monthly outgoings

[tony rome]

so on the form where it says...'how much does your sponsor spend on living costs per month', do i put how much i could live on, or how much i have actually been spending? because most of the money ive spent lately hasn't been necessary.

whats the definition of 'living costs'?

thanks.

[Pepe n Pilar]

so on the form where it says...'how much does your sponsor spend on living costs per month', do i put how much i could live on, or how much i have actually been spending? because most of the money ive spent lately hasn't been necessary.

whats the definition of 'living costs'?

thanks.

Living costs is your monthly expenses. That represents the house mortgage, the council tax, electric, telephone, water bills, tv lic.... etc etc.

[Northerner]

It is a good idea to break it all down on a spreadsheet. But if you are not used to using them, downloading a pre-existing and pre-coded spreadsheet will help.

I am now trying to live by one of these spreadsheets as previously I was not saving any money at all, despite having the income and the ability to do so. But now I also have a reason to save and give in to the temptations of a new ipod/Digicam or whatever.

Also, we can not live like robots. I calculate at least £50 a month for me to fritter away, for those times when friends call and ask if I am doing anything that evening. So at least I am budgeting for everything...