Around 19.5k in 401k Just started keeping more detailed spreadsheet of expenses after realizing its been a year at work and my bank account hasn't grown at all...so all my savings are basically in 401k. Here it is for November 8.5k spend in a month to me is honestly absurd. Though I pay 2.6k for rent, and then 2k to help my parents mortgage. That still means I spent 3.9k myself... Big pain points are eating out and uber/lyft. Food delivery is mostly my GF using my dashpass account. How much are you guys spending in these fields? I need a reality check honestly. EDIT: I'm 22, living in SF TC $160 YOE 1 #personalfinance
Well, for starters my rent and utilities is ~$1200 a month because I have a roommate and I don't use food delivery services. So that's a lot of money I'm saving every month in comparison...I also don't spend $700/month eating out in addition to food delivery services. Do you actually spend $700/month eating out or is this a joke?
Not a joke, you can see the numbers. The big spends ($80+) are dinners with GF. usually once or twice a week. This month should be a bit higher though. The $250 one this month was a nice birthday dinner for GF
Just keep spending like this as long g as you save. It’s what I did almost 5 years ago and it pushed me to earn more. Gotta have some motivation right?! Maybe wouldn’t give a 30yo the same advice though.
Pause on these foe next 90 days: 1. Food delivery 2. Eating out Why are you paying your parents mortgage? Is this a temporary thing? For your rent, does your girlfriend live with you? Is it a 1bd? Can you downsize to a studio?
Its a studio. I chose to pay a bit more of a premium as its pretty spacious (600sqft with a dedicated bedroom area) and is in a nicer/safer part of SF. GF doesn't live with me, shes attending grad school, though shes here on weekends. My parents just bought a house and started a heavy construction project on it. $2k every month goes to them to relieve stress, this is probably indefinite for now.
Can you move in with parents? For GF, pause om all spend for 90 days while you restructure your spending habits.
Its good you are helping your parents. If I were you I would cut off GF from accounts. Next, look for a cheaper place. I live by myself in an expensive city, but my rent is 20% lower than yours
This. A girlfriend is not a wife. She can pay for her own stuff, especially if it's not a date.
I usually pay for the dinners out, as its usually just once a weekend. Do people usually split this kind of thing with long terms girlfriends? I agree on the food delivery costs though. I haven't been on top of charging her on those, but will start now.
It’s good you have a sheet to track expenses, I started doing this early this year, try to reduce some expenses and put more money in saving and investing
Not sure how your chemistry is with your GF, but unnecessary spending needs to stop. Before any transaction think if it’s truly a need or just a want. Uber/ dd money can easily be saved. You also might wanna cut your rent a bit.
Donate the cats!
Stop comparing yourself to others
Stop paying your parents mortgage. They're adults, they can pay it themselves.
GF + Food is almost the same as your parents mortgage. Buy a wok bowl and start whippin the pot.
no car? where do you live
Edited, I live in SF. I don't really need a car, though the public transit here sometimes is very slow and I end up calling Uber/Lyft.
ahh, i'm in the bay. i have an $800 recurring expense over and above your expenses ish (car), tho I still save around half of my base post tax.