Living Well on the Amount You Make…

The ever sweet Serendipity posted about an article on Yahoo where they interviewed a man making $40K, then a man making $20K…. These were some of the questions that were asked… In case anyone is wondering, my husband makes close to the first amount before taxes.

Do you avoid a lot of the expenses that many of your peers spend money on, such as technology and meals out?

We avoid meals out, yes. I have a LOT of food allergies, so it’s a pain to eat out, and not very cost effective. Plus, I don’t eat crap food or chemicals/preservatives, so, no point really. Sometimes hubby & the kids will eat fast food, but its a very rare treat… Every couple of months probably. We also don’t smoke or drink. Well hubby has a few drinks now & then, but its not a “usual” expense. As for technology, we definitely don’t avoid that. lol! We have 3 iPads & 3 iPod touches in the house, a Wii, an Xbox 360, Kitchen Aid Mixer, Vitamix, etc… But we save for them & pay in cash.

What’s your typical meal?

My typical meal consists of the following foods:
Organic Safflower oil
Organic Brown rice
Local & organic veggies
Free range, local, organic meats
Free run, local, organic eggs
Starbucks coffee beans (I try to grab organic & fair trade as often as possible)
The odd fruit now… *food allergies… :/
Once in a while a Namaste mix, but not often.

What about clothes?

I try to buy 2nd hand as often as possible. It stretches our budget much farther & is better for the environment as well! Hubby likes to buy me clothes, so I have much more than I should! *blush*

What about going on dates?

I’d like to go out with my husband once a month on a “date night”, but honestly, we don’t usually. I want to make this a priority as it’s important to connect with your other half with the kids around, etc… With 4 kids & hubby working midnights, it’s hard to fit it in sometimes.

Do you indulge in any luxuries?

Yes… See my typical meals above. Other than that, not really… some fabric here & there, but I haven’t bought any in months… I don’t get manicures, no pedicures, rarely a haircut, no hair colour, hardly wear makeup, just blush, so I guess just my food! Wow… am I low maintenance or what?! lol!

As for hubby, when there’s extra money or gift money, he uses it on tattoos. Crazy guy…

Oh wait!! We will spend money on entertainment such as music concerts or live play tickets for me & my girls… experiences!!!

Do you have health insurance?

The health system runs differently in Canada, (thank the Lord!) so you don’t have to have health insurance, but we do have private health insurance through my husbands work.

Do you have any savings for emergencies?

We currently have $3250 saved in our Emergency fund. Hoping to hit $3500 by October 31st, and *maybe* $4000 by Jan 1st!

Do you anticipate or look forward to having a higher salary one day?

I’m not gonna lie here, hubby’s wages going up would be a nice blessing, but we’re not counting on it. I’m grateful that his job supports us, allows me to be at home with our kids, & leaves a little bit extra to save for a rainy day sometimes. We are blessed! *I have to interject here though, if not for my careful budgeting, this would not be possible I’m sure!!

What about retirement–do you plan on ever saving enough to retire?

I’m pretty sure hubby would like to retire one day, but I can pretty much guess that it won’t be early unfortunately. lol! Not unless he gets a GINORMOUS raise!