Household cash flow....not good - The DIS Discussion Forums

denisenh · 09-20-2008, 10:31 AM

Yes, its sad but true. Our household budget is running a deficit of $450 per week. Guess its time to work more hours or watch the savings bleed a slow death. oowhee, sounds like fun.

How's your household cash flow these days?

englishteacha · 09-20-2008, 10:35 AM

I think it is time to make a budget! $450 a week is a lot of money. Our money is tight but we get by. We have to be careful what we spend.

CowboyCO · 09-20-2008, 10:36 AM

We were running s defecit a few months ago, so we made some serious cuts to get back into budget. if you're running $450 a week behind, I might suggest Dave Ramsey's total money makeover. I haven't totally adopted it, but it has helped be get my priorities straight.

Good luck!

Buckalew11 · 09-20-2008, 10:52 AM

450.00 per week is scary!! Per month was a horrible thought to me but when I saw a "week", I felt a litle sick for you. $1600.00 a month! You definitely need to rethink, work more, sell something etc. Of course, I listen to Dave Ramsey so...

Good luck getting straightened out. It is hard to cut back but that'll eat through your saving quickly!

denisenh · 09-20-2008, 11:10 AM

Yes, clearly we are gonna be havin' a big reorganization. I can do it though, guess thats the good part....but its not the easy part. ggrrrrrr.

richiebaseball · 09-20-2008, 11:15 AM

Cash flow is good here. Of course I don't spend more than I make and if I did, there's always neighbors that need their lawn mowed.

denisenh · 09-20-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richiebaseball

Cash flow is good here. Of course I don't spend more than I make and if I did, there's always neighbors that need their lawn mowed.

LOL...maybe I'll try that!

PADISFAM · 09-20-2008, 11:35 AM

oh my,

that's $1950 a month, $23,400 a year, not that you needed me to do the math for you.............(or maybe you do.........

) good luck, I recently changed jobs to spend more time w/ the fam........it was a HUGE paycut........we had to change a bit, (nothing major--same cars, same house, same vacas), 'little' things........going out to eat less, (that was a big bill every month, even 'quick' stops like McD's adds up), paying attention to groceries, not just buying the 'quick' fix things, paying attention to end of season sales for clothes..........it's kind of been fun! & the best part I'm home more w/ my boys............

best wishes to you, you obviously know you need to sit down & look at WHERE your cash flow is going & change, plain & simple.

addicted_to_WDW · 09-20-2008, 11:42 AM

About 5 years ago DH lost his job and we had to live on a greatly reduced income for 5 months until he found a new one. Although it was incredibly stressful at the time, it was probably the best thing that happened to us in several ways. We reprioritized and learned to live on a strict budget. It helped us figure out wants vs. needs. It made us realize how fortunate we really are.

Our financial situation right now is the best it has ever been, but we continue to be careful. We are a dual income family but we live as if we have just one and bank as much of income #2 as we can. Income #2 pays for vacations though.

Good luck, you can do it. It becomes fun to see how you can trim expenses and still have a very good life.

wall*e2008 · 09-20-2008, 11:54 AM

What luxuries can you eliminate now?

Thankfully we have no cash flow problems. I hope it stays that way.

Disney Doll · 09-20-2008, 11:58 AM

Cash flow is OK here right now.
Good luck with your reorganization.

tasha99 · 09-20-2008, 12:05 PM

Our household budget has been operating at about a $70 deficit per week since February. It was because my 18 (then 17) year old moved back home for a while, and we were on the edge to begin with. The $70/wk includes things like doctors, plane tickets (somehow I paid those, even the ticket he used now because he's visiting his dad before going into the military), food, clothes, gym membership etc etc.

Anyway, I finally decided it's been 2 years since I adopted the "I'm going to be poor for a while for my youngest son's benefit" strategy, and I've decided we've done it long enough. I decided to work part time because DS was developing behavior problems, and they seem to be gone now (knock on wood). I'm going back to school this fall for Speech Pathology. I have a great, flexible job in a law office that pays well but doesn't offer enough hours, so I can work and go to school at the same time.

So my deficit will grow w/student loans and tuition, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Youarehere · 09-20-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckalew11

450.00 per week is scary!! Per month was a horrible thought to me but when I saw a "week", I felt a litle sick for you. $1600.00 a month!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PADISFAM

that's $1950 a month, $23,400 a year, not that you needed me to do the math for you.............(or maybe you do.........

)

It never hurts to clear things up!!

I take answer B.

Good luck OP, you can do it. We are running positive for the first time in a while (if you don't count the CC debt we racked up in the hard times

but it's getting paid) so I can really feel for you. Convincing DBF that Hi-Def cable is not a "need" was very hard.

Topper · 09-20-2008, 02:22 PM

I'd start by canceling my internet and cable/satellite television. Call me crazy!

clarabelle · 09-20-2008, 02:47 PM

If you want some real serious advice -post this over on the budget boards. Those people really know how to save some money.

Some ideas
canceling cable
selling old gold
search for cheap meal ideas on the internet
Check out a book by Dave Ramsey or if you podcast listen to his free podcast
Have a yard sale
pick up a part time job

09-20-2008, 10:31 AM	#1
denisenh All I can do is lie down It has a thing hanging off the end When i get the urge to show off, a tiny voice inside my head says "resist the urge". So i shut my mouth and stand still. Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 3,198	Household cash flow....not good Yes, its sad but true. Our household budget is running a deficit of $450 per week. Guess its time to work more hours or watch the savings bleed a slow death. oowhee, sounds like fun. How's your household cash flow these days?

09-20-2008, 10:36 AM	#3
CowboyCO DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,136	We were running s defecit a few months ago, so we made some serious cuts to get back into budget. if you're running $450 a week behind, I might suggest Dave Ramsey's total money makeover. I haven't totally adopted it, but it has helped be get my priorities straight. Good luck! __________________ A bad day at Disney is MUCH better than a good day working! MAY 2004 DISNEYLAND DEC 2004 OFF-SITE COMFORT SUITES JAN 2006 POR OCT 2006 ASMU APR 2008 OKW

09-20-2008, 10:52 AM	#4
Buckalew11 2007 1/2 Marathon Finisher!!! Woohoo!! I was slathered in it almost from head to toe! I've been on a boat full of staring grumpy looking guests Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Tn Posts: 10,501	450.00 per week is scary!! Per month was a horrible thought to me but when I saw a "week", I felt a litle sick for you. $1600.00 a month! You definitely need to rethink, work more, sell something etc. Of course, I listen to Dave Ramsey so... Good luck getting straightened out. It is hard to cut back but that'll eat through your saving quickly! __________________ Brenda: DISing since 2/2000 There's a great big beautiful tomorrow Shining at the end of everyday There's a great big beautiful tomorrow And tomorrow is just a dream away

09-20-2008, 11:35 AM	#8
PADISFAM Princess to 3 Princes I can only randomize late at night Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: the right side of Neverland or maybe on the left side Posts: 6,306	oh my, that's $1950 a month, $23,400 a year, not that you needed me to do the math for you.............(or maybe you do......... ) good luck, I recently changed jobs to spend more time w/ the fam........it was a HUGE paycut........we had to change a bit, (nothing major--same cars, same house, same vacas), 'little' things........going out to eat less, (that was a big bill every month, even 'quick' stops like McD's adds up), paying attention to groceries, not just buying the 'quick' fix things, paying attention to end of season sales for clothes..........it's kind of been fun! & the best part I'm home more w/ my boys............ best wishes to you, you obviously know you need to sit down & look at WHERE your cash flow is going & change, plain & simple. __________________ (dh) (me) (ds12) (ds7) (ds5)

09-20-2008, 11:42 AM	#9
addicted_to_WDW He's a teenaged skate rat. I'm a 39 year old woman. If you hear The Imperial March when you see me.. run for cover! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,241	About 5 years ago DH lost his job and we had to live on a greatly reduced income for 5 months until he found a new one. Although it was incredibly stressful at the time, it was probably the best thing that happened to us in several ways. We reprioritized and learned to live on a strict budget. It helped us figure out wants vs. needs. It made us realize how fortunate we really are. Our financial situation right now is the best it has ever been, but we continue to be careful. We are a dual income family but we live as if we have just one and bank as much of income #2 as we can. Income #2 pays for vacations though. Good luck, you can do it. It becomes fun to see how you can trim expenses and still have a very good life. __________________

09-20-2008, 10:35 AM	#2
englishteacha I've just gotten crazier over the years I've taught! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 3,292	I think it is time to make a budget! $450 a week is a lot of money. Our money is tight but we get by. We have to be careful what we spend. __________________ Upcoming: June 2010-8 day vacation at WDW! August 2007: One commando day at Epcot and MK (You CAN do all your favorites in 15 hours!) August 2007: Universal, Busch Gardens Tampa, and SeaWorld June 2006: A wonderful week at WDW! Summers of 2004 and 2005: Over 30 different roller coasters east of the Mississippi! August 2002:Busch Gardens Williamsburg June 2002:Our WDW Honeymoon

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09-20-2008, 11:10 AM	#5
denisenh All I can do is lie down It has a thing hanging off the end When i get the urge to show off, a tiny voice inside my head says "resist the urge". So i shut my mouth and stand still. Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 3,198	Yes, clearly we are gonna be havin' a big reorganization. I can do it though, guess thats the good part....but its not the easy part. ggrrrrrr.

09-20-2008, 11:15 AM	#6
richiebaseball Disney? I'll go! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,677	Cash flow is good here. Of course I don't spend more than I make and if I did, there's always neighbors that need their lawn mowed.

09-20-2008, 11:54 AM	#10
wall*e2008 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,894	What luxuries can you eliminate now? Thankfully we have no cash flow problems. I hope it stays that way.

09-20-2008, 11:58 AM	#11
Disney Doll DIS Security Matron Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Trumbull,CT,USA Posts: 22,336	Cash flow is OK here right now. Good luck with your reorganization. __________________ Disney Doll Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child. Stop telling your God how big the storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is. It's time to put on your big girl panties and deal with it! He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ~~In loving memory of Teddy~~1994-2007~~

09-20-2008, 12:05 PM	#12
tasha99 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,783	Our household budget has been operating at about a $70 deficit per week since February. It was because my 18 (then 17) year old moved back home for a while, and we were on the edge to begin with. The $70/wk includes things like doctors, plane tickets (somehow I paid those, even the ticket he used now because he's visiting his dad before going into the military), food, clothes, gym membership etc etc. Anyway, I finally decided it's been 2 years since I adopted the "I'm going to be poor for a while for my youngest son's benefit" strategy, and I've decided we've done it long enough. I decided to work part time because DS was developing behavior problems, and they seem to be gone now (knock on wood). I'm going back to school this fall for Speech Pathology. I have a great, flexible job in a law office that pays well but doesn't offer enough hours, so I can work and go to school at the same time. So my deficit will grow w/student loans and tuition, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

09-20-2008, 02:22 PM	#14
Topper I'm a little drunk and I need you now.... Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,770	I'd start by canceling my internet and cable/satellite television. Call me crazy! __________________ *"Courtesy Loretta!! Courtesy!!!"*

09-20-2008, 02:47 PM	#15
clarabelle Pandas don't seem to have much of a survival instinct What happens after the poo is picked up? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: GA Posts: 4,139	If you want some real serious advice -post this over on the budget boards. Those people really know how to save some money. Some ideas canceling cable selling old gold search for cheap meal ideas on the internet Check out a book by Dave Ramsey or if you podcast listen to his free podcast Have a yard sale pick up a part time job

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