As part of my Budgeting Goal (Track expenses and save 50% of my net income), I created an empty budget for myself for January 2009.
Gave myself $1500/month for the budget.
I didn’t want to deprive myself, it’s a ‘normal’ budget for me (which is more comfortable than what I used to live on when I was getting rid of my debt).
For my actual expenses, I’ve highlighted them and yellow and the total is “minimum” expenses for January is: $1030.75.
Which you may have noticed does not include savings or retirement.
Why? Because I have a full emergency fund of $36,000 aside from regular savings.
And I don’t have contract right now so I should keep it on the down load minimum until I secure something, then I’ll pump cash into savings and retirement again, specifically:
- Retirement Fund: $1000/month
- Savings: $500/month
But for now, it’s ‘freelancer without a contract’ mode.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
