MAJOR STEP FORWARD!!! This is HUGE

[mommy4ever]

Tonight, dh and I sat down with the numbers. I'd crunched all day to present to him.

I must have something right because....HE'S ON BOARD NOW!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

I padded the numbers a little bit in regards to house hold bills, why? Because these fluctuate, so some months we have a little extra. At the end of the month any extra I snowball.

Anyway, I told him plainly. We have a leak. Here's the fixed stuff we pay out, here is what we take in. The difference is this. I told him I pay 600-800 extra on the bills everymonth, but we're still have nearly $1000 unaccounted for. I told him we do blow alot of cash(we as in HE, but I won't tell him that). But I put forth categories where some cash goes. haircuts, clothes, birthdays, school fees, school fieldtrips, gifts, treats, beer, crafts, movies, eating out. some of these are 1-2 times a year(hair cuts, clothes). Others are 4 times a year(b'days). Movies are seldom, eat out couple times a month. Beer, well, dh likes his beer but I didn't lay blame on hime. Treats, stops at the gas bar, dollar store....
I told him, I just wasn't sure where allt he extra went. He snickered and said he did. He admitted to blowing ALOT of cash on his days off. Fast food, dollar store getting things for the kids. Pop from the vending machines, etc. HE ADMITTED IT!!!

SOOO. He suggested that we have a $100 entertainment fund, which encompasses dinners out, take out, movies. He said when we blow that $100, we tough it out for the rest of the month(did I mention I made PROGRESS!!). WOOHOO!! He also said, that'll he'll cut out the beer(his dad was recently diagnosed with a genetic liver disease, his brother is already afflicted, so they can't drink at all, dh has decided to quit for health and finances!!!). He also suggested that for the kids crafts, while the little kits at the dollar store are cute, we should make our own craft kits for the girls, as they love crafting. he's willing to help out( I did say I made progress, right??). He "told me" that we will save all our receipts for the month so that we can see where the money is going.(Gee, wonder where he got THAT idea). I'd suggested it before, however, he felt I was checking up on him. Now since it's HIS idea..lol. it's a GOOD one.

We camp every weekend starting in May(providing we don't have a foot of snow). He figures lots of the summer leaks occur then as he gives cash tot he kids to go tot he little concession for icecream etc. He thinks we'd be better to invest $40 into treats(isce cream bars, freezies, little treats) to last a month or more that $10 for 1 trip to the concession....my guy is really smart it's only taken 2 years of me actively dropping hints!

I feel so absolutely relieved to have him on board. It was frustrating to get things close to paid off and then have it spent again. Now we're on the SAME path!!

now there is motivation, he'd like to invest in a new to us RV. but HEY, if he's willing to work with me, we'll pay it CASH!!! WOOOYOO!!!

He wants to save $250 every week and put it in savings. At the end of the month transfer on the debt we're focussing on. He's a little scared to put it at the beginning of the month, in case we need it..lol. He's so silly.

And the BIG one. He's getting a tax refund. Instead of blowing it as he usually does every year.... guess what???? He wants to pay off MY student loan!!!!!

After looking at the numbers, once the credit debts are gone, we may potentially make it on his income, but there'd be little room for extras(sports for the kids, 90% if the debt occurred when we were single income. We tried to make it, but just couldn't do it. We sold the acreage, moved into the city, which cost us...but in the long run better. We started caring for kids so that we could cover groceries. Stayed that way. Dh had a complex, he was the man, I didn't need to work..much. However, enough is enough, and I increased my work load(like suggested on Til Debt do Us part), and now we're going to cruise. This fall, I should be making ALMOST(within 300) as much as HIM>.lol. But we won't tell him and bruise his ego. I've discovered I'm really good at what I do. It's enabled us to do alot more, but for the longest time, he viewed my income as his spending money. However NOW, he's ON BOARD!!

I'm SO proud of him. We are going to that debt to $0!!!

[mom2matty]

That's fantastic!!

[frugal-fannie]

It really helps to have them on board. Great job making him think it was his idea. That is my trick also.Course I have a two year lag time also.LOL

[Beki]

Congratulations! You must feel so relieved! xxxx

[TheRootedNomad]

That's awesome!!!! Isn't it great when "they" have these ideas ! I'm glad he's on board with ya. Can't wait to see the progress you make now.

[Jskell911]

That is so wonderful! I cannot imagine how difficult this would be without my DH there 100%. I am so glad that he is standing right there beside you.

[PrairieRose]

It gets so much easier and soooo much more fun once you're both on the same page. Now you can play games with frugality and since you're working towards a set goal you'll both enjoy the journey . I'm really happy for you both.

[mommy4ever]

Ok, first week with dh on board.

He had $60. He bought the family pizza. $17

Gas $40

Gave the girls $5 to share at the school carnival.

That is a HUGE SUCCESS again! Usually it's $60 a day for the 3 days he's off, then needs more gas money. He has another $20 in his wallet for gas later this week.

He did soooo good.

Now I spent way more..lol. I filled up the van. But that is gas for over 2 weeks. $75. Groceries - $175

Dollar store $25 got some staples and stocked piled some toothbrushes for 6 mo.

[mmy2grls]

You are doing great!

[luv-my-lexi]

Great job and it is WONDERFUL that he is on-board with you and the goals!!

[itlw8]

congratulations!!!!


We are also working as partners now paying everything off but I have to admit I am the problem not him... But he also showed no interest and had no idea what we owed and who... What if something happened to me ?

[C@rol]

That is so great. Together you two will accomplish way more.

[Michelle68]

That's terrific! Good for him for getting on board and doing so well the first week.


--Michelle

[sdrjeolsen]

woo hoo!! So glad he is on board, that's wonderful!