I have lived with my ex-husband for over four years after a 14 year
marriage. I NEED to move out but am worried about making it on my own
financially. Help me figure out what to expect for monthly bills with
a comprehensive list such as power, water, telephone, house insurance, clothing
etc. and what I can afford for a house payment. I make $41K a year, my
 monthly bills are: truck payment of $495, education loans for $305
and $161, life insurance for $53, health insurance supplement $200 and
credit card debt of about $3,000 which I can probably pay off before
moving out. I also have three teenage sons who eat A LOT so figure in
a larger grocery allowance. I also  pay $200 per month for some
property that I was going to build on but have now decided its too far
away. Let me know if I can afford to keep it. There will be no child
support.

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Clarification of Question by happygirl69-ga on 09 Jul 2005 20:10 PDT

Midland, Michigan

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 10 Jul 2005 23:09 PDT

Is the 41k before or after taxes?  If before, what is your monthly take-home?

So far you have:

       $495.00    Truck
                  Truck insurance?
                  Gasoline and repairs
       $305.00    Education loan
       $161.00    Education loan
       $200.00    Health Insurance suppliment
        $51.00    Life Insurance
                  Rent/Mortgage
                  UTILITIES
                     electricity
                     cable
                     gas
                     phone - landline
                     phone - cell phone/s
                     internet
                     water/sewer/garbage (?)
                  GROCERIES
                     food
                     household products
                  CLOTHING 
                     self
                     boys
                  School Supplies
                  Pets
                  ENTERTAINMENT
                     newspapers/magazines
                     impulse food: pizza delivery/fast food... 
                     hobby supplies
                     movies
                     Mom time-out or alcohol expense
                  GIFTS
                     christmas/birthdays
                     other...
                  Savings (?)
___________________________

TOTAL SO FAR $1,212.00 per month

Start to fill in the blanks.  You can copy and paste this into a
clarification with some estimates. Some will be easy...

Are you going to rent? 
How many bedrooms? 
House or apartment?
How old are your three sons? 
Do you want to save for college for the boys?

Do you see any anticipated expenses I missed on the list?

~~Cynthia

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Clarification of Question by happygirl69-ga on 11 Jul 2005 10:48 PDT

Is the 41k before or after taxes?  If before, what is your monthly take-home?

So far you have:

       $495.00    Truck
       $1,000   Truck insurance?
       $200 and repairs
       $305.00    Education loan
       $161.00    Education loan
       $200.00    Health Insurance suppliment
        $51.00    Life Insurance
                  Rent/Mortgage
                  UTILITIES
                     electricity
                     cable
                     gas
                     phone - landline
                     phone - cell phone/s
                     internet
                     water/sewer/garbage (?)
                  GROCERIES
                     food
                     household products
                  CLOTHING 
                     self
                     boys
                  School Supplies
                  Pets
                  ENTERTAINMENT
                     newspapers/magazines
                     impulse food: pizza delivery/fast food... 
                     hobby supplies
                     movies
                     Mom time-out or alcohol expense
                  GIFTS
                     christmas/birthdays
                     other...
                  Savings (?)
___________________________

TOTAL SO FAR $1,212.00 per month

Start to fill in the blanks.  You can copy and paste this into a
clarification with some estimates. Some will be easy...

Are you going to rent? 
How many bedrooms? 
House or apartment?
How old are your three sons? 
Do you want to save for college for the boys?

Do you see any anticipated expenses I missed on the list?

~~Cynthia

---

Clarification of Question by happygirl69-ga on 11 Jul 2005 10:55 PDT

oops - I accidentally hit post before I was done.

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Clarification of Question by happygirl69-ga on 11 Jul 2005 12:26 PDT

I am cancelling my question and when I can clarify it better - I will
repost.  Thank you for attempting to help me. I have seen many of your
our other answers and know you are a very good researcher Cynthia.
Thank you for trying to help me.

It would help to know where you live. Living expenses vary from place to place.