<prompt> Human: Trying to get a good budget going, but everything adds up so fast, Im not sure how I can get it to even out. I have no Idea where I can make cuts and how I could add more income. My current situation: I graduated in May of 2016 with an Engineering Degree. I didnt have the best grades, but did decent enough. I struggled finding a job for about 8 months after graduating. In that time I worked making around 12hr while my wife worked as well making some cash. We have a son at home who is now 1.5 years old. In that time we had to use credit cards to help supplement some expenses Stupid I know, but we had no choice and I figured once I landed a job I would be able to make it up. So earlier this past year I landed a job that payed me a 55,000 a year. A godsend I thought. The issue was the job rushed through employment and wanted me to move to the other side of the country. I had no idea how my expenses would add up when looking for a house, so I found a decent place to rent, figuring the nice salary would be more than enough. Well now after taxes, healthcare, dental, 401k, etc. My paychecks come out to about 1266 every 2 weeks and it just stifles any amount of savings. Plus with my student loan now coming through at 300 a month Im basically in the red. Any ideas would be helpful. Salary: 55,000 Net Income: 2532 After 401k, Healthcare, Dental, Taxes, etc Monthly Budget Rent: -1150 Lease ends in March Electric: -150 No gas Water: -60 Trash: -20 Internet: -50 Groceries: -450 Gas: -75 Auto Insurance: -50 Netflix: -10 Photoshop: -10 Necessary Xbox Live: -10 Student Loan: -315 YMCA: -86 Credit Card Payments: -200 Total Expenses:-2636 Total Income: 2532 Net: -104 Student Loan Debt: -60,000 Credit Card Debt: -7,000 across 4 cards Savings: 400 Currently were supplementing income with donating plasma Just started but that is an extra 300 a month between the both of us. I would like to get away from this, as I dont think its an actual solution, more of a stopgap. Also, she makes some money through a side business shes starting, but its not consistent enough to mention at the moment maybe an extra 50 a month. This leaves no room for savings, which I would like, maybe 100-200 a month. Im currently using excel and just now starting the YNAB app so its easier to track on mobile. 55,000 is a decent amount of money Middle Class, but Im just not sure how to make it work. My student loan is an Income Driven Plan that I was hoping it would be cheaper. Edit: Adding check breakdown because people seem confused by how low my take home is. Also I assumed 4 weeks a month with 2 paychecks each month. I understand this underestimates my pay by 2 paychecks since there are 52 weeks in a year vs 48 weeks, but seeing as both months with extra paychecks are gone until next year Im keeping this assumption. Here is a paycheck breakdown Net Pay: 2115 Bi-Weekly Insurance401k 401k: -84 Medical: -200 Dental: -23 Vision: -6 Taxes County: 12 Federal WH Tax: 238 FICA: -165 State: -107 Life Insurance: -12  <response>: Netflix Xbox YMCA is almost the exact same amount as your deficit. 