Make a list of budget/spending priorities for your self employment income
Posted By: mtstudent on 2008-08-24
In Reply to: This is wonderful. - This is basically the "snowball"
Dave Ramsey's book has a irregular income planning sheet. Basically you list your expenses with the cash flow sheet. With any steady income you allocate it. For irregular income, make a list from the cash flow sheet of what needs to be paid first. Keep a culmulative total.
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I don't make a budget.
Only have 3 children and a very small extended family to buy for. I doubt I spend over $600 between them all.
that's nonsense! I make a six-figure income all my myself being an MT. Hubby has no need to wor
xx
Make your own income, hire a plumber. Total unnecessary. Men are useless in the family plan.
x
You need to make a list of goals for yourself and
You have to learn who YOU really are! You are not the same person you were when you met this man, or even the day he left.
Try to look at it as an opportunity to live your life for yourself. By doing that, you will be an example to your children of how to take control of their own lives and achieve all that they want.
Keep yourself occupied. Have goals. Work toward those goals. Go out and have fun with non-romantic friends -- this will probably mean just girls night out for a while! Stay away from males for a while...until you can be clear-minded, level-headed, objective, and strong at heart with them.
You should be in a position of viewing men as: Not a necessity -- you make your own money, have your children already, have your own credit, etc....but one would be an enhancement to your life.
Your happiness is your responsibility! Go get your happiness!
employment
 I need someone to tell me what is better, contractor or employee.
I have no problem with pre-employment screens....
That's a totally different ball of wax than wasting taxpayers' money to pay for people drawing unemployment to have to go through it. Employers pay for those pre-employment screens; whole different scenario. People on unemployment are people who were working, productive members of society who through whatever circumstance lost their livelihood. They normally are not drawing off of the system by choice but have been given a very small temporary lifeline until they find another job (not easy to do these days).
I will agree with you on testing people on government assistance though. Personally, I'd love to make sure my taxpayer dollars are going to feed and house and clothe rather than up someone's nose or into their arm.
Has anyone even thought about the VAST amount of money it would cost to test everyone on unemployment?
It's fascist and absurd.
You have to set priorities- you said
working full time at home which is not giving you much work. That is where you maybe should make your first cut. Why sit and wait on something that is not there? Waste of time. If your husband is out of work right now, put the full time school on hold for awhile. You cannot go in the hole waiting on things when you need the money to live. If my income depended on just 1 income and that was not doing it, then this lady finds other avenues. Several part time jobs (with just an hr here and an hr there) can add up to a full time salary. It can be done, I have done it.
Rotten Tomatoes list the 50 best scary movies. Good list.
xx
One more time....This is not about you. None of this. She has other priorities right now. nm
x
Women aren't on their own listof priorities (sm)
I just read this on Oprah.com and it is really striking me. Thought it might strike some of you too. I actually have felt guilty when I was trying to exercise regularly and eat healthy....spending too much time on myself, too much money for healthy food.
Women aren't on their own list of priorities.
After taking care of everyone else, they are always putting themselves last on the list, and often have very little left to give. There are many women who aren't living—they are just existing. This is a form of self-abuse. Women often wear their exhaustion as a badge of honor. The more you do for your loved ones, the more acceptable it becomes to "let yourself go." Women believe it's okay to become a "sacrificial lamb" within their own families. This is a lie that we allow ourselves to buy into, but we need to wake up! The challenge for women is that they must re-language what it means to be a wife and mother. Being a good wife and mother means that if you don't take care of yourself, in the long run you are ultimately harming all the other people you love in your life. You won't be the only one who takes the hit.
We have been spending less than 100
And we are starving. DH took over going to the grocery store from me (He thought I spent too much when I would spend about 150 a week.) It has been months since we do not have a bare cupboard. I am not complaining. I understand we are broke and he needs to pay the creditors. But the one person who has pretty much stopped eating is me. I am home all day and there is never bread to make a sandwich and I often pass up supper because I am tired of eating junky stuff like mac and cheese or spaghetti with meat sauce. He and our 11 year old son, on the other hand eat thirds of whatever meal it is. I get kind of annoyed. Our littlest boy and middle girl eat very little. All 3 take their lunch to school. I say to DH either stop eating so much (for him and the older boy) or buy more. He flips his eyes at me. We even stopped getting microwave popcorn which used to fill them up. So, now I am hoping to work extra to go to the grocery store myself and put an extra 100 a week in myself, but I keep running out of work.
You see, this all started when we started running out of work in transcription about a year ago this fall, and my DH took over the bills. Apparently food was the first to be cut. And, BTW I don't ever go anywhere because there is no gas in my car, and it has 2 flat tires. We live by the school and I borrow DH's car to take the kids but it is always on empty. We seem to make it every time. Oh, well. No need to complain. Just cutting back. The family is lucky I work at home, don't use gas, barely eat. But I do have to pay 10 bucks a month for nerve pills, because it is hard doing without. Like I said, when work picks up transcribing first place I am going after I get gas for the car is to the food store. Eventually I can repair my flat tires.
For those of you spending $1000+
What sorts of things are you buying? I don't think I spend nearly that amount, but my children and family still receive what they want, even my teenager. I can't imagine spending so much money at one time on gifts, so I'm curious what it is that's costing y'all so much. :)
Let him - for the money you/he is spending in gas sm
you can probably get one of those weekly hotels and at least break even. he needs to tell them up front what he is doing and get a good discount, most will give them if long-term situations. he will get a lot more rest and be a much happier person and easier to live with in the long run. driving wears me out more than anything and i feel for him with that commute! maybe he could even get his job to split the cost with him.
Lunch spending
My husband usually brings leftovers for lunch. I give my daughter $20 for lunch at school (to put in her lunch account), and that usually lasts a week. My other daughter is home by lunchtime and she eats what we have here at home. We spend about $100 a week on groceries. On the weekends we usually go out at least once, maybe twice for lunch and spend anywhere from $15-$25 depending on where we go. My oldest is a vegetarian so we actually save money because if we get takeout, she usually doesn't find anything that she wants to eat. When I was working outside the home I spent way to much on lunch every day, usually about $50 a week.
How is it your money she is spending?
President Obama and his wife have their own incomes from royalties, etc., from his book deals, investments of their previous earnings, and also he receives a paycheck for being President just as you do for being an MT.
I don't think that eTransPlus thinks they can tell me what to buy with my paycheck because they send it to me. Once I accepted a job and do my job, it is none of their business what my check is spent on.
Budget??
 What is your price range?????
According to DH, our budget is $1,000
But more likely I'll spend about $1350. We have 3 kids. We usually get them 1 big gift to share and then round it out with smaller gifts. This year, they're getting a trampoline. It'll probably run around $400 and then about $200 on individual gifts.
The breakdown of the other $350:
Parents $150, Grandma $25, Gift Exchange $60, Siblings (from my kids $20, Niece/nephew: $40, Teacher Gifts $30, Student Gifts: $15.
The remaining $30 will go to Toys for Tots! Each of my kids like to pick out a $10 gift to put in.
I have 3 siblings and 1 that's married, so we all put our names into a drawing and buy each other a $30 gift. My brother that's married also has 2 kids, so our kids exchange gifts. Of course, my 2 unmarried siblings also buy small gifts for my children, so we always get them a little something from them -- usually lottery tickets or a gas card for Sheetz. $10 used to fill 'em up, but now it'll probably just buy them a hoagie and chips. We do our exchange party on Christmas Eve. It keeps the kids entertained and gives them a little "preview" of what's to come. I have to say I enjoy Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. It's so much more relaxed, not as much work (we order pizza and wings), and the kids aren't as tired since they didn't get up at the crack of dawn.
Teacher gifts kill me. It's hard to find something nice for under $10. I usually go for a coffee mug with a Christmas scene or teacher saying on it and fill it with candy.
Of course, DH thinks I do all this for Christmas for $1000, but why tell him and spoil it? We do a Christmas Club for $1000 every year and I just buy the other stuff here and there.
We already got our Christmas gifts for ourselves -- a 46-inch LCD TV for DH and a Dooney & Bourke purse with matching wallet for me.
Now you all got me excited again about shopping next week. I've got my list ready and haven't cashed my Christmas Club check. I always wait until the day before Thanksgiving to do that so I know I won't spend it on anything else.
For those of you below who posted that you don't shop on Black Friday. Let me just say that I don't go out early for the best deals -- but rather just to watch the chaos of it all. I sometimes snag a deal or 2, but I learned a long time ago not to wait until Black Friday to get the most sought after items. Best to get them in Sept or Oct. 
Yeah, my bro. said what you said - not spending a lot of time in sm
condo except to sleep, etc. Both places have nice kitchens, though. I don't know. I usually spend the most time in the condo. We will be there 8 days. Thanks for your input..Still torn though! haha
If you can't reconcile your views on $, spending sm
and happiness (i.e, that both of you deserve to be heard and to be happy), you are rapidly heading for divorce court. Go read some Suze Orman financial advice for women, for a start, and then get some counseling. He is obviously irresponsible with money and you are not. How old are you two, out of curiosity?
How I am spending my money, ah, vacation
I am getting the FULL retirement because reached the 66 year mark. I had to wait an extra year, used to be 65 but with my year of birth had to wait until 66. No slowing down on the MTing, plan to work the same 4 days as doing now. I sure am planning on doing something special, well first 2 checks and then some because of the cost, escorted travel club, planning on paying towards 3 different vacations, one of them being the Rockies and Canada for 9 days. Excited broad here.
Well, I have not changed my spending habits.
I changed my spending habits based on my own personal situation, not the fact that my neighbor has lost his job and now can't spend like that anymore.
One of our problems is that the people with all the money do not spend in proportion to their income as us poorer folks do. They save it and save it and grow more money from it and their money is not being put back into the economy.
I for one have no problem with a millionaire spending $500 for a pair of shoes or whatever else they want to spend their money on.
How much is your Christmas budget? sm
Our family budget is $1000 and that covers gifts for 19 people, including "Santa" for the 2 kids. What about your house?
Christmas Budget
We usually spend about $300 on each chlid (2) and we don't have too many more people to buy for so it's hard to estimate how much more we spend on the others. Of course having a 12 year old that wants all the big ticket items this year, it gets kind of tricky.
Need to set up a budget for my 22-year-old DD.
She really overspends in this area and I need to show her how to manage a little better and about sacrifices. Bills first and then play. With the gas prices on the rise it is going to be tough having any left over.
You said budget? Do not think inside WDW
is for the budget minded. Maybe I am wrong but even eating in the park is $$$ most of the time. I would only stay inside the park if only going to WDW because of the fact you get to start earlier than the outside group and have maybe a few more perks. Lots of motels outside Mickey land offer buses that take you back and forth to the park. Oh, BTW, I am in my 60s and I have not outgrown Mickey and Minnie yet!
Christmas budget....
I never spend a lot at Christmas. I have one daughter to buy for and 2 nephews (a new one this year!). Other than that, the rest of the family members get something handmade. This year they will be getting wickless candles that I make and sell to sit on warmers (they got these and warmers last year) and I'm also embroidering flour sack towels. I'm hoping to find an iron-on pattern to fit each person. My family and my boyfriend's family love anything handmade and it really saves me. Plus, I hate to buy them something that they probably won't use or don't need. As far as the nephews, I will probably spend about $30. For my daughter, I pick a few things off her list and that's all she gets. I think this year is going to be a little more than usual for her, probably around $400, only because 1 of the American Girl things she wants is retired and I have to get it off eBay! My boyfriend and I do not buy for ourselves, but we may get another game or 2 for the Wii. For my daughter's teachers, last year we did candles and they went over well, so I'm doing that again. :)
No budget, but don't really buy gifts.
Hubby and I only give gifts to people we live with. Which means, we give gifts only to our children. But even for the kids, we don't focus on the gifts. They each get about three gifts and a stocking. Everyone is nearly grown now, ages 17, 18 and 20. DH and I haven't exchanged Christmas gifts in over 20 years. We simply go out and spend time together during the season. We'll have a really nice dinner somewhere, or go to a show, something like that.
I've tried very hard to stay away from the materialism at Christmas. It's just not what it's about.
we always vary the budget
We have no discipline. If we have a good year or bad year it shows. Sometimes the kids remember the bad years, but so do the grown ups!
How much time do you plan on spending in condo?
If it is just a place to sleep and shower while you do the tourist thing, I would go with the cheaper place. But if your plan is to spend time with family talking, hanging out, I would go to condo and relax on beach. The men can go golf while you relax on beach even. If there is a kitchen in the condo and not in the other place, you will save money on food, and it is always fun to hang in a kitchen, cook together, have a few drinks and a few laughs.
Didn't plan it, but seems I am spending mine with a SM
terrible head cold. UGH! 
Not broke but have changed spending habits.
I did reel in some spending a bit and changed a few things in the budget.
Have no intention of going broke.
Don't smoke either. LOL Couldn't afford to with the new taxes on those things!
I feel your pain too, but not spending my money is not going to help you - nm
x
Spending time with parents, absolutely
Mother and daddy divorced but my brother and I spent summer vacations, Christmas, visited daddy, traveled with him and his wife. Tried keeping my children and now my grandchildren close with my mother and daddy (their grandparents and great-grandparents). My son spent summers with both grandparents when he was young but as he aged, they did not seem to be that important in his life. I always, always visited my parents, my grandmother (only one I ever knew out of the 4, others deceased), my aunts, and on and on. I was never asked to stay close, that was just me and I loved it.
Tell her they are on a tight budget and if she wants those people there
she can pay for them ;)
Our standard budget gathering is
meatball sandwiches, pasta salad, green salads. If I'm in the mood, I'll make the meatballs myself, but it's easier to buy bags of them from one of the big box mart type places. The giant cans of Don Pepino's spaghetti sauce are really good and cheap, too.
Has he ever had to live within a budget? Truly supported himself w/o sm
mamma's help? I would take a very hard look at my marriage with this man. If he is controlling now (and controlling where you go and how you spend IS control), this will not change. Financial carelessness is a serious issue; you will be saddled with his debt for many years if you are not careful. Do go to Suze Orman's website and/ or get some books by her from your library; I recommend "Women and Money".
It sounds to me like your warning bells are going off. Please listen to yourself and don't get burned. Take care and give us an update.
Cutting back on Christmas spending this year
I thought it might be a good idea to post ideas for gifts that are inexpensive. I have made a few Christmas gifts in years past, but, since I've already given these particular gifts and my family members already "have one", I need new ideas!
I will start with the ideas of gifts I have given in the past:
I made family wreaths for each of my kids (grown). What I did was, buy a nice size wreath at the craft store, purchase inexpensive small frames at the dollar store (or wherever I could find them), made copies of baby pictures of my kids when they were little, family picture, pics of the grandbabies, etc. and framed each one - wired each framed photo onto the wreath, put in some berry sprays or whatever, and a 20 count string of white lights and some ribbon. Then I sprayed them with spray glue and sprinkled with the white snow stuff. Also, I put a few blank frames with Christmas card fronts so that they could add pics from the inlaws (who I did not have pics as children) and new baby pics as appropriate.
They were darling! My daughter in law actually cried when I gave them their wreath!
I also made a similar thing for my mom - I made her a Grandchildren tree - because she has too many grandchildren to get all their pics on a wreath. I just purchased a small, prelit tree from Wal - Mart, and basically, did the same thing - framed pics of all the grandchildren and children, glued ribbon to the back of the frames - hung them like ornaments, added some ribbon and some berry sprays. It was beautiful and she has used it every year since, because it is small and she can put it together herself - without much work.
I will post more ideas in a little bit, but, I need other ideas from all of you - because, how many memory or family wreaths can you give . . .
they always request more to cover what others don't send - plus what their budget won't buy -
x
My lunch-budget is however many lines I miss when
I don't keep track either. Poor budget planner. Spend way too much - around $2k. nm
x
the poster is seeking advice on lodging, on a budget
nm
As long as you have an income
As long as you have an income you file. Over 70 is for social security where you can earn as much as you want and still collect your full SS. Boy is that was true all of the rich would be lying about their ages so that they did not have to pay taxes.
Too much house for you on your income...
especially with a new baby and all that requires...take into consideration if you have car payments, credit card payments, student loans, plus utilities, etc. Talk to a mortgage lender, what is your mortgage rate going to be, how much can you put down on the house, see what the lender says. Don't get in over your head...some people want it all right away, instant gratification. Take your time. Good luck
probably since any income is taxable
income for the year it is received. That is why you get a statement of earnings for it.
It is possible to increase your income
Pay off the house! Congratulations!:-)
Is it possible to increase you income temporarily to put towards the cc debt? Can your dh work side jobs or a second job?
After you pay off the house, I would start pay off the cc from the smallest balance first.
200
2K
4K
10K
I would not withdraw from retirement but stop paying it right now. After you pay off the house, put all your money into paying off the cc debt.
For the 4K and 10K I would write them a letter and try to get a lower APR.
If your income has been cut in half (sm)
I have to ask - what are you spending the money on? Rent is the first thing you should pay, then food, and then transportation. If you are worried about paying credit cards first, or some other debt, you are cutting your own throat.
I would advise you to do some looking at Dave Ramsey. He has several excellent books, available usually from the local library.
Also, as for the husband, sit down with him and talk to him - I don't know if you have done this or not, but his playing the video games may be a way for him to escape. If he has always been responsible in the past, then his irresponsibility now is probably a defense mechanism.
You both need to step back and take the emotion out of it. If you are not able to do that, the situation is not going to improve. You both have to show commitment to making the relationship work, even on so little money.
If you have a pastor or some sort of mentor/advisor, that might be a good place to start, once you have talked to your husband. A neutral party who can look at the situation from all sides can help.
Good luck, from someone in similar shoes.
HC
if we get to their 75,000 annual income qualification
then they can qualify us for that.
How do you manage at income tax time?
Do you file separate returns?
Would you also want your income taxed at the 40% rate?
At one time England did that. The friends we had in Cananda said they were taxed to death on their income, but they were pretty pleased with their healthcare. There is no easy solution.
That puts me in the low income bracket. . . SM
Wonder why I don't quality for any help if that is the case. I have no medical insurance and was just at the ER and it cost me $1800 (so far as lab work not returned yet) to wait for 5 1/2 hours altogether and get a port and three meds administered with a CT scan of head. They charged me $396.00 for the attending on duty to talk to me 15 seconds after the resident saw me. A nurse told me in the ER that they would trim some of the cost for me, but when I called the hospital they said I did not quality. A working person falls between the cracks. Makes me angry they could not help me at all.
If he's elderly and low income, he needs to check sm
with senior services to see if he qualifies for some type of medical assistance aid.
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