As noted in my previous post, I bring home $2,548 each month. My exorbitant rent is my biggest expense. Here is the more specific breakdown of my monthly budget.
Rent: $1,150.00
Car Insurance: $118.82
Student Loan #1: $93.64
Student Loan #2: $87.18
Cell phone: $66.76
Internet: $52.31
Water/Trash: $25.00
BoA: $19.00
Gas: $15.00
Netflix: $9.87
Total invariable expenses: $1,637.58
Subtotal remaining funds: $910.42
Ally Emergency Fund: $100.00
Smarty Pig IRA Fund: $100.00
Smarty Pig Electric Bill Fund: $30.00
Smarty Pig Car/Renter's Insurance Fund: $25.00
Total savings payments: $255.00
Subtotal remaining funds: $655.42
Variable expenses:
Groceries: ~$250.00
Car Gasoline: ~$75.00
Socializing: ~$75.00
Swimming: ~$30.00
Total variable expenses: ~$430.00
Remaining funds: ~$225.42
Somehow, though, I never have this leftover. In the past, it's because I've been diminishing my checking account cushion, either through extra credit card payments or infusions to my savings accounts (such as preparation for my Ireland trip).
Now that I don't have CC debt to pay down or international travel to save for, I will be curious to see if I actually have remaining funds each month. With Christmas coming up, including both air travel home and gift purchases, I doubt I'll be padding the checking account with remaining funds any time soon. But come 2011, when things settle down, I look forward to seeing monthly variances in my budget settle down as well.
(My electricity costs go into a savings account each month. This is due to a mixup with the electric company; I haven't seen a bill in over a year. They are trying to get the paperwork straight, but in the meantime, I am saving for the very large bill I know will eventually be coming. From past experience, I know my electricity costs run about $15 a month, but I am saving double that as a safety net.)
I look forward to putting that ~$225.42 to good use in my savings accounts in the upcoming year!
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