Should have came here first!!
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Should have came here first!!
| Wed, 08-17-2005 - 8:09pm |
I went to the SAHM/WOHM debate board to ask about my finances and that was a BIG mistake. Most of those women are nasty, know-it-alls who just looking for someone to put down. Here is my story:
My dh and I have gotten ourselves into over $6000 debt with our line of credit for overdrawing our checking account. Yes, it was stupid but it just escalated. I have come to terms with this and figured out a way to pay it off AND get us back on track (cutting out one of my dd's activities, having my dh understand he can't just take $20 here and $20 there whenever he feels like it, etc.)I know it will be hard but we are going to try our best. We do have cc debt but I only use one card and put all my clothes and medical bills on it and pay over the minimum every month. They were telling me I am wrong because I have a lease and my dh has a car loan. They INSISTED I needed to get rid of my car, my cable and cellphone. I have different ideas of how to save the money and they just insisted I wasn't listening.
I hope I have found a better board to go to. One that other people are in the same boat as me and we are all here to help one another, not berate them like they are a child.
My dh and I have gotten ourselves into over $6000 debt with our line of credit for overdrawing our checking account. Yes, it was stupid but it just escalated. I have come to terms with this and figured out a way to pay it off AND get us back on track (cutting out one of my dd's activities, having my dh understand he can't just take $20 here and $20 there whenever he feels like it, etc.)I know it will be hard but we are going to try our best. We do have cc debt but I only use one card and put all my clothes and medical bills on it and pay over the minimum every month. They were telling me I am wrong because I have a lease and my dh has a car loan. They INSISTED I needed to get rid of my car, my cable and cellphone. I have different ideas of how to save the money and they just insisted I wasn't listening.
I hope I have found a better board to go to. One that other people are in the same boat as me and we are all here to help one another, not berate them like they are a child.

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Just want to check in with you and see if you found a solution.
(BTW- I would put the $6k on a low interest credit card. I would not put your home on the line for this debt)
Shannon
Shannon
I was just reading the other thread. The thing that may be getting in trouble is you need a budget. As in a set amount that you can spend on each category every month. I think you are just following a list of set bills.
Most of us here use a spreadsheet to track our monthly spending, and bills. I budget for everything, tags, savings, gifts, clothing, shoes...
Please try to set this type of system up ASAP.
Its amazing how much money you find once you start tracking every dollar. When we started budgeting, we realized we were spending $900+ just eating out & entertainment a month. $20 & $40 here and there does not "look" like $900 until you have to hold yourself accountable by putting on spreadsheet.
Hope this helps,
Shannon
Shannon
Lara
I actually do have a spreadsheet that I work with every week when I do the bills. I have a set budget for each item. I am at work so I don't have it now so I can show you later if you want, let me know. Our spending money for ourselves is spent anyway we want. The problem was we were just spending beyond our budget with our debit card and then starting overdrawing on our LOC. I have set up a tighter budget now. My dd has to cut out an activity that will save us $35 month which will help ALOT when it comes to the extra things we will need for field trips, gifts, pictures, etc. I AM pretty good with my money even though it didn't come across that way on the other board. We just have to learn what IS important and what IS NOT. Thanks for helping, I really appreciate it.
Of course you can always email me you budget or post it here! everyone around here is very helpful, and we all have the same goal.
Shannon
Shannon
Thanks. This is what I budget per week:
mortgage & utilites
cars (insurance & maintenace)
car lease
car loan
phone
food
diapers/wipes
newspaper
Kids activities
clothes
life insurance
medical bills
cellphone
credit card
after-care
spending money
LOC money
savings-us
savings-for each child
table-paying off (had a 2 year deal)
All of these total to our weekly paychecks
Our "5th" week paychecks go for food, spending and after-care and the rest go towards the after-care.
I hope this helps you out a little to see what I do. Thanks!
Can you add the amounts? Only because it helps to know "what" you are budgeting, and may show things that can be cut back? $10 for interent, compared to $45, see what I mean.
Shannon
Shannon
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