She wasn't in as bad a shape as I was expecting, only needed to drop her necessities percentage by 14% and move that money to savings. She is no longer spending more than she makes though its still pretty close.
The jaw drop of the night was when I asked her what she was saving for in her extra savings account. I kid you not the answer was "Because you told me to". I explained what an EF was and that we were going to give her a goal of 3 months worth of expenses. We are also starting her on a baby step of turning on monthly contributions to her retirement accounts (the only reason she has one is again, I told her so but I already knew that one).
Since Mint actually tracks both of these goals, it will keep her aware that she needs to keep those items in mind. I think in a couple more years she will be in a pretty good place. Maybe one of these days I will even convince her to pay off her car loan before buying the next car. For now, I consider it a victory that her budget is net positive.
Reviewed a friend's budget
July 15th, 2013 at 01:37 pm
July 15th, 2013 at 03:07 pm 1373897270
July 15th, 2013 at 03:53 pm 1373900005
July 15th, 2013 at 06:15 pm 1373908549
July 15th, 2013 at 06:44 pm 1373910278
July 16th, 2013 at 01:55 am 1373936124