I know money is the root of all kinds of evil but I think it’s also the root of ALL stress pretty much. Apparently it’s what most couples fight about but I’m glad that isn’t the case in our house. Neither of us go out and just spend money so we have nothing to be mad about. Money has sure been on our minds lately though. With Christmas spending and then time off Brent had to work extra and he’s working extra to make up for time in Manitoba also. Once we survive the small cheque we’ll get from being in Manitoba and then get the next pay cheque I’ll be able to breathe a little more. We’ve done such a good job though. I’ve gotten to be rather good at being frugal. My one trick that’s saved us loads of money is making a meal plan for suppers each week and only buying accordingly. Some weeks we got away with less than 100 bucks for groceries and other weeks it was up to 200 but it was only things we NEEDED. I also used up a lot of our reserves around the house. It’s nutso to know that I can cook a meal with just a bunch of things that need using up. I’m going to continue with this plan and continue to save money in that area. Another thing we’ve changed is we use cash now. It’s a lot harder to hand a person 10 bucks cash then a card. Plus there have been many times I’ve been out and thought about wanting to buy something (always some sort of food) and then realizing I didn’t have the money on me so I didn’t. It’s a good idea! We can’t use our cards because we just have the money in there that’s coming out of the account for bills so NO TOUCHY!!
The amount of things we have to save for right now is almost suffocating me. We have so many things to think about as we will be evicted from our building anytime (they’re changing the units into condos) and we are pondering buying but we don’t really have anything saved for that. Also I’d like Brent to have a good amount of time off when baby comes. My mom will be here to help out for the week the baby comes but it would be nice to have time after that with just us. There’s teeth that need fixing, eyes that need check ups, maternity clothes that need buying, RRSP’s to get started, debts to pay off. Goodness, it can be crazy. I know there’s tons of people way worse off that we are. Once we get through the bad two weeks coming up then we’ll be doing pretty well again. This time since Christmas has turned me into a money freak though, probably more of a good thing because I’m finally paying attention to finances. When you don’t pay attention it’s rather scary, you just don’t want to look. I’ve done that for so many years, I just didn’t look at what was in my account because I was too scared of it. I have no idea how we got by but we did.
Anyway, I didn’t know what to write about today so I thought I’d just write about that because it’s been bothering me and it’s just part of being grown up. I think being open about it helps because you realize there’s a million people around you that are also going through the same thing at the same time. So that’s that. Money sucks, thank GOD (or Gord and Roselle) for my husband’s amazing work ethic!
Oh yes Leah, the money thing, how well I remember how it used to be. I’m glad that your husband our son has a good work ethic, Evan and I just spent the last 20min. talking about work ethic. I try to thank my husband often for providing for us. you are good at finding cheap stuff. You’ll get thru this time, and meanwhile do the best you can with what you have. Mom R
thanks for finding me and leaving me a comment. i couldn’t agree with this more!!! current issue causing stress.
Ya, you beez juz like my boy Snoop, Fazzizzle?
“Rollin down the street, smokin indo, sippin on gin and juice
Laid back [with my mind on my money and my money on my mind]”
…and this guy used to be a pastor?? Ha ha, um thanks for the uhhh….comment?
OK, real, possibly helpful comment: There is never enough money, but there is always enough money.
After 20+ years of marriage and raising two wonderful boys into manhood I can tell you that money “tightness” seems to be a constant reality for most people in the present, but when we look at our past it seems, somehow, it all worked out.
You will do your best and make it through and 10 or 15 years from now you won’t worry nearly as much.
Help:
Dave Ramsey’s book: The Total Money Makeover.
It didn’t make us rich (yet :)) but it’s helped us to budget and given us some sense of control.
I agree with Heather on TMM. It lays out a nice 7 step plan that makes tons of sense and works well. You may be able to get much of the info online as well.
Ya i’ve read some good books on money. We went to the bank to get a consoladation load and he’s like “you don’t have much debt”. It’s still bothering me. We didn’t get the loan because the lowest interest rate was 10% which is higher than some of our loans. We’re just going to work really hard on getting rid of the debt. We’re doing a lot better pay-check wise now. No more missed days and we got a $4 raise. WOOT!