Help me balance my budget!

**cojo** · 12-11-2008, 08:28 AM

Thank you for your suggestions everyone!

I hate cutting down on the charitable contributions because I already feel I'm not giving enough (I try to do 10% but it doesn't look like it will work out this year). I don't really see anything else I can cut. Maybe the cable & Internet, then I have to pay more for a land line though.

I can go lower on the quality of food for the dogs, but I think it cuts down on vet costs as the dogs age, plus you can actually feed dogs less food if it's higher quality. I would probably save more by not feeding them table scraps, LOL! Cutting out the work-gym would only cut $120 from the budget per year, and since I'm losing weight (30 pounds so far) by working out there, I think this is worthwhile...

Fortunately the budget will probably be tight only for this year, next year when DH graduates it should about double our income and things will be a lot easier...

DH is a nursing student, so they don't really care whether he has work experience or not, since they do clinical rounds during school. But I am with you, even an income from flipping burgers on the weekends would balance this budget. ($7.50 * 2 days per week * 8 hours per day * 52 weeks per year = $6240) Unfortunately, if he doesn't want to, then I will have to. I do not want to go into debt!

But I will definitely talk to him about it. Thanks for your input!

**Grayce** · 12-11-2008, 10:56 AM

A lot of the nursing students here work their way through nursing school by working as health care aids in nursing homes. It is great experience for nursing and the pay is better than flipping burgers. Here they make well over $10 an hour.

Your DH definitely needs to get a job. The fact that he is refusing to get a job to help out says a lot about his character and would make me nervous planning a lifetime with him.

**mommy4ever** · 12-11-2008, 11:29 AM

Dh needs to put on his big boy pants and get a job. Now when he graduates, will he even want to get a full time job? Or work just enough to buy HIS toys. His current attitude brings up red flags. Sounds like time to have a serious talk with him. Show him the numbers, point out where HE is increasing expenditures. Show him, that while he may not be out partying, buying stereos, etc, he IS spending, and you need help.

Refusing to eat lower costs food while not contributing to the income of the family unit, is irresponsible.

It won't hurt him to work. He does spend, he wants more expensive foods, organic for the dogs. I have issue with that one. I don't know what kind of dogs you have, but I feed my Bella a high end food, it' costs me under $10/mo. She is only 1 dog, and not that big, but she doesn't need organic food. I can't afford organic for US, so why would I do that for her? I know they are like kids, but it doesn't mean they get better or more than you can afford.

You're a kind hearted soul to want to donate more. But you have to do what you can for yourself, God gave you the abilities to do so, so do it.

**itsahumanzoo** · 12-11-2008, 12:41 PM

I used to babysit for a nursing student who worked part time as an EMT. So, there's that option for him too. She only worked a couple days a month, but made good money.

**rowdy35** · 12-11-2008, 01:55 PM

cojo, glad that you are being open minded about our suggestions. It is really hard when you are in this type of relationship to see things from an outsider's point of view. since i have been in your shoes I really know how hard it is to be with someone like your husband. i really sincerely hope for you that he can see the error of his ways.

**rasilla** · 12-26-2008, 01:48 PM

We rarely EVER take our dog to the vet the only time I can remember are when we brought him home a few years ago. In our area there is a low-cost alternative to the vet for most routine stuff (ex: spay/neutering, vaccs, most meds). I'd check with your city government/animal control office to see if there is a low-cost animal care facility in your area, or you can check at your local tractor/feed store. If our dog is ever sick, I look up online what is wrong with him and then go get the meds for him at the feed store for a fraction of the cost. I spend less than 10$ for vaccines and got our dog neutered for 45$. Oh, and we feed him the cheapo Walmart brand dog food, yeah, he eats more of it, but it is half the price!

Another area I'd look into cutting - wardrobe and hair cutting. Yes, it is an tiny amount of your budget, but those tiny areas add up... If you have a wardrobe a year out-of date will your employers notice? And longer hair does not need to be cut as often, can you change your style so it needs less maintenance? For your DH can you get a buzzer and do it yourself?

Think saving 10$ a day on the small stuff like the cable & giving & haircuts & dog food, etc. becomes $3,650 by the end of the year! Hope you can have fun eliminating some of those small expenses!

**craftypam** · 12-27-2008, 08:11 AM

I love budgeting so much I would teach people for free. I must know what I am doing. I have no mortgage, no car payments, $1000 visa charge card w/ 90 days same as cash every month. Here are my suggestions; Your husband does need to get a part time job particularly if he wants to feed dogs expensive food. Getting heartworm medicine online at Drsfoster&smith; well worth it. I would get rid of gym membership because of having martial arts membership. I would get rid of cable too. Do you have your car and mortgage insurance together at the same company? Have you called several companies to see who will give you the best rate? Do you have a programamble thermostat? I have a Bp gas card that gets me 5% back in the form of a gas gift card or check when it gets to be $25. Buy all groceries on sale and stockpile what you use often. Make menus for the week around what is on sale. Used clothing stores is a great way to save alot of money. If you find a good one you won't want to shop at the mall ever again. Malls charge way too much money anyway. I get coupons for my hair salon online. I buy used books online Addall.com tells you the best place to get the best price. And for the movies; wait for them to come out on video; it happens within 6 months of their release. The really great thing; I sacrificed young because of no choice (husband with seasonal job and I stayed home with 3 boys) while paying health insurance. NOW almost debt free except for small credit card balance. Sooooooooo little stress in bad economy. And if you live tight for awhile then you have the financial freedom sooner. Well worth it to me. Hope this helps