Just wanted to say thanks

AmbitiousSaver · #1 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 06:33 AM

So when DH got home from his business trip yesterday, we decided after allowing $90 more for the rest of the month for gas and $150 for food... we had $215 leftover.

I think this new budgeting thing will do WONDERS for our marriage... though I must admit I'm going to be the one that is going to feel the most deprived as we adjust to this. I have not had to ask permission for anything in the past 9 years, DH is already used to hearing "no"

We went to the pet store yesterday to look into replacing the flap on the doggy door. The dog door I want is the one that the dog has the collar battery thing and it opens only for him... which would probably be $150 so that would eat up most of our budget. So we looked at the $20 flap.... which is when DH said "Well, would we really USE it? I mean, we have to open the laundry room door to let him out into the garage to use the doggy door... so its only two steps for us to open the door by then."

We ended up not getting anything... which was a first. And for the first time DH isn't bugging me for things which is a relief to me... I don't like hearing No but I LOVE not hearing him ask me if we can afford a motorcycle, a new car, etc, etc... its all out in the open now. He knows exactly how much we have left so now I don't need to tell him "NO" anymore... he just knows.

I wish I had found this forum years ago before we got so bad in debt... but I feel like I'm on the right track now. And today I showed him his CC balance FINALLY under $10K which was the first time in well over a year! My next goal is to have it under $5K by the end of the year.

So thanks for all the help and advice. You guys are a wealth of info!

maat55 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbitiousSaver

So when DH got home from his business trip yesterday, we decided after allowing $90 more for the rest of the month for gas and $150 for food... we had $215 leftover.

I think this new budgeting thing will do WONDERS for our marriage... though I must admit I'm going to be the one that is going to feel the most deprived as we adjust to this. I have not had to ask permission for anything in the past 9 years, DH is already used to hearing "no"

We went to the pet store yesterday to look into replacing the flap on the doggy door. The dog door I want is the one that the dog has the collar battery thing and it opens only for him... which would probably be $150 so that would eat up most of our budget. So we looked at the $20 flap.... which is when DH said "Well, would we really USE it? I mean, we have to open the laundry room door to let him out into the garage to use the doggy door... so its only two steps for us to open the door by then."

We ended up not getting anything... which was a first. And for the first time DH isn't bugging me for things which is a relief to me... I don't like hearing No but I LOVE not hearing him ask me if we can afford a motorcycle, a new car, etc, etc... its all out in the open now. He knows exactly how much we have left so now I don't need to tell him "NO" anymore... he just knows.

I wish I had found this forum years ago before we got so bad in debt... but I feel like I'm on the right track now. And today I showed him his CC balance FINALLY under $10K which was the first time in well over a year! My next goal is to have it under $5K by the end of the year.

So thanks for all the help and advice. You guys are a wealth of info!

Don't forget to read books on personal finance, they will help you keep your resolve. Good luck.

Broken Arrow · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:17 AM

Really glad to hear things are looking up, and so quickly!

You might like Dave Ramsey by the way. It's a good place to start out in your new financial journey.

disneysteve · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:36 AM

That's terrific. It sounds like you are off on the right foot. I think the two most important factors are mindset and communication and it sounds like you've now got both. Good for you. Keep coming back and sharing your progress. Maybe start a blog.

creditcardfree · #5 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:45 AM

Congrats on the communication and working together. It does do wonders.

Ima saver · #6 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 01:47 PM

Good for you two!! It is a great start!!

lehresman · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:53 AM

This is great to hear! I'm excited for you. A friend of mine was swimming in debt and they couldn't make their ends meet. Their marriage was pretty rocky. They let my mom take over their finances for a year, and she set them up with a budget and gave them an allowance that they could spend on food and necessary stuff. By the end of the year they were out of debt and were used to living on less than they made. Their marriage was saved, and they have never been happier.

It's amazing how a stupid thing like money can get in the way and destroy marriages and cause so much harm. My favorite financial quote is "Money makes a poor master but an excellent slave." It's so true. I'm thrilled to hear that you're on the right track. Half of the battle is changing your mindset about your money. Keep up the great work, and best of luck!

sounderella · #8 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Yay for y'all. It truly is a mindset. I learned that the hard way.

Tree0164 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 03:14 AM

It sounds like a great start!!!

LuxLiving · #10 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 06:56 AM

I agree that getting the mindset changed is one of the key things. You and your spouse need to be in charge of the money, not the money in charge of you! Ya'll getting your heads together and telling the money where to go and what to do? PRICELESS!!