Archive for the ‘Budgeting’ Category

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Friends and Food


21 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Food, Friendship, Relationships | Comments Off

No Mythbusters entry until later this evening. Last night I went out and had a wonderful dinner with an amazing group of friends. We talked about dogs and books and computer games and food.

We took part in Seattle Restaurant Week (which this spring lasts 2 weeks), so we were able to go to a fancy restaurant, order off a special menu and pay a lower price than usual. Of course, we were at a fondue place and they don’t have the cheese fondue on their special menu, so we paid a little extra a got some of that to.

Student Loan Debt


15 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, School | Comments Off

Student loan debt has been in the news again. The reality of college is changing. More and more employers expect a college degree, even for entry level jobs, and colleges are becoming more and more expensive. It is becoming less and less possible for students to pay their own way through school working part time and getting federal aid. It creates this space for private lenders to mortgage the future of the next generation.

And this wouldn’t be YM if there weren’t at least a couple mentions that loans are okay for Pharmacy school, but not for an English degree.

Life happens when its the most inconvenient


13 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Car repair, Finances, Home Ownership | Comments Off

I had a plan for this week, a very good plan. Then the work in the basement took a day longer to complete, and there was an error in the verification of our taxes, so those took a day longer to submit.

In addition, we had an appointment scheduled for the car to get an oil change on Thursday, because I need to do some running around for work today. But on Tuesday night, the check engine light came on. So now the car is going in to the shop today, and I’ll be getting a loaner from the dealership.

Taking care of you


08 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Dental Care, Finances, Healthcare | Comments Off

There are a number of controversial threads going on YM this week, but I wanted to talk about this much simpler (and shorter) one. How much is your smile worth?

For people who are really involved in debt payoff, wealth building, net worth, and assets, it can sometimes be hard to remember that we really do need to invest in ourselves. $10,000 is a lot of money. I don’t know anyone who would argue it isn’t. The question is, are you worth it? Is keeping your own teeth and having good dental health worth $10,000? With or without dental insurance?

The world is not made of lists


01 Apr

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Friendship, Relationships | Comments Off

One of the things about financial boards is that we are all Type A personalities (or close to it). We are planners, list makers, get things done now now now types of people. Its something we have to remember because most of the world is not like that, including many of our spouses.

This thread is about a spouse who doesn’t react to stress the way his Type A personality wife does, and its driving her crazy. Yes, there are financial issues and steps need to be taken, but we can’t force other people to think and act like us.

California Dreaming


23 Mar

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Home Ownership, Travel | Comments Off

I recently planned a vacation we will never take. Well, never may be a strong word, but the likelihood is probably 15% or less.

I like planning. I like dreaming. I know how much we can technically afford, and I love the idea of going places.

So why won’t we take the trip? Mostly because the money we have would be better spent preventing the basement from flooding, paying for college, or saving for a trip to Europe in a couple of years.

Still, I like my $1,000 dream, and will hold on to it for a day or two.

 

Feeling Overwhelmed By Debt


25 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Kind of a classic YM thread, even though there doesn’t appear to have been much movement on it.

In this case, we have a first time poster talking about feeling overwhelmed by debt, feels like she never has money, and yet is also certain that she would have nothing to do if she didn’t spend money on entertainment.

The regular posters are actually being pretty nice, asking for a budget breakdown, letting her know it is normal to feel this way, and offering a way out. I hope she’s moved over to the Women in Red boards as was suggested.

Monthly vs Yearly Budgeting


18 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

I get paid every two weeks, so my monthly budget is based on two paychecks. That means that twice a year, I get an “extra” paycheck. Are they really extra? Of course not, they’re just not accounted for in my monthly budget.

I also have a yearly budget, and those two “extra” checks, they are definitely accounted for in it. They go toward helping us meet debt payoff and savings goals.

Sure, I could account for them in the monthly budget, but the way its set up works, and when it comes to the budget, working is what I need.

Couples and their Money


04 Feb

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Marriage, Relationships | Comments Off

We’re discussing a 5 part series on Slate about how couples manage their finances. Do they combine all their money, just some of it, or none of it?

We’re common potters, in the author’s terms. It is what works best for us, but I don’t believe that is the only way for people to manage their finances. Much like everyone’s marriage is different, how they manage their money as a couple (or as individuals) is a decision best left up to them. There is no right way, there isn’t even a “grown up” way, other than not constantly bouncing checks.

Women in Red Racers


28 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

When you become a racer, you decide what debt you most want to get rid of, then go write down the exact amount of that debt- no fudging, no rounding. Each month you track what you’ve paid off.

The captains keep track of it all and do weekly shout-outs and awarding smiley faces to encourage the racers.

Sometimes you’re the hare- we paid off a full 1/3 of our race last year. And sometimes the tortoise- expecting it to be another 4 years before our race is won. But you have a goal and people to help you get there.

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