Akaisha, you guys amaze me! (In a good way). If I recall correctly, you also maintain a small condo or some sort of "home base" here in the US, right?
We were working last night again on our ER budget. There seems to be a huge disconnect between what I read here - comfortable lifestyles for $50,000 and less - and my calculation of needing $70,000 to live in a way that actually seems frugal.... Where have I gone wrong?
I know we've discussed budgets ad nauseum around here, but I'm interested in any specific comments about where I may be off base.
Mitigating factors -
*Still paying $430/ mo. on a 4.75% mortgage
*About $2,500 a year net cost to maintain S.O.'s house as a rental
*$600 a month budgeted for health insurance etc.,
*A travel and recreation budget many might consider excessive. I know as we become more experienced in finding low-cost travel options this may not really be necessary, but I also know we've blown $3,000 - 4,000 on a two-week trip before....and we want to try out the RV lifestyle with a rental for a few months... Travel is the most important part of ER for us.
Here's where we're at:
$8,700.00 House and utilities
$17,400.00 Insurance and taxes
$7,800.00 Food and restaurants
$11,300.00 Misc. Household (everything from clothing to pet food to charity and gifts)
$2,400.00 Home(s) maintenance, repair, remodel
$3,600.00 Vehicles
$6,000.00 Recreation, entertainment (scuba, classes, sports events, etc.)
$10,800.00 Travel
$2,000.00 Major expense fund
$70,000.00