January 15th, 2008
I’ve never been one to budget my money; I’ve lived a life of: “if there’s money in the bank, we’re doing good”. I’ve gotten away with little savings, not looking ahead and no preparation for unforeseen circumstances. Should something arise that needed to be taken care of, well, that’s what credit cards are for.
I’ve been lucky. We’ve been lucky.
Mike has lived on very much the same track as I, though, a little more recklessly.
We’ve been contemplating a move lately, we have a second child on the way and we want also to stop living pay cheque to pay cheque. I’ve been suffering mild panic attacks as to how we can do all this and still live comfortably.
In comes the budget.
Thank god for family that are willing to help us learn, because without them? I’d be up shit creek without my paddle.
Sunday we sat down and went through our finances and realized that yes, we’re living pay cheque to pay cheque, but within our income. That was nice to know.
Though seeing where exactly all our money is going?
Not so nice.
I think I had heartburn all afternoon.
Now, Mike and I both make decent salaries and we’ve worked really hard to get where we are at this point: job wise. Our careless spending over the past 7 years would show otherwise. Eating out, banking interest charges and frivolous spending have eaten away at much of what would be considered extra cash.
Not cool.
So we’re cutting back. We’re taking out the wasteful spending by making lunches, not eating out as much and paying down loans faster then just by the allotted times given by the banks.
Dude, the hardest part? Making a damn lunch.
I’ve mentioned so many times that I am NOT a cook. I detest the thought of even trying to prepare a simple lunch. I think it goes way back to being forced to make my lunches while in school and having my mother breathe down my neck telling me what was acceptable or not. But I’ve made a commitment to do this and I have to do this in order to get to these financial goals we’ve set for ourselves.
Sunday night consisted of a few grunts and groans and a lot of swearing while I rooted through the cupboards for the easiest possible lunch solutions.
Nothing that I wanted.
I ended up packing a bagel, some cheese slices, an apple and a yogurt then placing it in the fridge to take Monday morning.
I forgot it.
Sitting at work in the morning, I received a call from Mike to let me know that he knew I forgot my lunch. He proceeded to remind me about the importance to taking my lunch and why we’re doing this.
Nothing like making me feel like a complete ass as I munched down on my take out spaghetti and meatballs. I’m pregnant! I can’t very well forgo a meal.
Then even after gentle reminders with a sprinkle of guilt, that lunch remains in the fridge again this morning.
Which leaves me with one conclusion.
Day 2: I royally suck at this budget thing.
i cannot budget. it’s not in my genetic make-up
ali’s last blog post..warning: this post is all over the place
January 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Dude, I hear ya. Budgets suck. Unfortunately, we really need to stick to ours (SAHM, one paycheck, blah, blah, blah…) It’s a good thing that my husband is good at it or else we’d be in real trouble!
Jackie’s last blog post..My Gift to You
January 15th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Two words: frozen dinners.(I’m assuming that you have a microwave at work, I guess.). More expensive than making something, but still way cheaper than take-out. I used to write my name across them in huge sharpie letters and take 5 at a time and leave them in the freezer for the week (and…now I’m assuming you have a freezer at work, too).
I feel the paycheck-to-paycheck thing. Only now it’s just Mike’s paycheck, and I get to hear crap about how I spend every dime.
Lexi’s last blog post..P.S.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Oh honey. I suck at budgeting too, and I’m married to a financial planner. A money wizard. Yikes.
I’ve been mulling over a post actually about finances and planning and shit. If that comes together I’ll let you know. It’ll probably be hilarious.
I try to bring lunch too and REALLY often forget it. Try this. Sunday go to the grocery and buy some soups, frozen dinners, popcorn, pretzels, yogurt, trail mix, drinks, blah blah. Enough for the week. Bring it to work and stash it in the fridge there. Remembering once a week if better than daily.
Amy3’s last blog post..Old Enough To See Behind Me
January 15th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Make packing a lunch fun - ok, it sounds lame, but try buying things for your lunch at the store that would be easy to pack and fun to eat. Pita and hummus or tzatziki, veggies and dip, cut up cheese and pickles with crackers, fruit salad, etc.
If you do it all on Sunday night, you’re set for the week.
Mrs. Mustard’s last blog post..Of Penises and Playboy Bunnies
January 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Packing a lunch is one of the hardest “budget” things for me to do.
Here are some things that have helped me:
I “buy” lunches at the grocery store. Like those little South Beach kits, microwaveable things, something. Yes, it’s more than making a sandwich - but it’s way less than ordering take out.
Also, I don’t know if you have a fridge at work, but I have taken “groceries” into work - like lettuce, meat, wraps, bread, a tub of cottage cheese, whatever - and kept them in the fridge all together in a bag. So I “make” lunch when I’m at work.
And finally, I try to plan my lunches just like I plan my dinners when I go grocery shopping. This is probably the #1 money saver for me (for both dinner and lunch).
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Day 2 of Miss Britt Week: According to Mister Britt
January 15th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Ugh. I don’t even work outside the home and I hate figuring out what to make for lunch.
I think we need personal chefs. That work for free of course, for us budget-conscious gals.
Jennifer’s last blog post..Rice, Rice Baby
January 15th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Budget and Hate go together all in the same damn sentence.
January 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Just remember… getting OUT of debt is a hundred times harder than getting INTO debt.
You can do it! It takes some time getting used to. “They” say it takes 2 or 3 months to get your budget working the way you want it to. Don’t expect results in the first few days!
January 15th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Budget is a four letter word to me. It makes my lower intestine seize.
That painted a pretty picture.
And! I would sooner go without a lunch than have to pack it. But you’re prego, so remember your lunch and give the offspring all of it’s much needed nutrition. Thus concludes my PSA.
January 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I am a numbhead…I put .com instead of .org in my blog.
I’m new to this.
Really.
Did you remember your lunch?
January 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Another vote for the microwave dinner things. Plus a peice of fruit and that is my usual lunch. I actually love to eat sandwichs on the weekend because I eat those microwave things all week.
Jenn
Jenn’s last blog post..Catching Up
January 15th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Dido to Jenn! Bring Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones, etc…
Also, I’ve found since I’m on a severe diet kick that once you go grocery shopping when you come home with
all health foodall the snacky stuff like crackers,occasional carrots, celery,cookies, etc… It’s MUCH easier, right then and there to seperate them into baggies right away. That way, in the morning you can just grab and go. Everything is already pre-packaged and already in it’s own bag. I really like bringing microwavable meals to work becauseI’m lazy andI don’t have to think about it then. Much easier! Also, throw in a banana or apple or something… Did you know they say Apples give you more energy in the morning that caffeine in coffee and pop can’t do?? Crazy!Just some pointers, because I know getting into the happy is hard when you’re so used to having take out, but you’ll enjoy it once you get it into your routine. Make it fun, and buy good food that you know you’ll love! Not that your on a diet cause you’re preggo, but the 100 Cal Pack Fudge Stripe cookies are to die for!
January 15th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
You’ll get used to it. After a while you’ll remember to take it. It’s just something new. And I hear ya about the budget thing. Though good luck not living pay check to pay check. I think most of us do. ((hugs))
Brenda’s last blog post..Go Pack Go!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Budget. It’s such a dirty word. And I suck hard at it too. Good luck to you.
Redneck Mommy’s last blog post..Just A Mom
January 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I’m jealous…the closest we get to a budget is talking about one.
I officially had my first day back at work today from 1 glorious year of maternity leave…well, at my new job…and I somehow managed to spend $68 on food to take to work for lunch this week so I could save $$, not to mention the $30 on a swanky new lunchbag and another $32 on a new water bottle. Geez. I think I need help from the Sam and Mike program!
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 am