| Posted by | Message |
I Love Bama 
Alabama Fan
Alabama
Member since Nov 2007
27078 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:20 pm to IzUFaReel)
I can respect that man. Good for you.
Here is a link for Dave Ramseys book.
LINK
Just get a used one and it will be under $10.00.
Hell I'll give you mine if you want it.
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel 
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:24 pm to I Love Bama)
You're the goods, Bama. Even if you root for the wrong team! Hahahaha. Had to get that one in there.
Thanks for the link. Can I get it on my Kindle?
I'm praying for God to shower you with blessings, my friend.
|
| Back to top | |
I Love Bama
Alabama Fan
Alabama
Member since Nov 2007
27078 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:28 pm to IzUFaReel)
It's $9.17 on the kindle. Good luck man.
|
| Back to top | |
slim thug
Member since Apr 2010
8004 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:29 pm to IzUFaReel)
does god love you only if you give money? will he protect you if you dont tithe?
This post was edited on 10/6 at 9:31 pm
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:30 pm to I Love Bama)
Thank you so much!
|
| Back to top | |
Lou
LSU Fan
out here in the middle
Member since Aug 2005
6686 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:33 pm to IzUFaReel)
you should check out his website, daveramsey.com LINK - a lot of information will be listed there. I don't blindly agree with 100% of everything he says, but given your circumstance, and your questions, I think his advice is exactly what you need, and something you would embrace. Good luck man -
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:36 pm to Lou)
God unconditionally loves us all and protects us all, Slim. It is my choice to tithe and give to others to honor Him.
Lou, thank you very much for the link! Between that info., the book, and suggestions here, I think I've got some good ammo to get on the right track.
|
| Back to top | |
prostyleoffensetime 
Arkansas Fan
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2009
5030 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:39 pm to slim thug)
quote:
maybe god should give you more disposable income
Man, you got him good with that one. 
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/6/12 at 9:40 pm to slim thug)
I pray that He does bless my finances, in His time, not mine. And, if it is His will, not mine.
|
| Back to top | |
slim thug
Member since Apr 2010
8004 posts
|
|
| Back to top | |
Ric Flair
LSU Fan
Charlotte
Member since Oct 2005
6349 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 4:27 am to IzUFaReel)
Just looking at your budget and some suggested cuts:
Habits--assuming this is tobacco. Quit. Save $85/month.
Fiancée business expenses--$200/month--what business is she in? Is she bringing in any money? If not, then have her get another job. If yes, have her reimburse you. If she's just getting started in a legit business, that's understandable, but if it's selling weight loss products through an MLM company, stop now.
|
| Back to top | |
ZereauxSum
LSU Fan
Atlanta, GA
Member since Nov 2008
5749 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 8:01 am to IzUFaReel)
quote:
IzUFaReel
Thanks for posting the details. I'm kind of late getting back here.
I added up all the expenses (i averaged your auto work expense to 75) and it came up to $4935. Your net is 65K/12 is $5416.67. So there is a little less than $500 that is going unaccounted for each month.
Are you increasing your credit card balances right now despite sending $200/month? Or is it possible that your habits/misc spending are higher than you think?
Just scanning through, nothing seems out of line here. Your spending doesn't seem over the top, but cutting out cable temporarily and cutting down on your special spending will free up cash you can use to attack the debt. We all like to buy gifts, but if you are going into the hole every month the last thing you should be doing is giving money away.
The one exception to this is your tithes IMO. I'm not a believer, but my wife is and when she was working, we tithed off of her income. If you are truly a believer, I would never ask you to stop tithing. Besides, your tithe aren't really a problem anyway.
If I were you, I would identify where the missing $500 in take home pay is going. After that, see how much of it you can eliminate. Then cut back in other spending areas, even if it makes you temporarily uncomfortable.
After that, you should start an emergency savings. Take a few months to stock away at least $1000. Then turn towards reducing the CC and personal loan.
IMO, you really don't seem to be in bad shape on paper. It seems like you just need to understand where all the money is going and you'll be fine 
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:19 pm to Ric Flair)
quote:
Quit. Save $85/month.
I'm working on it. I really wanna be done with dipping.
quote:
fiancée business expenses--$200/month
Our finances are combined, and her business turns a great profit. She is a painting instructor. Fairly new business, so it's inconsistent income.
|
| Back to top | |
IzUFaReel
LSU Fan
'Round The Way
Member since Sep 2012
26 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:30 pm to ZereauxSum)
quote:
Are you increasing your credit card balances right now despite sending $200/month?
Credit cards are up and down for me. I'll work the balance down, the need to spend and it goes back up. One of which is my mother's card. She took care of my moving expenses recently, and I'm paying that now. The other two cards have a total limit of 600 (300 each), so I should be able to zero those out within the next two months and just put about 30 a month on them to keep them running.
quote:
Or is it possible that your habits/misc spending are higher than you think?
Misc. spending is likely where the trouble comes. I'll have that 500 left and the unexpected expenses become more than what I budget for in misc. Of course, 250 per check is not a whole lot to play with having four kids.
Thank you, ZereauxSum! This guidance is vital to me. I appreciate the effort and I will be working on the things you've mentioned.
|
| Back to top | |
Dead Mike
LSU Fan
Cell Block 4
Member since Mar 2010
1500 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 7:26 pm to IzUFaReel)
You have a $300 limit on each of your credit cards?
|
| Back to top | |
4LSU2
LSU Fan
Madisonville
Member since Dec 2009
14400 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/7/12 at 9:11 pm to IzUFaReel)
Do you attend Healing Place Church by chance?
|
| Back to top | |
Chris4x4gill2
Alabama Fan
North Alabama
Member since Nov 2008
1492 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/8/12 at 8:16 am to 4LSU2)
Alot of good advice already in this thread so I wont repeat it other than to say I agree you need to read the stuff on Dave Ramseys page and pick up his book.
One thing I did notice on your budget / exspenses posted earlier - Your Food /Groceries looks very low especially with 4 kids. Is there more being spent from another source (fiance?)? I woudl expect closer to $500 at least for food. This seems to be an area alot of people under estimate what they spend each month, maybe this has alot to do with you shortfalls in the spending?
|
| Back to top | |
OnTheBrink
Alabama Fan
TN
Member since Mar 2012
1808 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/8/12 at 8:19 am to Chris4x4gill2)
Another good website that has a lot of the basic ideas for saving money...
LINK /
|
| Back to top | |
CoolHand 
USA Fan
Member since Dec 2011
1454 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:37 am to IzUFaReel)
You will find Ramsey agrees with you on tithing, even when in debt.
I would recommend that you and your fiancé work together in coming up with a plan. I'd recommend finding a local Financial Peace class for you both to attend.
The fact that you are determined to do something about it is 90% of the battle.
My breakthrough came when I finally created and FOLLOWED a budget, and my wife was on board.
Automation in your budget is nice as well. I use ING to create savings accounts like birthdays, Christmas, auto repair, ect. That are automatically funded from my checking every two weeks. Retirement account contributions are automated as well.
I didn't necessarily follow Ramsey's plan, but its not bad if you need a step by step process with motivation.
|
| Back to top | |
TheHiddenFlask 
Clemson Fan
The Welsh red light district
Member since Jul 2008
16383 posts
| re: Money Management (Posted on 10/8/12 at 2:36 pm to CoolHand)
Agreed. Ramsey sounds perfect for this guy.
|
| Back to top | |
