Budgeting "good life" pleasures.

[The Wayfarer]

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]

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

 

[Dewey]

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]

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







Next month, that is....

~ Huntsman

 

[Piobaire]

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]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

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

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

 

[acidboy]

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]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

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

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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]

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

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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]

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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

fixed....

 

[nootje]

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..