The 3%+ increase wasn’t unexpected, but it’s never good to see fixed expenses going up (especially during a time when energy and grocery prices are increasing so rapidly).
I’ve also put together a new budget spending plan, just in time for July! I’ve been a little too liberal with spending lately, and its time to be more conscious of what I’m spending my hard-earned $$$ on.
Spending Plan v 2.0
Rent / Utilities / DSL = $820
Eating Out / Groceries / Starbucks = $210
Medical co-pays = $40
Gas / Parking = $160
Car Insurance = $120
Car Repair = $80
Entertainment = $125
Personal Care = $50
Clothes & Accessories = $50
Laundry / Dry-Clean = $15
Student Loan = $160
Miscellaneous = $50
Gifts = $25
Travel = $120
Total = $2,000
I’ve decided can wait until next year are a new computer (eliminated computer budget), and since I’ve paid for all the test prep I’m going to take this year, the education budget has been eliminated as well. Next year, though, I want to take some classes at a local college, so I’ll have to set aside money for that purpose.
This spending plan is not set in stone… if CB gets a job out of state or out of city, I’ll have to plan on getting a new computer with web-cam and split my share of air plane tickets. But I think I have enough flexibility built in to my spending that an extra $200 a month won’t seriously derail my savings.
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Hey there!
Thanks for coming by my blog. I’ve been reading you for a bit now, but only just remembered to link you on my blogroll. Always interested in what californians are doing (my hometown, sniff). I like to think of myself as an ex-pat
Gas is worse out there, I feel for you. It was a surprise to see $2.00 gas here vs. the $3.50 there when I moved.
I’m surprised your rent went up with the glutton on the house market right now. Maybe you can find a less expensive place to live? But I imagine you have already looked. Plus there is the moving cost and time factor.
Gosh! I so agree, that is painful to see a fixed line item go up with the rising prices of gas and groceries. Conscience spending is definitely a new target for me as well. Good luck.
When the house market is slow usually rent goes up because there is more demand for rental properties. People who lose their houses must rent and there are other people who normally plan to rent from the beginning. 3% sounds reasoable if you take inflation rate into consideration.
I understand that pain of having a loved one being far away and the emotional and fiscal implications of that! It’s a great plan to try and set aside some money in case your sweetie does move out of the area. It will allow you to have the means to see if you can make the long-distance relationship work!
Good luck with your new (improved?) budget! I am feeling the pain here in San Diego as well – especially with an apartment move coming up!
It’s a lifestyle. I can’t explain it. But try moving closer to work and cutting the gas expenses. I found that was best in CA.
Wow, I can never set a budget that I can stick to. I hope things work out.