I guess you could say this is a case study, I'm debating searching for a job somewhere else?
22 years old with a B.A. in Computers & Information Systems
Income: $42,000 annual before taxes
+ ~$1600 a year gifts and other income, untaxed
Expenses:
Catastrophic medical insurance - $90/mo - $6250 deductible
Dental and optical insurance - $10/mo -$25 deductibles
Student loans at 5% - $305/mo, 12 year term
Rent - $625/mo - no roommate yet because my s/o has a year left of college
Utilities - $220 / mo (gas (heat & hot water), water, electric, basic internet, stove is electric)
Cell phone - $45/ mo (non-contract)
Vehicle insurance - $95 / mo (just liability)
Groceries - $160/mo
Dining out (yeah, I know, but its particularly inexpensive here) - $120 / mo
Gas - $80 /mo (snow belt so I have an older AWD that averages 17 MPG)
Gym membership - $21 / mo
Pet expenses - $15 / mo
Personal care/hygiene - $10/mo
Entertainment - $50 /mo
Copays- dental/optical, haircuts - $40/mo
Assets:
2004 Subaru Outback sedan 103k mi ~$4500 (owned)
Cash - $4500 (keeping this in case of a move/emergency)
Excluding auto maintenance and other unexpected expenses, I'm saving ~$700 / month (which will all be funneled into student loans), or 26% of my income and I'm not sure what I can cut next. Can't cut the car because of the climate and lack of public transportation (northeast PA.) I like my job but am not meeting my financial goals. Any advice?