THE FINANCIAL EYE THE MONEY MINDER ‘As you can see, our budget is insanely tight’: I have a scholarship for private school, but is it financially irresponsible to send my kid there when my budget is stretched thin?
THE MONEY MINDER

‘As you can see, our budget is insanely tight’: I have a scholarship for private school, but is it financially irresponsible to send my kid there when my budget is stretched thin?

‘As you can see, our budget is insanely tight’: I have a scholarship for private school, but is it financially irresponsible to send my kid there when my budget is stretched thin?

Hi Money Minder,

My 5 year old is starting kindergarten and we got a big scholarship at a nearby private school, but we still need to come up with $400 a month. Our budget is super tight. I have a side gig cleaning and organizing, but it’s not consistent – could be $0 or $1500 a month.

Income: $6326

Rent: $1600

Food: $1000

Credit Card Interest: $650

Daycare for sibling: $721

Auto fuel: $400

Therapy: $300

Car insurance: $250

Gas: $125

Life insurance: $130

Jiu-Jitsu: $195

Water: $100

Power: $200

Streaming: $20

College loans: $40

Kids 529 plan: $50

Giving: $15

Total Expenses: $5796

Any advice on how to make ends meet? We’re feeling the pressure. Thanks, Money Minder!

  • Budget Buster Bob

Farewell and Thanks!

Response from THE MONEY MINDER:

Hello There,

Congratulations on your child starting kindergarten! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate with balancing your budget and managing your side gig. The situation you are in with making ends meet is a common struggle for many families. In reviewing your expenses, it seems that you have identified a key area where you can potentially free up some funds to cover the additional cost of your child’s kindergarten tuition.

Given your tight budget, it may be beneficial to prioritize paying off your credit card interest to reduce that monthly expense. By tackling this debt, you could potentially save $650 a month that could be redirected towards your child’s tuition. Additionally, reevaluating your expenses could help identify areas where you may be able to cut back, such as possibly reducing expenses related to Jiu-Jitsu or streaming services.

It’s important to also consider exploring additional income sources to help ease your financial burden. While your side gig organizing and cleaning is hit or miss, finding supplemental work or increasing your client base could potentially bring in more consistent income to support your family’s needs. Taking proactive steps to manage your finances, including creating a detailed budget and exploring potential cost-saving measures, can help alleviate some of the financial strain you are currently facing.

Remember, it’s okay to seek assistance or resources if needed. You may want to consider reaching out to the private school to discuss your situation and see if there are any additional financial aid or scholarship options available. It’s important to take a practical and proactive approach to address your financial challenges and work towards a more sustainable financial future.

Best of luck as you navigate these financial decisions. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need additional guidance. Take care!

Farewell from THE MONEY MINDER.

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