A Living Will .net

How much money should we save up before we get married?

We’re not engaged yet, but I want to start saving up. I currently have no money whatsoever. I’m a CNA and get paid 11.20/hour. I only work 54 hours/month because I’m a full-time college student. I’m going to be an RN. I just started so I have about three years left.
My girlfriend gets paid 9/hour and works 80 hours/month. Obviously, this means that together we don’t make very much money.

I already emailed you..but here are my expenses, for a 23 yr old girl, 26 guy, married couple.
*ahem*

(this is for a one bedroom, SMALL apt, and one very old, early 90’s car) These are MONTHLY expenses—

Rent $510
Utilities- between $100-180
Garbage- $22
Cell phones for both of us- $65
Car Insurance $100
Renter’s Insurance we SHOULD have ($30 estimate)
Food- $300-$400
Student loan interest $50 (all the rest r in forbearance cuz we’re broke)
Internet- $25
Netflix- $9 (too poor for TV)
Fuel for the car $150
AAA membership-$ 170 a year (needed to avoid the high cost of multiple towings, etc!)

Then there are water bills….

Then there is car maintenance and repairs. Getting oil changes, tune- ups.. etc. Repairs can cost and usually do cost hundreds. And happen unexpectedly.

You are going to be a nurse? You must also then factor in the cost of insurance for yourself (some kind of malpractice perhaps, not sure but I had to have that when a dental assistant).
You must also factor in the cost of keeping your nursing certification- I’m sure you’ll have to pay for continuing education, and for certification renewal. Any job in the health field basically you have to pay for this.
What if you have student loans? Factor these payments in.
Are you in credit card debt at all? Pay it off before you get married.
You should get life insurance. If you were to die after you got married, what would your wife be left with? Will there even be enough money to cover your debts and adequately pay for your funeral? Good husbands plan these things.
What if you guys get pregnant? That may not be your intention, but it is a possibility, unless one of you decides to get sterilized. Will you have enough money to support a possible child?
If you DON”T intend to have children, then you need to factor in the cost of birth control, and doctor’s visits (to get the birth control, whatever.)
Do you have health insurance? HA I doubt it. Then will you have any money to pay for occasional doctors visits or birth control? A yearly check up at least?

ONCE you DO have a regular job, it is recommended that you have in savings at least enough money to cover three months worse of expenses, in an emergency. (I realize this is hard, as many have to live paycheck to paycheck.)
Ok, I haven’t even talked about CLOTHES. You know, suits, shirts, job uniforms, dresses,all the stuff a girl needs (pantyhose, sanitary supplies for her period, shoes, underwear, bras, etc.)
I don’t even know if you already own your own car. If you don’t, then you should get one before you get married obviously, unless you live in a big city and have good public transport. Otherwise you’ll need to buy one used, or factor in car payments.

Lesson- Wait until you graduate and work a full-time job (or at least a higher paying part time one, although that may not be enough either) if you want to get married. You are being very naive. If you don’t care about yourself, care about this girl. You are obviously not ready to get married.

You don’t even have any money for a ring. You seem to be moving too fast. You are not even engaged yet, and you already have the exact apartment in mind? That is $450? Where in the world are there apartments that are only $450 besides subsidized housing. And subsidized housing is not nice. Get a job and get a better apartment to take your wife to.

Oh and don’t count wedding presents etc in. Those things r extra. They shouldn’t be relied upon at all. Just because you’re one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, doesn’t mean a wedding is free. Tuxes, flowers, limo, photographer, wedding dress, etc etc! The rings…. Unless your parents are paying for the wedding!
Unless you are going to be really cheap and go to the courthouse! But why do that when you can have a spiritually uplifting talk at the KH and a nice reception with family and friends?
Save up for these things…..

I’m sure I’ve missed stuff but there you have it, off the top of my head! What spiritual goals do you have? Are you ready to take responsibility for your wife’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health? Can you adequately and are you taking good care of your own?

Wait until AFTER you graduate or have a decent job. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

Abhimaan

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