NoNamePerson
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Is There Anybody OUT There?
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Post by NoNamePerson on Jul 28, 2013 19:34:05 GMT -5
Just a cyber hug in response to your post. Can't begin to comprehend what you are truly going thru. As for your reply to me, I see what you are saying and all I can say to that is SHAME ON THE STATE that you live in. I only know the avenues taken in my state but that is because I did payroll for so many years and saw garnishments come thru for back CS and the amounts were never huge amounts. But I know all states do things differently.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Jul 28, 2013 19:47:02 GMT -5
Just a cyber hug in response to your post. Can't begin to comprehend what you are truly going thru. As for your reply to me, I see what you are saying and all I can say to that is SHAME ON THE STATE that you live in. I only know the avenues taken in my state but that is because I did payroll for so many years and saw garnishments come thru for back CS and the amounts were never huge amounts. But I know all states do things differently. My state does the garnishment thing, too. But in Karaboo's case, it sounds like the proverbial squeezing blood from stones. Her DH's XW works jobs (when she works at all) that pay minimum wage, and would be crying the blues big time if she had less money and wound up with no food, or out on the street - yet AGAIN. Karaboo's XDH sounds like an unstable bully who goes off a mental cliff every time he's the least bit challenged on anything. On the one hand, it's only right and fair to get the money coming to you. On the other hand,these two exes ought to marry each other, and then just be placed in a locked and padded cell. They belong together.
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The Captain
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Hugs are good...
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Post by The Captain on Jul 29, 2013 6:25:31 GMT -5
I've been going to a therapist since January, but he doesn't prescribe meds - he's not that kind of therapist. He does believe that I have plenty of reasons for being overwhelmed and upset about life. Just a short recap: - More bills than money
- You're working on this. You didn't get here in a day and you won't be able to fix it in a day, but you are moving in the right direction.
- House in constant disarray - there are 6 of us here, I shouldn't be the only one that cares if it's clean or not!
- Absolutely! Everyone in the house is old enough to help out. Assign rooms/duties out (laundry, bathrooms, kitchen, straightening, etc.) and if someone does not get their assigned area in shape they don't get privileges for the next week. Privileges include going out with friends, electronics (tv, ipod, radio, computer) etc. This includes DH as well as he needs to set an example for his three kids that YOU are helping to support.
- House needs additional remodeling (that we can't afford) - this contributes to higher energy costs that affect our bills.
- 4 teenagers - 2 of which actively tell me on a fairly regular basis that they hate me and wished I never existed (usually when I'm being a parent and insisting they do what they need to do - homework, chores, etc). This doesn't bother me....but it does....if you know what I mean.....they're being typical teenagers after all - there is just additional stress because I'm the step-mom and as such, I don't matter to them - they can say whatever they want to me and it doesn't count Oh hell yes it does! - because I'm the step-mom and deserve to be treated like crap no, never!. Not an attitude either DH or I tolerate from them, but it still come out because that's how they hear their mom talk about me, so they get the "okay" from her. It sounds like you and DH are on the same page but need to get tougher with the kids. You may not be their bio mom but as an adult AND their father's wife you DESERVE respect! From your posts it seems as if despite the above horrible attitude you still want to provide them with expensive extra activities. Sorry but if my kid was giving me that kind of attitude you better believe I would not be providing the extras until the started demonstrating the appropriate level of respect and appreciation for what I do for them.
- Stressful job that I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing after a year and a half. Training is finally helping with this, but I had to seek out the training for myself and dealing with being told I'm "hurting my co-worker's feelings" because I'm not relying on her to train me (which she's been a poor trainer) is just additional mental stress for me on both accounts. Trying to not take it personally, but failing miserably.
So....that's where I stand right now. Be patient with me as I struggle through this. Again - I appreciate all of your help and suggestions!
See my comments in bold above. You come across as a very nice person on the board. Perhaps it's time to start channeling your inner Bitch for your own sake.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 29, 2013 7:17:28 GMT -5
You don't want to cut the kids activities because it isn't their fault you guys are spenders. Very true. It also isn't their fault their non-custodial parents don't pay. Also true. But the facts are that since their other parents aren't paying and because of your spending habits, money isn't there, period. Not only do they need to be cleaning and doing ALL the cleaning, period, but if they want anything for school including activities, they need to earn the money to pay for them or they won't be participating. Sorry but unlike my darling DF, I don't hand out money or anything to anyone who treats me like shit. The money isn't there, period, and your priority, after making house payment and utility payments, is food and the one CC payment you intend to keep. Start NOW as you mean to go on. Time for a family conference and the two of you need to delegate before you have the family conference who will be doing what from now on and the consequences of not doing it is first and foremost, the loss of the cell phone. That's the lifeline so the most painful. After that, chore division. The free ride and your built trip should be over. The court isn't going to let bio mom have the kids back so if you're a scared of that, don't be. Feel guilty about pissing away money not about rescuing children from hell holes.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Jul 29, 2013 7:56:54 GMT -5
I only have a few minutes before leaving for work, but wanted to address the kid issue. The two oldest (my DS and OSD) are the two in activities right now. They are the ones that actually do chores and not complain about anything (too much - they're teenagers after all! ). If we only had these two, I'd have no complaints at all because they're personalities are so laid back. It's the younger two - DSS and YSD who push all boundaries. DSS just got his cell phone recently (May, birthday present) and it's been in lock-down since he got it (grades/attitude). He can call/text DH, I and his mom, but none of his friends. He's been way more reasonable about his attitude since he got it because he's trying to get off "punishment" to be able to talk to his friends. We're using it as a "carrot" (positive reinforcement) instead of the "whip" (discipline). He pushed back too hard a few months ago and we put him in counseling, so that's probably helping as well. There are signs he's finally "getting" it about certain aspects of his life - one of which is the fact that his mom isn't a saint like he's always defended and that we're not the devil like he claims. He's coming to this realization on his own, but it's a hard reality to swallow, so he lashes out at me and his dad. YSD doesn't have a cell phone and was suspended from school 3 times last year (she's 12!). We've had her in counseling since January as well. She's her own person, but from watching her, she's following some of the same steps her brother did. He struggled all through junior high and now, going into his sophmore year, he's doing better. I'm kind of expecting the same outcome with her. It's going to take some maturity on her side before we really see some progress, in my opinion. The biggest reason they "hate" me is because I'm the disciplinarian in our family. I'm the one that holds them accountable. There's only so much I can do though - because I'm step-mom - and only so much aggrevation I'm willing to go through - upset that the house isn't as clean as I want it to be is one of them. OSD has told me that she doesn't understand why they fight with me - that if they'd just do what I ask, they wouldn't get in trouble and I'd let them do what they want. Anyway - I need to go, so I'll check back in later tonight.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jul 29, 2013 8:09:57 GMT -5
Time for hubby there to "man up." You shouldn't take all the shit but I get the two personality issues. I have a friend dealing with this right now. Her kids were younger and lived with her and her new and present husband. She didn't want any friction so she was always the bad guy and he was always the fun guy. Now they lay all the crap on her and he gets all the applause. She's tired of it and now can't change the status quo.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Jul 29, 2013 8:35:20 GMT -5
I couldn't read all the posts Karaboo but here is just some general advice. YMMV. I have found that as we move on life it results in a continually upsizing of our expectations. We just start accumulating more and more and more stuff. It is great to own stuff but owning stuff comes with a steep pricetag. The more you own, the more stuff you have to clean, store, maintain, another owner's manual to read, deciding where to put in and on and. And, then we get home and vacations and camper's and boats that you feel like you have to use because you spent so much and it goes round and round. A few years back i literally thought i was going to go crazy. You can juggle all of those balls for awhile but there comes a point where you just get tired and don't want to do it anymore! You can have it all but maybe you don't want it! At least i didn't. So, now, the real issue is what do you and your DH and family want out of life? I got to the point where financial peace of mind was absolutely what i wanted. So, we started downsizing. I found out that LESS is more. The more i decluttered and pared down the more relaxed my life became and i found we could really focus on what we truly enjoy. There are more bills than money as you said. Paying the bills brings peace of mind. Everything else is extra. Put it all on the table and really take a look. If you need to sell the boat and/or the house and cram into an apt for awhile, then do it. If DH wants to keep the boat, then he has to understand that at this point you can't afford all the other trappings of life. There are choices to be made. And, he can either sit down with you and make those choices or the choices are going to be made for you.
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Jul 29, 2013 14:22:36 GMT -5
Blended families are tough no matter what the dynamics, so I sympathize! DH and I decided that if our kids liked us, we were doing something wrong. If they hated our rules, complained about us constantly to their other/bio parents, then we were doing something right! Yes, in a way it does hurt. But usually only NOW. Once they get out of the alien-teenage years and return to being human beings (in their early 20's) they see how silly it was for them to cause such a fuss for all those years. It's a relief and blessing and you'll get there soon! Just hang in there!
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Jul 30, 2013 7:51:28 GMT -5
My suggestions:
Call each credit card company and ask if they will lower the interest rate. If they say no, ask for a supervisor and ask again. They may say no but I have had my rate lowered 6% before.
Pay your bills online, if you don't already. You will save the costs of postage and envelopes.
Tell the kids that they will have to pay for 1/2 the cost of their activities and cell phone. They still have time to work this summer. If they can't find a job, they can do errands, mow lawns, babysit, clean out garages, clean houses, etc. Could they have a yard sale and sell outgrown clothes that won't be passed down and other things that no one wants?
Have the kids cook dinner. They have time to make low cost options such as bean burritos and lentil stew.
Do you have any 0% or low interest balance transfer options on your credit cards? If you have room on your credit limits, you can use balance transfers to lower the interest rate. If you can transfer the entire balance, you can reduce the number of credit cards and reduce the number of payments you make every month. If you do the transfer early enough in the billing cycle, you can skip the payment for the month. (You do have to make sure that the transfer posts before the payment is due).
I don't understand how you put funds into various savings accounts and then don't have funds to pay the bills. If all of your credit accounts are raised to 30% interest, your financial problems will be much worse. Can you put less into savings or take some from savings to pay the bills? At least temporarily until the boat is sold.
What is your DH doing for retirement? Has he cut his contributions to retirement accounts?
Can you take a small loan from your 401(k) and continue to make contributions and receive the match? $2k or $3k would enable you to get even with the bills while you make the necessary changes. It would not be enough to keep the boat. You can only buy/ pay for luxuries or things that you don't need to survive when the necessary things are paid for, you have at least 3 months worth of expenses in an EF AND you can pay for the luxuries with cash.
Hugs to you while you get through this difficult bump.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Aug 1, 2013 22:19:56 GMT -5
Sorry for being MIA, but I do have a couple of small updates. I'll be going to bed after posting this though, so I'll try to get to any questions/suggestions tomorrow. First off, DH has posted the boat for sale in a couple of free places for now. There are other sites he'd like to post it at, but they cost money and he wants to see what type of response he gets to begin with. Here's a link to the craig's list post: dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/3966176408.htmlI think he could have done a better job on the pictures, but I'm not going to complain! He is also going to post it in his club's newsletter and on the fishing forum he's a member of. He think's there is a charge for that forum, but the administrators haven't gotten back with him yet. The newsletter hasn't gone out yet, but when it does, it's supposed to be in there. DH has been paying a lot more attention to our bank account in the last couple of weeks - he's shocked at how tight everything is and is talking about getting a second job, selling his fishing gear (in addition to the boat), selling copper (old wire he gets from his job that he strips and sells for scrap), and something else that I can't remember right now. He's helping me cook dinner and has been taking his lunch to work (something he's never done before). I went to my internal medicine physician on Monday and had my yearly physical. We talked for a long time and at one point, she asked me a question and I busted out crying. She was shocked as I was fine just seconds before! I told her that I constantly feel on edge and tears are lurking just below the surface most of the time. At least once a month, I'm locked in my room crying non-stop for 3-4 hours without being able to stop. She had me take a test that looks at depression and it came back "moderately" depressed. I think that's only because I answered "never" to the questions "do you want to hurt yourself or anyone else". So....now I'm on an anti-depressant, effexor. I've been on it since Tuesday night and I'm struggling through the milder side-effects. Headaches, upset stomach, drowsiness and disoriented feeling. First night, took it at 7pm, was out by 10pm and wide awake at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep. Yesterday, I left work early and went home to bed (walked into my kids engaged in "The Great Mustard War of 2013".....their eyes were huge when I opened the door and fingers started pointing. Told them I didn't feel good, I was going to bed, clean up the mess and don't wake me up!). Slept for several hours, woke up at 6pm, went back to be at 11pm and slept all night. Felt better this morning, but still have some of the side effects. So...that's my update for now. I know it's the 1st and I originally planned on posting my August budget, but it's going to have to wait until tomorrow or later in the weekend. This med is messing with some of my coherency, but after 2 days, I think it's just a matter of adjusting to it - today was a little better than yesterday for example. ETA: If I've missed any questions or suggestions, please forgive me - I promise I'll respond to them when I'm more awake!
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mmhmm
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It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
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Post by mmhmm on Aug 1, 2013 22:47:04 GMT -5
Don't mind the budget, KaraBoo. Never mind the mustard, too. Do what you can with what you do And don't forget - we care for you.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Aug 1, 2013 22:54:16 GMT -5
Yes get through the medication side effects first. I second mmhmm's we care for you.
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Icelandic Woman
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Post by Icelandic Woman on Aug 2, 2013 20:19:45 GMT -5
Karaboo I hope your side effects diminish soon and the medication starts working for you.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 5, 2013 7:42:27 GMT -5
How did you do with Augusts bills? You should have some breathing room now and some of the CCs should have started calling you. The boat payment people will as well even though you have called them. Keep to your story and be firm. Eventually they will work with you but they will get ugly first.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Aug 5, 2013 21:40:35 GMT -5
Hey. My budget is still a mess. Half-way through July is when I quit paying the credit cards and we're still behind on everything. Trying to go all cash/debit, but being so far behind, there's still not enough cash to go around for the basics. I have no idea if my numbers are accurate - but I suspect they're not....at least not yet. If the numbers are even half-way close, then we ended up putting somewhere around an additional $1200 on the credit cards in July....just to survive....maybe more...because I was trying to keep up with payments. That includes food, gas and paying bills. I still haven't paid our house payment yet - we're $150 short on that bill. I still owe at least $500 on the kids' activities (thankfully, I can make payments). I did buy groceries and gas this week. We'll have the money for the house this Friday, but not too much more beyond groceries and gas again (maybe an extra $150). Which will be just enough to pay for the water bill. It's all very depressing. A couple of bright notes: The more severe of my side effects from the anti-depressants have seemed to pass - the only side effect left is a headache. It varies in intensity, but I think that's also because I decided to quit drinking sodas (I get them free at work), so I'm also going through caffeine with-drawls. Drinking the sodas was just making another side effect (dry mouth) worse, so it makes sense in my warped brain to go cold turkey on those. I can tell a huge difference being on the meds - just typing about our budget above would have had me in tears a week ago - now I can at least face it without a breakdown. It's still depressing, but I can handle thinking about it. DH has a new job that he's supposed to start soon. He turned in his two week notice on Friday. Normally, the industry he's in (Life Safety) once you turn in your notice, the company walks you to the door so you don't screw anything up. However, the current boss hasn't said anything to DH, so he's still working. However, they say they don't have anything for him to do tomorrow, so I pointed out to DH it might be his boss' intent to give him next to nothing in hours over the next two weeks. DH said he'd turn in the keys and truck before he'd let that happen. We can't afford for him not to get paid. The new company is ready for him to start working immediately. And, he'll have a $1.50 raise. No news on the boat - except scams.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Aug 5, 2013 21:53:57 GMT -5
You have to get your priorities in order. What's more important? Having a roof over your head (the house payment) and feeding yourselves, or your kids' activities? Kids are resilient - and your kids will survive if they can't take part in everything they want to - especially if it's taking away ($500) from your house payment - not to mention the food budget. It's about as unnecessary an expense as that boat - especially when you're counting pennies or juggling credit cards to even feed yourselves at this point.
Your DH might have to lower the price (by quite a bit) that he's asking for the boat. That's probably why it's not selling. That's a huge chunk of change he's asking as a selling price for a used boat and probably why it's not moving.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Aug 5, 2013 22:48:31 GMT -5
I haven't paid anything on the school activities yet - so no worries there.
There's just not enough cash to pay the house payment right now after buying groceries and gas for work. We'll have the money in 4 short days. There is plenty of food in the refrigerator now, but that's only because I didn't do any shopping last week, so we were out of everything (again, trying to catch up on going cash only).
I agree - DH will have to lower the price by a lot before it will sell. I think he was hoping to get what we owe, but I'm well aware that he's dreaming. I'm letting DH take these steps because if I force him to do it, then it will just cause resentment between us.
Both DH and I are working as many hours extra as we can - but that's not always easy in our jobs either. It's probably going to take at least another month before the budget is actually on track like it should have been this whole time.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 6, 2013 9:53:21 GMT -5
Stopping paying the boat loan and all but one CC should help. The calls should start coming in very soon! Tell them they need to work with you or bankruptcy is the only option. Eventually they will come around but you won't be able to charge anymore on your CCs which is not a bad idea. Keeping one going is smart, though. Under NO circumstances let them access your account, even the one you are paying on, I'd get a money order to pay on it. Keep the copy, though until you know your payment was credited.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 6, 2013 9:53:55 GMT -5
Did you tell your DH you weren't going to make anymore boat payments?
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Icelandic Woman
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Post by Icelandic Woman on Aug 15, 2013 16:22:13 GMT -5
No updates in a while now. Are you doing okay Karaboo??
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Aug 18, 2013 13:29:32 GMT -5
Thanks for asking about me guys and sticking with me through this. I'm doing okay, but still struggling - both mentally and financially. These last two weeks have been a really hard adjustment and we're falling short by a long ways still. Mentally - I seem to be past the worst of the side effects. My sleep pattern is still slightly erratic - but I'm sleeping more, which is a good thing. I'm able to talk about the things bothering me without breaking down in tears at the mere thought flitting through my brain. However - that hasn't seemed to translate into desire to WANT to do things. It seems like a huge effort to just accomplish anything. I'm trying to figure out now if that missing desire is because something is still missing or if I've just been so used to NOT doing anything from being depressed, that I just don't have the habit back of just getting things done. I did force myself to clean our kitchen before sitting down to type this out - so that's a plus! I'm ashamed to say how badly it needed to be cleaned as well (and that was after the youngest cleaned it up over a week ago). Financially - it seems impossible. I'm not sure how I kept the bills going for so long. Actually - yes I do - I charged everything and just paid the minimums. I do have my budget for August/September. I'm trying to do my own version of YNAB - planning this month's money into next month's budget. I'm going to spend some extra time trying to put the spreadsheet into the next post neatly and in a way that makes sense for everyone to see what I'm trying to do. The numbers are horrible. Period. I had forgotten that at the beginning of July we had to have new tires for our Suburban just so that it would pass inspection (the only vehicle we have that will haul all 6 of us comfortably). That was $800 on the CC. The a/c also went out on the Suburban a week later - we live in Texas. It's now been parked since then because of no a/c - so new tires and we can't even drive it because of the heat. We've been just using DH's truck and only driving as necessary. That went on the GM Card. And - the Jared's card is one year no interest as long as the bill is paid in equal monthly payments each month (this was the bill that sent us into the tail-spin - thanks DH! Doesn't really matter, we would have been at this point eventually anyway - this bill just helped us along). We were behind on it and they were going to jack the rate up if we didn't catch up, so we also put the payments we were behind on it on the GM Card - so that was an additional $800. Instead of owing $220 every month on Jared's, we'll owe less than $100 on GM - that was our thinking anyway.....trying to get rid of or combine payments as much as possible. Between making payments, trying to combine bills, some balances going up while others are going down, half charging daily living on CC and trying to go all cash, our difference was -$926 for the month of July. I'm not proud of that number at all. August will probably be similar once it's done due to school and DH starting his new job. I haven't added up the cost of all of the items the kids needed, but I'm thinking we spent around $600 total for everything (or around $150 per kid). DH also had to have steel-toed boots for the new job, so that was another $125. Yes - all of that went on the CC. <sigh> Yes - I know we're still digging ourselves deeper - I just don't know how else to handle this until we get some traction going by getting our savings built up and some bills gone. My budget goal for August was to spend cash only - we've already blown that. Okay - enough for now - I'm going to put the next post together with the budget, so it may take a little while. I'll be back!
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Aug 18, 2013 14:53:43 GMT -5
C = currently ~ = approximately np = not paid! CC = paid with another credit card Just so you're aware - if DH overdrafts on his debit account - the money is drawn out of his savings. Same for me. If our bills account overdraws - it comes out of our Emergency savings account. Right now, my paycheck auto deposits $200 into my savings every other week, but that money is usually distributed to cover bills, cover kids activities or anything else unexpected. At the moment, I haven't transferred any money out since Friday's pay day. Typically, I only have about $50-75 in there on a regular basis. This will be changed in the near future - I will be changing my automatic deposit. I just haven't gotten that done just yet. August - I'll have 3 paychecks. DH did not ask the new job how often he will be paid, so I have no idea how many checks he will receive. He's pretty sure it's every week, if so, he'll receive 5 paychecks. Bill/Creditor | Minimum/ Budget Amount | Income/ Payment
| July | August | September | DH's Check | ~600 per week ~2,600 per month
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| 2,482.06 | 2,711.52 | 1,054.74 | Karaboo's Check | ~900 EOW ~1,950 per month
| | 1,805.00 | 2,071.72 | 2,187.09 | Total | ~4,550
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| 4,287.61 | 4,783.24 | 3,241.83 |
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| Emergency Savings | 100.00 |
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| 90.01 (c) |
| DH's Savings | 50.00 |
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| 189.97 (c) |
| Karaboo Savings | 50.00 |
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| 352.50 (c) |
| Kids' Ck Acct/Sav | ~200.00 per month + any Child Support |
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| 294.13 (c) |
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| Food | 800.00 |
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| Gas - Cars | 400.00 |
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| Mortgage | 852.00 | 852.00 | 48,943.27 | 48.520.45 |
| Vehicle Insurance | 231.00 | 234.00 | 229.13
| 234.00
| 229.19 | Water Bill | 201.00 | 177.54 | 224.45 | 177.54 |
| Gas - House | 34.10 | 31.83 | 36.37 | 31.83 |
| Electric | 320.38 | 306.71 | 334.05 | 306.71 |
| AT&T | 271.01 | 268.13 | 273.88 | 268.13 |
| Internet | 52.06 | 52.06 | 52.06 | 52.06 |
| Clothing | 100.00 |
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|
|
| Vehicle Maintenance | 100.00 |
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| Bills |
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| WF/Line of Credit | 174.00 |
| 9961.21 | 9881.31 |
| WF/Personal Loan | 463.31 |
| 14,573.28 | 14,260.90 |
| Boat/EECU | 632.23 (np) |
| 43,226.86 | 43,082.74 |
| Boat/Insurance | 142.00 (np) |
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| CC - Sears | 161.55 |
| 10,956.88 | 12,263.26 |
| CC - Kohl's | 25.00 |
| 773.86 | 917.56 |
| CC - Bass Pro | 217.00 |
| 7,448.81 | 7,263.30 |
| CC - GM Card | 100.00 |
| 440.00 | 2,465.70 |
| CC - Lowe's | 451.00 (np) |
| 4,212.63 | 4,334.58 |
| CC - Chase | 1159.00 (np) |
| 7,736.73 | 7,882.16 |
| CC - Home Depot | 55.00 (paid late) |
| 135.51 | 131.62 |
| CC - Jared's | 220.00 (CC) |
| 1,600.92 | 940.92 |
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| Medical - Lab 1 | 0.00 |
| 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Medical - Lab 2 | 0.00 |
| 4.72 | 0.00 |
| Medical - Lab 3 | 44.96 | 44.96 | 44.96 | 44.96 | 0.00 | Medical - Children's | 0.00 |
| 20.00 | 0.00 |
| Medical - TRA | 0.00 |
| 36.94 | 36.94 |
| Medical - Emergency | 0.00 |
| 38.86 | 38.86 |
| Medical - Hospital | 0.00 |
| 1,181.50 | 1,181.50 |
| Medical - Unknown |
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| Total | 5,705.43 |
| 153,390.64 | 154,317.51 |
| Difference |
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| +926.87 |
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The boat payment was made in July, but I have not made a payment for August and don't plan to. Okay - I've probably screwed some numbers up somewhere and I know I'm missing a few numbers. I'm trying to get those now and will post those as soon as I have them.
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Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,938
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
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Post by Apple on Aug 18, 2013 17:11:33 GMT -5
Good luck. The good thing is that you've recognized the issues and are working on fixing them! It's going to get worse before it gets better, but it will be worth it in the end. Hopefully the boat sells soon!
The anti-depressants can take a little while to kick in and feel right, I was on them for about a year before I felt good enough about where I was to get off of them. You'll still have some down days, but hopefully they won't have to mess with the dosage or prescription too much.
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Peace77
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 1:42:40 GMT -5
Posts: 3,992
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Post by Peace77 on Aug 19, 2013 3:22:33 GMT -5
Is the minimum payment $451 on Lowe's and $1159 on Chase? Or is that more than 1 month's minimum payment? That seems high. Do your kids have chores? They should be taking turns to clean the kitchen, vacuum and help with laundry, etc. It may seem hard to hand out chores but it is good for the kids to learn what to do and good for you to get a break. The payments for the kids' school clothes & supplies should come out of their savings. Keep up the good work.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 19, 2013 4:15:04 GMT -5
The kids didn't bother to get jobs this summer so they have no savings. I'd be saying, too bad so sad, at this time. No activities for you because you all made bad choices in not getting jobs. I'm sorry more money got put on CCs but I'm sure in a few months this will resolve itself. I hope you don't have to do BK because I don't think it will solve the real problem but put a band aid on it.
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resolution
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:09:56 GMT -5
Posts: 7,244
Mini-Profile Name Color: 305b2b
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Post by resolution on Aug 19, 2013 7:20:32 GMT -5
What activities/expenses have been cut? Can you return the jewelry back to Jared's?
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,912
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 19, 2013 7:51:18 GMT -5
Jared's isn't about to take their overpriced under quality jewelry back. OP probably knew at the time they couldn't afford it but didn't want to make hubby feel bad, just like the boat situation. Doubt there will be any bites on that boat. Let them repo it.
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Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Aug 19, 2013 8:12:02 GMT -5
Hugs Karaboo. I've got nothing for you on the budget (you'll get much more qualified people answering that than me)
But as for the depression, yeah, it's gonna take a bit for your energy levels to come up - up to a couple of months. It WILL get better, I swear. In addition to the pills, are you seeing someone to talk to as well? A safe place to /vent is a Godsend.
Are you talking to the kids about the money problems? I don't remember. I know you've got teens and they're old enough to grasp what's going on.
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Peace77
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 1:42:40 GMT -5
Posts: 3,992
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Post by Peace77 on Aug 19, 2013 8:27:20 GMT -5
Zib,
i was referring to the savings account that Karaboo has for the kids. She puts $200 per month in the account. Currently it has $294 while the kids clothes where put on CC.
I'm saying that at least the payment for the CC that the kids clothes were charged to needs to come from that account and not from the household accounts.
The kids should be warned now that there may not be enough for their activities so try can get busy working.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 48,101
Member is Online
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Aug 19, 2013 8:57:37 GMT -5
I had forgotten that at the beginning of July we had to have new tires for our Suburban just so that it would pass inspection (the only vehicle we have that will haul all 6 of us comfortably).
Find a discount/used tire store in your area for next time. You don't need all the tires to match and they just need to be seviceable.
You might have to replace them sooner but it'd be cheaper than charging $800 a month on credit cards.
Can you return the jewelry back to Jared's
They might take it but what they offer won't even come close to covering what they owe or what they paid. They are in the business of selling, not buying.
They'd probably get a better deal pawning it.
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