Reply to $14k net HHI - Budget Input

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There's a ton here I get to raise my eyebrows at. But thank you for the window into your life. I have an 18 month old and have $4350 take home a month and also save 8% for retirement.

The thing I really wonder about is time. I barely feel like I have enough time with my son and he has a stay at home parent (his dad). I don't spend my free time eating out or shopping or getting nails or hair done. If I did, and spent what you spent, I don't feel like I'd ever see him in the evenings. Your kid doesn't need preschool. Stay home and eat mac and cheese and play with her. 
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I'm with our daughter 1 hour in the am before work, and 3 hours at night, all weekends, plus I took off every Friday afternoon to spend with her this year. I feel like we get lots of quality time. I fit any personal care appointments into the work day or right after while the nanny is here, eating out is normally with her other than our monthly date night.

I would honestly love to see your budget for $4350 take home for perspective. [/quote]

This is scary for me because it is so far from what DCUM looks like. I live in a 3 bedroom ranch inside the beltway:
$2300 mortgage, tax, insurance
$150 electric
$120 gas (heating)
$100 gasoline (car)
$85 cellphones (3GB share plan)
$55 internet only (no cable, no landline phone)
$600 food, $500 groceries, $100 on ethnic takeaway for treats
$200 diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies
The remaining varies: house stuff, savings, car repairs, clothes. I check goodwill and other thrift stores. I buy frequently from craigslist. Yes it is a struggle sometimes. Tax returns and credit card points are used for vacation (to visit family who are luckily near the beach). We drive a 2008 toyota and a 2007 mazda 5 that are paid off. I paid off my student loans last year and my husband didn't go to college.

I’m glad to hear you feel you have enough time with your daughter. I leave for work befor DS wakes up and get home about 4:30. He goes to bed at 7. With bath and mealtime craziness, I feel our quality time is very limited on the weekdays and would hate to spend it shopping, but that’s just me!
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Thank you for sharing!!! I think the home supply area (where you have diapers/wipes/cleaning supplies) and groceries are killing us and I'm not sure why. Feels like necessary spending so not something I pay a lot of attention to but will look into that in detail. Our daughter doesn't go down until 8:30/9 which is not for everyone but works for us and definitely gives us more time on weekdays.[/quote]

Yes I agree that seems the most out of whack to me. I get how you can easily overspend on food, we have to be militant. But you also have a house cleaner. Is your house like spotless or something? Maybe just be ok with a little dirt? I thought one of the benefits of having a cleaner means you don't have to buy crap like toilet brushes. haha I dunno. [/quote]

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