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All Forum Posts by: Ami Sapir

Ami Sapir has started 2 posts and replied 72 times.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Jeremy M.

Thanks, it's nice to meet a fellow traveler. Is it wrong that i'm kinda happy to meet someone with more credit cards than me?

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Thomas S.

My commitment is to become debt free within 2 years and I am looking for ways to make that happen including cutting expenses.

I'm not sure that "living the high life" quite applies to my lifestyle but respect your right to an opinion. 

Once the debt is gone I will use all freed up funds to get on the right path to financial freedom.

How about you keep tracking my progress and then decide if I am serious or not.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Frank Chin

Making $2000 will be a tough go so i guess cutting like you say is the only viable choice. 

It looks like somebody is interested in acquiring my car lease so it's a good start ($256 payment, $100 insurance $280 parking space $100 gas total $736) and can all be replaced by a $100 bus pass. 

That is $636 in real money that i can cut from my expenses.

I also didn't factor in my monthly bonuses into my income since they aren't automatic but they usually total about $750 a month extra (net).

I'm not that far off.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Victor S.

The Charity is a commitment that i made to a family member and it's not something i want go back on.

The house warranty is something that i will reexamine.

Cell phone is $120 for 4 lines unlimited everything (Cricket)

ADT is worth researching further

Dining $140 is for my wife and I (the occasional unavoidable business lunch)and the whole family once in a while. I might be able to cut some out but would it result in a marked improvement at the expense of taking the girls out for ice cream or a pancake house once in a while is the question. This was our first cost cutting when i realized that we used to spend $1100+ a month.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Ian Hoover

That is the method i am using to pay down the CCs. I know that i will never lease a car again and only buy use cash to buy used cars going forward.

Once i acheive finacial freedom and my assets can generate income to pay for some of the newer items that i want that's fine. 

Till then i will try to figure out ways to treat my W-2 income as soldiers that i don't want to sacrifice (spend).

It's going to take a little time to get to a frugal (Scott Trencher) lifestyle going but i am moving towards it.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Michael Swan

I'm also looking forward to the podcast it sounds like we have like stories. You are really providing value to all of us with your story.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Dave G.

My oldest daughter has a mother in Illinois leaving the state is not an option that i would consider. I do intend to focus mostly on Indiana and Michigan in a few years when i have money to invest in RE. 

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

Everyone,

Here is where this whole thing is going to get real and painful, but this is also where the real healing can begin. My monthly expenses:

Monthly Expenses
Item Name Budgeted
Charity $120.00
$120.00
Debt Repayment
Debt $1,300.95
$1,450.95
Housing
House Warrenty $49.99
Mortgage $2,409.00
$2,458.99
Utilities
Electricity $150.00
Gas $40.00
Internet $39.99
Cell Phone $120.00
ADT Alarm $47.99
Trash $50.00
Water $50.00
$497.98
*Food
Grocery $800.00
Dog Food $100.00
$900.00
*Transportation
Car insurance $245.00
Gas & Oil $240.00
Car Lease 1 $256.04
Car Lease 2 $391.17
Car Wash $15.95
$1,148.16
*Clothing
Adults $25.00
Children $25.00
Cleaning/Laundry $0.00
$50.00
Medical/Health
Dentist $54.00
Dog Insurance $36.48
Prescription Drugs $200.00
Health Insurance $0.00
Co-pays $25.00
$315.48
*Personal
School Supplies $35.00
School Tuition $166.00
$201.00
Dining out / Recreation
Entertainment $160.00
Spotify / Audible / Netflix / Hulu / Amazon $57.44
Dining out $140.00
$357.44

Total expenses including debt repayment $7500

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Mark H.

Everyone, I have not had a minute today and i am behind in answering people, i will catch up tomorrow. Lots of great ideas.

Post: An American Nightmare

Ami SapirPosted
  • Investor
  • Forest Park, IL
  • Posts 73
  • Votes 63

@Rhiannon thank you for sharing your life story with me. First, I hope your health issues are better. You are an inspiration to me and I will carry your story in my heart. 

I realize that I come off sounding a little ridiculous when we have a great income and still struggle. 

I am committed to doing better for my family as you have obviously done for yours.