Got a reality check this week

[iris lilies]

I paid $120 for 6 months of tick protection for doggo.

we did not treat him for ticks in the city, but here in Hermann ticks are plentiful.

[Yppej]

I probably spend close to $400 a month on commuting costs - about $250 a month on gas (was $300 earlier this year) and more maintenance/repairs on the car plus having to replace vehicles more often. So that would wash the medical, except medical inflation is out of control in the US.

Good for you all trying to spend less.

I always thought of getting another dog in retirement but it's definitely an expense.

[Klunick]

I have a 120 mile round trip commute and spend almost $500 on gas each month and I have a very good gas efficient car so I can't imagine what it would be if I had a gas guzzler.

[bae]

I basically haven’t bought gas for the past 3 years after picking up pre-pandemic an inexpensive used electric car. It’s already paid for itself in fuel and maintenance costs.

[Klunick]

We did some major work since I posted this and it shows. Last month, we had about $9200 coming in and only $3900 going out.

[early morning]

Wow, Klunick, great job! We need to work on this. We're retired with about 6K monthly income. Not much in savings/investments. And we spend most of what we get, which is not a good thing. Because sooner or later, something big is going to need repair. Downsizing isn't really on the table for many many reasons. At least we have no debt!!

[iris lilies]

Klunick, that is a huge success! Good job.

[Klunick]

Wow, Klunick, great job! We need to work on this. We're retired with about 6K monthly income. Not much in savings/investments. And we spend most of what we get, which is not a good thing. Because sooner or later, something big is going to need repair. Downsizing isn't really on the table for many many reasons. At least we have no debt!!

My husband is planning on retiring in less than two years so we had to get things under control. I still have 8 years until I hit 62. We paid off the house 10-15 years ago and also have zero debt.

[happystuff]

Nice job!!! Yes, getting things under control before retirement is a biggie.

[catherine]

Klunick, that is amazing! Can you tell me some of your successful strategies for identifying the money sucks and reducing them? Going from 7000+ to 3900/month is amazing!!