Household cash flow....not good

[denisenh]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

What luxuries can you eliminate now?

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

 

[Disney Doll]

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

 

[tasha99]

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]

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!

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]

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

 

[clarabelle]

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

 

[rentayenta]

How's your household cash flow these days?

It's okay but I can feel the depression we are in and have been able to for some time. My taking the train to work has helped immensely with the price of fuel and all.

 

[Buckalew11]

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.

I realized that after I posted. I figured, who reads me? Iwas rounding DOWN as usual.

 

[Evil Genius]

You need a budget ASAP. What are spending $450.00 A WEEK on?

 

[littlestix]

OMG I don't even bring home $450.00 a week

Sometimes I get lucky and the ex sends me a child support payment

We are doing pretty good right now, maybe you need a

 

[denisenh]

Thank you for the replies and good wishes!! I can make the money by working a additional LONG day per week...I work 2 LONG days/week now.

Its just hard because I am trying to do it all, mom, wife, college, work....I have always been at my best when times are tough but I do appreciate the motivation from the DIS....
its all a challenge to me. There aren't too many cuts that I am willing to make, right now anyway. That may change when I too pooped to pop.

DH has had a decline in pay over the past few years and we were able to handle the slow bleed fairly well. It's just that combined with the increase in the cost of everything, it is adding up. I would always, in the past, transfer money around account to account to make it work. Then the moment of realization! Now push has come to shove.
live and learn.
My best to all that have to adjust....and "great job!" to all that have!