If I ask you nicely...

**Nishu** · 11-14-2009, 03:42 PM

Can you guys help me with something? I tend to get sidetracked with my financial goals, and i need some help staying focused. I'm hoping that if I report to you guys about how I"m doing, I won't be as tempted to stray.

Here is my current situation...

The children and I are planning on flying home to see family from mid Dec to the end of January, maybe early Feb. That's, let's see

~~Dec 1~~
Dec 15
Jan 1
Jan 15
~~Feb 1~~

These paychecks, plus I'm expecting a tax return of about 1500.

I have a credit card that I owe about 6000 on, and I'd like to get that paid off by Feb 15. I'm not going to include the Feb 1st payday in this calculation because we'll need a little money to throw around for some expenses I'm expecting at that time. At the moment I've got 1k in the bank, but I'm going to use that to buy plane tickets. Our December 1st paycheck will go to replenish my BEF so that will be left out of the calculations. I have 3 pay periods to work with, plus the 1500 that we should get for tax returns.

I doubt I'll be able to get rid of the entire balance without my feb 1st paycheck, but that's fine. It's just a goal I'm shooting for. Our BEF can be replenished with one paycheck, so I'm not above tapping into that, either.

It's kind of a complicated situation because I'm going to be on the road and that will be hella expensive. I'm going to post my bills and expected expenses, and if you guys could help me with ideas on how to cut down my costs without looking like a total cheapskate, that would rock. Thanks in advance! I'll be back to post my stuff in a min.

**Nishu** · 11-14-2009, 03:56 PM

We live in housing, so there's no rent or utilities.

Dec 1st

Pay $2278

Bills

17.30 - Pay as you go phone- this will be necessary because I'll need it while traveling.
56.00 - Insurance
40.00 - Citicard
144.90 - Van payment
125.00 - Student loan
~~17.00~~ - World of warcraft... This one will probably go first since we won't be home to use it.

Other
Groceries for 5 people
Possible wardroom dues or mess bills (no idea how much)
Gas money (typically 35 for the pay period.)

I have errands to run but I'm going to come back later and edit this for the other pay periods.

I'm mainly looking for areas that I've missed in which to cut back, ideas on what you think is reasonable for things like groceries, and how to keep my expenses under control while staying with family. I want to be frugal and most of my family will totally understand that, but I have to do it without pushing our costs onto other people, you know?

**Nishu** · 11-14-2009, 04:39 PM

Oh man, FV just posted this thread onto my facebook page. How embarrassing. Definitely not what I wanted to share with all my facebook friends.

**nodmicks** · 11-14-2009, 07:45 PM

I thinking checking in is a great idea! It certainly heklps me to check into the EF thread.

Opps on the facebook! If it makes you feel better I once accidentally sent out a document with all my financial stuff to everyone in my address book instead of just my buddy! I was horrified as a few clients were on that list.

**Russ** · 11-14-2009, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

Oh man, FV just posted this thread onto my facebook page. How embarrassing. Definitely not what I wanted to share with all my facebook friends.

I'm lost. How could that happen? It posts the whole thread or a link?

**NikoSan999** · 11-14-2009, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

Opps on the facebook! If it makes you feel better I once accidentally sent out a document with all my financial stuff to everyone in my address book instead of just my buddy! I was horrified as a few clients were on that list.

Oh man, this was the first really good laugh I've had for a few days. Almost spit my coffee. Hubby looking at me like I'm nuts.

**NikoSan999** · 11-14-2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by rcannon

I'm lost. How could that happen? It posts the whole thread or a link?

Somewhere there's a link/click on to have it show up on facebook. To kinda link the two together I guess. I accidentally found it one day. Don't remember where it's at. Thank goodness I don't have a facebook or I'd probably be spread all over it to.

Nishu, can you delete the posting on Facebook. Not familar with it but surely there would be some place to edit.

**Nishu** · 11-14-2009, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by NikoSan999

Somewhere there's a link/click on to have it show up on facebook. To kinda link the two together I guess. I accidentally found it one day. Don't remember where it's at. Thank goodness I don't have a facebook or I'd probably be spread all over it to.

Nishu, can you delete the posting on Facebook. Not familar with it but surely there would be some place to edit.

I did delete it but it was up for a few minutes. And yup, that's how it happened, the link. I had no idea that they post your threads as status updates. I'm glad I didn't post anything more personal than that!

So basically, since I've started this thread I've decided not to worry about my snowball until after hte new year. Don't hit me! After we buy our tickets home, I'm going to buy plane tickets for a cousin who lives in Germany to come visit for the holidays. It's probably not financially sound, but whatever, I'm going to do it anyway.

My grandparents lost their only two sons in two car accidents years apart. The cousin that I want to buy the ticket for is one of my uncle's children, and we haven't seen her or her brother in about 20 years. She stays in touch as much as she can and is very concerned about Grandma, but she hasn't visited up till now because she can't afford it. When I talked to her last, she was trying to find a ticket out here that she could afford because when my grandma first got sick, it was that serious. Everyone was getting ready to head out there.

So basically, come next payday we can pay for tickets for me, the kids, and her and her kid. So I'm going to. I don't know why I feel the need to tell you guys every little detail of my life, but there it is. The mid month pay of december will be used to refill my BEF- which would be empty by now- and then hopefully I'll get back on track. So belay my last, guys. I think that getting all the 6K paid off before Feb is going to be too ambitious.

**nodmicks** · 11-14-2009, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Nishu

I did delete it but it was up for a few minutes. And yup, that's how it happened, the link. I had no idea that they post your threads as status updates. I'm glad I didn't post anything more personal than that!

So basically, since I've started this thread I've decided not to worry about my snowball until after hte new year. Don't hit me! After we buy our tickets home, I'm going to buy plane tickets for a cousin who lives in Germany to come visit for the holidays. It's probably not financially sound, but whatever, I'm going to do it anyway.

My grandparents lost their only two sons in two car accidents years apart. The cousin that I want to buy the ticket for is one of my uncle's children, and we haven't seen her or her brother in about 20 years. She stays in touch as much as she can and is very concerned about Grandma, but she hasn't visited up till now because she can't afford it. When I talked to her last, she was trying to find a ticket out here that she could afford because when my grandma first got sick, it was that serious. Everyone was getting ready to head out there.

So basically, come next payday we can pay for tickets for me, the kids, and her and her kid. So I'm going to. I don't know why I feel the need to tell you guys every little detail of my life, but there it is. The mid month pay of december will be used to refill my BEF- which would be empty by now- and then hopefully I'll get back on track. So belay my last, guys. I think that getting all the 6K paid off before Feb is going to be too ambitious.

Bless your heart! Family is always more important!

**NikoSan999** · 11-15-2009, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Nishu

So basically, since I've started this thread I've decided not to worry about my snowball until after hte new year. Don't hit me! After we buy our tickets home, I'm going to buy plane tickets for a cousin who lives in Germany to come visit for the holidays. It's probably not financially sound, but whatever, I'm going to do it anyway.
Sometimes you just gotta do what your gut tells you to do. Sometimes you have to have a life not just exist.

My grandparents lost their only two sons in two car accidents years apart. The cousin that I want to buy the ticket for is one of my uncle's children, and we haven't seen her or her brother in about 20 years. She stays in touch as much as she can and is very concerned about Grandma, but she hasn't visited up till now because she can't afford it. When I talked to her last, she was trying to find a ticket out here that she could afford because when my grandma first got sick, it was that serious. Everyone was getting ready to head out there.

So basically, come next payday we can pay for tickets for me, the kids, and her and her kid. So I'm going to. I don't know why I feel the need to tell you guys every little detail of my life, but there it is.
Cause sometimes you just have to have someone to talk to.

The mid month pay of december will be used to refill my BEF- which would be empty by now- and then hopefully I'll get back on track. So belay my last, guys. I think that getting all the 6K paid off before Feb is going to be too ambitious.

You'll get back to normal when it is all said and done and in time. Again, sometimes you have to just plain live in the world and not just exist in it.
Enjoy your time with your family to the max and have fun making a lot of memories that will carry you thru when the time comes there will be no more time to make those memories and know you did the right thing.
Don't forget your camera...take alot of picutres so the girls will have them later.

**itlw8** · 11-16-2009, 10:32 AM

so you want to cut costs while on your trip ? and you are staying with family.

food seems to be a big expense and people always want to go out.. can't afford to take your hosts out to eat then YOU get the groceries and cook them a fancy meal at home.

Chip in some cash for the food budget so they do not bear the expense and let them know you want to find fun things to do that are cheap or free.

**Lindsey** · 11-18-2009, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by NikoSan999

You'll get back to normal when it is all said and done and in time. Again, sometimes you have to just plain live in the world and not just exist in it.
Enjoy your time with your family to the max and have fun making a lot of memories that will carry you thru when the time comes there will be no more time to make those memories and know you did the right thing.
Don't forget your camera...take alot of picutres so the girls will have them later.

Ditto! The memories will last a lifetime!

**Nishu** · 11-21-2009, 03:25 AM

I booked my tickets today! I'm so excited! And suddenly so much poorer!

**frugalfranny** · 11-21-2009, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by nodmicks

Opps on the facebook! If it makes you feel better I once accidentally sent out a document with all my financial stuff to everyone in my address book instead of just my buddy! I was horrified as a few clients were on that list.

Have a good time nishu! I second what niko said about 'living life'....ENJOY!

Nodmicks............THAT is just too funny! Thanks.......I really needed the laugh.........god, I would just die! Now everytime I think of this story I will chuckle!!