Budget...this is kind of an interesting thread

[Anonymous]

From a poor. At least by DCUM's standard. Note: we no longer live in DC and are currently right outside Boston

Rent: $1850
Utilities (cable/internet, electricity, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus) $300
Car insurance: $58
Renter's Insurance: $100
Cell: $80
Groceries: $600
Take Out/Eat out: $150-$200
Gas: $100 (although more in the summer with weekend beach trips)
Mom's misc expenses: $400
Dad's misc expenses: $400

Total: about $4038
Monthly take home is about 6K. DH is paying off various credit cards (about 6-7K total)

We are preparing to move to an area where COL is about 60% less and DH will still be bringing home about 6K a month. I'm excited to be able to save and pay off the rest of our credit cards/my student loans.

[Anonymous]

OP here- Should add..travel is about 3K-4K a year.

[Anonymous]

I'm the $8,000 budget from the other thread: My advice: Cancel cable. Hulu+netflix = $25. Your misc expenses feel high. Kill the CC bills immediately.

[Anonymous]

800 each in misc expenses per month? Wtf?

[Anonymous]

What's included in those MISC categories. If they cover credit card payments on old debt and student loan payments that's much different than just blowing $400 a month/each.

[Anonymous]

Oh haha sorry should have been more specific! For me that covers stuff for school,money put away towards school,money to pay off my one cc,and the rest for haircuts,make up,clothes,etc.

For DH that covers some cc payment,clothes,haircut, coffee/lunch at work, etc. He probably spends less than 400, but that is the budget. If we weren't moving to the lower COL place in a month and a half, we would probably look to cut it down.

[Anonymous]

Your renter's insurance is $100/month? Mine used to cost that much for a whole year!

[Anonymous]

Why is your apt insurance $100 a month? Mine is $125 for an entire year!

If you menu plan/try to buy on sale more, you could probably cut down on your groceries.

[Anonymous]

The place where we live required a high amount. But it paid off when half our stuff was destroyed a few months ago!! Weve paid about 2000 into it and our check was for 6K. So,in the end, high but well worth it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The place where we live required a high amount. But it paid off when half our stuff was destroyed a few months ago!! Weve paid about 2000 into it and our check was for 6K. So,in the end, high but well worth it

I still don't understand your renter's insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is your apt insurance $100 a month? Mine is $125 for an entire year!

If you menu plan/try to buy on sale more, you could probably cut down on your groceries.

That includes diapers and DS' expensive,special formula for stomach issues. That stuff is expensive and he goes through a tub and a half a week!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The place where we live required a high amount. But it paid off when half our stuff was destroyed a few months ago!! Weve paid about 2000 into it and our check was for 6K. So,in the end, high but well worth it

I still don't understand your renter's insurance.

Hmm. Perhaps you are right. Honestly, DH got it when we found out about getting into our new place and I didn't pay much attention to it. I was more worried about packing, moving, and starting grad school. I just told DH to take care of it and haven't thought about it since. Other than DH saying he was glad we had it when our place was unlivable for 2 months. I'll have to ask him when he gets home. It would certainly be nice if I'm mistaken it is just $100 a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The place where we live required a high amount. But it paid off when half our stuff was destroyed a few months ago!! Weve paid about 2000 into it and our check was for 6K. So,in the end, high but well worth it

I still don't understand your renter's insurance.

Hmm. Perhaps you are right. Honestly, DH got it when we found out about getting into our new place and I didn't pay much attention to it. I was more worried about packing, moving, and starting grad school. I just told DH to take care of it and haven't thought about it since. Other than DH saying he was glad we had it when our place was unlivable for 2 months. I'll have to ask him when he gets home. It would certainly be nice if I'm mistaken it is just $100 a year.

It must be. I've had three different renter's insurance policies and the most expensive one has been $17/month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The place where we live required a high amount. But it paid off when half our stuff was destroyed a few months ago!! Weve paid about 2000 into it and our check was for 6K. So,in the end, high but well worth it

I still don't understand your renter's insurance.

Hmm. Perhaps you are right. Honestly, DH got it when we found out about getting into our new place and I didn't pay much attention to it. I was more worried about packing, moving, and starting grad school. I just told DH to take care of it and haven't thought about it since. Other than DH saying he was glad we had it when our place was unlivable for 2 months. I'll have to ask him when he gets home. It would certainly be nice if I'm mistaken it is just $100 a year.

It must be. I've had three different renter's insurance policies and the most expensive one has been $17/month.

Agreed. My homeowners policy on a $250k home is $1250/year. And I would have to replace the contents AND the house if something happened. You only need to replace contents!