It's a little late in the month to join in, I guess, but here goes. We are right on top of fixed expenses - all utilities are paid, plus we are paying a minimum of $600 toward credit card debt (we stopped using cards and the $600 is way over the min. due, it's just the max we can afford to put toward the debt). The bad news is that my car (paid for) has needed two repairs totaling $500 and DH thinks his truck (paid for about 10 years ago and rusting out) needs brake work soon, and we don't have enough in savings to easily cover that this month or next month. So...we are moving forward but it's still too close for comfort, and our savings is put aside just to pay bills that are coming up next month or in a few months, we have no long term savings other than ira's and 401K for retirements. I am now back to working two jobs (one is linked to the school year) and will be taking two civil service exams in the next 5 weeks so that could promise more income, stability, good benefits, medical insurance coverage that actually covers something, and retirement benefits. I am NOT assuming anything, believe me, it is tough out there. I am not thinking about holidays yet, and we have two birthdays coming before Christmas. I don't know how we'll handle it but we will not use credit cards this year. Last year was the first time we limited gifts to family and limited costs to $100 per person. (and family was the children (and the dd's boyfriends who are like family, but their gifts were less costly.) ) hang in there gang. We CAN DO IT.
