Remember when we were young and we both worked at the Dairy Queen and got paid every two weeks and sometimes got tips? I know we didn't make very much, you know by the hour, but somehow all that money was all we needed to have a good time. I could make $134. go pretty far in those days. I'd get my bleach done every 6 weeks, and my nails (OF COURSE) and some clothes and food, and still save enough money for a new Homecoming, Spring Fling or Prom Dress.
I never had to ask Momma and Daddy for money although I now know, they were spending every last cent on us. Still. I had my own money. That pride thing will bite you in the ass that's for sure.
These days, I feel like I'm poorer than I was when I worked at Dairy Queen!
I listened to that investment guy, Dave Ramsey, on the radio and he said the key to handling money is to:
1. Get debt free (Seriously!)
2. Put a whole bunch of money away. I can't remember how much but it sounds like a lot.
3. Then learn about investing.
I talked to Bill about it and we realized we aren't really sure how much we spend each month. That was a great conversation...NOT!
I guess the answer is ALL OF IT.
What ever we earn we spend. There is no doubt about it because I am always holding my breath juggling the bills and timing payments and it's an endless cycle. It's like that nightmare I have of getting tossed in the lake in February, the water so cold I can't feel my arms or legs but I keep kicking in order to get a breath of air only to be pulled back under. God I hate that dream!
That's what it feels like with our bills and money and budget. One terrible long slow winter drowning.
Well I have to start breathing and get this pressure off my chest or I'm going to be in the cardio ward and I don't mean with the Panthers (Cardiac-cats HA HA )!
Since we have no idea how much money we spend in a month we thought we'd just save every receipt and bill we pay for two months and then take a look and see how it matches up with what we earn. I just got a basic envelope and marked it up like this:
Basically we need to get an idea of what we are doing. My suspicion is that we are doing what ever we want and ignoring the fact that we only make a medium amount of money. Probably one of the problems is THAT CREDIT CARD, but I will reserve judgement until two months are over and we have evidence.
We have only been saving the receipts for three days but already I feel like I have a leash tied around my neck. Is this a good thing? You tell me...UGH
