Budget for family of 3

amother

Bronze

Thu, Jul 19 2018, 5:48 pm

Kiwi13 wrote:

Personally I think this is a great example of how proper budgeting is different for everyone! Some people would prefer a bigger living space and more frugal spending elsewhere. We each allocate what we have to cover the expenses most important to us. No need to apologize for living within your means and spending more on the things most important to you.

Kiwi, you would be right if this was a planned budgeting decision. The problem is that these were unplanned.... I listed my actual expenses for the previous month....

We might want to change things especially to start saving but don't really know how or what to budget....

Sorry OP if I'm derailing your thread but perhaps insights to my situation can be helpful to you as well.

Let me know if you'd rather I start my own thread....

Wishing you lots of hatzlacha in whatever you do!

amother

Babypink

Thu, Jul 19 2018, 7:15 pm

Rent $1500 - Tiny one bedroom apartment
Utilities and cellphone $330 -
Cleaning lady $100
Food $1,500 Embarassed I know we spend a lot! Both my husband and I enjoy when there's enough food! And we buy lunch every day! Embarassed
Car expense including insurance $625
Car Service $225 - My transportation to work
IRS Tax Bill $500 - this is not a monthly expense but plug in anything else for a different month!
Babysitting $800
Charity $360
Insurance partly work subsidized $1,000
Term life insurance $300

Food is a lot for 3, you know that, if you want to save, try cutting some out and put the rest away.
You insurance is very high, not sure you can do anything about it though
Term is also high, it's usually way less, whole should be that high, not term
If car is a lease, then must be a luxury car or your insurance is high
Other expenses may be as good as you can get, unless you know how to cut.
Saving is very important, but living like a mensch when both spouses put in full days is nothing to sneeze at.
I've been at points that despite 3 full time jobs betweens, we barely could pay the bills as we had high expenses for various reasons.

amother

Cyan

Thu, Jul 19 2018, 10:08 pm

amother wrote:

How much does a family of 3 have to earn to realistically "make it" in Brooklyn? Monsey?
(Not counting on parental support or gov programs)

If you can include a budget/breakdown for expenses, that would be great!

*im not talking about the Lowest possible income, which is why I wrote make it. (I'm sure peoples opinions differ on what making it means. I mean to pay the bills without feeling suffocated)

Eta-: young couple with a baby. Either 1 or both parents working

So to answer your question. Looks like atleast 75K.

amother

Mint

Sun, Jul 22 2018, 6:30 pm

amother wrote:

It is helpful.. no need to start a new thread Smile