, suggest less expensive restaurants or go less frequently.
*If it's because you crave specific restaurant foods, make them a more special occasion you look forward to.
*If it's because you're exhausted and shopping/ cooking/ packing food sucks, spend an hour developing a list of low effort recipes and shopping lists for them. Every time you cook, make a large batch so you have leftovers, freezing them if appropriate.
*If it's because you're not really comfortable cooking, start with one simple recipe and make it until it feels comfortable. Then add another.
And so on. This will take some introspection, but it will be a lot more effective than trying to follow meal prep tips which don't account for the specific reason you are having trouble with it.
posted by metasarah at 9:38 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
*If it's because it's the main way you socialize with friends, suggest less expensive restaurants or go less frequently.
*If it's because you crave specific restaurant foods, make them a more special occasion you look forward to.
*If it's because you're exhausted and shopping/ cooking/ packing food sucks, spend an hour developing a list of low effort recipes and shopping lists for them. Every time you cook, make a large batch so you have leftovers, freezing them if appropriate.
*If it's because you're not really comfortable cooking, start with one simple recipe and make it until it feels comfortable. Then add another.
And so on. This will take some introspection, but it will be a lot more effective than trying to follow meal prep tips which don't account for the specific reason you are having trouble with it.
posted by metasarah at 9:38 PM on October 3 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Some thoughts and responses:
I have been frequently eating out for breakfast (Starbucks, I know), buying food at work, and sometimes getting fast food on the way home. I am going through a possible break up soon and have been exhausted mentally and emotionally and have not taking care of myself by working out, walking, eating healthy like I used to. I have been very stressed (see my last question for my situation https://ask.metafilter.com/382313/Should-I-move-in-with-my-dad-and-break-up-with-my-boyfriend-or-no ) and this I think has contributed not caring. I used to take such good care of my health, my situation is no excuse, but I have become too tired to meal plan properly, don’t cook what I buy, etc.
I have also been taking drives and rides on the weekends or some nights to just get out of my city and drive and think and clear my head, which is a big waste of money. I should just be going on walks.
I definitely need to have savings taken out each paycheck and I need to open a HYSA that I don’t have immediate visibility to, I am going to do that. I feel like I have wasted so much time not getting ahead by spending everything I make.
I agree checking finances so much may just be stressing me out.
My mobile bill also includes my Apple watch payment which was an unnecessary purchase.
I have been working for months on finding a better job. I really need a career direction. I have 8 years experience in corporate manufacturing customer service and supply chain support experience and a BA in Communications. I have a phone interview for a sales ops analyst tomorrow. I am getting a bit burnt out on endless interviews and no job offers.
My budgets are structured by fixed and variable because that is how Rocket Money categorizes them (Recurring for bills and utilities, Spending for the non bill ones). I did get rid of a few subscriptions already. I use Netflix when I have company (boyfriend) and I use YouTube constantly on my phone. I will look into an ad blocker.
Electric bill, I probably keep it too cold, usually 68 degrees, and need to be better about unplugging and turning off lights.
I am going to look at budget byte meals and save some. I know some recipes but am not inspired to make them very often.
posted by anon1129 at 9:55 PM on October 3
I have been frequently eating out for breakfast (Starbucks, I know), buying food at work, and sometimes getting fast food on the way home. I am going through a possible break up soon and have been exhausted mentally and emotionally and have not taking care of myself by working out, walking, eating healthy like I used to. I have been very stressed (see my last question for my situation https://ask.metafilter.com/382313/Should-I-move-in-with-my-dad-and-break-up-with-my-boyfriend-or-no ) and this I think has contributed not caring. I used to take such good care of my health, my situation is no excuse, but I have become too tired to meal plan properly, don’t cook what I buy, etc.
I have also been taking drives and rides on the weekends or some nights to just get out of my city and drive and think and clear my head, which is a big waste of money. I should just be going on walks.
I definitely need to have savings taken out each paycheck and I need to open a HYSA that I don’t have immediate visibility to, I am going to do that. I feel like I have wasted so much time not getting ahead by spending everything I make.
I agree checking finances so much may just be stressing me out.
My mobile bill also includes my Apple watch payment which was an unnecessary purchase.
I have been working for months on finding a better job. I really need a career direction. I have 8 years experience in corporate manufacturing customer service and supply chain support experience and a BA in Communications. I have a phone interview for a sales ops analyst tomorrow. I am getting a bit burnt out on endless interviews and no job offers.
My budgets are structured by fixed and variable because that is how Rocket Money categorizes them (Recurring for bills and utilities, Spending for the non bill ones). I did get rid of a few subscriptions already. I use Netflix when I have company (boyfriend) and I use YouTube constantly on my phone. I will look into an ad blocker.
Electric bill, I probably keep it too cold, usually 68 degrees, and need to be better about unplugging and turning off lights.
I am going to look at budget byte meals and save some. I know some recipes but am not inspired to make them very often.
posted by anon1129 at 9:55 PM on October 3
on Android, Firefox with the Ublock Origin extension eradicates YouTube ads. It's a little bit less slick than the app but it's certainly cheaper.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:08 PM on October 3
posted by BungaDunga at 10:08 PM on October 3
also maybe replace Starbucks somehow? You don't have to find something more healthy, just cheaper. Cheerios and homemade cold brew, Nutella toast, whatever is easy.
Don't worry about leaving lights on, LEDs are stupidly efficient, you could leave one burning for a year and it would cost like $10-20 total.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:27 PM on October 3 [1 favorite]
Don't worry about leaving lights on, LEDs are stupidly efficient, you could leave one burning for a year and it would cost like $10-20 total.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:27 PM on October 3 [1 favorite]
I feel like I have wasted so much time not getting ahead by spending everything I make.
Water under the bridge.
Rent: roommates / cheaper apartment? (Not your dad or boyfriend though.)
Electric bill: it obviously depends where you live but think about whether you can just not use AC a few months of the year. Cheap basic electric fans and heating blankets/warm clothes help with this. It might take you a week or so to get used to it but when you get used to it it's fine. I know you have cats and you obviously shouldn't do this during extreme temperature months, but cats live outdoors in a huge range of temperatures so there's no need for a stable 68 or whatever. During really hot months there are also ways to reduce how much AC you need (closed blind for shade, AC used intermittently with fans, etc.) Similar for winter.
Entertainment: as mentioned, ublock origin for ad blocking (if you have Android, it works on Firefox too). So no need for paid YouTube, and you might try taking a few months off Netflix here and there - it's not like it has to be permanent (they'll send you so many emails to come back to them it'll make you feel like the most wanted person in the world...) There's a metric ton of free things to watch, whether via public library or YouTube or tubi or viki (for East Asian dramas) and so on.
Food: does food need to be complicated? Maybe open a separate question for this but it's not like you have to cook fancy things or use different recipes each week. Pasta with a can of something dumped in, rice and beans, eggs, some frozen vegetables, sandwiches, wraps... There are a lot of really quick basic things you can eat that are cheap and tasty (and healthy if you want) and require minimal energy to make. And with some spices or condiments you can have a lot of variety with the same basic preparation.
Do you have the energy to do a bit of part time work? Like maybe one weekend day a week, or 2-3 hours of tutoring or other gig work. Just enough to give you some more breathing room. (It could work well in conjunction with a breakup too, if you're the type to spend your free time ruminating.)
You've got a lot of stuff going on right now, so don't feel bad if you can't make a lot of changes at once. (Honestly, breaking up with the boyfriend from your previous question sounds like it might be a source of some savings on its own?) But make them little by little and you'll be in a better place a year from now.
posted by trig at 1:45 AM on October 4
Water under the bridge.
Rent: roommates / cheaper apartment? (Not your dad or boyfriend though.)
Electric bill: it obviously depends where you live but think about whether you can just not use AC a few months of the year. Cheap basic electric fans and heating blankets/warm clothes help with this. It might take you a week or so to get used to it but when you get used to it it's fine. I know you have cats and you obviously shouldn't do this during extreme temperature months, but cats live outdoors in a huge range of temperatures so there's no need for a stable 68 or whatever. During really hot months there are also ways to reduce how much AC you need (closed blind for shade, AC used intermittently with fans, etc.) Similar for winter.
Entertainment: as mentioned, ublock origin for ad blocking (if you have Android, it works on Firefox too). So no need for paid YouTube, and you might try taking a few months off Netflix here and there - it's not like it has to be permanent (they'll send you so many emails to come back to them it'll make you feel like the most wanted person in the world...) There's a metric ton of free things to watch, whether via public library or YouTube or tubi or viki (for East Asian dramas) and so on.
Food: does food need to be complicated? Maybe open a separate question for this but it's not like you have to cook fancy things or use different recipes each week. Pasta with a can of something dumped in, rice and beans, eggs, some frozen vegetables, sandwiches, wraps... There are a lot of really quick basic things you can eat that are cheap and tasty (and healthy if you want) and require minimal energy to make. And with some spices or condiments you can have a lot of variety with the same basic preparation.
Do you have the energy to do a bit of part time work? Like maybe one weekend day a week, or 2-3 hours of tutoring or other gig work. Just enough to give you some more breathing room. (It could work well in conjunction with a breakup too, if you're the type to spend your free time ruminating.)
You've got a lot of stuff going on right now, so don't feel bad if you can't make a lot of changes at once. (Honestly, breaking up with the boyfriend from your previous question sounds like it might be a source of some savings on its own?) But make them little by little and you'll be in a better place a year from now.
posted by trig at 1:45 AM on October 4
You are doing great. Taking the time and energy to work this out is not a small feat.
I think that you could successfully save at least a couple of hundred dollars a month just by transferring the money into a different account as soon as you are paid.
Start with $50 each pay. Create a money saving chart which you colour in as you save. Seeing the progress is a dopamine boost.
I would cancel the meal app, budgeting app, Patreon. If you don't use the gym more than once a week, cancel that too. I'd probably cancel YouTube unless you would consider doing home workouts using YouTube videos instead of the gym.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:12 AM on October 4 [1 favorite]
I think that you could successfully save at least a couple of hundred dollars a month just by transferring the money into a different account as soon as you are paid.
Start with $50 each pay. Create a money saving chart which you colour in as you save. Seeing the progress is a dopamine boost.
I would cancel the meal app, budgeting app, Patreon. If you don't use the gym more than once a week, cancel that too. I'd probably cancel YouTube unless you would consider doing home workouts using YouTube videos instead of the gym.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:12 AM on October 4 [1 favorite]
I think you're trying to do too much at the moment, and are likely to get overwhelmed and make some bad decisions.
In your shoes I would give myself 3 months to maintain the status quo and reach some resolution with my boyfriend. You're right this is a very stressful time, but if you resolve things they will get better and you'll be better placed to make other changes.
Whether or not you breakup, I would not count on this particular boyfriend for any financial support ever. I also wouldn't agree to support him financially in any way, even just maintaining your Netflix account if its mostly for him. Take him out of your finances completely.
In the meantime, if I felt up to it, I would experiment with small changes. Things like:
* cancelling paid YouTube and getting an ad blocker instead, like suggested above
* thinking about how you can replicate your Starbucks order at home. This might involve an initial investment, like for a French press, Keurig machine or some fancy sugar syrup. The investment will pay off over the short/medium term if you can cut out breakfast Starbuck sentirely.
* thinking about why you buy food at work. If it's to socialize I would keep things exactly the same. But if it's for another reason I would experiment with buying your favourite snacks in bulk so that you still get a treat when you want one, at a lower cost.
* driving less. Maybe drive to the gym and take a slow walk on the treadmill if you're looking to clear your mind in the evenings?
* finding 1 meal you like, that you can prepare for yourself. This can be as easy as a store bought rotisserie chicken and a microwaved potato. Or breakfast for dinner. I like buying ready cooked packages of udon noodles and a bottle of prepared mentsuyu soup base and using them with some eggs for a healthy and cheap dinner in 5 minutes.
You're going through the hard part now. Your financial goals are good and important, but they will be easier to face once your personal life has calmed down. Even then, small incremental changes are going to be easier to maintain than any dramatic life overhaul.
posted by Chausette at 3:21 AM on October 4 [2 favorites]
In your shoes I would give myself 3 months to maintain the status quo and reach some resolution with my boyfriend. You're right this is a very stressful time, but if you resolve things they will get better and you'll be better placed to make other changes.
Whether or not you breakup, I would not count on this particular boyfriend for any financial support ever. I also wouldn't agree to support him financially in any way, even just maintaining your Netflix account if its mostly for him. Take him out of your finances completely.
In the meantime, if I felt up to it, I would experiment with small changes. Things like:
* cancelling paid YouTube and getting an ad blocker instead, like suggested above
* thinking about how you can replicate your Starbucks order at home. This might involve an initial investment, like for a French press, Keurig machine or some fancy sugar syrup. The investment will pay off over the short/medium term if you can cut out breakfast Starbuck sentirely.
* thinking about why you buy food at work. If it's to socialize I would keep things exactly the same. But if it's for another reason I would experiment with buying your favourite snacks in bulk so that you still get a treat when you want one, at a lower cost.
* driving less. Maybe drive to the gym and take a slow walk on the treadmill if you're looking to clear your mind in the evenings?
* finding 1 meal you like, that you can prepare for yourself. This can be as easy as a store bought rotisserie chicken and a microwaved potato. Or breakfast for dinner. I like buying ready cooked packages of udon noodles and a bottle of prepared mentsuyu soup base and using them with some eggs for a healthy and cheap dinner in 5 minutes.
You're going through the hard part now. Your financial goals are good and important, but they will be easier to face once your personal life has calmed down. Even then, small incremental changes are going to be easier to maintain than any dramatic life overhaul.
posted by Chausette at 3:21 AM on October 4 [2 favorites]
What's going on with auto and transport? You're only spending $21 for gas per month but $250/+ on other (non-insurance) car expenses? That's not even a full tank of gas, so other auto expenses seem high for a car you barely drive. I get that it's really old, but man that's a lot of money to be pouring into a vehicle. Do you really need to own this car?
If your apple watch is unnecessary, then why not take it off your phone plan? Continuing to throw good money after bad is not going to make a past poor purchase any better. If that only shaves off a few dollars per month, then look at cheaper phone plans. They are out there. We spend $50/month for two of us on Ting.
Nthing don't pay for youtube. Get ublock origin, it's free, and cancel that shit today.
I bet you could find a meal plan app that does what you want for free as well.
68 degrees is...very cold, in my opinion. We don't even like to keep it that cold in the winter.
posted by gueneverey at 5:25 AM on October 4
If your apple watch is unnecessary, then why not take it off your phone plan? Continuing to throw good money after bad is not going to make a past poor purchase any better. If that only shaves off a few dollars per month, then look at cheaper phone plans. They are out there. We spend $50/month for two of us on Ting.
Nthing don't pay for youtube. Get ublock origin, it's free, and cancel that shit today.
I bet you could find a meal plan app that does what you want for free as well.
68 degrees is...very cold, in my opinion. We don't even like to keep it that cold in the winter.
posted by gueneverey at 5:25 AM on October 4
Response by poster: Hahaha, I'm sorry, "gas" is for my home gas bill which runs my stove and heat. "Auto and Transport" is just car gasoline and sometimes a car wash or car part. Auto insurance is budgeted separately. In September, Auto and Transport was gasoline and one $10 car wash. A tank of gas is usually about $50 here and it gets me about 260 miles.
posted by anon1129 at 5:28 AM on October 4
posted by anon1129 at 5:28 AM on October 4
"gas" is for my home gas bill which runs my stove and heat
is thermostat time adjustment possible? also, if there are several spaces you are heating, this can elevate heating costs. in order to bring down my heating bill in the winter, i focus on separate spaces being occupied. the main one is the bedroom. maybe an electric heater in this space? also, heat loss happens significantly through windows: try heavier curtains?
seconding There's a metric ton of free things to watch, whether via public library or YouTube or tubi or viki (for East Asian dramas) and so on. my local library subscribes to a few streaming services & i've recommended them to other people who have gotten tired of netflix, etc.. this is a community resource, make the most of it!
I used to take such good care of my health
maybe keep gym membership for now, if you are using it
also seconding does food need to be complicated? Maybe open a separate question for this
posted by HearHere at 7:02 AM on October 4
is thermostat time adjustment possible? also, if there are several spaces you are heating, this can elevate heating costs. in order to bring down my heating bill in the winter, i focus on separate spaces being occupied. the main one is the bedroom. maybe an electric heater in this space? also, heat loss happens significantly through windows: try heavier curtains?
seconding There's a metric ton of free things to watch, whether via public library or YouTube or tubi or viki (for East Asian dramas) and so on. my local library subscribes to a few streaming services & i've recommended them to other people who have gotten tired of netflix, etc.. this is a community resource, make the most of it!
I used to take such good care of my health
maybe keep gym membership for now, if you are using it
also seconding does food need to be complicated? Maybe open a separate question for this
posted by HearHere at 7:02 AM on October 4
Can you look into your student loan payment plan? I was just looking at my wife's loans this week; she owes a few thousand less on four total loans but three of them have higher interest rates than yours so it should be a pretty similar situation. She could change to a standard repayment plan right now for $160 a month to pay off in ten years. So I think that you ought to have room to get your monthly payment to shrink.
But it mostly seems to me, reading the other question, that getting rid of the boyfriend could relieve your stress and give you the energy and mental health that you need to begin crafting the life that you want and deserve.
posted by Kwine at 8:36 AM on October 4
But it mostly seems to me, reading the other question, that getting rid of the boyfriend could relieve your stress and give you the energy and mental health that you need to begin crafting the life that you want and deserve.
posted by Kwine at 8:36 AM on October 4
Based on your update, and your previous question, I agree with Chausette that you may be taking on too much change and stress at once, then feeling bad about missing the goals. And I agree that in general you're doing really well!
What if you gave yourself 6 months on autopilot before making any big changes and focused on making little changes now like the YT adblocker and Kanopy through your library for 6 months instead of Netflix? Seconding get to the gym and decompress with a walk there. Seconding some easy dinners like a baked potato with chives and sour cream, and some pre-made salad on the side. I make a batch of brown rice each week, then reheat it, sprinkle some furikake seasoning, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil, and put a fried egg on it. Takes about 5 minutes. That's 2-4 dinners a week for me.
metasarah's suggestion of getting to the why of the dining out number would be helpful. Or you could even spend a month going through each of metasarah's four replacement options (one week going to less expensive places, one week going to a nice place but only going out once, one week cooking batch meals, etc.) and see which approach gives you the most satisfaction.
Put a reminder on whatever calendar you use, or send yourself a future email for six months from now to revisit the budgeting, and by then you'll have six more months of data.
posted by cocoagirl at 8:59 AM on October 4 [2 favorites]
What if you gave yourself 6 months on autopilot before making any big changes and focused on making little changes now like the YT adblocker and Kanopy through your library for 6 months instead of Netflix? Seconding get to the gym and decompress with a walk there. Seconding some easy dinners like a baked potato with chives and sour cream, and some pre-made salad on the side. I make a batch of brown rice each week, then reheat it, sprinkle some furikake seasoning, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil, and put a fried egg on it. Takes about 5 minutes. That's 2-4 dinners a week for me.
metasarah's suggestion of getting to the why of the dining out number would be helpful. Or you could even spend a month going through each of metasarah's four replacement options (one week going to less expensive places, one week going to a nice place but only going out once, one week cooking batch meals, etc.) and see which approach gives you the most satisfaction.
Put a reminder on whatever calendar you use, or send yourself a future email for six months from now to revisit the budgeting, and by then you'll have six more months of data.
posted by cocoagirl at 8:59 AM on October 4 [2 favorites]
None of this seems crazy to me, I'm on team "you're just not making enough money to have much of a margin". For reference according to some random CPI calculator I pulled up, $53,000 in 2024 is worth $39,857.58 just ten years ago in 2014 -- everything has gotten crazy expensive, especially food.
$130 in the part of the world I live in isn't a crazy amount for summer electricity if you have high ceilings or a large sun exposure. However -- 68F for the summer is extremely cold. I target mid-70s, which I suspect would cut that electricity cost noticeably and many people are capable of finding very comfortable. (Personally, I keep my house at 68F in the *winter* and have to wear sweaters at that temp...) Agreed that lights (if they are LEDs) essentially don't matter for the electrical calculation.
I don't know that I'd call $650 a month for eating out outrageous for good food (and beating yourself up over this seems unnecessary), but I do find it a bit depressing for that money to go to starbucks/fast food. I do think cutting out getting coffee outside your house is low hanging fruit (in my 30s I cut out 90% of my coffee shop expenditures and don't regret it at all, it's an annoying amount of money that adds up, and makes it that much more pleasant for the remaining 10%). One suggestion depending on what you like is to consider taking up pourover coffee. It's an extremely cost-effective way to get fancy coffee. But, there are plenty of other options for this. Frothing your own milk is very doable. If you're getting pastries or something there also, there are cheaper grocery store options that could substitute (even if they feel extravagant relative to grocery store prices).
Also not necessarily for everyone, but would cycling be an option to replace some of the driving?
posted by advil at 9:17 AM on October 4 [3 favorites]
$130 in the part of the world I live in isn't a crazy amount for summer electricity if you have high ceilings or a large sun exposure. However -- 68F for the summer is extremely cold. I target mid-70s, which I suspect would cut that electricity cost noticeably and many people are capable of finding very comfortable. (Personally, I keep my house at 68F in the *winter* and have to wear sweaters at that temp...) Agreed that lights (if they are LEDs) essentially don't matter for the electrical calculation.
I don't know that I'd call $650 a month for eating out outrageous for good food (and beating yourself up over this seems unnecessary), but I do find it a bit depressing for that money to go to starbucks/fast food. I do think cutting out getting coffee outside your house is low hanging fruit (in my 30s I cut out 90% of my coffee shop expenditures and don't regret it at all, it's an annoying amount of money that adds up, and makes it that much more pleasant for the remaining 10%). One suggestion depending on what you like is to consider taking up pourover coffee. It's an extremely cost-effective way to get fancy coffee. But, there are plenty of other options for this. Frothing your own milk is very doable. If you're getting pastries or something there also, there are cheaper grocery store options that could substitute (even if they feel extravagant relative to grocery store prices).
Also not necessarily for everyone, but would cycling be an option to replace some of the driving?
posted by advil at 9:17 AM on October 4 [3 favorites]
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Maybe think of your gas bill as a mileage bill? How many miles did you do more than you expected?
And have a bucket for things like insurance and car maintenance and anything else infrequent, or they will just end up being regular 'emergencies'.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 5:31 PM on October 3 [1 favorite]