Shocked: Our bare-bones monthly cost of living is 5K after taxes! What's yours?

[Anonymous]

I'm for real and I've been here before. I mentioned we make jello for desert using cantaloupe skin, we make watermelon jelly to spread on the bread out of watermelon skin and we eat the inside of the banana peel for fiber but I was so mocked I felt offended and stopped posting about it. We cook the egg shells to add calcium, and the list goes on... we rarely throw organic trash.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your outrage is making you blind. I've said already that DH travels for work so his expenses (including food) are paid by the company so 3 to 4 days a week we only have one adult eating in the house.

We're not calves so we don't drink gallons of milk. We occasionally drink rice milk and I cook using almond milk that I make myself as needed.

If you're interested in tips for saving on groceries there are several helpful websites with free information all over the Internet.

On the furniture - we've been living in furnished rentals for a while and in our previous home (3 years ago) we did have to buy furniture but it was 3 years ago! Who buys furniture every year?

Anyway, why are you all so angry? Just because people are spending money differently than you? That's such a weird reason to be angry... wow!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, we don't have cable and DH's company pays our Internet and cellphone, just in case you're wondering.

DC's PT are fully covered by our insurance so again it doesn't cost us a thing. Anythig else about MY bills you can think of?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You quoted me.

Last year, our only medical expense aside health insurance was $15 co-pay fir my first OB visit and $250 for my emergency C-section.
This is our first real Christmas with a child so I'm not sure if we'll buy gifts or not. For my taste DC has enough. We don't have family in the coutry and don't exchange gifts with friends. Clear now?

I go to the grocery store once a week and spend on average $40. Just came back, BTW and spent $39 this trip. I'm not an extreme couponer but I do stock up when I see a good sale and clip coupons for things that we actually buy. I cook from scratch and our diet is different from most people we know (DH is vegetarian, DC is gluten/lactose intolerant and I'm gluten intolerant with food allergies). We eat a lot of fresh produce and rarely use substitutes.

We don't buy clothes every month and don't service our car every month so I just listed what we spend every month. Gas is around $100...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Hm let me see...

$1300 - rent
$400 - car payment
$90 - utilities
$300 - health insurance
$150 - groceries

That's all for us. Family of 3 with #2 on the way.

We visit my country every other year, DH's country every other year and we take vacation in the US every year. The US vacations are usually very cheap because DH travels for work so among nights free in hotels, rental car points and flying miles we spend almost nothing.

So you don't by clothes, or anything other than food? No Christmas presents? No...anything? I thought OP was talking about what she actually spends each month, and everyone else is leaving out all of this shit, as though they never have car break down, have a sick pet, get a hair cut, buy a baby shower gift, etc.

Yes, we're clear. You did not factor in all of your monthly expenses. Got it.

Life insurance?
Travel expenses averaged out by month?
Car repairs/gasoline average out by month?
Clothing expenses (purchases and cleaning) averaged out by month?
Entertainment/movies?
Furniture purchases?
Water/sewer? (if not part of rent)
Pets expenses?
Hair cuts?

Some of these may not apply, but others might. Many of us don't buy clothes EVERY month, and we can even go many months without purchases. But at some point, we have to get new shoes, and the kids outgrow their winter coats. Those are still expenses and have to be considered, even if they don't come frequently.

I know people are curious about how two adults can live on $150 of groceries a month. Does this really 90 meals? Do tell more details about what you're eating, where you're shopping, etc.

I don't think people are "outraged" so much as simply not really believing you. Either you are working some serious magic with the money, or you are not really accounting for what you are spending. It just defies logic that you are feeding yourself, your baby, and your DH (even part-time) on $40/week. We want to know what you are eating -- what foods you buy and how you make that last for 7 days worth of meals. Heck, just buying toilet paper, shampoo and paper towels - plus a head of lettuce and a tomato - could take up your entire $40 for the week. How do you fit in household items, like cleaners and paper products? Are you growing some of your own food? Almonds these days cost $10/pound, so even making your own almond milk is $$$$. Seriously, how are you doing it?

I agree PP: honey, vanilla, and almonds (ingredients for almond milk) are all expensive... I try not to spend more than $40 on food a DAY and I often don't succeed! If this woman is for real, I would really like to know her tricks because I could learn something from her!

[Anonymous]

NP here and just wanted to add that my DH works for a large co while I work for a small non-profit with no health insurance. Our "family plan" is 1000$/mo for a basic, fine plan. Not sexy, not fancy and an F-load of money. I blame all the old people who won't retire and get on medicare.

[Anonymous]

BTW, my recipe is just almonds and water.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your outrage is making you blind. I've said already that DH travels for work so his expenses (including food) are paid by the company so 3 to 4 days a week we only have one adult eating in the house.

We're not calves so we don't drink gallons of milk. We occasionally drink rice milk and I cook using almond milk that I make myself as needed.

If you're interested in tips for saving on groceries there are several helpful websites with free information all over the Internet.

On the furniture - we've been living in furnished rentals for a while and in our previous home (3 years ago) we did have to buy furniture but it was 3 years ago! Who buys furniture every year?

Anyway, why are you all so angry? Just because people are spending money differently than you? That's such a weird reason to be angry... wow!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, we don't have cable and DH's company pays our Internet and cellphone, just in case you're wondering.

DC's PT are fully covered by our insurance so again it doesn't cost us a thing. Anythig else about MY bills you can think of?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You quoted me.

Last year, our only medical expense aside health insurance was $15 co-pay fir my first OB visit and $250 for my emergency C-section.
This is our first real Christmas with a child so I'm not sure if we'll buy gifts or not. For my taste DC has enough. We don't have family in the coutry and don't exchange gifts with friends. Clear now?

I go to the grocery store once a week and spend on average $40. Just came back, BTW and spent $39 this trip. I'm not an extreme couponer but I do stock up when I see a good sale and clip coupons for things that we actually buy. I cook from scratch and our diet is different from most people we know (DH is vegetarian, DC is gluten/lactose intolerant and I'm gluten intolerant with food allergies). We eat a lot of fresh produce and rarely use substitutes.

We don't buy clothes every month and don't service our car every month so I just listed what we spend every month. Gas is around $100...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Hm let me see...

$1300 - rent
$400 - car payment
$90 - utilities
$300 - health insurance
$150 - groceries

That's all for us. Family of 3 with #2 on the way.

We visit my country every other year, DH's country every other year and we take vacation in the US every year. The US vacations are usually very cheap because DH travels for work so among nights free in hotels, rental car points and flying miles we spend almost nothing.

So you don't by clothes, or anything other than food? No Christmas presents? No...anything? I thought OP was talking about what she actually spends each month, and everyone else is leaving out all of this shit, as though they never have car break down, have a sick pet, get a hair cut, buy a baby shower gift, etc.

Yes, we're clear. You did not factor in all of your monthly expenses. Got it.

Life insurance?
Travel expenses averaged out by month?
Car repairs/gasoline average out by month?
Clothing expenses (purchases and cleaning) averaged out by month?
Entertainment/movies?
Furniture purchases?
Water/sewer? (if not part of rent)
Pets expenses?
Hair cuts?

Some of these may not apply, but others might. Many of us don't buy clothes EVERY month, and we can even go many months without purchases. But at some point, we have to get new shoes, and the kids outgrow their winter coats. Those are still expenses and have to be considered, even if they don't come frequently.

I know people are curious about how two adults can live on $150 of groceries a month. Does this really 90 meals? Do tell more details about what you're eating, where you're shopping, etc.

I don't think people are "outraged" so much as simply not really believing you. Either you are working some serious magic with the money, or you are not really accounting for what you are spending. It just defies logic that you are feeding yourself, your baby, and your DH (even part-time) on $40/week. We want to know what you are eating -- what foods you buy and how you make that last for 7 days worth of meals. Heck, just buying toilet paper, shampoo and paper towels - plus a head of lettuce and a tomato - could take up your entire $40 for the week. How do you fit in household items, like cleaners and paper products? Are you growing some of your own food? Almonds these days cost $10/pound, so even making your own almond milk is $$$$. Seriously, how are you doing it?

I agree PP: honey, vanilla, and almonds (ingredients for almond milk) are all expensive... I try not to spend more than $40 on food a DAY and I often don't succeed! If this woman is for real, I would really like to know her tricks because I could learn something from her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we go to Costco with a friend 3 or 4 times a year, I buy produce locally, we use freecycle and craigslist a lot...

Those are expenses too, though, right? Yet they're not included in your bare-bones budget? We get it, you're frugal, we're spendy. But people are challenging you probably because they think you sound smug yet at the same time you are not listing your actual expenses.

BTW, where are you finding a furnished apartment for $1300?

[Anonymous]

good point 21:51. We lived in a non-furnished, smlll apt. before buying and it was 1990 for 700 sq ft and 2 cats and 1 car.

My food budget is about 100 for a fam of 3 and we do cook a lot...what does one eat on 40/mo? Seriously. I"m fascinated.

[Anonymous]

do you have your own vegetable garden? Do you have a goat?
Do you do hunting? Fish at the Potomac? Hunt for rats?

[Anonymous]

$3200

But: we have no mortgage left to pay on the house, just taxes and insurance
Daycare is only $650 a month
No debt of any kind

[Anonymous]

$12,010. mortgage. student loans. We've calculated our bare bones costs and sadly this is it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we go to Costco with a friend 3 or 4 times a year, I buy produce locally, we use freecycle and craigslist a lot...

Those are expenses too, though, right? Yet they're not included in your bare-bones budget? We get it, you're frugal, we're spendy. But people are challenging you probably because they think you sound smug yet at the same time you are not listing your actual expenses.

BTW, where are you finding a furnished apartment for $1300?

When OP asked "bare boned" I listed what we spent on this month. I didn't go to Costco this month and won't go until next year.
And if you read carefully I don't live in a furnished apartment right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:do you have your own vegetable garden? Do you have a goat?
Do you do hunting? Fish at the Potomac? Hunt for rats?

See? This stupid comments are the ones who turn me off re sharing our life style.

[Anonymous]

100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be completely honest, DH is the one who does the budgeting but I'm the one handing the money to the cashier at the grocery store so I know how much I spend.

Since our utilities are based on sqft I mostly use cloth (cleaning rags, diapers, napkins) for cleaning supplies, etc we go to Costco with a friend 3 or 4 times a year, I buy produce locally, we use freecycle and craigslist a lot... I clean with water and vinegar and we don't use fabric softener. TMI here: I BF and didn't have a period still got pregnan with #2 so it's been almost 33 months since I had to wear pads. I planed the pregnancies around the same time so I won't have to buy maternity clothes since I'm pregnant during the exact same seasons and fingers crossed to have same gender so we will save money there too

On the menu... today for Bfast we had fresh fruit and omelet. Lunch was rice patties and beet root casserole, dinner was pizza. Nothing abnormal I guess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your outrage is making you blind. I've said already that DH travels for work so his expenses (including food) are paid by the company so 3 to 4 days a week we only have one adult eating in the house.

We're not calves so we don't drink gallons of milk. We occasionally drink rice milk and I cook using almond milk that I make myself as needed.

If you're interested in tips for saving on groceries there are several helpful websites with free information all over the Internet.

On the furniture - we've been living in furnished rentals for a while and in our previous home (3 years ago) we did have to buy furniture but it was 3 years ago! Who buys furniture every year?

Anyway, why are you all so angry? Just because people are spending money differently than you? That's such a weird reason to be angry... wow!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, we don't have cable and DH's company pays our Internet and cellphone, just in case you're wondering.

DC's PT are fully covered by our insurance so again it doesn't cost us a thing. Anythig else about MY bills you can think of?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You quoted me.

Last year, our only medical expense aside health insurance was $15 co-pay fir my first OB visit and $250 for my emergency C-section.
This is our first real Christmas with a child so I'm not sure if we'll buy gifts or not. For my taste DC has enough. We don't have family in the coutry and don't exchange gifts with friends. Clear now?

I go to the grocery store once a week and spend on average $40. Just came back, BTW and spent $39 this trip. I'm not an extreme couponer but I do stock up when I see a good sale and clip coupons for things that we actually buy. I cook from scratch and our diet is different from most people we know (DH is vegetarian, DC is gluten/lactose intolerant and I'm gluten intolerant with food allergies). We eat a lot of fresh produce and rarely use substitutes.

We don't buy clothes every month and don't service our car every month so I just listed what we spend every month. Gas is around $100...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Hm let me see...

$1300 - rent
$400 - car payment
$90 - utilities
$300 - health insurance
$150 - groceries

That's all for us. Family of 3 with #2 on the way.

We visit my country every other year, DH's country every other year and we take vacation in the US every year. The US vacations are usually very cheap because DH travels for work so among nights free in hotels, rental car points and flying miles we spend almost nothing.

So you don't by clothes, or anything other than food? No Christmas presents? No...anything? I thought OP was talking about what she actually spends each month, and everyone else is leaving out all of this shit, as though they never have car break down, have a sick pet, get a hair cut, buy a baby shower gift, etc.

Yes, we're clear. You did not factor in all of your monthly expenses. Got it.

Life insurance?
Travel expenses averaged out by month?
Car repairs/gasoline average out by month?
Clothing expenses (purchases and cleaning) averaged out by month?
Entertainment/movies?
Furniture purchases?
Water/sewer? (if not part of rent)
Pets expenses?
Hair cuts?

Some of these may not apply, but others might. Many of us don't buy clothes EVERY month, and we can even go many months without purchases. But at some point, we have to get new shoes, and the kids outgrow their winter coats. Those are still expenses and have to be considered, even if they don't come frequently.

I know people are curious about how two adults can live on $150 of groceries a month. Does this really 90 meals? Do tell more details about what you're eating, where you're shopping, etc.

I don't think people are "outraged" so much as simply not really believing you. Either you are working some serious magic with the money, or you are not really accounting for what you are spending. It just defies logic that you are feeding yourself, your baby, and your DH (even part-time) on $40/week. We want to know what you are eating -- what foods you buy and how you make that last for 7 days worth of meals. Heck, just buying toilet paper, shampoo and paper towels - plus a head of lettuce and a tomato - could take up your entire $40 for the week. How do you fit in household items, like cleaners and paper products? Are you growing some of your own food? Almonds these days cost $10/pound, so even making your own almond milk is $$$$. Seriously, how are you doing it?

Frugal poster, I think it's really cool that you make watermelon rind jelly and eat egg shells. More power to you. But you posted that you spend $40/month. That is $1.29/day.

How did you eat fresh fruit, omelet, pizza and a casserole on $1.29?? I'm really curious because I couldn't have managed to do this for under $20. How do you stretch $1.29 to buy all that food?

[Anonymous]

See? Once again I'll say YOU'RE NOT READING PROPERLY.

I said $40 per WEEK!!!!!! not per month.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be completely honest, DH is the one who does the budgeting but I'm the one handing the money to the cashier at the grocery store so I know how much I spend.

Since our utilities are based on sqft I mostly use cloth (cleaning rags, diapers, napkins) for cleaning supplies, etc we go to Costco with a friend 3 or 4 times a year, I buy produce locally, we use freecycle and craigslist a lot... I clean with water and vinegar and we don't use fabric softener. TMI here: I BF and didn't have a period still got pregnan with #2 so it's been almost 33 months since I had to wear pads. I planed the pregnancies around the same time so I won't have to buy maternity clothes since I'm pregnant during the exact same seasons and fingers crossed to have same gender so we will save money there too

On the menu... today for Bfast we had fresh fruit and omelet. Lunch was rice patties and beet root casserole, dinner was pizza. Nothing abnormal I guess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your outrage is making you blind. I've said already that DH travels for work so his expenses (including food) are paid by the company so 3 to 4 days a week we only have one adult eating in the house.

We're not calves so we don't drink gallons of milk. We occasionally drink rice milk and I cook using almond milk that I make myself as needed.

If you're interested in tips for saving on groceries there are several helpful websites with free information all over the Internet.

On the furniture - we've been living in furnished rentals for a while and in our previous home (3 years ago) we did have to buy furniture but it was 3 years ago! Who buys furniture every year?

Anyway, why are you all so angry? Just because people are spending money differently than you? That's such a weird reason to be angry... wow!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, we don't have cable and DH's company pays our Internet and cellphone, just in case you're wondering.

DC's PT are fully covered by our insurance so again it doesn't cost us a thing. Anythig else about MY bills you can think of?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You quoted me.

Last year, our only medical expense aside health insurance was $15 co-pay fir my first OB visit and $250 for my emergency C-section.
This is our first real Christmas with a child so I'm not sure if we'll buy gifts or not. For my taste DC has enough. We don't have family in the coutry and don't exchange gifts with friends. Clear now?

I go to the grocery store once a week and spend on average $40. Just came back, BTW and spent $39 this trip. I'm not an extreme couponer but I do stock up when I see a good sale and clip coupons for things that we actually buy. I cook from scratch and our diet is different from most people we know (DH is vegetarian, DC is gluten/lactose intolerant and I'm gluten intolerant with food allergies). We eat a lot of fresh produce and rarely use substitutes.

We don't buy clothes every month and don't service our car every month so I just listed what we spend every month. Gas is around $100...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Hm let me see...

$1300 - rent
$400 - car payment
$90 - utilities
$300 - health insurance
$150 - groceries

That's all for us. Family of 3 with #2 on the way.

We visit my country every other year, DH's country every other year and we take vacation in the US every year. The US vacations are usually very cheap because DH travels for work so among nights free in hotels, rental car points and flying miles we spend almost nothing.

So you don't by clothes, or anything other than food? No Christmas presents? No...anything? I thought OP was talking about what she actually spends each month, and everyone else is leaving out all of this shit, as though they never have car break down, have a sick pet, get a hair cut, buy a baby shower gift, etc.

Yes, we're clear. You did not factor in all of your monthly expenses. Got it.

Life insurance?
Travel expenses averaged out by month?
Car repairs/gasoline average out by month?
Clothing expenses (purchases and cleaning) averaged out by month?
Entertainment/movies?
Furniture purchases?
Water/sewer? (if not part of rent)
Pets expenses?
Hair cuts?

Some of these may not apply, but others might. Many of us don't buy clothes EVERY month, and we can even go many months without purchases. But at some point, we have to get new shoes, and the kids outgrow their winter coats. Those are still expenses and have to be considered, even if they don't come frequently.

I know people are curious about how two adults can live on $150 of groceries a month. Does this really 90 meals? Do tell more details about what you're eating, where you're shopping, etc.

I don't think people are "outraged" so much as simply not really believing you. Either you are working some serious magic with the money, or you are not really accounting for what you are spending. It just defies logic that you are feeding yourself, your baby, and your DH (even part-time) on $40/week. We want to know what you are eating -- what foods you buy and how you make that last for 7 days worth of meals. Heck, just buying toilet paper, shampoo and paper towels - plus a head of lettuce and a tomato - could take up your entire $40 for the week. How do you fit in household items, like cleaners and paper products? Are you growing some of your own food? Almonds these days cost $10/pound, so even making your own almond milk is $$$$. Seriously, how are you doing it?

Frugal poster, I think it's really cool that you make watermelon rind jelly and eat egg shells. More power to you. But you posted that you spend $40/month. That is $1.29/day.

How did you eat fresh fruit, omelet, pizza and a casserole on $1.29?? I'm really curious because I couldn't have managed to do this for under $20. How do you stretch $1.29 to buy all that food?

[Anonymous]

Here it is:

Anonymous wrote: Hm let me see...

$1300 - rent
$400 - car payment
$90 - utilities
$300 - health insurance
$150 - groceries

That's all for us. Family of 3 with #2 on the way.

We visit my country every other year, DH's country every other year and we take vacation in the US every year. The US vacations are usually very cheap because DH travels for work so among nights free in hotels, rental car points and flying miles we spend almost nothing.

[Anonymous]

Family of 6 here. We spend about $6K/month. The mortgage and tuition are our two biggies. BTW, we spend $700/month on groceries and eat out only twice a year. What a wild life. We used to eat our more often...back in 2007.