Running out fast

[reptile411]

Ok. Let me start by saying I understand this is going to sound totally stupid but I'm at a loss. Like everyone ells work has been slow. I am still employed full time but going through furloughs like everyone ells. I have started a business as well that is pulling in a profit now but it seems each month we are just running out of cash fast. I used about 85% of my savings to start the business but today to avoid using more savings I need to 0 out my business account to pay my wife's car registration. This is very frustrating as I worked hard to get that account in the black and now it will NOT be used to help grow the business. On top of that we are finding we have to dip into savings every months to make it work out anyway. As I said I am at a total loss. I am sitting here now trying to figure out how to cut back. I know I can cut back on our cell phone bills but everyone ells "Cable, internet so on and so forth" have us locked in contracts that will cost more than we have left to get out of. This sucks. I think we got way to cocky, everything went so good for so long and now is falling apart. I never thought I would say this but I am starting to feel the squeeze. That 12MPG truck doesn't look so good in the driveway now. Any advice to try to get back on track. At this point I can only see my life consisting of sitting in a corner doing nothing as I can no longer afford to do anything.

[Broken Arrow]

As far as sentiment goes, many here are hard working folks that are also just trying to get by. So, in that sense, I and I'm sure others can certainly sympathize.

It would also help if you don't mind providing us with a budget breakdown, so we can get a better idea of what you're working with. Perhaps someone can find a way to improve it, perhaps not.

Either way, I hope that things improve for you.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

If your needs will be covered and you've got the income to continue getting to work, then the "sitting in a corner" problem is a matter of sparking yourself to have some creativity about how you handle your time.

I think many of us have gotten out of the habit of knowing how to occupy ourselves, how to entertain ourselves, how to feel accomplished and happy in our spare time, whether it is with other people or alone.

If that is your real question, maybe we could have a brainstorming session. What to do other than sitting in a corner doing nothing?

[reptile411]

You bring up an excellent point. I once read 3 books a week. I have been so busy for the past few months I have not opened a book. Maybe its time to bring back that old habit. I remember I got that habit because when I purchased my house I was very scared, it was my first home and I took the plunge in the middle of a recession. I had no life out of fear, I read and read and read and felt my head about to explode with new education and understanding. Then the fear went away. I found other things to do other than read and now the funds are dwindling. I don't really have a budget. I never needed one, We make more than we spend or so we thought I can give you a few numbers though. In the past month our income has been at $5,311.30 and our expenses were at $5,721.73 clearly you see the problem here. I feel most of the fear is do to depleting our savings with this business venture. I paid our house payment out of savings this month. I have never ever had to do that before and I feel awful for it. I look at the big picture and thing thinks can only get better. Work is doing well. We have more than we can keep up with, business is showing steady growth but wait, we are spending more than we make. I think its time to Annalise the nickle and dime stuff. I found in the past that nickles and dimes can add up to 3k in one month very fast.