I can't believe I goofed already!!! :-(

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2004
I can't believe I goofed already!!! :-(
4
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 4:15pm
I forgot to write down two transactions, and now I'm going to end up overdrawn! My deposit to our new savings with INGDirect isn't available yet, so I can't transfer part of that deposit back to cover my mistakes!! And the kicker...it's only $12.39 worth! I'm going to end up who knows how far under depending on if everything that's outstanding comes in before the first or not (which there is no reason why they shouldn't!!)

SIGH...I am going to TRY to not let this get me down..but here I am trying to get ahead and already..not one week into this...and I'm goofing up big time!!! ARG!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 5:31pm

Hugs.


I hear ya. I've just created my budget and so far, I've messed up my vacation money, I forgot that my driver's license is expiring in October, I forgot to add dog food, and two other things. Bleah. I have to go back and figure things out.


Frustration, I feel ya. Just try to be more adamant about what you're writing down. I haven't even gotten to that stage. I'm trying to save for a "buffer", I know I need one.


Hugs again.


(and in those 15 mins since I posted this, my Rx has come thru - allergy meds - and now I have to go pay for that. I sooo feel your frustrations)



~Cher




Edited 8/24/2004 5:46 pm ET ET by cherbear017




my pet!

Avatar for zaboz
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 9:17am
Don't confuse losing a skirmish with losing the battle!

(Hee, heee, do you like that inspirational quote?)

It's true though. You're going to make mistakes

like we all do. Don't beat yourself up too bad.

Just do what you can to fix it and keep charging (ooops,

bad term) ahead! Can you set up overdraft protection on

your checking account? Can you call and explain the situation

(that you honestly forgot to record a transaction)

and see if they can do anything for you?

The important part is that you're

getting better and one day you'll have it dialed in.

Hang in there!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 5:18pm
My mom always did this, and I do too-have you heard of a 'slush fund'?

Basically, for the next month, or so, whenever you write a check and go to record it in your register (which I'm pretty sure that you will always remember to do now...)round the amount UP to the next whole dollar. Like, if you write a check for $17.39, record it as $18. I put the correct amount into the middle columns in the register, but the rounded up amount in the balance column. After a month or two, you'll have a pretty good 'reserve'. Also, when I deposit money, I round DOWN. Like, if I was depositing $16.89, I record it as $16.89 in the middle column, but in the balance column, I only add $16 to the existing balance. Balancing the checkbook is also easy-go through all the normal steps, using the amounts in the MIDDLE columns to determine what deposits/checks haven't cleared yet, get the balance, and subtract the balance in the balance column-that's the amount of 'reserve'. This all looks very complicated when I write it, but it's easy in practice!

I'm not a big fan of overdraft accounts, but that's because when I had one, I abused it.

This way is better for me.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2004
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 9:41pm
That's what I've been doing but it STILL ends up off by $5.43 on that $12.37 transaction. We didn't qualify for overdraft protection, I can't access the money I put into savings yet, and I don't have any cash or any coming in...even if I COULD afford the $22 to wire it to that account which is in a bank four states away since we moved. :-( oh well. We'll recover, but this is going to put us a month behind where I wanted to be for savings.