Dtail
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
OK! I'll go post on BTD.
Not quite sure daily lunches out with Frank will qualify.
OK! I'll go post on BTD.
When we are hunching around the dementia ward, trying to find the bathroom for the 300th time and asking everyone where our mother is and when we can go home, it will be too late to enjoy the finer things of life.
So go forth and enjoy while ye may!
Wow, $600 a month on clothes? I don't spend $400 a year on clothes with most of that being on running gear. Of course, you indicate none of that was on clothes for you. Being a single guy I just cannot relate to $7200 a year on clothes for one person......maybe that's why I'm single?
But buying/accumulating too much STUFF, some of which is never used, is indicative of a problem.
I forget what the name of it is...
Probably not. In 2018-2019, our daily lunches cost me an average of $8/day, including tax and tip. The average in 2020 was a dollar more but let's face it, that year was pretty crazy and not very typical so who knows.Not quite sure daily lunches out with Frank will qualify.OK! I'll go post on BTD.
"Too much money, and not enough to do."
I guess we can't share stuff on ER.org? Move on. You are bitter about something.
I absolutely loved my lunches from the Chinese lunch truck in Cambridge back during my latter working years.Probably not. In 2018-2019, our daily lunches cost me an average of $8/day, including tax and tip. The average in 2020 was a dollar more but let's face it, that year was pretty crazy and not very typical so who knows.
Is that a problem? I thought that's what FIRE is all about.
Two grand a month? That's only 66 dollars a day. With 2 people only 33.
Thirty three is just a good lunch for 1 person.
Hah. Been there several times. Used to work in Keene. They have some pretty good brews there. Enjoy.I shall take Robbie's advice tomorrow when hitting the Elm City Brewpub in Keene NH...
Not trying to pile on here, but $2,000 per month for food (even including toiletries and cleaning supplies, etc.) is mind-boggling to me. Unless that number includes alcohol, like expensive, vintage wine. Even then it's pretty staggering. But, spending what others think is a king's ransom on food (and/or wine, and/or clothes) is perfectly OK if you have the discretionary funds for it in your "safe withdrawal" FIRE budget. If so, no problem, carry on. If not, reduce your spending in areas where you can. Based on previous replies, I think most of us here would suggest starting with trimming back the lavish spending on clothes and food. But, again, do what's possible for you that doesn't diminish your FIRE happiness too much.
Two grand a month? That's only 66 dollars a day. With 2 people only 33.
Thirty three is just a good lunch for 1 person.
It's hard for me to imagine—in a practical sense—how two people could spend this much on food, day in and day out, consistently. I suppose it's possible by buying only the most top-of-the line, gourmet, organic meats and produce for at-home meals and supplementing those meals with lots and lots of dining out. Personally, I think we eat very well here at the Sojourner house, don't feel deprived whatsoever, rarely shy away from buying expensive food at the grocery store when we want it, yet we don't come close to spending $2K per month on food. This whole calculation changes, of course, if you throw alcohol into the "food" category (as I mentioned in an earlier post).
The op explains that of the 2 K a month 800 is eating out. So not really food per say. They don't say how many. meals the 800 replacesIt's hard for me to imagine—in a practical sense—how two people could spend this much on food, day in and day out, consistently. I suppose it's possible by buying only the most top-of-the line, gourmet, organic meats and produce for at-home meals and supplementing those meals with lots and lots of dining out. Personally, I think we eat very well here at the Sojourner house, don't feel deprived whatsoever, rarely shy away from buying expensive food at the grocery store when we want it, yet we don't come close to spending $2K per month on food. This whole calculation changes, of course, if you throw alcohol into the "food" category (as I mentioned in an earlier post).
Let's say I spent $800 on groceries for the house during the month. So that leaves $1400 so that is $700 a person. If you eat out at nicer (i.e. more expensive restaurants) and go out several times a week that is easy to do.
In this case, though, I don't see the reason why they need to cut back on "lavish" food or clothes. They can afford what they are spending on these categories. It isn't keeping them from spending other things they want more. I don't see a reason just to cut spending if they don't want to. I don't usually go to super expensive restaurants any more mostly because I don't want to dress up, etc. and usually prefer more casual places. But I don't have any problem with going to those places if you like it and kind of afford it.
Is that a problem? I thought that's what FIRE is all about.