Decided to start off my Saturday with an exhilarating activity...Not. I wanted to get a better handle on where all of our money is going. According to the nutrition services department of my children's school we make to much money to qualify for free or reduced lunches. As a result my children also cannot take advantage of the free tutoring services offered through the school district. Wow, it must be great being so well off. Hmmmm!, I wonder why I don't feel so rich. Our financial picture probably looks like a lot of folks. You make financial obligations when you are making much more money and have to continue to carry these obligations when your income decreases. I am re-realizing an important financial lesson. Only do what you can pay for and do not get into debt. Now if only my today voice could go back and scream at my yesterday reality. No such luck. I am trying to figure out how and where we can cut back. My daughter is able to take advantage of a free after school program and I don't want to give this up b/c when I return to work this will be a huge financial plus. In the meantime, however, I think it's costing us too much in gas b/c she is obligated to stay there 9 hrs a week so this means I bring the 'babies' home after school and my husband goes back to pick her up. Their school district is a 20 minute drive on the freeway.
After trying to categorize things I had to use a miscellaneous category. This made sense until the numbers started to add up significantly. I'm not sure how else you would categorize expenses that are not routine but nevertheless come up. Things like school pictures, paying the handyman to fix the toilet and the dryer, those pesky co-pays, and prescription refills. I guess I should come up with home maintenance categories and medical expenses categories. Some months however, I don't need to spend any extra money in these areas. As I am typing this I realize, I should probably set aside money every month so I am not hit with a huge expense at one time. Wow, writing this out is actually helping to clarify this budgeting process. At any rate, I am at the end and the numbers are not adding up. I think an online program like quicken would be beneficial. We were using a free one online but I think it ended when it became clear that we were not going to pay for any actual software.
GRRRRRRR!!!......, where is a free accountant when you need one.
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