<prompt> Human: I currently make 90kyr, and was almost evicted from the apartment I rent just months ago. So glad my tax return came in, or my family and I would have been homeless...A little more about me...Im married with two young children living in a major metro area. Im the sole provider, and my wife stays with the kids. Oh, and my credit score is in the toilet, currently sitting at 540. My wifes is just as bad, if not worse.Monthly take-home is just shy of 5,100.Recurring expenses: Rent: 1,625.00 Gas: 27.00 Electric: 90.00 Cell phones family plan: 135.00 Credit card: 35.00 minimum Car fuel: 60.00 Car payment: 300.00 Car insurance: 95.00 Laundry: 60.00 Internet Cable: 90.00 Netflix: 9.00 On top of that, we put aside 600 for toiletries and groceries we shop at BJs and we have budgeted 300.00 for me, 300.00 for the kids, and 400.00 for my wife.We have no savings and Im currently contributing 0 to my company sponsored retirement fund, even though they match, because I need the short-term funds to stay afloat.Even with that, we should be able to save money comfortably, but between each bi-weekly pay cycle we always get into a position where we are tight on cash.Im more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding my financial situation. Im just really hoping for some guidance here.Thanks in advanced, PF.  <response>: Even with the 1000 a month budgeted for you, wife, and kids, that still leaves nearly a grand left over that you arent accounting for. If you dont know where thats going then its time to do some serious budgeting. For the next month you need to track where every. Single. Penny. Goes. Every receipt, every fill up, every toy at the store, and every 4 latte. The money isnt just walking away so you have to find where it is going. Only then can you begin to make a real budget. Im curious as to what the 1000 in miscellaneous expenses are. Thats a lot! Also, you could probably find a cheaper car and possibly a cheaper cell plan. I have a 2013 good sized family car that only runs me less than 300 a month for payment and insurance combined. Its harder with poor credit but there is definitely wiggle room there. You make enough to have a cushion and not live check to check. It sounds like you may be living outside of your means. Time to reel it back in. 