well, when you have a family, it's a little bit different sometimes. although i agree in general about buying what you can afford. for us, i feel that our biggest spending is on eating out sometimes too much. i've been trying to cook more.
we always run at least one car into the ground. for instance i think our 'second car' is way over 250,000 miles now. it's almost unsafe to drive, but i only drive it to the store and to get the kids to school. if i want to drive the only other vehicle - i drive my hubby to work and then use the van. anyway, car maintenence (which is pretty much necessary) can add up quickly. just new tires alone.
and, children get sick. health insurance covers hospitalization/medication - but u still have to pay the premiums and take 'sick days.' for me, i found it just easier to stay home with my kids (i have three) than pay a babysitter. if anyone knows how much babysitters/or preschools were nowdays they'd fall over backwards (unless you get one that is not as watchful of the little ones - or just plain cheap - or you luck out and find a private babysitter to come to your home and they are RELIABLE). plus, for me, i like being with my kids.
another expense is of course dental. one dental emergency and even the co-pay is something that goes on the credit card sometimes. the best thing, imo, contrapunctus, is for guys to wait until they're like 30 to get married. once you are married and have children there are a lot of expenses that you don't have as a single guy. we have two daughters - and so with the 10 year old - a trip to the mall doesn't mean the same thing anymore. it means 'can i get a shirt - or maybe a couple of them - or a pair of jeans' i'm outgrowing the ones i have. how can you argue with outgrowing? *sprinkles shrinking powder on children at night. and, of course the little one thinks it's unfair if she doesn't get something, too. (she has too many stuffed animals, admitted).
probably the only way to save for us is to never go outside the house - to the mall or store with the kids. but, then they complain - so we go from saving - to spending - to saving. it's a cycle. i used to try to grocery shop this way (6AM - no kids) - but i'm not that energetic anymore. emergency rooms are another thing that can get you. each one of us has been in them. in fact, i got the treatment when i broke my leg and got the ambulance ride, too.
thankfully, my husband makes good money - but staying on top of what you make (no matter the income) is really a good idea. being organized and finding paperwork is another good idea. you just have to set up as system and stick to it. whatever works for you. some money management software lets you see a sort of 'pie' that breaks up your spending into categories. then you know which ones to go after (if you don't alreadY). i do talk with my children, too, about what is affordable and a need vs. want.
Topic: credit reports