Hi,
I have been reading this forum for a couple of years and today I registered.
This is where I am right now:
Iīm living in Sweden meaning there are other circumstances according to retirement and taxes among other things.
42 years old with 4 kids in school. School and lunches are free here. Thatīs great.
I work in a school too, as an assistant principal earning about 65ī dollars a year( before taxes which is quit high here).
I have 51īin stocks and no loans. My take home pay is 3,8īa month.
I have a two year old car payed off and live in a rental 2br 2ba. My ex husband took over the house and gave me money.
Here it is more common that you live in an appartment that you rent, regardless living in a big city or a small town.
I live near the capital and the rent is 1176, the only thing I pay is electric and parking (25 dollar/month).
The kids live every other week at my place.
Food is about 400/ month, internet and cable 80, cellphones for 3 people 100.
We donīt pay for health as you are doing, itīs in the taxes.
I save just 300 dollars a month right now because I had to start a new home, but I will definitely increase that number.
I have been divorced for less than a year now and starting thinking what to do next.
By a small house and not having any funds left and a loan or staying?
Then all my income would go towards housing and bills and I could not save that much or do what I think is necessary for my life(travelling).
We are quite cramped in our apartment 95 square feet and five people. The kids say they are fine sharing rooms and I live in the living room. It is a nice apartment, newly renovated and in a good neighborhood, so I think the best thing is to stay for now.
I am studying to become a principal at the university too, Itīs a paid for education which is great, after that I can take a more well- paid job and perhaps rent or buy something larger. I just started so it is three years away, but then my oldest starting college so perhaps we donīt need a larger house by then.