Critique my budget, please. Need to increase retirement savings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you net 70% of your income after taxes, 401k, and medical?

OP here: yes this is what we net and got a bit back after taxes this yr.
Yes we take a childcare tax deduction.
Our medical premiums are very low (and obviously 401k contributions are not maxed out).
Copays are high though, hence the high monthly health category.
Gym memberships are really cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies so far. In answer to questions:
We are a family of 3.
I only posted our expenses, not savings. We do net extra, so we save for college & some for retirement.
I'm shocked that folks think ~$1k/mo is a lot for food. This includes all groceries, household goods (diapers), alcohol, lunches and (affordable) restaurants. I am a bargain shopper too and no, we rarely eat red meat, so if you have ideas for how to do this, i would welcome them.
We don't always spend $100/ mo on the dog but I would estimate $1200 a yr with food, meds, vet and occasional boarding.

I agree I could cut the shopping, but lately it seems like we've had a million gifts to buy!

You could cut here (I am assuming lunches means lunch out?)

[Anonymous]

No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

Not sure... For 2 of us we spent $400 on food in March. I'm sure its higher some months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you net 70% of your income after taxes, 401k, and medical?

OP here: yes this is what we net and got a bit back after taxes this yr.
Yes we take a childcare tax deduction.
Our medical premiums are very low (and obviously 401k contributions are not maxed out).
Copays are high though, hence the high monthly health category.
Gym memberships are really cheap.

Not saying you have to cut the gym, but.... a lot of cheap things add up. So if you can't find the big things, start with little and unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

Generic when possible. Few convenience foods (nothing pre-shredded, chopped, etc.) Buy on sale. Typically no alcohol.... maybe a $10 bottle for a weekend (but we realized that added up, and we cut back). We do spend more on the household stuff, so that could be where your $$ is going because you mentioned you lumped it in here. We just use cheaper stuff if quality is ok (no luxury shampoos, I cut open lotion tubes to get everything out...). Nothing that alone makes a big dent in the budget but together stuff that extends the life of stuff and stretches out visits to Target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the replies so far. In answer to questions:
We are a family of 3.
I only posted our expenses, not savings. We do net extra, so we save for college & some for retirement.
I'm shocked that folks think ~$1k/mo is a lot for food. This includes all groceries, household goods (diapers), alcohol, lunches and (affordable) restaurants. I am a bargain shopper too and no, we rarely eat red meat, so if you have ideas for how to do this, i would welcome them.
We don't always spend $100/ mo on the dog but I would estimate $1200 a yr with food, meds, vet and occasional boarding.

I agree I could cut the shopping, but lately it seems like we've had a million gifts to buy!

Unless you change this type of ridiculous thinking you'll forever be wondering why your finances aren't in the shape you want them to be.

That's a dumb thing to say. Do you think you can show up to your friend's wedding without a gift? Or a gift for $25?

Do whatever you like. I'm not the one asking about budget problems on this website. I don't have money problems because I don't think I have to buy anyone a gift when I can't afford to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HHI = $145k. No debt other than mortgage. We have a strong emerg fund but only ~$100k in retirement savings (early 30's). Saving about 8%/year towards retirement so I know it needs to increase.
Current net monthly = $8400 after medical and 401k

Expenses:
- $2500 PITI
- $1000 groceries/food
- $500 utilities, cell phones
- $160 biweekly cleaning
- $1300 daycare for one infant
- $250 gas/car insurance/life insurance
- $400 shopping/gifts/charity
- $100 pet
- $300 health-related expenses (copays, pharmacy, gym)
- $400 extra (travel, home repairs, etc)

.
You're paying $2500 in mortgage insurance? Do whatever you can to pay off 20% of your loan. At that point you can cancel the PITI. You have to ask them to cancel PITI, they won't do it automatically once you get to 20%. If you couldn't afford a 20% down payment on your house, you bought a house you couldn't afford. If possible, downgrade to one you can afford.

CUT out the $400 shopping for gifts. You are paying someone to clean your house? Clean it yourself!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
.
You're paying $2500 in mortgage insurance? Do whatever you can to pay off 20% of your loan. At that point you can cancel the PITI. You have to ask them to cancel PITI, they won't do it automatically once you get to 20%. If you couldn't afford a 20% down payment on your house, you bought a house you couldn't afford. If possible, downgrade to one you can afford.

CUT out the $400 shopping for gifts. You are paying someone to clean your house? Clean it yourself!

Not the OP, but PITI is principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. It does not necessarily include PMI which is private mortgage insurance, what you are referring to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HHI = $145k. No debt other than mortgage. We have a strong emerg fund but only ~$100k in retirement savings (early 30's). Saving about 8%/year towards retirement so I know it needs to increase.
Current net monthly = $8400 after medical and 401k

Expenses:
- $2500 PITI
- $1000 groceries/food
- $500 utilities, cell phones
- $160 biweekly cleaning
- $1300 daycare for one infant
- $250 gas/car insurance/life insurance
- $400 shopping/gifts/charity
- $100 pet
- $300 health-related expenses (copays, pharmacy, gym)
- $400 extra (travel, home repairs, etc)

Get rid of cleaning, put pet for adoption, no gifts/charity shopping, no travel, get the simplest cell phone (not smartphone). No gym, run outside. Groceries can be cut down to $500 if you stick only to necessary basics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

Husband works at an office. I am a SAHM. We mostly shop at Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's, and Costco. Our monthly food bill is about $600 and that is for a family of 5. I am a vegetarian as is one child. Husband and two kids are not.

-Meat comes from Trader Joe's - generally ground beef and chicken breasts eaten 2-3 times per week for dinner.
-I generally use HT's deli counter for Boar's Head turkey breast and swiss cheese.
-I buy fruit based on what's on sale, generally plus we always have lots of apples and bananas on hand. I always buy whole and cut up myself, so I cut up the cantaloupes, watermelon, etc. I don't buy the prepackaged.
-Veggies are mostly from TJ's too and we use a lot of their frozen veggies - broccoli, spinach, corn, etc.
-For HT, I use the sale circular to see what I will pick up each week. They can be pricey but they have great sales. I buy Arnold bread for sandwiches when they are buy one get one free, for example. I usually buy cereal there when it's on sale and with a coupon or from TJs. I bought about 12 jars of peanut butter at the beginning of the school year when they had a great sale, but I don't generally stock up large quantities like that.
-We have a standard list of things we get from Costco like string cheese, yogurt tubes, chicken nuggets, butter and most baking items

For meals:
Breakfast:
-Weedays, we generally eat cereal and milk, sometimes homemade muffins
-Weekends we might do omelettes, pancakes, or bagels

Lunch:
-Kids bring it to school everyday, generally sandwiches such as deli or pb&J, yogurt, egg salad, leftovers from dinner. I usually eat leftovers. Husband eats leftovers, tuna, or sandwich plus he eats at work twice a week compliments of his office.

At least 5 dinners per week are homecooked but nothing fancy. Here is an example:
- bbq chicken
-spaghetti and meatballs
-vegetarian chili over rice
-tortillas with veggies, beans, sometimes chicken or beef
-homemade soups such as minestrone, french onion, meatball pasta, broccoli cheese
-meatloaf
-meatball sandwiches
-pasta and veggies and parmesan
-homemade pizza or strombolis
-spinach quiche and salad
-breakfast for dinner such as homemade waffles, pancakes, or omelettes (only about once every two weeks)
-grill out hamburgers, nitrate-free hotdogs
-salmon

Of the remaining two dinners one is usually quick food like chicken nuggets for the kids or homemade mac and cheese.
The other night we go out or take in something like Baja Fresh, pizza or Chinese. Usually not more than $30 for all of us.

I buy toilet paper when it's on sale and with coupon, tissues from TJ's, try not to buy paper towels at all and use washclothes instead, napkins maybe once every 2 months or so. I mostly clean with vinegar and orange rinds. Shampoo is what's on sale or cheap. Dishwashing detergent is probably $2 per month and laundry detergent maybe $5 per month?

I don't drink alcohol and my husband drinks maybe a six-pack of beer once every week or two or some cheap TJ's wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

Husband works at an office. I am a SAHM. We mostly shop at Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's, and Costco. Our monthly food bill is about $600 and that is for a family of 5. I am a vegetarian as is one child. Husband and two kids are not.

-Meat comes from Trader Joe's - generally ground beef and chicken breasts eaten 2-3 times per week for dinner.
-I generally use HT's deli counter for Boar's Head turkey breast and swiss cheese.
-I buy fruit based on what's on sale, generally plus we always have lots of apples and bananas on hand. I always buy whole and cut up myself, so I cut up the cantaloupes, watermelon, etc. I don't buy the prepackaged.
-Veggies are mostly from TJ's too and we use a lot of their frozen veggies - broccoli, spinach, corn, etc.
-For HT, I use the sale circular to see what I will pick up each week. They can be pricey but they have great sales. I buy Arnold bread for sandwiches when they are buy one get one free, for example. I usually buy cereal there when it's on sale and with a coupon or from TJs. I bought about 12 jars of peanut butter at the beginning of the school year when they had a great sale, but I don't generally stock up large quantities like that.
-We have a standard list of things we get from Costco like string cheese, yogurt tubes, chicken nuggets, butter and most baking items

For meals:
Breakfast:
-Weedays, we generally eat cereal and milk, sometimes homemade muffins
-Weekends we might do omelettes, pancakes, or bagels

Lunch:
-Kids bring it to school everyday, generally sandwiches such as deli or pb&J, yogurt, egg salad, leftovers from dinner. I usually eat leftovers. Husband eats leftovers, tuna, or sandwich plus he eats at work twice a week compliments of his office.

At least 5 dinners per week are homecooked but nothing fancy. Here is an example:
- bbq chicken
-spaghetti and meatballs
-vegetarian chili over rice
-tortillas with veggies, beans, sometimes chicken or beef
-homemade soups such as minestrone, french onion, meatball pasta, broccoli cheese
-meatloaf
-meatball sandwiches
-pasta and veggies and parmesan
-homemade pizza or strombolis
-spinach quiche and salad
-breakfast for dinner such as homemade waffles, pancakes, or omelettes (only about once every two weeks)
-grill out hamburgers, nitrate-free hotdogs
-salmon

Of the remaining two dinners one is usually quick food like chicken nuggets for the kids or homemade mac and cheese.
The other night we go out or take in something like Baja Fresh, pizza or Chinese. Usually not more than $30 for all of us.

I buy toilet paper when it's on sale and with coupon, tissues from TJ's, try not to buy paper towels at all and use washclothes instead, napkins maybe once every 2 months or so. I mostly clean with vinegar and orange rinds. Shampoo is what's on sale or cheap. Dishwashing detergent is probably $2 per month and laundry detergent maybe $5 per month?

I don't drink alcohol and my husband drinks maybe a six-pack of beer once every week or two or some cheap TJ's wine.

I call bullshit. All of these items, on sale from the stores you list here, cost more than $500. Unless you make your husband only eat half a chicken breast? You people are pathetic. On a $150k household income you would cut out alcohol?

[Anonymous]

I think you should do the reverse of what you are trying to do. Bump up your retirement savings a bit more - something you feel puts you on better footing. Then, you will be forced to adjust your spending, and it will become a lot more obvious to you what you can go without. If retirement savings is your priority, spend money there first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it means groceries for lunches. Meaning that's why it's ONLY $1k.
seriously how do you guys do groceries for less than $1k. Shop at walmart? not drink $5 bottles of wine?

Husband works at an office. I am a SAHM. We mostly shop at Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's, and Costco. Our monthly food bill is about $600 and that is for a family of 5. I am a vegetarian as is one child. Husband and two kids are not.

-Meat comes from Trader Joe's - generally ground beef and chicken breasts eaten 2-3 times per week for dinner.
-I generally use HT's deli counter for Boar's Head turkey breast and swiss cheese.
-I buy fruit based on what's on sale, generally plus we always have lots of apples and bananas on hand. I always buy whole and cut up myself, so I cut up the cantaloupes, watermelon, etc. I don't buy the prepackaged.
-Veggies are mostly from TJ's too and we use a lot of their frozen veggies - broccoli, spinach, corn, etc.
-For HT, I use the sale circular to see what I will pick up each week. They can be pricey but they have great sales. I buy Arnold bread for sandwiches when they are buy one get one free, for example. I usually buy cereal there when it's on sale and with a coupon or from TJs. I bought about 12 jars of peanut butter at the beginning of the school year when they had a great sale, but I don't generally stock up large quantities like that.
-We have a standard list of things we get from Costco like string cheese, yogurt tubes, chicken nuggets, butter and most baking items

For meals:
Breakfast:
-Weedays, we generally eat cereal and milk, sometimes homemade muffins
-Weekends we might do omelettes, pancakes, or bagels

Lunch:
-Kids bring it to school everyday, generally sandwiches such as deli or pb&J, yogurt, egg salad, leftovers from dinner. I usually eat leftovers. Husband eats leftovers, tuna, or sandwich plus he eats at work twice a week compliments of his office.

At least 5 dinners per week are homecooked but nothing fancy. Here is an example:
- bbq chicken
-spaghetti and meatballs
-vegetarian chili over rice
-tortillas with veggies, beans, sometimes chicken or beef
-homemade soups such as minestrone, french onion, meatball pasta, broccoli cheese
-meatloaf
-meatball sandwiches
-pasta and veggies and parmesan
-homemade pizza or strombolis
-spinach quiche and salad
-breakfast for dinner such as homemade waffles, pancakes, or omelettes (only about once every two weeks)
-grill out hamburgers, nitrate-free hotdogs
-salmon

Of the remaining two dinners one is usually quick food like chicken nuggets for the kids or homemade mac and cheese.
The other night we go out or take in something like Baja Fresh, pizza or Chinese. Usually not more than $30 for all of us.

I buy toilet paper when it's on sale and with coupon, tissues from TJ's, try not to buy paper towels at all and use washclothes instead, napkins maybe once every 2 months or so. I mostly clean with vinegar and orange rinds. Shampoo is what's on sale or cheap. Dishwashing detergent is probably $2 per month and laundry detergent maybe $5 per month?

I don't drink alcohol and my husband drinks maybe a six-pack of beer once every week or two or some cheap TJ's wine.

I call bullshit. All of these items, on sale from the stores you list here, cost more than $500. Unless you make your husband only eat half a chicken breast? You people are pathetic. On a $150k household income you would cut out alcohol?

Hey but they will be able to pay for their kids' graduate degrees in puppetry and fly first class at 84!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should do the reverse of what you are trying to do. Bump up your retirement savings a bit more - something you feel puts you on better footing. Then, you will be forced to adjust your spending, and it will become a lot more obvious to you what you can go without. If retirement savings is your priority, spend money there first.

I agree with this. Maximize your 401k contribution and the rest will work itself out.