Cautiously Posting a Budget Question

**joyofsix** · 08-24-2008, 09:45 PM

Between my dh's 401K, EF and college 529 we're saving about 20% of dh's post tax pay (barring unforeseen emergencies). We also put $200 extra on the principal of our house. Dh feels like we're good, "we gotta live a little". I on the other hand would like to really buckle down and use the little we have left to pay more on the house. Whadya think?

**leezza** · 08-24-2008, 10:17 PM

If all of your budget and savings are being taken care of I think your husband has the right idea......I think you should live a little.

JMHO,
leezza

**MoonMommy** · 08-24-2008, 10:25 PM

If all your bills are taken care of, you are putting extra on the house, AND you are saving money, I think you can afford to live a little.

**elphie** · 08-24-2008, 10:39 PM

I agree with dh and the PPs here... you will burn out if you don't give yourself a little wiggle room. But that's what would work for me. To figure out what works for you ask yourself...

1) What is/are my long term goal(s)?
2) Is spending this little extra going to interfere with that (those) goal(s)?
3) Is it worth arguing and possible causing tension w/ dh?
4) If it won't cause tension will it at least infringe upon dh's overall happiness? Is that worth it? (for my dh having to account for every dime is very stressful... it isn't the need to spend, its the stress of always having to worry)

The answers to those questions will show the answer. HTH

**Nishu** · 08-24-2008, 11:01 PM

There's no reason you can't meet in the middle, right? You might as well sit back and enjoy your accomplishments up to now and take it easy.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 08-24-2008, 11:58 PM

I would "live a little"... Sounds like you're already doing a super job with money/bills.

**prftstrngr** · 08-25-2008, 06:53 AM

Id live a little.....maybe compromise.....do something dh wants to do and pay the rest on bills. You dont want to burn out. You need a treat every now and then!

**TheRootedNomad** · 08-25-2008, 07:14 AM

Well for me it would really depend on how much "living a little" your doing. I am antsy about our mortgage as well. Every time we make a joint decision on how much extra to throw at it I rethink it and want to do more. I want it completely gone. We meet about every three months to re-evaluate the big finances like the mortgage payments. If I get too antsy though sometimes I find ways to gather in extra money and I send that additionally to the mortgage. Sometimes that might be yardsale money, or scrap money, or selling off the kids outgrown clothes at consignment stores, or birthday money, or whatever I've squirreled from my pocket money. DH is ok with that because it's not money we originally budgeted and generally I've done all the scrimping or gathering for it. If that's what I choose to put extra I've gathered for toward rather than "stuff" that's my choice. Currently we just readjusted to only paying a little over one months extra of principal each mortgage payment so we can filter some money toward our kitchen remodel. We were doing between 2 and 3 months extra principal. I am definately antsy and DH thinks we're paying plenty extra. REALITY---WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB. We can afford to do this. Doesn't mean I'm not trying to find some spare change to get the mortgage payment up some.

**Greebo** · 08-25-2008, 08:59 AM

You have no other debt, right? You're saving at least 15% for retirement, and funding the kids college fund?

Paying off the mortgage early is good - but yes, by all means - relax a bit - live a little - take a vacation, eat dinner out. Don't try to rice and beans all the way to mortgage freedom - you'll burn yourself out!

**momof2joys** · 08-25-2008, 05:04 PM

I am with you!! I am one of those that if we have some extra money, I want to use it to pay on some medical bills and etc, but my dh is the one who wants to spend it on something else. We usually just come to an agreement. But sometimes I'll just pay a small amount on a bill and use the rest towards something fun!!

**Telephus44** · 08-25-2008, 07:55 PM

I'd offer two points: the first, be on the same page as your DH. If he wants to "live a little" and you're always against it, that isn't good for your marriage. Not that either of you has to give in, but you need to be on the same page. Secondly, I'd examine your motivations for wanting to pay off/save even more - do you feel insecure? Are you worried that if you don't have the house paid off something will happen and you'll be homeless? If it's a bigger issue like that, then it becomes an emotional/psychological issue, and not a money issue.