No, I don't really have a Budget Wednesday but we are about 1/3 into June, and I thought I would give a little update. And we are not really shopaholics but it seems like this week money was just slipping threw our fingers.
We are doing OK with our food budget but we're cutting it close. I have $7 and change left until the end of the week. But I only need milk, some tomatoes and salad, and we should be set. I'm not concerned about the food budget.
But our miscellaneous budget is pretty much blown, and it's not even the middle of the month yet :( I have to admit, $130 for the whole month for everything other than food, bills and gas, is PRETTY tight. But what put us over the edge is our swamp cooler. We just needed so many little and big things for it that we went back and forth to Walmart 5 times in the last two days!! Valves, a new pump, sealers, you name it.
So after we buy another Birthday gift this week and get a puppy his booster shots, we'll be over in the miscellanious department :(
But at least it gives us an idea of what to expect in the upcoming months. We decided to go very low in June to prepare ourselves for what's coming when Hubby will actually be out of work. I know, we are not going to be fixing a swamp cooler every month (keeping fingers crossed...) but there is always something...
Which means, I need to go and work triple-hard today, people :)
How are you doing with your budget this month so far?
Going as cash for this month, and it is so far, so good. Bit of groceries here and there (that I've forgotten to write down, oops), but nothing else. I'll be moving again, so I am sure some stability before then will be very welcomed! Hope the swamp cooler is fixed for good this time.
ReplyDeleteIt is!! And it feels so nice in here!
DeleteWhen we bought our house in 1981, we only had $10/month left for spending money, besides the small amount we budgeted for food. We didn't use our air conditioning, we were cold in the winter, we didn't have credit cards.
ReplyDeleteI think we could survive, because we never had money prior, being college students right before, and we felt rich, owning a home. I think it would be much harder if we had money, and had to step down.
But, like your swamp cooler, there is always one thing that will break and throw you off your harmonious life! Once an appliance breaks, for instance, you (we had to ) apply for a credit card, and debt begins. We had to look at the bigger picture and eventually you bounce back.
Your story is so inspiring! And I know how it feels to be a couple of broke students. We've been there too :) Usually I have money separated in different groups for different things. But with a looming job loss, we had to consolidate everything. This month is a trial month to see how low we can go (and still live :) without turning to the credit cards. But I think I need to set some money aside for emergencies and repairs, and not feel guilty when I have to pay for things that need to be fixed.
DeleteYes, if it is not one thing, it is another, isn't it? Don't beat yourself up about it, but plan how you are going to incorporate it into your budget. I have a few questions, BTW. First, when you are over budget, where does the money come from? Savings? And second, can you increase your hours of paid work as you like, or is it something the "employers" decide for you, that they want x hours of work done? I was wondering how much control you had in the income you bring in.
ReplyDeleteWe need to ramp up our savings too....I need to sit down with our budget...
Nan
Nan, these are some good questions :) When we are over budget but not by much, we just adjust other categories. But it's something significant (like when our stove broke), we use savings and then I try to build them back up as soon as I can. As for my work hours, I work from home translating different articles for a small non-profit, so my salary is no more than $500. And because it's non-profit, so they pay very little for the amount of work I do. But I love it! And it gives me some extra income I didn't have before. But if my husband couldn't find a job for a few months, I would, probably, have to find another part-time job or something just to pay the bills and patch the holes. It should be OK for a few months if we go on bare budget but I hope he can find something very soon.
DeleteMy budget just had a HUGE wrench thrown into it (thank you school) and I'm going to be swimming backwards to catch up w/the current for just a bit.
ReplyDeleteUgh, school expenses are crazy! It took Hubby six years to finish college, and I'm not missing those times. I hope you'll be able to adjust your budget very soon!
DeleteNot a good month around our house, too much over spending that we shouldn't be doing
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, my friend, you and me both...
DeleteGood luck for the rest of the month - I had to look up what a swamp cooler was! My first thought was that it was a chilly bin like we take to picnics but I was right out there! Cheers
ReplyDelete:) I didn't know what a swamp cooler was until we moved to this house :) But it's nice to have, and it's a lot cheaper than central air.
DeleteAh the swamp cooler you had no control over so don't be hard on yourselves! In fact you actually saved a lot of money since your hubby was able to fix it himself, imagine the bill if he was not handy & you had to have someone come out & fix it. I think you should think of it that way!
ReplyDeleteThat is true! I didn't even think about it!! Thank you! My Hubby becomes more and more handy because it's so much cheaper to do it himself :)
Deletehope next month is a better month for you. We actually have set our budget really low, meaning our budget is set on a "lower income". In that way, when extra things happen (and there is always something), we are somewhat prepared. Now, not everyone can do that, but let's say I could have a food budget of $60 a week, but we choose to keep it at $40, and so we do with most of the budget categories (obviously bills and mortgage is a fixed $ amount).
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing that you keep your budget at $40 a week! You need to teach me how you do it! :) Unemployment is just such a new thing for us. I love to be in control with our finances, and always had long- and short-term savings and slush fund for smaller things. But now I feel a little helpless because of unknown. And we are better than many people in our situation but I'm still a little worried...
DeleteLena, (((HUGS))) I know when Russ was laid off it seemed like when you spend money everything is highlighted because you are more aware of dollars slipping through your fingers.. Just know that the swamp cooler is going to help you through the heat of the summer...It was money that needed to be spent... It wasn't like you are wasting it...it is a necessity where you live...Remember the Lord will provide everything you need... He will provide your needs.. I am praying that your husband gets a job quickly,, You have an awesome attitude... I know Russ would get really down and I would have to bring him up...He felt like a failure and it was up to me to let him know he was not a failure.... That was my job was to keep his spirits up during our layoffs which it wasn't easy for me at times...because I did not know what was going to happen,.....A lot of what ifs in our life at that time.... But God prevailed like He always does... (((HUGS))) Lisa
ReplyDeleteLisa, you know, you are one of the sweetest people I know? You always have the right words to say to me :) I'm trying to keep my husband from feeling upset and disappointed in himself too right now. And I'm actually amazed at how many small blessings we already received this month. He is so merciful!
DeleteI will pray for your family and for your husband to find another job quickly. And I know that your resolve to get your spending under control will help immensely.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this will help you or not but I did an unemployment budget on my blog. We have been lucky that we haven't had to use it but it might give you a few ideas on how to keep your family going while on unemployment.
http://amommoneyandmore2.blogspot.com/2009/02/living-on-unemployment.html
Lots of love and hugs!!!
Thank you for love :) I'll check it our right away!
DeleteI think I'm the only one who has never heard of a swamp cooler. What is it? I think you are doing great Lena!! Preparing a head of time and not burying your head in the sand is what will get you through. You are very resourceful too! Praying that your hubby finds work soon!!
ReplyDelete