just can't get ahead

[livingwiththepast]

My husband worked for his dad for 15 years. His dad was paying him well, and hubby had earned it, but when companies don't pay them on time he doesn't get paid on time. For a year I did a paper route (this was a large motor route, not a kiddie bike route), which paid well until gas went up. I liked the job, and loved my boss. Until my route expanded, the hours were great because I could work early mornings before anyone got up. Once my route expanded it was more money, but I got gone later. Hubby had me quit because it affected what time he started work. We were getting by okay on money at the time, but had no savings. 2 days after I finally quit, his dad cut his pay in half! He knew I was going to quit and kept asking my husband if I quit yet, it was on purpose.
That made it impossible to get by one, so hubby just started a new job which is a little less now than what he was making but he is being groomed to move up plus now we have actual benefits.
The problem is that we are always so strapped for cash that once we do get some extra money we blow it. Not on big stuff, just a little here and there on small things, like eating out, and doing some little stuff with the kids that we wouldn't usually do. Like bowling or festivals or something like that. But then whatever extra money we had is gone and then some. It's hard to budget when you are negative all the time. We don't have enourmous expenses, our house payment, one car, insurance, utilities, phone/internet, hubbys child support, and that's it. But gas and Groceries are a major expense, btu we limit where we can. We don't have credit cards. It's always so tight, that it's hard to not splurge a little when we can. But then we are just back at sqaure one. it's a vicious cycle and it makes me even more stressed and down because we just can't get ahead.

[Jennifer]

Glad to hear that your hubby is taking on new responsibity and found a new job. Sounds like his dad was not the best person to work for. Gas and food are affecting everyone and no matter what financial sitution you are in now, times are tough.
It is hard to be so good all the time and it is fun to have quality time with the kids. Do you two have short and long term goals with finances? It sounds like there is potential with your husbands new job.

Life is too short not to be enjoyed, so yes you do need to enjoy it sometimes and other times you have to be responsible, all a balancing act.

[livingwiththepast]

It is hard to set goals when we can barely make it week to week, we have tried saving, but it is gone as soon as we have an unexpected expense.
Yes in a few months when my husband is making more money it will help, but it ill be a long while before we will actually make enough to get ahead. I would rather try to cut back on ALL unnecessary spending until we get caught up on everything but that is easier said then done.

[Jennifer]

Agreed, but it will be easier to cut back now than when you are doing better. Everyone is hurting financially right now and everyone is learning how to cut back. Food/gas/etc is very expensive.

There are always free things to do for the the family and the next time I come across an article about it, I will post it here. Cities offer free music, etc. Try to find some creative free activities for the whole family. Swimming, beach if you are close. Let me know what you come up with.

[livingwiththepast]

We have found lots of ways to cut back, we don't rent movies, go out to eat, and in general don't spend money on fun stuff. I am sure that the recent spending splurge is connected to how down I was feeling. We are very fortunate to live in a very family friendly town we have a ton of beautiful parks, lakes, beaches, and a wonderful library that we fully take advantage of the programs there. We have cut back on Y programs and activities like that.
We recently cut back to one car that my husband and I alternate with. It is sometimes difficult but we can usually manage without an extra vehicle.
For groceries we were spending $150 a week, plus eating out. I use Angel Food Ministires (it is not a charity or food pantry you order boxes food once a month off of their menu) I spend $70 a month through them, each $30 box feeds a family of 4 for a week, plus they have additional specials you can order like boxes of steaks, chicken, dinners, or fresh fruits and veggies. Then I only spend about $50 a week on additional groceries. I also shop late nights the evening before the sale ads come out, which is when the truck comes and you can get a lot of stuff marked way down. Milk is 50 cents a gallon with only a few days left before the expiration date (we use a gallon of milk a day so I can buy a few). Meat, bread, and anything fresh is usually marked down. I use coupons. Krogers even has been sending out good coupons based on what we buy plus checks for $5 off each week. The coupons alone save me about $20 a week. My youngest is finally out of diapers so that helps a lot too!

[Jennifer]

you rock . sounds like you are doing everything right, now we just need to work on improving your mood.
j