$500 Wasted!!

[agotta]

Uggh! I hate budgets, but about 2 months ago I came up with one for DH and I to follow. Long story short we were behind on a couple bills and just recently caught up. In the budget, DH and I are allowed $100 of Free Spending money a month. That is $100 for the both, not each. Well everyweek I track our spending and then I do monthly. So I just finished augusts and there was $500 in "extras". It makes me so mad. I go through all this hard work and somehow we spend $500 in CRAP! Sorry, just had to vent.

 

[DreadpiratK]

hey, the first step in changing it is to identify it, so you're on you're way. At least you're tracking it, and moving in a positive direction. And think, next month it will be so easy to do better!

 

[HaleyB]

I feel your pain. We have had a year of extra expenses, medical, educational, car, house (a/c went out in July). Budget busters every month all summer...

It took about 3-4 months for us to get rid of those 'extra' expenseses. Track what you are spending it on and when, then try to slowly cut things back. I find the cash only for the 'extras' is a good way to limit things. If I am out of $ for the week I just don't go to Starbucks/Blockbuster/whatever...

 

[ceecee]

Wow....$500.00? Start writing down everything.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I'm not that off by hundreds, but we live pretty darn close to the last cent each week. I review my budget daily and as of tonight, the night before payday, we are overspent by more than $60. I'm certain we will recover, but it irks me when I try so hard to keep us under budget. I'm looking to a 5 week month in September and the possibility of the wallet strings loosening in October, November and December.

 

[jcemom]

I'm looking to a 5 week month in September

You mean I'm not the only one?

 

[cseca]

Yep, I know what you mean.
I started to write every item I spent in May.
Found out that I have lots of unexpected spending.
Mainly because I don't remember when certain things are due, like insurances, AAA, etc. I pay those in lump sum, so some month I am so very over because I didn't count my $500 insurance...

Good luck with your budgeting... I know I need some luck my way too...

the good thing about writing down everything I spend is that I know exactly where everything goes and what I can do to change my habit and reorganize the spending.

So be patient, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.
It takes you years to develop your habit, it'll take you some time to adjust it....

 

[agotta]

Wow....$500.00? Start writing down everything.

It's not like my checking account is off by $500. I do right everything down. That is how i know that we spent $500 on nothing. It turns out it was actually around $640 but I do alott $100 a month for us to spend on whatever. On paper our budget is very strict. It is just in practice that we have a problem. It's always like, oh one thing here or there. Also, whenever I have anything going on (good or bad, but mostly bad) I eat. A lot of that $500 is on going out to eat or grabbing dessert

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

It's not like my checking account is off by $500. I do right everything down. That is how i know that we spent $500 on nothing. It turns out it was actually around $640 but I do alott $100 a month for us to spend on whatever. On paper our budget is very strict. It is just in practice that we have a problem. It's always like, oh one thing here or there. Also, whenever I have anything going on (good or bad, but mostly bad) I eat. A lot of that $500 is on going out to eat or grabbing dessert

It adds up quickly.

 

[LauraR]

Wow, $500 in dessert...and I thought I had a sweet tooth! (Just joking!)

 

[HaleyB]

Eating out is a huge thorn for me too. I also comfort eat and when I don't feel well I don't like to shop/cook.

I guess we all need to remember that even if we 'cheat' on our budget we are better off than lots of people who have no idea where the money goes and who have tons of debt.

 

[Taja]

Definitely can relate to unexpected expenses!

1. Medical/funeral expenses for maternal uncle. Not leagally liable, but personal ethics require that I pay them. That's in addition to what I already owe for my parents. I may get out of debt by the time I'm 90!

2. New pool filter. 29 YO filter finally gave up this summer. Absolutely had to replace the thing.

3. 10-foot gate needs to be replaced. Spent $16 for supplies for temporary repairs--hoping to make it through until next spring. Did a pretty decent job, it I do say so myself!

4. Patio cover (U between two wings of house) needs to be repaired, but hiring someone is not in the budget and I don't do roofs! This one is going to require some thought. Please let me know if you have any to spare!


Actually, personally I have very little debt beyond my mortgage and car, so I'm in fair shape. Taking on the medical expenses for my parents and the medical/funeral expenses for my uncle is a killer, though!

 

[LauraR]

Sorry to joke. I know it can be frustrating when you set a goal, and you go way past it. Sometimes it harder having a little discretionary income than none at all, because instead of just saying "nope, can't afford it" to everything, you say yes to a lot of little things that add up to way more than it seemed possible to. But at least when you keep track you KNOW when you have to tighten your belt tighter, and sounds like you're very motivated right now.

 

[agotta]

Thanks for all the support guys. It is so tough and DH and I just decided to move back to our home town where we can actualy afford to live. The problem now is that we just signed a lease, so on top of Dh finding a new job, packing up the apartment, paying a moving company, I have to buyout of our lease ($2000!). I know in the long run we will be better off. We are moving in with my parents (bless Dh's hear ) so we can save for our first home. I told him last night, no matter what don't let me go out to eat!!! Thanks again everyone!

 

[ElizaB39]

I went to Wendy's ysterday and got a salad for lunch (forgot to pack) and I was so mad at myself. $4.45 down the drain, or the gullet so to speak. Since I have been reading all these budget threads, I am hardly spending a dime. DH is using coupons for everything and he says, "gee, I better use a coupon I don't want you to keep yelling at me." I told him the new world order is arriving and if he wants to survive the apocolypse he better get on the right train! Time to HAMMER DOWN!!!

Funny thing is that I haven't been spending as much money, I am using the GG in my own way, and that change jar for Disney spending is not growing so fast! I don't have that much to put in there anymore...

 

[DMRick]

Definately write down as you spend. It's like a diet, when you see it in writing, it becomes more real.

 

[ceecee]

Definately write down as you spend. It's like a diet, when you see it in writing, it becomes more real.

I guess I need to do that with my diet! My weakness is eating out or picking up something quick.

 

[cseca]

I guess I need to do that with my diet! My weakness is eating out or picking up something quick.

Writing down everything is the best way to start a diet wether it be physically or monetarilly.
For food diet however, you have to remember NOT to become too obsessive...

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Thanks for all the support guys. It is so tough and DH and I just decided to move back to our home town where we can actualy afford to live. The problem now is that we just signed a lease, so on top of Dh finding a new job, packing up the apartment, paying a moving company, I have to buyout of our lease ($2000!). I know in the long run we will be better off. We are moving in with my parents (bless Dh's hear ) so we can save for our first home. I told him last night, no matter what don't let me go out to eat!!! Thanks again everyone!

Assumig that you are saving money by either not paying rent or paying a lot less rent by living with your folks, make sure that you budget what you WOULD HAVE paid in rent, and pay the difference to a separate bank account such as INGDirect. Also add in any utilities charges if there are any savings there also.

Make sure you do this automatically each and every month. Otherwise, you may find that your savings will disappear quickly and most likely to your waistline!

 

[DMRick]

Great advice!
QUOTE=SleepyatDVC]Assumig that you are saving money by either not paying rent or paying a lot less rent by living with your folks, make sure that you budget what you WOULD HAVE paid in rent, and pay the difference to a separate bank account such as INGDirect. Also add in any utilities charges if there are any savings there also.[/QUOTE]