How much 'spending money' does the average person need per week?

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

Money issues always baffle me, so i pretty much save every penny, and take it from there...what is a decent amount for the average person/income (say in the 60k-80k range) to spend/throw away on himself per week?

Excluding gambling, how much do you just spend on yourself (aside from bills and normal everyday expenses) per week on average, money you just 'throw away' (for lack of a better word)

Examples, going out to bars, dinners out, sporting events

:drink: :icon_conf

5teamparlay · Feb 20, 2006

ME 5 bucks a day, my wife 50 a day (nails, hair. clothes, lunch etc etc).

Actually I average about 2 sporting events a month etc so I'm at 100 a week, single I was at 250 a week going out nightly.

TTinCO · Feb 20, 2006

I blow entirely too much, but I'm getting better about it. I used to go to about an Av's game a week a couple years ago-that's a LOT of damage when you're starting off with an $80-100 ticket (then food, booze, parking, etc).

Insiders · Feb 20, 2006

Not average here by no means. But i manage to throw away about 200 weekly. I sometimes say "Well where the heck did THAT money go" lol

TANG · Feb 20, 2006

I piss away $49.99 a week to be able to post here.

bigbet1234 · Feb 20, 2006

$300-$500 a week, way too much.

I am trying to put myself on a buget of $100 a week, that is plenty I think.

BB

DNoonan · Feb 20, 2006

Way too much here....looking to buy a home in LA soon, so starting to curb my spending habits but right now I would say I average around $75/wk on booze, $100/wk for lunches, $100/wk for a dinner out and I blow a ton on vacations...I have been thinking about this very thing....I need to follow your lead journey and SAVE! I do put 10% into my 401(k) and make IRA contributions but still need to be better about my extra-curricular spending.

Just dropped $1400 on a new stereo for my cadillac too...and they broke all the power controls for the drivers seat installing new speakers!!!

Kornholio · Feb 20, 2006

0$ for me. wish I made a little more

LucaBrasi · Feb 20, 2006

It kills me how much I spend on lunch every day.

LivingOffGamblingMoney · Feb 20, 2006

That's a very good question. Actually it all adds up when you really think about it, but in all fairness I would say about $100 a week on myself. 70% of that is alcohol related. Other 30% goes to maybe a movie and something else. It doesnt take much to entertain me. I dont have to hit up downtown Chicago and drink myself silly. I have this nagging girlfriend who seems to think I should just stay home the majority of the time.:thumbsup2: LOL

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

bigbet1234 said:
$300-$500 a week, way too much.

I am trying to put myself on a buget of $100 a week, that is plenty I think.

BB

So you blow 3-5 a week and your wife has no idea you have exra money?

I hope you have hid it welll or she settles out of court :thumbsup2:

The sporting event ticket prices, travel ,traffic, parking, food, will put a serious dent in anyone's wallet, I find it hard to believe more people attend games then they did say 15-20 yrs ago, but somehow these events seem to draw much more attendance.

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

Luca Brasi said:
It kills me how much I spend on lunch every day.

Pet peeve of mine when i see people blowing 10-15 bucks on lunch going to McDonalds...when they could take their lunch.

That alone could save a person a couple grand a year...

A lot of blue collar guys throw away 20-25 bucks a day at the convenience store on coffee and fast food lunch, ridiculous waste of money.

LivingOffGamblingMoney · Feb 20, 2006

It also annoys me that whenever I have extra cash or win a big game, for some reason, the wicked witch of the west comes out in my woman.

" Somehow I owe her for something she got me 6 months ago ":smoking:

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

DNoonan said:
Way too much here....looking to buy a home in LA soon, so starting to curb my spending habits but right now I would say I average around $75/wk on booze, $100/wk for lunches, $100/wk for a dinner out and I blow a ton on vacations...I have been thinking about this very thing....I need to follow your lead journey and SAVE! I do put 10% into my 401(k) and make IRA contributions but still need to be better about my extra-curricular spending.

Just dropped $1400 on a new stereo for my cadillac too...and they broke all the power controls for the drivers seat installing new speakers!!!

When you factor in vacations and a big purchase like a new plasma tv or sound system that will make the average go up quick, I suppose that does count though....I don't really consider thos things throw away items though.

LucaBrasi · Feb 20, 2006

Journeyman said:
Pet peeve of mine when i see people blowing 10-15 bucks on lunch going to McDonalds...when they could take their lunch.

I'm that guy, J-Man.

I don't do fast food , but I do blow $6-7 bucks a day on lunch. I go out with the guys 3-4 days a week for lunch, so there's $120 or so a month.

DNoonan · Feb 20, 2006

Journeyman said:
When you factor in vacations and a big purchase like a new plasma tv or sound system that will make the average go up quick, I suppose that does count though....I don't really consider thos things throw away items though.

I know man...I blew a grand plus this weekend to go skiing in Vermont...$550 for the hotel, $250 for lift tickets and rentals another $300 or so for meals and gas...sux since it rained friday and they closed the mountain due to hail/wind!! Saturday they only opened two lifts which isn't worth the $80 bucks for a lift ticket...unless you already drove ~4hrs, couldn't ski friday and rented skiis.

I did buy a big TV this year, but I got a Sammy 56 inch DLP....and am very glad I did! Agree that that isn't a wasted, throw away purchase...

Day one of the Noonan savings program is underway!!!! Unfortunately I did just blow $24 bucks on popcorn shrimp and two Harpoon IPA's at lunch...

bigbet1234 · Feb 20, 2006

She doesnt know what I blow in a weeks time. We see eachother one day a week, and go to dinner and what not. Yea, the trips are expensive. the trips/sporting event to denver set me back about 3K when said in done, but it was a good time.

In my other post I said what "IF" I went broke?!?! Think about it. I go on tilt, lose everything, start working to make ends meat, sounds like a plan to me, if it ends in divorce:thumbsup2:

Journeyman said:
So you blow 3-5 a week and your wife has no idea you have exra money?

I hope you have hid it welll or she settles out of court :thumbsup2:

The sporting event ticket prices, travel ,traffic, parking, food, will put a serious dent in anyone's wallet, I find it hard to believe more people attend games then they did say 15-20 yrs ago, but somehow these events seem to draw much more attendance.

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

DNoonan said:
Day one of the Noonan savings program is underway!!!! Unfortunately I did just blow $24 bucks on popcorn shrimp and two Harpoon IPA's at lunch...

:lolBIG:

I was furious last night spending 20 bucks to park in a garage, when If I were by myself I would have parked and walked a mile if I had to, just can't waste money like that.

Journeyman · Feb 20, 2006

bigbet1234 said:
She doesnt know what I blow in a weeks time. We see eachother one day a week, and go to dinner and what not. Yea, the trip are expensive. the trips/sporting event to denver set me back about 3K when said in done, but it was a good time.

In my other post I said what "IF" I went broke?!?! Think about it. I go on tilt, lose everything, start working to make ends meat, sounds like a plan to me, if it ends in divorce:thumbsup2:

Has your wife ever asked you why you can't make up your mind? :icon_conf

just a hunch, I have the same problem:missingte

bigbet1234 · Feb 20, 2006

Who the hell spends $15 at Mc D's? Hell, I don't even eat that shit.

BB

Journeyman said:
Pet peeve of mine when i see people blowing 10-15 bucks on lunch going to McDonalds...when they could take their lunch.

That alone could save a person a couple grand a year...

A lot of blue collar guys throw away 20-25 bucks a day at the convenience store on coffee and fast food lunch, ridiculous waste of money.