i started 08 with a zest and zeal for "taming the money monster". I solicited advice and made some good moves (putting 4% of DH's salary into my IRA as his employed matches up to 6% inn 401k, setting up HSA to go with HDHP, payig down HELOC, tracking expenses)
I shopped only at ALdi's once a week and conserved gas. Well, Walgreens has had some great grocery deals this month (Progresso soup for $1.00 can (after in store and manufacturers coupons) and DH's Fiber One cereal for under $2. There have been some birtday parties for kids and my supply of gifts was depleted, so expense there. I've had school activities that I vounteer for - so no conserving energy. Our budget bill or gas jumped from $82 to $160 (I guess it was grossly underestimated.
I'm still waiting to hear from the insurance company on settlement on DH's car, so we'll have to buy the replacement one soon.
I am very uninterested in tracking my expenses. I know I'll have some sort of credit on the insurance bill next month of at lelast the $40 to insure DH's car. I am watching my balance in the checking account on-line, but that is about it (I automated a lot of stuff)
I am an ALL OR NOTHING person and I need to find a way to compromise this total interest OR lack of interest in finances. Any words?
Winter blahs ... need encouragement
February 15th, 2008 at 04:01 pm
February 15th, 2008 at 04:21 pm 1203092484
I would guess that if you are uninterested, it may be because the current system isn't to your liking, and not necessarily that you are actually "uninterested". I mean, you are blogging about it, so I can't imagine that you are actually "uninterested".
Just a thought... for encouragement?
February 15th, 2008 at 04:32 pm 1203093130
BA - Thanks for the point of view; I guess that once I started taking an interest and action in our money, there would be more "eureka" moments. Rather there are small gratifying moments, like "Gee, I'm glad I didn't raise my auto insurance deductible from $250 to $1,000 just to save the $2.90 a month" now that the car is a total loss and I only have to come up with $250.
February 15th, 2008 at 04:38 pm 1203093504
My only suggestion to you would be to reconsider your volunteering and it's time and many expenses. I know first hand because it is what I did for years for my kids. Sometimes, it is good to say no to some activities that really might be straining you and your budger. I eventually had to step back and guess what? The world didn't fall apart because I wasn't there even thought I was told that they didn't know what they would do if I wasn't going to be there. Someone will come along. I found out that this put a lot of strain on my own family as well because of meals being late and missed events my family wanted to attend.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:24 pm 1203114255
so i guess what i am saying is that even if you just do the bare minimum at times you dont feel like doing anything, you'll eventually get back into it, even if it means you might have to revamp the way you do it, lilke BA says.
February 16th, 2008 at 04:07 am 1203134842
Also, if you are data driven, you might want to play amateur economist and ask fun (interesting) questions about your spending, which could encourage you to keep tracking your overall spending. Are there some months where you buy more pizza? If you're trying a trick to decrease your utility bill - can you figure out if you're succeeding?