Money Matters
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our Budget
Any suggestions would be appreciated! 
Combined net income: $1500/monthly
Rent: $725
Electricity: $65
Internet: $58
Phone: $100 (2 cell phones @ $50)
Netflix: $7
Pet Food: $100
Propane: $100
Food: $250
Total: $1405
We have no credit cards or debt.....but we also have no car, which is a bit of a problem we are trying to correct.
Thanks!
Re: Our Budget
Are you BOTH working? Full time or part time? What can you do to increase your income?
Your budget is too tight and does not allow for medical, retirement, clothing, vacations, much less the car that you need. No room for children etc. You need to look at increasing income.
I just started a business doing graphic design in addition to another business I just restarted after 7 years, it is growing...but slowly. My FI lost his job last Fall and has been doing temp type stuff since then. It looks like he might be getting a job next month, which would net $1,728/mo. Its not a lot, but it would help considerably from where we are right now.
I am limited on working for someone else because I do not have a HS education or a GED (I'm studying for it now and should be able to take it this Spring).
Whew, that's tight. What you really need is more income. Can either of you pick up shifts at a restaurant or bar evenings and/or weekends? The great thing is that its cash at the end of the night that you can use immediately, and extra shifts are almost always available when needed. What about getting roommates or moving in with family? Not ideal, I know, but it would free up money for a car or to put into savings until things are improved.
BFP 11.8.12 * EDD 7.17.13 * MC 12.20.12
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over!
You need more income. If I were you, I'd get a part time job while you work on your business and GED.
I think previous posters summed it up pretty well---I would look for a cheaper place if at all possible, and if not, you really need another source of income. Can you cut down pet food costs at all? Buy in bulk or buy a slightly cheaper brand? Maybe use coupons?
Also, maybe there is a way to put one or both of you on a family member's cell plan. I know that on some plans, you can add a phone for $15/month (for a basic minutes-only type thing). You may want to look into a slightly different contract or plan to save a bit of money.
Can you cut your internet bill? Usually the cable companies have a much cheaper option that they don't like to advertise but with some digging and phone calls you can get it. For instance, I have Comcast and their lowest advertised internet is around $60 a month, but they have an "economy" option for $29. Yes, it is slower internet, but I don't do a ton of video streaming and even when I do it just has to stop and load occasionally. I am willing to deal with it to cut my bill in half.
The only other place I can see to really save is the cell phone (combine plans like someone else suggested) and pet food (use a cheaper brand, or look for coupons).
This is a great idea.
I'm actually on my parents' plan (never switched over when I got married) and pay $15 for unlimited talk/text. Well, I'm not sure if talk is unlimited but it's a hefty amount of minutes, free sprint-to-sprint and free nights start at 7pm.
DH is on his mom's plan and only pays $40 for unlimited talk, text, and some data (he has an iPhone5).
So, we're essentially paying half of what you pay.
$100/month seems like a lot. How many pets do you have? Our cat gets one big bag every 1.5-2 months. Said bag is around $30.
This might be flameful:
Have you looked into re-homing your pet? I love my cat and she's a member of our family. However, H and I have discussed that if we are barely making ends meet for her & our good we'd look into finding her another home.