conversation: User (Taizek): "Hey all, this is my first time posting here.  I got married last year, and I knew*just* enough about finances before marriage to\n\n A) Identify money drains and try to avoid them (eating out, buying pre-packaged groceries, etc) \n\nB) Don't spend more than we make.\n\nSo basically, our "budgeting" in our first year of marriage has come down to simply making sure we don't spend more than we make.  We're finishing school soon, but I'll be applying for Medical school soon (the application process itself will be around $3,000), and we'll also be moving a few hours away in the next year or so if I get in.  I want to get serious about our finances and get a set game plan in motion that will give us emergency cushion, build our future, and help us spend/save responsibly.  So here's our financial breakdown:\n\n* **Income**: $2,000/mo (variable; we work on commission)\n* **Savings Acc #1:** $3,923.19\n* **Savings Acc #2:** $100\n* **Investments**: $1100\n* **Retirement**: $3,000\n* **Visa Gift Cards**: $50 (Seriously, should I spend this responsibly, or blow it on something fun?)\n\n\n**Monthly Expenses**  \n* Rent: $575  \n* Utilities: $45-80  \n* Internet: $75  \n* Phones: $79  \n* Car+Rent Insurance: $143  \n* Gasoline: $120  \n* Groceries: $275/mo  \n* Car Payments: $0  \n* Student Loans: $0   \n* CC Debt: $3100  \n* Entertainment: Too much.  It's hard to track because we were on a work trip this month, and Christmas season was the past three months.  But I do know we do not spend as wisely as we should.\n\n\n\nHousehold is just me and my wife, a dog, no kids. We get paid at least $1,000 every two weeks (it can vary with commission).  I pay $50/mo into my retirement account, and I *try* to pay $100 every pay cycle into Savings Acc. #1, and $175 per cycle into my CC debt.  As you can clearly see, we need some help.  Any advice or jumping off points would be enormously appreciated.  I apologize in advance for formatting.\n\nEDIT: Formatting.  Still doesn't look good, but it's the best I can do for now."
  Self: "There's nothing to trim here. Make more money and pay off your credit cards. Med School is going to be expensive and you're likely not going to be able to make money while in med school. I'm just confused how two adults are bringing in $2k/month. That means neither of you is working full time and seems strange. What are you guys doing with all the extra time? \n\nYou have about $700 left over each month. Simply decide how much to save, pay off debt, etc. It's not too complex."
  User (Taizek): "We work part time due to school.  My wife is doing her practicum for her teaching degree, and I am shadowing doctors, working part time, and volunteering as well."
  