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At what point do you revisit the basics?

June 16th, 2011 at 02:19 pm


Seems like every once in a while, a bump in the road (or potential bump) throws me back to that place of worry and concern and isolation (pre-Money Management Seminar with DH two years ago). It happened last night, when DH innocently said he should have his resume updated and ready to go because the future of his industry looks questionable. Now, I have a plan in place IF he loses his job.

I started to look at our situation and these small things threw me for a loop:

(1) Comcast bill is no longer in the 2-year locked in phase and jumped from $130 to $190 (best deal would only drop it $10 and slow the cable speed which seems turtlish at present).
(2) We dried up the employer-funded medical account and are now at $0.00, this means that we are responsible for DD's asthma meds which run $153.00.
(3) Gas prices for the one car are up, this will double when we return to a second car (which is soon because with five kids and their schedules, it has become really taxing with one one vehicle)
(4) Tuition prices have increased 2% and that looks like scholarship funds will be diminished, increasing what we pay monthly.
(5) The dryer broke two months ago and needs to be replaced. I am tired of living without one.

While none of these are earth shattering events, add them up and I wonder where will the money come from?

I will admit to being complacent and lax about things. I track the spending, but have done little to see how accurate the budget category allotments are. Bad, I know.

The remainder of June will be spendy (more so than minimal): Fathers Day gifts, camping trip purchases (though we're borrowing as much as we can), etc.

My first attempt to curtail spending:
(1) Fill gas tank at Sam's Club
(2) Grocery shop at Aldi's
(3) Mother's Day gift for MIL at Family Christian Bookstore - use 25% off
(4) JC Penney's - $10 off coupon for polo shirts for stepdad and FIL

Oh, to return to discipline and leave the place of worry. I need to get back on track. Time to revisit Mary Hunt's Debt Proof Your Marriage and the 7 Steps to Financial Freedom.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

4 Responses to “At what point do you revisit the basics?”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    June 16th, 2011 at 03:29 pm 1308238186
    1308238186

    I think this type of thing happens to all of us. I think is simply important to recognize it and be aware that it can sneak up on us. Once we are aware we can do better.

  2. ceejay74 Says:
    June 16th, 2011 at 03:45 pm 1308239131
    1308239131

    I think you're pretty amazing to keep it going without closely following the budget categories. As a natural spender in a family of spenders, I don't know if I'll ever get to that point. But yes, even the best of budgeters need to do this occasionally, I suspect.

  3. My English Castle Says:
    June 16th, 2011 at 06:53 pm 1308250436
    1308250436

    Laura: I did the same thing when DH was grumbling about his job a month ago or so. We've clamped down on spending, I renegotiated our ATT package, and I've ramped up hanging laundry and eating leftovers. We, like you, sort of do this all the time, but we just turn up the vigilance control.

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    June 18th, 2011 at 03:08 am 1308366522
    1308366522

    That's a great idea - when you start thinking about needing to get a grip on finances, or return to the basics - to reread the great financial books. Especially Mary Hunt. Big Grin

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