How much is enough – Northeast
#31
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Some parts of the NE are more affordable than others. "South County", Rhode Island, where my wife is from, is relatively affordable, hugely so compared to Westchester County, NY where we live. We'd move there in an instant if we could find good jobs there, but RI's economy is still in the basket, with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
It's definitely a case of research, research, research - City-Data.com is good for the nitty-gritty.
It's definitely a case of research, research, research - City-Data.com is good for the nitty-gritty.
#32
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Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 431
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I'd increase your grocery bill - with just 2 of us in cheap Michigan it's usually $150 a week and you're a family of 5. Don't forget your 'groceries' will not just be food but all the other stuff - toilet paper, dish cleaner, laundry detergent etc etc
You have 3 kids, they will be growing - so factor in a clothing allowance as well
You have 3 kids, they will be growing - so factor in a clothing allowance as well
#33
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Joined: Aug 2011
Location: MA
Posts: 32
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I would say 2-350 a week, we're a family of 5, and most of the grocery shopping is from Walmart, Market Basket and Stop n shop. The US is cheap for somethings and ridiculously expensive for others !
#34
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 54
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
if you consider with how much of the pay check you will be left at the end of the month. The aim of this exercise is to
asses the damage .
#35
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,543
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Pretty much all of the Northeast gets absolutely horrible winters - days on end of sub-zero temperatures, ice storms, snow measured in feet, not inches, frequent power cuts and so on. It'll be a bit of a wakeup call. Before I moved there, I thought all the big 4WD pickups and SUVs were just conspicuous consumption, then I saw my first NJ winter and realised they actually need them to get anywhere!
The closer you are to a decent-sized town the more likely it'll be that there'll be people salting and ploughing the roads on a regular basis during winter, so bear that in mind. Otherwise it's entirely possible you could be housebound for much of the time during the winter.
The closer you are to a decent-sized town the more likely it'll be that there'll be people salting and ploughing the roads on a regular basis during winter, so bear that in mind. Otherwise it's entirely possible you could be housebound for much of the time during the winter.
We spend $6,000 per annum for oil heating. And we never have the thermostat above 68 degrees, and also we use a lot of firewood to supplement.
#36
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 54
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I'd increase your grocery bill - with just 2 of us in cheap Michigan it's usually $150 a week and you're a family of 5. Don't forget your 'groceries' will not just be food but all the other stuff - toilet paper, dish cleaner, laundry detergent etc etc
You have 3 kids, they will be growing - so factor in a clothing allowance as well
You have 3 kids, they will be growing - so factor in a clothing allowance as well
Weekly Specials
and have that compared with her weekly spending at Tesco's she's
quite confident we would not go over $500 per month.
#37
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Just had my wife review these prices
Weekly Specials
and have that compared with her weekly spending at Tesco's she's
quite confident we would not go over $500 per month.
Weekly Specials
and have that compared with her weekly spending at Tesco's she's
quite confident we would not go over $500 per month.
#38
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 54
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
This is definitely true. And if you choose to live in a town, within walking distance of workplace and at least some shopping, it can dramatically reduce your annual car mileage - and possibly reduce the need for a large 4 wheel drive vehicle. I know folks who live in town, so are able to only run one car since work and school are walkable.
We spend $6,000 per annum for oil heating. And we never have the thermostat above 68 degrees, and also we use a lot of firewood to supplement.
We spend $6,000 per annum for oil heating. And we never have the thermostat above 68 degrees, and also we use a lot of firewood to supplement.
- $ 500 groceries
- $ 300 car insurance - 2 cars
- $ 20 Umbrella Insurance
- $ 120 internet, phone, TV
- $ 200 propane based heating / air conditioning(avg) 3 bedroom (~2000 sq./ft.)
{oil based NE - might be as much as about $600-800 per month from November-March, overall yearly 6K}
- $ ___ electricity (avg / month) 5 people - 3 bedroom house
- $ ___ extra school spendings (after school activities including sport related)
- $ 150 3 cell plans
- $ 250 (70c / litre / on avg 3050 km shared by 2 cars per month with avg 10l / 100km)
- $ ___ water (avg / month)
- $2000 rent - 3 bedroom (~200 sq./ft.)
- $____ medical insurance - ($300 to $1500) family of 5 depending on work based benefits (if any) and an income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GT: $3540
Pointers:
- get a job with medical insurance included,
- rent a house, with efficient / modern heating system preferably propane based,
- rent a house in the within a (even small) city area, it would lower gas costs
Last edited by dan_j; Oct 9th 2014 at 5:32 pm.
#40
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
How big is your house?
Last edited by HumphreyC; Oct 9th 2014 at 5:37 pm.
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: MA
Posts: 32
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
The things that arent on the weekly specials are the things that add up quickly, eg a loaf of bread can cost $3-4, and will taste like crap. a Gallon of milk is $4 etc
#43
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
We are a family of 5, and I'd estimate we spend about $1300 per month.
Now, this is in Texas at HEB, a good but not high-end grocery store, and it includes some wine and beer and a few other things that aren't essential. Even shopping at Walmart and buying special offers, though, I can't imagine you can cater for 5 for a month for $500.
Now, this is in Texas at HEB, a good but not high-end grocery store, and it includes some wine and beer and a few other things that aren't essential. Even shopping at Walmart and buying special offers, though, I can't imagine you can cater for 5 for a month for $500.
#45
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 54
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
- $ 600 groceries
- $ 300 car insurance - 2 cars
- $ 20 Umbrella Insurance
- $ 120 internet, phone, TV
- $ 200 propane based heating / air conditioning(avg) 3 bedroom (~2000 sq./ft.)
{oil based NE - might be as much as about $600-800 per month from November-March, overall yearly 6K - 3,000 sq ft.}
- $ ___ electricity (avg / month) 5 people - 3 bedroom house
- $ ___ extra school spendings (after school activities including sport related)
- $ 150 3 cell plans
- $ 250 (70c / litre / on avg 3050 km shared by 2 cars per month with avg 10l / 100km)
- $ ___ water (avg / month)
- $2000 rent - 3 bedroom (~200 sq./ft.)
- $____ medical insurance - ($300 to $1500) family of 5 depending on work based benefits (if any) and an income
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GT: $3640
Pointers:
- get a job with medical insurance included,
- rent a house, with efficient / modern heating system preferably propane based,
- rent a house in the within a (even small) city area, it would lower gas costs
Last edited by dan_j; Oct 9th 2014 at 6:02 pm.