Budget 1986 - things were so much simpler then!

[Left Is Write]

While paying bills, I thought about how much simpler things were for me financially twenty years ago -

Take home pay: approximately $800 per month

Rent (1BR apt): $350
Electric: $25
Phone: $20
Cable: $12

I took $50 out of the ATM every Friday for groceries and spending money. After paying bills and taking out cash, I had about $193 leftover to save and/or pay any charges on my Dayton's card.

I had no car, thus no car payment or car insurance. I had life insurance through my job. Heat, water, and garbage service were all included in my rent. No cell phone. Landlines came without the many various and miscellaneous add-on fees we pay now. Basic cable was really cheap.