Being single & finances

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2007
Being single & finances
26
Wed, 10-03-2007 - 2:51pm
I am new posting to this board, but have read for awhile. I am 50 years old, have never been married and do not have children. I didn't choose to not be married, it simple never happened for me. I am a very social person with good friends,many of whom are male. I did meet Mr. Right once, but the timing was off and it didn't end up working out. I have a job that I love, but it is in higher education, so I don't make much money. I own a home, mainly because I have a couple dogs (furkids) and where I live you can't find something to rent with animals. I read some of these posts about everyone doing all this fun stuff, traveling, etc. and I wonder, how do you afford it??? I have to work two jobs just to make it month to month. I have always worked two jobs...so I either don't have time to do things because I'm working, I can't afford it,or I'm just too tired! I don't have any problem being home, and I love a good saturday night by myself with a good book, but it does get frustrating when I think that my whole life is spent working just to keep my head at the water line!!! I feel like it would be nice to have someone to share the financial worries with or just to go out to eat with! Most of my friends are married and have kids or they don't live in the same town. So, I don't mind being single, I'm used to that by now, but it is difficult at times to be single. I guess lots of married people would say that it is difficult at times to be married as well!!! Thanks for listening...

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Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-03-2007 - 3:18pm

I think being able to afford to do a lot of things is very income-dependent, but then I know some people who make lower salaries but choose to go out and travel a lot and just build up debt.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Wed, 10-03-2007 - 3:31pm

Well, I went on two trips this year - but they were my first in four years and I won plane tix for one of them. I haven't traveled in years purely for budget reasons. This year, I managed to set aside some extra cash so that I could finally get out of town. It made it more special because it had been so long.


For me, it's priorities. If I want to take a trip that year, I don't buy new furniture or a bunch of new clothes. I refuse to get back into credit card debt, so I only charge things that I know I can pay off when the next bill comes. It means being patient. Of course I want to do everything, but know that's just not realistic.


It would be nice to have a partner who shares living expenses, etc., because we may have more cash for travel and fun stuff. Realistically, though, you have a bigger place with a partner and maybe kids -- which means you spend more and still don't have extra cash for fun stuff.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Wed, 10-03-2007 - 3:40pm

I think I'm getting by well because my monthly bills are very manageable. Actually, my total monthly bills are usually around $1100 and leaves me cash left to save, spend, eat ou, and splurge a bit, though still not extravagantly. I've always saved a portion of my income, since I was a teen so I've always had a nice nest egg put away and I just don't live beyond my means.


Also, I'm a renter and pretty happy with it. My rent is cheap at $600. That's probably made a big differenc for me. I'd rather rent and have the extra cash for myself that live house-poor, which is what I'd be if I bought right now.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 10:57am

I do agree with you about wishing you had a life partner to share financial responsibilites with.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-06-2004
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 11:50am

Yeah... I sometimes get freaked out about finances.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 12:20pm
>>My early resolution for the coming year is to pay more attention to my finances and build up my emergency nest up to 6 months of living expenses, so that I have some sort of net if I do ever lose my job!<<

Our local business journal just did a survey last week asking how long people could hold out if they lost their job. I was surprised to see that about 30% said "less than a month" and another 30% said "up to six months."

Most of us would be in a world of hurt if we lost our jobs, and it is really difficult to build up that six months' padding. I do think it's more difficult for singles because you don't have a second income on which you can rely should you lose your job. It's freaky.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 1:09pm

I think the reality is middle income america lives paycheck to paycheck.



Smile,

Deirdre

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 1:20pm
>>I think the reality is middle income america lives paycheck to paycheck.<<

Yep, and with credit cards to fill in the gaps.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 2:22pm

My early resolution for the coming year is to pay more attention to my finances and build up my emergency nest up to 6 months of living expenses, so that I have some sort of net if I do ever lose my job!


I think that's a

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Fri, 10-05-2007 - 12:36am

I think the secret is to not live outside of your means. I have a friend who has two kids and only her husband works but will literally spend every dime they have on movies, fast food, clothes, and then a week later complains to me that they cant afford the electric bill or something. I dont make a whole lot each month, but I prioritize. For example, I try to go out w/ friends only once a month. For a while I noticed the majority of my money was going to clubs and fast food and now I have curbed it immesenly. If a bunch of friends are going out and I am low on $$ that week i will simply not go. THen I try to put away a certain amount of money into my savings account each month, and after about a six month period it has built up quite a bit. I try to prioritize and save up for a trip, instead of just going to lunches, buying clothes, movies, etc. You could probably live off any salary as long as you dont spend beyond your means, which unfortunatly, most people do. I'm not saying I dont, but it can be done! Also, I dont even own credit cards, they are so evil, I have so many friends who are working second jobs to just pay off 10, 20, even 30,000 debt !!


Ok sorry so long !

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