Best way to budget for varying income?

**DonnainME** · 10-03-2008, 08:55 AM

What would the best way to be for budgeting with a variable income? Sometimes there is NO income and sometimes there is little. My business has been WAY OFF. DH JUST got a job so I hope to be able to catch up on stuff soon - but his job is dependent on weather (rain - no work - no pay). He will get his first check TODAY.

Bills:

Electric $150-200 (Past due $350)
Phone $75 (Past due $225)
Auto Ins $63 (Current)
Cell $40 (needed for business) (Past Due $20)
Auto Gas $120 (one tank per week at $30)
Propane ($30 - 2 20lb tank refills - this is for stove)
Groceries/HBA (not payable by Food stamps or WIC) $80 ($20 per week)
DTV $45 (Past Due $80)
Credit Cards - all late right now

What I am planning on doing is to is on priority. I think Electric and phone are at the top of the list. Then Gas, Groceries, and Auto Insurance. Then Cell and Dtv. Last is Credit Cards. I know we need an EF but so far, we haven't been to even pay the bills. With Dh starting to get paid, we will start that.

With finding out I'm pregnant - I am more worried than I was before. I have several health conditions that are not helping the situation and my business is suffering.

We do have some grocery stockpile - I try to do that with Food Stamps and I use coupons with them too. We are eating smaller portions (due to my health issues) and that is helping make food last longer also.

With DH's check today I am thinking of paying $50 to each Elec and Phone (I know, not enough, but hopefully that will keep them ON) and pay the cell $20. $40 to Dtv and $40 in gas, $15 for propane refill. Auto Ins already paid this month. $25 on one CC. We're not sure what his check is going to be, so I didn't want to budget too high so I was thinking about $250 - hoping for more like $300.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

**Greebo** · 10-03-2008, 09:00 AM

List your expenses on paper each month in PRIORITY order starting with:
1) Food
2) Utilities
3) Rent/Mortgage
4) Essential clothing
5) Transportation (gas, insurance, etc.)
6) ... anything else ESSENTIAL but debt
... x) Debt
x+1) next debt...and so forth
...
...Y...) Non essentials

Next to each category, list how much you must spend, and a blank to be filled in later.

As income comes in, fill in the blanks until there's no money left.

When the money runs out, the blanks stop getting filled in. Draw a line and resume next time money comes in.

If the collectors call, say, sorry, no money to pay you, you're below the line.

DEBT is MOST DEFINITELY LOWER PRIORITY than utilities. If you can't pay the utilities with this check, SCREW the CC for now.

**DonnainME** · 10-03-2008, 09:30 AM

Thanks Greebo. He just got home. They didn't need him the entire day but they are paying him for 2 1/2 hrs today. He will have 21 1/2 hrs this week. Last week was 23 1/4 hrs and his net pay was $284. Using those amounts I figure next week will be just around $250.

Thanks for your advice. I'm just really glad that he is at least working even if it is 20 - 25 hrs per week. It took him almost 2 years to get THIS job. I also know I have to get off my rear and work my business (direct sales) but it's hard when you have NO energy.

**DonnainME** · 10-03-2008, 12:41 PM

OK - we cashed his check.

We spent:
$17 for a propane tank refill (for stove/oven)
$32 to fill gas tank in car
$19 to pay cell bill

We have $50 for phone, $50 for electric, and $40 for DTV.

We did get a disconnect notice for the electric. I'm thinking of asking a community action agency for help with that. They want $133. before the 20th or it will get turned off.

I know that we will SOON get a disconnect notice for phone too. The DTV will be off on 10/5 - I see that online. We have DTV because we can not get ANY tv stations locally even with an antenna. I'm hoping that will change when we get the digital tuner - but I'm not sure of that.

**reginaastralis** · 10-04-2008, 01:30 AM

I just wanted to offer HUGS!

I don't know how it works in Maine, but I would contact your social worker through WIC or Food Stamps about getting aid to help pay your bills. I would definately go down to get assistance in getting your electric bill pay. There is nothing wrong with having to ask for help. However, your social worker might know of specific churches in your area that offer help. You didn't mention anything about rent/mortage, so I am assuming this is taken care of somehow, but there are charities down here that will pay one month of your rent as well ... so that might be worth looking into.

Also, have you thought about goinbg to a food bank this month instead of spending money you all don't have on groceries to supplement your WIC/Food Stamps? I don't know if this is an option, since I know you're pregnant, but it is something I would consider. At least it will hopefully get you by.

I don't really know of anything else to help you with, again, just wanted to offer you some support.

**DonnainME** · 10-04-2008, 07:34 AM

reginaastralis -I emailed a community action agency yesterday (they have WIC and LIHEAP in their office) but will contact them again on Monday or Tuesday when I am near there. As far as the mortgage goes - we bought the house from FIL and we are supposed to pay him $200 per month but he really doesn't care. He's more concerned about me and this pregnancy than anything. We are planning on going to the food pantry today - they are only open 3 days per week for very short hours. Today (Sat) they are open from 10 am until 11 am. We do occasionally go there. They usually give enough food to last for 2 to 3 days. I just have to be very careful because of the way the Diabetic Counselor and the Dietitian at the hospital want me to eat - they are working very closely with my doctors.

We haven't gotten the WIC checks yet (they said give it a week - that was from Wed). I hope they come in today. We did buy one loaf of wheat bread and one dozen eggs yesterday because I told DH we really needed them.

I contacted ex dh and they are sending another child support check out (supposedly today). When we get one (it's only $200 that will help) and when we get both (Sept and Oct) we will be alot better.

I did tell DH that we can't depend on the CS checks even though they have ALWAYS been on time before (well, within a few days) I don't know if they didn't even mail the Sept one or if it really did get lost in the mail. Ex Dh's new wife is a witch to me - she even treats my children differently there. I hate the youngest 2 living there.

Thank you for your support.

On the positive side - FIL came by last night and was asking DH about a gun. He wanted to borrow it and DH said he could have it. FIL gave us $50 for it. I don't know what to do with that $. It's just sitting on the table for now.

**DonnainME** · 10-04-2008, 03:43 PM

We took the $50 that FIL gave us for groceries. We have $20 left. If we need something this week, we will use that. I also with that $ I bought some more supplies for my diabetes testing (cotton squares and alcohol - to use at home. Alcohol wipes - to use away from home). We bought cat litter and dog food too. We DID get the WIC checks today - that will HELP TONS.

I will contact the Community Action Agency again on Monday or Tuesday when I am near there. If I can't get any help by the end of the week, I will call the electric company for help.

Ex DH is sending another check - hope it gets here soon.