Not Doing Very Well

[Talula31]

You all were so great with all the advice, welcomes and encouragement after my 1st post. Things have been a little hectic- so haven't been on much. But feeling better now, and hoping top start participating more and getting to know you all!

The last 2 weeks have been pretty bad. Now I'm trying to figure out how to move on and get through the rest of the month. It all started with Dh getting a bad cold that turned into Bronchitics. So Dr.visit for him and meds. Then I got it. Dr. visit and meds.for me. But I got worse instead of better.Back to the Dr.-they say I have Walking Pneumonia. More meds. (and more expensive than the 1st ones of course) for me, plus 3 days off work. Then my 14yr.old got some kind of fungus on her leg, so off to the Dr. for her, more meds. Of course, my budget looked really doable before all these extra expenses. Now I'm about to be 200 in the red with the bank, didn't get the Property taxes paid off for the vehicles, so didn't get either of them re-registered. (does anyone know how long they give you before the police ticket you for expired plates? )

It wouldn't have been so bad except I felt so bad,had no energy or desire to get groceries. Made DH detailed list, told him STICK to the list. Sure he stuck to the list, then bought about $100 more worth of snacks and junk we really could have lived without. It's a good thing I didn't have the energy to get out of bed, I might have done bodily harm. We had a VERY long talk again about our financial situation and how we really need to be working on saving every penny we can where we can. Of course he agreed but then made a comment on how if he would have stuck to the list the kids wouldn't have had any snacks for after school and he wouldn't have anything extra to put in his lunch he takes to work. I asked him if he would rather have snacks for him and the kids every month or for us to be able to keep paying the mortgage and not have to move in with his mother or my parents. I think he got it.

So, now I'm trying NOT to freak out about everything and just figure out a plan for this month and try to move forward. Plus find some extra money, even if it's only $10 extra a month to keep aside for unplanned emergencies. With winter coming on, the Dr. visits are bound to be more frequent than usual (at least in our family). Not to mention my 8 yr.old went to bed coughing last night. Woke up sounding congested and a runny nose. (same way Dh and I started out) I kept her home from school today. Since she only started last night, I don't see the point in taking her to the Dr. yet. They'll just say it's probably viral and to keep giving OTC meds and if she gets worse or doesn't improve in a week or so, bring her back. Hoping she gets better and won't have to go see the DR.

Now to figure out this months budget. We're approx. 200 negative in the bank. The bank will cover the checks that come through, but of course it costs you $27 a transaction. (ouch!) I was trying SO hard NOT to be negative this month and never again. Okay, so DH will get paid this Friday - take home pay will be $487. Getting the bank account even, leaves us approx. $287. Bills I was going to pay:

CC- 100.85 (I didn't pay this one last month, so really feel the need to pay it this month.)
Car insurance - $28.
Water - $35.50
Electric - $148.

My thought is, ask for an extension till the end of the month on the Electric. (they'll do this as long as you call and ask) It will cost me a late fee of about $9.00. But I think I can pay the other bills and stretch what money we have left over for gas and groceries (or another Dr.visit?!)

I think I'm going to have to skip paying a CC or 2 this month, otherwise, I don't see how we'll have enough money for gas and groceries after paying the other bills.

After this week - Dh will have 3 pay days left this month - I will have 2. I figure our take home pay combined will be approx. $2061. (might be higher by 1 or 200- depends on how many hours I get to work.) Bills we have left to pay for the month, after this week.

Beneficial loan - $266.20 (2 payments of $133.10- comes out of our account automatically)
House payment - $490. ( as long as I pay by the 16th)
Bank loan - $28.(comes out of our account automatically)
CC- $85.
Phone- $136.9 ( that cost is for 2 months. I'm a month behind.)
CC- $185.
CC- $21.
Internet - $14.
Van insurance- $60.
Electric - $157 (if I don;t pay it this week)
Property taxes- $185. Car reg. - $52.82 (might be $10 more since it was due last month) Van reg. $69 ( might also be $10 more)

So, what's my best plan of action for getting through this month?

[Russ]

Now I'm about to be 200 in the red with the bank, didn't get the Property taxes paid off for the vehicles, so didn't get either of them re-registered. (does anyone know how long they give you before the police ticket you for expired plates?

Until you get caught.

[Denvergirlie]

So the tags... in Colorado we have a one month grace period, but after that it's until you get caught, but I'm not sure what the fine might be.

As for your budget, there are not a ton of places to trim a lot of fat off the top that I see.

Good job on trying not to freak out, that won't solve anything, but do take this sense of panic and get crazy with your budget. What can you sell to bring in a few extra dollars? Can you have a yard sale? Can you sell something on Craigslist? Can you and/ or your DH take some odd jobs to raise some quick cash?

Once you get caught up you need to create an emergency fund so things like this don't happen in the future. Dave Ramsey suggests at least $1000 in the bank that you don't touch but for emergencies. If nothing else it sounds like you need at the very least $500 put aside. I understand how hard it is to have money sitting in the bank and you paying interest on other bills, but had you had this fund, you would not be in the poistion now.

Hindsight is always 20/20 so I'm sure you realise this now. Don't beat yourself up, but you need to move forward with a better plan. Sit down with your DH and come up with a budget and then stick to it. Build that emergency fund, do what ever you need to do to get it built. Deliver pizzas at night, deliver phone books, sell stuff, babysit. Yes, every $20 adds up. It might seems like nickles and dimes, but it will add up.

Best of luck to you hope your feeling better now.

[Greebo]

You really need to come up with a priority based budget, and the consumer debts need to be much lower on the list than you are putting them.

Credit cards getting skipped is bad, but bouncing checks is worse. Stop paying the consumer debt for now until you can actually do so without putting your checking account in the negative.

The cc people will piss and moan and make you feel like dirt - let them - but don't pay them. Not just now.

[JanieD]

I'd put those car taxes/registration at the top of the list. That's like $326.82, maybe more depending on late charges. Get an extension on the electric bill & use that money for taxes/registration. Could you pay one car with it & park the other one to avoid fines? A $9.00 late fee on the electric bill would be much better than a police fine for an expired tag. Here the fines are pretty steep with no grace period. I'd check to make sure there's a grace period in your state.

[Marie78]

I am so sorry you have all been so sick, I hope you are finally on the mend and that the little one only has a cold (no Dr.'s visit). I agree with you, it seems like it will be a tight month. Is there anyway with the next paycheck you can pay your CC payments so that you don't have even higher debts later? I know you said you need gas and groceries still, could you check out food banks in the area and see if you are eligible for WIC? You might even want to check and see if your family qualified for food stamps to help out for awhile. I hope others have more advice for you. Hang in there! (Hugs).

[tmffv]

Sorry to hear about all the health issues your family has been dealing with lately. It really can set you back if there's no EF set up to help cover it. Keep your chin up though and just be more determined than ever before to get your family on a strict budget and cut out expenses anywhere you can, no matter how small.

I totally understand your frustration with DH and the grocery shopping. I've simply decided that my hubby will not stick to a list no matter what I say to him, so he doesn't go alone (if at all posssible!) I don't even like him to come with me when i go cause we always end up with more in the basket then was planned

[Talula31]

Stop paying the consumer debt for now until you can actually do so without putting your checking account in the negative.

The cc people will piss and moan and make you feel like dirt - let them - but don't pay them. Not just now.

What about making payments on some of them- but not the minimum amount they're requesting? I only really worry about the ones that if we don't pay the min.amount- getting the late fee taxed on,which then will make some of them be over limit. So of course,another charge for that. How bad is it for some of them to go over the limit?

I know someone mentioned finding things around the house. We had 3 yard sales over the summer. Whatever we had left after those we either gave away or took to the city dump. So the house is pretty well cleaned out of things we don't need/use.

[Talula31]

We do get a 1 month grace period on registration. So my van is the one we could get a ticket for since it was due in August.

I forgot that DH got awarded with perfect attendance for last year at work. He'll be getting a gift card to Wal Mart for $100. It's supposed to come this month, but might not be till towards the end of it. But when it gets here, we can use that for groceries. But of course, I can't count on it till we have it in hand.

[Greebo]

What about making payments on some of them- but not the minimum amount they're requesting? I only really worry about the ones that if we don't pay the min.amount- getting the late fee taxed on,which then will make some of them be over limit. So of course,another charge for that. How bad is it for some of them to go over the limit?

I know someone mentioned finding things around the house. We had 3 yard sales over the summer. Whatever we had left after those we either gave away or took to the city dump. So the house is pretty well cleaned out of things we don't need/use.

I know late fees and over limit fees suck, and will cost more down the road, but look - these are the priorities you need to worry about first:

Group 1: Critical - must have to survive/generate income
1) Food
2) Utilities
3) Shelter (rent/mortgage)
4) Transportation (all related expenses)
5) Essential clothing

Group 2: Essentials - Any other mandatory expenses, such as life/health insurance, etc.

Group 3: Consumer debt. CC's, LOC's, personal loans, etc.

Group 4: Everything else - nonessentials.

Those things have to be covered every month above anything else. FOOD is definitely #1 - the others are after food but before anything else. Why? Well, you wouldn't pay your cc rather than feed your kids, right?

After your basics, your next priorities are in order of the groups. Consumer debt is LOW on the list of priorities, especially in an income crisis.

Its gonna hurt you, cost wise, down the road, not to pay them, I know - but paying this one then that one then this one isn't gonna get you anywhere. No matter how well you juggle, sooner or later, gravity takes hold.

Who screams the loudest isn't a good basis of determining who gets paid next. Honest!

[larabelle]

You really need to come up with a priority based budget, and the consumer debts need to be much lower on the list than you are putting them.

Credit cards getting skipped is bad, but bouncing checks is worse. Stop paying the consumer debt for now until you can actually do so without putting your checking account in the negative.

The cc people will piss and moan and make you feel like dirt - let them - but don't pay them. Not just now.

I totally agree. Call the Credit Card people and explain due to medical emergencies you can not pay them. I agree that they will try to make you feel like dirt but you just stick to your guns. Tell them you are doing the best that you can....then just keep in the back of your mind the saying which my mom told me a long time ago "You can not get blood from a turnip". You are doing the best that you can!!! Sending you a hug!!!

[Newsnerd68]

Hang in there. I've been in similar situations and although at the time it seems impossible, it always works out. Sounds like you're getting a plan together and keeping a positive attitude. Just hold on and do your best.

[Talula31]

Thanks Greebo (and everyone else of course!) your last post makes a lot of sense to me.

[Mom23boys]

Thanks Greebo (and everyone else of course!) your last post makes a lot of sense to me.

I love reading Greebo's explanations when he posts about income and priorities. It really makes me stop and think about what I should be doing first.

Talula, I hope your situation gets better.

[PrairieRose]

Sorry to hear that you've all been so sick. You've gotten some great advice....just take it one day at time, follow the advice you've been given here and things will get better. (eventually)