Pants and I toured a school this morning, The Goddard School. It would be ideal for our kids - on the way to work, more of an educational environment, a friend from daycare already there. But they wanted over $2000 per month to take our kids.
We have been considering moving our kids to a more educational environment so they get more socialization, more educational opportunities, more time playing outside, and are better prepared for school. The home daycare we are in has worked phenomenally well while the kids were younger, but as they get older I think they need more than what they are getting.
If we weren't already in debt up to our eyeballs, I might put our kids in this school anyway. But killing ourselves over pre-school? Who affords this school? Some people must, there were kids' names all over the classrooms. (Maybe they put up fake names. Does anyone really name their kid Anakin??)
It actually made me incredibly angry. I have been unable to find a pre-school program that is not phenomenally more than what we are paying a month now (hundreds more per month) or that runs all week. My kids don't have a way to get to and from pre-school for partial day programs, nor would our daycare allow us to go down to three days per week to put our kids in pre-school the other 2 days. I get it, my kids would take up a slot that could go to a full-time kid. Not that it matters, the ones I have looked at would still be too expensive for us.
There is one option, a Montessori school in Anoka, that is pretty close to what we're paying now, but both kids have to be potty trained before they can enroll and we have to figure out how to get to work from Anoka. It will mean more time commuting every day and more time away from the kids.
So my kids may have to start school without a lot of the skills other kids will have. I don't even know what those skills are, as I can't seem to find a list of what they should know. Should they be able to write letters, or just recognize them? Should they be able to just count, or do some rudimentary math? Tell time? Count money? I want to help my kids get a little more education, but what do I focus on?
I feel really lost on this.
Showing posts with label Money changes everything. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money changes everything. Show all posts
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Updates
Pants is home, but pulled the Sunday shift, so he's working today.
Pants brought souvenirs for everyone, but was careful on the money. I got Costa Rican coffee. The girls each got some shells from the beach, some rocks, some Costa Rican money, and they each got a wooden necklace. The money, in total, might be worth $1. He was not thrilled about the necklaces, which he thought he was getting 2/$5 but it turned out to be one necklace twisted into 2 layers, so he bought another. He also took headphones from the airplane for both of them.
I went out to Barnes & Noble last night to read magazines. I hate the idea, but everyone else was there doing it and the library closes at 6 on Saturdays. I looked through personal finance books, the clearance sections, and the magazines, but walked out without buying anything, including this week's People. I actually took out a pen and a scrap of paper and copied recipes for laundry soap and dishwasher soap out of a book.
Plus, I was dying for a cheeseburger again and thought it wouldn't hurt if I just stopped at McDonald's on the way home, seeing as I hadn't eaten much dinner and all. Surely it wouldn't be that bad. But, as I sat at B&N, I thought about th $60 I was trying to live on for 2 weeks, the $30 I had already spent at a work thing with my team Friday afternoon, and the cost of riding the bus for the next 3 weeks for training. I did not stop. Maybe if I make it until the 20th on what I have I will go to McDonald's and blow the rest.
It just occurred to me I could buy one cheeseburger for $1.29 and not the whole meal. Hmmm. Being cheap may make me resourceful.
Pants brought souvenirs for everyone, but was careful on the money. I got Costa Rican coffee. The girls each got some shells from the beach, some rocks, some Costa Rican money, and they each got a wooden necklace. The money, in total, might be worth $1. He was not thrilled about the necklaces, which he thought he was getting 2/$5 but it turned out to be one necklace twisted into 2 layers, so he bought another. He also took headphones from the airplane for both of them.
I went out to Barnes & Noble last night to read magazines. I hate the idea, but everyone else was there doing it and the library closes at 6 on Saturdays. I looked through personal finance books, the clearance sections, and the magazines, but walked out without buying anything, including this week's People. I actually took out a pen and a scrap of paper and copied recipes for laundry soap and dishwasher soap out of a book.
Plus, I was dying for a cheeseburger again and thought it wouldn't hurt if I just stopped at McDonald's on the way home, seeing as I hadn't eaten much dinner and all. Surely it wouldn't be that bad. But, as I sat at B&N, I thought about th $60 I was trying to live on for 2 weeks, the $30 I had already spent at a work thing with my team Friday afternoon, and the cost of riding the bus for the next 3 weeks for training. I did not stop. Maybe if I make it until the 20th on what I have I will go to McDonald's and blow the rest.
It just occurred to me I could buy one cheeseburger for $1.29 and not the whole meal. Hmmm. Being cheap may make me resourceful.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Dying for a Big Mac
Yes, I would have done anything, shagged anyone, for a cheeseburger and fries this evening. Not having money is the best diet I've ever been on.
Yesterday, to my dismay, I discovered that the bank had taken $200 out of our main account to cover a $10 overdraft on my personal account. My own fault, I know. But $200? And today my main account overdrafted before I could get $150 moved back over.
We're just starting to get our money in order and I have to throw away another $60 on bank fees.
So no cheeseburger for me. I spent $.65 today, total. I have $6 left until Thursday because I put all the rest of my cash in our account, which is actually far more than I'll need if I bring lunch and coffee like I did today. Weird.
Plus, my mom is having my uncle call me about the framing since he just finished his basement the same way. The real question is, can I frame the wall with the ugly 70s bracket shelves and build in nice, classy looking bookshelves in their place? I mean, while still insulating appropriately and not spending a billion dollars?
Yesterday, to my dismay, I discovered that the bank had taken $200 out of our main account to cover a $10 overdraft on my personal account. My own fault, I know. But $200? And today my main account overdrafted before I could get $150 moved back over.
We're just starting to get our money in order and I have to throw away another $60 on bank fees.
So no cheeseburger for me. I spent $.65 today, total. I have $6 left until Thursday because I put all the rest of my cash in our account, which is actually far more than I'll need if I bring lunch and coffee like I did today. Weird.
Plus, my mom is having my uncle call me about the framing since he just finished his basement the same way. The real question is, can I frame the wall with the ugly 70s bracket shelves and build in nice, classy looking bookshelves in their place? I mean, while still insulating appropriately and not spending a billion dollars?
Monday, February 02, 2009
The result
The insurance company has totaled up the removed trim, the small section of removed drywall, the 2 pine boards that were ruined from the ever-so-attractive paneling, and the bench that I agreed to remove myself and be paid for. If we replace it, there's an extra $1000 in it for us. It's custom, you know.
With all of the structural payments, we basically covered the deductible plus $300. I haven't been paid yet for some receipts and we haven't put in our losses for personal items yet, but it's not exactly enough to re-frame and insulate three rooms of the basement. On the bright side, I didn't have to put the deductible on a credit card, either. Plus we still have payments coming to replace the flooring.
So. Can anyone give me some instruction on framing a few walls? I think I can figure out the insulation and drywall, but I'm not sure where to start with the framing. And if anyone wants to come over with a sledge hammer, I have a bench and some closet walls that need knocking out.
With all of the structural payments, we basically covered the deductible plus $300. I haven't been paid yet for some receipts and we haven't put in our losses for personal items yet, but it's not exactly enough to re-frame and insulate three rooms of the basement. On the bright side, I didn't have to put the deductible on a credit card, either. Plus we still have payments coming to replace the flooring.
So. Can anyone give me some instruction on framing a few walls? I think I can figure out the insulation and drywall, but I'm not sure where to start with the framing. And if anyone wants to come over with a sledge hammer, I have a bench and some closet walls that need knocking out.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Why I am comfortable stopping my 401k contributions
A question, quite valid, was raised about why I would stop my 401k contributions to pay off my debt.
Here are the reasons that I am doing it. They might not work for everyone, but they work for me and Pants. I am well aware that many financial gurus say this is not the right move, but here's why it is the right move for us.
Here are the reasons that I am doing it. They might not work for everyone, but they work for me and Pants. I am well aware that many financial gurus say this is not the right move, but here's why it is the right move for us.
- We have no money at the end of the month. Every dollar currently is going to pay off minimum balances and our expenses. We are trying to cut expenses, but we need a little extra to get things moving. I need that money to be able to pay things off. Although I know I am losing money in the long run, I need that extra money each month now.
- I have 30 years of work left. Stopping my contributions for 1 year (while still paying my 401k over $200/month in the form of payments on three loans I have on it) will not kill my retirement plans. Also, when Pants and I didn't have kids, we were both contributing 16% of our income to our retirement from the time we were first eligible (approx. age 23 or so), so we feel we're ahead of where many people our age might be.
- This step represents the ultimate commitment to us. We better be damn sure we're doing everything we can to get our debt paid down as fast as possible if we stopped our 401k contributions to do it. Every time I look at a McDonald's or think about Target, that is the one thing that runs through my head - is this worth my retirement? Is it worth my 401k?
Here we go
This may be a premature discussion, as we don't yet know what will be considered a loss in the walls here or not, but here we go.
Just as we are getting our money on track, we are tested. We are ultra-serious about not spending money that is not for absolute necessities, emergencies, or being directed to debt, but we are presented with an opportunity.
Our basement is not insulated. It is "finished", but when the previous owners finished it, they put paneling up over the cement block. There is no insulation in our walls downstairs, at least not on the bottom half of the wall.
We now have an opportunity, at little cost to us, to upgrade. The carpet has all been ripped out and will all be replaced under our homeowner's insurance. We don't really know about the walls yet. But the question is, do we spend the money, probably $1-2000 to put up new studs over the old walls and put in insulation?
I'll put up a poll, but here is what you would need to know:
Just as we are getting our money on track, we are tested. We are ultra-serious about not spending money that is not for absolute necessities, emergencies, or being directed to debt, but we are presented with an opportunity.
Our basement is not insulated. It is "finished", but when the previous owners finished it, they put paneling up over the cement block. There is no insulation in our walls downstairs, at least not on the bottom half of the wall.
We now have an opportunity, at little cost to us, to upgrade. The carpet has all been ripped out and will all be replaced under our homeowner's insurance. We don't really know about the walls yet. But the question is, do we spend the money, probably $1-2000 to put up new studs over the old walls and put in insulation?
I'll put up a poll, but here is what you would need to know:
- The money spent will most likely have to go on a credit card.
- The additional insulation will lower our heating and cooling bills considerably.
- We don't use the basement much because it is so cold. Pants and I sleep down there, but that's about it. We might gain the family room back as usable space for our family by doing this. Handy in a Minnesota winter to have additional space to keep the stir-crazies at bay, for sure. Also, there is a gorgeous wood-burning fire-place down there that we don't use because we're never down there.
- My parents would be able to stay here when they come with little or no trouble at all, instead of renting a hotel room or staying somewhere else.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The denial stopped today
I debated on whether or not to post this because it approaches the taboo subject of money. Even worse, it's extremely personal. It's about my household debt, but I think in the end I have been hiding long enough. That's part of the problem.
Pants and I have managed to build up a very large amount of debt in the last year. I can lie to you and tell you it's because our daycare expense is so large, along with our other bills, but it's not. It's because we have always been somewhat frivolous with money. In the past, we have made enough and kept our bills low enough to be able to absorb the crap we were purchasing. With the added $1400 expense per month, we could no longer afford all that stuff but we continued living like we could. And now here we are.
We have been in denial for months about our situation but I finally put all of our debt on paper and showed Pants tonight. He has gone out for a drive to try to absorb the numbers and figure out how this could happen in a year. I'm a bit farther on the acceptance chain and am trying to figure out how we're going to get out of it.
Pants and I have concocted a plan. Or more accurately, I have stolen a plan from Dave Ramsey's book, "The Total Money Makeover" and Pants is willing to go along with it. For now, every dollar will be tracked and every available dollar will be diverted to paying bills. We plan to pull out all the stops to get everything paid and be out of debt for good.
Now that it's out, I will continue to post about what we're doing and the plan we're following. Some of you may be familiar already with Dave Ramsey so you already know the plan. Some of you may recognize the plan because it's not new or original - it's a repackage of a general plan for getting out of debt that you've probably heard before.
And please don't make the mistake of thinking I'm asking anyone for anything. We got into this and unless we change our habits, any bailouts will only be a temporary relief. Bailouts will not ever lead to us learning to live within our means. We have tried several bailouts that have only placed us deeper in debt and now we have used up all those options. We need to learn the lesson the hard way now.
Pants and I have managed to build up a very large amount of debt in the last year. I can lie to you and tell you it's because our daycare expense is so large, along with our other bills, but it's not. It's because we have always been somewhat frivolous with money. In the past, we have made enough and kept our bills low enough to be able to absorb the crap we were purchasing. With the added $1400 expense per month, we could no longer afford all that stuff but we continued living like we could. And now here we are.
We have been in denial for months about our situation but I finally put all of our debt on paper and showed Pants tonight. He has gone out for a drive to try to absorb the numbers and figure out how this could happen in a year. I'm a bit farther on the acceptance chain and am trying to figure out how we're going to get out of it.
Pants and I have concocted a plan. Or more accurately, I have stolen a plan from Dave Ramsey's book, "The Total Money Makeover" and Pants is willing to go along with it. For now, every dollar will be tracked and every available dollar will be diverted to paying bills. We plan to pull out all the stops to get everything paid and be out of debt for good.
Now that it's out, I will continue to post about what we're doing and the plan we're following. Some of you may be familiar already with Dave Ramsey so you already know the plan. Some of you may recognize the plan because it's not new or original - it's a repackage of a general plan for getting out of debt that you've probably heard before.
And please don't make the mistake of thinking I'm asking anyone for anything. We got into this and unless we change our habits, any bailouts will only be a temporary relief. Bailouts will not ever lead to us learning to live within our means. We have tried several bailouts that have only placed us deeper in debt and now we have used up all those options. We need to learn the lesson the hard way now.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Have we finally learned?
It appears that, after months of railing against the inevitable (and racking up the credit cards in the process), we have come to accept that we have very little disposable income and have started to live within our means.
I carry a coupon book around in my purse. I scour the Sunday paper each week for manufacturer and store coupons. We rarely eat out anymore at a restaurant we don't have a coupon for. I order much more creatively at fast food restaurants.
I have started shopping for Christmas and regularly peruse the Clearance racks for things I know someone will like. I have found some awesome bargains. I have also found several pairs of shorts, pajamas, and tops for the girls for next summer.
The biggest difference is that we eat at home. I am planning menus again and purchasing food based on what's on sale that week. I made Pants a lunch yesterday for work (I know, the good little wifey, puke puke).
We have also been looking at other expenses - I found that the Minnesota Renaissance School, a Montessori school in Anoka, is $10 less a week during the school year, but $75 less per week in the summer for both of them, plus they start getting some preschool education, which I think they are currently lacking at the present daycare. Meimei has to be 2 1/2 and I suspect they both have to be potty trained, but we have a few months to get everything squared away. It also changes our morning and evening routine because we have to cross the bridge each day, so there is more to be worked out on that one, but we're going to try to make it work. What a break in the summer!! And even $40 a month is $40 dollars we didn't have before.
We have also considered refinancing our house, as the rates have gone down a bit since we bought. We would like to stay with our credit union, but I don't think the rates have gone down enough to make it worth it and drop our payment much and I am afraid the value of our house has gone down and it won't appraise high enough. This refinance would NOT be to take out extra money, but merely to get a better rate, although we would most likely have to roll the refinance costs back into the loan.
This month, the busiest month in my toy business so far, instead of continuing to build my demo kit all available profits will go back to the credit cards. Pants is also putting in some overtime to get the credit cards paid up. My secret hope is to pay off the credit cards by the end of the year, although it's really a stretch goal.
As I read this back over, though, I wonder if these are temporary changes that will fall away again, as they have many other times. Some of them are designed to be temporary, but some need to stick much longer if we are to make it until they are both in school.
I carry a coupon book around in my purse. I scour the Sunday paper each week for manufacturer and store coupons. We rarely eat out anymore at a restaurant we don't have a coupon for. I order much more creatively at fast food restaurants.
I have started shopping for Christmas and regularly peruse the Clearance racks for things I know someone will like. I have found some awesome bargains. I have also found several pairs of shorts, pajamas, and tops for the girls for next summer.
The biggest difference is that we eat at home. I am planning menus again and purchasing food based on what's on sale that week. I made Pants a lunch yesterday for work (I know, the good little wifey, puke puke).
We have also been looking at other expenses - I found that the Minnesota Renaissance School, a Montessori school in Anoka, is $10 less a week during the school year, but $75 less per week in the summer for both of them, plus they start getting some preschool education, which I think they are currently lacking at the present daycare. Meimei has to be 2 1/2 and I suspect they both have to be potty trained, but we have a few months to get everything squared away. It also changes our morning and evening routine because we have to cross the bridge each day, so there is more to be worked out on that one, but we're going to try to make it work. What a break in the summer!! And even $40 a month is $40 dollars we didn't have before.
We have also considered refinancing our house, as the rates have gone down a bit since we bought. We would like to stay with our credit union, but I don't think the rates have gone down enough to make it worth it and drop our payment much and I am afraid the value of our house has gone down and it won't appraise high enough. This refinance would NOT be to take out extra money, but merely to get a better rate, although we would most likely have to roll the refinance costs back into the loan.
This month, the busiest month in my toy business so far, instead of continuing to build my demo kit all available profits will go back to the credit cards. Pants is also putting in some overtime to get the credit cards paid up. My secret hope is to pay off the credit cards by the end of the year, although it's really a stretch goal.
As I read this back over, though, I wonder if these are temporary changes that will fall away again, as they have many other times. Some of them are designed to be temporary, but some need to stick much longer if we are to make it until they are both in school.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Gah.
So. much.
Work is crazy and I'm about 3 years behind what I need to have done. I think I'm going to have to work this weekend. Gah.
Didn't mail out my show product today. Have to get up at 6 or so tomorrow so I can get to the Post Office, mail it out, then get back to the P&R and get on the bus. To get to work before training tomorrow. And then have to print the materials for my hostess packets so I can mail those out by Saturday. Just in time for my next show. 'S getting busy, the fall show season. Sweet ginger pickles.
House is icky. Have fruit flies. We're trying to get through laundry, but it's slow going. Hoping the dryer heating element isn't going faulty. Secretly hoping it is and we have to buy a new set. Secretly also hoping to win lottery.
Must go. Bed. Chelsea Lately started with skit, which just bodes ill for the episode. Plus, no one really funny on tonight. Boo.
Work is crazy and I'm about 3 years behind what I need to have done. I think I'm going to have to work this weekend. Gah.
Didn't mail out my show product today. Have to get up at 6 or so tomorrow so I can get to the Post Office, mail it out, then get back to the P&R and get on the bus. To get to work before training tomorrow. And then have to print the materials for my hostess packets so I can mail those out by Saturday. Just in time for my next show. 'S getting busy, the fall show season. Sweet ginger pickles.
House is icky. Have fruit flies. We're trying to get through laundry, but it's slow going. Hoping the dryer heating element isn't going faulty. Secretly hoping it is and we have to buy a new set. Secretly also hoping to win lottery.
Must go. Bed. Chelsea Lately started with skit, which just bodes ill for the episode. Plus, no one really funny on tonight. Boo.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
If I had money
My new bedroom:
Ikea Malm King bed and headboard with pullouts (in black-brown):
With this (and some additional ivory, tan,
bronze, and black pillows, tastefully arranged):My new fall wardrobe: (and as long as we're dreaming, that chick's body too)
And the purse from the other day, of course.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
What a difference a day makes
Yesterday I took money matters in hand, paid the bills, made some phone calls to straighten out our cell and satellite accounts, and figured out how to pay off a bill and drop our monthly bill load $200/month.
OMG. Today at work, things were still a bit dicey, but this evening. My, this evening, how different things have been. The girls and I cleaned Meimei's room, set up her toddler bed (formerly Kitten's toddler bed) and put the sheets on, moved the bench out of her room to give her more play room, put all the toys away in her toy organizer thingy, and started on the closet and dresser organization. She's still in her crib for now, but her room was really our huge project for this weekend. Now we're about 40% done - on the first evening.
And the kids did better this evening, probably because I was nicer to them. Kitten went to bed better than she has in weeks. Meimei let me put her jammies on and change her without a fit.
Did I mention her room got cleaned?
And now I'm about to clean up the entryway. Like I've been planning for 3 weeks. And put the Low-e film purchased last weekend on the patio doors.
Hmmm. Think the depression might have been about the money? Yep. It's not completely done yet, but I feel much better.
Moral of the story? Grab the reins, chica. Grab the reins.
OMG. Today at work, things were still a bit dicey, but this evening. My, this evening, how different things have been. The girls and I cleaned Meimei's room, set up her toddler bed (formerly Kitten's toddler bed) and put the sheets on, moved the bench out of her room to give her more play room, put all the toys away in her toy organizer thingy, and started on the closet and dresser organization. She's still in her crib for now, but her room was really our huge project for this weekend. Now we're about 40% done - on the first evening.
And the kids did better this evening, probably because I was nicer to them. Kitten went to bed better than she has in weeks. Meimei let me put her jammies on and change her without a fit.
Did I mention her room got cleaned?
And now I'm about to clean up the entryway. Like I've been planning for 3 weeks. And put the Low-e film purchased last weekend on the patio doors.
Hmmm. Think the depression might have been about the money? Yep. It's not completely done yet, but I feel much better.
Moral of the story? Grab the reins, chica. Grab the reins.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Catching up
I got my bonus for 2007 today with my paycheck, so I was able to pay all outstanding medical bills, insurance on all 3 vehicles, some of the bills for the month, and put a nice chunk of cash on the credit card. I have some more paperwork to fill out for mailing tomorrow, but otherwise I'm about done. I also need to make a couple of online purchases, including a new laptop battery and filters for the refrigerator water. And maybe some grocery shopping tonight. Eep! Gotta get moving.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Shoes
So, I started reading on the internet about patellofemoral pain syndrome and the treatments and preventions. One of the things it mentioned was good shoes, and the fact that any decent shoe will do and will be quite a bit cheaper than orthotics. So I bought a good pair of Naturalizer dress shoes on Tuesday at Macy's huge sale and my knee felt so much better by Wednesday evening.
So I'm going through my shoes and throwing out a bunch, putting some on Craig's List that I don't wear or that don't fit (4-5 pairs of nicer shoes, barely worn, email if you are size 7-8), and putting the rest away. I figure I will need one more pair of good shoes until summer, but most of my summer shoes have to go.
So, yay for shoe shopping, but boo for spending the money.
So I'm going through my shoes and throwing out a bunch, putting some on Craig's List that I don't wear or that don't fit (4-5 pairs of nicer shoes, barely worn, email if you are size 7-8), and putting the rest away. I figure I will need one more pair of good shoes until summer, but most of my summer shoes have to go.
So, yay for shoe shopping, but boo for spending the money.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Buzzkill
I'm so jazzed about the new budget. It seems for the first time like it will make life so much easier instead of being something I fear and want to remain in denial about.
But we can't use it yet. We got a bit behind, what with Christmas and medical expenses. For once, we're not spending much money, but we have almost none anyway because we're scrambling to pay things off. So I don't get to play with the new budget. I don't get to revel in financial security just yet.
But we got our tax refund today (I know Kashka, at least it was closer to right this year instead of the $7000 we got last year). So I paid off the BFTV and paid a couple of things down. A couple of steps closer!!
But we can't use it yet. We got a bit behind, what with Christmas and medical expenses. For once, we're not spending much money, but we have almost none anyway because we're scrambling to pay things off. So I don't get to play with the new budget. I don't get to revel in financial security just yet.
But we got our tax refund today (I know Kashka, at least it was closer to right this year instead of the $7000 we got last year). So I paid off the BFTV and paid a couple of things down. A couple of steps closer!!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
The lightbulb went on
I was creating a budget in Excel the other day. Now, I have done this quite often and it's an exercise in futility. It looks great on paper - it all works out. But it never works in real life.
So I was creating this spreadsheet and it occurred to me that, to make this work, one would need to record what they spent, deduct it from that category, and then only spend what was there to spend. Or take it from another category if needed.
I'm sure this all sounds really elementary to everyone, but for the first time it actually made sense to me. It made sense how it would all work. And it all seemed possible.
Weird.
So I was creating this spreadsheet and it occurred to me that, to make this work, one would need to record what they spent, deduct it from that category, and then only spend what was there to spend. Or take it from another category if needed.
I'm sure this all sounds really elementary to everyone, but for the first time it actually made sense to me. It made sense how it would all work. And it all seemed possible.
Weird.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
I'M NOT POOR
So, I finally started journaling today and the reason is money. I have issues with money. For some reason, my brain has equated watching your spending and sticking to a budget with being poor.
But we're not poor, we just have more financial responsibilities than we've ever had before. We spent $16,900 on daycare last year. Our mortgage is more than it was in the townhouse. We're still paying off the Scion. We're paying for diapers and about 500 cows'-worth of milk in a year (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not).
I have wondered why I couldn't stick to a budget. Why I couldn't keep from spending. Why we can't make ends meet with 2 perfectly good jobs.
But much of it is me. And the short-term fixes like "no spending month" are not going to fix the problem. The problem is the shame I have always had over being poor, growing up poor, and my fear that I will end up poor again. And my brain decided that not being poor meant that we wouldn't have to watch what we spent, or stick to a budget, or care what things cost. Those were for poor people. Those are poor thoughts. We are at least middle class and we should not have to do those things.
So now that I got it out, I know where the thoughts are coming from and can combat them with reason. Thank you once again, Molly Blackmore, Psychologist, for setting me up to work through these things. I swear I'm leaving my vast estate to you.
But we're not poor, we just have more financial responsibilities than we've ever had before. We spent $16,900 on daycare last year. Our mortgage is more than it was in the townhouse. We're still paying off the Scion. We're paying for diapers and about 500 cows'-worth of milk in a year (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not).
I have wondered why I couldn't stick to a budget. Why I couldn't keep from spending. Why we can't make ends meet with 2 perfectly good jobs.
But much of it is me. And the short-term fixes like "no spending month" are not going to fix the problem. The problem is the shame I have always had over being poor, growing up poor, and my fear that I will end up poor again. And my brain decided that not being poor meant that we wouldn't have to watch what we spent, or stick to a budget, or care what things cost. Those were for poor people. Those are poor thoughts. We are at least middle class and we should not have to do those things.
So now that I got it out, I know where the thoughts are coming from and can combat them with reason. Thank you once again, Molly Blackmore, Psychologist, for setting me up to work through these things. I swear I'm leaving my vast estate to you.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Locusts, anyone?
January by the numbers in the Pants household:
- 1 stomach virus (other two were prior to Jan. 1)
- 1 face-eating cold (Pants)
- 4 stitches in 1 2-year old
- 2 stitches grown under skin, which had to be cut to have them removed
- 150 mg - my new dose of Zoloft
- 1 toe broken, and 2 crutches that will probably cost 1 arm and 1 leg
- 2 flus - 1 harsh and 1 mild
- 4 pinkeyes and 1 ear infection - just got back from the clinic tonight.
- $100 in copays for clinic visits
- $75 for the ER
- $66 for scrips
- $60 for the oral cancer test at the dentist (mine - negative)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
New Kick
I decided today that I am banned from Target for 21 days. And for each business day during that 21 days that I don't bring my lunch to work, my Target ban is extended an additional day.
Exception: Thursday People. In and out.
Exception: Thursday People. In and out.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Monthly bills; or, Woe is Me
So, we're trying to figure out how to decrease our monthly bills so we can survive month-to-month this year. We have money, we just don't have cash. Like, we have tons of retirement money. And equity - got that. Just don't always have the funds month-to-month to get through, what with the daycare mortgage we're paying.
But here's my problem: I can't get DSL here. Apparently, no one delivers DSL to my little cul-de-sac. So, we could dump cable and go back to satellite (cheaper and, frankly, better), but the internet cost will go up and offset any savings. And I can't get DSL, and even dial-up requires me to have a phone line, and adding a phone and dial-up ends up being just as expensive as paying for my broadband internet. I can't change the cell phones either because we're in a contract (6 months into a 2-year contract) and we'd have to pay termination fees. I can't justify moving to another cell company, even moving to MY EMPLOYER, as the savings aren't enough to cover the termination fee.
So this leaves very few options. Saving water, electricity, and gas. And we're already trying to do what we can there, and at most we shave a few dollars off with any given effort.
We've decided this battle will be won or lost over food. Eating out, eating in, eating steak, eating pasta. The way I shop will be changing. It will be far more based in the weekly ad and Sam's Club (as appropriate) than it was before. And coupons, but only for things we already buy. And meals will be cheaper and will have to go farther, meaning a meal will have to feed us all plus provide a lunch or two. No leaving the leftovers out on the counter to spoil.
There will be very little eating out. Eating in will be key.
And trading convenience groceries for "real" groceries will have to be considered. I made instant pudding today, put it into a pack of toddler snack containers (6 containers in a pack that we got from MIL, and I think she got at Big Lots! or somewhere like that). I will never buy pudding snack packs again. I will buy the $.69 pack of instant pudding and will stir it into cold milk (as if there's another kind) and pour it into the cups to dole out later for snacks and such.
Any other ideas for convenience food switches? I already buy the huge tubs of yogurt instead of the little individual cups. Some things, like jelly, are currently sacred (won't buy the mongo jars of the cheap kind, I always buy State Fair or Thompson's, whichever is cheaper that week). But these may become sacred cows - I may give them up and buy the cheaper alternatives if it gets that bad.
Suffice it to say, we'll be eating a lot of rice for the next few months. I have a rice steamer, so it's less gas too, but it takes a long time. Might start feeding the kids and eating a bit later, but that doesn't work very well either.
But here's my problem: I can't get DSL here. Apparently, no one delivers DSL to my little cul-de-sac. So, we could dump cable and go back to satellite (cheaper and, frankly, better), but the internet cost will go up and offset any savings. And I can't get DSL, and even dial-up requires me to have a phone line, and adding a phone and dial-up ends up being just as expensive as paying for my broadband internet. I can't change the cell phones either because we're in a contract (6 months into a 2-year contract) and we'd have to pay termination fees. I can't justify moving to another cell company, even moving to MY EMPLOYER, as the savings aren't enough to cover the termination fee.
So this leaves very few options. Saving water, electricity, and gas. And we're already trying to do what we can there, and at most we shave a few dollars off with any given effort.
We've decided this battle will be won or lost over food. Eating out, eating in, eating steak, eating pasta. The way I shop will be changing. It will be far more based in the weekly ad and Sam's Club (as appropriate) than it was before. And coupons, but only for things we already buy. And meals will be cheaper and will have to go farther, meaning a meal will have to feed us all plus provide a lunch or two. No leaving the leftovers out on the counter to spoil.
There will be very little eating out. Eating in will be key.
And trading convenience groceries for "real" groceries will have to be considered. I made instant pudding today, put it into a pack of toddler snack containers (6 containers in a pack that we got from MIL, and I think she got at Big Lots! or somewhere like that). I will never buy pudding snack packs again. I will buy the $.69 pack of instant pudding and will stir it into cold milk (as if there's another kind) and pour it into the cups to dole out later for snacks and such.
Any other ideas for convenience food switches? I already buy the huge tubs of yogurt instead of the little individual cups. Some things, like jelly, are currently sacred (won't buy the mongo jars of the cheap kind, I always buy State Fair or Thompson's, whichever is cheaper that week). But these may become sacred cows - I may give them up and buy the cheaper alternatives if it gets that bad.
Suffice it to say, we'll be eating a lot of rice for the next few months. I have a rice steamer, so it's less gas too, but it takes a long time. Might start feeding the kids and eating a bit later, but that doesn't work very well either.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
I don't have time to bleed
I have discovered that it's one thing to stop spending for 30 days. You can tell yourself each day, "Oh, you can just get it when this is over." It's quite another thing to think that you will be living as you are for the next 3 1/2 years. No excess spending. No gadgets or gizmos. Continue cutting out the dollars where you can.
I've actually been quite depressed the past couple of weeks at the prospect of this. That this won't be letting up anytime soon. That I can't continue to use shopping to occupy my time, keep myself entertained, make myself feel better. That I can't even do what I want to the house because it costs money and we can't afford it. I'm not even talking about remodeling the kitchen or putting on an addition. I'm talking about painting a room.
And I think I'm even more depressed now that I even need these things. That it's depressing me this much. That I can't just shake off the trappings of materialism and live with what I have.
Which is plenty. We don't go hungry. We have clothes and a nice home. Why isn't this enough?
I've actually been quite depressed the past couple of weeks at the prospect of this. That this won't be letting up anytime soon. That I can't continue to use shopping to occupy my time, keep myself entertained, make myself feel better. That I can't even do what I want to the house because it costs money and we can't afford it. I'm not even talking about remodeling the kitchen or putting on an addition. I'm talking about painting a room.
And I think I'm even more depressed now that I even need these things. That it's depressing me this much. That I can't just shake off the trappings of materialism and live with what I have.
Which is plenty. We don't go hungry. We have clothes and a nice home. Why isn't this enough?
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