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Home > In deep water right now

In deep water right now

July 3rd, 2006 at 06:01 am

We got hit with two tax bills right in a row. One was from a business I used to own and one was for our property taxes. The total amount was $4,200.00 and was a huge blow to the budget. I'm very frustrated and anxious about our finances right now. So, allow me to vent.

It seems like we owe everyone everything right now. The June mortgage payment was made Friday and it was late, but at least it got paid. DH picked up a minimum of groceries to last until next Friday.

I had to close out my $20 fund account. That just stunk but there was no getting around it. I know it helped to bail us out and all that, but it still makes me mad. It was a lot of hard work to get where I was and now I'm back to nothing.

When things get better I'm going to replace every penny I had to take out. Next month we have to pay the mortgage (hopefully on time) two home equity payments, the bank of dad (LOL) put gas in the cars, and so on and so on.

Right now DH and I don't make much money. We both have low-paying jobs. As we both work 40 hours, we make out somehow each month. My car is really old; his is OK for now. Our house is beautiful and we are happy here, but there is no way we can travel or afford extras.

Sometimes I get so tired of thinking about money. I'm seriously thinking about returning to school in the fall to complete my degree. The extra money that comes with having a college degree sure would help. Plus, I'm tired of looking at the same dead-end jobs I see in the paper week after week.

I make a little extra selling books and things. DH doesn't have the motivation to make changes in his own life and just between all of us it really bothers me. Mom always told me to make changes in myself if I want things to get better. That's good advice. So, I'm going to figure out what I can do to make things better and hope that DH follows suit.

I remember a couple of months ago, when I talked with him about this. I was feeling motivated about selling more items online, and told him that we each need to do something to improve our finances. As in, both of us. He is very child-like in his approach to finances. He expects me to take care of everything, all of the bill paying and all of the decision-making. One thing about having control is that you DO have all of the control, but also all of the burden. I mentioned that if I could make $200-$250 a month selling items online and he could find something to do that netted the same amount it would help a lot. He didn't respond. I stepped up my efforts and have hit my goal each month since then. I mention it when a book sells for an especially good price but he is just polite, nothing more.

I'm been feeling a growing unhappiness over the past year about how things are going and that scares me. DH works in a manufacturing atmosphere and it sounds terrible. He tells me things about his job, his co-workers and duties, and it's all I can do to sit still and listen.

It's not that I'm not interested or don't like to talk with him, but something has been really bothering me. It's this; why doesn't he get the heck out of there? Look around for something different? Develop some skills, get some education, something? Anything?

Well, I can't very well complain about something that I'm not doing myself, so that's when I decided to look into returning to finish my degree. I know that most campuses have job placement assistance, so that will be a great resource.

5 Responses to “In deep water right now”

  1. boomeyers Says:
    1151903705

    Ah, KarenSue, sorry to hear about the hit! That is a shame you had to dig into your fund, but thank goodness you had it. If you hadn't been proactive, you would be in bigger trouble!
    Is there a way you could take come on-line classes and just start working on finishing your degree?
    You are smart and savvy and you will be able to make it through this. I have to pay the bills too and it is hard to have that whole responsibility weighing on you. I try to make sure that everything about our finances is in plain sight for hubby to see, if he is ever motivated to do something and not just complain about it. Maybe someday???....

  2. ima saver Says:
    1151935395

    I handle all the bill paying also. Most husbands just don't seem that interested. but bless his heart, he will work 7 days a week and bring home a good paycheck!! Hang in there, things will get better!!

  3. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1151936748

    KarenSue, So sorry about the huge unexpected bills. I know how frustrating it is to feel like you have gotten a little saved, only to have it and alot more wiped out like that.

    But Boomeyers is right, you had it to help during the crisis. Yes, you will rebuild it.

    I also pay the bills and know the burden it carries when things are tight. Keep talking to DH and keep doing what you can to improve your situation...Success is not only in what we do, but also about the seeds we plant. Good luck to you!

  4. yummy64 Says:
    1151943038

    Make sure you cover your house and groceries first!!!

    I'm glad you had the extra money there. You are doing what you can. Just keep going!

    I have heard folks rave about the tightwad gazette. Have you read anything like that for ideas of how to save more?

  5. koppur Says:
    1155757219

    So, even though you posted this a bit ago, I am new here and just reading it. I want to let you know, you are not alone. My boyfriend (someday husband?) worked in a factory and ran a machine. All he did was complain about it: the hours (4-midnight), his boss, the machines themselves, etc. He made ok money, but not great, and he constantly had scrapes and cuts and bruises all over his arms from the machines. I hated that he worked there. He hated that he worked there. Then he ended up in the hospital (he didn't get hurt at work, something else, and very stress-realted) and there was some confusions with his boos and his job. His boss thought he quit. He thought he had been fired. He lost the job.

    It was the best thing that could have ever happened. Now he works in a warehouse. He has normal daily hours (9-5), and is never hurt on the job. He makes less money, but is so much less stressed and happier.

    The point is, unfortunately, all my comments about finding a better job never worked. He hated the job adn wanted a new one, but never tried for a new one. Until he had no choice, nothing changed.

    Men can be very stubborn.

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