I am feeling unprepared at the moment -- not quite sure why, but there is that unsettling gnawing feeling that should my husband lose his job, I wouldn't be able to confidently smile and say, "God will provide" as my recent encounter with a newly unemployed father of seven.
In looking at the paychecks through the month of October, I realize that if we keep to our planned payment schedule and budget, we will be one mortgage payment ahead by 10/31. Once this is accomplished I will feel some relief. Our utiities are on budget payments and if I pay 1-1/3 of them through the next three months, I would be one payment ahead on that as well. Might not be the smartest move, but it would at least put my budget one step ahead.
DH's severance is two months. I would also put my student loan payment in forebearance, and I would imagine that my kids' school would cover or waive those tuition payments. We finally gave the present tenant the ultimatum that in order for her tenancy to continue she must pay 1/2 the rent every two weeks. I would feel better if she had a longer history of doing this (she is presently two payments into the new schedule).
Thankfully the expenses upcoming aren't that bad. The fall sports are paid for. We have an overnight trip planned for September and I was able to get the hotel room for $129 plus tax.
I should be giving some serious thought to economizing on the holidays and kids birthdays (we have four from August to December).
I have also contacted the hospital about my remaining bill and will pay $25 a month until the balance is paid off. I will pay 1/2 the doctor and anesthesiologist bills too. That is under control./
How much money can I send to the EF? Watch me as I try to grow the EF!
More serious consideration
July 27th, 2010 at 03:55 pm
July 27th, 2010 at 04:46 pm 1280249166
July 27th, 2010 at 05:58 pm 1280253506
July 27th, 2010 at 07:06 pm 1280257616
Y'all might need to keep an eye on that family and find small ways to help them out, even to employ them. Like, maybe you could hire the husband or wife to clean your windows, to power wash your driveway, to reset a crooked fence post, to sew some cool living room pillow covers, etc.... These are some of the kinds of things that might help your own family survive unemployment, too. Good to think about it from your own perspective as well as from other's point of view.
July 27th, 2010 at 09:08 pm 1280264891
Joan, I wish you could have seen and heard this man with his honest conviction that God will see his family through this turmoil. He is probably better able to sleep through the night than most.
July 28th, 2010 at 03:51 am 1280289102
July 30th, 2010 at 02:38 am 1280457494
July 30th, 2010 at 05:36 pm 1280511397
Absolutely agreed, FrugalTexan. I believe that God works through us as well.