"We can't afford that right now"

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
"We can't afford that right now"
15
Wed, 03-22-2006 - 7:47am

Alright folks - I need everyone to put on their thinking caps!

All my best,
Danni

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Wed, 03-22-2006 - 9:16pm

Every single month I type up a "Spending plan" Brandon has an opportunity to tweak it with me and then I email it to him and print it for the fridge. He prints out another one and folds it and puts it in his wallet. I put it in my purse.

Now I don't have to be the bad guy. It is in black and white. If he decides that something is important he has to see if it can be squeezed or what can give. Usually he decides it can wait. I do the same thing. We are both accountable to the sheet. At the end of the month we look at the sheets. What was changed is marked down on the sheets and this helps us the next month!

Stephanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-1999
Wed, 03-22-2006 - 10:09pm
DH and I are paid monthly. Because of that we fell into the practice of doing the vast majority of buying near the first of the month. In order to keep track of what we need or want to buy (from underwear to cars) we add it to a list which is reviewed around the end of the month. There really isn't a "no" involved as much as a "when". If either of us needs or wants something it goes on the list and we start researching it (big items ). We know it will be reviewed in a few weeks. By the time we are ready to make a decision (end of the month) we know how much we should pay for it and who has the best prices. In addition to taking some of the impulse out of the buying,it makes it easy to get an idea of how spending is looking for the month when you see everything in one place. Often we find that we have lost interest in the thing we thought we could not live without two weeks ago.We also find that after researching we are not willing to overpay so we either stash money or start saving and watching for sales. It is easier to be fair about spending when you are looking at things in black and white and can see that the other person needs and wants things too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Thu, 03-23-2006 - 9:26am

You know, I guess I should be happy that my dh doesn't really ask for many big ticket items *anymore*.

Pumpkin

&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2006
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 8:10pm

These are all good ideas and strategies. I have been reading them and actually had an opportunity to use some last night. DH is upgrading some of his computer equipment; he usually goes about 18 months between various upgrades, but has stretched it to two years. We have been talking about where the money should come from (which category). I mentioned that he is so good with numbers (he majored in computer science and math), that he should take a look at our numbers again. I admittedly tend to get mired in the small stuff, due to SAHM, weekly expenses like food and gas that I keep track of. Sometimes it really is hard for me to see "the big picture."

So, with my little pep talk, we did actually have a great conversation about our budget and where things are going. I never EVER thought I would say "great" and "budget" in the same sentence, but there you go. And this week is the first week DH has stuck to his allowance in ages. Small things, but progress.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Fri, 03-24-2006 - 8:44pm
Hi, Danni. This is a great topic for debate. "We cant afford that right now" sounds like the mantra of what the DM used to hear during the Great Depression (which was true). I agree with others. What is the mutual, family goal--one year, 5 yrs, etc. If the goal is to pay off all credit cards in a specific time frame, or save for a vacation, rather than "short-term gratification" of needs vs wants, a better phrase might be, "Can we save more for our goal(s)?" or "This item is something we chose not to spend $$$ on without discussing first, if it fits into our lifestyle or financial goal". Will it improve our financial outlook? How will this TV flat screen enhance our life? What are the trade-offs? Whiz.

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