My husband (&CM) thinks we are poor.
- 138 Replies
He brings home $500 a week before overtime. Our bills are about $1500 a month not including food.
We were saving up for a house but because of state 1 time homeowner money and our 700+ credit score we got the house with out a huge down payment. So we have about $1600 still in that account.
We live well within our means and only have 1 child. I am a SAHM.
When I was growing up we had $75 to last us til payday every week to feed 3 kids. That was poor.
I'm just sick of hearing "money's tight". No its not!!
EDIT: Okay, I'm poor. But happy for now. When LO gets bigger we will reconsider me getting a job.
On $2000 a month, there is no way you can afford that.
Quoting Anonymous:
3bed, 2 bath, living room, dining room, tv room, attached garage, 3.5 car garage in the back on an acre. $1012.63 a month as a mortgage. House was listed @169000 we got it for $113000 after its been on the slow market out here. We have 2 trucks (paid off) and they are insured.
We already bought the home.
Quoting NDADanceMom:I think he is right. I cant imagine what kind of house you will be able to afford with that. Even a modest home is about 1000 a month. Then there are taxes, insurance, utilities, garbage, sewer. A couple cars, insurance, clothes, food, etc. On your current income I think it is not realistic to think you can buy a home.
What happens if your furnace goes out, or windows need replacing? Do you know how much that costs? Our new furnace was 8000, Windows installed? about 1000 for decent ones. A mortgage is not the expensive part of owning a home. You are considered living below your means if your TOTAL housing expenses (mortgage, tax, insurance, utilities) are more than 1/3 of your income. I dont know if you can find a place for $700 a month TOTAL even if you have a decent down payment.
Materials are not cheap either. Im working on stripping a built in buffet. Just the stripper, and sanding materials have already cost me over $100.
I had my BIL insulate my house for materials and beer only. It cost me thousands in just insulation.
Quoting Anonymous:
And my BIL is a contracter/ handy man, so any repairs just cost us materials + a case of beer. So far they have fixed the furnace and fireplace, and redone the babies room. We are still above water.
Quoting NDADanceMom:I think he is right. I cant imagine what kind of house you will be able to afford with that. Even a modest home is about 1000 a month. Then there are taxes, insurance, utilities, garbage, sewer. A couple cars, insurance, clothes, food, etc. On your current income I think it is not realistic to think you can buy a home.
What happens if your furnace goes out, or windows need replacing? Do you know how much that costs? Our new furnace was 8000, Windows installed? about 1000 for decent ones. A mortgage is not the expensive part of owning a home. You are considered living below your means if your TOTAL housing expenses (mortgage, tax, insurance, utilities) are more than 1/3 of your income. I dont know if you can find a place for $700 a month TOTAL even if you have a decent down payment.
Quoting ReadWriteLuv:If you make $2000 a month, roughly, and your bills are $1500 a month not including food, you are not well off.
Quoting BlessedToBeMe:I think being poor/average/rich has a lot to do with perspective-obviously since the 2 of you have different opinions
But to me, $500 a month left over for food & incidentals is more on the poor side. We'v been there so I'm just speaking from my own experience
Quoting NDADanceMom:Materials are not cheap either. Im working on stripping a built in buffet. Just the stripper, and sanding materials have already cost me over $100.
I had my BIL insulate my house for materials and beer only. It cost me thousands in just insulation.
Quoting Anonymous:
And my BIL is a contracter/ handy man, so any repairs just cost us materials + a case of beer. So far they have fixed the furnace and fireplace, and redone the babies room. We are still above water.
Quoting NDADanceMom:I think he is right. I cant imagine what kind of house you will be able to afford with that. Even a modest home is about 1000 a month. Then there are taxes, insurance, utilities, garbage, sewer. A couple cars, insurance, clothes, food, etc. On your current income I think it is not realistic to think you can buy a home.
What happens if your furnace goes out, or windows need replacing? Do you know how much that costs? Our new furnace was 8000, Windows installed? about 1000 for decent ones. A mortgage is not the expensive part of owning a home. You are considered living below your means if your TOTAL housing expenses (mortgage, tax, insurance, utilities) are more than 1/3 of your income. I dont know if you can find a place for $700 a month TOTAL even if you have a decent down payment.
There is no way you can afford an $1100 a month mortgage on that. Your mortgage should be a quarter of what you earn, not half or more than.
Quoting Anonymous:
Not well off, no. But we are okay. And that's before overtime. His last check was 998.00 but I don't like that, because to get checks like that he has to work 7 days straight.
Quoting ReadWriteLuv:If you make $2000 a month, roughly, and your bills are $1500 a month not including food, you are not well off.
Quoting Anonymous:
It would be poverty for me. I hate say this, but my dh makes $500, a day. :-/
Do you ever get hit on even looking a mess?
Why inflict this silly cosmetic pain on a baby!?!