Budgeting is a way of managing the income and expenses of the family in order to sustain with the daily needs, pay for bills and still provide for long term goals like children education, health insurance and for planned vacations.

The housewives more or less have the toughest time in the family. This budgeting is one of the toughest amongst other duties in the house. There are times when we buy things that our children asked for and we can not say no and realizing that we have cut a part of the budget for that thing.

Here are guides to make your budgeting easier and see results that will surprise you.

1. Know your average monthly income through three of your pay slips.
2. Collect three fixed monthly bills like house rent, phone bill, car payments and other loans that you need to pay monthly. Get the average and do the same thing with your other expenses like groceries.
3. Using your computed average income and average expenses, evaluate on what things that you can slash a little amount to save especially those things that are not badly needed.
4. Always keep track on the budget for the month. Having the knowledge of your monthly income less the expenses, you should guide your family to follow strictly what’s on the budget.
5. Get yourself a savings account. It is best to make regular deposits into your savings account for future use.
6. Observe the outcome of your monthly budget. If it is having a positive effect then it would be great to continue but if it has flaws in the process, then it’s time to make some adjustments to it.
7. Try to secure an installer or software to help you make your budgeting easier and more organized.

These are only guidelines but the decision still lies in your hands. We all have different needs and different levels of income. It is your freedom to choose whether to follow these guidelines or make your own. Whatever the form or procedure you use in your family budget, the object is to save and prepare the family for future situations involving money.

• Have a more effective way of budgeting for the family (soleflormom.com)

Take a look at these related posts:

• Have a more effective way of budgeting for the family
• Parents Guidelines in Teaching Kids to Save Money
• Holidays at home
• Cars in the Family (Part II)

Image by roberthuffstutter via Flickr

Now that our lice invasion is over we are being attacked by another invasion: debt. Due to my medical leave my boss refused to pay me the December salary and also the extra month salary we have in December. My online income saved me last month but the credit card is getting to the limit and our payday loan is in the same situation.

My kids where used to have everything, too much in fact, to choose to eat at home and this in January they noticed that some things were missing in the groceries closet.

We don’t waste food, we just buy what we really need to eat and we are learning a lesson: we sometimes waste money in things that we don’t really need. If we don’t have them we still eat and don’t starve, it’s just a matter of organizing the grocery list and stick to the basic.

Once I am on a medical leave I can’t get out at some hours of the day so although at home I can’t pick up my daughter at school. I reduced a full time daycare to only school home transportation meaning a smaller bill to pay to daycare.

Right now I don’t have nothing else to reduce. Well I have cable TV and Internet in the same package…but I need the Internet. I’m going to phone them and see if they can reduce to a lower package.

Yesterday we realized that my husbands salary bonus from last year was removed so less income, I would like to try to work from home but work just don’t fall from the sky so right now I’m just waiting to see how my job situation is going to end and then let’s start a new life.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Reducing Expenses
• Simple gift…well…not that easy
• Insurance Payment Coming Soon
• Stay at Home Calculator

March is arriving and as I mentioned here last year it is the month of my husband’s car insurance. The price last year was kind of high but at the time we knew it it was too late to ask for a price revision, so this year I’m thinking about it already.

Today I’m already sending an email to my insurance company and I’m requesting them a cheap car insurance otherwise I will be checking prices with other insurance companies.

This year, in one or two months I will be jobless and every cent counts so reducing our expenses is a “real” reality, more than last year when the situation was a little better but already bad.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Insurance Payment Coming Soon
• Money, Money … (not from Mamma Mia)
• Simple gift…well…not that easy
• Cars in the Family (Part II)

So, last year was a difficult one for me at work. I crashed on the 22th of December and by crashed I mean I got to the bottom of the depression I was already having for quite some time.

I am having a social security leave that will be paying me 65% of my salary while I recover and during the time they give me to recover. I’m taking depression pills, a pill to put me to sleep at night and tomorrow I will go to a psychiatrist. I hope he can give me some advice and some extra medication to boost my energy, self-esteem and appetite. I lost a few pounds already, it looks like I’m taking the best weight loss supplements there are because everybody says: you are disappearing.

I’ve been down for quite some time but I was always thinking about my family, the money we needed, well I believe NOW, I’m thinking about my family. I’m not ok on the present job so for sure I’m not going back but I still don’t now in what conditions I will be leaving the office, with or without the money they owe me. I haven’t received December payment not the extra salary we have to receive every year in December. Ive been with this company for almost 16 years and I’m really disappointed with what they are doing to me.

This is a rough month, financially and emotionally but I will recover, gain new strenght and go on with my live. I’m looking for some online money “fountains” so if you have some ways to earn a few dollars a month I will appreciate.

Take a look at these related posts:

• My Father In Law almost saw the light
• Adults can have Acne too, I know
• Still a Slim Laura
• My husband’s check ups

Image by tboard via Flickr

My Christmas Shopping is done!! Much less gifts than last year, less money spent, a positive shopping.

This year it’s evident the crisis. People are saving, cutting to minimum the money they spend. The city Christmas lights are only used in the main avenue (Red and Golden lighting) and most houses have little or none outdoor lighting.

At home we have the old same Christmas tree, with the usual decorations, we only bought new Christmas Tree lighting but it was a cheap one with no music (we never use the music anyway).

I’m glad the kids already have a lot of toys and games, although it’s more difficult to choose a gift for them, they are not seeking for many things. So, once aunts/uncles and grandmothers/fathers are giving one gift each it’s easier to spread the gifts among them all making us buy less gifts. We usually talk among us and discuss what the kids want so that the gifts we buy are things the kids like and this way we make sure there are no double gifts.

What about you? Do you talk about the gifts your kids want with the other members of the family?

Take a look at these related posts:

• Top 10 Gifts for Your Parents
• Can we really save money giving gifts?
• Staying Green When the Holidays are Putting You in the Red
• Decorating the House for the Holidays

Christmas Shopping is all over the city. People running from shop to shop searching, touching, grabbing and choosing the gifts for their love ones. I only bought my daughter’s gift because it was a gift I had to order, but for now that’s all, I have to wait for the extra Christmas payment from the office that will probably come in one week.

The kids are not asking for many gifts, they already have many toys and they realize that they don’t need any more.

For us, the parents, well my husband would like to receive a Acer Aspire Netbook because he sometimes is a little envious of seeing me on the computer all the time and once we have a broken Desktop, he would like to have a portable computer to access the internet. Of course he has to wait for…another Christmas who knows, because we can’t afford a computer right now.

I’m always left behind when it comes to gifts, not by others but by myself. I only buy something for me if I have some money left otherwise I only buy something symbolic so that my kids realize that Santa gave me something. I’m that kind of person that always thinks first on the others and than (or never) on myself, what can I do.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Can we really save money giving gifts?
• I am Already Thinking about Christmas Gifts
• Top 10 Gifts for Your Parents
• Staying Green When the Holidays are Putting You in the Red

Thursday my best friend E. decided it was time to give me some advice on my desperate and awful working days. We both went to have dinner together, the two of us, and we talked. She is 7 years older than me and she went through big issues throughout her life so we can say she has a lot to teach me.

We had a lovely chat, she made me realize that I’m not on my 20′ or 30′, I am 40 and it’s time to be reasonable with my life and ponderer what I want to do with it. If I am suffering working with my job and office environment than she thinks I should move on and search for another job.

I know that a long time ago…

She says I’m moved by fear of changing jobs and search for a new life. I confess that fear moves me sometimes, the uncertainty of the financial future with two kids to raise…scares me, but I have to think about my health too. I am taking antidepressants due to the working environment I’m in, I can’t have a sane and healthy life in the office so maybe it’s time to take the risk and search for another one.

Financially I believe we can manage our bills payment if I continue to get some work online. I’m don’t have ambitious wishes like going on a orlando vacations or buy a new car, right now I just want to have enough for the monthly bills and any extra expenses that come up. My working environment is so bad that I just want to get rid of it and be away from it. Now, am I being selfish? I don’t think so, the whole family would benefit from an sane and healthy mother and wife, don’t you think?

Take a look at these related posts:

• My Father is in The Hospital
• Translation job needed English/Portuguese/English
• My Father In Law almost saw the light
• Sucking Thumb: My daughter does it…Any advices?

Image via Wikipedia

Well, kids are getting excited with Christmas and Christmas presents are a daily subject. From a guitar to a skate, from a Doctor Nenuco (doll) to a Skater Barbie this year we have a huge different from the last years. My son is not requesting very expensive presents. No Wii, no video games, no cell phones, no expensive gadgets. I’m very happy with his attitude and I believe without cheaper presents this Christmas will be a better one.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Top 10 Gifts for Your Parents
• Can we really save money giving gifts?
• Staying Green When the Holidays are Putting You in the Red
• Decorating the House for the Holidays

Lately my life seems like a TV series with no end and with really bad people it.

I’m surprised with the arrogance and selfishness of some people, people that are my neighbors, people from next door.

As I mentioned on a previous post about our front yard new look, we (the condominium) were going to request a bank loan to pay for the new look. It was a collective loan and therefore we would be paying just a small monthly amount for 4 years. Well, the bank didn’t authorized the loan and I new meeting was scheduled to find a new solution.

The meeting started with bossy neighbors wanting to rule our life, our finances and our wallets. One the loan was not approved those who can pay wanted the others to get a personal loan or borrow money from someone so that the garden could be done. Some of the couples are having finances difficulties, some don’t have work and for me the garden is not a priority.

We, the ones having finance difficulties refused to ask for a personal loan. I owe credit card, I owe payday loan and They want me to as for a personal loan for a GARDEN? These people are crazy. And, I had to hear comments like: who doesn’t have money to pay, well just sell the house and go somewhere else.

Usually I stay quiet and silent on these meeting but this time I raised my voice and let it all out. People now my position know and I was supported by other neighbors in the same financial situation. I’m glad I was not the only one that talked against the new garden, especially now, when people are losing their jobs and life is tough. For now a new garden is like a new jacuzzi or a spa filter, they are not essential items. I need money for food, electricity, gas, water, clothes (for the kids…I manage with old ones), I don’t have money for a new garden.

The neighbors were really nasty, rude and really disappointed me and other people in the meeting. Now…I know who I  can count with in the neighborhood.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Christmas Shopping is done
• Change or not change…that is the question
• Insurance Payment Coming Soon
• Holidays at home

I can’t believe Christmas is just a few weeks ago. Time seems to run in front of me and I don’t even notice it.

Kids are already talking about Christmas gifts as well as other members of the family. Impressive…this year I have other priorities. Let’s see:

• My son wants a guitar and a skate.
• My daughter wants many, many dolls, a cell phone, makeup sets, etc.
• My BIL wants an expensive watch and a new, fancy cell phone.
• My SIL wants a dip machine for her home gymnasium .
• My husband wants a laptop (he’s dreaming high).
• Me, myself, je, moi…I want to pay my credit card and payday loan account.

Gifts for me…one day maybe for sure.

This Christmas we will be cutting a lot on gifts, live isn’t easy and we never know if we are getting our paycheck at the end of the month or not.

Take a look at these related posts:

• Top 10 Gifts for Your Parents
• Can we really save money giving gifts?
• Staying Green When the Holidays are Putting You in the Red
• Decorating the House for the Holidays

The payment of my life insurance is approaching and I already know it will have a higher amount than the last time. I guess it’s time to look for some term insurance quotes and compare them to see if I can get a cheaper one with the same conditions of the one I have now. I have this insurance since I bought my house 9 years ago and it is aggregated to the loan we asked so I don’t know if it will be easy to get a new one with a new insurance company.

We are counting every cent we spend but I think we can do even better. We still spend a lot of money when we go to the coffee shop with the kids and when we skip one or two meals and buy at Mac’s. But better spend in food than in insurance. I think insurances are very expensive and although it is a security we have it’s also a lot of money wasted per year.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Money Saving Tips (buylivebetter.com)

Take a look at these related posts:

• Reducing Expenses
• Money, Money … (not from Mamma Mia)
• Christmas Shopping is done
• Disappointed with my Neighborhood

This is a picture of the condominium front garden where I have my house. The condo has 12 houses and this huge front garden that looks more like a dry desert.

Ever since we lived here that we have problems with the front garden. It all started with our first neighbor’s meeting where we had to decide how that garden would be. The garden belongs to all of the people that live in the condominium so it had to be a group decision but… it turned out to be a nightmare.

Of course among twelve people we can’t expect that they all agree with the same solution but it turned out that most people agreed with a mostly lawn garden, and a lawn garden with four trees was built. After a few months the big problem showed up, to pay for the water bill. It was huge.

To make it short, we have been trying to get a more affordable decision for a few years and now it was decided that we are going to make a water well to water the future lawn and flowers the garden will have. This is going to be a big investment and a bank credit is going to be made by the agency that is in change of our condominium administration. Some of the neighbors ( three or four) are going to pay in advance their part of the payment but, as you can imagine from my past posts, my credit report isn’t great at all and I have no money to spend now so…I have to enter in the bank credit request that is going to take place.

Of course this is something I wasn’t expecting and it means an extra monthly expense, but it is something we have to do because the houses lose value with this front garden. At least two neighbors are already selling their houses and I don’t know if in a near future I will do the same so, we have to take care of the houses as well as all the surroundings.

Take a look at these related posts:

• What a weekend…
• New Acquisitions for The House
• How to Make Better Use of the Space in Your Home
• Teaching The Value of Money to Children. What am I doing Wrong?