How Did a Millennial Couple Budget in October 2019?

TL;DR

In October 2019, a millennial couple brought in $12,350 due to extra paychecks and bonuses, allowing them to effectively manage their budget. They saved on their electricity bill and discussed expenditures from their recent European trip, which cost $3,500, largely covered by credit card points and per diem, while planning to replenish their vacation fund.

Transcript

hey guys it's Justine with debt-free Millennials a V channel to help you crush debt and live a debt-free life and this is my debt-free husband hey we're gonna do this and by now you should know the drill we are a millennial couple in our 30s in our 30s documenting our income and expenses every single month we are Dinks we live in San Diego and this... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Unexpected bonuses and extra paychecks increased the couple's income in October.
• 🤑 Lowering their electricity bill and being mindful of gas expenses helped them save money.
• 💳 Using credit card points and work per diem reduced the out-of-pocket cost of their European trip.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The couple is planning to replenish their vacation fund and treat themselves with their surplus income.
• 🏘️ They have made progress towards their financial goals, such as saving for a house and a Jeep Wrangler.
• 💝 Christmas gifts and travel expenses are being addressed using saved funds and Amazon gift cards.
• 😨 The couple is considering giving a portion of their surplus income to charity or a cause they care about.

Questions & Answers

Q: How much did the couple earn in October?

The couple brought in $12,350 in October, which was higher than their usual income.

Q: Did they have any unexpected expenses?

Yes, they had a higher than usual electricity bill in September but managed to lower it significantly in October. They also spent more on gas due to increased travel.

Q: What was the total cost of their European trip?

The out-of-pocket cost for their European trip was $3,500. However, they were able to use credit card points and work per diem to cover some expenses.

Q: How did they save money on streaming services?

They split the cost of Disney Plus with a friend and discovered that as Sprint customers, they could get Hulu for free.

Q: What was their total savings for their Jeep Wrangler fund?

They currently have $500 saved for their Jeep Wrangler fund, but they had initially aimed for $1,000.

Q: Did they make any contributions to their retirement accounts?

They temporarily paused their contributions to their IRAs in order to focus on maxing out their TSP (Thrift Savings Plan).

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The couple had a higher income in October due to extra paychecks and bonuses, bringing in $12,350.

• They discuss their budget categories, including mobile bills, streaming services, and electricity, highlighting changes and savings.

• The couple shares details of their European trip, including the countries visited and the total cost of $3,500, which was partially covered by credit card points and work per diem.