What do your monthly bills total?

[merithyn]

I thought most of the Americans seemed to be paying a lot on cable and phone contracts in the other thread. I'm sure something's not right here

Our bills run roughly:

Rent   $1000
Utilities   $175
Cable      $175
Cell Phone     $275
Car Payment     $350
Car Insurance     $100
Max's Student Loan     $380
My Tuition         $150

Which part is not what you expected?

[MadImmortalMan]

I'm still the only one over 4k? I call BS.

That's a lot o fucking money dude. Even with mortgage and new car i'd be below $2500

I have multiple mortgages on multiple properties. They're still "bills" by Meri's rules even though they produce more income. Maintaining only my own home would be way cheaper.

[katmai]

I'm still the only one over 4k? I call BS.

That's a lot o fucking money dude. Even with mortgage and new car i'd be below $2500

I have multiple mortgages on multiple properties. They're still "bills" by Meri's rules even though they produce more income. Maintaining only my own home would be way cheaper.

Oh i know it, my dad's monthly amount is close to $3k because of his rentals.

[Sheilbh]

Our bills run roughly:

Rent   $1000
Utilities   $175
Cable      $175
Cell Phone     $275
Car Payment     $350
Car Insurance     $100
Max's Student Loan     $380
My Tuition         $150

Which part is not what you expected?

The cable still surprises me. I mean the most expensive satellite package - plus TV licence - is still only around $150. If you don't want 3D, HD, box sets on demand etc then you'll pay far less.

How many phones are you paying for because that seems high to me too?

Everything else looks about what I'd expect or lower for a family.

[Barrister]

Our bills run roughly:

Rent   $1000
Utilities   $175
Cable      $175
Cell Phone     $275
Car Payment     $350
Car Insurance     $100
Max's Student Loan     $380
My Tuition         $150

Which part is not what you expected?

The cable still surprises me. I mean the most expensive satellite package - plus TV licence - is still only around $150. If you don't want 3D, HD, box sets on demand etc then you'll pay far less.

How many phones are you paying for because that seems high to me too?

Everything else looks about what I'd expect or lower for a family.

Meri can speak for herself of course, but I pay my cable company almost $200 / month.  But the thing is - the cable company is also our internet provider, and our land-line phone company.

[Sheilbh]

I think you get that with the big Sky package to.

Maybe not the landline, but I don't know about that because so few people I know have them

[katmai]

$240 a month here, but that is landline, cable and internet.

[merithyn]

The cable still surprises me. I mean the most expensive satellite package - plus TV licence - is still only around $150. If you don't want 3D, HD, box sets on demand etc then you'll pay far less.

How many phones are you paying for because that seems high to me too?

Everything else looks about what I'd expect or lower for a family.

That's for four phones with a family data plan and unlimited texting for all four phones. It's more expensive than I'd prefer, but the elder boy isn't ready to be on his own plan yet.

[merithyn]

Meri can speak for herself of course, but I pay my cable company almost $200 / month.  But the thing is - the cable company is also our internet provider, and our land-line phone company.

We don't have a landline, but yeah, our cable bill includes our internet.

[crazy canuck]

I'm still the only one over 4k? I call BS.

That's a lot o fucking money dude. Even with mortgage and new car i'd be below $2500

I have multiple mortgages on multiple properties. They're still "bills" by Meri's rules even though they produce more income. Maintaining only my own home would be way cheaper.

Well if we are going to incluse the "cost" of investments...

[11B4V]

Cell Phone     $275

Eeeeegad! Do you really need it that bad. My phone bill/internet 65.00 which includes DSL.

No cell phone for mr. Dont want to talk to people and text msg's just piss me off.

[merithyn]

I have multiple mortgages on multiple properties. They're still "bills" by Meri's rules even though they produce more income. Maintaining only my own home would be way cheaper.

I'm not sure that those count, as they're a business rather than personal expense.

[merithyn]

Cell Phone     $275

Eeeeegad! Do you really need it that bad. My phone bill/internet 65.00 which includes DSL.

No cell phone for mr. Dont want to talk to people and text msg's just piss me off.

I have four teenagers, one of whom has a very serious illness. I'm out a lot, as are the kids, and it's pretty useful for all of us to be able to reach one another when we're not home. Yes, the cellphones are necessary.

Do I need a cellphone bill that's that high? No, I don't. That's a convenience fee for the Smart Phone and the unlimited texts. We did without for a long time, but were all thrilled when we could up the ante a bit after Max got a job. I'm hoping that by the time Jackson's phone is up for a renewal in January we can remove him from the bill. That'll drop it down to closer to $200.

[Sheilbh]

Okay. Phone cost's not that bad. I pay around $50-60 a month for mine I think.

Edit: One possible thought on this is that maybe UK contracts tend to be longer-term than the US for things like cable or phones?

[Tonitrus]

Between "rent", cable/tv, car insurance...about $2000 tops. 

Utilities is included in rent, no car payment or mortgage, debt, etc.

For a single dude, the military is actually a damn good job.  Just stay out of Siege's MOS.