|
|
06-06-2010, 07:00 PM
|
#1
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 346
|
What % of budget = fun?
Lately as a single guy in his 30's I've made an effort to date more and go out more. So far so good and I'm having a pretty good time - no details will be provided though.
Having said that I'm spending alot more on going out. A night out at the bar is minimum 50 bucks after a few drinks, cover, cab, etc. Being in a bar sipping water just isn't as fun. Taking someone on a date is expensive too of course. Anyways my food (toiletries, groceries + eating out) and "entertainment" portion of my budget now makes up almost 1/2 of my monthly expenditures as my other expenses are kept very low.
I group these two together because let's say i meet a freind for wings and drinks. Is this really entertainment or food? It's a bit of both so I just lump it all together. Anyways i was just wondering what others are spending in these categories as a % of your total expenses. I posted in this forum as i figure the younger people could relate more to this.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
06-06-2010, 07:17 PM
|
#2
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,296
|
Heh...well there young feller, I ain't no youngin'...shoot, I'm an ol' decrepit woman of 52.
So when you get to be may age...figger on about 15 to 20 percent of your budget bein' sin....
For now, if you're payin' your bills and savin' some bucks, I say have a good time with the rest....
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 07:27 PM
|
#3
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,150
|
For me, I have a separate category for entertainment and food. Something like going out to eat I put as entertainment. Something like buying groceries, I put as groceries and supplies (food). Similarly, I have a subcategory called "gasoline" in my automobile expense categroy for regular fill ups. Yet, I'm going on vacation soon and will fill up my car, but I put that expense under "vacation" not under automobile.
I guess, as long as you keep track of the expenses consistently, that is what's important to make the budget work.
__________________
Have you ever seen a headstone with these words
"If only I had spent more time at work" ... from "Busy Man" sung by Billy Ray Cyrus
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 07:27 PM
|
#4
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,501
|
I think a lot of it depends on how hard you want to work at saving for retirement, how much money you make, and a lot of other individual factors.
I'd say the right amount of money for fun is the least amount you can spend, without causing too much pain. It probably varies, even during each of our lives. Push on it gently to see how much you can save, but don't push yourself too hard. You need to enjoy life, too.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 07:36 PM
|
#5
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
|
It doesn't need to be a percentage. But you need to examine your cash flow and determine how much you want/need to save for retirement and an emergency fund -- and maybe other things such as a home down payment fund, kids-to-college fund or whatever is appropriate in your situation -- and if you have cash flow after those goals are met, sure -- have some fun! As I've often said, it's important to prepare for the future, but there's no guarantees we'll be there to see the future we're sacrificing for, so there's nothing wrong with living for enjoying today if your cash flow allows it.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 08:12 PM
|
#6
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,350
|
I'm young(30) and single and I still try to keep my entertainment expenses under 10% of total expenses. I do not include groceries/toiletries in my entertainment expenses like the OP. If I go out to a fast food place by myself that's a grocery expense. If I go out with other people that's an entertainment expense. I'm under $100 most months but a single good night out can top $50 easily even if you're only paying for yourself.
My advice would be quality over quantity. In other words, go out less frequently but really live it up when you do.
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 09:12 PM
|
#7
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,660
|
I'm not sure whether you're saying that
a. people over 35 can't relate to spending $$ on fun (hardly true - haven't you noticed that cruises and expensive restaurants are full of older people?) or
b. that you are not sure "wings" qualify as food. They don't; and furthermore, I think that by age 30, you should be able to afford something better to eat
Anyway, I am going to make a huge generalization and say that almost everything (including bar food) is more fun when you're younger. Also, it sounds like you have emerged from some kind of dating cocoon, and did not do much dating during your 20's, when it would have been even more fun. I say, spend away.
Amethyst
Quote:
Originally Posted by accountingsucks
I group these two together because let's say i meet a freind for wings and drinks. Is this really entertainment or food? I posted in this forum as i figure the younger people could relate more to this.
|
__________________
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 09:14 PM
|
#8
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 678
|
For us, I would say 15% for music/concert/eating out, and 15% for travel. So a total of 30% is fun money. As long as we are saving a decent amount, I don't think this is too high. These 30% sure makes life a lot more enjoyable (says me, who subscribes to the opera and just came back from a theater show).
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 10:05 PM
|
#9
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 471
|
I say go out and spend as much as you can stand as you are only in your thirties once. Your spending goes down as you age. As an example I had a Corvette in my thirties and now I don't even look twice at them. Back then I did the bar scene and chased chicks. Today I have no interest but do have great memories.
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 11:49 PM
|
#10
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North of Montana
Posts: 2,769
|
Going to bars and such.....................
Getting lucky.... priceless
In all seriousness, you sometimes have to spend a bit to find a mate. Do you want to retire at 35 alone? Whether a bar is the best place to find someone is another topic. I'll leave that for another thread.
__________________
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate conclusions from insufficient data and ..
|
|
|
06-06-2010, 11:52 PM
|
#11
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by accountingsucks
I group these two together because let's say i meet a freind for wings and drinks. Is this really entertainment or food? It's a bit of both so I just lump it all together.
|
Just file it under posse. Entertainment, food, and liquid refeshment doncha know?
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 12:35 AM
|
#12
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,350
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kumquat
Do you want to retire at 35 alone?
|
Sounds good to me!
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 02:11 AM
|
#13
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: North of Montana
Posts: 2,769
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaronc879
Sounds good to me!
|
Your call, enjoy!
__________________
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate conclusions from insufficient data and ..
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 05:33 AM
|
#14
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,346
|
Entertainment as a percentage of one's total income is not something I ever looked at. What I considered was discretionary income, that is, what is left over after the rent/mortgage, car payments if any, groceries, utilities, etc. are paid.
There were times when a "big night on the town" consisted of a rented movie, a frozen pizza, and a six-pack. In more lean times, entertainment consisted of a library book. Fortunately that period didn't last long.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 06:18 AM
|
#15
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 221
|
For me (31, no longer single), it was in part a matter of controlling the entertainment environment. My favorite place to take first dates was a great coffee house with a fire, that also had a full bar, decent kitchen, and live music every night, but closed around 11. Easy to take a date for coffee (you don't look like you're trying to get someone drunk), order a beer (since that's probably what oyu both want anyway), and get a little bit of food if the date goes long and well. On great occasions, invite her to join you in the back room where the live music starts at 9, and you're still out by 11 when the place closes (great for work nights). The point is that it's a space where you can control the costs - just coffee is fine, food good but not wildly expensive, music free, just usually buy the musician a beer or buy their cd.
Other favorites were taking them sailing (i work boats, so something unusual that I don't have to pay for to borrow or go on someone's tour), free music in Chicago parks, take a free class at a museum, etc. The activities are actually one of the big budget savers of urban living (you're paying for it through other means, but they are available), and honestly, unless you're just looking to get laid, I found that meeting women through other activities (including martial arts training and sailing) presented a far better selection of candidates and opportunities as well.
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 08:10 AM
|
#16
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,660
|
__________________
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 10:12 AM
|
#17
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,250
|
I just keep a separate "stash" of $$$ for "entertainment" - this way, in addition to your "budgeted" entertainment money plus any extra $$ goes into the fun fund. As long as your savings goals and monthly expenses are met, have a great time! Whenever you get a raise, that should increase your savings, not necessarily your fun!
__________________
Make no mistake, my friend, it takes more than money to make men rich. - A. P. Gouthey
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 10:16 AM
|
#18
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12,901
|
We spend relatively little money on "entertainment", but about half of our budget goes to "fun", i.e. discretionary spending (dining, entertainment, travel, etc...)
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 12:04 PM
|
#19
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 889
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by accountingsucks
Lately as a single guy in his 30's I've made an effort to date more and go out more. So far so good and I'm having a pretty good time - no details will be provided though.
Having said that I'm spending alot more on going out. A night out at the bar is minimum 50 bucks after a few drinks, cover, cab, etc. Being in a bar sipping water just isn't as fun. Taking someone on a date is expensive too of course. Anyways my food (toiletries, groceries + eating out) and "entertainment" portion of my budget now makes up almost 1/2 of my monthly expenditures as my other expenses are kept very low.
I group these two together because let's say i meet a freind for wings and drinks. Is this really entertainment or food? It's a bit of both so I just lump it all together. Anyways i was just wondering what others are spending in these categories as a % of your total expenses. I posted in this forum as i figure the younger people could relate more to this.
|
Hmm, I spent 3.49% in 2009 on restaurants on the weekends and 5.08% for weekday lunches at restaurants. I spent 2.51% on video games and 1.58% on movies. Also, .23% on books. So, that is 13.30% on entertainment last year.
In comparison I spent 30.41% on taxes.
|
|
|
06-07-2010, 01:16 PM
|
#20
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,746
|
I guess I'm boring. Almost 30, and we probably spend 10% on entertainment/fun/dining out. But we are married with kids, so our situation is different than yours. Yesterday was a typical "good evening" for DW and I. Kids at grandma's, we cooked a nice meal, caught up on some tv shows over dinner, and relaxed on the porch for a while, read some of our respective books, downed a bottle of wine, enjoyed a couple hours of conversation before bedtime. As you can see, we are cheap dates!
We do spend on vacations occasionally but don't go crazy.
In regards to the $50 bar tab, I would think of it in terms of what value are you getting for your money. If a nice weekend getaway costs $600, then 12 nights out partying should be "worth" around one weekend getaway. Or compare it to some other cost to see what value you are getting. If the goal is to find a temporary or permanent mate, then the $50 is just a cost of doing business.
__________________
Retired in 2013 at age 33. Keeping busy reading, blogging, relaxing, gaming, and enjoying the outdoors with my wife and 3 kids (8, 13, and 15).
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|