Soooo frustrated!!!!

**lovestolaugh** · 05-24-2009, 12:50 PM

It seems like everytime I think I may be getting ahead, something pops up that uses up the extra money. I don't mean to complain. We live a very fortunate life but our debt is very large and I so want to get it down. I plan and plan. Watch every penny. Budget and rebudget. Without fail though, every month some unplanned need shows itself. This month it was new shoes for both the kids. They have both recently had major growth spurts and they NEED new shoes and some new clothes. Also we had to put on a new storm door. Our puppies kept running out into the street as soon as the kids opened the door. Both puppies had near misses with cars. I have the cash to pay for it but then I don't get to snowball the cash towards to the debt. UGH! Sometimes it feels like I keep pushing a boulder up a hill. For every step I take, I slide back three. Sorry to vent to you all. I know many have it much worse and I shouldn't complain but somethimes I get very stressed out.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-24-2009, 01:01 PM

Ah yes that pesky boulder. I have pushed that one myself a few times. All I can really say is, to keep pushing and one day you will make it to the top.

NEVER, EVER , NEVER GIVE UP!

**Cricketlegs** · 05-25-2009, 06:07 PM

I think that the trick is to not budget every penny into bills and debt but budget some for savings or a slush fund to catch the garbage that comes up.

Today, after being at the lake in our camper, ( the one with almost $600 in repairs this month) I had a bill from the doctor for $142...joy.

**dean** · 05-25-2009, 06:10 PM

Someday that boulder will get to the top, 'cause we are all out there pushin' it!

**mauimagic** · 05-25-2009, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by lovestolaugh

It seems like everytime I think I may be getting ahead, something pops up that uses up the extra money. I don't mean to complain. We live a very fortunate life but our debt is very large and I so want to get it down. I plan and plan. Watch every penny. Budget and rebudget. Without fail though, every month some unplanned need shows itself. This month it was new shoes for both the kids. They have both recently had major growth spurts and they NEED new shoes and some new clothes. Also we had to put on a new storm door. Our puppies kept running out into the street as soon as the kids opened the door. Both puppies had near misses with cars. I have the cash to pay for it but then I don't get to snowball the cash towards to the debt. UGH! Sometimes it feels like I keep pushing a boulder up a hill. For every step I take, I slide back three. Sorry to vent to you all. I know many have it much worse and I shouldn't complain but somethimes I get very stressed out.

Lovestolaugh - I do know what you mean. Everytime I get some money set aside, no matter the amount, some emergency comes up and it's ALWAYS for the amount I have 'hidden away'. Actually I have come to appreciate the irony of it all.

I may never be rich, but I will definitely be in better shape than I am in now.

Hang in there, this is all part of our lives - and when you have children and pets - expenses come up all over the place. I see it as a price we pay. Frustrating - yup it can be. Real life - definitely. It's more how we handle it (IMO) - sometimes I handle it better than others!!

Take care of yourself and your family!!

**Michelle68** · 05-25-2009, 07:12 PM

I know what you mean about growing kids--we've had to buy new jeans for our 13 year old DS at least two times in the past 9 months. I agree with Cricketlegs--a "slush fund" is a great idea. Hang in there. Things will get better.

**Thevail** · 05-25-2009, 07:25 PM

I worked really hard to fund the EF, and then went to it paying off all those bills, and the same thing kept happening.

So now in addition to the Ef we have a slush fund/christmas fund. It hovers between $250 and $500. Once that was funded, we had much better luck keeping on a budget. Sure we use some of the money some times, but then we can re-fund it over time rather than having to take it out of next weeks check.

**WV_mom_of2** · 05-26-2009, 07:52 AM

I'm right there with you! I had plans for all of my summer job money to go to pay off certain bills. Then they washing machine broke and I had to buy a new one. Now the hot water heater is out and I need another 500.00 for a new one. So it's time for me to sit down and come up with a new plan! Keep pushing on......!

**IndigoMom** · 05-26-2009, 08:09 AM

I know how that feels - but try to look on the bright side - at least your past the stage where every time you pay on a cards, you have to turn around and use one for the unplanned for expenses. You've worked at it so hard for so long, that may seem like such a little step now, but it still IS a step, and in the right direction.

**tervsforme** · 05-26-2009, 09:47 AM

Oh, I am right there with you as well. I have spent soooo much money this past month, it's like my wallet has a leak in it! May was a horrible spending month for me! Keep plugging away, every step forward is a step forward no matter how small.

**JanieD** · 05-26-2009, 03:28 PM

I totally understand! The entire year have been so expensive here. Each month its something. January was a heat pump repair, Feb was a sensor on the truck, March & April another $300+ at the vets & May dental bill was triple the estimate. I don't want to think how much money we've spent. Of course, there are follow up dental/dr appts in June & who knows what else. Oh, forgot about the dealership appt for the car (air cond has a leak) I've yet to make. I really hate to spend so much money month after month, but what can you do. What gets me is no one seems worried when they hand me a bill... like I can pull the money out of thin air.