Needing your help getting back on track.

**AnW819** · 05-26-2010, 10:38 PM

Its going to take DH and I about a month to get caught up on our current bills and back to working with a budget again.

Anyone who can help would be appreciated!

I am going to go with just DH's pay, because who knows when I am gonna get a job.

I am not going to add in weekend yard sale money either. That can be for EF or whatever else needs to be paid that week.

DH brings home at least $375 a week. Its ushally $460 but sometimes they only have him work 4 days a week so we will go with $375.

His car payment is $200 every other week.
Car insurance is $150 (might be a bit less now that there is not renters but not sure exactly what it is)
Gas is about 40 a week
Food $50 a week
Cell $40 a month (if DH gets a phone it will be 80 a month but we are gonna wait a bit for that)

And thats it. I know there are tons of other 'envelopes' I should have, but my DR book is packed

What else should I add to this and how should I break it down weekly?

**Kitten20** · 05-26-2010, 11:07 PM

The car is a huge chunk of money. I guess especially for me since I don't have a car payment -- seems like a lot! Can you sell the car? Is asking your DH to take the bus to work an option while you save up $1k or so for a beater? Just a thought.

**AnW819** · 05-26-2010, 11:47 PM

We had a beater and it was draining money from us left and right. Thank goodness we got this car we have now or I would not of known what we would do. There is no bus or anything DH can take to work, and taxi is not possible (frugally either) because he works 3rd shift. We like the car, and really want to keep it until its not an option. I don't think we can sell it either because we are in a lease.

Yeah its a big chunk of money but we got a good warranty on it, and its really nice to have a good reliable vehicle. We have had terrible vehicle nightmares these past 7 years. Ugh, the nightmares!! LOL!

**Lady_V** · 05-27-2010, 12:29 AM

Based on a 4 week month (not 4.2)

Income - $1500

Car - $400 ($1100)
Car insurance - $150 ($950)
Gas - $120 ($830)
Food - $200 ($630)
Cell - $40 ($590)

Owed (best guess)
Landlord - $1600
Cable - $500
Electric - $400

Cable and electric is going to have to wait in line... even paying the necessities it will take you 4 months just to pay the landlord back. If these are the only bills you are behind on, it looks like you will be caught up in 6 months if you don't have to pay your Dad rent, and a year if you do.

Of course, the arrears would be paid off quicker if you get a job, but I don't usually count money that isn't there.

If your Dad has a phone at the house, give your DH your phone and use the house phone for job contacts since you said before that DH needs a phone in the event of an emergency.

**AnW819** · 05-27-2010, 12:32 AM

Thanks! For rent, its gonna be more like $4000 owed if not more. We won't know for a while, til they take us to court and then we will figure out what the monthly payments will be. Not sure how all that works.

Dad does not have a house phone. So thats out, lol. Those are the only bills we are behind on (except comcast but, that will wait) and we do have to pay my dad $400 rent a month after we move in. Dad said he can be lenient if I do not have a job by then so we will see.

**Lady_V** · 05-27-2010, 12:41 AM

Hmmm... okay...

Income - $1500

Car - $400 ($1100)
Car insurance - $150 ($950)
Gas - $120 ($830)
Rent - $400 ($430)
Food - $200 ($230)
Cell - $40 ($190)

That makes things a bit tighter... If DH takes home more than $375 that week... IGNORE THAT MONEY! Take it out of the spending pool and save it for the landlord settlement.

Maybe you can tweak your food budget a bit more. I have feed the 3 of us on less than $200/month. Old Man and I are still fat, so we're not exactly starving over here... just no caviar.

Anything you make from the sales... stuff it in the "touch this money and flying monkeys will get you" jar along with the paycheck overages...

It will take a fair bit of time to get back on all 4 feet and it's better when they point the same direction.

The holidays are coming up (for crafters anyways) so, in your down time, think of gift crafts you can make with what you have on hand. You crochet... people go gaga for baby things (no pun intended)

**Palooka** · 05-27-2010, 12:45 AM

Ashley, not to be a downer, but what about those three ER visits? I know you don't have insurance but was curious if they are billing you, or you pay a little, or just putting that on the back burner for now?

**AnW819** · 05-27-2010, 12:48 AM

Yeah, while I am not banking on yardsale money I know that its there if we need a bit extra. I am going to crochet afghans like crazy til I get a job to sell for the holidays. Also I am going to make potholders.

Gosh $190 a month is not a lot at all left over

Lets pray I can get a job soon!

**AnW819** · 05-27-2010, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Ashley, not to be a downer, but what about those three ER visits? I know you don't have insurance but was curious if they are billing you, or you pay a little, or just putting that on the back burner for now?

Thats prolly gonna go on my credit. I have not even been able to pay on any of my debt at all because of all the crappy stuff thats been happening.