Financial health

How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?

I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

My house + car cost the most, roughly $ 1900/month

Add on other bills maybe $ 500 or so

I pay for various subs like Netflix, Spotify, etc

I online shop a lot, and get my hair + nails done. I order out too much which I’m trying to only do once or twice a month.

Honestly I hate money and budgeting, but there’s plenty of money. I wish someone else will deal with it for me.I want to be smarter and invest. I work in tech so I can anticipate new technologies. Right now, I would buy stock in a semiconductor company that I know is going to blow up by the end of this year, but I’m lazy and also ignorant. I need to know more. Maybe one day 🥲

I feel like $ 2700/month is pretty standard for a house these days. I live in an area with extreme low cost of living and a high salary, so I’m an exception to the BS so many people are dealing with everywhere. I know people paying like $ 3000 for house shares in places like Denver and Seattle. My coworker just closed an average house for over $ 2000/month. It’s just totally insane right now

I pay 750 euros for a 4 bed detached house

Lots of my cash goes on food, as I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs I buy good quality vegetables, fruit, fish etc

I also spend a fair bit on supplements

My online shopping habit isn’t out of control…some books, dvds, stuff for the home etc

I go to the hairdresser every couple of months and don’t spend a lot on clothes

Posted by jazzydad
Don't have kids. They're really really expensive.

Yes they are

But worth it 😃😘

Posted by Lionheart917
Food food food

😃

Posted by Stony

Posted by nanochip
My house + car cost the most, roughly $ 1900/month

Add on other bills maybe $ 500 or so

I pay for various subs like Netflix, Spotify, etc

I online shop a lot, and get my hair + nails done. I order out too much which I’m trying to only do once or twice a month.

Honestly I hate money and budgeting, but there’s plenty of money. I wish someone else will deal with it for me.I want to be smarter and invest. I work in tech so I can anticipate new technologies. Right now, I would buy stock in a semiconductor company that I know is going to blow up by the end of this year, but I’m lazy and also ignorant. I need to know more. Maybe one day 🥲

What's the company? I'll look into it

click to expand

Valens. I think it’s at an all time low currently, but there’s 2 extremely powerful semiconductors being released this year (automotive and AV) that no other semiconductor company can touch right now, so every company interested in the capabilities of that chip are rushing to be first to market with products using it. Including the one I work for lol

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?


I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

I budget using Excel and have done so all my adult life. Bills down the left. Earning and pay period at the top. Bottom is total and remainder. I budget out at least 6 months at a time. I plug-in and plug-out to see what I can afford or plan. Timing is everything so the main part of money to me is 1.) time - the dates and how the bills flow... and to 2.) earn the biggest amount.

If my excel starts showing low remainders, I start looking for higher earnings.

3.) Savings and investment is third important. I put a lot in savings and investment. I'm getting a 17% return. I calculated how much it would cost to live comfortably as I do today and I need to retire with $ 2M. minimum. I'm on track.

I taught my kids to do it the same way. So far, it helps my daughter know when to "ride the clock," LOL.

Posted by jazzydad
Don't have kids. They're really really expensive.

We’re constantly reordering or buying something for her. It’s endless. No bounds. Shipping boxes from various stores constantly needing to be thrown out just to be replaced by more. What is budgeting?

Posted by jazzydad
Don't have kids. They're really really expensive.

Yeah I'm not gonna have kids because with the way inflation has been acting up I'll never be able to comfortably financially support a child

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?


I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

How well do I budget an artificial construct? How much of this fake currency do I save when a person sitting at a computer screen can hit a few keys to generate more of that which people spend their finite lives accumulating?

Its all absurd and terrifying, in equal parts

I have 4 separate savings accounts

Investment funds

Retirement funds

Rainy day funds (emergency funds)

Sunny day funds (leisure funds)

The rest are for bills

I keep track of my spending on a weekly basis. I have a notebook of the bills I have to pay including subscriptions and I have a fixed budget for food. I qrite all these down at the beginning of the month. If I do end up spending more then I write it down there but I only take it out of my Sunny day funds. Luckily I'm done with car payments and my house back home is a family home. But I do have an investment fund account for the house I'm going to buy in a few years.

You have to have a lot of self control if you want to achieve financial stability.

99% of life is a scam, even if you have billions. We basically rent everything we own, so it's just yours for a little bit. Eventually we will die, and our family or friends will obtain/ sell all our stuff. Eventually those people will die, and eventually someone else will own our stuff. Assuming it isn't in a landfill by then.

So when you ask me about financial health, I ask you what's the point? If you can live comfortably for your life with little to no need to ask others for help, then you lived a good life. In the end money and everything we own means nothing. It's only good for now, which literally now is already a memory of the past. So what's the point?

Posted by nanochip
My house + car cost the most, roughly $ 1900/month

Add on other bills maybe $ 500 or so


I pay for various subs like Netflix, Spotify, etc


I online shop a lot, and get my hair + nails done. I order out too much which I’m trying to only do once or twice a month.


Honestly I hate money and budgeting, but there’s plenty of money. I wish someone else will deal with it for me.I want to be smarter and invest. I work in tech so I can anticipate new technologies. Right now, I would buy stock in a semiconductor company that I know is going to blow up by the end of this year, but I’m lazy and also ignorant. I need to know more. Maybe one day 🥲

Dm me the company 👀 🙏

I save half of my annual income, have a mortgage of 380K on a 650 sqm property (land was fully paid in cash and the mortgage is mainly a construction loan. We also have an out of pocket fee of around 25% of the construction loan) and have a retirement fund and investment accounts, UITF etc. Budgeting monthly. Occasionally splurging on birthdays or if there's a special occasion. It's not as tough for us atm because we are introverts so going out drinking with friends is non existent.

We could be spending more and can buy a new car because we have no other debt. Even uni payments are done. But we just don't have the heart to spend big and then worry about payments later in life.

Saving for a rainy day has certainly been a lesson from my Saturn Return.

I don't budget because I don't have problems with overspending over my means. What I'm willing to spend extra on is travels. ✈️

Posted by Timone
I don't budget because I don't have problems with overspending over my means. What I'm willing to spend extra on is travels. ✈️

Living the dream 👍😃

Posted by Timone
I don't budget because I don't have problems with overspending over my means. What I'm willing to spend extra on is travels. ✈️

Overspending issues is not why I budget.

I do understand, however, that not budgeting is a popular reason why people overspend.

I budget because time is the #1 factor of money. It allows me to maximize my opportunities.

If anything, and ironically, I will tend to overspend when I have a massive sum come. It's hard for me to slow my roll and I might loose track, LOL.

Posted by poppyflower

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?

I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

I probably spent more money on chocolate than anything else lol. I recently started spending more on the at-home tv/movie/entertainment experience (online streaming plus popcorn plus juice/pop) so I don't have any desire to go to the theatre by myself and hence save money on movie and gas costs.


Other than chocolate, the only thing I'd pay top dollar for is sushi, but I don't have to have it. That's the thing with spending. Some things gotta give. I had to give sushi up for the foreseeable future.

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you're making me crave chocolate 🤤🤤

I’m living in a culture where money flows freely ~ it comes and it goes and the people are generous to a fault.

When we moved over Virgo was working for a small GD company and one of the girls got married. They’d a collection for her and raised over 800 quid…..very different to my homeland where people would put in a quid or so.

When in Ireland ……. 😃

My bazi said I will never be rich but at least I won’t be in want of anything 🤷‍♂️

Posted by Eggroll
Outside of fixed bills like rent, utilities and my car I probably spend the most on food and skincare/beauty. I found a deal for 9 Tarte lipglosses for $ 20 and they came with bags to gift some to other people 😭 I wanted them all for myself. Cooking is a hobby for me so I can pull from my “entertainment” budget for food too. I like to cook for other people.


I also use excel. I started with the one below if you’re looking for one to start with. There are some other spreadsheets in the comments too 🤓


https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/boza0g/i_made_a_spreadsheet_for_people_who_dont_know_how/

What is your best dish?

I use direct debit to pay all bills, credit cards, etc.

Whatever is left at the end of the month goes into my stocks and share ISA, which is an UK type of account where we select our own shares and don’t pay any income or capital gains tax.

I don't budget. If nothing is left, that's fine. It means I lived well that month 🙂.

Posted by Saturn_Returns
My dear, you're a Leo, so you're already fucked.

AHAHA 😭😭😭

Housing here is crazy hence the high rent costs trust me lol

Posted by IceStorm

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?

I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

Y’all pay $ 2700 EACH for rent? 😳 remind me to never move wherever you live. Lol


I only pay $ 1200 for rent for my condo. That’s the one thing I love about living in the Midwest, cost of living is affordable and my savings account just keeps growing lol

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Um not me LOL but a couple of my coworkers do pay that to rent out their houses. Another coworker of mine has a 1BR apartment for $ 1500. Shit's crazy here..

Posted by nanochip
My house + car cost the most, roughly $ 1900/month

Add on other bills maybe $ 500 or so


I pay for various subs like Netflix, Spotify, etc


I online shop a lot, and get my hair + nails done. I order out too much which I’m trying to only do once or twice a month.


Honestly I hate money and budgeting, but there’s plenty of money. I wish someone else will deal with it for me.I want to be smarter and invest. I work in tech so I can anticipate new technologies. Right now, I would buy stock in a semiconductor company that I know is going to blow up by the end of this year, but I’m lazy and also ignorant. I need to know more. Maybe one day 🥲

You can make really basic meals from putting a protein, a veggie and a car together. I always just make some salmon with broccoli and rice if I'm tired or just don't have time. Eating out/ordering delivery is ridiculously overpriced nowadays and it's never that tasty anyway imo

I really don't want to spend any money on things like rent, electricity, or house payments. No car payments either - so used cars only. How to solve this problem? Jump on a semitruck for a while (6 to 8 months), buy a cheap piece of land ( $ 13,000), buy an RV ( $ 3000), and build a house (~ $ 35K). Check, check, check.

I started the house build but have grown too comfortable in my RV and stopped building (I blame the Leo placements). The walls and roof are up but I need to do the electrical, plumbing, and the finish work. Solar panels and firewood will take care of energy bills. So, enough panels for a 12kw set up. A passive solar type house ~1700 sq ft.

I live on about $ 275 a month from work and send all else elsewhere (out of sight). I've been over a bit so have tapped savings here and there. I buy tools and things related to building, chainsaws, and vehicles. I sell about $ 7000/yr in firewood sales as a hobby. This helps me get through the year. Since I'm kind of a monk anyway, I just eat simple - vegetarian stuff.

Posted by Mutya
Investment funds

Retirement funds

Rainy day funds (emergency funds)

Sunny day funds (leisure funds)

Clearly there's Virgo/6th house energy in your chart.

Posted by VR4

Posted by Mutya
Investment funds

Retirement funds

Rainy day funds (emergency funds)

Sunny day funds (leisure funds)

Clearly there's Virgo/6th house energy in your chart.

click to expand

I'm earth dominant. And yes, Virgo Venus and Mars in 8th house.

I used to set a budget for everything, including spendings on education, gas, medical, leisure, food, gifts...etc even for unplanned spendings. Since the great inflation (in my country it's the worst) and since the Ukraine war, I haven't really been following a strict budget anymore, it is just frustrating me when I use it lol eventhough I know that I should. I am still consistent with my savings and investing, but value of money is pretty low now that it seems even my savings will not ever be enough, they could be enough for me now, but eventually I'm not really sure. Like some of you said, having kids..etc. Inflation is cruel.

Posted by MyStarsShine
I pay 750 euros for a 4 bed detached house

Lots of my cash goes on food, as I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs I buy good quality vegetables, fruit, fish etc

I also spend a fair bit on supplements

My online shopping habit isn’t out of control…some books, dvds, stuff for the home etc

I go to the hairdresser every couple of months and don’t spend a lot on clothes

Yes to the quality food!! I spend most of my money on that. But also clothes and jewelry and my hair and makeup 😢

Posted by poppyflower

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?

I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

I probably spent more money on chocolate than anything else lol. I recently started spending more on the at-home tv/movie/entertainment experience (online streaming plus popcorn plus juice/pop) so I don't have any desire to go to the theatre by myself and hence save money on movie and gas costs.


Other than chocolate, the only thing I'd pay top dollar for is sushi, but I don't have to have it. That's the thing with spending. Some things gotta give. I had to give sushi up for the foreseeable future.

click to expand

Not sushi! 😢 I'm obsessed with sushi omg I couldn't give that up

Posted by poppyflower

Posted by SnowBunny726

Posted by poppyflower

Posted by SnowBunny726
How well do you budget? What do you spend most of your money on? What are some extras that you just have to have and that you'd be willing to pay top dollar for?

I feel like people in my age group are *terrible* at budgeting. I live in a small city and my coworker and boss both pay $ 2700/mo for rent for a house, and they have car payments for leased cars. Why??

I probably spent more money on chocolate than anything else lol. I recently started spending more on the at-home tv/movie/entertainment experience (online streaming plus popcorn plus juice/pop) so I don't have any desire to go to the theatre by myself and hence save money on movie and gas costs.

Other than chocolate, the only thing I'd pay top dollar for is sushi, but I don't have to have it. That's the thing with spending. Some things gotta give. I had to give sushi up for the foreseeable future.
click to expand

Not sushi! I'm obsessed with sushi omg I couldn't give that up
click to expand

I know what you mean. I love it. I'd never get tired of sushi. But price of sushi is pretty consistent everywhere. None of them is cheap, and that was before covid.

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At least it's really healthy for you. ☺️☺️ That justifies the cost!!! Lmao I'm kidding.. I wish it did. 😫

I buget. I keep track of my spending daily. I am comfortable in life and am able to spend when i want to, but i dont dip into savings for frivolous things. I have 4 savings accounts, only one is "used" for things like holidays ect. Then i have two "daily" accounts. My bills are around 2k and rent is just over 800 of that. what ive noticed in the last year is what i would normally put away into savings each month has decreased by around 200 a month, and most of that is higher food prices

Every Leo I know likes to live rich but forget they aren’t

Most of my bills get automatically paid because I have it set up like that so I don't pay late fees. I budget travel and don't spend too much on eating out. I will do brunches maybe twice a month with a girl friend.

My money gets pulled directly from my check to get distributed to stocks and IRA's every time I get paid, so I don't even see it before I start to spend money on other stuff.

The reality is you need to make money to save money. Living check to check makes things very hard.

For the people in their 20's, you guys should be maxing out your IRA accounts on a yearly basis to make sure you have a good amount saved for later in life.