For my intro; see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11976
I've been looking into the "systems thinking" side of ERE for a little bit, and I still have got more research to do in that regard. My next note after this one should be more about that.
For my first entry, I'll go through where I am and what I'm working on money-wise.
Right now I'm saving 50% of my income, and here is what proportion those other things take up:
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<category> <percent of total>
rent 24.5
car 8.5
groceries 5.5
eating out 4
utilities 3.5
everything else 4
To go in order:
Rent -
Rent is something I'll be reducing pretty soon. I'm currently in a "luxury apartment complex" that is meant to serve all the wealthy people that live in my area. They take out my trash, have a pool, a gym, my own washer and dryer, all that nice stuff I don't really need. I'll be able to instantly cut this in half by getting a normal one-person apartment, and even more when I move in with my girlfriend (aka DW?) after she graduates.
Car -
The car is an interesting one. I'm currently in a long distance relatonship, but once she graduates getting rid of the car is a very feasable option. I did competitive cycling in college, so I already have a nice (too nice) bike and the requisite maintenance/riding skills. I am also going to try and work from home more too, so that should make it even easier. I'm currently in the market for a bike cart, I've seen some good threads on that here.
Groceries -
Groceries is the one I am most focused on right now, as it's the easyest. Eating more staples (ouch), and less meat and processed stuff will make me healthier and cost about half as much as what I currently am spending. Lentils are overpowered.
Eating out -
Eating out is another interesting one; I hate eating out. a lot. But my girlfriend eats about 2-3 times a week (I have been told this is normal), so I've compromised with her at eating out once a week (when we see each other) with us alternating who pays. I've recently gotten her to agree to eat out only once every other week, as she recognizes it as a bad habit. This should improve with time.
Utilities -
Utilities are phone, internet, water power etc. I can save money here, but I'm going to focus more on the big ticket items first.
Everything else -
Everything else comprises the video games and consumer products I purchase, I'm taking this on case-by-case basis. (eg replacing the swiffer with a mop, washing my own car, why not just play dwarf fortress more (free game) instead of buying new game etc)
So if I achieve all these reductions in spending, I get to a savings rate of
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50 (pre-existing) + 12.25 (rent) + 8.5 (no car) + 2.25 (eating staples) + 4 (not eating out) + 1 (less products) = 78%
To end part 1; I understand that saving money is just one part of ERE. My defense for focusing on spending now is that I've got at least 6-7 years to figure out systems stuff, but money saved now is the best kind of money (other than money saved yesterday).