i want to manage my money?

Question

I go to school and work. I make about one thousand a month. I don't have much bills but lets say about 300 a month on bills. I live with my parents for free. I don't have interest on spending on anything but clothes. How much should I give my parents a month to help out and how much do I keep for myself to buy clothes and lunch. Then how much should I save?

Answer 1

Put all of your answers from these people on here together....
and make it work.

Answer 2

Back in 1963 my parents required that I pay $75 a month. When you go out to rent a room (just one bedroom) here in my area it would cost $400 and upwards. I know that studio apartments (a bath and kitchenette plus one large room to live in, in New York costs about $1500. I do not think you should live for free, especially since you owe your parents a lot since they foot your bills all those years, but, if you want a wedding and they are (etiquette says) supposed to pay for the wedding, then I suggest you give them as much as you can so that they can give back to you some day. In addition, basically figure how much you eat (if you eat one meal a day it would be between $1 and $3 per day) and pay them for groceries plus the room. I know you think this is a lot, but giving it to your parents also means you would be learning responsibility, and paying your responsibilities, and learning how much it would cost you if you were out on your own. By the way, I made a superb salary and allowed myself $1,000 for clothes for one year, and that's to get the basics and every year thereafter I'd only add or replace items. Maybe $500 a year. So if you're spending $300 a month on clothes, or $3600 a year, thats much too much. When you go on your own you're going to be bankrupt. Take your lunch instead of buying it. Even junk food is very expensive these days. How much should you save? haha..whatever you have left. Everything costs high these days and I'd be surprised if you had any money left over because your income isn't that much.....yet.

Answer 3

You should give your parents at least $200 a month to cover your added electricity and gas ($50 a week). If you eat there you should include at least another $100 a month even if you don't eat very much. It's the convenience of knowing it is there.

So, if you have $300 in bills and $300 in rent/food and another $100 a month on lunches and $100 a month on clothes and necessities that leave $200 for savings. But, your parents would probably be happy with only $200 a month so now you have $300 in savings.

Answer 4

here we have a SMART GIRL!

First, tell your parents of your plan to save money long term. Then ask them what's fair. That way there will be no questions and no conflicts.

Invest in an IRA fund, which means you'll pay no taxes on it at the end of the year. $300 a month is a good start. If you stick to saving 1/3 of your income now, by the time you're 40, you will have well over 500,000 if your income grows with you.

Also start a savings account at your bank. put as much in here as you can. It will attain interest and if you need money, or want to buy something, your nest egg will be there.

Doing the above will also be a boon to your credit score later in life when you might buy a car, a home or a business.

You go girl! ;>)

Answer 5

So, you have 700 dollars a month left after bills. I would give you parents 150 a month, that 22% of your income. Now you have 550 dollars left, with this much money left over I would open a Scottrade account, www.scottrade.com, and start putting 200 a month in your account. When it reachs 3000, and it will quickly, then look into buying some mutal funds from www.vanguard.com, focus your money in your retirement funds. At your age you could have a lot of money very soon buy opening a Roth IRA through Scottrade and when you reach that first 3000 buy the Vanguard Target Ret. Fund 2045, after you have the fund you can buy more of that fund at only 100 dollars a time.

After reading the comment from someone else about a high yeilding savings account I laughed, ingdirict is ok but you would be much better off at www.hsbc.com online savings, they are paying 6% through April 30 and the rate after that is 5.05 so dont go to ingdirict but hsbc instead.

Answer 6

You have $300 in standing expenses, $300 should be used for incidental expenses, $200 to your parents just to help, and $200 to savings. This accounts for the $1,000 you expect to have come in each month. This is fair and permits you to build a nest egg that you should not use for anything but life and death.

NO BOY FRIEND, NO GIRL FRIEND, should even know that you are keeping this money. Your parents should save the money you are giving them in case you have a need. Too many parents don't think this way.

Answer 7

It depends on how much your parents actually need from you. Out of respect, the minimum should be $ 300. Spend $200 on clothes and save $200.

Answer 8

Right now, your means and your needs are simple, yet you have more available to save and invest than many. Congratulations on your proactive approach.

For now, save whatever you're comfortable with. I'd suggest about $100 per month into a Roth IRA, assuming you're eligible. Save the rest in a good money market account. ING is always very competitive. As you get older and your situation evolves, see a financial advisor or planner. There are many available at no cost.

Don't forget to have fun!

Answer 9

You should save at least 10% of your income every month. My parents asked me to give them 10% for rent. You can save a lot of money by bringing a lunch to work. Try and automatically invest in mutual funds. Most companies like Vanguard will let you invest for as little as $50 a month. Good for you for wanting to start saving early.

Answer 10

Go one month and keep track of everything you buy.

$1,000 mo.
-$300 bills
----------------
$700

I would save atleast 10%, so

-$100
-----------------
$600

I'd give your parents 10% so

-$100
--------------------
$500

Depending on how much you need to live on, subtract that amount and put the rest in a high interest savings account like at www.ingdirect.com 4.5% with no fees or minimums.

Answer 11

Beyond these necessities, you must decide whether you want to give more to them and how much you can afford to give to them, based on your resources. It is nice to give to your parents. It is altruistic to take care of them, but it is not your obligation if there isn't a specific need.


Your primary concern should be toward your nuclear family. Your children, your partner, yourself, these are the people that come first. You need to take care of them first, and then take care of your parents. Your parents are adults, and can take care of themselves.


You should only give out of love, not guilt. If your parent is guilting you into giving them money, that is a bad deal. Your parents should not be vocalizing how much they receive from other friends or siblings and comparing that with how much they receive from you. You need to assess their need-versus-want ratio and go from there. You must genuinely want to give to them and hold no resentment, otherwise you may have relationship problems with your parents in the long run.


Give to your parents in other ways. If you can't afford to give money, let them know you care by giving them your time. Give them a call, stop by their house, take a walk together, show your support by catering to their emotional needs.


Whether you make the choice to give or not give, you are the only person who can give yourself permission. You have to live with your decision at the end of the day, so come to terms with your choice.