Archive for the ‘Budgeting’ Category

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Controlled / No Spend


07 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | 1 Comment »

I have been a member of the Controlled / No Spend board since last February. This board does for my budgeting what my critique group does for my writing. They take what I have, point out the good, and show me how to make it better. They offer the moral support to say no, I do not need a trip to the vending machine or company cafeteria today.

The ladies there take a holistic approach to finances and understand that the complicated bits of our lives can have the biggest influence on how, when, and where we spend our money.

Student Loan Frustration


05 Jan

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Citibank owns my graduate student loans. In December, I called to complain that my auto-payment had been cancelled. They said it was because I had already made a payment that billing cycle. Well, I made a payment this billing cycle, so imagine my surprise when an auto-payment was taken from my account this morning. It’s what I wanted, but not what they told me, and there was no communication letting me know the terms of their auto-pay had changed. And worse, the amount wasn’t for my new minimum payment, my old minimum payment, or even the difference between the two.

Women In Red


31 Dec

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Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

On Dec 30, 2009, I decided I needed extra motivation and accountability when it came to paying down our debt. We didn’t know how long unemployment would last, and debts that had seemed like no big deal when we were both working loomed menacingly overhead.

I started with the Women In Red message boards whose purpose was to help women get out of debt (men are welcome). I became a Racer, someone with specific debt payoff goals.

Today, I’m linking to the new home of the WIR. It’s a nice place to visit, and a great place to stick around.

Financial Politics (2)


19 Dec

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Politics | Comments Off

There is a Bible story about Joseph interpreting the Pharaoh’s dream of seven fat cows followed by seven starving cows. Joseph tells the Pharaoh that it means that there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and that in order to make it through the famine years, they should save during the years of plenty.

This is sound fiscal advice, advice I wish our government would follow. We may not know when the lean years will come, but they always do. They ALWAYS do. During the years of plenty, we should be funding our future.

Financial Politics (1)


18 Dec

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Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Politics | Comments Off

I am a social liberal (who’d have guessed, right.). And while my nature is to be fiscally conservative, our government isn’t, and has never been (at least in my lifetime), so I would rather we spend the money on liberal social programs.

I should clarify, when I say I am fiscally conservative, I don’t mean we should spend more on the military (payroll yes, other things, not so much), or give tax breaks to the rich. I mean, we should be responsible with our spending, in the same way that as an individual, I need to be responsible my money.

Visiting Sacramento


15 Oct

Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Food, Travel | 1 Comment »

We had a great time in Sacramento. We were lucky enough to stay with a dear friend who I hadn’t seen in seven years. He was a gracious host and took us to a few wonderful places to eat. Ginger mango chicken is completely superior to sweet and sour chicken in every way, and squash blossom with goat cheese makes a wonderful appetizer.

I also had the chance to meet with a few friends from my budgeting message boards. It was wonderful to finally meet these ladies in person and have faces and real names to put with screen names.

 

Spending money


18 Aug

Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

We are incapable of going to Frys and not spending money. We just are. And I’m not talking about the money we go there intending to spend. Oh no, even when we’re just going to look, there’s always something that we realize we need while we’re there.

I don’t regret the purchases; I just wish I was better at planning for them. I should know that if we’re going to Frys, we are going to spend at least $50, likely more. Maybe I need to work that in as a budget item: Frys visit once every two months, cost $100

The little things


12 Aug

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

Years ago, before we were dating, my husband and I were rough housing and he broke my watch. It was the night he realized he was in love with me. He bought me a watch for my college graduation, and I wore it every day for 8 years, until I lost it.

Since then, I’ve had trouble finding a watch I liked that didn’t cause a skin reaction and worked reliably. Earlier this week, my husband had the car for the afternoon. He spent two months of his spending “allowance” (we both have them) to buy me a new watch.

Running the numbers


15 Jul

Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Work | Comments Off

A friend of mine just got a job offer where compensation is base plus commission. Since she is in sales, this is pretty standard. Since she is the primary earner in her family, though, it can be a bit scary.

The company has given her two offers. The first with a low (especially for her) base, but a high commission percentage. The second offer has a much higher base (still not what she had been making) but a significantly lower commission percentage.

I ran the numbers to find the break even point, and I have to say, play the percentages.

Financial Moral Support


04 Jun

Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Late last year, as part of our resolution to get our finances under control, I joined the Women in Red message boards over at msn.com. The (mostly) women on these boards provide moral support, good advice, and help hold me accountable to our financial goals.

I am an active member on two boards, the West Region Racers, which is all about paying down debt, and the Controlled/No Spend board, which is about sticking to your budget and finding those little leaks in your spending. Both are helping me to stay focused on long term goals and allow the occasional rant.

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