Savings during a Ch 13?

[Nursemikki]

As a single person in the midst of a Ch 13, I have been struggling to build any type of savings since I've been making my $825/month payments. I'm looking for any advice on trying to build savings during this process.

I worry because my current living situation is iffy. I rent the upstairs apt in my elderly aunt's building. It is in a bad neighborhood (imagine occasional gun shots, frequent drug deals going down right in front of you, etc). While I was able to finagle a great price for rent, my other expenses have increased as I now live approximately twice as far from work, which means my commute now includes tolls, more gas, higher car ins, and its harder on my already raggedy car.

I'm not sure how many more winters I can successfully get my car through but I know I need to try to get some down payment saved, plus I know my aunt's health isn't the best and she's ready to move to a quieter safer environment. I don't want to be suddenly left with the little time and no option but to move back into my parent's home.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[dmc-2008]

I can't seem to to save much either but I am able to get oil changes and I needed a new tire not long ago. I guess really watch your wants and needs spending. Cut grocery costs and entertainment, etc, My kid WANTS me to death and with school clothes looming I feel pinched. Just take advantage of coupons, bogos and things like that! Stretch you $$$. Good luck and I hope you find a safer place to live.

[Nursemikki]

Me too. I have already been denied for one place in a great neighborhood that is less than 10 min drive from work. According to the landlord I was his 1st choice, but haven't heard a thing from him since the credit check. I was driving by the other day and noticed a new car unloading boxes.

[Pandora]

If your expenses have increased - did you discuss with your lawyer about changing your plan to accommodate the increase? Not everyone can do so, it depends on if you're paying secured creditors / taxes, etc and have wiggle room.

[NowImDownInIt]

Usually the easiest place to trim the fat in your budget is your grocery budget. If you had a decent attorney, he should have given you things like a laundry budget, etc to roll into your plan a bit. There are programs like Mid America Foods (there used to be one like it called Angel Food Ministries) that help you buy food for very, very cheap.. but they have great, quality meat products and beyond. Maybe something worth checking out. I used both programs many times with my family of four, but it could very much still apply to a single person. If you can find a way to shave $200 off your grocery budget each month, you can bank it for security in the future. Using it and cutting out the little extras (occasional coffee, outside of the home and the little splurges that I didn't really need, like those impulse gas station snacks, etc.) allowed me to save up $1000 twice during my plan... Not much, but with 2 kids it was life-saving when I flooded my engine and had to replace, and when my starter went out earlier this year. I can totally understand the frustration of not feeling the ability to garner even a small safety net. Dave Ramsey always had pretty good tips for me as well.