peek at our budget please

[nodmicks]

$ 660 mortgage ( taxes and ins)
$ 150 electric
$230 insurance ( cars and 2 term life policies~ all paid yearly)
$30 vet bills (sinking fund)
$68 chiro
$55 internet ( only 1 company available)
$75 school
$15.14 satellite radio in dh work truck
$109 cell bills ( no home phone)
$320 groceries ( 4 people , 1 gluten free)
$60 pet and livestock feed
$16.50 TV
$300 medical fund
$28 garbage ( only 1 company available)
$250 home repairs( sinking)
$200 car repairs ( sinking)
$50 clothes
$25 car tags
$40 date night
$300 sharing
$ 100 work expenses ( tools, licensing etc~ sinking)
$20 hunting/fishing
$410 gas
$100 gifts
$200 ds loan if he would happen to lose his job

So do you see any glaring items to cut? Also you dont see retirement, health or disability ins or union dues as they are all taken out before we see the $. I have been rearranging things since the $100 going into sinking funds in car and medical and home repair is not cutting it as the empty ffef can attest too

[krbshappy71]

$ 660 mortgage ( taxes and ins)
$ 150 electric
$230 insurance ( cars and 2 term life policies~ all paid yearly)
$30 vet bills (sinking fund)
$68 chiro
$55 internet ( only 1 company available)
$75 school
$15.14 satellite radio in dh work truck
$109 cell bills ( no home phone)
$320 groceries ( 4 people , 1 gluten free)
$60 pet and livestock feed
$16.50 TV
$300 medical fund
$28 garbage ( only 1 company available)
$250 home repairs( sinking)
$200 car repairs ( sinking)
$50 clothes
$25 car tags
$40 date night
$300 sharing
$ 100 work expenses ( tools, licensing etc~ sinking)
$20 hunting/fishing
$410 gas
$100 gifts
$200 ds loan if he would happen to lose his job

So do you see any glaring items to cut? Also you dont see retirement, health or disability ins or union dues as they are all taken out before we see the $. I have been rearranging things since the $100 going into sinking funds in car and medical and home repair is not cutting it as the empty ffef can attest too

Are your sinking funds pretty well padded now? I agree to stop those.

What's $300 sharing? Tithing/volunteering type money?

Off the top of my head, temporarily to build the EF back up I'd suggest:

Stop sinking funds
Stop gifts or chop that in half at least
Stop Sharing just until you get to your first 1k BEF
Stop Medical fund unless it would immediately impact someone
Stop clothes, hopefully with $50 a month budgeted you've been building that up and don't actually need to spend that every month.
Stop date night, or slash in half, eat at home, just until get your 1k BEF

That's it for my two bit thoughts, HANG IN THERE!!!

[nodmicks]

Are your sinking funds pretty well padded now? I agree to stop those.

Nope they are not padded besides the insurance. Vet has enough for everyone's shots that are due. Home repair, car repair and medical are empty

What's $300 sharing? Tithing/volunteering type money?

yes , this is charity

Off the top of my head, temporarily to build the EF back up I'd suggest:

Stop sinking funds
The only ones I can stop is the vet and home repair I think . Medical, insurance and car repair bills will come I think regardless


Stop gifts or chop that in half at least
this I can do after Christmas


Stop Sharing just until you get to your first 1k BEF

I really agree but doubt dh will. maybe we can compromise by half

Stop Medical fund unless it would immediately impact someone
If I do this how will I pay the bills that come due or the meds?

Stop clothes, hopefully with $50 a month budgeted you've been building that up and don't actually need to spend that every month.

I can cut that in half easy. I also include grooming and toiletries in here. We actually dont have surplus here as the kiddo needed all new winter gear and clothes as he grew inches and inches. However he is clothed now as long as he quits growing! Honestly there was a surplus in here before all ds's purchase and I spent it on me at the thrift store and enjoyed every minute.
Stop date night, or slash in half, eat at home, just until get your 1k BEF

This I agree with 100% .

That's it for my two bit thoughts, HANG IN THERE!!!

Thank you! Thank you! Sometimes I just need perspective. I think we should be able to get it all back by the end of Jan as long as no one else has any accidents, gets majorly ill, the darn house doesn't cave and no more car repairs! I feel kind of like an idiot. We had it all together for years. On a great note I am in the middle of a $150 focus group

[krbshappy71]

Stop Medical fund unless it would immediately impact someone
If I do this how will I pay the bills that come due or the meds?

My thought is to immediately get your 1k going by stopping all those. If, say 6 months from now someone has to go to the doctor, you should hopefully by the time that happens have not only the 1k (or more, depending on how quickly it all adds up, what else happens between now and then) but be able to start up your sinking funds again. Worst case, you dip into the EF that you are trying to build. Even that is better than a credit card.

The 1k isn't a fix-all but it would hopefully be an umbrella for now to weather the things you've been hit with. $25 here and there in different places with different names on it is fine if you really want to keep naming them "sinking funds" but if the cat/dog gets sick it doesn't matter if you called it Pet Sinking Fund or Medical Sinking fund, the cat/dog needs help and a 1k emergency fund would hopefully carry you through things like that instead of turning to a credit card.

Granted, my finances are not the best right now so take this info for what its worth, I'm still digging myself out of messes I've created. I can tell you that an emergency fund just bailed me out this morning, and its only $500 BEF. But I did not use the credit card.

[nodmicks]

My thought is to immediately get your 1k going by stopping all those. If, say 6 months from now someone has to go to the doctor, you should hopefully by the time that happens have not only the 1k (or more, depending on how quickly it all adds up, what else happens between now and then) but be able to start up your sinking funds again. Worst case, you dip into the EF that you are trying to build. Even that is better than a credit card.

I see what you are saying. I will be making payment on dh's bill so I guess that is not really a sinking fund. I am so used to having sinking funds with balances for so many years I am not transitioning back into the right mode! Ok so the debt payment plus the meds in bill list. All else to ef

The 1k isn't a fix-all but it would hopefully be an umbrella for now to weather the things you've been hit with. $25 here and there in different places with different names on it is fine if you really want to keep naming them "sinking funds" but if the cat/dog gets sick it doesn't matter if you called it Pet Sinking Fund or Medical Sinking fund, the cat/dog needs help and a 1k emergency fund would hopefully carry you through things like that instead of turning to a credit card.

Yep you are totally making sense! I admit I am freaked beyond belief we got to a baby ef. I am more freaked it is gone. With the year we have had we need a 40k baby ef Also as glad as I am I helped I really shouldnt have paid of my dear friends debt with our funds shrunken

Granted, my finances are not the best right now so take this info for what its worth, I'm still digging myself out of messes I've created. I can tell you that an emergency fund just bailed me out this morning, and its only $500 BEF. But I did not use the credit card.

I think your feedback is worth a lot! It is nice to have a sounding board. You know how sometimes you can't see what is right in front of your face even if you know it ( as in me)! I am very glad your ef bailed you out Yeah on no CC!

[frugal.lass]

I just have to post that I think you've got some great advice here. Keep chugging away at it!!

[lparker]

$ 660 mortgage ( taxes and ins) - raise your deductible on the house ins.
$ 150 electric - a balanced pay plan? electric heat & hot water?
$230 insurance ( cars and 2 term life policies~ all paid yearly) - shop around for cheaper car ins or raise your deductible
$30 vet bills (sinking fund) - into bef - we give all shots except rabies to our animals - saves a bundle
$68 chiro - same as med fund
$55 internet ( only 1 company available)
$75 school
$15.14 satellite radio in dh work truck - no local stations?
$109 cell bills ( no home phone) - basic plans?
$320 groceries ( 4 people , 1 gluten free)
$60 pet and livestock feed
$16.50 TV
$300 medical fund
$28 garbage - have a county transfer station near?
$250 home repairs( sinking) - bef
$200 car repairs ( sinking) - bef or car replace fund (better)
sinking funds are for bills you "know" you have to pay at a certain time like ins. and property taxes
$50 clothes
$25 car tags
$40 date night
$300 sharing - charity begins at home.
$ 100 work expenses ( tools, licensing etc~ sinking)
$20 hunting/fishing
$410 gas - keep foot off the floor! I bought a ScanGauge & hooked it up on my car - what an eye opener!
$100 gifts - That's $1200/yr?
$200 ds loan if he would happen to lose his job - you co-signed?

[nodmicks]

$ 660 mortgage ( taxes and ins) - raise your deductible on the house ins.
Deductable is 1000

$ 150 electric - a balanced pay plan? electric heat & hot water?
No balanced pay plan. Electric and well pump.This is for the house, coops and barn. It also powers the zebael filter in the septic system. We have gas heat which was prepaid for the winter the previous summer. The 150 is 12 months of bills averaged

$230 insurance ( cars and 2 term life policies~ all paid yearly) -


shop around for cheaper car ins or raise your deductible

This is for 2 cars and we have 2 teenage boy drivers . Also includes 2 larger life insurance policies. We are in a heavy deer hit area and have a $500 deductible. I had planned to check around once again in March when 1 year is due for auto ins. Our ins was cheap before we had 2 teen boys on it. WI law requires all liscensed drivers to be counted in your home even if they never drive your car. Life ins is term locked in for 12 more years.


$30 vet bills (sinking fund) - into bef - we give all shots except rabies to our animals - saves a bundle
How do you go about this?

$68 chiro - same as med fund

I'm sorry I'm confused same as med??? She is not covered by ins so I pay cash for the discount for the visits
$55 internet ( only 1 company available)
$75 school
$15.14 satellite radio in dh work truck - no local stations?
I am 100% sure there are. I told dh I think he should get rid of it.
$109 cell bills ( no home phone) - basic plans?
Yes just basic and with a 22% discount on dh's line only through ups. This is 3 phones. It is actually $20 more but we require the younger ds to pitch in for his. The older ds pays 100% of his

$320 groceries ( 4 people , 1 gluten free)
$60 pet and livestock feed
$16.50 TV
$300 medical fund
$28 garbage - have a county transfer station near?
We do have a dump. However they raised the price enough that added in with the 14 miles drive garbage service 2 x a month is the same price. We did go to the dump before they jacked it up.
$250 home repairs( sinking) - bef
$200 car repairs ( sinking) - bef or car replace fund (better)
Had a car replace fund in july 2010 and bought the newest car. Had a fund started for another but medical bills and foundation damage ate it up just like the cookie monster

sinking funds are for bills you "know" you have to pay at a certain time like ins. and property taxes

Property taxes are in the house payment.
$50 clothes
$25 car tags
$40 date night
$300 sharing - charity begins at home.
Dh and I just had an argument about this. He believes he owes this to God. Period. He says a rough patch is no reason to not do his duty.
$ 100 work expenses ( tools, licensing etc~ sinking)
$20 hunting/fishing
$410 gas - keep foot off the floor! I bought a ScanGauge & hooked it up on my car - what an eye opener!
What is a ScanGauge??? My car gets about 28-30 mpg. Dh has a Kia. However I DO speed. This also includes gas for plowing with the atv since we have a super long driveway and mowing the acres during the summer. Part of the issue with gas is we are 30 miles from work etc. So can you tell me more about your scan gauge?
$100 gifts - That's $1200/yr?
Yep 1200. Includes all Christmas, b days, mothers day, fathers day , cards, postage, wrap, kids parties , memorials etc
$200 ds loan if he would happen to lose his job - you co-signed?

No I didn't cosign. I went and signed a 3 % note at the credit union. Ds gets to turn over a minimum of 200 a week until it is paid. At 200 a week it will take him a tad over 7 weeks. The required payment is not 200 a week though. I however am adding it into my budget in case he would lose his job etc. We were kind of stuck helping him or he would be unemployed. No way he could walk over 30 miles. He is 18 and this is his first FT job. He lives at home and pays 100 in rent ( which is in a savings account so he gets in back when he moves out)


I really hope answering the ?'s came off the right way. I remember answering budget threads where the op got angry at me. I am appreciating the advice!!!!!!!!!

One thing we really have going soon will be dh getting s very nice raise in his contract in Jan. If things can just calm down I can pay off the last round of med bills and re save.

[peanut]

Living in the country is expensive.

My only thing to add to what has been said is to ask WHY you are seeing a chiropractor. You might want to look at the Back2Life machine. My contractor recommended it as fixing his back. I was faced with $400 in physiotherapy, plus chiro, or try the Back2Life. The Back2Life cost $200 and is fully refundable/returnable if it doesn't work.

Basically it stretches out your spine and manipulates it back into position. Anyways, here's the link to it. It costs up front, but it's been worth it's weight in gold to me. Boy! I should sell this thing or something.

[Libby]

Definitely some great advice given here.

$300 sharing - charity begins at home.
Dh and I just had an argument about this. He believes he owes this to God. Period. He says a rough patch is no reason to not do his duty.

Not trying to pick a side in the 'debate' but maybe you chould ask DH why he thinks his 'duty' is only financial. There's plenty of other ways to spread God's word and help others that do not involve such a generous monthly donation.

[lparker]

Since you are the OP, I'm glad you're not mad at me You have health ins thru work so I assumed that the med thing was for stuff not covered by ins thus Chiro.

Fosters, Jeffers and Tractor Supply have the supplies you need UNLESS Wi doesn't allow you to have syringes.

The ScanGuage plugs into the car's computer. Once it's set up it will give you your realtime MPG among other things. Google it. I have the $100 version. If your cars have an on board readout like some do, you don't need the SG

[nodmicks]

Living in the country is expensive.

Yes it is. Real cheap property taxes used to even out the gas costs but the state took care of that balance a few years back by doubling the taxes.

My only thing to add to what has been said is to ask WHY you are seeing a chiropractor. You might want to look at the Back2Life machine. My contractor recommended it as fixing his back. I was faced with $400 in physiotherapy, plus chiro, or try the Back2Life. The Back2Life cost $200 and is fully refundable/returnable if it doesn't work.
I have 3 degenerating disks and nerve damage. It all stems from an accident years and years ago. I go for 2 visits a month as long as I am doing ok. If bad more. Thankfully with inversion 2 does it usually.I also use an inversion table for therapy daily that she recommended I buy a few years ago. Two surgeons wanted to do a fusion and this is my way of putting it off. I have never heard of that machine. I have an appointment this morning. I am going to ask if she has heard of it. If not I will do some research. Thanks for mentioning it. I am glad it works so well for you!
Basically it stretches out your spine and manipulates it back into position. Anyways, here's the link to it. It costs up front, but it's been worth it's weight in gold to me. Boy! I should sell this thing or something.

Definitely some great advice given here.

One can always count on the villagers!



Not trying to pick a side in the 'debate' but maybe you chould ask DH why he thinks his 'duty' is only financial. There's plenty of other ways to spread God's word and help others that do not involve such a generous monthly donation.

I dont believe it is spreading Gods word as much as helping those less fortunate. Another factor is time. This $ doesn't all go to church. Most goes to feed people . Our little town is very high poverty. I also got to use some of this $ when we paid of the bill for my friend

Since you are the OP, I'm glad you're not mad at me You have health ins thru work so I assumed that the med thing was for stuff not covered by ins thus Chiro.

Oh, never would I get mad at someone being so kind as trying to help me Most years we are lucky to have $500 out of pocket for medical bills as no one needs more than check ups. This year we paid over 9000. That why I beefed up the med. We drained so much of our savings into this. I don't honestly know why I have always put the chiro into a separate category. I guess just because it is a set amount.

Fosters, Jeffers and Tractor Supply have the supplies you need UNLESS Wi doesn't allow you to have syringes.

I'll have to look that name up. I have never heard of it. I'm fairly sure we can have syringes. Dh had to give the goats shots for something when we had them. I will have to check into this further. I have 6 indoor pets plus the assorted strys that decide to take residence in the barn and that could save some serious dough!
I did find a feed mill not too out of route to work that could save me $4 per 100 lb bag of feed for the chickens.

The ScanGuage plugs into the car's computer. Once it's set up it will give you your realtime MPG among other things. Google it. I have the $100 version. If your cars have an on board readout like some do, you don't need the SG

Oh my car does have it on board. The total cumulative mpg and right at the moment mpg. That was one of the reasons dh knew I had a dirty air filter. It went down. Thanks for all the help

I feel kind of like an idiot. Dh pointed out we have $521.54 in our dream vacation account. Since it is at another bank and it has all been change dh deposited over a few years. I actually forgot about it in all my freaking out. This makes me feel much better!!!!!!! Having the villagers to discuss this with makes me feel much better. There is no one in real life besides dh I discuss anything financial with since my brother passed.

[Greebo]

A budget is kind of meaningless without the income line.

[Russ]

The ScanGuage plugs into the car's computer. Once it's set up it will give you your realtime MPG among other things. Google it. I have the $100 version. If your cars have an on board readout like some do, you don't need the SG

I forgot all about my scan gauge! Shoot, I can track my mileage!

Nodmicks... We have very similar bills! Can you tell me more about the zebael filter?

[Russ]

Living in the country is expensive.

Sometimes. But I wouldn't trade it.

although...
my property taxes, on 10 acres, 1500 sq ft = $1913
My nieces 1300 sq ft on a city lot = $3721

That's $150/ month difference.