xpenny

I understand this is not quite a proper topic for this sub-forum. But
for months I have been reading threads here and I tend to see this place
more and more as promoting a lifestyle, i.e. reducing excessive materials
and increase efficiency by consuming less. It's this very kind of philosophy,
starting from replacing cars with bikes for transportation, that influences me.
The key idea is that, it's not about money and affordability, but more and higher
than that. It's all about, how much you can gain and enrich your live by consuming
less. There is a great thread by iBarne, all of you must have read that, initiates me
to share simple way of living. Here is my way:

Rent: I still live in an apartment with a roomie in the midwest, $270 /mon
Food: Cook mostly, $140 (grocery) + $50(some lunches outside just in case)
Utility: $40(electric+heating), we don't used gas. My apartment has internet and cable
included in the rent, but actually I can live without them. I do most of the surfing
in my office.
Phone: $70/mon, a family plan with my gf, who is living about 3hr away.
Car: Because of my gf, I can't live car-free (otherwise I'll be gf-free). I visit her every two weeks
during weekend. It costs me about $60 for gas. Locally I ride my bike to work.
Insurances: Health + auto = $60/mon

Total=$690

I am working on reducing the Food sector. The car sector is limited by the long-distance traveling

How about yours?

Jason

tsl

If your internet is broadband, drop the phone and switch to Vonage voice over IP for a savings of $45/mo on their unlimited plan.

derath

$45/mo? I pay $25/mo for unlimited. But I would guess his $70/mo is actually a cell phone plan.

-D

Roody

You need a local girlfriend within bike commute distance. Then you could sell the car and really save some money. You'd save on the phone bill too.
(Actually you could probably get unlimited long distance for about $50/month if you shop around)

xpenny

You need a local girlfriend within bike commute distance. Then you could sell the car and really save some money. You'd save on the phone bill too.
(Actually you could probably get unlimited long distance for about $50/month if you shop around)



More than likely she is gonna be my undroppable fiance sometime . Phone+Car is
like investment to me. My $70/mon is a cingular family plan for two lines, has unlimited miniute.

As for vonage, the downside is it's not portable. I know that migth be a bit of a luxury.
Once we get married and live together I will get rid off my cell I think. But probably will keep
one car for the family errand.

CTAC

You won't not be able to mantain $700 lifestyle, even $1400. In my case it's over 4k. No mortgage, car spending is only about 150/month. Children are VERY expensive.

tsl

I said he'd SAVE $45/mo. 70-25=45

bikebuddha 

+100

jeff-o

About $2200 CDN a month including mortgage (which accounts for half of that amount), bills, and food.

Houses are expensive!

davidmcowan

This is not universal. Funny you make the assumption that in order to be married you have to have a mortgage, a car and children. The good news is that you don't and assuming you find a spouse of similar values you can easily continue to live off of a small amount of money.

CTAC

Congratulations! Looks like you did find the perfect woman.

xscoutx

yup my partner (and 2 doggies) are still living super-cheap. cheaper all the time, in fact.

CTAC

Your partner. That option may not work for xpenny; he has got a girlfriend, not a boyfriend.

Roody

Huh? Partner can be male or female, same-sex or other, married or shacking up....Or just somebody you're in business with. And how do you even know that xpenny is male, or xscoutx for that matter? You know what they say about assumptions.....

CTAC

You are right. He may have even meant this partner:

Main Entry: 1part·ner
Pronunciation: 'pärt-n&r also 'pärd-
Function: noun

4 : one of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support a mast

What's your point?

patc

But don't you know, Roody, married = straight = couple with kids. Heck, even in Canada where we got rid of the first part, people still equate marriage or "a family" to mean kids!

PS- you forgot common-law relationships. More legal recognition than "shacking up", somewhat less than marriage, depending on the jurisdiction.

Roody

My point is you made a stupid comment.

Actually, looking back, several stupid comments. This is the internet. You don't know the sex or the sexual orientation of anybody. So don't make assumptions.

nelson249

I figure I can make it easily on about CDN $1100 per month with some leeway. I live in my own place and drive an old car that doesn't move most days. My rent includes all my utilities except for phone and the infernalnet. I don't bother with TV cable since I would have to pay an arm and a leg to get anything worth watching. Geez, the only thing I seem to spend a fair degree of extra money on these days is bike stuff. I bought a new Surly Cross Check two weeks ago, had to get some additional lights, a new wheel for the Bianchi and had to get new brake pads for the 'goose.

drb2003

I agree Roody ignorance is ignorance. Even if the assumption is correct (if the man or woman has a partner of the same sex)...what the f*** difference does it make. Gay or straight, living simply is possible regardless of what you do in the bedroom. Many children are had by gay couples and many straight couples choose not to have children. I agree kids are expensive, but don't make yourself look dumb by making assumptions!

CTAC

I do not have to make any assumptions when people shouting so loudly about their problems.

travelinhobo

I can live on $525ish a month. Of course this depends on what city you live in. My only expenses are rent, food ($100-125/mth), phone ($20), electricity and misc. I'm carfree, cellphone free, tv free, microwave free, computer free... whatelse is there? I need my own island.

Philatio

On the net I assume everyone is a 35 year old male living in their parents basement until proven otherwise.

Bikepacker67

Not if ya put 'em to work!

Dahon.Steve

You have a keeper.

There was a thread not that long ago with this topic of mortgages and homes and if you can afford it, buy it. But there are far too many people living over their head trying to keep that mortgage afloat.

There was this one commercial on TV the other day where the poor guy was being pressured to buy into a mortage he knew was too expensive but eventually relented. I felt sorry for him.

mister

Where are you living that you only pay $540/ month in rent?! If I found a place that cheap around here it would be slum central.