Can you survive?

[tjthemanto]

good for you OP and yes. we thankfully managed to pay off our debt awhile back and couponing has helped immensely.
we went without cable for nearly 3 years.. we used an antenna then they switched over to Digital. and we lost everything. so we got cable.

You still get free digital OTA channels. If you have an old TV you will need a converter box which you can get for about 25 bucks...and till use your antenna.

For new TV's , you don't need the converter box and can use the antenna directly or free channels.

[MrsSunshine]

thats ok tj. i figured after nothing for 3 years it was ok to treat ourselves. besides we signed into a month to month contract.. we can cancel anytime.

[kanewtz]

OMG I'd love that!! After my bills every month...I'm usually a couple of dollars ahead or lose money.

I always keep a buffer in the account though just in case.

[EricsMom]

We are left still owing every month after the money runs out and we have no buffer. Really working on changing that this year.

[lovelikewinter3]

I have faith in you EricsMom, a little determination is all it takes... that, and some accountability for yourself. That's what worked great for me. Keep us posted, we're here to help

[frugal50]

so this month, im left with a surplus of $ 738.96 after paying my rent, food, cable.... i usually save about $800.00 a month - don't know if that's good or bad, since I have nothing to compare it with.

[roseofblack25]

I figure once I move and pay my share of bills I will have like $100 left over a month I wish it could be more but I don't make a ton of money as it is, plus I'm a student too. I really want to save up a down payment for a place but at the rate I am managing to save it is looking like it won't happen for a very long time.

[momof5boys]

Just some advice for those starting out on their own....if you own your own home and make a decent salary, avoid buying the latest gadgets, getting cable, going out habitually for dinner. Instead, try pay that mortgage off ASAP and save for your retirement. We were in that position to live an upscale lifestyle when my husband had a good paying job but we decided to live frugally with the priorities of working on paying off our mortgage, saving for retirement and supporting a family in poverty (Africa). Staying in touch with a family in poverty kept our focus to live frugally and still does.

A number of years ago, my husband lost his job due to the market down turn and I can't tell you enough how thankful we were that our home was paid off and we had savings in the bank. He now works quite happily for another company but with half the salary but we don't have to stress out because our lifestyle has been such that we know how to make do....couponing helps lol....

[gameprogirl]

Wow..the area I live in , the cheapest rent is $ 1,000 per month with utilities..this includes even basement apartments ..apartments in buildings are even more than that.

How much rent do you pay ? Are utilities like water,hydro and heating included in that rent ?

How much do you pay for transport ? Even if you don't have a car and don't have to worry about gas, insurance, maintenance etc..just public transport can get pretty expensive too

My rent with all utilities included is $715 a month, we also have fully fueled up BBQ's and a whole patio to enjoy with fresh flowers and picnic tables, paid for by the landlord. Our laundry is $1.50 a wash and $1.50 for 2 dryers. We don't drive so that saves us money. I am allowed a dog or cat too. I love my apartment complex, it's 90% seniors so we never hear noise or anything.

We walk everywhere, next door to me is 24hr metro store, and tons of businesses. We also bike since there are bicycle path's everywhere.

[lekate]

I don't pay rent right now (live at home), but after all expenses I'm left with 540$. I'd be screwed if I did live on my own, I'd be damned lucky if I could find something within that price range. And I wouldn't be able to save and pay off the debt I do have.

I'm adding another 1000$ to my debt load since I want to do a TESOL course. I'm going to try and get a LOC to pay off my MC and pay a lower interest rate. And then move to South Korea and have an epic adventure.

[matrix82]

My rent with all utilities included is $715 a month, we also have fully fueled up BBQ's and a whole patio to enjoy with fresh flowers and picnic tables, paid for by the landlord. Our laundry is $1.50 a wash and $1.50 for 2 dryers. We don't drive so that saves us money. I am allowed a dog or cat too. I love my apartment complex, it's 90% seniors so we never hear noise or anything.

We walk everywhere, next door to me is 24hr metro store, and tons of businesses. We also bike since there are bicycle path's everywhere.

My kind of apartment, quiet!

[matrix82]

I will be moving soon, my rent will be $940, includes cold water, so after Electricity, closer to $1050. We are in an apartment away from the city center but on a bus route. We have two vehicles, one which is paid off as of this month . But we may go down to one vehicle depending on what our schedules are like. We went from country living to soon, city living. So we are going to see a huge difference in what we have been paying on gas.

I am hoping that we will be able to save some money, we have student loans that we are trying to put extra payments on. There isn't much left over at the end of the month that is for sure. I wish we had almost $800 left over. We would be saving for retirement then.

My hope is that the two of us remain healthy.

[Stretchthatdollar!]

Our total net income a mOnth is $2000 including child tax ect and I have always wondered the same thing as most pll I know make more.
After all the bills and before groceries we have around $535 a month -$450 grocery/stocking/baby suppliesI feel like we need to compare some can learn to spend less cause we litter ally shouldn't be spending a cent cause of th debt we have and pay $600 a mOnth towards... They dOnt say the debt cycle is a trap for nothing!! Have you ever had to get out of this sort of thing cause since we have comParable $ I'm interested...

[jessep13]

wow thats alot! ide be putting most of that away to save. after i pay all my bills, rent, hydro, phone , cable/internet and laundry/bus fare. Im left with 478$ . With that money I have to buy groceries, and whatever other fun things we want to do.

[ashedfc]

wow thats alot! ide be putting most of that away to save. after i pay all my bills, rent, hydro, phone , cable/internet and laundry/bus fare. Im left with 478$ . With that money I have to buy groceries, and whatever other fun things we want to do.

Thats good, you are left with $478.
But try & do a budgeting "including groceries & fun"...
so this way you know that after all expenses (including grocery/ & fun) - what is your spare money remaining. This amount is your savings.

Its this money accumulated over a period a time is very essential, & it helps in getting through tough times..

ASH
www.edfc.ca