2 steps forward. 3 steps back

[Anonymous]

Sometimes, I really want to get my money act together. I will spend hours combing through credit card statements, bills, stuff that I have bought, and look out for mistakes, ways I have wasted money etc and try to resolve it. for example, today I got refunds on two warrantee plans that I knew I wasn't going to use. I also went through my healthcare records, and I got refunds from my secondary insurance, where they should have paid out claims. I returned a bunch of stuff to department stores, and got maybe $100 back onto my debit card. Then, my husband got a speeding ticket, and undid all of the work for today.Does this happen to you?

The most profound example of this happened to me once when I went to Goodwill, to get some cheap ski/winter gear stuff for the kids for their first ski trip.
I parked in the wrong place, and my car got towed. I had to pay $250 to get it back. I could've gotten the kids all new stuff with $250.

[Anonymous]

Yes. When I was younger I did many MANY stupid things that cost me a lot. But as I got older and better organized, I figured my way out. You will too.

[Anonymous]

I can relate and talked to my good friend about this. I know it's self sabotage.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, this happens. But remember, if you hadn't done the things to save money and your husband had gotten the ticket, you'd be in the hole, not breaking even.

It can be frustrating, I know. And you do need to be more careful to avoid avoidable expenses like the towing or the speeding ticket, if those expenses are going to mean something to you.

[Anonymous]

You just have to work on being more consistently organized and conscientious. Saving money is a tiny part outstanding acts of heroism (getting refunds, buying used gear) and 99% just being careful and honest every day (parking where you know it's safe even if it's less convenient/costs a little more, not speeding, paying attention to your bank statements every month, taking care of maintenance issues as soon as they arise, being on-time with bills every month). You also save a hell of a lot of time if your car doesn't get towed, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just have to work on being more consistently organized and conscientious. Saving money is a tiny part outstanding acts of heroism (getting refunds, buying used gear) and 99% just being careful and honest every day (parking where you know it's safe even if it's less convenient/costs a little more, not speeding, paying attention to your bank statements every month, taking care of maintenance issues as soon as they arise, being on-time with bills every month). You also save a hell of a lot of time if your car doesn't get towed, for example.

+1

Poor spending habits is usually a sign of a lack of self control in general, or making poor life choices. Grow up and be an adult. Realize that your actions have consequences. Be careful, responsible, and keep your affairs in good order. Stick to the basics and the rest will follow, including good financial management skills.

[Anonymous]

The holidays undo it all for me. We hardly spend anything on each other, but travel and bonuses for nanny and other ways we're asked to contribute really screw me over. Neither me nor my husband get bonuses and we don't make enough money to save $2k for the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The holidays undo it all for me. We hardly spend anything on each other, but travel and bonuses for nanny and other ways we're asked to contribute really screw me over. Neither me nor my husband get bonuses and we don't make enough money to save $2k for the holidays.

can you each save $83 dollars a month? if so, then you have your 2k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Sometimes, I really want to get my money act together. I will spend hours combing through credit card statements, bills, stuff that I have bought, and look out for mistakes, ways I have wasted money etc and try to resolve it. for example, today I got refunds on two warrantee plans that I knew I wasn't going to use. I also went through my healthcare records, and I got refunds from my secondary insurance, where they should have paid out claims. I returned a bunch of stuff to department stores, and got maybe $100 back onto my debit card. Then, my husband got a speeding ticket, and undid all of the work for today.Does this happen to you?

The most profound example of this happened to me once when I went to Goodwill, to get some cheap ski/winter gear stuff for the kids for their first sThki trip.
I parked in the wrong place, and my car got towed. I had to pay $250 to get it back. I could've gotten the kids all new stuff with $250.

I find myself make less mistake when I have patience. For example, when the traffic light turn yellow, why hurry to beat the yellow light and might ended up get a ticket and the difference is 2 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The holidays undo it all for me. We hardly spend anything on each other, but travel and bonuses for nanny and other ways we're asked to contribute really screw me over. Neither me nor my husband get bonuses and we don't make enough money to save $2k for the holidays.

And yet you have a nanny and travel for the holidays.

It's all about good financial choices, people. Spend it like you don't got it.

[Anonymous]

I once did a fiscal fast and in two weeks saved $250. And got a $250 ticket on the 15th day. Talk about discouraging.

One of the things we're not good at is budgeting the unexpected. These intakes and dumb things add up and it gets frustrating.

One thing we do is keep a "life happens" account, and put a set amount in it every two weeks. So it's separate from savings, and pays for these annoying things that pop up - fridge breaks, car hits a pothole, etc etc.

But, another PP nailed it - at least you saved that money and it covers the ticket. In this case, think of iras two steps forward and two steps back, not 3 steps!

[Anonymous]

I hear ya OP. It's always something or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once did a fiscal fast and in two weeks saved $250. And got a $250 ticket on the 15th day. Talk about discouraging.

One of the things we're not good at is budgeting the unexpected. These intakes and dumb things add up and it gets frustrating.

One thing we do is keep a "life happens" account, and put a set amount in it every two weeks. So it's separate from savings, and pays for these annoying things that pop up - fridge breaks, car hits a pothole, etc etc.

But, another PP nailed it - at least you saved that money and it covers the ticket. In this case, think of iras two steps forward and two steps back, not 3 steps!

So if you have $500 in your "life happens" account, but $1000 of life happened. What do you do? How does you silly budget help you in that case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I once did a fiscal fast and in two weeks saved $250. And got a $250 ticket on the 15th day. Talk about discouraging.

One of the things we're not good at is budgeting the unexpected. These intakes and dumb things add up and it gets frustrating.

One thing we do is keep a "life happens" account, and put a set amount in it every two weeks. So it's separate from savings, and pays for these annoying things that pop up - fridge breaks, car hits a pothole, etc etc.

But, another PP nailed it - at least you saved that money and it covers the ticket. In this case, think of iras two steps forward and two steps back, not 3 steps!

So if you have $500 in your "life happens" account, but $1000 of life happened. What do you do? How does you silly budget help you in that case?

Not the PP, but we budget the same way with a short term savings account and long term savings account. The short term savings account is for things like car repairs, unexpected home maintenance, etc. We are constantly spending from and replenishing this account, which usually has at least a few grand in it. I think it's a nice way to separate out a little extra money for these "life happens" costs from our regular bills. If we were $500 short, then we'd probably charge it and pay it off the next month when we get paid again.

Our long term savings is for longer term goals (saving money for our move-up house someday), getting a large sum of money to start investing, etc. If we had to touch this for a "life happens" emergency we could.

I think lots of different systems can work, but that you should plan for the unexpected. That way when the hot water heater breaks or the dog needs to go to the emergency vet, you are prepared. I agree though with OP that sometimes it feels like a never ending cycle of getting ahead and then having unplanned costs arise. Such is life ...

[Anonymous]

One time I went to Gymboree to return an $8 shirt for my son that was the wrong color. Got in a fender bender in the parking lot. Should have just put the shirt in the goodwill pile