5.24.2013
Stripes Angel Tiny Penny Fry - Chickens!
Cold Cruel Facts
I did something I loathe today... I added up the expenses, I subtracted the income and I felt my blood run cold at the results.
My income and expenses are so close they squeak. I guess that is waaaaay better than finding out they AREN'T close (think red), but still I was hoping I had more wiggle room than I do.
My inner dialogue is playing good cop bad cop inside my stomach right now....
"You idiot! How could you be so careless! Now you are going to have to buckle down and work harder girl!" one side says, then, "Hey now, don't be so hard on yourself! In your expenses you have included savings for long term, short term and a little extra for the mortgage once a year" my other side sooths
Its not fun being of 2 minds about so many things. Diet, Exercise, Housekeeping, Career, Parenting, Money. I come down hard on myself for not giving it 100% and then get lazy again with the placating phrase "It could be worse".
The good news is that with very little effort my budget could look better. A few more billable hours (not always within my control) and a few less trips out for lunch with my sister (definitely within my control) would make a world of difference. The important thing is that I know where I stand RIGHT NOW and that knowledge is power.
The bad news is that the numbers I was working from are from 2012, the reason that is bad is because of the gigantic, unusual expense of selling, buying and renovating. Also, while in the midst of the sale/move/reno I didn't get a whole lot of income. I tried to ignore all of the really specific expenses/income that relate to the transaction.... as a result I am not happy with the thoroughness of the numbers.
What did I learn from all this?
- We spend a crap load on vehicles (running, insuring, repairing)
- My kids go through clothes/shoes/food at an alarming rate
- Vet bills are devastating when budgeting
- Braces are devastating when budgeting too
- I won't be updating my work computer as soon as I was hoping to.
My income and expenses are so close they squeak. I guess that is waaaaay better than finding out they AREN'T close (think red), but still I was hoping I had more wiggle room than I do.
My inner dialogue is playing good cop bad cop inside my stomach right now....
"You idiot! How could you be so careless! Now you are going to have to buckle down and work harder girl!" one side says, then, "Hey now, don't be so hard on yourself! In your expenses you have included savings for long term, short term and a little extra for the mortgage once a year" my other side sooths
Its not fun being of 2 minds about so many things. Diet, Exercise, Housekeeping, Career, Parenting, Money. I come down hard on myself for not giving it 100% and then get lazy again with the placating phrase "It could be worse".
The good news is that with very little effort my budget could look better. A few more billable hours (not always within my control) and a few less trips out for lunch with my sister (definitely within my control) would make a world of difference. The important thing is that I know where I stand RIGHT NOW and that knowledge is power.
The bad news is that the numbers I was working from are from 2012, the reason that is bad is because of the gigantic, unusual expense of selling, buying and renovating. Also, while in the midst of the sale/move/reno I didn't get a whole lot of income. I tried to ignore all of the really specific expenses/income that relate to the transaction.... as a result I am not happy with the thoroughness of the numbers.
What did I learn from all this?
- We spend a crap load on vehicles (running, insuring, repairing)
- My kids go through clothes/shoes/food at an alarming rate
- Vet bills are devastating when budgeting
- Braces are devastating when budgeting too
- I won't be updating my work computer as soon as I was hoping to.
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