I really need some advice here...

Here is my current financial status:

$640 Rent/Water
45 Gas Bill Budget
35 Electric Bill Budget
50 Cell Bill (lowest plan they have + taxes, and in contract, so I can't break it)
35 Cable/Internet (my only entertainment!)
300 Car Payment
60 Car Insurance
25 Dr. Bill (only $475 to go! I had health insurance at this time, and they wouldn't cover it)
25 Gym Membership (stupid 2 year contract won't let me out without penalty)
______
$1215 out-go per month
$1375 income per month

That leaves $160/mth to pay my credit card bills (less than $1000 total, not so bad...it's mainly from vet bills from having to treat and then put down my cat last month), my groceries, my fuel (about $40/mth b/c I only live 5 miles from work), and any extras that might creep up. (As you can see, I don't even have health insurance, b/c it costs over $100/mth thru my company, and I rarely even go to the Dr. And forget a 401K contribution, although I do contribute $20 mth to a Christmas Club that pays a 10% return through work.)

My apartment lease is up in March, and I've been thinking about moving. I work as a leasing agent for an apartment complex, and I could get a discount on rent, taking it to $515/mth (but a smaller apartment in a worse neighborhood). The only problem is that it's entirely possible that my company could be in the works to sell my property, in which case, I'd probably end up losing my job if the new company didn't want me, therefore, forfeiting the discount, which would then take my rent up to MORE than what I'm currently paying where I'm at now. (Making it pointless to move, but if only I could see the future, I'd be OK!)

If I don't move to my property, I could start looking around for a cheaper place somewhere else, but I'd end up giving up what I love about my current place...my basement for my cats, my assigned parking spots, the quiet (and safe) neighborhood. I could go on the other side of Columbus, but it would add another 20 minutes to my commute every day, and probably at least double my fuel costs, and be a neighborhood that might not be so safe.

I just don't know if it would be a wise decision or not. I really need to get my finances in better shape, because I'm living paycheck to paycheck, and it sucks.

I could try to re-finance my car for a lower interest rate than the 12.9% I have, but I have a bankruptcy on my record, and don't know if I could get it any cheaper. I've only had the car/loan for 6 months, with 3.5 years to go.

But those are really the only places I could cut out! I've done so well in keeping the rest of my bills lowered, I just feel like I'm all house and car poor...

I have moved 6 times in the last 5 years, and I'm truly sick of moving. When I moved here, I said that I was going to stay until I buy a house...and I really want to, but don't know if I should...What do you all think?

I'd look into ways to bring up the $1375 income. Do you get a big tax refund every year?

No, I only get about $400 in a tax refund each year. I just started this job 3 months ago, and I love the industry, which unfortunately, doesn't pay well. I get some commissions, but I can't count on them because it all depends on whether I get people to move in...and then it all depends on how picky Corporate is going to be on the dotted i's and crossed t's...they're notorious for picking your leases apart so they don't have to pay you...I get maybe $100/mth if I'm lucky...and winter is coming, so that may go to nothing :-(

And I can't really do too much for a nighttime/weekend job, b/c I work 6 days a week, and don't get off til 6 (leasing hours are screwy, they stretch your 40 hours out into stupid shifts).

This time of the year, a lot of retailers hire additional help for the holiday madness. Probably doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but an extra part-time job could help you pay off the CC and Dr. Bill.

I also wonder whether it would work for you to have a roommate for awhile. You could save quite a bit on rent and utilities if the expenses were shared.

Is there any way you can lower the car payment? How much do you owe on it? Are you upside down? If you're not upside down, I'd maybe look at selling it and getting a cheaper one for a couple thousand with the proceeds until I got more firmly on my feet. Can you do an early buy out of the gym membership, maybe with your tax refund this year? With the payments you'll make until then, plus the payments on the dr bill, you might have enough to come close to paying both of them off. I really don't know how those gym contracts work, do they even have an early termination clause?

Your budget looks pretty tight, those are the only things I can see where it would even be possible to cut..without getting rid of the cable.

Other than that, I agree with the others about the part time job. As far as buying a house, I really don't think I would until I increased my income.

your budget is pretty tight - basically you need to make more income. There is no way around it - if you are working six days a week and making that, perhaps you might want to look into another type of employment. I think you should find a different apt with a roommate or if possible, have one move in to your current place. Have you ever tried ebay? A second job is a must here. Also, look online for focus groups, mystery shopping, and surveys. After I had twins and my hubby was the only income while he was still in school, the only way we went out was with the mystery shopping - we got a free meal about every 2 months.
Sell your car and use a bike for awhile since you are only 5 miles from work and you don't go out too much. In the spring, buy a nice used car for a $1000 - $1500. If you don't want to sell your car (think about this), don't drive anymore than you have to.
Get out of your cell phone contract, unless you have less than 4 months left, the penalty is usually $175. Buy a prepaid one and use it only for emergencies - @$10 a month.
Cut your cable - borrow videos and DVD's from the library, friends, coworkers.

Rake leaves, shovel snow, paint, haul and clean up junk for extra $$$

Good luck

Even if you have to work crazy hours... I'd actually suggest something like a paper route. You work every day, but REALLY early, so it probably wouldn't conflict with your regular job. It brings in I *think* an extra 1K or so a month. You'd be able to knock out most of your CC's/vet bills/dr bills in 2 months.

Really, you need to set up an EF more than anything else, even if it is only 10-20/week.

Good luck

SG: when you say you think an xtra 1k, do you calculate in transportation costs?

OP: If you're not happy with $1300/mo income, like others have suggested, increase it. There are a lot of folks out there working jobs, NOT BECAUSE THEY LIKE IT OR THE INDUSTRY, but because the pay is good and THEY NEED THE $$$s. Consider a higher paying job, its a toss up: Make more $$s and not like your job, or make less $$s and like your job, but hate being poor.

Nina,

I have never personally done a paper route. Every once in a while with our Sunday paper, there is a flyer stating earn 1,000 to 1,500 per month.

It's an estimate, one which is worthy of research.

ETA - My sisters ex did a paper route. Other than driving to the facility where the papers are prepared (which in his case was a few miles, actual route sizes are fairly small - although they cannot guarantee WHERE the route would be).

If you truly like your job, and part of your compensation is commission (which generally has no cap, you make them more money, you make more money) I would seriously consider doing what you have to,in order to increase your income throught the commissions. If they are picky about your lease agreement find out how to improve it to meet there needs. If you do your due dilligence, and provide them with quality leases that make them money, they in turn are gonna wanna keep you happy. this coming from a real estate investor myself, I would gladly pay commissions for quality leases if i were in there situation. you have potential for unlimited income here at your finger tips, i would take advantage of it. I would also consider all of the suggestions here for lowering your debt, it may not be pleasant at first, but just remind your self it is only temporary. good luck

On getting an additional job: I deliever pizzas and make about 1k a month after transportation costs. We have quite a few (about 5 out of 8) that are working there as a second job. Our "rush" drivers tend to work mostly dinner shifts, I'm not sure if that would work since you don't get out of your curent job until 6 but it's worth looking into. I made $13/hour last night. Not too bad for a Wednesday night.