Budget Blues

I find myself reflecting on my written budget and realizing once again that budgets are hard for me to maintain. Why are budgets so elusive for some of us?

Apparently, busting the budget is more common than you might think. A quick search of the internet reveals that currently across the country towns, cities and states are busting their budgets related to the treacherous and recurring weather events across the country.

According to writers at www.Selfgrowth.com, "Busting the budget" is a common pitfall in personal budgeting; frequently busting the budget can allow consumers to fall into pre-budgeting spending habits. Anticipating budget-busting events (and underspending in other categories), and modifying the budget accordingly, allows consumers a level of flexibility with their incomes and expenses.

The fact is that debt-to-income ratio is a real sucker punch to any budget. Depending on how you transitioned out of your divorce, we all have to think of creative ways to finance our post-marital bliss.

As for me, I kept dial-up service up until about 3 years ago because I figured that was one way to save money and it would be a constant reminder that I was on a mission. Unfortunately, I eventually "needed" wireless service for "work at home" purposes. I did get the wireless internet service, but I also dropped the land-line at the same time.

Now that's just one example of a minor belt tightening measure. How about shopping options for a used car rather than a car with years worth of payments left or how about apartment hunting? You can start the hunt on-line and do some comparisons between what you pay now and what you could pay in a new apartment/rental house/condo/farm...whatever. Whatever the case, the search on-line is "free" and it could even be motivating. Perhaps enough motivation to weather those budget blues.

As for the towns, cities and states, they will come knocking at our doors to shore up those busted budgets soon.

Taking Stock

To Stock or not to Stock, that is the question or at least it could be the question when considering how to spend for the essentials and how much to spend for those essentials.

(c) 2013  

I started this post on the eve of a snowstorm, Derby, and as it turns out I find myself finalizing this post one week later on the eve of another snowstorm, Easton or Pax, expected to drop a good 10 inches or more of snow here in New England.

I don't typically stock because there are 5 good stores within a 2 mile radius of my house. However, when I know that I will be on trial for the next two weeks, I aim to take an ounce of prevention approach over a pound of cure. Typically, on busy trial days I throw in the "simply homemade" towel for the fast food drive-thru options that also abound in my neighborhood. There are at least 5 fast food establishments within a quarter mile of my house. Ode to urban sprawl.

I went to the store to stock. So when all was said and done what was the damage? Don't gaff...$98. My total Giant Sale savings were $47. Some of you might be saying to yourselves, I wish I had a grocery bill that was that low for a two week period. However, keep in mind that this isn't really about my dollar figures or my budget. It is about knowing your figures and your budget. All of our circumstances are custom fit to our lives. As for my circumstances, my boys go to their father's on Wednesday and then again every other weekend.

Stocking up on gas is also warranted especially if you can get discounts from certain grocery stores (BJ's, Stop&Shop and others). One time I had 303 gas points which equates to a .30 cent per gallon discount. I could go about two weeks on a tank of gas; that's a deal that has some mileage to it. However, these days I am focusing on keeping gased up, especially with the long travel times associated with the inclement weather.

I recently timed my homebound commute. I realized it takes me 20 minutes to get home even though my office is 3 miles away; and that's in moderate traffic. Once it took me 1 1/2 hours to get home along the same route; that was the big snow storm back in 2008.

Here are some suggested items to stock for emergency reserves (think snowmaggedon, think layoff), take it for what it's worth:

1. 20 lb bag rice



Yum!  (c) 2013.



2. 20 lb bag beans

3. 20 cans of fruit



4. 20 cans of vegetables

5. 20 cans of meat

6. 2 large jars of peanut butter

7. 2 large cannisters of tang

8. 2 containers of powder drink mix

9. 2 bags of flour

10. 1 bag each of sugar, salt, and oats

11. 1 gallon of olive oil

This list is courtesy of youtube.com (Note: it doesn't mention water, which of course you would need plenty of in an emergency.)

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