I am looking to cut down my working hours so that I can finish school. I work typically 10 hours a day. My bills are as follows: Rent, Car payment, and Car insurance = $1,000 (non-budget) Food, Dog food, Gas = $350(budgeted) Personal items/Supplies = $50 (budgeted). That's $1,400. I'm thinking I should be making $1,600 minimum for savings and emergencies/over spending in some areas. Does that sound good? Right now I make about $2,400 and am trying to build a savings but I only have until August to finish my certification and some days I don't get to work on it at all. I have 3 books to go through and it'll take a month+ to go through just one if I'm studying everyday. So I need to focus on school otherwise I don't get my certificate and lose $500.