3. People who are "doing it right": how much do you pay per month on various catego...

People who are "doing it right": how much do you pay per month on various categories, such as rent/mortgage, auto loans, gas, student loans, utilities, food, etc.?

29, married couple, dual income

  • Do you think you have your finances under control? - For the most part, just recently reached a financial level I am ok with, looking to reduce debt further and improve savings further. Our finances could be better, and they will be - it's something we have been working on and drastically improving. I'm the frugal one and my husband has made a 180, but our marriage started out with him being irresponsible with money. Food is our biggest downfall, it could definitely be reduced but it's also due to my husband's active, mobile job.

  • Your country, state/province, city - Burbs of Chicago

  • Monthly Income - $8300 - husband, the breadwinner, is not salary so this is average, it changes month to month

  • Mortgage or rent - rent $1200/mo

  • Home insurance + car insurance - $225/mo for renters and three vehicles

  • Groceries - Around $900 - this is our pitfall and it's mostly due to my husband's ginormous appetite, he has a physical job and needs to eat over 3,500 calories a day. He is fit and not overweight. Also includes cleaning supplies, pharmacy purchases

  • Restaurants/fast food/cafeterias - $593 (see groceries note, though I feel this can be reduced. Also includes two vacations)

  • Auto loans - $290

  • Gasoline - $500/mo (again due to my husband's job. His job location changes, and he used to drive a truck. We recently got a small commuter car that uses 1/3 of the gas so this will go down significantly in 2015. Additionally, where we live we both commute 1 hour+, this is not something we will be changing, we like the amount of land we get out here compared to closer to the city and will be buying a home out here)

  • Student loans - $67

  • Health insurance, dental, vision, etc. - free from husband's job

  • Prescriptions, other medical stuff not covered by insurance - 0

  • Phone - $70 two phones

  • Utilities (water, heat, gas, electric) - $200, I don't like to be cold or hot

  • Internet - $70, going to reduce to $60

  • Cable/Satellite TV, video services (like Netflix), etc. - $8

  • Clothing - $30 - average only, we almost never buy clothes. When I do it's from Goodwill or TJ Maxx.

  • Vehicle repairs and maintenance - $100

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