Looking at My Monthly Budget - Need Some Advice

imnotthetattooguy on 15/12/2021 - 23:48
Last edited 16/12/2021 - 04:33 by 1 other user

I'm 24 male, per month I spend:

Haircut $70
Petrol $200
Apple storage $4.50
MATE sim only $35
Bupa $67
Physio $10 (after Bupa)
YouTube Premium $2.50
Gym (MMA) $200
Union (tax deductible) $60
Optus NBN $77

Where can I cut back?

Also, looking at purchasing an apartment with my partner so we are estimating the following costs:
Estimated costs per month:
Groceries + Meat $500
Electricity $100
Strata + Water? $200

Are my estimates in the ballpark? I feel like groceries + meat would be more expensive

Financial

Comments

  • Unorthodox on 15/12/2021 - 23:55
    +8

    How often are you getting a haircut? Is it possible to reduce the frequency or seek a cheaper rate?

    Apple storage could probably be addressed, what are you storing that otherwise can't be on Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox free options?

    MMA gym isn't too unreasonable… If it includes an actual gym membership as well haha Is it a per visit system or unlimited access?

    I also do MMA - are you accounting for any supplements, vitamins etc in your groceries allocation?

    • imnotthetattooguy on 16/12/2021 - 00:03

      I get a haircut every 2 weeks, but i plan on pushing it to every 3 weeks. Haircut ranges from $25 - $40 depending on if i'm doing my beard or not.

      It's the iCloud thing that saves all your photos and what not. 33gb of photos/videos.

      Yeah the MMA membership is $50 a week unlimited access for classes. I make the most out of it by going 4-6 times a week.

      No supplements or vitamins for me my man, but thank you for your advice :)

      • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:46
        -1

        Why not have 2 google accounts. each will have 15gig of free google drive storage

        have one account as your daily go to and the second your less regularly used backup

        I mean your only using 33gb of storage, apple has a free data limit as well

      • SF3 on 16/12/2021 - 07:08
        +5

        I get a haircut every 2 weeks

        Stop using The Peanut Butter Solution on your hair :)

      • Muzeeb on 16/12/2021 - 08:07

        No supplements or vitamins for me my man, but thank you for your advice :)

        So glad to read this. If you eat well you don't need expensive urine as well.

  • jug123 on 16/12/2021 - 00:05
    +8

    wheres entertainment fall into your expenses. Youre also paying petrol but have no rego, insurance, greenslip, drivers lic, repairs, etc. I dont think youre capturing everything youre spending your money ea month. What about coffees, lunches, public transport…..

    You should start by making a list using notes in ur ph for every single purcahse you make. Everytime u purcahse something or pay a bill over 3 mths add it & its cost to the list. This will then give you a better indication of where your money is going

    For the property start to google the costs and expense types in owning property. The costs will depend on the state and the area. IE: I pay strata in 3 diff states. In Adelaide its about $500 a qtr, Sydney about $1k a qtr and Brissie $650 a qtr. The water in Adelaide is $160 a qtr, Syd $180 and Qld its around $300 (all assume strata pays for usage)

    • imnotthetattooguy on 16/12/2021 - 00:22
      +1

      Good catch!

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:50

      "You should start by making a list using notes in ur ph for every single purcahse you make."

      Try it once a month (like of the 1st of each month), make sure you spend all your spend on a debit / credit card, then reconcile every month. I just do it up in excel and any spend over $50 I put a comment against it.

      Using cash will make reconciling your budget very very hard. use plastic

      • freefall101 on 16/12/2021 - 12:20

        This, I used to take out ~$500 every month and it just vanished into thin air. Much easier putting everything on credit cards and earning points on it too.

        The amount of money I have saved working from home is utterly ridiculous too, lunches, coffees, snacks, drinks, etc was the easiest place to save money. All the savings on gas, electricity, petrol, insurance, etc can be undone in one night of $80 of drinks a month. Being penny smart and pound foolish is a common problem.

    • JIMB0 on 16/12/2021 - 07:19
      +8

      He's also not eating at present but plans to once the apartment is purchased.

  • nephilim on 16/12/2021 - 00:08
    +1

    Haircut $70 - look at someone who charges $15 out of there garage?
    Petrol $200 - buy a hybrid
    Apple storage $4.5 - use a friends student email?
    MATE sim only $35 - why not do a JB hifi deal if gonna pay 35..
    Bupa $67 - sure
    Physio $10 (after Bupa) - sure
    Youtube premium $2.5 - 4 months free for samsung phones? use that promo to save $10. Just need to go to youtube on your mates samsung phone and use your gmail.
    Gym (MMA) $200 - sure if you love MMA
    Union (tax deductible) $60 - sure
    Optus NBN $77 - Look at cheaper

    • imnotthetattooguy on 16/12/2021 - 00:23

      What do you suggest for NBN?

      • lorikeet on 16/12/2021 - 01:01
        +1

        Superloop $55/month for 50 Mbps for 6 months then Tangerine for the same for another 6 months.

        If you want to save even more there are some ISP like Aussie Broadband who do the first month free but it's more hassle to change after one month.

      • jellykingdom on 16/12/2021 - 11:26

        TPG and others will bundle phone and NBN and you'll get it cheaper

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:42
      +1

      "MATE sim only $35 - why not do a JB hifi deal if gonna pay 35"

      why $35, aldi mobile has it for $25. You can get it even less than $25 ($15) if your not to data hungry. plus data rolls over and aldi use the telstra wholesale network

  • andrek on 16/12/2021 - 00:12
    +1

    Haircut: shave it, I haven't been to hairdressers for 8 years. But a trimmer and DIY
    Petrol: NSW fuel check app
    MATE sim only: switch to Kogan
    Youtube premium $2.5: true ozbargainer!
    Gym (MMA) $200: fitness first is $26 per week, there are cheaper gyms as well

    • imnotthetattooguy on 16/12/2021 - 00:24

      Do you mean the prepaid Kogan sim?

      • Caped Baldy on 16/12/2021 - 10:34
        +1

        I say switch to woolies mobile. 10% a monthly shop. Apparently can use twice a month since the in store and online aren't linked properly.

      • andrek on 16/12/2021 - 13:12

        Yes , that one, annual prepaid plan. Or whatever other options are (Woolies, Coles, boost, etc). $35 per month is a rip off these days if you just need basic calls and data

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:43

      "Petrol: NSW fuel check app"

      surely he is using the 7/11 spoof location trick
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/288802

    • Big Lenny on 16/12/2021 - 09:13
      +1

      no, a true ozbargainer uses youtube vanced which is free

  • pongky on 16/12/2021 - 00:32

    Where can I get youtube premium for a measly $2.5/mo ?

  • spackbace on 16/12/2021 - 00:33
    +4

    People suggesting cutting back things worth a few bucks per month…? Seriously? If interest rates rise, $2.50 would be the least of your problems.

    OP if you think money is tight now then be very careful about how much you're looking to put into a mortgage

    • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 06:38
      -4

      If interest rates rise,

      It won't.

      • Lastchancetosee on 16/12/2021 - 09:21
        +1

        @rektrading what goes down must come up. Rates will rise again. The big four are getting itchy at the moment, so won't necessarily wait for the RBA to intervene.

        • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 09:56

          The world economy is already struggling because of the lockdowns.

          The central banks lifting the cash rate will take a bad situation to level rekt.

          • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 11:09

            @rektrading: username checks out

          • freefall101 on 16/12/2021 - 12:11
            +1

            @rektrading: They'll do it to tackle inflation. Inflation is a bigger long term problem than a bunch of people who can't afford their homes being kicked out.

            • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 12:20

              @freefall101: Lifting the cash rate will affect borrowing. People will lose access to cheap fiat money which will slow down spending.

              What happens when people stop spending?

              • freefall101 on 16/12/2021 - 12:28

                @rektrading: What happens when inflation starts pricing people out of being able to afford things?

                As I said, inflation is the bigger long term problem. If you don't tackle that then things will go to absolute crap, even if it does mean we have less economic growth (or a downturn) in the short term.

                The US has already signalled there'll be several rate rises next year to tackle inflation. It's the basic economic policy we've had for decades, cash rate is used to control inflation, not drive growth. The only reason it has been so low is economic growth has been slow but inflation has stayed near zero anyway. But we're about to pay for overcooking the housing market. If we don't correct it and just let inflation go nuts, hope that wages can keep up somehow and let inflation decrease the real value of things you're running a huge risk.

                • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 14:49

                  @freefall101: The feds lifting the rate to 1% isn't going to put the breaks on inflation.

                  Higher inflation is inevitable.

                • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 16:41

                  @freefall101:

                  RBA Gov. Lowe says not his job to target high house prices, higher rates not the solution
                  Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Lowe speaking

                  Eamonn Sheridan 15/12/2021 | 23:29 GMT-0
                  https://www.forexlive.com/CentralBanks/rba-gov-lowe-says-not…

                  • freefall101 on 16/12/2021 - 18:59

                    @rektrading: Ah, I gotcha. I never meant to say inflation rates were rising, only that the RBA will tackle it if it does via higher interest rates. They won't give a crap what that will do to spending.

                    Even as Governor Lowe says, a hike is coming next year. The only reason it's not happening now is that the current inflation looks like it'll come down naturally.

    • Stopback on 16/12/2021 - 07:09
      +1

      If you don't save on stuff you don't need

      How you gonna get the discipline to cut the big stuff.

      Pretty easy ways to get YouTube no adds.

      • Savas on 16/12/2021 - 15:53
        -1

        Seriously ? For $2.50 a month? Even after 10 years that accumulates to nothing.

        • brendanm on 16/12/2021 - 17:30

          It's actually $300.

      • Sweetnsour on 15/01/2022 - 13:11

        Depends on how much u value your time. Saves you time having to click skip or watch ads

        • sangohan on 15/01/2022 - 20:14

          On the browser, ublock origin will block all adds.

          on mobile, install youtube vanced and get an ad-free experience.

          • Sweetnsour on 15/01/2022 - 20:22

            @sangohan: Interesting. So I could save $12 a year with vanced. But now would it affect shopback/cashrewards tracking? Could lose more than $12 a year if tracking fails.

  • kimlo on 16/12/2021 - 00:44
    +2

    You're spending (profanity) all, really. I wouldn't cut anything back from that list, you need to live a little, no point saving every $.
    Now if you're literally on the edge of your budget and you're trying to scrape every penny to try to get into housing market, then:

    • Cut your hair once a month
    • Get a cheaper SIM plan, $125 vodafone deal for 12 months is pretty good, current deal, works out $10.41 p/m
    • Get rid of apple storage and backup to your computer
    • Find a better health plan if possible.
    • Buy some equipment and put it in the garage or something and try to get work out at home
    • $60 for union seems excessive?? I used to pay $2 a week.
    • Jump on a $60 NBN plan for a while, find a first month free deal to go with it and switch providers monthly to take full advantage
    • kanmen on 16/12/2021 - 00:53
      +3

      $60 for union seems excessive?? I used to pay $2 a week.

      Those days are long gone. If you work full time expect to pay $10-20 per week. The costs of running a good union with all the compliance stuff they have to deal with and legal fees makes it quite hard, so good on OP for being a member!

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:42
      +1

      "Jump on a $60 NBN plan for a while, find a first month free deal to go with it and switch providers monthly to take full advantage"

      plenty of $54 bait and switch plans at the moment for 6months each

      https://www.whistleout.com.au/Broadband/Search?data=1000000&…

  • AustriaBargain on 16/12/2021 - 01:19
    +1

    Haircuts. TAFE students can give you a bad haircut of like $6, and you'll only need to wait three hours for it.

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:48

      plenty of places will give you a cheap and cheerful cut for $20bux

      Its been along time since my last haircut since I got my own clippers to buzz cut each time. but I never paid more than $20

  • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 06:34

    No savings / investment plan?

    Ngmi.

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:57
      +1

      OP needs to ballpark his income.

      He might save $100 with the suggestions here. But he might already be saving 70% of his income. In that case I would tell him dont worry about scrimping $4 here and $10 there. Needs to remember quality of life at the end of the day - saving an extra $100 a month so he now saves 71% of his income probably isnt worth the hassle

      • rektrading on 16/12/2021 - 07:57

        Two words. Delayed gratification.

        It's the foundation that sets apart mediocre investors and successful investors.

  • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 06:54

    "Are my estimates in the ballpark? I feel like groceries + meat would be more expensive"

    $500 isnt far off tbh. I'm a family of 3 and monthly we are about $1100 / $1200 on food. I roll in my budget anything that goes into our mouths as food. so that includes any alcohol, meat, food from aldi, take away. Our alcohol and take away spend per month would be under $100 hence rolling it into one, if it was a lot higher I would have separate categories

    we dont buy junk food / convenience food / frozen meals and we almost exclusively shop at Aldi except for meat. We buy meat in bulk from a butcher every 2 months, costs us about $300.

  • Hardlyworkin on 16/12/2021 - 06:55

    Trim your beard yourself. The item on there I suggest is way higher than average is your haircut cost. Are you in an occupation that requires you not to have a hair out of place?

  • Stopback on 16/12/2021 - 07:07

    I hope you are earning at least one percent on your cash

    Try to start to get into investing

    Start with 1k if you scared. Should aim to invest say 1k every month.

    Have to factor stuff like mobile phone every two years

    Car repairs. And saving for a new car etc.

    Laptop. Every five years.

    Start churning credit cards as well.

    Good luck you already are ahead of lots of people as you at planning.

    • MrThing on 16/12/2021 - 08:42
      +1

      "Start churning credit cards as well."

      I wouldn't recommend this. most rewards cards have annual fees and if you dont use them to redeem reward flights in high cabin classes they end up costing you money.

      plus you have the added burden that you have to spend to get the rewards, not exactly a good motto if your saving for a home loan

      also; applying and being declined for credit cards isn't the route you want to go down if you want to apply for a home loan

    • Yola on 16/12/2021 - 10:26

      I think churning credit cards is worthwhile and the annual fee outweighs the return. However, the OP is saving for a property and sounds like he will need a mortgage. Churning can damage your credit rating.

      • Stopback on 16/12/2021 - 11:31

        op is saving for a home - gonna take ten years if he lives in metro

  • avoidfullprice on 16/12/2021 - 08:07
    +1

    Also, looking at purchasing an apartment with my partner so we are estimating the following costs:
    Estimated costs per month:
    Groceries + Meat $500
    Electricity $100
    Strata + Water? $200

    If this is your half, then sound okay.

    Missing council rates (on top of strata), gas bill (likely for centralised hot water + cooking), home insurance, repair cost (strata doesn't pay for everything inside the unit). Assume you factor in mortgage repayment.

    Agree with other commenters, you have not share with us, or capture every expense. One off expenses should be annualised, like splurging on a new PC

  • pharkurnell on 16/12/2021 - 09:55
    +1

    Haircut $70 a month?? (profanity) I get a haircut twice a year/// had 1 since the Melbourne lockdowns started.

    Gym (MMA) $200 ??? WTF?

    • Stopback on 16/12/2021 - 10:15

      You cry if you realised how much women spend to look like women

      • pharkurnell on 16/12/2021 - 10:23
        +3

        Woman at work once going to the horse races as we sponsored the race meeting.. told us she had booked in for a hairy- around 400 it usually cost her each year …

        I went out did a service call, and came back and saw her as her desk was next to mine.. i said I though you were going for a haircut… and the entire building went quiet.. she didnt speak to me for weeks. but in my defence, others mentioned they had wanted to say the same thing LMAO

        I'm offended by the barber now expecting 30 bux for my last cut.. I'd laugh in their face at 70

  • Fergy1987 on 16/12/2021 - 10:12
    +1

    My haircuts are $10 every 10 weeks and i look ********* faboo!

    • pharkurnell on 16/12/2021 - 10:25

      Sadly I'm finding the $10 barber hard to find these days…

      • Fergy1987 on 16/12/2021 - 10:36

        Gotta find a "Mobile hairdresser" Got hooked up when I met my partner. Dont even have to leave the house to get my 10 dollar cut

        • kimlo on 16/12/2021 - 19:46

          You have a guy who comes to your house and cuts your hair for $10? Sounds like BS

          • Fergy1987 on 16/12/2021 - 22:55

            @kimlo: A woman. She cuts 3 sets of hair including colouring. I just slide in there with my cheap cut. Still a 300 dollar day for her.

  • nubzy on 16/12/2021 - 10:19
    +1

    $70 a month for a haircut.. huge waste of money. Buy a set of clippers and do it yourself or just grow it long.

  • dogboy on 16/12/2021 - 10:31
    +3

    $70 for haircuts/month is pretty ridiculous.

    I don't understand though - you seem to be missing the biggest expense of all - rent or mortgage repayments.
    You should factor in about $2000/month for that.

    Also food seems severely undervalued. If you can get away with only spending $500/month on food+meat then that is incredible. I would estimate closer to $800.

  • weezlebub on 16/12/2021 - 10:31
    +1

    Haircut $70 - as previously stated, shave it!
    Petrol $200 - sell the guzzler & get a polo (or scooter)
    Bupa $67 - swap to HCF, more benefits, better service, cheaper
    Gym (MMA) $200 - buy a weight bench and go for a run
    Optus NBN $77 - could get a bit cheaper, i've stuck with aussiebb because they've got australian call centres …

    there are no savings without sacrifice … get a better job or a girlfriend who already has a house :)

  • KaTst3R on 16/12/2021 - 10:34
    +2

    Haircut is definitely too much. It is easy to find a $30-$40 men's barber or $20-$30 korean/asian hair dresser. If you live in Sydney, Hurstville has a $8 men's cut. Dont expect it to be $100 saloon quality but if you after a quick simple buzz cut that will be enough.

  • Caped Baldy on 16/12/2021 - 10:40
    +1

    Apple storage $4.50 - purge your digital files and save local copies. Online cloud backup is pricey in the long run.
    MATE sim only $35 - woolies mobile 12 month plan with 10% off once a month shop. Could get the missus to sign up too to double savings and there is data gifting.
    Optus NBN $77 - spintel has a $65 month for 50/20. There's also a $10 off promo for six months. Alternative is churning every six months.
    Electricity $100 - might be worth looking at alternatives. I recently signed up to reampedenergy as the rates are quite competitive. There is a $50 referral - let me know if you're interested.

  • Benoffie on 16/12/2021 - 10:43

    If I were your bank:

    Haircut $70 - get a $30 cut
    Petrol $200 - seriously? Get a bus or cheaper car
    Apple storage $4.50 - cancel
    MATE sim only $35 - cheaper plan
    Bupa $67 - cheaper plan/change to HCF
    Physio $10 (after Bupa) - every month? Why
    YouTube Premium $2.50 - cancel
    Gym (MMA) $200 - seriously? Run in the street
    Union (tax deductible) $60
    Optus NBN $77 - best deal?

    Banks want to see sacrifice and real budgeting. Nothing worse than young ppl bemoaning the inability to afford mortgages but unwilling to sacrifice their lifestyle to do it.

    That's what it takes unfortunately. Living where you can afford, not eating or going out for years, living on tight budgets.

    Make a choice

    • jellykingdom on 16/12/2021 - 11:38
      +1

      What are you talking about…? The bank doesn't care about "sacrifice and budgeting". They look at money in, money out, and debt/ability to get into debt. That's really it. There's no gut feeling from the mortgage lenders.

      • Benoffie on 16/12/2021 - 12:43

        Right, but if you can't get your money out way below your money in to replicate a mortgage payment over a 6-12 month period because you refuse to sacrifice lattes, gyms and night outs then yeah, they do care about sacrifice and budgets 🤷‍♀️

        They look for long term, responsible savers and spenders. That takes effort and forethought

  • yaburi on 16/12/2021 - 10:50
    -2

    $70 a month on haircuts is reasonable, particularly if you live in Sydney or Melbourne.
    As a male, it's 100% an investment in keeping up your appearances, you may even earn more for looking better.

    $10 haircuts be hittin' different tho

    • KaTst3R on 16/12/2021 - 11:54

      Save on the haircut and contribute that to anti-aging facial products. Much better ROI over the long run.

    • Caped Baldy on 16/12/2021 - 12:07

      Are you going to recommend a high yield Merc?

  • loropy9 on 16/12/2021 - 10:58

    Strata, council and water for an average 2 bedroom in Sydney is around $5000 a year, or approximately $100 per week.

  • Series4Episode10 on 16/12/2021 - 11:07

    Haircut $70 - Learn to cut your own hair.
    Petrol $200 - where do you live? is it worth having a car if you are in an area with good public transport.
    Apple storage $4.50 - cancel
    MATE sim only $35 - Look for a plan with enough data to use for all your devices by enabling WiFi Hot spot and using your phone's plan to supply all your internet needs to all your devices and cancel NBN
    Bupa $67 - cheaper plan/change to HCF
    Physio $10 (after Bupa) - every month? Why
    YouTube Premium $2.50 - cancel
    Gym (MMA) $200 - seriously? Run in the street
    Union (tax deductible) $60
    Optus NBN $77 - Cancel … see above.

    Generation "X" right? it's all about me, read up on history and how little people survived on in certain periods in history and perhaps develop a thought pattern that has more to do with value than it is about lifestyle, if you want to live the way you do now perhaps you need to get a better job or work 2 or more jobs or live in such a way that you can invest your spare cash into something that will earn a return, I know someone who has not had a job since the current virus and has managed to save and build a house through smart decisions and resourcefulness.

    • Benoffie on 16/12/2021 - 12:46

      No way Gen X we're all middle aged now and neck deep in mortgages and kids.

      Gen Z? Maybe, if it mattered 🙄

  • brendanm on 16/12/2021 - 11:12

    Most important thing, how much are you earning compared to what you are spending? Is it easier to do an hour or two of overtime rather than trying to save $5 on a haircut?

    What sort of car do you have, and how far are you driving per week?

  • Big Lenny on 16/12/2021 - 11:21

    i spend 15 bux every 6-8 weeks for a haircut and still look decent, why do you need to cut it so often?

  • jellykingdom on 16/12/2021 - 11:34

    I assume you're living at home, based on age and spending habits…

    PS i think your estimates on outside living expenses are a bit low

    Strata alone will be minimum $200/mo, depends on what type of apartment. If you have pool/lift/big lot it can be a lot more (maybe 2-3x more)
    Water be around $35
    Council rates? I can't remember the number, i think its $100/mo roughly
    Elec is probably about right, depends on whether you do a lot of heating or cooling. You might also have gas bill too
    Groceries is probably correct

    I would also include "maintenance/upgrades" cost in your monthly number, if you're budgeting. You're eventually going to need a new dishwasher, washing machine, TV, bedside tables, mattress etc at some point. Or maybe you just decide you want to renovate the bathroom, paint the walls etc. Obviously you don't HAVE to spend this, but doesn't hurt to consider how it impacts your discretionary spending

    Others have mentioned you haven't included car running costs. The tax office lets you depreciate your car at (I think) 60c/km you drive, so that's a good way to estimate the running cost of the car (maintenance, fuel, insurance, tolls, etc), including depreciation the asset. It seems high at first glance but its actually pretty decent estimate

    Your discretionary spending is incredibly high already. You ask "where can I save?" and list a dozen pretty expensive hobbies. No judgement, we all have hobbies

    • Big Lenny on 16/12/2021 - 11:50

      the tax office lets you depreciate a car if using it for a business, not every average joe can depreciate their car

      • jellykingdom on 16/12/2021 - 13:43

        I'm not saying he should claim his car as a business expense, it's just a handy way of calculating how much owning a car is actually costing you

  • Drakesy on 16/12/2021 - 12:03
    +1

    Ok Here's my budget per month

    Haircut $15 (once every 2 months, you really don't need a haircut every month, no one will care)
    Petrol $100 (admittedly i don't really drive much(
    Apple storage $0 (have an android set up with google drive backups)
    MATE sim only $20 (on boost 300gb 12 month plan)
    Bupa $55 (with Qantas for health insurance)
    Physio $0 (after Bupa) (admittedly i'm pretty lucky with injuries, cycling doesn't really create too many issues)
    YouTube Premium $2.50 (this is a fair price)
    Gym (MMA) $200 ($50 a week for an MMA gym membership is up there but if you use it daily then it's worth it i guess)
    Union (tax deductible) $60 (fair)
    Optus NBN $77 (maybe bring this down but transferring to a cheaper deal.)

    Where can I cut back?

    Also, looking at purchasing an apartment with my partner so we are estimating the following costs:
    Estimated costs per month:
    Groceries + Meat $500 (for a couple fair enough)
    Electricity $100 (fair)
    Strata + Water? $200 (fair)

  • bazingaa on 16/12/2021 - 12:04

    no rent ?

  • JimB on 16/12/2021 - 12:39

    Apart from the $$$ hair cut, your expenses are pretty damn low.

    Do you never eat out or spend on entertainment?

    That's going to be at least a couple of hundred a month.

  • OzHunterNSW on 16/12/2021 - 16:46

    Look, you say you pay for Utube…. so use it.
    Stop going to the Gym, get on Utube and devise your own routine. That's $2,200.00 per year, saved.

    Who gets a hair cut every four weeks?

    What are you eating? Stop going out…. look at cheaper alternative for the table.

    I don't think you need a budget expert… you need to grow up, trust in yourself. Evaluate yourself!

  • FW190 on 16/12/2021 - 18:52

    stretch your haircuts to every 4 to 6 weeks, drop the gym membership, that would be nearly $3k/year.

    anyway, if you have time to go to the gym 4 - 6 times a week spending $50 per week, maybe spend some of that time and money to upskill yourself, get some certs/tickets or do some courses that will help you get a pay raise/promotion, or pickup some overtime from work if available, that will have a much bigger impact on your budegt/savings then the few dollars you could save by skimping on youtube premium or apple storage.

    just a thought.

  • 82norm on 16/12/2021 - 19:31

    I think your groceries and meat estimate maybe off. Unless you’re eating out a lot, I’d say it would be closer to $700-$800. Are you a brand or no name person, which can make a difference.

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