Need to set up a budget for my 22-year-old DD.
Posted By: Is there a formula for entertainment expenses-sm on 2007-05-24
In Reply to:
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.
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Set my budget a year in advance, save all year and
nm
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. 
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Make a list of budget/spending priorities for your self employment income
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.
Bigger issue - a 16 year old living withi a 29 year old and liability
Are you still not responsible for him until he is 18, how can he tell you where he will live? Unless he emancipates himself and he does something wrong, can they go against you since you are his mother and legally responsible for him? I worry more about him living with a 29 year old sister rather than returning a house key to me that is a bigger issue.
My 14-year-old is going to be a mother-in-law (so funny) if you google it and 11-year-old daughter
x
Won $2,000 on slot machine on New Year's Eve. What a way to start the year. nm
!
What a difference a year makes! Last year, sm
we had the same problem. Fines everywhere for watering.
Paid $60,000 on principal last year and this year
planning on another $30,000 after my taxes paid for the year. We are getting our house paid down very quickly.
55-year old woman has birthday sex with 12-year old
DAYTON - Gloria Murphy gave children celebrating her 55th birthday alcohol and then had sex with a 12-year-old boy at the party on Thursday, Jan. 29, according to police.
The boy got into Murphy’s bed at 5440 Rawlings Drive, where the married woman had sex with her adolescent neighbor, according to police and Montgomery County prosecutors.
Two of the children at the party ran home at about 6 a.m. Jan. 30 and told a parent they saw the boy and woman having sex, according to 911 audio.
The parent then called police at about 6:15 a.m., according to a police report and 911 audio.
Murphy did not force the boy to have sex, but since he is younger than 13, it is considered rape, Lt. Patrick Welsh said. No other children were involved in the sexual encounter, but some other children at the party consumed alcohol, according to police.
A 17-year-old would have the same goals as a 20 year old (sm)
Only the 20 year old is hopefully more responsible and based on what you say about his character, would be a better choice than someone her own age.
I have a 9-year-old son that sounds just like your 10 year old...
Lately he has been so negative about everything...trying to make him have a good summer and whenever I take him somewhere, he is just a brat when we get home...I think they are called tweens at this age...not quite teenagers but have the attitude like one---LOL
We skipped it entirely last year, and THIS year?
This 40-year-old got dumped for a 30-year-old
http://www.gqmagazine.co.uk/CoolNewStuff/Photos.aspx?StoryID=53859
This year will be our 35th year
The first couple years it was literally 5 or 6 times a day every day (more on the weekends). Over time it gradually slowed down (once a day) and over the past few years its been 2 or 3 times a week. Not sure that is average or not. There were times were I felt it was too much and him not enough, then there were times where I wanted it more and he didn't. Guess everyone goes through a phase. I guess because of how long we've been together, now it's just comfortable - nothing exciting about it. Just a routine. I have to make it exciting in my mind and pretend I'm someone else.
I don't know what it is, but you are correct...after awhile the lust and infatuation wears off and you get in a routine. I guess for us it was that we really didn't know each other when we married (we dated for 3 weeks then eloped). Once I got to know him it was too late. Now 35 years later it is just comfort (and amazingly we never once used birth control and never had any kids). My mom still tells me she's amazed at the frequency of our encounters that not even once did I even have a "close call" with getting pregnant.
But 35 years once or twice a week and 3 or 4 times on weekends. Not sure if that is normal.
My 7-year-old dog is very ill.
One of my two huskies started getting sick Saturday or Sunday. Her symptoms suggest poisoning or a brain tumor. She has always been sensitive to airborn allergens. Her eyes itch terribly if she the dog bed has cedar, and we avoid foods with wheat or corn or too many carbs, trying to keep her healthy. Anyway, it seems the slip cover I put on the dogs' chair may have been treated with something like formaldehyde and she is reacting to that. But I removed it when I started suspecting it on Monday night, and left the window open all night. She seems to get better and then gets worse, even though I'm not letting her back up on that chair. We have ordered an air filter for the living room. But symptoms wax and wane, and they are mostly neurological: squints eyes, acts like she can't see, walks in circles, breathing is slowed, she's very lethargic, presses her head on me for comfort (she's done this for years, but now I read head-pressing is a neurological sign), drooling, forgets to to outside to urinate and has incontience in the house.
Please pray that the Creator has mercy and heals her for us. Misha is sweet.
We are getting my son the PS2 this year,
and that in itself is around $140, around $40 for his leggo set (on sale at that). It adds up.
How about over $500 this year
for your tax return? That is through one of the biggest places we have, not some fly-by-night. Mine are more in depth because of rental, selling a home this past year and my working from home but this year am getting back over $6,000.00 but guess what? I am always just glad to get back any amount rather than paying!!
I go through it every year, though last year - sm
they did surprise me after saying it was delayed a month, I ended up getting it about 10 days later. When it has been delayed it has taken about 5 weeks. The website should give you a date of when to expect it, and that is generally right on the money. As for the date, contact the courts and have him arrested, maybe jail will teach him to pay on time. Good luck.
This is such a bad year
that my allergies are acting up, and I've had very little trouble for the past 10 years or so. Interestingly, my allergies decreased to near nothing after I was on an antifungal medication for an extended period. There are theories that all the increased allergies and asthma are related to they heavy-duty antibiotics we are able to use now for bacterial infections. Maybe these are messing up our airway flora and increasing problems with allergies?
When you say you've been on nasal sprays, what about the asthma ones, like albuterol nad Atrovent? That's what they had to put my sister on.
Hope you get some relief. Allergies are miserable.
What year is your car? sm
My husband works at an auto parts store, and I'll ask him what he thinks, but I think he needs to know the year.
My 17-year-old DD
has been wearing a size 10 or 10 1/2 ladies for the last 3 years. She is 5Ǝ" or 5Ə". My 20-year-old DS wears a 12 mens and has since high school. I wear an 8 or 9 and my hubby only wears an 8. We have no idea where these kids get their height or those feet! Our 15-year-old DS is following in their footsteps, excuse the pun, as well. He is in a 10 mens sneaker and already a head taller than my 5ƌ". Unbelievable. 
I did this last year
If it's the one I think it is, my friend send it to my last year, and I almost had heart failure. I screamed so loud I thought I'd wake up the house. I also had the sound on really loud and never again! LOL
6-year-old
Country MT, you are not harming your son. I am almost 52 yo, have a great niece on weekends, 2-1/2 yo. It is the only stability she gets. If she wants to sleep with us until she is 15 it will be okay! Her only requests as she comes in the door are "I want my bottle, blankie and rock-a-bye." She lives in a horribly unstable household and we are like heaven on earth to her. Before anyone blasts me, I have called DSFS - they are short on foster parents, so no help there. Her mom is too selfish to let us keep her all the time, is pregnant with her 4th. We also keep the 14-month-old baby boy one night during the week. New baby is due 12/18. Baby boy prefers the crib unless he is suffering with teething. My mom has an ongoing fit about me giving Sarah a bottle at all. Sarah drinks the bottle while we rock, hands it to me when finished and life goes on. Sleeping with us comes from her being sick as a tiny infant and not sleeping much at all. I slept with my grandparents when little and grew up to get married, have 2 kids, and am not sick or perverted. Listen to your heart, not negative people. Your son will love you for it forever.
I was there this year, last year, the year
before, etc. etc. From what I see in the casino as you walk in, the place is just below where I would stay, say the smoke filled place versus to I personally saw a person walking into the Bellagio being asked to put his cigarette out by security. I like that. The Flamingo is 1 of the older places - the location is good but it is right across from Cesear's and catty-corner to the Bellagio so I just love staying in a little classy place.
Doing it again either New Year's Day or New Year's Eve
:)
Not a fan of New Year's eve
I guess I'm a party pooper. I just stayed home and didn't even stay up to see the ball drop. Boring, I know . . .
Me too. Maybe that's what the new year is about...
I have been sitting here thinking my resolution needs to be to have more fun this year and worry less. But then again I am not in the party mode either...maybe it's all about taking care of ourselves and celebrating by going to bed early is a good thing! Hope your day goes well. I'm gonna type til my fingers fall off today so I can make extra money to go to Disney (see if that ever happens LOL). :)
New Year's Eve
We celebrated at our friend's house across the street. We go there every year. We played Deal or No Deal on a television computer game and ate a lot. We watched New Year's Rockin' Eve and got home at about 12:30 a.m. Today is a day of relaxation before work tomorrow. I've been off for a week and a half so I'm not looking forward to it.
New Year's Eve
Our two teenaged kids had previous plans to spend the night at friends' homes, and we would be communicating with them via text or phone call at midnight. My husband and I together made a romantic dinner with candlelight and wine. We had a fabulously fun and romantic night together (details left out - lol). We also tuned in for a brief time to a Twilight Zone marathon. Getting in touch with past phenomenon such as that really brings to mind our youth, memories, and awareness of such. A great night, especially with everyone safe.
I hope everyone here had a great holiday and will have a healthy, happy 2008!
17-year-old
My 17-year-old cat, Cyrus, died one year ago. . He always wanted a lot of attention - loved people - but toward the end, he seemed to want attention/being held, even more. . I am so sorry you are going through this - it is not easy. . I miss my Cyrus every day - he was a true friend.. we went through A LOT together...
You have been with him for over a year and have
x
Had one about a year ago -
needle for local anesthesia, then very quick - left barely a little scab. Takes several layers but not deep. No pain and nothing afterwards - didn't even require any bandage after initial band-aid. On my breastbone area so probably one of the most tender places.
My 12-year-old goes to bed at 9 and gets up at 6:30
It sounds like right now your child actually goes to bed at 10, so if you extend until 10 it'll really be more like 10:30.
Mine started complaining a bit last year about bedtime, but this year started realizing how much better you feel/look when you get plenty of sleep. This year has been the easiest time...with child actually wanting to go to sleep. Of course, summer is coming and that throws a wrench in everone's schedule:-)
I was on it for about year ago and after
you find the things you like it isn't that bad. You just have to pick and choose, and I did lose almost 20 lbs., just have to be careful when you go off if it.
i would never allow my 5 and 9 year old
a few years back on his. He was with his children on it, he threw them off and they lived but he didn't.
My 11-year-old *man*
is also more emotional of late. I think a lot of it just depends on the kid. My guy has always been a little more sensitive than his brothers. He's about 10 pounds overweight and it bothers him that the kids call him fat. He's not fat. I told him if they didn't pick on him about that, it would be something else. Kids are cruel and they definitely find the ones that are most vulnerable. I would speak with the youth director and see if there might be ways to build up his self-esteem. I think more than anything he's suffering from a low self-esteem.
Some kids are just naturally confident and that makes them popular. He'll grow into himself soon enough. I've found that by inviting his friends over really helps to build his self-confidence. We just had his 11th birthday party at one of those party places with laser tag, arcades, jungle gym and we allowed him to invite 7 friends (that's all our 2 vehicles would hold). Although I guided him in who to pick, ultimately the decision was his. Not one of the kids he asked was in the "popular crowd", more on the outskirts like him. They all said it was the best birthday party they'd ever been to. They're still talking about it at school a week later. I think a couple of the more popular kids were upset they didn't get invited, but I hope it taught them a lesson and maybe even brought them down a peg or 2.
The kids change, but the attitudes don't. It was the same thing when I was in school. There will always be someone who gets off on making you feel bad. You just have to teach your kids how to cope with it and let them know how important they are. I said about inviting his friends over because usually kids are more confident in their own home. Letting his friends see his self-confidence at home will probably help him be more like that in school. Good luck with your guy.
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