That’s about the upper limit for my take-home right now. I live alone and have a couple grand in credit card debt. I never learned to drive, no degree either. So no student loans, car payments, or major bills except that debt. I’m super behind where everyone says I’m supposed to be financially, and even just doing the ‘basic’ levels of saving would take a lot out of my income. Is ~$500 for ‘everything else’ after fixed expenses reasonable? I can identify a few areas of overspending but not much else.
Hey, I’ve been in a similar boat. I think $500 for ‘everything else’ sounds okay, but it depends on your living situation and priorities. You might want to track every small purchase for a month to see where you’re overspending.
@Vine
Yeah, that’s a good idea. I did that for a month, and I was surprised how much I was spending on random stuff like takeout. Also, do you use any apps to track your spending?
Tarian said:
@Vine
Yeah, that’s a good idea. I did that for a month, and I was surprised how much I was spending on random stuff like takeout. Also, do you use any apps to track your spending?
I’ve tried a few, but I always forget to update them. I’m trying to get better about it, though. I’ve heard Mint is good for keeping track of everything automatically. Anyone else use it?
For real, the overspending thing can be tricky. Maybe look into cutting out stuff like subscriptions you don’t really use or anything else that’s more of a habit than a need. Small cuts add up!
Roan said:
For real, the overspending thing can be tricky. Maybe look into cutting out stuff like subscriptions you don’t really use or anything else that’s more of a habit than a need. Small cuts add up!
Omg, yes! I had like 3 streaming subscriptions, and I barely used any of them. Cut those out and saved $50/month right away.
Roan said:
For real, the overspending thing can be tricky. Maybe look into cutting out stuff like subscriptions you don’t really use or anything else that’s more of a habit than a need. Small cuts add up!
I’ll definitely check that out. It’s so easy to forget about those little things until you look closely!
If you’re struggling with saving after paying off your debt, maybe try setting small, realistic savings goals. Like putting aside $50-$100 a month, and then slowly increasing that once you’re more comfortable.
@Jai
That’s a solid idea. It feels less overwhelming when you break it down like that. Thanks!
I’d also suggest looking at cheaper alternatives for things like groceries or utilities. Small tweaks here and there can really add up without sacrificing too much. Every little bit helps when you’re on a tight budget.
@Jai
I’ve been trying to cook at home more instead of takeout. It’s cheaper, but it’s hard to stay consistent. Any tips on sticking with it?
@Jai
Meal prepping is a game changer for that! Just cook in bulk and store stuff for the week. Less temptation to order out when you’ve got meals ready to go.
You’re not alone in feeling behind. Everyone moves at their own pace, and it’s totally okay to be figuring it out as you go. Just keep taking small steps forward, and it will start to click. You’ve got this!
@Gray
That’s encouraging, thank you! It’s been tough to feel like I’m behind, but I’m starting to get a little more hopeful with these tips.