How much do you spend a month?

[dualstow]

We're at about $6,500/mo which includes charitable giving and a mortgage. No other debt besides the mortgage though.

Me + wifey + 3 kids under 6 y/o

Is the charitable giving a monthly thing?

Barrett, I hope the fa-Root juice did not get all over those two bills!

[clacy]

We're at about $6,500/mo which includes charitable giving and a mortgage. No other debt besides the mortgage though.

Me + wifey + 3 kids under 6 y/o

Is the charitable giving a monthly thing?

Barrett, I hope the fa-Root juice did not get all over those two bills!

Yes, mostly it's tithing to my church plus some ancillary smaller stuff

[MachineGhost]

+1 for Costco.  I thought it wouldn't make sense in Manhattan, between the $50/year membership fee and the $13 car service to get your loot home, but the latter is mitigated by going with friends which makes it a fun outing.  And I finally found a purpose in life for that useless cabinet over top of my fridge.  The savings are truly astonishing, and their "house" brand (Kirkland) is quite good.

Its interesting where those consumer savings come from.  Costco avoids a high employee turnover situation by paying a flat wage scale and limiting profit to 15% max above wholesale.  The shopping cart pusher/bag boy/cashier earns the same hourly wage as an upper level executive.  They are not shareholder friendly and nothing about the business is run for the benefit of the shareholders, only the member-consumers and potentially other community stakeholders.  Wall Street absolutely hates Costco.

[MachineGhost]

Yes, mostly it's tithing to my church plus some ancillary smaller stuff

What percentage do you tith?  I've read some stats that American Christians tith substantially less than the 10% they're supposed to which is rather thought-provoking.  Is it perhaps a guilt-trip thing in Church every Sunday as opposed to something they really want to do?  I think automatic monthly tithing is a great idea and I plan to start that next year.

[clacy]

Yes, mostly it's tithing to my church plus some ancillary smaller stuff

What percentage do you tith?  I've read some stats that American Christians tith substantially less than the 10% they're supposed to which is rather thought-provoking.  Is it perhaps a guilt-trip thing in Church every Sunday as opposed to something they really want to do?  I think automatic monthly tithing is a great idea and I plan to start that next year.

I do 10% now but have worked that percentage up over the last several years. I was roughly in the 5% range when I started I suppose.

My church definitely doesn't guilt us or best us up with it. I personally derive a lot of pleasure from it. I know it goes to a good cause and I see no downside to it.

I suppose on some level I feel like I'm trying to buy my way into heaven

But for the most part I really do enjoy giving and would do so regardless of the religious component.

[WiseOne]

+1 for Costco.  I thought it wouldn't make sense in Manhattan, between the $50/year membership fee and the $13 car service to get your loot home, but the latter is mitigated by going with friends which makes it a fun outing.  And I finally found a purpose in life for that useless cabinet over top of my fridge.  The savings are truly astonishing, and their "house" brand (Kirkland) is quite good.

Its interesting where those consumer savings come from.  Costco avoids a high employee turnover situation by paying a flat wage scale and limiting profit to 15% max above wholesale.  The shopping cart pusher/bag boy/cashier earns the same hourly wage as an upper level executive.  They are not shareholder friendly and nothing about the business is run for the benefit of the shareholders, only the member-consumers and potentially other community stakeholders.  Wall Street absolutely hates Costco.

I didn't know those details...very interesting business model.  They deserve their success.  I had thought their prices might be due to no advertising budget, and improved planning/goods pipeline from limited stores, limited goods selection, and selling everything in large quantities to a fixed consumer base (i.e. current members).

Incidentally I think we had a thread about this before, but Whole Foods can be an economical place to shop if you ignore the frou-frou items and concentrate on their house brand (365) and bulk section.  I'm not organized enough to keep a spreadsheet of local food prices, but I put receipts up on my fridge with a magnet clip so I can quickly compare prices across shopping expeditions.

My monthly expenses are a little difficult to compare because of the funky NYC coop thing, but after accounting for tax benefits, pre-tax expenses etc, I'm about $2700/month apart from mortgage.

[dualstow]

I remember reading many years ago (more than ten?) that the CEO of CostCo took a $100,000 salary, and I don't think there were any bonuses. This was in a business magazine, and of course the salaries of all the other CEOs on it, except Warren Buffett were in the millions.

[Mountaineer]

This is not a specific answer to the OP's question, but one of the easier personal finance methods I have read was "The Wealthy Barber" if I remember the title correctly.  Basically, it advocated deciding how much of your net income to very first thing before you spend a penny set apart for charity and how much to set aside for your savings, and then don't worry about how you spend the rest during your selected time period(s) ... but when it's gone, it's gone - no cheating or borrowing from the future allowed.  You can do this on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis ... that is a matter of how disciplined you are, and how variable your income and expenses are expected to be. 

On a more personal note, I too enjoy giving like clacy mentioned; it just seems like the right thing to do.  It always has seemed to me the more I gave (exclusive of my time and talents) whether from a few percent up to the 'ballpark' 20% or 25% point, especially during the hard times, the more I got back in many ways - some future financial things, some in relationships, much in satisfaction knowing that I was helping others worse off than me (and knowing I might need the favor returned some time in the future and would be so very thankful for those who cared enough to help me), some in other ways.  I include gifting to religious organizations, local social organizations, and close family members who are in need in my way of thinking.  I have NEVER felt guilted or pressured into giving by my church although I used to feel very pressured by my company to give to the United Way when I was working and somewhat guilted in a few other churches I formerly attended.  My experience indicates when the focus is on meeting the customers' needs instead of hounding or preaching about money, the more successful the organization is, whether it be a religious organization or a business.

... Mountaineer

[jabba]

I never give to charity, like ever, ever. In the UK, where I am originally from, there is scandal after scandal about the majority of funds been used to pay administrators huge salaries and only small amounts trickling down to those who need it.

We sponsored a girls education in Africa once and she ran off into the bush with her family after we had just got her settled. If people ask me for money sometimes I will give it to help them out but often there I have been disappointed too. Sorry but for me, it is dog eat dog but I am in awe of someone like Bill Gates and his foundation.

[MachineGhost]

I never give to charity, like ever, ever. In the UK, where I am originally from, there is scandal after scandal about the majority of funds been used to pay administrators huge salaries and only small amounts trickling down to those who need it.

We sponsored a girls education in Africa once and she ran off into the bush with her family after we had just got her settled. If people ask me for money sometimes I will give it to help them out but often there I have been disappointed too. Sorry but for me, it is dog eat dog but I am in awe of someone like Bill Gates and his foundation.

Don't you have a ratings site like Charity Navigator over there?  I only donate to 4-star (out of 4) rated charities because the scammers and hucksters completely dwarf legitimate charities. It's way too easy to live high off the hog by exploiting people's altruism.  I also give with an aim to support social reform, otherwise nothing would ever change which is the core problem with political solutions.  You should read this:

Giving Makes You Rich
New proof that it pays to be charitable.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/185662

[WiseOne]

If you donate to an organized charity, you should look up how much of your donation will go to those in need, rather than to pay CEOs or fundraisers.  United Way is a bit of a scam in this regard.  There are several websites, here's one:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten

I tend to pick small charities with low overhead, or give to foundations that I know well, e.g. by having served on a review panel or received a research grant.

[dualstow]

I use charity navigator, too. They're great, and I don't think they're influenced like the now pay-to-play Better Business Bureau. Charities are like stocks. Keep an eye on them; don't fall in love with them.

That said, my favorite charity still has 4 stars after all these years: Acumen fund.