tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post1950992434574593876..comments2024-03-18T15:29:55.472-07:00Comments on Done by Forty: The Triumphant Return of Budget Porn!Done By Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-62557914252036528732017-09-14T18:02:29.315-07:002017-09-14T18:02:29.315-07:00If there's one thing I have in common with the...If there's one thing I have in common with the Aussies, it's surely a love for beer.<br /><br />And thanks for the kind words about my figure...um, figures. Let's just move on.<br /><br />I took a look at your blog and it seems our families are following a similar path: with a Masters+PhD candidate in the house. Achieving FI along with pursuing a long-term degree definitely is a bit harder, but I'm struck with how quickly it can still be done.<br /><br />Best of luck, not that you'll need it.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-9344054134810232062017-09-14T17:08:00.091-07:002017-09-14T17:08:00.091-07:00Beer! OMG. I think it's a likely culprit in my...Beer! OMG. I think it's a likely culprit in my own monthly budget excess. Just another bad Australian habit. Thanks for posting your figures (oh such fine figures *ahem* let me compose myself). Genuinely DBF it's motivational fuel in the tank for those of us further back in the pack.wealth from thirtyhttps://wealthfromthirty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-24714481154809724512017-09-14T08:03:17.382-07:002017-09-14T08:03:17.382-07:00Hi there!
We use Centurylink at the 40GB/sec spee...Hi there!<br /><br />We use Centurylink at the 40GB/sec speed, and we negotiate the rate down every year. I basically call up and say it's too much, that we're on a budget, and what could they do to reduce the price. They bring it down to around $30 or so. The remaining $12/month in that category is for Hulu.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-61147965380069497872017-09-14T07:09:54.219-07:002017-09-14T07:09:54.219-07:00Hey DBF,
Pretty reasonable numbers you got there. ...Hey DBF,<br />Pretty reasonable numbers you got there. Could you tell us what internet plan to you have to pay so little? I'm stuck with a pretty damn expensive xfinity minimal plan and I can't find a better option around...any ideas?http://www.aposenteaos40.orghttp://www.aposenteaos40.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-13257787581292265152017-09-13T07:48:32.615-07:002017-09-13T07:48:32.615-07:00Hey, FireCracker!
Yeah, the electric & water/...Hey, FireCracker!<br /><br />Yeah, the electric & water/trash/sewer bills are high, but this is also the high water mark as August is our hottest month. We'll see the prices decline steadily over the next 12 months.<br /><br />So new home spend is more like furnishing our house (appliances, furniture, and stuff we just want) and home improvement is plain old repairs: stuff we buy at Lowes, and in this case, some chemicals and parts for the pool.<br /><br />Somewhat surprisingly, the pool is very little actual work. You can see the hose to the vacuum that runs at night, along with the skimmer. Once a week, I do have to brush the sides of the pool and add in the chlorine, and dump out the basket. But it's maybe 30 minutes of actual work a week...provided nothing breaks. :)<br /><br />But yes, I definitely remember how easy it was renting. No work for maintenance at all!<br />Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-5835382805597891122017-09-13T07:27:39.117-07:002017-09-13T07:27:39.117-07:00Your costs look pretty reasonable--with the except...Your costs look pretty reasonable--with the exception of the electricity and water bill. Ouch. <br /><br />Also, what's the difference between New Home Spend and Home Improvement? <br /><br />That pool looks amazing! I've always liked the idea of having a pool but I'm way to lazy to do the maintenance and the upkeep. So far renting places with communal pools or going to spas have worked out well for us.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17344483376849442717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-15499433923068283302017-09-12T16:51:20.759-07:002017-09-12T16:51:20.759-07:00A decade of writing is pretty damn impressive. I&#...A decade of writing is pretty damn impressive. I'm just coming up on year five and it feels like a while.<br /><br />Agreed on there being some stress with being totally open. We have no plans on sharing how much we save/invest every month, our salaries (by proxy of showing the full budget), or our net worth. <br /><br />But just sharing the spending seems to be sweet spot for us. I guess we'll see!Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-18485766058939059022017-09-12T10:37:38.572-07:002017-09-12T10:37:38.572-07:00Ha, and I had actually commented on that post so I...Ha, and I had actually commented on that post so I should have remembered it..<br /><br />I have written on my site for a decade, and also consider it a hobby. It would seem like a lot of extra stress if I have it all out there. Hats off to everyone else who is public with almost everything..Dividend Growth Investorhttp://www.dividendgrowthinvestor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-33455645099458981972017-09-12T09:55:40.434-07:002017-09-12T09:55:40.434-07:00Beer is the thing that binds us.
I always thought...Beer is the thing that binds us.<br /><br />I always thought you folks in the UK had a great opportunity for geographic arbitrage. Earn your income and sock away savings in British pounds, then go anywhere you want in the world to spend it in RE. A million in pounds goes a lot farther than a million dollars here in AZ, in case you ever want to relocate somewhere warmer.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-83060439468018771492017-09-12T09:53:52.780-07:002017-09-12T09:53:52.780-07:00Ha! I may end up posting the past figures, but lik...Ha! I may end up posting the past figures, but like you said, it's a neat way to keep you all coming back. :)<br /><br />For what it's worth, we do have 2016's annual totals here:<br /><br />http://www.donebyforty.com/2017/02/2016-was-worst-our-annual-spending.html<br /><br />And I'll keep posting the YTD numbers, too.<br /><br />I don't know if I'd say I have a grand vision, per se. This is still just my hobby blog, and I kind of like it that way. I can write about whatever I think is interesting that day or week. Someday, I'd like to write a book about the whole process of getting to FI .Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-9217027818831306662017-09-12T09:51:50.370-07:002017-09-12T09:51:50.370-07:00For what they lack in obedience, our pups make up ...For what they lack in obedience, our pups make up for in cuteness.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment, Laurie, and I do think our budget falls within a pretty reasonable slice of our overall income. We used to save 70% of our income but these days were in the 60% range. Not much has changed except that we have a mortgage, and a bigger one: and having a paid off home kind of distorts the savings figures anyway.<br /><br />Love that you don't drink. We've kicked around the idea of a sober month. Maybe that'll be a good way to see if the added costs really are from the booze!Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-68696771744229235612017-09-12T09:30:25.673-07:002017-09-12T09:30:25.673-07:00Nice porn! :)
I can see why you stopped sharing b...Nice porn! :)<br /><br />I can see why you stopped sharing but I agree that the more people are open about this sort of thing the better.<br /><br />Our spending is roughly the same but in £££. Just goes to show you don't have to be super frugal to attempt FI, just cut out the ridiculous spending. <br />You spend more on the mortgage but we tend to spend more on going out by the looks... But then you do have a pool at home to keep you entertained! <br /><br />Sounds like our beer budget is roughly on par though ;)theFIREstarter.co.ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161550795321520113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-36169728365582975492017-09-12T09:04:19.258-07:002017-09-12T09:04:19.258-07:00Very cool numbers. Would you post the numbers over...Very cool numbers. Would you post the numbers over the past 12 months for reference purposes? Or we just have to read your site for the next 12 months to get the picture we want ;-)<br /><br />On a side note, do you have a grand visions for DB40? Based on your writing, this is the first thing that jumped off at me..<br /><br />DGIDividend Growth Investorhttp://www.dividendgrowthinvestor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-71848246901571312742017-09-12T05:48:08.428-07:002017-09-12T05:48:08.428-07:00LOVE the pic of the dogs in the pool - they are SO...LOVE the pic of the dogs in the pool - they are SO cute!!! I'm willing to bet your budget is pretty reasonable in comparison to your income. I'm SO glad we don't drink. I always watch all of the Sam's Club customers walk out of the liquor store door with boxes of bottles of booze, and it makes me cringe thinking of all of the money they just spent. :-)Laurie Blankhttp://www.thefrugalfarmer.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-17264279603973638302017-09-11T13:26:20.763-07:002017-09-11T13:26:20.763-07:00Ha! Yes, alcohol...the cause of, and solution to, ...Ha! Yes, alcohol...the cause of, and solution to, all my (grocery) problems. <br /><br />We are keen on having beers on hand when people come over or we head to their house, which is a few times a week. So it ends up being a couple twelve packs per week, and at $15 or more a pop, it ads up.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-23869802598502988882017-09-11T12:53:48.978-07:002017-09-11T12:53:48.978-07:00Every so often, I like to look at the USDA food pr...Every so often, I like to look at the USDA food prices- Between this year and last year the thrifty food plan for a family of 4 went from $558 per month to $560.<br /><br />Based on the recent hurricanes, I suspect that August/September will herald higher than usual inflation, but only a small blip.<br /><br />Some of the specialty crops (ie fruits/some types of veggies) have struggled due to colony collapse, but really food prices have been remarkably stable recently.<br /><br />All that to say, I think it's the beer too ;)Hannahhttp://unplannedfinance.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-47269222916270476192017-09-11T08:12:30.292-07:002017-09-11T08:12:30.292-07:00I know! And that was the month we weren't even...I know! And that was the month we weren't even in our house.<br /><br />It's going down a bit now ($215 or so for Sept) so it looks like that's the high water mark. I expect we'll be down in the $100 range once we turn off the AC, but we'll just have to see as it's a new house.<br /><br />Just one more reason we miss Southern CA. <br /><br />For what it's worth, Mrs. Done by Forty and I were renting one bedroom (just one room in a house) and sharing a bathroom with the other renter, and still paying $800 a month, at the last place we rented before heading to AZ.<br /><br />Don't miss that.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-78613873114328944202017-09-11T06:31:15.461-07:002017-09-11T06:31:15.461-07:00Your electric bill! ouch!! It's so funny thoug...Your electric bill! ouch!! It's so funny though how the numbers look so different depending on region. You have a house for a mortgage of 1600, I have a one-bedroom tiny POC for $1450. But my electric bill is dirt cheap in comparison because I don't have AC, and it's small! Tonya@Budget and the Beachhttp://www.budgetandthebeach.comnoreply@blogger.com