https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:01:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331798 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:24:35 +0000 MrsTiz 331798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have high paying jobs, but fortunately both of our cars are paid off, and work pays for our cell phones so there are those bills lifted.</p> <p>Well I just did the math and we've got about $900 left. It sure doesn't feel like it, we've had a lot of extra expenses this month since we just moved into our home and it is taking a toll. </p> <p>I wish I was better at budgeting! I thought I was great at it until I just figured that math..and have nothing to show for it! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331781 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:15:30 +0000 ladyfingers 331781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oahujeni: You and I are in almost exactly the same boat. Just remember that they'll need very little in their first year! (that's what I keep telling myself, as if I won't constantly be buying him clothes, books, and toys) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331700 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:33:10 +0000 oahujeni 331700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow thanks everyone.. I've been getting really anxious about our financial situation, but it seems like we are all in the same boat (or close.) When I did the budget last night it shows that we will have less than $800 left once we pay everything (mortgage, utilities, gas, electric, groceries, student loans, daycare, etc.) But I didn't include diapers or any other baby items because I don't know what type of monthly expense those will bring. Plus our health insurance will go up once baby gets put on it, so in reality we'll have even less left over than what I am calculating right now. Losing 3 months of pay for maternity leave doesn't help either but that's my decision so I can't let myself worry about that too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331634 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:07:18 +0000 KT326 331634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coco Bee: We are pretty much in the same boat. We don't have much left after we pay all our expenses. Especially now that we are paying for daycare. </p> <p>I am so bad about creating a budget and sticking to it. I know if we were to do that we would have more left over. But we get by. And we do put money in savings every month and we both contribute a good portion to our 401k's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331619 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:57:59 +0000 Mrs. Pen 331619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All expenses including:<br /> Rent<br /> Car payment<br /> Car Insurance<br /> Gas<br /> Groceries<br /> Electric/Gas<br /> Internet<br /> Phones<br /> Student loan payment</p> <p>After all of that - our "needs" we only have about $200, sometimes less. It's very little, I know. We try to save half that and the rest goes to whatever our needs are that month such as clothes, shoes, household items etc. It's rough yes - but we are thankful that we have our greatest needs met and that is most important. A place to live, food to eat, a car and a great family. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331572 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:28:18 +0000 ladyfingers 331572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same as Dagret.</p> <p>ETA we also don't count groceries or gas in the "left over" money. We have separate line items for both those recurring expenses, as well as all our bills and our savings. Left over money is strictly for eating out and miscellaneous expenses, but sometimes also has to cover doctor's appointments, vet bills, etc. </p> <p>As for living comfortably off of that, it depends on the month. It would be wonderful to not have to weigh whether or not to buy something. And if an unexpected expense like a car repair bill or something comes up, it's a less comfortable month, and occasionally if it's a very big expense, we have to dig into savings. We won't put anything on credit unless we absolutely have to, or unless we have the money and we're just charging then paying off for the points.</p> <p>OK and now I'm adding more so ETA again... after this month, we're cutting out about $500 in monthly expenses because we're finally paying off our washer/dryer we bought back in April, and we'll have paid all of our OB's deductible. So we'll be going from $1000 left over to more like $1500. So by the time daycare rolls around, everything will sort of even out back to where we are right now, except we'll be able to put a little less into savings and have a little less left over (around $800 instead of $1000). At least we'll still be able to put *something* into savings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331570 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:27:18 +0000 dagret 331570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i voted less than $1000, but I consider savings and retirement savings an expense. If you don't count those first, it'd be more like $1500-2000. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-money-do-you-have-left-after-expenses#post-331338 Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:22:01 +0000 oahujeni 331338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did our first budget last night (thanks to @Mrs. High Heels excel spreadsheet!) and took into account how much childcare is going to cost us come March. If you follow a budget each month and track your expenses, about how much do you have left over and are you able to live comfortably on that amount and still put some into savings? </p>