Why is this so hard?????

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2004
Why is this so hard?????
5
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 9:55pm

On paper we should be fine, in real life, we aren't!! I'm just beating up on myself right now because this was my first real month with a budget and I have already blown it. What really killed it is that my sons birthday is today and his party tomorrow and I didn't really have a chance to budget for it being that I just started with a budget. We are WAY over in our "spending" allowance and I keep borrowing from other "accounts" I still have to pick up the cake and ice cream for the party tomorrow too. (the rest of the months grocery money) Our electric bill was $139.00 more than what I budgeted for and we also got 2 unexpected bills for about $200.00 total. To top it off I've been on a chocolate binge the past 3 days and have probably gained 5 lbs. and have the worst headache imaginable. I need to get control and I just don't know how. Our total CC debt is down to about $7,000.00 thanks to our tax refund but the way I feel right now that # might as well be $100,000.00 I just feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for letting me vent, I feel a little better.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2006
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 10:20pm
It IS hard. But don't give up. These unexpected expenses will come up...just get through them and get back on your plan. I know its frustrating. Hang in there!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 10:39pm

Awwww don't be so hard on yourself. You said it yourself - you had not figured in the expense of your son's birthday.

This is how I look at it: If you are going to spend money and the budget gets squeezed, you are spending it on your child. It's not his fault things are tight. He only gets one birthday a year and this is his special day. So enjoy his special day and when you pick up the cake remind yourself of all the joy and love with which he has enriched your lives. Remind yourself of all the blessings you have. And if you are moving dollars on paper to make the budget work it's for a good reason: your child. It's not like you spent an afternoon at a salon getting the works or went out partying with your girlfriends. You are learning while doing and a few missteps won't spell doom. Next time you'll budget to accommodate special events.

Happy Birthday Wishes to your little man on his Special Day.

Carolyn

p.s. you'll probably run off the chocolate at the birthday party.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 8:20am

The first few months are the hardest because you're not used to planning things out and you probably don't know what's realistic. For example, if you are through the grocery money then a couple of things could be happening-1) You may not have known how much you were spending and so didn't budget realistically. 2) You may have bought lots of stuff at sales early in the month in which case you'll have a well stocked pantry and freezer to make it through the rest of the month (this is what I'm telling myself since I have 7.48 left in grocery for the rest of the month).

In terms of the electric bill could you do a level pay or budget billing? That way you would pay the same amount every month.

Have a great time with the birthday!

Taleyna

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2005
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 1:56pm

Hugs!

lvhunnie2005

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2004
Sat, 03-11-2006 - 8:24pm

Hello,

Please don't beat yourself up over your first month budgeting. It takes 3-4 months of budgeting to adjust those numbers so that they really match your bills. If you can, go through your old bills for 2005 (all of them, if you have them) and find out how much you paid each month. Electric, Power, Gas, & Water bills fluctuate with your usage, unless you are on a budget plan that offers the same payment every month.

For my power bill, the monthly charge can range from $122 to $182. If you wanted to budget for your power bill, find all of your power bills for 2005. Take the highest amount that you've ever paid in 2005, and budget for that. If your power bill is lower than the highest amount, send the "extra" to a "monthly bills" savings account. If your power bill ever goes higher (which happened to me), you'll have that money set aside for the payment.

When you have a savings account set up like this, you'll feel more secure knowing that you'll have a "buffer" for those times when the bills are unexpectedly high.

Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

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