Budgeting "good life" pleasures.

The Wayfarer

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #1

While taking a look at my finances recently, I realized I need to come up with a better plan for managing these expensive habits of mine. Out of curiosity, what percentage of your income goes toward higher end luxuries such dining, cigars, drinks, and so on? Any sacrifices you make in other places to compensate for the cost? (e.g., spending less on clothing, eating inexpensively at home whenever possible, etc)

Without naming exact dollar figures, I suppose this is a question that is entirely relative to one's income. $1000 a month for some would be but pocket change, while to other's that'd be a pretty hefty bulk. In any event, this is a subject I've been thinking about a lot lately and I'm interested in how others manage it.

 

constant struggle

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #2

view everything as a %, instead of $'s easier to break it down regardless of income bracket

 

Dewey

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #3

There's a number of threads about budgets in the archives. It's not a subject that people love to talk about, for obvious reasons.

The % idea is a good one. Better to make sure you are budgeting enough % to other essential things: home repair, gifts, charity, various savings accounts, etc., and make sure you put aside a share of what you need each year for large expenses you enjoy, such as plane tickets, items of furniture, works of art, etc., and then you will feel much better about blowing the rest on food and cigars and shoes.

 

Huntsman

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #4

Too much! I'm cutting back....







Next month, that is....

~ Huntsman

 

Piobaire

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #5

If it affects your saving/investing plan it's too much.

If you have "extra" money at the end of the month, it's too little.

 

Mark from Plano

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #6

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Click to expand...

If it affects your saving/investing plan it's too much.

If you have "extra" money at the end of the month, it's too little.

What is this "extra money" that you speak of?

 

Huntsman

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #7

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Click to expand...

If it affects your saving/investing plan it's too much. If you have "extra" money at the end of the month, it's too little.
Exactly....if you have a reasonable savings/investment plan. I was dumping an order of magnitude more money into savings than for play. The balance was too far off and the pendulum swung the other way for a few months, but equilibrium is being achieved.

 

Piobaire

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• Aug 13, 2008

• #8

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

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What is this "extra money" that you speak of?

You are not getting the dollar bills with 101 pennies in them?

 

acidboy

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• Aug 14, 2008

• #9

I'm putting off any watch purchase for a year, at least.... sorry IWC Portuguese Automatic, but Daddy's not gonna get you yet.

 

Dakota rube

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• Aug 14, 2008

• #10

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

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What is this "extra money" that you speak of?
A new credit card, if you believe my ex-wife...

 

kwilkinson

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• Aug 14, 2008

• #11

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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A new credit card, if you believe my ex-wife...

Baaahahhaha!

Sorry if you're still upset about this, but "ex-wife" jokes always crack me up.

 

Dakota rube

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• Aug 14, 2008

• #12

^She has provided me with years and years of humor. She ain't my problem anymore...

 

thinman

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• Aug 15, 2008

• #13

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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Baaahahhaha!

Sorry if you're still upset about this, but "ex-wife" jokes always crack me up.

Just wait 'til you have one yourself. Then you'll smile, but not laugh, and only because she's someone else's problem.

(Hope you never have to endure the ex-wife issue, Kyle. BTW, good one Mike

)

 

Matt

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• Aug 16, 2008

• #14

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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^She has provided us with years and years of humor. She ain't my problem anymore...

fixed....

 

nootje

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• Aug 16, 2008

• #15

Budget? Nah.... I do account my monthly expenses, but most of the time I have enough selfrestraint to fend of purchases when I should'nt do them..