3k on a nanny and daycare for 4 days a week?
Get rid of daycare and get a nanny who doesn't mind cooking.

Anonymous wrote:So much to cut, and the investment property suck cost is obvi, but this is what really got me:

Personal Care - $350 per month (hair cuts/color, waxing, nails)

I spend under $400 per year and I promise, I'm not gross. I keep my hair natural-looking and my nails clipped and clean--manicure about 2 x per year, just for fun. It really really is not essential. And paying for waxing? Really? What are you waxing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The number of self-congratulatory and scoldy posts on this thread is pretty amusing. OP - are you a troll?

How old are you, and are you living beyond your means?

There are two types of adults: responsible ones, and self-entitled ones who live beyond their means.

The op's HHI is plenty, yet they are struggling. Why? Because they are living beyond their means.

Responsible people can live comfortably and travel well since they live within their means.

It's not rocket science...its just basic math.

Oh I'm plenty old. HHI of $420-475k depending on bonus. We save plenty and also live a nice life with balance. I do think OP's budget needs tightening but she's admitted as much several times now. But the degree of sanctimonious lecturing by posters like you are just so predictable for this site. But then, I love the ridiculousness which is why I still read.

Agree. People on here love to slam others and rub it in their faces about how much better they are doing. We spend a lot but save a lot too so we aren't living beyond our means, but I do sympathize with OP. We all make mistakes and it's easy to get carried away when you are young.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The number of self-congratulatory and scoldy posts on this thread is pretty amusing. OP - are you a troll?

How old are you, and are you living beyond your means?

There are two types of adults: responsible ones, and self-entitled ones who live beyond their means.

The op's HHI is plenty, yet they are struggling. Why? Because they are living beyond their means.

Responsible people can live comfortably and travel well since they live within their means.

It's not rocket science...its just basic math.

Oh I'm plenty old. HHI of $420-475k depending on bonus. We save plenty and also live a nice life with balance. I do think OP's budget needs tightening but she's admitted as much several times now. But the degree of sanctimonious lecturing by posters like you are just so predictable for this site. But then, I love the ridiculousness which is why I still read.

How do you spend $500 on clothes? Seriously, you don't need that many clothes. Also, don't go out to eat as much, meal plan and cook your own food, bring leftovers to work for lunch. You don't need a haircut every month, and you don't need pedicures in the winter...seriously, you are clueless! Also, buy cheaper cars.

Anonymous wrote:The number of self-congratulatory and scoldy posts on this thread is pretty amusing. OP - are you a troll?

How old are you, and are you living beyond your means?

There are two types of adults: responsible ones, and self-entitled ones who live beyond their means.

The op's HHI is plenty, yet they are struggling. Why? Because they are living beyond their means.

Responsible people can live comfortably and travel well since they live within their means.

It's not rocket science...its just basic math.

The number of self-congratulatory and scoldy posts on this thread is pretty amusing. OP - are you a troll?

There are so many things that could be cut in this budget, it's pretty laughable. With a similar HHI, we drive paid-off used cars, don't have cleaning help, don't spend anything like that on gifts/household supplies per month, take leftovers to work for lunch most days, rarely eat out etc. You're living more like a 1 million/year HHI.

Anonymous wrote:OP is a troll, all that money and NO vacation? very strange!

I know people like this IRL. They piss money away, just like the op. They always comment about how "it must be nice to travel so often" when they hear about my travel. My HHI is far less ($160k), but we prioritize travel over new cars, shopping as a sport, etc.

The op is living beyond her means. Period. She has no business owning an "investment property" that costs $750/month (bad investment). Car payments are crazy high. There's plenty to cut from her budget, but I doubt she will. She's just like my friends who complain they can't afford to travel, yet drop $100 every time they eat out (multiple times a week), drive brand new cars (and trade in every few years), have weekly cleaning services, drop several hundred dollars at the grocery store every week, regular hair/nails routine (plus fancy products), new clothes/shoes/purses every season, etc.

OP is a troll, all that money and NO vacation? very strange!

Holy shit OP, I'm new to this thread but you have PROBLEMS. Here are my comments

Nanny/PT Preschool for one child - $3k per month -- ditch the nanny, put your kid in full time preschool -->you'll save at least $1000/month
Mortgage - $3100 per month
HOA Fee - $200 per month
Investment Property - $750 per month (what rent doesn't cover) -- ditch
Home Insurance - $125 per month
Car Payments - $1200 per month (2 cars) -- are you financing or leasing. If you're leasing, you are stupid, just buy new cars outright.
Car Insurance - $110 per month (2 cars)
Gas - $200 per month
Tolls - $35 per month
Groceries - $1k per month, family of 3 plus nanny (weekdays breakfast & lunch for her). Includes wine/beer and hello fresh for weeknight meals --- ditch the nanny, stop using hello fresh, this is outrageous for four people.
Restaurants/Take Out - $500 per month (normally one 'nice' date night dinner and the rest inexpensive) -- you spend $1500 on food a month!!! That's nuts.
Home Supplies - $650 per month (all the basics like toilet paper, paper towels, cat food/litter, shampoo, OTC meds, cosmetics, diapers, baby supplies, blah blah) -- that seems like a lot
Student Loans - $350 per month
Personal Care - $350 per month (hair cuts/color, waxing, nails) -- cut down on this.
House Cleaner - $300 per month
Lawn Care - $135 per month
Shopping (Clothing/Accessories/Home Decor) - $500 per month -- seriously??
Gifts - $200 per month - what the fuck?
Work Lunch - $150 per month
Entertaining - $200 per month (having guests over/parties)
Kid's Activities/Lessons - $200 per month (swim class, music class, outings)
Doctor/Dentist - $150 per month -- do you have medical problems?
Pharmacy/Medications - $100 per month -- do you have medical problems?
Water Bill - $100 ($300 every 3 months)
Gas Bill - $140 (in winter, much less in summer months)
Electric Bill - $200
Cell Phones - $200
Pets - $100 earmarked per month for vet visits, meds etc every few months
Entertainment - $150 per month (going out for drinks/movies/etc)
Cash - $200
TOTAL ~ $14,600

Your hair/nails are way too high per month and your car payments are insane. You are probably trying too hard to keep up with the Jonses. Sell the cars, pay off the loans and buy a camry. You won't feel like a big shot driving it, but it will save you a crap load of money.

Did you say that you are putting money away for college and retirement, too? If not -- you really need to rethink your current lifestyle.

Dump the "investment" property.

I quit coloring my hair and save $600 a year.

You pay your staff very little. Cut back on "shopping" and pay your nanny and housekeeper decent money.