If you scroll down this thread just a bit, you will see 2 threads you should go look at as these are often areas where savings can be had, the one is on alternates to the affordable care act, as regular health insurance is financially killing many families. And the other is Help ! We are spending...on food each month. Food is another area for some families. Never short your food shopping budget in an unhealthy way, but many families are spending more than they can afford by buying drinks ( soda, bottled water, coffees from the coffee shop, juice -- none of these are needed and cost alot), by buying snacks and meals when out, you can eat at home or pack food, at least until you are out of your budgetary mess. While you sort out your mess do not spend more than $5 per day per adult, for sure, you could easily do $3/day per adult. If you are realy in bad shape right now, and you have food preps set by, eat your food stores while you work it out, as they may want to be rotated in any case, so maybe open those cans of beans and rice, and make a plan to replace in a couple months.
- heath care coverage costs
- Food, cut out eating out, make limited coffee at home, never buy out, stop buying single serving drinks, cook
- what are your bills, what are you making payments on ? Is this realistic given your income ?
On that last category, sometimes people have to cut their losses. Many people need to sell the car or truck they are making payments on, even if it seems like a loss, and buy a cheap used car. Because they realy cannot afford the payment and insurance on it, even more so if it is 2 vehicles, one for each, that hve these payments. Some people even find that they have bought too much house for their income comfort, and need to downsize. You realy have to go thru your income budget.
Little things make a difference in my budget, and many other peoples. In other words, when you add it all up, you may be paying an awful lot on cell phone/cable/streaming subscriptions/internet provider and often there are savings to be had. Utilities too, many times there is alot of household waste that can be reined in, some just by changing habits, and setting the thermostat higher or lower, turning things off, etc.... so you need to look at that. I am at the very low end for people on this site as I pay under $100 month for phone/internet/electric/trash, all utilities in other words ( I am only one person, and I decided to forgo having a cell phone, and have an inexpensive landline, and no tv cable, and I heat with wood)
- look at your cell phone plan, and do you realy need data, or just prefer to have it ? It wasnt but a few years ago none of us had it, and we did just fine. compare options. You will save alot more money here over the next 6 months than selling silver
