• cut 401k cont to $250/mo - loan payoff is more important. maybe scratch this if employer is matching contributions, because that's also free money.
  
• cut HSA contributions - it's not a tax advantage for you
  
• evaluate your rent - are you living in a place that is worth $1100 to you and your GF?
  
• your expenses seem fine (except for ??? 400 misc) - though phone and TV is well on the high end. cut that poo poo in half if you can
  
• emergency savings is nice, but 8k is a lot. put some of this towards your loans - or at very least stop contributing and put that $500/mo towards loans
  
• ask/beg/slyly maneuver your way into deferring on your parents student loans for as long as possible. ask for a couple years deferment until you can "get on your feet". if you need to, just show them your spreadsheet on how much interest paying them vs paying your $70k 6% student loan will cost you over the same period. (you have made this spreadsheet, right?)
  
• $1500 is plenty for an engagement ring. a .75 carat diamond vs a 1.25 carat diamond is not that big of a jump - but the price will be $1500 vs $5000. Look into settings with lots of tiny diamonds if she has to have them, you can get a bling looking ring with actual diamonds for $1000-1500.
  
• make sure you're on the same page with your FutureWife, because that all sounds like trouble. a $2500 wedding is impossible unless it's a backyard BBQ. and you don't need any more expenses.
  

mindphlux fucked around with this message at 06:48 on May 2, 2014