Originally Posted By: centralala
Originally Posted By: Clem


Think about that: SIX months of complete living expenses - mortgage, food, utilities, vehicles, insurance, any other mortgages or bills (like college loans, the 48 acres you bought, etc.), whatever kids' stuff you have going on and your "Oh chit!" emergency money.


But you have to owe to have good credit and some find that important. Not me. All of those I owe is food and utilities. No kids. I would guess if I had to, just food and utilities, $6000/6 months.

What really eats me up though besides insurances is diesel fuel. But I don't have to ride the equipment as much as I do.


Health insurance - $660
Life insurance - ~$200 for both of us
Disability - $85
Car insurance - $230
Power - $180
Water/sewage - $130
Cable/internet - $130
Cell phones - $120
Gas - $620 for both of us
Groceries - $500
Tuition - $500

That’s $3355 total going out a month for my wife and I and I believe I’m actually forgetting a couple. That means we need $20k in an emergency fund just to have enough for the bills. Of course if we were in the situation we would tighten up the belt…but I don’t see how people live with a $2k mortgage, $700 truck payment, credit card debt, AND all of those bills I listed. I would lose the hair on the sides of my head...


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