Same old story

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Since coming here:

1. I've stopped spending - very little this weekend
2. Started selling off my stuff on ebay
3. Am looking into what I can do for a second job...ebay won't last forever
4. Am really being conscious about what I spend
5. Incurred more debt to the tune of 4200.00 for dds braces
6. Am struggling to figure out how to save without going and spending the
money I put in the savings...what has worked for everybody?
7. Actually think about money in a mature way everyday since I've been
here, that is huge...thanks everybody.
8. Am calm for the first time in my life when it comes to my future...again
THANK YOU

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Ok, let's call a truce, I have apologized twice. Could you cut back on your daughter's riding lessons? (I am assuming horseback riding lessons?)

She only rides once a week...I won't let her go up on it until I have my finances under control. Yes, it is horseback lessons. She has been riding since she was 4 and is more than ready to move on but I'm not ready to allow it financially...she is patient the horses are not going anywhere...lol.

[DivaJen]

Re: Same old story

6. Am struggling to figure out how to save without going and spending the
money I put in the savings...what has worked for everybody?

I think this is where it can be helpful to have a clear picture of where the money is spent day in and day out, month to month. If savings is always being tapped into, then you're living beyond your means. And if that is the case, then you need to figure out where you can cut back so that you're not spending so much each month.

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

May I offer a suggestion? Why don't you try reading and posting on some other threads so that you can get a taste for some of the comments and replies that other posters have in this community. Then, maybe you will understand why there is so much back and forth banter on your thread. I think some well-loved, well-meaning posters are getting hurt. I also think some core values some of us hold are being slammed.

I've been looking over the other areas and have no idea where I would fit in or where to start...this site is AMAZING but overwhelming to those of us who really have never taken finances seriously...any suggestions?

thanks

[DivaJen]

Re: Same old story

I think before we start cutting back in areas I may not need to cut back I need to get this budget worked out...I have been writing down what I am spending (as you can see it has not amounted to much) and I realize I have the car payments to get caught up on...so my budget will not actually be written for at least 4 more weeks but I can post what I am doing and hopefully can get feedback on how to do it better.

Can you go through some old receipts and start fleshing out some spending pattersn? Utilities, car, medical, grocery stores, clothes, education, hobbies, entertainment, that sort of thing? That is one idea, coupled with tracking things from here on out.

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

Also, I received an e mail from a regular poster who said she unregistered from this forum because she was accused of being mean in this thread. I don't think anyone here means to be cruel to anyone. I certainly did not. I would not post here anymore except my name keeps getting mentioned and I am only defending myself. I would never, knowingly, be nasty to anyone on this forum. They are like family to me!

Dear Ima -

I apologize profusely for having brought your name up a second time!! Me and my big mouth!!! I am very sorry!! I apologize to you and TimeToSave both and everyone else as well.

Ima, you said in your welcoming post that I had some interesting things to say -- I feel entirely LIKEWISE --- I love your posts and want to be like you when I grow up! God forbid we ever do!!

You appear to be a very wise woman with lots of GOOD INFORMATION to share!! Your name was one of the first I picked up on as being very astute with your money and wanted to read your blog and all your posts!! I too am often watchful of people and can be sceptical at times...have been on many forums where people pop in...drain all the goodie from the posters and then vanish! In those situations 'the regulars' can feel put-upon and used.

Again, I apologize and hope we can someday meet - Thelma & Louise -- off on a beer run!! Let's just avoid the cliffs, m-kay?

Begging A Thousand Pardons,

-LuxLivingFrugalis

"Money is a handmaiden, if thou knowest how to use it; a mistress, if thou knowest not." -Horace

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

I think this is where it can be helpful to have a clear picture of where the money is spent day in and day out, month to month. If savings is always being tapped into, then you're living beyond your means. And if that is the case, then you need to figure out where you can cut back so that you're not spending so much each month.

To be honest I know where I need to cut back...shopping with dd and my baseball card collecting...that will save me quite a bit of money bi-weekly. I've never really taken saving seriously...other than the 50.00 I put away in my retirement account bi-weekly. I've found over the years that when I can put money into an account I can't take it out of I do really well...when it is taken directly out of my paycheck I don't miss it....don't even think about it...when I put it in a savings account, when I run out I know it is there and I have full access to it. I think in the savings arena this is going to be the hardest behavior to change. But I know I must...there has to be a way for me to do this without spending...I was thinking about an online account...

What does everybody think about my idea to try and get a loan to pay all my debt off and then only having one bill...that way my credit is strong and it puts me in a better place...the reality is though that won't happen because of my credit but what are your comments on that?

thanks

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Can you go through some old receipts and start fleshing out some spending pattersn? Utilities, car, medical, grocery stores, clothes, education, hobbies, entertainment, that sort of thing? That is one idea, coupled with tracking things from here on out.

Old receipts? You save receipts for more than a week? I save them until I know what I've bought either works or fits...ok, something else I need to start doing.

[Homebody]

Re: Same old story

In the interest of getting back to the point:

I added up my spending for the first half of the month and am shocked, shocked I tell you! If interested you can check out my blog.

Writing down everything I spend has been very helpful. In fact now I am thinking I need to actually write down what I bought. I have been to the Dollar Store twice in the first half of the month and am trying to rember everything I bought. And the Groceries... what did I buy at the store...

So I may need to make more time to micromanage my list and yes I am saving my receipts, so I can go back and look and start my micromanaged list for August.

[LittleGopher]

Re: Same old story

I had a chance to read your thread this morning. Best wishes to you! It sounds like you're making great progress.

As for your dd's braces - isn't the cost unreal? We recently finished paying on my oldest daughter's - ugh! I hope you will have some insurance to help pay even a bit of the cost - good luck!!

[Ima saver]

Re: Same old story

Luxliving, thelma and Louise, sounds good to me!! I will drive and we can take the top off the car!! I think you are right. I am on another forum, about once a month a new person shows up, starts trouble for a few days, then we never hear from him/her again. I thought maybe that is what was happening! I am grateful for all the nice people here and sorry if I misunderstood what was going on.

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

Since coming here:


6. Am struggling to figure out how to save without going and spending the
money I put in the savings...what has worked for everybody?

You are asking Good Questions!!

Something that looked very interesting to me was budgetmap. I've never used it but it looked very handy for folks who kept going over budget! Nice that it's on hand when you are 'out there' on the spot making buying decisions.

http://budgetmap.com

Am thinking about gifting my sons with them when they go off on their own. For now, we sit down and budget their money together using budgeting software.

We all here at my house use ING subaccounts. One way to rethink this is to know what you are saving FOR!

If you just save for savings sake you might not get anywhere. With the subaccounts we do save for specific purposes...Vacation, TimeShare Taxes, Investment Opportunities, Car Tires, College Funds, etc.

1) We plan on saving it - budgeting process,
2) We do save it - move to ING subaccounts,
3) and then at the appropriate time of the year I pull it out of savings and then spend it on the targeted item.

Some people can just leave the money in their checkbooks and not spend it - we are not some of them. My darling Hubster looks at the register and sees a big balance and thinks he can go spend. NOT!!!

This way it is out of harms way AND earns a bit of interest.

Some people can just leave the money in one big savings account pot and keep a running tab in their heads. We are not some of them either!! We are folks who need a lil' cubby for each bunch of money. And it works for us. You may need something similar or something very different.

This is where the tweaking comes in.

YOU CAN DO THIS or something like it that works for your crew!!

-LuxLivingFrugalis

[Ima saver]

Re: Same old story

lux living, I cannot just let money sit in a checking account either. I have my weekly budget written down on a yellow pad. On payday, the cash comes home and goes into envelopes, one for elec, car payment, christmas, phone, food, misc., taxes and insur., etc. When I pay those bills, only that cash for the bills goes into the checking. I leave a small amount in the checking for a cushion. That is all! (I never borrow from the envelopes either)

[DivaJen]

Re: Same old story

Old receipts? You save receipts for more than a week? I save them until I know what I've bought either works or fits...ok, something else I need to start doing.

I didn't say I did, but then I track my spending by entering them into a spreadsheet, so I don't need to. I also use my CC for nearly everything, paying it off in full each month, so I have that for historical analysis as well. And I use Quicken.

Just a suggestion for you to try since you said you couldn't do a budget for another four weeks.

About automatic savings - that is super helpful. I have money sent to savings each month and like you said, out of sight out of mind. Maybe that is an area for you to think about as well. Many people here have accounts with online banks (emgirant direct, ING, etc.) which makes it a tad bit harder to get at your money right away. Maybe setting up some sort of automatic deposit to a savings account would help build the savings habit a little more and leave you with a bit less money to spend.

[DivaJen]

Re: Same old story

What does everybody think about my idea to try and get a loan to pay all my debt off and then only having one bill...that way my credit is strong and it puts me in a better place...the reality is though that won't happen because of my credit but what are your comments on that?

If it won't happen then I think the conversation is better spent on dealing with what you can do. Build your credit by paying off your debts and then keeping up with them (should you incur any more) so that you don't fall behind again.