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Let's talk moola...
because the money matters board simultanieously bores theshit out of me, and makes me feel like I might have to be buried in a shoebox one day because I will have nothing to my name.
I am trying to figure out a reasonable budget. And I'm not sure where to get started. I am going to be buying a new to me car in the next year, and while all the numbers of my bills, saving, and paycheck look like I'll be fine, I'm thinking "where is that money now"? So I did a little investigation and realized we spend an ASSLOAD of money on dining out. Like, embarssingweshouldweigh500lbs assload. Part of the issue is that I have my base salary, but then every few paychecks, I'll have a bunch of extra money from taking call and overtime at my job. So I have this range of money where one month I might make 40% more than usual. And then I apply that to bills or savings or repairing something on the home/car. So there's no real system in place.
So how do you all handle the entertainment/dining spending? I am honestly considering doing the envelope gig, and hoping that seeing that cash dwindle through the month will keep us in check. Any recomended websites you like to use?
Re: Let's talk moola...
I like Mint.com, but I have BoA and there's a ridiculous lag between their site and Mint, so it doesn't help me at all.
Anyway. We usually withdraw an agreed upon amount on Friday afternoon and that's our fun money for the weekend. We don't go out/order in during the week anymore. Works for us.
I bet her FUPA's name is Shane, like the gunslinger/drifter of literature.--HappyTummy
We don't have a set way of budgeting, but the envelope idea is a good one. We only order in on Friday nights, and only go out to dinner about once a month now. I've also resolved to only buy my lunch once a week and I've noticed a big difference in my budget.
My mother used to look at her grocery bill every week, and put aside the money she saved from using coupons or buying sale items, and that was their going out to eat money. I was always surprised at how it added up, and I've been thinking of doing the same thing.
So do you have to enter your money/debt into mint, or do they just gather that info each month after you give them your accounts? Does mint offer suggestions on how many dollars should go to each debt, or does it just give an overall view of your spending?
I used to have a Discover card and the account was analyzed each month to show how I spent my money in different catagories. That credit card has been paid off for a while, but I always enjoyed seeing that little pie chart. Of course, seeing that pie chart showed me I was spending frivolously on concert tickets, baseballs games and whatnot so that's why it is now paid off and hiding in my freezer in a solo cup block of ice.
I have a similar system with my coupons. I look at the amount saved, and transfer that amount from my checking account into my savings account. I like the idea that one day I'll be able to buy a plane ticket somewhere awesome that was paid for by years of couponing. Of course, you have to be aware of what you are buying with coupons, otherwise you wind up with 6 bottles of bbq sauce that you never use. But it was only 44 cents! I usually save my coupons up for the periodic triple coupon sale that my grocery does.
Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
www.focushunting.com
I'm a loon with an excel spreadsheet that keeps track of everything that comes in and comes out. Spending money, food and gas is all included too. It is monthly, so 2 months out of the year we get an extra paycheck from Kevin, and I just let that money sit in the account to cover things like water and sewer tax, vet bills, etc.
I can send it if you want.
For less then ten cents a day, you can feed a hungry child.
I bet her FUPA's name is Shane, like the gunslinger/drifter of literature.--HappyTummy
We must also be loons. We created a spreadsheet when we were saving for our house that showed everything we were spending. It was really very enlightening and made us tighten our purse strings when we saw how quickly all the little stuff was adding up. I think just being more aware of the money you are spending whether it be in an envelope or on paper will benefit you.
2/20/2011
Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
www.focushunting.com
This was my original intention, but I think I get overwhelmed on budgeting in general.
I mean, our cell phone bill is $180 a month, combined. And we went to the store last night to see if there was anything we could do, lower the minutes/texting or whatever. And we are as low as we can reasonably go- unless we give up data packages or really start using the phone less. So now I'm like a 17 year old again with my first cell phone, waiting until 9 pm to make out of network calls to my sister.
So anyway, back to budgeting. The phone bill will always be $180 a month for the term of our contract. So it doesn't really matter what experts consider acceptable for that, it is what it is. Same with our utilities, water is about $40, and my electric is averaged over the year to be $143/month. I drive over 20,000 miles per year in a an 8 year old Honda Accord. I can't help what I pay in gas.
So I guess I don't understand the point of a budget on your entire life, if some bills will always be out of your control.
I thought your suggestion to cut back from 3 gardeners to 2 was really helpful.
"That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton
A budget helps you keep track of all of the other stuff that is in your control.
We suck at budgeting though. We've done it really rigorously a few times for specific short term goals. But we both like to shop too much.
we all fall down sometimes
brass and ballet flats
Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
www.focushunting.com
That tactic is awesome....my mind spins with the frozen ice possibilities....