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| Fri, 10-14-2005 - 1:26pm |
Hi all,
I have major money issues. I have created a hole so big for myself I don't know how I'm going to crawl out. My out of control spending and lack of money management actually cost me my marriage. I will write about that in the hidden debt thread. Now I am on my own and needless to say, if I couldn't make ends meet on two salaries, I really struggle with one. I have a list of about 10 returned checks I am trying to clear up. But in Utah it is hard because you have not only your bank charges but then they go to collections where they add another $20. If you haven't picked them up in 15 days you get another $20 tacked on. Then in 15 more days it goes through the roof. And the collection agencies won't work with you at all. It is completely all or nothing. Yeah, I know. It was incredibly stupid to write out checks I knew were going to bounce. I get paid once a month and in theory there is enough in that check to pay all our expenses. But I run out about 1/2 through the month. I am working through Debtors Anonymous, but I need all the support I can get.
Thanks

Welcome to the board! It's such a mixed thing for all of us I'm sure-we're happy to have you here and are confident you'll find support and at the same time I wish no one ever needed to be here....
We also get paid once a month and I have the same problem you do-too much month at the end of the money. A couple of ideas-I use my check register and write the budget amount on the top of the page. When it's gone-it's gone no spending unless I cash in change, sell something on e-bay or something. Some people take the money out in cash and then put it in envelopes and do the same thing. Or could you divide the money for groceries, gas, household items, etc. into a savings account and then just transfer some over each month?
Welcome to the board and you can do this!
Taleyna
Those are all great suggestions. What works for us is to make out a monthly budget in one of those little spiral purse-sized notebooks. When the check comes in, I pay all the bills online as soon as the money is in my account. Usually the amounts are available before a paper bill ever arrives. Then I take the remainder and divide that amount up into Gas for the car, groceries, Dh's lunches at work, and anything extra that I 'know' is coming up (gifts needed, etc). Whatever is left is what I get to spend on extras (or save). If there's no money left over, then we don't spend...or we cut back on groceries so we can afford it. A lot of us have probably done the "spaghetti until payday" diet. LOL! :-D It's cheap and yummy. :-D
Pat
Welcome.
We have a great group of people on this board. Sorry don't have any suggestions/advice at this time.
MYM
All my best,
Danni
Becky mom to
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