It's quite common for people to ask me how we make it on one income - a teacher's income at that. And it's hard to tell people how we really do it unless we just share the real numbers. I've been known to send our budget excel sheet to people because it really doesn't matter to me if people know what our household income is. If anything, it is a testament to how it can work.
Our budget is usually set up for $2411.24 each month. Because of the challenge, I have set it for $1780.24 - sorry, Elizabeth, I couldn't make the $1200 amount! Here is the breakdown:
Church Giving $200.00
Compassion International $38.00
Mortgage $609.50
Health Insurance - Chrissy & kids $293.14
Charter Internet $29.99
Direct TV $39.99
Farmers Insurance - Car & Life $132.62
AES - College Loans $0.00 (normally $100)
Utilities - Electricity/Water/Trash $125.00
Cell phone - Josh & Chrissy $70.00
Groceries $350.00 (normally $400)
Hair cuts $0.00 (normally $20)
Gasoline $80.00 (normally $120)
Diapers & Pullups $50.00
Clothing $0.00 (normally $30)
Entertainment & Eating Out $0.00 (normally $50)
Misc $0.00 (normally $25)
What I cut were the items that show $0 along with groceries, gas, and student loan payment (I cut groceries by $50 and gas by $40, and we made a large payment to AES recently and we do not have to make a payment for another month - normally we would pay something, but for the sake of the challenge, I'm forgoing it for June).
And for the sake of discussion, I'll let you know about some of the other things that aren't listed just in case you are a budget freak and notice what they are right off the bat!
Oil changes and car maintenance are not listed. My husband administers the ACT every other month at the high school, and we put aside those checks for car stuff (which works out nicely since oil changes are every three months and those checks are every other month - we come out ahead). We are not due for one this month, thus, I am not listing it in the challenge.
We have a "gift" category also, and to be completely honest, I usually don't account for it exactly, but it's there if need be. I've planned ahead for Father's day this month (shhh...don't tell) and there are no birthdays in our family or among our friends, so we're good to go!
About our health insurance - Josh's health insurance is paid completely by his employer/school district, and the kids and I have an HSA through the United Health Care plan. HSA's have a high deductible, but we have planned for it and feel it is the best option for our family.
About retirement - Josh has about $500 of his check taken out automatically each month. We don't ever see that part of his earnings, it's just gone, so we don't have it listed on our budget sheet. We are still trying to figure out if we should put an additional amount aside for me, even though I doubt I'll ever go back to work full time. Even if I did, we would continue to live on one income.
No eating out this month...that's a challenge in and of itself! No hair cuts. I guess I'll be cutting the boys' hair! Yikes!
We have no car payments or credit card payments. It's a freeing feeling. The only thing more freeing will be when we pay off our student loans. I look forward to that day.
On a side note, when our Direct TV contract is up in August, I am 99% sure we will get rid of it. Sorry to those of you who come visit me.
So there's the scoop on how we make it. It's a bit personal, but Josh agreed that I could share it. I hope it encourages others in some way. The challenge for us is a savings of $631.
8 comments:
And what will you do with that savings? Fun next month, or extra student loan?
it's supposed to go to student loan but we will see!
good luck with your own challenge then! =) a savings of $631 is still a savings. every penny counts. =) have a great rest of the week!
I am sure that if anyone can do this it is you and Josh!
How fascinating to read a total strangers budget. :) Thanks for letting me take a look.
I'm a teacher too, and I don't get paid in the summer, so those months are always pretty lean.
I found you from the blog hop, btw, and I'd love it if you stopped by my blog where I review Christian fiction.
Joy at http://edgyinspirational.blogspot.com
That was really informational and totally interesting. I need to budget way better.
that's incredible. We went through Financial Peace University and it was so eye opening for us. We immediately paid off one car, the appliances we had to buy when we bought our house and now seem to be in a holding pattern, oh and we got rid of a credit card but are still paying it down. Any hints on being more consistent? When we actually do the budget at the beginning of the month and get the money out we do okay, I'm just a slacker I guess. My husband is a Pastor and that's our salary, we're blessed with great health coverage for all of us...just need to be more consistent. Thanks for ANOTHER great post. It really makes me want to get back on track so we can one day be debt free. It's those student loans (my husbands) that are killing us! no fun!
What a great post Chrissy! I'm still trying to cut $1200 out of our budget from when Mark lost his job at the city. I don't even have 1200 to cut, but this gives me inspiration! Thanks again!
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