The small things add up. What do
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The small things add up. What do
| Wed, 04-09-2003 - 11:46am |
you do week to week. We are so tired, each week is either an upper or a downer.
For example
dd feild trip $8
dd feild trip $8 dd $20 coaches gift
dd $6 for our family to watch her basketball game total $18 for three games
dd $20 total to watch two playoff games for family
dd $6 for lunch outing at school
dd basketball banquet in school basement 12@4people total= $48.00
dd basketball dinner $30 I gave $15 it was only her I would not pay for others.
school project $15 for supplies.
My sister without asking brought me to a restuarant and ended up cosing me
$14.00. Long story
Gift for nephew in new house $10 from hallmark, then tells me thanks for
the ash tray as a joke. not funny to me! It was a wall plate that read:
A home is where you laugh a lot
and are loved the most
For example
dd feild trip $8
dd feild trip $8 dd $20 coaches gift
dd $6 for our family to watch her basketball game total $18 for three games
dd $20 total to watch two playoff games for family
dd $6 for lunch outing at school
dd basketball banquet in school basement 12@4people total= $48.00
dd basketball dinner $30 I gave $15 it was only her I would not pay for others.
school project $15 for supplies.
My sister without asking brought me to a restuarant and ended up cosing me
$14.00. Long story
Gift for nephew in new house $10 from hallmark, then tells me thanks for
the ash tray as a joke. not funny to me! It was a wall plate that read:
A home is where you laugh a lot
and are loved the most
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I know what you mean about things adding up. I don't have any advice for you there, it sounds like these are all expenses that would be hard to avoid. I would hate for you to miss your daughter's games.
Can you talk to school officials, explain your difficult financial situation and perhaps get a discount for a season's worth of games, or something along those lines?
Otherwise, maybe sell some things on ebay to make up the difference?
Good luck, and hugs,
Heather
Your nephew was very rude. I guess next time you have an occasion to give him a gift you should pick up an ashtray at a garage sale. He may appreciate the other gift a little more.
I know that sometimes we get ourselves into positions that it's all we can do is keep a positive number in the checking account after the bills are paid and make it to next payday. I have been there more than once. Eventually when things get a little more managable (or maybe your already there) you should always leave some money in the account to cover these types of things that pop up. If you have 3 kids of school age and involved in activities there may not be away to avoid it.
Good Luck - I hope your dd enjoyed her season.
I can hear your frustration. My suggestion would be to budget whatever you can see coming - expenses for the kids for extracurriculars are one. It's a real teachable moment for the kids as far as what they do affecting the budget for the whole family. From here on in, think about setting an activity budget - same amount for each kid: Suzy and Johnny both have $XXX they can spend on extra activities, whether it's all spent on one or on several. But when you're figuring up an activity's expenses, it should include how much it costs for the family to attend.
Or, if your kids are too little for that or it seems too complicated, maybe you can just budget in a weekly household slush fund for activities? It might cut down on the stress. Good luck!
Sheesh, I couldn't BELIEVE the nerve of your nephew! He should be embarrassed. My husband and I actually have gifts as a line item in our monthly budget, because it seems like something - birthdays, somebody's wedding, mother's/father's day, etc. - happens every month. But I'm also into homemade stuff, which helps keep our gift costs down. Next time, take a batch of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies or a loaf of fresh bread and some honeybutter as a housewarming. People whose mouths are full tend to say fewer dumb things. :)