Sunday, January 29, 2012

January has been VERY expensive

Dave Ramsey puts a "blow" category in his budget. It's for those moments of weakness and unexpected little expenses. It kinda makes it sound like he's a crack addict but none the less it's a very good idea. I make our budget SUPER tight, much too tight in fact. We don't have any sort of blow category. I'm not comfortable cutting back on credit card payments at the beginning of the month in anticipation of spending too much. If we spend too much and I have to cut back on some of the payments then, ok, you have to do what you have to do.

With three months of NO paychecks rapidly approaching I've devised a super tight budget as always only there isn't any extra for credit card payments. This month we've had numerous expenses that I didn't foresee and didn't budget (not to mention the husband's spending category has been ridiculously over budget).

$40.86 Oil change husbands vehicle
$45 Birthing class
$19 Stamps
$35.61 Hospital bill / blood work
$32.44 Oil change my vehicle
$60 Extra water payment
$62.50 Blood work for the dog
$295 GONE just like that in one month = sweating just a bit.


 I'm not panicking yet. I'm certain that we will be getting some sort of tax refund. I haven't budgeted that at all. But I am looking ahead to a year of financial struggle and headache. This is going to be one spectacularly FABULOUS and horridly difficult year. Ah, but we will survive and I'm certain we'll come out the other end of it much better off and stronger people.

Boz is the one on the right.
Praying against the unexpected expenses from here on out!!!

Oh, I feel I should mention that our little Bozzy's gum disease has progressed. He needs his teeth veterinary cleaned again and they said they'll probably have to remove another 3 teeth (at least). We're looking at another $500 bill on that one. We're going to have to put it off for a bit but it's SOOOO awful when your babies are sick. I just can't stand it   : (

11 comments:

  1. just had my oil changed yesterday so I was drawn to yours on the list. The costs were different between yours and hubby's. Curious why? Different sized vehicle? Dif place?

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    1. we do actually get the oil changed at different places but also he drives a van and I drive a smaller car and he uses higher mileage oil and I use regular. I guess all of those factors contribute to the cost.

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    2. cool. Thanks for answering. makes sense.

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  2. Have you ever tried to do your own oil change? My husband does our PT cruiser himself, but the chryler 300 has some sort of metal cover on the bottom so he takes that car in to a shop. It would cost about $15 to buy oil and a filter to do it on your own.

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    1. I hate to be so negative but I'm pretty sure we're incapable of changing our own oil. My husband isn't exactly car savvy. I'd love it if one of us were able to though.

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  3. Have you gone through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class with your husband? It was a great way to get my husband and I on the same page. We are fighting for debt freedom right alongside you! Keep going!! :)

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    1. I went through the class but the hubby was less than interested in joining me. We're not exactly on the same page. He's doing better little by little and really that's all I can ask for. Baby step, baby step...

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  4. I hate those expenses that pop up - I fele like I should create a slush category just for those items. But then I worry that I would spend it on junk, rather than the items we truly need but didn't anticipate.

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    1. Exactly! I feel like if I had a blow category in the budget it would not go towards unexpected expenses or towards debt it would just be blown. Oh, the dilemma.

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  5. Ouch, I'm sorry about little Bozzie. I swear, sometimes pets are even more expensive than children!! You can't really put them on your medical or dentist insurance. Hopefully,other than that February will be a much easier month for you!

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  6. Thinking of you - I bet you're so excited! Glad to hear you're off work now, please use this time to chill out and get yourself ready. This will be the most relaxing..LAST relaxing...time you will have now for the rest of your life so make the most of it. Sorry to hear that OH's spending habits haven't improved. What will he do when you're Mommy to a real baby?
    Love to you!

    K xx

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