Post Divorce Expenses

What will it cost you to live as a post divorce single? Once you have some basic figures down, you'll feel more in charge of your future.

For women, especially those over 45 or 50, one of the major concerns about starting over single is the monthly cost. She'll have only herself to depend on, and it will definitely be a whole new ballgame!

The quickest way to tame that fear is to figure out a practical budget for your Fresh Start. 

That following list will help, although not all of the items will apply to you. You can obtain the figures by checking the current household bills and asking single friends for estimates of what they spend, especially if you plan to move on to a new home*.

* Before you do, though, you need to decide whether you want to stay in the marital home or move out to either a new house or an apartment or condominium. (I chose to move to a small apartment and get used to being financially on my own, before I invested in a condo. That worked out well.)

This step is even more important
if you've never lived on your own before!

MONTHLY EXPENSES

1.  Rent or Mortgage                       

2.  Utilities

           Electricity                                           

            Gas                                                    

            Telephone                                          

            Water                                                 

            Trash Pick Up                                    

            Sewer                                                 

3.  Transportation (monthly)

            Automobile

            Public Transportation 

4.  Insurance

            Life, Health, Homeowners or rental,  

               Automobile, Other                       

5.  Child Support (for children not in your custody)

6.  Spousal Support (for prior marriage)

7.  Church and Charitable Contributions 

8.  Installment Loan Payments                        

9.  Personal Living Expenses

            Food                                                   

            Clothing                                              

            Medical and Dental Care
            Prescription Drugs     

            Recreation                                         

            Laundry and Dry Cleaning                 

            Beauty/Barber Shop                          

            Miscellaneous Toiletries                     

            School/College Tuition and Books            

10.  Child Care, Day Care, or Baby-sitter

11.  All Other Expenses not listed above, such as Gifts, Tax Preparation, Storage Rental,
Elder Care,  Investment Fees, etc.     

____________________________________

Once you have written down the basics, you can go back and adjust the numbers, check to see where you can trim the expenses or ease them.

Either way, you'll feel far more in charge of your future!

Peace ~

Linda

www.LindaCSenn.com