Financial makeover and DH's buttons!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Financial makeover and DH's buttons!
4
Fri, 04-14-2006 - 1:19pm
HI, Ladies. Well, I have decided my financial management needs a make-over, based on your suggestions. I am paying bills today, so here's what I am doing: 1) Round up basic bills--$156 to $160 for insurance, etc. 2) Pay off the $200 medical bill (yippeee!), the accountant tax fee ($243), and the doc bill ($50). 3) Snowflake the $$$ from bills paid ahead to cc's. 4)Redirect Becky's dollar bill thing to lg. envelope instead of drinking water jug. Why? The money is stuck at the bottom. Tried rigging "fishing pole" thing & pouring water to float $$$ to top. Never mind. 3-day project? l)Cleaning house and car. 2)Sewing DH buttons. Yes, he does sew, but there are no matching men's shirt buttons anywhere. Just decorative womens' stuff for jeans, purses, suits, etc. He got a job offer at the other job he's waited weeks for. Sticking point? Salary. Sew (so), he goes and buys new shirts. DH weight gain=popped buttons everywhere. Such a lovely way to start the day. "It's the way these shirts are made". Yeah, right. I now have 17 shirts on the ironing board waiting for buttons. Where can I find buttons to match? He is preening like a peacock for this interview, and I have to sew fast. Help! Sigh. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2005
Fri, 04-14-2006 - 2:27pm

I love to sew, but man I hate sewing on buttons. It's the simplest thing, just an annoying task. You should be able to find simple clear buttons anywhere that sells sewing supplies. Wal Mart, Joann's, Hobby Lobby. Just do a few shirts at a time and it won't seem like such a job. Just don't go buy new shirts just to avoid the sewing :).

I also agree with the way you've changed doing your bills. You were probably spreading too much money around and not really putting out any fires. At least try it this way for a couple of months and see if it doesn't make a difference. Think basics on all utilities, etc- and the snowball effect on anything requiring multiple payments. As long as you've got medical, credit cards & vehicles, I'd stick with this plan. If you can put a small amount in savings from every paycheck, that would give you a "reserve" to fall back on when the utility bill is slightly higher, etc.

Good luck and let us know how your changes go.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 8:08am

Dear Whiz,

In the pinch, if one of the shirts matches the buttons on another shirt or shirts, sacrifice it.....use the buttons to repair the other shirts. Save the sacrificed shirt to use as a cleaning smock.........

You can find those buttons at any tailor's shop.....or at a dry cleaner.....offer to buy them.....should be cheap. Also, a men's shop will have extra buttons from the shirts thet lose them there.

Hope this helps! Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 1:29pm
Hi,M---Well,am finishing the bills today. Paid the basics on the phone, cable, etc. Snowflaked "extra" payments to the big kahuna cc, and the Discover. I just realized something----it will take me over a year to pay off the big cc at the rate I'm going, so I'd better pay off the Discover first, as suggested, as that interest rate went up (slightly). Am definitely thankful for suggestions. I know some folks get frustrated with my dumb questions, but hey, I always ask away, to clarify stuff. Again, thanks. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Sat, 04-15-2006 - 1:40pm
HI, LB :):) Ah, dry cleaners. They mend (thread), so they must have buttons, right? How stupid can I be? Well, anyway, here's what I did--I found an online source for buttons. All colors, sizes, shapes. You can order in bulk all blue or all white, etc. Sew, I ordered a basic mix (yes, it has the fancy women's stuff also) and mother of pearl white-type. Before you think I've lost my marbles ordering this stuff, I realized I also have things on dresses, suits, etc. that have missing buttons. I absolutely cannot sew at all. Can't hem. Am all fingers with thimbles, using microscope for threading needles, etc. The dry cleaners quoted a fortune for doing women's alterations, etc. Sew, I'm asking GF's for seamstresses they might know. Most stores dont offer this anymore. In the meantime, I moved things around a little , on DH shirts. I will go to a fabric store next. Thanks. Whiz.