Housing, specifically our mortgage payments. Refinanced to a 20 yr 4.25% mortgage, can't really do any more about reducing that expense. Have done what I can to reduce utilities, student loans are at the historically low rates. Not much room for drastic measures, or need for that matter.
For years, tax in multinational companies has enjoyed a separate existence from the real work of running a successful business.
Performed by boffins hidden in head office, it was only occasionally noticed by the board (usually when something went wrong), and still less by those concerned with managing operations. Tax departments complained of being isolated from decisions, and others saw them as out of touch.
Once, the same held for supply chain professionals. But something interesting has happened in the past decades. At the same time as multinationals have turned their full attention to the global supply chain, tax has started to emerge from the shadows.
My Rent/Furniture/Home Improvement Budget it the top. Rent is $540 a month, living alone in a single bedroom apartment. Included in the budget is furniture and little odds and ends that make my apartment, a home. So in Mint, I set it at $600, but it could be anywhere from $540 (just rent) to $700 (new entertainment center).
Here's a Mint Screen Cap of all my budgets, and how well (or horribly) I'm doing for this month.
Mortgage - by a lot. After that are utilities, student loans, and food... which change places depending on the month and how much we've put into paying down loans.
Our house is our biggest monthly expense by far. Fortunately, it is our only outstanding debt and we only have regular living expenses (groceries, gas, utilities, etc.) Good times!
Aside from rent, I'd have to say it's "things that make life easier but I don't necessarily need, but since I don't have a family (yet) I might as well just get it now without going too overboard"
Yeah, just from Amazon.com, I'd say I'm spending, at least, a couple of hundred bucks a month on stuff that isn't necessary, but I consider a hobby or helps me save money in the long run.
Good day. This may help someone: I take Insulow and Evening Primrose daily. You can Google these items and find out about them. The combination typically lowers my blood sugar by 3 or more points--every little bit helps. Thanks for the tip on your site, I didn't know about the tea and cinnamon.
JR
Florida
My mortgage followed by child care. We have a very reasonable priced daycare and it does include food for one of the kids so I don't see room for cutting this unless I quit my job, but then we'd have bigger budget problems. The mortgage is at a good rate so it isn't worth doing a refi.
The biggest item in our budget is a tie between our mortgage and our kid's daycare! I spend about the same amount per year on both. I have two children in full time in home daycare - We are at a very competatively priced daycare in our area and quite frankly, I think she is underpaid. We spend about $12,000 a year for daycare!
I have considered working opposite shifts with my husband - but that is tough to do when you are both working professionals. Our families also work full time, so there is no "grandma daycare" available to us. Aside from kindgarten beginning in the fall, I do not see a way to reduce the amount I spend on daycare.
I know this isn't a glamorous or unusual answer, but our mortgage is our biggest budget item for 2011. BUT..."Giving" (to church, charity, etc.) was our biggest in 2010, which had been a goal for some time.
Federal income taxes and FICA/self-employment tax. After taxes, the largest part of my budget is tied between mortgage and daycare costs.
Housing, specifically our mortgage payments. Refinanced to a 20 yr 4.25% mortgage, can't really do any more about reducing that expense. Have done what I can to reduce utilities, student loans are at the historically low rates. Not much room for drastic measures, or need for that matter.
Here is Similar Story
For years, tax in multinational companies has enjoyed a separate existence from the real work of running a successful business.
Performed by boffins hidden in head office, it was only occasionally noticed by the board (usually when something went wrong), and still less by those concerned with managing operations. Tax departments complained of being isolated from decisions, and others saw them as out of touch.
Once, the same held for supply chain professionals. But something interesting has happened in the past decades. At the same time as multinationals have turned their full attention to the global supply chain, tax has started to emerge from the shadows.
Housing costs, hands down!
Rent (including utilities) is by far my biggest budget item.
My Rent/Furniture/Home Improvement Budget it the top. Rent is $540 a month, living alone in a single bedroom apartment. Included in the budget is furniture and little odds and ends that make my apartment, a home. So in Mint, I set it at $600, but it could be anywhere from $540 (just rent) to $700 (new entertainment center).
Here's a Mint Screen Cap of all my budgets, and how well (or horribly) I'm doing for this month.
http://cl.ly/4CuU
Mortgage - by a lot. After that are utilities, student loans, and food... which change places depending on the month and how much we've put into paying down loans.
Hah, I spend more on my student loan payments than I do on housing every month. Go figure.
Our house is our biggest monthly expense by far. Fortunately, it is our only outstanding debt and we only have regular living expenses (groceries, gas, utilities, etc.) Good times!
I would like to go on a really nice cruise with my husband.
Paying off debt then housing...no car, small grocery budget..
Aside from rent, I'd have to say it's "things that make life easier but I don't necessarily need, but since I don't have a family (yet) I might as well just get it now without going too overboard"
Yeah, just from Amazon.com, I'd say I'm spending, at least, a couple of hundred bucks a month on stuff that isn't necessary, but I consider a hobby or helps me save money in the long run.
I 'liked' the Facebook update.
Housing is our biggest expense. However, within 2 years we are relocating and may live fulltime in our RV with a significant drop in housing expense.
Good day. This may help someone: I take Insulow and Evening Primrose daily. You can Google these items and find out about them. The combination typically lowers my blood sugar by 3 or more points--every little bit helps. Thanks for the tip on your site, I didn't know about the tea and cinnamon.
JR
Florida
By far it's the mortgage. But it's worth it - I love my house!
My mortgage followed by child care. We have a very reasonable priced daycare and it does include food for one of the kids so I don't see room for cutting this unless I quit my job, but then we'd have bigger budget problems. The mortgage is at a good rate so it isn't worth doing a refi.
Taxes: Fed, State, Real Property, Personal Property.... nearly 25% of our income.
The biggest item in our budget is a tie between our mortgage and our kid's daycare! I spend about the same amount per year on both. I have two children in full time in home daycare - We are at a very competatively priced daycare in our area and quite frankly, I think she is underpaid. We spend about $12,000 a year for daycare!
I have considered working opposite shifts with my husband - but that is tough to do when you are both working professionals. Our families also work full time, so there is no "grandma daycare" available to us. Aside from kindgarten beginning in the fall, I do not see a way to reduce the amount I spend on daycare.
I know this isn't a glamorous or unusual answer, but our mortgage is our biggest budget item for 2011. BUT..."Giving" (to church, charity, etc.) was our biggest in 2010, which had been a goal for some time.
Mortgage ftw...
Student loans are currently at the top of my list, next would be my apartment
Thank you Niri!
mortgage. followed by utilities. van payment (pd off in 4 months-yeah!)
Easily my housing. Nothing else comes close.