There is a lot of great advice in this thread here. And as you see if parallels the same advice as dieting; do more beneficial activity and do less non-benefic

There is a lot of great advice in this thread here. And as you see if parallels the same advice as dieting; do more beneficial activity and do less non-beneficial activity. If you can start saving $100 a month, and ramp that up over time you'll see yourself become more secure and less anxious in a relative short time. From your spending, everything is in line with a comfortable lifestyle. Of your expenses, only the food and car seem like opportunties to diet. I would suggest finding a way in to a second hand car for half you monthly cost, and trying to get your monthly food budget to around $800. Eat out less, eat less prepared meals, and ask your children to help prepare meals. For the "exercise more" side of things, finding a higher paying job is the simplest way forward. Perhaps the most straightforward way there is to ask for a raise, but also understanding your market value by interviewing may be beneficial. When you land an increased salary, don't change your spending habits.