Archive results for “July 2010f 2010”

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Trimming the financial fat…

My husband and I occasionally go out to eat. We squeeze in dinner with friends, a cheap happy hour drink downtown, a rushed fast food lunch, and the occasional Saturday morning California burrito after working out in the yard for a few hours.

At the end of each month, I analyze our spending and look for ways we are becoming ‘financially flabby’. I discovered this extra food spending was contributing to some of our annoying financial flat lining (fatty restaurant food doesn’t exactly add to the aesthetic qualities of our physical bodies either).

I know, I know, we had a good month this month – but it could have been better if I had worked a little harder.

So, I proposed a new rule to my husband. No dinners/drinks/food out for the next 60 days. Fortunately for me, he’s game.

This could get interesting.

Posted by Beks on July 8, 2010 at 5:00 AM in General Personal Finance, Living Frugal | 10 Comments »
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Home Value Stagnation…

Last year, I applied for a reduction in my property taxes. The city approved my claim and reduced my tax bill 25 percent.

Each year, the city re-evaluates all reductions and can raise the tax bill if property values have risen. I’ve been nervous over the last two months as the city re-evaluated our home. Our home is not worth any more than it was last year – perhaps it’s worth even less – but when it comes to government and needing money, they usually err in their favor (trust me. I can say this. I’m a government employee and…that’s what we do).

I opened the mail over the weekend and found an official letter from my city. It said…

they have decided my home value is stagnant and have approved another year at the reduced tax rate!

Yes!!!

Posted by Beks on July 6, 2010 at 5:00 AM in Home Ownership, taxes | 6 Comments »
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This party funded by the State of California…

My husband wanted to throw a party at our house to celebrate the fourth of July. We can see two fireworks shows from our backyard and we’ve enjoyed watching them from our home for the last three years.

Problem? I was so anxious to pay down the truck, I didn’t leave any money in our account. Yes, we received two extra paychecks in July but… I but somehow I forgot to budget silly, unimportant things like food and gasoline from those checks.

I was starting to panic until I opened the mail to find a check from the State of California. It has been so long since I submitted my claim to the California unclaimed property division that I completely forgot about it.

I ran to the bank, cashed the check, set aside money for groceries and gasoline, and gave $60 to my husband for Sunday’s event.

I’m not sure how he pulled it off, but he kept his food and bbq supply bill under $60 – which leads me to believe that given a goal, my husband can do pretty much anything.

How was your fourth? Did you stay safe? Did you stay away from ATM machines and credit cards?

Posted by Beks on July 5, 2010 at 5:00 AM in Parties | 7 Comments »
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Happy Independence Day!!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, SAFE 4th of July!

forth of july

I can’t wait to celebrate my ‘other’ independence day next year!!

Posted by Beks on July 4, 2010 at 5:00 AM in :) | Comment First »
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A Big Debt Update…

Before I spill the new numbers, let me just say…

I did a handstand before posting.

My foot is still sidelined from the tendon injury so doing a series of leprechaun kicks was out of the question…

that’s not to say I didn’t try.

I’ve been working nights and, I still can’t figure out how but, my husband managed to pull in some extra work over the weekend even though he goes to school for 5 hours 4 nights a week. Is he an awesome man or what?!?

We pulled in $1,000 in second job money this month. PLUS, for those who are paid bi-weekly like me and my husband, you receive three checks in July instead of two. We had some maintenance and repair bills to pay but we got to add quite a bit of it to our regular $1,000 a month payment.

How much is the check I get to mail to Toyota this month?

FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS!

This is the biggest payment I have ever made to Toyota. I’m pretty sure they will hate me but really…

isn’t that the goal?!?

Here are the new numbers:

• Original Debt: $38,495.86
• Paid: $27,731.70
• Remaining: $10,764.16
•
Broken Down
• Auto Loan 1: $0
• Credit Card: $0 Woo Hoo!
• Student Loan: $9,193.62
• Auto Loan 2: $1,570.54

What an amazing month for us.

Posted by Beks on July 2, 2010 at 5:00 AM in Debt Updates | 20 Comments »
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His, Her, and Our Finances…

I’ve been reading a lot of finance books lately and they all seem to agree that, in marriage, the management of finances must be shared equally between the husband and the wife. If the responsibility is left to one person alone, the stress level is increased on the money manager and the relationship suffers.

My husband hasn’t paid a bill since 2004.

Don’t get me wrong. Up until recently, my husband was involved in the decision making. I was simply responsible for organizing how bills were paid. We have always worked our finances together – especially after deciding to pay off debt.

In January, my husband started taking more units in school while still working a full time job with side jobs. In June, he signed up for 5 hour night classes and when he isn’t studying, he’s working. Understandably, actively participating in finances isn’t possible anymore.

I didn’t think it would bother me. I’m a nerd. I live for Excel spreadsheets and I balance my checkbook almost hourly for fun. Take over everything? Sounds fantastic!

It’s been 7 months of sole money management and I’m beginning to get a clear understanding of why this is bad.

He doesn’t have a clue about our money and I’m constantly stressed about making the right decisions. I feel like I’m making mistakes and hurting us financially. It’s not that I can’t handle the finances on my own; I hate the sole responsibility. I’d be closer to a breaking point but I’m coasting through knowing he’ll be out of school by next week to offer a reprieve.

I have a countdown marked on my calendar.

I don’t know how people do it alone. Financial stress seems to permeate every part of your life and the feeling that you alone are responsible for the financial success of two people is, at the very least, hugely uncomfortable. We made some great progress on our finances this month (update tomorrow) but the pessimist in me only focuses on what I could have done better.

I miss my financial partner.

Are you a sole money manager? Or do you share the responsibility? What works best for you?

Posted by Beks on July 1, 2010 at 5:00 AM in General Debt, General Personal Finance, Life Experiences, Money & Relationships | 23 Comments »
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