Looking at my spending for the last budget period I am very upset. Though I stayed within budget, there are areas that I can definitely improve.
One pay down the CC so that I'm not paying so much interests, over $300, this is ridiculous. I'm expecting a check for about $600, I'm going to use this to pay off CC 2.
Cable, the fiancé likes all the premium channels plus the HDTV. I'll be sitting him down over the next weekend and having a tough conversation. I can do without the premium and HDTV channels so if he wants them, I'm no longer going to pay half. It's ridiculous, I do like the high speed internet, I'm okay with that but the other stuff, I'm done. Groceries, not too bad, I'm over by $15 in this area. I'll work on this as well. Money gram $39 fee is what was charged to stop payment on two money orders. Not sure why this showed up on the report.
Miscellaneous consists of a plot, I'm paying on, checks ordered etc.
I made both BBQ and smothered pork chops. This will be for dinner and lunch for the next few days. If the fiancé doesn't like it, he can buy dinner.
End of October Spending
November 6th, 2017 at 12:34 am
November 6th, 2017 at 12:43 am 1509929025
November 6th, 2017 at 12:45 am 1509929119
November 6th, 2017 at 01:44 am 1509932648
These are difficult life changes. They are not permanent, rather, they are temporary changes in fiscal behavior. Offer to supplement with a $9.00/month Netflix membership.
Finally, unless you are tithing, I would eliminate charitable donations. Consider your CC debt as a charitable need and put the funds towards that. Again, temporary but necessary. A laser focus on eliminating (not reducing) unsecured debt is the goal. You will be amazed at how fast this can happen but the sacrifice is challenging at times. Best of luck!
November 6th, 2017 at 05:37 am 1509946673
Of course you are free to use that $300 check however you wish, but have you considered that if you add that $300 to the $100 listed on your side bar from the wedding fund (which I would not be saving for while still in debt myself), you would only need $86.67 to have fully funded the baby EF and as soon as you do that you would be able to throw it all at debt? And if you hadn't eaten out this month you could have it fully funded at this point and if you don't eat out next month you are there? I just want you to be able to look at things through a different focus. I know how hard it can be at first, but you are making progress and it would be wonderful to see you make even more.
Of course the psychological thrill of paying off one debt may be more necessary to you at this point and I totally get that. Just consider which is worth more to you right now. You may need that boost.
I believe that you said in an earlier post that the hair care was for a wedding and would not be a reoccurring expense, so that will be eliminated next month. The money order fees won't be there next month, either. You are making progress and you know the saying, "Progress, not perfection."
November 6th, 2017 at 10:43 am 1509965002
1. I agree with LR , the wedding and the 52- week challenge to the emergency fund.
2. Yes, payoff CC2 because you need a win now.
3. No gifts to anyone and no eating out. If your fiancé wants to eat out, then he goes alone or he foots the total bill. I know Christmas is coming, so it time to be honest with the love ones or get real creative with the gift giving.
4. Cable, if you can’t cancel, subtract the premium channels and pay half of the remaining balance. Your fiancé is enjoying premium channels at half the cost, it’s now time for him to pay for what he enjoys.
5. Charitable giving, if to a church, it stays if to anything else, it should stop.
Payoff debt is tough, but once you get some serious momentum , it will become easier to spot and correct problem spending.
November 6th, 2017 at 01:02 pm 1509973361
November 6th, 2017 at 04:05 pm 1509984322
As far as the gifts, as nice as it is you think of others, I have noticed a lot of gift giving in your posts. It's OK to explain you can't afford to give gifts. I had a friend admit that to me and we just send cards for Christmas and birthday. I didn't think any less other and actually respected her for being responsible. If you are at all talented you could make some gifts or bake something for someone if you absolutely feel you have to do something.
I'm glad you are making progress. Keep it up.
November 6th, 2017 at 04:16 pm 1509984977
My family tells me they don't eat curry but I buy small packets of curry 'cubes' and add suggested items, call it 'Granny's stew' over rice or Pita bread and they think it's specially made preference! You can make a different shaped pasta every week changing. out red and white sauce. One or two meatless meals are healthy, there is fun in the challenge of different versions of Chili. Stew allows you to empty the fridge, anything lookng droopy!
Try www.allrecepies.com using the 'search' bar to use some product in your cupboard or fridge.
November 6th, 2017 at 08:51 pm 1510001466
I do agree that grocery isn't one you should be cutting. Together you spent about $200 on food between grocery and eating out. See if you can get that to $150 combined, with more of it going toward groceries (since the money stretches so much farther than when buying from a restaurant).
Good job on planning to get rid of that extra cable expense. High-speed internet is much more valuable though because you can use it for so much more than just watching TV.
Keep it up!