I'm sorry that I've been MIA over the last week or so. Work has been crazy busy, but is hopefully returning to a more manageable pace now that my manager is back. While he was away, we get to not only take care of our own stuff, but his clients and orders as well. But we made it through, and I don't feel so overwhelmed anymore!
At least at work.
I will tell you what's been overwhelming me - budgeting. The dreaded "b" word. Chris and I have been struggling to find a good way to keep track of and pay off bills. It's been nightmarish the last month or so, leaving me wondering just how I was able to do it by myself. I guess I'm just one of those people that like to avoid unpleasant things and situations, which doesn't really work well with money and bills. But I do think I see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel. Really, a very very faint pin-prick dot of light. But before it starts to really shine, we have some sit-down time between us to really get it all down on paper - or computer, as the case may be. We've got a long and hard road ahead of us, this much is already abundantly clear. And it's very depressing and shameful just how bad it's all gotten. What's going to be even harder is communicating to Chris and getting him on the frugal-wagon. Without laying any blame, he is not the world's best budgeter. He tends to spend a little here, a little there, because it's a good deal or we could use it... whatever. It's going to be hard to get him to give up some of these things for our greater interests, and it's going to be hard to give up the wanting of things myself and to learn to appreciate all that we do have.
Okay, so enough of the philosophical rambling. This experience is definitely me "learning along the way", so to speak, as I am not a money management guru! So I am sorry to not have been posting lately, I just really haven't had any creative or nice or wonderful things to say. But I am hoping that as we can work through this, I can come up with some cheap and creative tips to share. Or at least some pretty pictures. ;-)
Downsizing Update: Almost 5 Years Later
1 day ago
8 comments:
I totally feel ya... i think i'm like your FH and your like mine... i'm not good at saving - even though i know i should. It's such a hard thing... but like you, i'm learning along the way too :)
RelentlessBride
I am horrible at budgeting money...Zane not having a job has really helped us be more frugal. Good luck with your game plan!
Budgeting is no fun! I pretty much just don't shop. EVER.
We went through the same thing! What worked for us (which may or may not work for you) is/are mint.com and daveramsey.com. We also use Google docs to keep our checkbook register (because everything we do is on debit). I do the long term planning (big purchases, retirement, etc.) and F does the day to day. This keeps us both involved and interested. Every penny is allocated for each paycheck, and then F keeps the register updated. It's worked pretty well, even though F is not interested in finances. It took us a while to get there.
Write it all down. Everything. Even the coffee you get in the morning, the groceries, the clothing, the stuff you need, the stuff you don't need.
Maybe that will help him realize how these little things add up? It's important you get the budget under control now.
We're pretty good. Wade thinks I am a frivolous spender, but w
I brought him to meet my financial planner (for investments) ... and after hearing the planner tell me how impressed he is with my investments, Wade backed off a little. He still thinks I am a tad frivolous ... and we both succumb to the occassion "want it" spend ... but we're getting there.
So stay strong - you'll sort it all out! :)
P.S. how did you get the button for that animal rescue site? I'd love to add it!
Oh bugets can be a real downer...hang in there!
Oh the B word...this has caused more fights between me and the huz than I care to think about! In our situation, I'm the spender and he's the anxious paranoid miser (in my humble opinion!)
But of course I know I'm just as much at fault---if only I could admit it when we're in the middle of a fight!
Any tips or tricks you have for getting spenders on the bandwagon are much appreciated!
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