Budget VENT!!

[agotta]

I am so frustrated. The past two weeks, we have been UNDER budget. The week before that I was only $77 over! Now mind you, no money has been going into the savings like I planned, but to other unexpected things, but not the point. Because of when things hit the bank account and because the car insurance went up $100, I bounced the checking account. UGh...

I am so frustrated, there are two bills I can't pay for another couple weeks, because of Dh's car (new mind you, only a 2003). He needed brakes, pay property tax and get inspected in the SAME month. I feel so strapped for cash even though we are doing a great job on the budget. I feel like back in June we fell behind and have never been able to catch up.

Plus I am going to NYC with my mom at the end of November (Grama paid for fligh for early Christmas/Birthday, and mom's company is paying for hotel), so I have like no spending money. Which I am ok with, I just need a little bit.

Sorry to vent, just frustrated this week! Thanks for listening.

 

[tinaluis]

I know how you feel. It seems there are some months that I just can't win. I had my budget straight and then got a notice that my Budget Plan with the gas company is going up $42 a month. UGH!!! I hope you have a great time in New York!

 

[summerrluvv]

I know how you feel. It seems there are some months that I just can't win. I had my budget straight and then got a notice that my Budget Plan with the gas company is going up $42 a month. UGH!!! I hope you have a great time in New York!

Yup, I just got a notice from the Gas AND Electric company that the budget plan is going up. What the heck is the purpose of a budget plan if it keeps changing ugh!

OP, I know how you feel, but hang in there

 

[Danemom]

You may not be getting ahead, but you're not losing ground! Think of the hole you'd be in without your new super budget!! (small consolation, I know... )

 

[Lyn5]

I know what you mean about unexpected things coming up...since it seems like there is at least one each month, I sort of expect the unexpected (but it still hurts). For your taxes and car expenses, maybe you could figure out how much you spend on those items each year and divide by twelve and set that aside each month in a separate account. This has really helped me. When the bill comes, I just transfer the money from to my checking and pay the bill. Good luck.

 

[TENIA66]

will pray for things to pick up for you!!

 

[OhMari]

I hate the unexpected, I've been averaging $70 for things that keep popping up each month.

Truck renewal license $75
Supplement Dental Ins. $70
Trailer renewal license just got for next month $120

Have a good time in NYC, if you have no spending money, how are you going to eat? I would think you need at least $50 a day.

 

[disneysteve]

got a notice that my Budget Plan with the gas company is going up $42 a month.

At least around here, that number can be changed if you call. A couple of years ago, I got a notice that my budget plan was being raised. I averaged out my bills for the previous year and saw no reason why the budget should go up by the amount they said. I called and they just said, "How much would you like it to be?" I lowered the amount and it turned out I was just about right once the year was done.

 

[LegoMom3]

Ooh!..I think I've found my brothers and sisters on this board!!

Seriously, I am right in the same boat with you. Budget is TIGHT and whenever those "unexpected" things pop up, it puts the whole thing in a spin and tough to get out of.

But there will still be a WDW trip next year in November if I have anything to say about it!!!!!! We don't get to go every year like some folks so when the chance comes about, we take it...Family time is precious!

Anyway, hang in there and just do your best to get back on track. It'll work itself back into place!

 

[disneysteve]

This isn't really any help to the OP - sorry - but something that I often notice on this board is that people include many things in their "unexpected" expenses that really should be part of the regular monthly budget as they really aren't so unexpected: insurance payments, car repairs, medical bills, license renewals, property taxes, etc. Some of these things are very predictable. Others you can reasonably estimate based on past experience. If you include those things in your monthly budget, even if they aren't paid out monthly, you'll be ready for them when you do need to pay them.

 

[dvcgirl]

This isn't really any help to the OP - sorry - but something that I often notice on this board is that people include many things in their "unexpected" expenses that really should be part of the regular monthly budget as they really aren't so unexpected: insurance payments, car repairs, medical bills, license renewals, property taxes, etc. Some of these things are very predictable. Others you can reasonably estimate based on past experience. If you include those things in your monthly budget, even if they aren't paid out monthly, you'll be ready for them when you do need to pay them.

This is exactly what I wanted to say. These are all normal expenditures that aren't being accounted for in peoples' budgets. I can understand how a big unexpected car repair bill can throw you off, but if your car is due for a tune-up and it runs in the hundreds of dollars, well, that's to be expected and you have to be prepared for it. Increases in utility and insurance bills....again, that's a normal increase.

 

[CheapMom]

Disney steve is right yet I remember when DH and I were first married sometimes it didn't matter how much we sacrificed there just wasn't enough $$ to cover our living expenses. We both carpooled to work, we had no cable, no long distance, ate mac and cheese, no credit card debt... and we still couldn't get the bills paid. It was just simple math- there wasn't enough.
I commend the OP for budgeting and getting a handle on the $ situation at home.
My advice to the OP- I know it is hard but get some money into savings- that way the next big "surprise" won't be so hard to handle if you have some cash in reserve.

 

[C.Ann]

This isn't really any help to the OP - sorry - but something that I often notice on this board is that people include many things in their "unexpected" expenses that really should be part of the regular monthly budget as they really aren't so unexpected: insurance payments, car repairs, medical bills, license renewals, property taxes, etc. Some of these things are very predictable. Others you can reasonably estimate based on past experience. If you include those things in your monthly budget, even if they aren't paid out monthly, you'll be ready for them when you do need to pay them.

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I think a lot of people forget to budget in those "yearly" bills - especially the smaller ones like car registration, car inspection, etc..

My budget includes EVERYTHING - even birthdays and Christmas! Also a "miscellaneous" monthly amount - just in case..

 

[dvcgirl]

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I think a lot of people forget to budget in those "yearly" bills - especially the smaller ones like car registration, car inspection, etc..

My budget includes EVERYTHING - even birthdays and Christmas! Also a "miscellaneous" monthly amount - just in case..

Yes, gifts need to be factored into a budget as well. Another area that many don't budget for and it can get pricey....pets! We have three and like DisneySteve said, after years of having them we have learned to budget $200 a month for our pets. Now, it may not end up being $200 every month, but then we'll be hit with a huge bill for vet visits and meds. Between grooming, vet visits, unexpected minor illnesses, heartworm/flea protection and grooming we've found that we spend about $800 per dog per year. But setting aside (not spending) that $200 each month, when the big bills come, the money is there....

 

[HayGan]

At least around here, that number can be changed if you call. A couple of years ago, I got a notice that my budget plan was being raised. I averaged out my bills for the previous year and saw no reason why the budget should go up by the amount they said. I called and they just said, "How much would you like it to be?" I lowered the amount and it turned out I was just about right once the year was done.

Well, this is the case in times of stable energy prices but currently natural gas is up at least 40% if not more in some areas. (My natural gas cost is rising from $7 per mcf to over $12 per mcf.) If they don't raise the budget now, many people are going to be stuck with a huge bill at some point because the utility companies have a relatively low threshold for usage overage. Electricty costs are also on the rise due to the increases in their raw materials charges.

So there are perfectly valid reasons other than usage amounts for your budget amounts to go up.

 

[agotta]

Thanks to everyone for you words of wisdom. I do try and set aside money for the unexpected, it just seems like lately they are coming more often. As far as our car taxes, this isn't something we had to do before (new to the state).

As far as my trip to NYC, I do budget some money for DH and I each month to spend as we want. I am saving up my 2 months worth and will have around $100, and I am getting a bit of early birthday money from relatives. My mom and I usually share dinners and her company pays for that.

We are trying, it is just hard to see that we are under budget, and then see that there is hardly anything in the bank. I really want to save some money and I feel like as soon as I put it away, something huge happens and I take it out (bad I know!)

 

[WIcruizer]

As others have suggested, most "unexpected" expenses really are expected. I plan for $50 a month for car repairs, oil changes, licenses, etc. Last year, I had almost $400 left over. But I'm glad I rolled it over to this year, because I had to buy tires for both our vehicles. Point being, it will average out over time.

We've all known for months that utility bills would be going up big time this winter, that's not unexpected. Insurance going up isn't unexpected. I budget $75 a month for items I know are coming, but I just don't what they are yet. Not really unexpected, just unknown. Weddings, fees for kids, gifts, etc. That way very little is really unexpected.

 

[tlbwriter]

Thanks to everyone for you words of wisdom. I do try and set aside money for the unexpected, it just seems like lately they are coming more often. As far as our car taxes, this isn't something we had to do before (new to the state).

But setting aside money for the unexpected isn't the same as planning for things that happen rarely. Do you have a monthly/yearly budget in addition to your weekly budget? If not, you may be missing a lot of these things that only happen once a year or so.

 

[dvcgirl]

But setting aside money for the unexpected isn't the same as planning for things that happen rarely. Do you have a monthly/yearly budget in addition to your weekly budget? If not, you may be missing a lot of these things that only happen once a year or so.

I think this is where many people go wrong. The forget to include car registration and things like that. But the OP mentioned that she has two months of her spending money to take to NYC with her...and that it's $100. If your budget is so tight that you have $50 a month left over in spending, well, you need to be bringing in more money (and cutting anything you can at the same time). That's way too tight for comfort....and definitely not realistic. You are setting yourself up for fiscal failure before you even get started. Even the smallest unexpected expenditure will send you spiraling out of control. Bouncing checks because of an unexpected $100 increase should be a major red flag for you.

You said that you do try to set aside money for the unexpected....how? If you have $50 a month left over...where would that extra money come from? Also, and I mean no disrespect, but how on earth are you able to afford to own at DVC with a budget so tight? Even if you paid cash for your points, the maintenance fees and cost of vacationing at WDW would seem to be much more than you can afford with such a tight budget. Sometimes you need to take a good hard look at your budget and make very painful cuts. In the long run, you'll be happy you did...

 

[arminnie]

When I lived in CA April was the worst month for me. Not only were state and federal income taxes due but also my car insurance (hundreds), property insurance (thousands), car registration (hundreds), renter/condo insurance (hundreds);etc. I think there were some other biggies then too.

I had moved to CA in March so all of my "yearly" stuff was due approximately April 1. Added into that my takehome pay usually went down several hundred dollars because FICA started being taken out again. And of course it was after Christmas. I always had extra travel expenses then.

Plus when I left Dallas I lost over $100,000 on my house and still owed money to the mortgage company at sale. I know how you feel about being overwhelmed.

It's 15 years later. I've been totally out of debt for more than a decade. You can do it too.