It's definitely possible to eat for $200 a month even in a city. :) I have been for the last couple months. I sort of hate it, as it involves a lot of chicken thighs and ground beef and canned veggies, since I cant have rice or pasta and I fricking hate beans. But it definitely can be done. Especially with some good planning and shopping around.
I do want to note that every financial advisor I have ever read or gone to see makes a point that you absolutely cannot cut out everything or you will go nuts and possibly rebel, much like someone who goes on an extreme low calorie diet. If you don't plan (plan being the key) for a little fun or treat you could really resent it by the time you are done.
I also had to really reduce expenses in the last 14 months as I realized I had overextended myself. I have managed this year to pay off $15,000 in consumer debt plus deal with the family expenses I whine about all the time. ;) It wasn't pretty but I did it. Cutting back on food expenses (I ate out WAY too much, at least $100 a week), getting rid of landline (cable is about to go, too, but I won't get rid of the internet), getting rid of luxuries (cleaning service, petsitter, massages, Aveda haircuts, etc) and generally just paying more attention and not always taking the easy way out (like for Christas, instead of automatically renting a car I asked around and instead am taking one of my friend's second cars since no one as to work those days).
I also am a smarter consumer. I will buy the more expensive item if it makes sense to do so. In 2006 I decided I needed a pair of walking shoes and a pair of sandals for all the travel I did. I bought a pair of Dansko clogs ($125) and a pair of Rockport sandals ($85). I have probably worn one or the other of those shoes 600 of the last 700 days and they are still in excellent shape. Quality matters, too.
Anyway, I know things probably see dismal, but on the plus side, you don't have much if any debt, right? That seriously puts you wayyyyyy ahead of a lot of people. I am sure you will manage this. *hugs*
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Date: 2008-12-13 12:00 pm (UTC)I do want to note that every financial advisor I have ever read or gone to see makes a point that you absolutely cannot cut out everything or you will go nuts and possibly rebel, much like someone who goes on an extreme low calorie diet. If you don't plan (plan being the key) for a little fun or treat you could really resent it by the time you are done.
I also had to really reduce expenses in the last 14 months as I realized I had overextended myself. I have managed this year to pay off $15,000 in consumer debt plus deal with the family expenses I whine about all the time. ;) It wasn't pretty but I did it. Cutting back on food expenses (I ate out WAY too much, at least $100 a week), getting rid of landline (cable is about to go, too, but I won't get rid of the internet), getting rid of luxuries (cleaning service, petsitter, massages, Aveda haircuts, etc) and generally just paying more attention and not always taking the easy way out (like for Christas, instead of automatically renting a car I asked around and instead am taking one of my friend's second cars since no one as to work those days).
I also am a smarter consumer. I will buy the more expensive item if it makes sense to do so. In 2006 I decided I needed a pair of walking shoes and a pair of sandals for all the travel I did. I bought a pair of Dansko clogs ($125) and a pair of Rockport sandals ($85). I have probably worn one or the other of those shoes 600 of the last 700 days and they are still in excellent shape. Quality matters, too.
Anyway, I know things probably see dismal, but on the plus side, you don't have much if any debt, right? That seriously puts you wayyyyyy ahead of a lot of people. I am sure you will manage this. *hugs*