I get paid and spend that money until the next check arrives. Lately, about every two or three months I have been running out of money before the next check arrives. I mean really running out of money, negative checking balance with no savings.
A motorcycle breakdown out of town wiped me out this time. I had to pay rent 20 days late keep everything from bouncing. I will be close to broke again when my next pay check arrives. At least I think I will. That is part of the problem. I haven't been paying attention to my finances.
I have had the YNAB, You Need A Budget software for years. Every time there is a new version I buy it, but I have never used it. It's time I get started. I will use it to develop a budget and set some goals. Then I will make a doable plan to reach the goals.
Well, I already know that my big goal is to move across the country to California. I want to attend a Non Violent Communication Program there. There are are lot of steps in between where I am now and being able to do that.
I am thinking about doing a hardcore version of Dave Ramsey's Bean and Rice Diet until the end of the year. Wasteful spending on drive thrus seems to about the only place I will have much leverage in my budget.
I have about decided to do it. I am only afraid I am taking on a challenge too big to start with and that I am setting myself up for failure. I will think about it today and if I commit to it, I'll start tomorrow.
I keep running out of money!
October 23rd, 2010 at 03:55 pm
October 23rd, 2010 at 04:17 pm 1287847067
October 23rd, 2010 at 04:55 pm 1287849310
October 23rd, 2010 at 07:51 pm 1287859881
October 23rd, 2010 at 08:14 pm 1287861277
October 24th, 2010 at 02:46 am 1287884801
Welcome to SA. Start by tracking where you are spending your money and work out when and how much your bills are costing you over a year, and note dates due make a calendar for this. Plan to put this money aside to have it ready when each bill due. Allow for motorcycle repairs in the away of a float that must be paid back if use.
Look for the best way to do this. I work with floats as some bills I never need from year to the next but the money is there if it’s needed. Starting with $1000 in floats I put total amount of bills plus extra 10% each pay away for just bills then just pay them all when due.
I have been doing this for many years now.
Then if any money is over above the amount needed at the start of the next year it goes into savings or special projects after I taken out my floats for the following year.
October 24th, 2010 at 05:06 am 1287893212
October 24th, 2010 at 04:38 pm 1287934722