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Follow up

September 9th, 2010 at 07:11 pm

Thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. Here is my budget, like I said, this is relatively new since I am now splitting rent and got a raise this month.

My take home pay after everything is 3600.00
rent $875
utilities $175
cell $55
perscriptions $85
groceries $200
eating out $100
misc. $300
savings $200

student loans - my minimum is $560/month and that only covers interest. I have been paying around $800 every month. Ideally, I want to boost this up to at least $1000.

If I can stick with the above budget, I should be able to put ~$1600 towards the loans every month. I am going to see if I can hit that goal this month.

I also forgot to mention that my food costs have gone way down since we stopped eating out. We used to go out at least 3x a week, now its 1x every two weeks. I am loving cooking at home now.

I have been looking for part time jobs but I am sort of limited in time. I work a pretty intense job from 7:30 until 5 and commute by train 45 mins each way. Also, I do occasionally have to travel for work. I am trying to seek out some type of work from home stuff, and will keep posting on craigslist. I am a lawyer and my job won't let me moonlight with legal stuff, but i can write, edit, tutor, etc.

My bf is being supportive, and splitting rent, home expenses, and food costs has been great. We have both noticed a savings in the food department. However, my bf has no student loans, a great income, and money in the bank, so he has trouble seeing why he needs a budget. He has the car in the relationship and pays all car related expenses, so that has been a big help for me.

It could be worse, I know. I keep thinking about how money was approached growing up. We were middle class, but never were in a tough situation because mom has been very successful in her job. We never talked about budgets, savings, planning ahead, education debt, etc. If I ever have kids, I am going to make sure that these life lessons are imparted from the begining.

1 Responses to “Follow up”

  1. Homebody Says:
    1284075364

    I think that is a good plan, except do not cut yourself too short.

    This is one of the reasons my OD decided to go to diagnostic ultrasound school instead of law school, even though she had a criminal justice degree from Sacramento State. She knew it would cost so much. As it is, she was able to come out with about $30,000 in loans and really loves her job. She is kind of shy and did not think she would be good in a courtroom situation either.

    I take it the $300 a month is for gifts, clothes, etc? What about retirement savings? Do you have a plan at work?

    After working for 34 years I am recently "retired" and learning to cook too! DH did it all for most of our 32 years of marriage. I am really enjoying it and even started a cake decorating class. The woman sitting next to me is a lawyer with 2 little kids!

    I don't know about a second job. I have seen friends get too dependent on the money. Besides I am a former workaholic and am paying physically for it now. Good luck and keep posting your progress and what's for dinner??

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