Comments on: How to Budget Backwards and Stop Living Beyond Your Means

By: Casey

Casey — Thu, 30 May 2019 18:24:59 +0000

I need to move my fam to NZ! We live in the states. One of the most expensive states too. We just moved our family from the area we grew up in our entire lives, to move to a “cheap” area where we know no one and still pay over your entire monthly budget, just for our mortgage! We eat out (cheap pizza) 1-2 times per MONTH, don’t buy toys, clothes or any other “luxuries” unless it’s a holiday. We rent movies once per week as our entertainment, for $2.00, and have no car payment. All of our money goes toward mortgage, insurance and medical costs and past debt that came about due to emergency situations. I grow a garden of veggies and herbs every year to help with food, but our weather only allows for that 2-3 months of the year. I buy in bulk as much as possible and cook meals at home. We don’t waste ANY food and eat every left over possible. I’ve been forced to reduce our food budget to $75-$100 per week for a family of 4. I’ve been forced to go to the Food Bank just to get necessities (milk, rice, noodles) for the week. I worry constantly about the health of my family because of how I’m forced to feed them now. Mostly cheap, boxed, frozen food that’s packed full of chemicals and made in a lab. I spend most of our food budget on fresh produce for my kids to keep them as healthy as possible. We have a 2 income family, we don’t spend on “extra’s” or travel or do anything that costs money. If we go to a store, it’s just to walk around and look, not to actually buy anything. We’ve gotten very good at entertaining our kids for free and they find joy in our simple pleasures, but they are getting old enough to realize that they don’t get to join in activities with friends that cost money and they’ve started to ask why and make comments about us being “poor”. I tell them we are not poor, just smart with our money. But I know they see it in my eyes, they see me dry the tears every time I pay bills, they hear my panic and pleas when I’m on the phone trying to beg for financial assistance for medical costs. We are always told that we make too much money to qualify for any support or help, but yet, we can’t afford to pay our basic housing expenses. Our country is the land of dreams and opportunity, but it’s also built on the rich becoming richer and making their kids rich, providing opportunities that middle class families and children don’t have access too. Something is broken here and our children are suffering because of it.

By: Didier

Didier — Thu, 23 May 2019 10:44:19 +0000

Interesting way to think of budgeting as so many would take income first and then spread it among the expenses. I am going to have to try this method personally as it actually looks easier as well. I am a true believer as well in the pay yourself first otherwise you are right all other expenses will eat up any remainder of the money.

By: Alison

Alison — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 22:01:51 +0000

Hi from UK. I budget but think I’ll swap to your method as I’ve been medically retired due to terminal illness so on benefits, and I’m too young to draw a pension, everything gets paid into interest earning account and as bills get paid money’s transferred, just enough to be in black so no charges, but fur-baby on medication now not claimable on her insurance, so one more added outgoing, so something will have to go in order to finance that. Wish me luck in working on this

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 04:02:42 +0000

Thank you for your post. It was thought-provoking. We live in Australia and enjoy the benefits of social medicine too. It is nice to know that no matter the medical situation we will be looked after. We live in a remote location and find that food and fuel for the car are very expensive, but our wages are higher too. Our biggest extra expense is Private School fees, but given our location and limited options, we feel that this expense is not negotiable. I am going to work on looking at my budget backwards and see if I can find some more ways to save. We have eliminated all debt aside from our mortgage, but I dream of living mortgage free!

By: Emma

Emma — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 20:45:25 +0000

In reply to Shawn.

Wow – that’s nuts. Our car is not even worth what you’d pay in a year for insurance. We have just renewed our insurance and it was $300 for the year. Home insurance is higher due to our earthquake risk – it’s now over $100/month.
Good on you for growing your savings!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 19:35:47 +0000

Omg 40.00 for car insurance?? We pay almost 600 a month in Louisiana! Our homeowners insurance is high as well. It’s crazy but that is what it costs here. I try hard to cut in other areas though and have started building our savings. Thanks for your tips!

By: Cactus&Salad

Cactus&Salad — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 18:13:42 +0000

So helpful thank you! We are trying to save money for a house now and planning ahead before wa have babies! I’ll note all of this down and begin to save!

By: Emma

Emma — Sun, 29 Jul 2018 22:39:47 +0000

In reply to pat. Hi Pat, it's called 'The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life' and you can find it on Amazon here:

By: pat

pat — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 12:14:56 +0000

So what is the name of the book,you talk about?

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 23:40:09 +0000

I absolutely love your post! I definitely agree with getting a month ahead for bills. It’s a safety net and gives you security if an emergency happens. My mortgage is always a month ahead and any extra money all goes to the principle to pay it off early. And having a motivating factor is so important. Always having goals will get people to strive for more out of life. This is a great read!