Reply #124: Udate... it's even worse!

[bain_sidhe]

I posted this in the Economics forum too, and as I was reading the responses, it occurred to me that that "top line" "$200 savings" isn't really savings. It's where we stash money for necessary expenses that are predictable, but not monthly. Like property taxes, insurance, vet and dental bills. So, adding that to the $600 "necessities and semi-necessities" means that we'll be in the hole to the tune of $40 in ten years. I.e., the $800 of "necessities and semi-necessities" will grow to $1240 in ten years. (Assuming those things will grow at the same rate of inflation as the rest. No, they probably won't, but some things will increase MORE, so it's a good average for illustration.)

Off to hide under the covers and suck my thumb...