Money money money money!

[judecorp]

So we're trying to do this budget thing, and it's such a pain in the butt. (I am writing this just for you, folkyboy.) The problem is that she gets paid once a month and is used to saving all of the bills until she gets paid, and I get paid every two weeks and am used to paying bills the day they come in, and putting money aside to pay rent (because the checks never come at a good time). Today we sat down and tried to make a spreadsheet, and it was just such a train wreck... trying to figure out what bills come when, and when to pay things, and how to work it. I think we're going to just see what happens in the month of February so that we have a more concrete plan based on actual facts. Whee!

I asked for a higher "allowance" of fun money since I have less bills. Part of me feels like a spoiled brat for asking, but I really think it would balance things out a bit, at least in the short term while Jennifer tries to pay down her credit card debt. She says that idea (me getting an extra $50 or so) doesn't upset her, so I'll go with that. We'll see. This is all a learning experience and a process, after all.

We just got back from the grocery store and have loaded up the house again. It's so weird to have so much FOOD in the house, because when I lived alone I had /nothing/ - total bachelor kitchen. Now there are, like, ingredients and things. Heck, we even have dried beans! (I got Jennifer a crock pot after Christmas and we've been collecting some crocky recipes, mmmm.) I am such a cheap nazi at the grocery store and it is probably driving Jennifer nuts. Heh.

Wow, this entry is pointless and rambly. LUCKY YOU. Tonight we're going to Dave & Buster's so Jen can play pool with friends, and if I get sick of pool (which will invariably happen, as I don't really like pool) I can go play overpriced vids. Whee! If you wanna come with, give me a call. So far it's me, Jen, elspazz0, Carlos Carlos, and maybe calledmara and crushinator and pattisimmons.

p.s. I hate this weather. Yeah, that's a shock.

Comments

[juliann.livejournal.com]

Wow you would drive me nuts, a cheap nazi at the grocery store but then (wanting to) ditch your cheap lunch to go out! I'd have to scream til you were consistent! :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I take my lunch to work every day, thank you very much! And I didn't even go to Boston Market yesterday even though I really wanted to! :)

So NYAAAAAAH!

[carina-s.livejournal.com]

Scott and I totally have our own accounts and spend our own money, in general. We split the bills up when we moved in together and have never stopped. This is partly because of convenience and partly because I am a freak about sharing my money. I am particular about 401K investing (AGGRESSIVE! AGRESSIVE!), what I want to spend money on, and how I want to save. I suspect we'd fight or have friction over it if we were to go for all our money in a joint account.

I admire you two for taking the steps you have. I don't think I could do it.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I am also particular about saving... but I'm hoping in this case my particularness will rub off on Jen, who currently has no saving strategy (hence, no savings) but wants some things (house, etc.) that require saving.

In a perfect world we would be able to keep our separate accounts. Heck, what I originally wanted was a separate joint account we would use just to pay bills... and only bill money would go in there (that we would transfer from our main accounts). And that is still on tap, except that right now all of Jen's money pretty much goes to bills... and I want to help her get some of that debt down.

[vorpalbla.livejournal.com]

It's good that you are getting around to budgeting. The hardest part is getting started.

My system is
a)pay bills when they come in, paypal roommate for half.
b)cell phone bill, investments, and student loan are automatically deducted monthly
c)pay roommate for rent a few days before end of month.
d)periodically look at credit card and bank statements online so I can see where the $ is going.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

That's cool. I liked living alone because I was the only variable in the finance department. It worked well for me, probably because I am a Control Freak. ;)

Right now, the plan is:

a) all money in joint account
b) allowances removed from joint account
c) create budget to decide how much per month can be 1-saved, 2-spent on fun things, 3-used to pay down debt.

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

aww well that's good you're working together on it. i think the whole allowance thing isn't as bad only because she's paying off her credit card and it'll give her something to strive for that way she, too, can have lots of extra cash once she lets "the man" go ;)

sounds like you're getting the hang of things. i would concentrate more on when things are DUE tho and then work from there. don't worry about when they come in the mail because you can't control that and if the bill NEVER comes in the mail, you still owe. so that shouldn't even be an issue. just work through what you know is due when and then go from there :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I /am/ trying to concentrate more on when things are due to a point (I don't want to wait until the last minute!)... I was just pointing out that we have different ways of looking at things.

It's usually refreshing, but when it comes to finances it just makes things that much more complicated. :)

[hopemcg.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see the lay-out of your spreadsheet figured out, I'd love to see it. We are sort of doing the same thing and I would love to steal your hard work.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

THIEF!

Yeah, I'm sure we'd love to trade ideas with you. We didn't make an official spreadsheet, but we probably will. :)