I said it before. I was getting a handle on my finances. I changed houses, reorganized debt, changed the way I was doing things, didn't rely on my renters for money. I was doing well.
"Was" is the operative word.
Like everything in my life, I dove into my finances with determination. I budgeted and planned and wrote things down. And then... I moved, I got sick, I got busy (mind out of the gutter!), I got distracted. I got... out of control. Again.
And now I am here. Weeks before Christmas retructuring things again. Realizing I can't save as much as I hoped. That I have to start changing things again. That I'm a shopaholic of the worst sense. That I don't make $85,000 a year.
Or even half that.
And I'm going to get yelled at. I'm aware of that. But Janice had an idea and I may have to integrate it into my budgeting plan. Before I make any purchase (maybe over $30) I have to get it okayed by Ky. She's the cheapest person I know. Next to Grandma.
I'd be carefully with the whole over $30 thing. $30 here and there can add up pretty quickly in a month and you can still find your self in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI don't think "get busy" is a euphemism anymore. Welcome to 1980.
ReplyDeleteI think for "busy" to be a euphemism, it has to be both spelled and pronounced "bizzay."
ReplyDeleteAnd I really can sympathise here. It reminds me of the first year we came out here, when I went through the shock of "You mean we can't afford anything non-essential? And we've narrowed the range of what is considered essential?" It felt like I was saying "no" all the time. I felt like I had to go against all my hard wiring; we had told a bunch of people that we'd travel to Kelowna and go see Lane perform and then visit Kristin in Penticton. And then Chris reminded me of the fact that we had no income, and that we couldn't afford a trip like that. It really sucked telling everyone we couldn't afford to go, and I'd never had to say the words "No, I'm sorry, I can't afford that" before.
But I agree with Janice about being careful with the $30 purchases. You make four of those and that's an extra $120 you've just spent without thinking. Something I learned from Brandy was taking out in cash all the spending money you are budgeted for the month/week/pay period. Once that cash is gone, you can't spend any more until you get paid again.
I have "Financial Planning for Dummies Canadian version" if you want to borrow it. I've read the first page. It's a pretty good page.
ReplyDeleteWe've been broke since I've been off work. I know the feeling. Grae and I always ask eachother about purchases over 20.00. It's a good idea to talk to Ky first.
ReplyDeleteWait, oh crap. We were at Deerfoot mall with dad and wife and I TOLD Grae I was getting a pair of shoes. Hah! They were marked down from $120.00 to $20.00. I TOLD him I was spending the money.
Do NOT take any advice from me when it comes to money.
Janice: You're right. I may have to call her every time I want Tim's.
ReplyDeleteRoger: Shut up!!! If I hadn't clarified, you would have been the first to mock me about it. And yet... you still were.
Mary: I think you're right. BIZZAY it is. My other problem is, I get paid once a month. Not working so well.
Jamie: I have numerous books like that. The first page is always awesome. Maybe we can meet and exchange books.
Mel: Well, you tried!
i often think that if my gramma were still alive she would skin me for the way in which i mismanage my money.
ReplyDeleteshe would be so disappointed.
just like you though, every time i feel like i can make head way... something happens.
perhaps a resolution for the new year? maybe.
i feel your pain. sounds like a good plan. good luck.
You know, you can still set a monthly budget for spending, if that's how you get paid. There's nothing like having the visual reminder of "I absolutely cannot spend any more until I get paid next" like running out of cash.
ReplyDelete