What is the #1 hardest thing you have to deal with related to money management?

**Manuel** · 05-17-2016, 03:33 PM

What is the #1 hardest thing you have to deal with related to money management?

Let me know!

**old guy** · 05-17-2016, 07:27 PM

the #1 hardest thing

The Common Knowledge Guidelines -

Avoid debt.
Never play the market with borrowed money.
Always make at least a 20% down payment.
Keep at least a 3 month EF.
Pay cash for cars.
Buy in bulk.

I evaluated those guidelines mathematically and have broken them all on purpose. I recall, many years ago, I took out a loan on our paid-for home and used the money to make DPs on 2 more houses. lol, people thought I was crazy to mortgage a home that I had worked hard to pay off. But breaking all of the so-called common sense rules was one of the main reasons why I'm wealthy. But you have to be certain of your convictions - and have the courage to go against conventional wisdom, sometimes that can be VERY hard.

**khaski** · 05-19-2016, 07:11 PM

Being the 'nerd' (as Dave Ramsey would call me) in my relationship. It's not that hubby wants to spend, spend, spend, it's that I keep a much tighter fist with money.

We're generally pretty good about compromising over it, but sometimes there's some friction there. We get through it, and sometimes we're both happy with the final result, sometimes neither of us is quite happy. But over all, we do pretty well with it, even if we have different levels of tolerance for spending.

**momoffiveboys** · 05-19-2016, 11:04 PM

#1 hardest thing is to watch some of our kids make poor choices re money management. Thankfully it is 'small stuff' and they get it eventually....at least so far :-)

**justann** · 06-10-2016, 10:54 AM

Haven't been on here in awhile. Need to get back on the wagon. The hardest thing for me is a hubby that refuses to sit down and discuss money, budgets or bills. He says it too stressful!!! That, of course, puts all the stress on me and then he wonders why he doesn't have money for his "I wants" which is a phrase I hear all too often. Any advice??? Tried everything I know to do. We have been married almost 30yrs. Help!!

**frugalwarrior2** · 06-11-2016, 01:47 AM

It used to be spending on the kids or not
now its tough medical decisions related to pet care-ratio between $$ and letting go is hard for me.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 06-11-2016, 09:45 PM

I can make a great budget. But sticking to it? That is very hard.

**MsMarieH** · 06-14-2016, 08:09 AM

#1 Hardest - overcoming my desire for instant gratification - I want it NOWWWWWWW

**Anna43** · 06-17-2016, 01:35 AM

Finding the self-discipline needed to stick to my budget.

**AstateofGrace** · 06-17-2016, 06:21 AM

It has probably been mentioned already but for me it is for sure the need for instant gratification. Everyone has his or her own thing they turn to when feeling down, some go to food, for me it is buying stuff!

**old guy** · 06-18-2016, 12:22 AM

What is your summer job? Staying busy, in addition to making money, takes your mind of the 'wants'. (Iowa has a lot of summer construction, ready-mix truck drivers, etc).

**peanut** · 06-20-2016, 06:15 PM

The differences in attitude towards money between DH and I. He views a dollar as a dollar. I view it as a tool to get things we want/need. In short, while I'm on this board and can pinch money as good as the rest of them, my real focus is on how to get as much living out of a buck as I can! How much bang can I get for my money is my mantra. DH just looks at the dollar and panics we don't have enough. I find a way to make it enough.

**Anna43** · 06-25-2016, 02:43 AM

Low income always and now retired and widowed extremely low income.

**Cricketlegs** · 06-25-2016, 01:56 PM

Paying for things that have no benefit to myself or my family.

My health insurance. While I believe heath insurance is GOOD and a good thing to have, my insurance @ $400 with an almost $7000 deductible and only 2 doctor visits per year to just out patient clinics where I have NO REAL doctor and the places are known for lawsuits against them plus I still have $45 copay TICKS ME OFF every stupid time I pay it.

That's bigger than my car payment but my car has value. UGH!

I haven't been to the doctor once....

So my answer is being forced to pay for items or services that have no real value.

**Anna43** · 06-25-2016, 11:32 PM

Cricketlegs - as painful as premiums are if you have one medical emergency and you'll be very thankful you have insurance. Twenty mile ambulance ride $1,200 and up depending on services provided and life flight starts at $16,000 and goes up and up. Follow that with emergency room, x-rays, various tests, hospitalization, casts, surgeries, etc. and $7,000 deductible will be met in the blink of an eye. I agree that Obama care policies are not good and very expensive and getting more so every year.

In 2001 dh's job ended and we paid $750 for COBRA coverage at the same time we lost 2/3's of our income. Six months later dh had surgery with hospital stay that was in the neighborhood of $65,000. That put the $750 in perspective in a hurry.