It's still hard paying bills sometimes...

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-09-2009, 09:58 PM

but I'd rather pay them than let myself be in financial ruin again.

We're not slacking on our debt repayment and we've paid $800 in the last two months.

We used the CC for school purchases but I paid the entire amount due just now. That's $710.15 right out of my slush fund.

I paid all three of our regular bills that we normally pay. We still have money in our checking accounts.

Now, this is not me condoning the use of a credit card. This is me saying that it's ok to use the credit card as long as you're able to pay it off before the grace period for that purchase ends. I purchased a majority of items last weekend, plus more tonight. I paid the entire amount now before it even had a chance to show up on my statement. I know there are not a lot of people out there with enough restraint to do what I do, but it works for me and gives me the confidence to use my credit card in a responsible manner.

My slush fund went from $1391.54 to $681.39. That's ok with me. The entire reason the slush fund is there is to buffer anything for this month, next month and October. I purchased clearance or sale items for about 85% of what I got in the last week. I even bought clearance items for my new niece (which I must say, it was really hard to spoil her but for the price I paid on some items, it was worth it). My kids school shopping is paid for, Stellar has some adorable clothes that my SIL really needed for her and the school fees are also covered. I even have cash left over for when my mom comes to town for a week and birthdays are also covered for both boys.

Last year, we were not in the same position to do this as we are now. We struggled a lot to accomplish things last year that were easier to do this year with enough planning.

So now, my slush fund will get $100 per month for a contribution. I'm going to start picking up Christmas things now and plan out how much to spend per person. We had $1000 last year for Christmas and I'd like to do that this year as well. If we can't, that's ok with me just as long as we get things for everyone that they really enjoy.

This financial thing is hard work, even with all of the planning in the world. You just have to realize that you're doing it to guard your sanity and make you feel less stressed about what's happening.

**husky9273** · 08-10-2009, 01:07 AM

I know I need a starting point but I don't know where to start. Things have gotten worse with only one person bringing in funds. I've had to borrow just to keep the basics going. I know its going to take sacrifice and steadfastness but I know its the only way to change things.
Being on a fixed income makes it even harder. I'm in the doughnut hole and I pay full price for 3/4 of my medicines.
I have a chronic illness that has no cure and no definite medications. The few meds that are generic I have but the remainder are newer drugs that are working and since I've been ill for over 19 years its hard to change to things that don't work anymore.
Anyone willing to help me get started and be a mentor would be greatly appreciated.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

**mauimagic** · 08-10-2009, 01:13 AM

Husky9273, I'm sure that you will find people who will be able to give you the advice that you need. And there are others, like me, who will support you as you go on your journey. Glad that you're here with the rest of us at FV - we are all learning what we need to know and do.

**husky9273** · 08-10-2009, 02:03 AM

Thank you.
I'm ready to get things in place and stay on track.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-10-2009, 02:23 AM

We bring in basically an income and a half. DH makes about $2200/mo and I have $500/mo for my disability pension, plus the kids get $230 a month for their tax credit.

What we do is we just look for ways to cut things, then put that money that we would have normally spent on the things we cut into a savings account. For example, we're getting rid of our home phone because we changed the alarm system coverage that we were having before. Now, we'll pay an extra $11/mo but we're saving $54 because we won't have the home phone anymore. We'll tuck that $54 into savings and within a year, we'll have about $624 more.

It's definitely harder when you're having to spend more cash especially for things like medication. Have you contacted the company that manufactures your medication to see if they have income programs to help out?

I'm more than willing to lend advice where it's needed.

**frugalfranny** · 08-10-2009, 03:06 AM

But stick with it and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck.........hang in there!

**mamamia** · 08-10-2009, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

It's definitely harder when you're having to spend more cash especially for things like medication. Have you contacted the company that manufactures your medication to see if they have income programs to help out?

I'm more than willing to lend advice where it's needed.

I wanted to mention the same thing. Please do know that we're here to help whenever possible. And wanted to also say that I too have heard of programs to help people who are paying full price for their meds. You might be able to start by calling Social Services at your nearest hospital, or possibly even speaking to your pharmacist would help. If one or the other doesn't know, please don't give up. There IS help out there, and there is a way to get it.

Please do let us know if we can help, and also please keep us up-dated. You might even start a thread here on FV asking as to whether or not anyone has gottten help with their RX bills, or maybe can at least give you a lead in the right direction.

Hoping the best for you! Please take care of yourself.

Theresa

**pop goes the weasel** · 08-10-2009, 06:56 AM

My plan works for me but not for my dh. He can't seem tograsp the fact that my unemployment will be running out and that he needs to stick to the plan. There's no reason that we can't live on his income. He just won't quit spending. Right now we have 40 bucks to last 2 weeks. We should have well over 300. I don't know what he spends it on but it has to stop.

**Palooka** · 08-10-2009, 08:29 AM

MomToTwoBoys, sounds like you guys' are doing a great job!

**Greebo** · 08-10-2009, 08:59 AM

"It's still hard paying bills sometimes..."

I am calling today to have our very last CC account canceled. This was the Visa we opened for the rental property renovations. We got a debit card for our business account and are forcing ourselves to go cash only on the business, EVEN THOUGH we kept paying off this one CC fully every time.

Why?

Because of your thread topic. It's HARD to pay off that big bill and give up that cash. It's TEMPTING to hang onto it, and pay down the debt a little at a time.

And for me, that way lies ruin - so the CC's have to go. I'm glad you have the will power to keep up with paying it off in full. Too dangerous for me!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-10-2009, 11:27 AM

Yeah I'll be honest...

paying that huge chunk of cash really put a knot in my stomach.

It was planned, though, and I think I just have a harder time separating myself from money than I do with paying on the CC itself. I didn't have a lot of cash while growing up, so I sort of guard what I have with this ownership that comes with separation anxiety syndrome.

I told MIL the other day that our plan from now on was to only use the cards if we could pay them off and I told her about my savings plan. Her biggest worry was that we'd rack up more charges on the cards and not pay them off at the end of the month. So I decided to go one up on her and pay them off before the statement had a chance to hit my email inbox.

I've come to realize that the CC cash is not my cash and I have to respect it even more than I respect the money in my savings account. I think once you get to that level, you definitely have a tighter grasp on your financial health than before.

**beks37** · 08-10-2009, 12:02 PM

Good job on paying the balance in full! It's hard, but looks like you have a plan in place to make that happen.

**husky9273** · 08-11-2009, 09:52 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions and other stuff.

I'm still going over the bills, and trying to estimate the time required to pay things off according to paying a specific amount. Some of the ending dates are so long away but it can be done I just have to stay on track.

I'm researching part-time jobs. It all takes time.

I've gone online and located the pharmarcy companies that make my medicines. Some have already said no, because I have medicare. Even though I have explained the doughnut hole situation, its a start. One of my doc's has agreed to assist. That in itself is a start.

Slowly but steady is the answer.

I appreciate the suggestions, and offers to help.

Thank you so much.

**Nana2two** · 08-11-2009, 11:47 PM

Husky can you order some meds from Canada? My doctor is all for cheaper meds and he said if you can get them from canada, by all means do. Some people say the meds are not the same, THEY ARE THE SAME. I know many people that order from Canada.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-12-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Nana2two

Husky can you order some meds from Canada? My doctor is all for cheaper meds and he said if you can get them from canada, by all means do. Some people say the meds are not the same, THEY ARE THE SAME. I know many people that order from Canada.

Some medication is definitely a lot cheaper here than in the US. I get Risperidol (generic) for my DS10 and we pay $10 (but the total for 60 pills is $25.39). I know that my Symbicort was $99, but we paid a $10 co-pay on it. My mom told me about how much her Advair was and I just about hit the floor.

Medication prices are extremely overinflated in the US. I'd definitely look into medication via other means. I also want to express caution because internet sales are sort of shady in some aspects.