Question

Wondering how to budget these bills: 400-car 655-rent 600-food 100-gas 30-electricity 30-insurance 100-wifi 40-phone 50-school lunch But I only bring home 1650! I've tried couponing, there aren't much in my area so that doesn't work, but I'm using money back apps (Ibotta, etc) No one to car pool with No overtime for the foreseeable future Looks like I have to get a 2nd job huh?  

Answer 1

As far as food, ALDI and sales! I try to coupon what I can. Also, meal planning. I do not buy anything that I do not need. I’d also pack school lunches. It’s been so much cheaper for us to pack my sons lunch rather than buying.  

Answer 2

I’d cut back on the food.  

Answer 3

You need to cut your food bill and try to get that to include school lunches. Also why is WiFi so much? You need to get the reduced if possible?  

Answer 4

I’d cut back on food, and is that the cheapest internet you can get? I’d look into getting that lowered or switch providers maybe.  

Answer 5

Cut back food, our internet is only $50 a month through spectrum so see if you can get that lowered, maybe get a lower car payment?  

Answer 6

Try and lower the car payment too? Could you manage without a car for a while even? That’s a lot more outgoings than incoming!  

Answer 7

Comcast offers internet for $10 per month for anyone low income with kids in school

Answer 8

Food could maybe go down We are a family of 4 and only spend $400 Do you have unlimited? Maybe get rid of WiFi for awhile

Answer 9

I would also see if you can get free or reduced lunches

Answer 10

Say goodbye to the car & wifi? Or get a roommate? The budget is not adding up!  

Answer 11

Time to either refinance that car or pray you’re not upside down so badly in it that you can trade out for something cheaper. And the food. I have a family if 3 and I spend a little under $400 a month on food - you can definitely cut costs there

Answer 12

I would split your rent into two payments. I would also try and cut your food bill to around 400.  

Answer 13

&1650? A month? A week? How many ppl are you feeding for $600?  

Answer 14

I would try to cut your groceries. I have a family of 7; with meal planning and packing lunches I spend about 450 a month at the grocery store.  

Answer 15

Family of 3 and we spend $200-$300 on groceries a month. Watch sales and flyers lots and price match!  

Answer 16

Family of 5 less than $400. And we eat a lot of organic and non processed foods.  

Answer 17

How many people? $600 for food is a lot. We spend about $400 for 2 adults and a 4yo. But we shop terribly. Could probably cut another $100.  

Answer 18

From my experience when I had a second job I began eating out and spending more in convenience purchases because I was so busy. Not to say it isn’t always necessary but I got careless

Answer 19

There’s only two options - either have to decrease your outgoing costs, or increase your incoming money. No possible way to budget when your bills are more than you earn. If you’re behind, you could try contacting some companies and explaining the situation and they’ll work out a hardship plan with you. If you’re not behind yet and can’t lower any of your costs, sounds like time for a second or new job

Answer 20

Need more info to try and help you. $600 for groceries -how many ppl is that for) wifi- call around and find a cheaper provider Lunches - can this not be included in the grocery bill? If nothing can be cut, and you are only bringing in $1, 600/month then unfortunately you are living beyond your means and in order to pay your monthly Bills you will need a second job.  

Answer 21

Lower school lunch to $25 and start sending the kiddos to school with a lunch?  

Comments

@ramiroramjet Brown kids should get free lunch with that income

Answer 22

I spend $400 on groceries & eating out for a family of 4. If you make 1650 a month, you would qualify for free or reduced lunches @ school. Agree on WiFi cost, get that down. Also spectrum offers low income pricing if you qualify for free or reduces lunches. Not sure what internet you have but check on that. If you are paying for a car, your insurance should be full coverage and would cost a little more, so I’m just curious about your insurance cost. If you cannot give up these options I would look into side hustles. Also if you are making $1650 you probably would qualify for food stamps to help with your cost.  

Answer 23

I know kids love to buy lunch, but that’s $50 you don’t have, cut that food budget also

Comments

Just shop somewhere else than you’re used to, shop your pantry first, buy meats only when on sale and freeze right away

---

You also seem to be budgeting for money you don’t have — you don’t have $50 for school lunch so slash it, you also don’t have $600 for food so cut that down, unplug everything in your house if you haven’t using it, it actually really helps bring it down. Your rent and car are killing you right now, it’s almost 60% of your income — both should only be about 30%

Answer 24

600 is a lot for a food bill. Either cut that back, or cut out school lunches and pack them. You can use a pickup service so you aren’t buying unnecessary things (such as Walmart grocery), and meal plan. Only buy what you need for that week. I plan out all our meals and snacks and “shop” from the pantry and fridge first so that older stuff gets used up. I base meals around stuff I already have most of the ingredients for. Depending on how many people are in your family, you can probably reduce that to about $400 a month. Can you get a roommate to help with rent? The only option is either decreasing expenses or increasing income. Can you doordash or do Uber? If not, I’d definitely either look into getting a second job or looking for a higher paying one. It might be a crappy job. but you gotta do what you gotta do. Also, $400 is a lot for a car. Can you refinance it or sell it and purchase a cheaper one? That’s all I can see where you can really cut down on.  

Answer 25

I’m assuming these are monthly bills. How many people is this? Immediately the car payment sticks out to me. That’s 25% of your income— your house payment/rent should be 25%, not your car. Food seems high. I feed a family of 6 for that, but I don’t know what you’re working with. Sell the car and pay cash for a cheaper car until you’re in a better place financially. PBJ, Chips, juice box for lunch. Do you qualify for WIC or food stamps? I’d suggest applying. You’re car and house poor right now. With those 2 alone you only have $600 for the month, and that’s your food budget.  

Answer 26

Try to apply for free or reduced lunches for the kids. If you make under a certain amount they can get this program. I spend about $900 a month on groceries, but that is 6 people.  

Answer 27

With that income see if you can get gas cards from the welfare office. Where i am based on that you qualify for state assistance which also includes gas cards to go to and from work based on milage

Answer 28

You could free up $300 at least by meal planning, having a shopping list, cutting your wifi bill in half, and sending lunch with the kids.  

Comments

Also, if your not already doing it, split your rent into weekly amounts. We allocate 200 a week to our mortgage and it has been way easier to budget.  

Answer 29

That WiFi bill seems a bit high. Maybe check out other companies, if you have the option.  

Answer 30

Try cutting down on food. And maybe pack lunch. Im not sure what ur schedule is like but some kids love packing lunches . I do that with mine

Answer 31

You can cut back on school lunch? Packing food you budgeted for is much cheaper and healthier. It’s not much, but it’s a start. How many family members? I budget $600 a month for groceries for a family of 6 (kids are all teens to young adults) and that includes packing school lunch for my 2 HS kids. Can you reduce wifi? Single parent income?  

Answer 32

Superrr jealous of that electricity bill! Hopefully if you look around you can find a better internet rate. We’re paying $65 and it’s the highest we’ve ever paid, sometimes it helps to switch between providers (or threaten to) and take advantage of deals companies are offering new customers. And we spend around $600/month for groceries but we just started to look around at other grocery stores (price rite/Trader Joe’s/Aldis) and with the much better prices I think we might end up lowering that budget and pocketing the extra money now that we aren’t shopping at the store down the street (stop and shop).  

Answer 33

Instead of getting a second job, search for a better job. don't sell yourself short!  

Comments

I know it's not easy finding a job but there really is a lot of opportunities out there!  

Answer 34

I would look at ways to cut down on food. Try meal planning and using what you have in your pantry to start with

Answer 35

Applying for reduced/free lunch is a great idea! Also, the recommendation is usually $100 per person per month for groceries. Are you feeding 6 people with that budget? Can't give grocery specific tips without knowing what you're currently buying. I'd also apply for food stamps and/or WIC depending on the ages of your kiddos. Look into local food pantries for help. See if there is cheaper WiFi available (we pay $68 a month for internet only).  

Comments

@tippett that's what I spend. $300/month for 3 of us.  

---

@corned I spend about $300 a month for two people but I buy a lot of organic fresh food

Answer 36

Time to sell your car and not eat out. If you’re single, this is an easy way you could be saving $700 a month! You need a beater with that kind of income.  

Answer 37

See about applying for assistance with school lunch. Do you need WiFi at home?  

Answer 38

The car payment is too high for your income. What kind of vehicle is it? Do you still owe a lot on it?  

Answer 39

Get rid of WiFi and go to your cell phone company get a hotspot router which works the exact same way. I have unlimited data on my plan and I can use the hotspot for four devices at once. It adds $20 a month to my cell bill.  

Answer 40

Car is too expensive for your income. Sell it and buy an older model?  

Answer 41

Can you go down in your WiFi plan? I was paying $87 and looked and I wasn’t even using most of my data I got so I went down to a $40

Answer 42

I would look for ways to cut on food. Maybe make a grocery list and get the things you actually need. I'm sure there are other companies that offer a cheaper wi-fi service. I would shop around for that.  

Answer 43

You’re food budget can be cut way down! I’m a single mom with 3 boys. 15, 18, 22 my grocery bill monthly has been cut down to about $425 and on some Months even lower. Plan your meal in advance, Start by shopping in your own cupboard for recipes you came make with what you have. Also I have to go to three stores yes it’s time consuming BUT I literally save hundreds of dollars a month. I go to the local Vallarta for all my produce, Winco for other items and Costco for all my meat. I buy a bag of indivialy wrapped skinless boneless chicken breast and it last sometime 5 weeks. I also use a little tip Monday - always some kind of pasta Tuesday- always tacos of some Kind Wednesday- salads and either soup (always homemade) or sandwiches (different kinds- grilled, panini style, sub Style, and sometime just plan. Old fashioned grilled cheese. Thursday- fish or shrimp Friday - leftovers Sat-Sunday everybody fends first then selves or has left overs. It saves so much time spending 29 min created tour meal plan for a week or two.