Financial Challenges Support Group
This community is for people who are struggling to meet financial obligations of any kind. Financial challenges include everything from the day-to-day challenges of making ends meet to managing credit card debt to bankruptcy. Get support from others who are going through similar obstacles on the road back to financial stability.
I need to start thinking of bills as financial freedom, and not a drudge, because to have what I own, is my dream, paying for my house payment each month, gives me shelter.
I need to start making a goal of financial stability and stick to that. Tomorrow seems like forever away, it's my pay day and I feel the stress coming on. I woke up at 3 this morning and could not go to sleep, thinking about all the bills I have to pay and thinking how am I going to make it to the next week. It is such a huge mtn.
Today I need to sit down and make a list of everything I need to pay and figure out what I need to save to make it to the next payday. I need to see where all my money goes.
I have been just making one big withdrawal every payday from my checking acct and after that is gone I don't spend unless I need gas in my car or food on my table.
I am overdrawn in my bank acct. which causes more stress because that is coming along with a overdraft fee.
I am starting this payday on my loan, which they will take over $100 out and that is a huge chunk..I am thinking with my meager income can I afford it. I wish I wouldn't of made that loan now. But thankfully it will be automatically withdrawn, and I won't see it, soon I won't even feel it. I wish I could say that about my other bills. I get paid every two weeks, and where I bank, they can only do set dates for everything to come out. So I would have to make sure the money is there all the time, I don't have that option yet. I need a cushion in my checking acct before I can set a date to withdraw auto on. That way I am covered. I know I am rambling, but If I get this down somewhere, I will be able to see what is rumbling around in my head. I have to see what I am thinking so I can work with what is on my brain.
If I put my $225 per cap into savings and don't touch it every month, I think I would be ok. But the not touching it is the hard part. Can I live on less than $500. every 2 weeks. That is not that much.
In my brain, I know I am paying for my house, light bill, gas, groceries, children clothes, household items (cleaning supplies, personal hygiene prods, etc.,), Phone (land, cell). and of course recreation activities. I have 2 repos I have to start paying on, and some other misc collections agencies that I need to start paying attn to.
I keep thinking I have to look at my bills as a source of getting what I want and that I am investing in myself and not that I am losing money every payday. Because I sit and think, what am I working for I don't get to enjoy any of it. All I do is work to pay bills....BUT....I enjoy a home of my own, electricity, transportation (I own it,paid cash, no payments), and am able to call my friends and family on the phones So I am sitting on one investment, my home. I have health, & life ins, and looking forward to 6 months on my job.
I have 6 more months until I can start my 401k with my company, and I am patiently waiting for that time to come around.
I think about cutting one of my phones off, land, and/or cell, but I have some family and friends who like my land line and others who prefer my cell. I know it doesn't make sense, but it does to me.
Enough for now, I will come back when I feel like rambling again. Tomorrow will take care of itself when that time comes. (aaah!!! forgot about my things in the pawn shop!!)
I need to start making a goal of financial stability and stick to that. Tomorrow seems like forever away, it's my pay day and I feel the stress coming on. I woke up at 3 this morning and could not go to sleep, thinking about all the bills I have to pay and thinking how am I going to make it to the next week. It is such a huge mtn.
Today I need to sit down and make a list of everything I need to pay and figure out what I need to save to make it to the next payday. I need to see where all my money goes.
I have been just making one big withdrawal every payday from my checking acct and after that is gone I don't spend unless I need gas in my car or food on my table.
I am overdrawn in my bank acct. which causes more stress because that is coming along with a overdraft fee.
I am starting this payday on my loan, which they will take over $100 out and that is a huge chunk..I am thinking with my meager income can I afford it. I wish I wouldn't of made that loan now. But thankfully it will be automatically withdrawn, and I won't see it, soon I won't even feel it. I wish I could say that about my other bills. I get paid every two weeks, and where I bank, they can only do set dates for everything to come out. So I would have to make sure the money is there all the time, I don't have that option yet. I need a cushion in my checking acct before I can set a date to withdraw auto on. That way I am covered. I know I am rambling, but If I get this down somewhere, I will be able to see what is rumbling around in my head. I have to see what I am thinking so I can work with what is on my brain.
If I put my $225 per cap into savings and don't touch it every month, I think I would be ok. But the not touching it is the hard part. Can I live on less than $500. every 2 weeks. That is not that much.
In my brain, I know I am paying for my house, light bill, gas, groceries, children clothes, household items (cleaning supplies, personal hygiene prods, etc.,), Phone (land, cell). and of course recreation activities. I have 2 repos I have to start paying on, and some other misc collections agencies that I need to start paying attn to.
I keep thinking I have to look at my bills as a source of getting what I want and that I am investing in myself and not that I am losing money every payday. Because I sit and think, what am I working for I don't get to enjoy any of it. All I do is work to pay bills....BUT....I enjoy a home of my own, electricity, transportation (I own it,paid cash, no payments), and am able to call my friends and family on the phones So I am sitting on one investment, my home. I have health, & life ins, and looking forward to 6 months on my job.
I have 6 more months until I can start my 401k with my company, and I am patiently waiting for that time to come around.
I think about cutting one of my phones off, land, and/or cell, but I have some family and friends who like my land line and others who prefer my cell. I know it doesn't make sense, but it does to me.
Enough for now, I will come back when I feel like rambling again. Tomorrow will take care of itself when that time comes. (aaah!!! forgot about my things in the pawn shop!!)
My monthly net income after all withdrawals life/health/ss/med is roughly along with per cap is about $1225.00
So I am roughly spending $535.01 over budget. It's crazy when its down on paper, how easy you see what, when, where you need to stop spending,
I see what I can take out and mostly its my rec life, I like to go eat out and treat my children on paydays. which is only twice a month, but it really takes out of our budget. Wow, can I still save that $225.00 every month.
The other thing is I am so impatient, I want things to happen right now, but I know that is not the case, I want the instant, and I know that is not how I should think, I need to change my mindset on how to manage my money.
I can't ignore my budget anymore, I need to sit down with my family and seriously talk to them about why we are overspending and start making them see what is really going on, with school starting in two weeks, I want them to see what we need to do so that they will have enough money to be able to afford other things while in school.
It is sure is tough being a single parent....
But until my friends are paying for my land line or cell phone, I don't think I would give them to option. That could save you good $$ right there. Throw that savings into a savings acct.
I hear you on that one, I can read until I can't see straight about budgeting, but sticking to one is far more exhausting for me. I know there is a sight where you can get your credit report for free once a year, I used mine already for the year, I have to wait until next January to get mine otherwise I need to pay for each one, I can't remember the price for a copy, but I would rather rcv it for free once a year. I hardly ever make credit purchases any way, cuz I am so broke. haha..I have to laugh to keep from crying...
I have pretty much given up everything extra. I go nowhere, do very little. It is time to really search for a job, but I dread it. I used to make so much more when I lived in a big city. This is crazy.
I have garage sales, shop at thrift stores for paint and house supplies. There is a great second hand store for household items, even doors, windows, everything for the house inside and out. Got paint, whole new gallons for $5 a piece. Someone had had them tinted and must not of needed so much. I painted a living room, kitchen, and 2 hallways for 10 dollars.
I moved to a nasty trailer house instead of paying useless rent. I paid off the 3,000 dollar tab, now only pay $165 a month lot rent. I have a big yard, no one next to me, and its walking distance to the convenience store if I really need anything.
I used to burn wood for heat at a different house. I gave up a beautiful home on a river with 5 acres. It cost too much. It was killing me. You can learn to adapt and still be fairly comfortable and happy.
I bought a beat up, ugly trailer, now the inside looks like something in a magazine. I found beautiful drapes at a thrift store too. Thrift stores don't just have ratty old things anymore. Got a Mr Coffee, brand new in the box for $3.00
All of that scrimping and I still can't make it very well.
My spouse, and I cannot seem to be on the same page regarding living in a trailor. At first I was the one against it because of the threat of tornados, now I am the one in favor of it, and my honey is not because of the threat of tornados. Still it may happen.
Our issue is transportation, and at this point we do not know how to reslove it.
Anyway CONGRATULATONS on your lovely home.
I have a sense of humor, I guess. I called my daughter and said, Bring out the pink flamingo's, mama lives in a trailer court. Thought about blasting Toby Keith's Trailerhood song outside. Don't think the neighbors would of thought that was funny. HAHA
Why invest in a home that will take years to pay for? I would like a DOUBLE WIDE, they are very nice. A few years ago, I found a triple wide, and it was fully furnished with the most beautiful furniture. It had been a model home. It was nicer than the homes I had in the past. It had a jacuzzi, walk in closet, that was huge. It had 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a dining room, monster sized kitchen, pretty living room, and a family room. Unreal. I sure wish we had nabbed it. It was very inexpensive compared to regular homes.
This trailer I have now is OLD, and its stood here many years, through many storms. Never blew away, never was demolished. My fiance is in prison, that's why I am so broke. But he started calling this spring paranoid of the storms too. He would make me promise to go to a friend's farmhouse. I joked and said, Ok, I will go there, and the storm will hit it, instead of my house. I left a few times, then stopped. Unless it is absolutely horrible out, I stay put now. I told him I would not leave every time there was dark clouds. I could quickly go down the road to a safer building.
I am older now, there is no time or money to spend on a REAL house. I have what I need here and someday we may leave it, or we could stay and have money to enjoy life, instead of using it only to pay bills. I think this is a good choice for me.
I aspire to be "trailor trash" lol so send me some pink flamingos too. There is much to be proud of in what you have accomplished. I would so much love it to be OURS, and not have to worry so much about my little doggies. We are very clean people, and take care of our little critters, however even with our very good rental references, many landlords do not want to rent to pet owners, especially with 3 little dogs.
Your home is YOURS!! and that is WONDERFUL.
Save and save what you can, learn to invest it and take a gamble sometime and you will achieve your true dream home one day..and be proud because its yours, paid for, and it will make you a stronger wiser person...