Cinnamonhuskies:

With my husband, unless I have it on paper where he can see it and understand what it means to our monthly spending, it goes in one ear and out the other. At the end of the month I have an expense/Income report for him to see where the money went, and a projected budget for the new month so he can see where the money will go.

I think that's what I need to do with him as well.   He did the in one ear out the other just last week - and yesterday when the mortgage cleared there was $40 in checking which had me majorly stressed even though I knew nothing was outstanding.   My unemployment check got there by the afternoon so things are ok until he gets paid tomorrow.

I also agree that he needs to see where the money goes - I think sometimes he questions what I do with it.   I've always been the financial manager - I'm afraid to let him do it but when he starts questioning me I get my fur up.   Hopefully this will help both of us comprehend things better and feel more comfortable with each other's choices (as long as those choices are a little smarter!)

It's hard not to take it personally when he asks "Why is our balance so low?"! It's like I've been squirrelling money away in a secret off-shore account or something LOL.

Cinnamonhuskies:

 It's like I've been squirrelling money away in a secret off-shore account or something LOL.

We've been married for almost 20 years - since we were 21.   We were DINKS until 5 years ago and lived wild and crazy with him never paying a bill or balancing a checkbook and neither one of us really having a 'budget'.   No clue how to view his 401K or any such thing.   I mean really if I was going to tahiti with his retirement money I would have gone already!!   ;D

It is hard though because we're at a different place right now and I don't think his 'head' is there yet.    I had a very good paying job - base salary higher than his - same company but I was management and he is union.    So I don't know if there is some other type of 'stuff' going one right now either....he's not one to jump on with questions about those things.   Usually they play out in a short enough time.

Cinnamonhuskies:

It's like I've been squirrelling money away in a secret off-shore account or something LOL.

With your budget, that off-shore account must be on an island in Lake Superior?

with my budget, it's more like a rock in the middle of an inland lake.....

I know dh asked how come we have debt? and I was  well look around is because we have awesome furniture, fancy vacations, new cars, high lifestyle? nope cost of living.

hmmm budgets can be stuck in corner sometimes guess we put on boxing gloves and go round one may be a 12 rounder maybe hope to god just one...

Good luck.

have a blessed day,

cynthia

did the food shopping this months crud 200 down the drain the killer of the budget part is I wish mom and dad would cut the red meat or if not why not have it once a week not twice,Im just about cut out meat totally did before can do it again but no mom says you neeed protein sure ma if you had the money in the wrold have at it then...

Sorry just needed to spout off here I try to keep a budget of 180.00 to 170 .00 but I only eat meat once a week or hardly at all, this is just me I guess...

Thanks for letting me run my mouth....:)

filled my cash envelopes for the month:

$140.  grocery (cause I spent $35 already)

$225 gasoline

$20 household

$45 misc cash (spent $5)

$45 livestock grain

$50 dining (already spent $25)

need $50 to give dh next week out of that paycheck for his cash. He still has $10 in his wallet to get by until then.

Expenses - Oct 2008

10/1/2008 through 10/04/2008

   
 Uncategorized 4.95 
 Auto 100.00 
 Business Auto 161.02 
 Business Expense 137.44 
 Household Expenses 122.62 
 Misc 73.28 
  Utilities 90.00 
 Credit Card 45.00 

 OVERALL TOTAL 734.31