Frugal Dad Forums

I'm just happy to be FINALLY living on my wife's pay cheque!

I think we could do it if we had to. We do have things like sattelite TV but that is easy to cut off. We have no consumer debt and our cars are paid for. The main "iffy" item would be paying for health insurance if I were to lose my job. My boys have asthma and sometimes private insurance is hard to get with pre-existing conditions. But even so I think we'd be OK.

live on half my budget?
oh, no.

I couldn't live on half my salary but I am living on 70% of it. I have very high medical bills or I'd be living on 60% and saving 40%. I estimate that my out of pocket medical expenses in the last 21 years have been over 100 grand.

Note where their biggest area of savings were:
- Eating out: definitely an area where people do not realize how much those fast food snacks/lunches/dinners add up. Eating at home will always be cheaper (and in most cases healthier).
-Groceries: An easy place to buy on impulse, or is something is on sale, even if you do not need it. Making up grocery lists and sticking to it can help.
- Entertainment: This has gotten very expensive, and in many areas only serves to give one "bragging rights" (e.g. to be among the first to see a movie). Family oriented, athletic entertainment - walking/hiking, bike riding. games, a "video night" can be much cheaper.