The precieved mindless rambelings of a street corner bum. (very long) (Page 11/15)
ditch JUN 09, 02:16 PM

quote
Originally posted by connecticutFIERO:

And I still bring to question how its possible for you to come out with the same numbers when obviously the cost of living has risen over the past 4 years.



I went home today and looked at my budget. These are the numbers for June 2003 to May 2004 (the last 12 months). I added up all the money I spent, here goes:

natural gas bill: 1619
electric bill: 1021
gas for all my vehicles: 833
Food and supplies: 5575 (covers household supplies, clothes when I need them....$20 old navy jeans are fine with me)
Dog food and vet: 427
Phone: 660
Internet: 120
Credit Card: 1380
Car insurance (public liability thru progressive, all 4 vehicles): 1608
Water: 384
Directv: 516
Vehicle Lisence plates: 128
Miscellaneous: 2370 (cash I take out from time to time for personal things..movies, taking my nephew to the park, going to a hockey game etc.)
TOTAL MONEY: $16641 spent

Now, lets put me in a small house or apartment for $500/month (they can be found and are not dumps either), that's another $6000/year,

TOTAL NOW is $22641 spent

Now, take $35583 (what I was made 1999-2000), based on 6% going to 401k, $34/month for medical insurance at work, 3.4% state tax, 1% county tax, medicare(1.45%), FICA(6.2%), and federal income tax for that bracket (minus deductions), I would bring home approximately 71% of that income

TOTAL TAKE HOME: $25500

that leaves me $2860 left over from the last year ($25500 minus $22641) based on the current economy (5/2003 to 6/2004). These are my expenses applied to a $36000/year salary, so it CAN be done....Don't forget, I've applied the utility costs of MY house (about 3200 square feet) to a smaller place, so expenses wouldn't be as much

I keep track of my expenses down to the dollar. It's really easy to do, doesn't take too long, and makes it so much more easier to save money.

[This message has been edited by ditch (edited 06-09-2004).]

connecticutFIERO JUN 09, 02:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by ditch:

I went home today and looked at my budget. These are the numbers for June 2003 to May 2004 (the last 12 months). I added up all the money I spent, here goes:

natural gas bill: 1619
electric bill: 1021
gas for all my vehicles: 833
Food and supplies: 5575 (covers household supplies, clothes when I need them....$20 old navy jeans are fine with me)
Dog food and vet: 427
Phone: 660
Internet: 120
Credit Card: 1380
Car insurance (public liability thru progressive, all 4 vehicles): 1608
Water: 384
Directv: 516
Vehicle Lisence plates: 128
Miscellaneous: 2370 (cash I take out from time to time for personal things..movies, taking my nephew to the park, going to a hockey game etc.)
TOTAL MONEY: $16641 spent

Now, lets put me in a small house or apartment for $500/month (they can be found and are not dumps either), that's another $6000/year,

TOTAL NOW is $22641 spent

Now, take $35583 (what I was made 1999-2000), based on 6% going to 401k, $34/month for medical insurance at work, 3.4% state tax, 1% county tax, medicare(1.45%), FICA(6.2%), and federal income tax for that bracket (minus deductions), I would bring home approximately 71% of that income

TOTAL TAKE HOME: $25500

that leaves me $2860 left over from the last year ($25500 minus $22641) based on the current economy (5/2003 to 6/2004). These are my expenses applied to a $36000/year salary, so it CAN be done....Don't forget, I've applied the utility costs of MY house (about 3200 square feet) to a smaller place, so expenses wouldn't be as much

I keep track of my expenses down to the dollar. It's really easy to do, doesn't take too long, and makes it so much more easier to save money.


What about car taxes, birthday presents, fathers day, mothers day, a date perhaps, car repairs, Dr Appointments, prescription costs, Books or tuition if you still take classes, oil changes, etc.. There are a lot of things you never think about that add up real quick. And BTW a $500 apartment is only available in the bad areas of the cities around here. I'm not saying that its not doable I just don't see how you could make it look like the cost of living hasn't changed in 4 years.

EDIT: What no car payment either? I have been paying $255 per month on my family car for 3 years now and I have 2 more to go at a refinanced $225.

[This message has been edited by connecticutFIERO (edited 06-09-2004).]

84Bill JUN 09, 03:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by Tigger:


Sure, excellent points, keeping a budget is a great idea but it doesn't help at all when you don't have a job.

Hey, Bill are you budgeting your unemployment check wisely for the future?

This thread is becoming a lecture and does nothing to help or encourage anyone in hard times. I couldn't believe someone would think an $18 job could support $1650mo rent.

We know Bill is out of a job, if he wants to take that out on the current administration so be it. It's his opinion. I would be too when you have a President who visits to the treasury when they are printing his child tax credit checks and jokingly puts one in his pocket then later visits employees of a defense contractor to talk about jobs and the economy.

Bill has done nothing wrong and I don't see him asking for a $100,000+ yearly mindless job. He wanted to go into a technical field that offered decent paying wages, trained got himself educated, and now jobs like his are gone for no other reason than outsourcing it to someone who can do the same for 15 cents and hour. Sure I hope something works out for Bill, he needs to find a job soon even if it's not exactly what was looking for and pays less than what he would like. Eventually he's going to have to make that decision.


Hey thanks Tigger.
You hit the nail directly on the head in regard to myself. As I said before, this thread was not about "me" it's about the degradation of American values and it's system of justice.

I can only describe it like this.
There are programs out there to help those that really need it and I happen to be one of them. Again I am not just refering to myself but I am just "indicating" that I am not alone. I have a standard of living just like anyone else does and I (as well as many others) feel as you described so well above. "We should not settle for less than what we deserve."

I should not be criticized for using all the available resources to succeed at my goals because I have sacreficed alot to meet than end. There is no joy in not having any money and by that I mean I do scrape by but the 20 bucks for digging fence post holes for my aunte will not get me very far. It will get me just a tad further down the road. Same with the welfare dole I am getting. I'm not proud of the fact that I am getting it nor is it nearly enough but it does afford me just a bit more room to breathe. It is there for a reason and I happen to qualify so I get it.

Florida has some interesting rules regarding welfare and it addresses some things that I have read about in this thread regarding nonproffit organizations. Ya see Florida requires me to either be in school or I must sign up for a non proffit organization and volunteer 20 hrs a month. I Chose habitat for humanity. I also am required to put in atleast 8 applications a month (I usually do more) from what is called the "One Stop" center.
They have alot of connections in the community and I have gotten some very good leads for jobs in my chosen field. I asked if I should compromize on my job selection and I was told "no, take your time and get what you want." I was reminded that I may not get what I want in pay but that is fine with me so long as I get the job I love to do. Infact I would almost do it for free if I didn't need the money. That's how much I enjoy my work.

All I need to do is follow the rules and I or anyone else will get the help that is needed. You jackasses that critisize me are arrogant pricks with no sense of humanity or compassion at all have no clue how unamerican you sound. America was founded on (among other things) this principal; the desire to get ahead and be something not to take a back seat and put the hand out just because times are tough does not mean I need to work a snit job, It just means I must work harder at getting the job I want. Pricks such as you are the injustice that drives people away and into misery because when they are down you feel it's fun to kick them around.

You jackasses are the guys that would kick the crutches out from under the kid at school just to watch him fall and I'd love to kick your asses in person. I've lived most of my young life being kicked and beat up but ya know. You will get yours some day even if I never personally do it, you bring it on yourselves.

Pay attention because the posts that follow will outline what I mean.

connecticutFIERO JUN 09, 03:24 PM
Go ahead and read this Jstricker then tell me all about how the middle class is just a bunch of wasteful spenders. I am beginning to think of you as a condescending rich guy that just can't understand the frustrations of those you can't identify with.http://www.law.harvard.edu/alumni/bulletin/2004/spring/feature_2-fulltext.html

"Here's the problem with people nowadays. They spend spend spend on fancy toys, gadgets, food, clothes, vacations, cars, boats, McMansions and that second home in the country. So if they can't pay the bills for their indulgences, they shouldn't cry poor mouth and expect any handouts. There's no personal responsibility anymore, that's the problem. Why, back in my day . . "

[This message has been edited by connecticutFIERO (edited 06-09-2004).]

Steve Normington JUN 09, 03:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by connecticutFIERO:

What about car taxes, birthday presents, fathers day, mothers day, a date perhaps, car repairs, Dr Appointments, prescription costs, Books or tuition if you still take classes, oil changes, etc.. There are a lot of things you never think about that add up real quick. And BTW a $500 apartment is only available in the bad areas of the cities around here. I'm not saying that its not doable I just don't see how you could make it look like the cost of living hasn't changed in 4 years.


Those are probably in the $3850 for credit card and misc cash.


quote
EDIT: What no car payment either? I have been paying $255 per month on my family car for 3 years now and I have 2 more to go at a refinanced $225.


If he only had one vehicle, he would save $1,100 on car insurance (mutli-car discount means that it isn't $402 for one car). Add $516 for his cable bill. Add $96 for car licenses. Take $1,348 from his extra cash and you get the $3,060 for car payments. That still leaves $1,511 extra cash for emergencies. And I'm sure he could cut down on the food and supplies or misc cash bills if he was really struggling for money. Even a 10% reduction gives him another $795 per year.

ditch JUN 09, 03:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by connecticutFIERO:


What about car taxes, birthday presents, fathers day, mothers day, a date perhaps, car repairs, Dr Appointments, prescription costs, Books or tuition if you still take classes, oil changes, etc.. There are a lot of things you never think about that add up real quick. And BTW a $500 apartment is only available in the bad areas of the cities around here. I'm not saying that its not doable I just don't see how you could make it look like the cost of living hasn't changed in 4 years.

EDIT: What no car payment either? I have been paying $255 per month on my family car for 3 years now and I have 2 more to go at a refinanced $225.



First off, these little expenses that add up quick, I already said EVERYTHING is included on my spreadsheets...I meant it.

Car taxes? don't pay them here...unless it's somehow figured into my plates, and as far as car payments, I have NONE, buy a cheap used Fiero like I did then ($600), paid cash, no car payment, got my latest Fiero for $300, duke and it runs great (had to replace $20 timing gears to make it run)....and my van, 86 Econoline, bought it 2 years ago for $650

Who said anything about being in school? If I had to go on this income, I would take a couple classes a semester so I could afford it....it's not that bad if you do it in small amounts.

Car repairs, presents, oil changes, car parts...that was all covered in Food/Supplies and Miscellaneous expenses. ALL my expenses are included in these sections. Do I need to break it down to EACH entry in my spreadsheet??? Forget that. EVERYTHING I spend goes into that spreadsheet..EVERYTHING. Lets not forget my credit card payment which covers things like this too.

I'll say it again, the spreadsheet contains EVERY expense I have each month.

I NEVER said the cost of living has changed in 4 years, I just said you could make it on $36000/year today, and I've shown you can. Nobody forced you to buy a car that would put you into a 5 year loan at $250/month.

Dave

[This message has been edited by ditch (edited 06-09-2004).]

ditch JUN 09, 03:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by 84Bill:

I'd love to kick your asses in person


keep dreamin pal, you wouldn't stand a chance

84Bill JUN 09, 03:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by ditch:


keep dreamin pal, you wouldn't stand a chance


Just stay away from me and we won't have a problem ok Richard Cranium?
I would have expected this kind of response from you, you really do need a good ass kickin.

ditch JUN 09, 03:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by 84Bill:


Just stay away from me and we won't have a problem ok Richard Cranium?
I would have expected this kind of response from you, you really do need a good ass kickin.


LOL...you crack me up Bill, and who was the crybaby who said he want to kick all our asses??

need an ass kickin why? because I'm a hard working american?....unlike you

you're killin me

ditch JUN 09, 03:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by Steve Normington:

And I'm sure he could cut down on the food and supplies or misc cash bills if he was really struggling for money. Even a 10% reduction gives him another $795 per year.


thanks for mentioning that, this budget is for someone who isn't struggling, so it could be tightened up quite a bit