Am I the only one?

Who stresses out EVERY MONTH about $$? DH & I both work full time, our rent is ABNORMALLY cheap for nyc standards, we both have a tad CC debt but nothing to hyperventilate about.

we're not recklessly extravagant spenders but we're not penny pinchers either. We'll go out to dinner once in a while. (Applebees dinner... not Chez whatever nice places hahaha)

I have a seven year old now and WOULD LIKE to start planning for another one within the next year (I'm getting up there in age, pretty soon my eggs are just going to dry up and fall out)... I just don't see how we could plan for a baby (let alone two more which is what I would LOVE)

I don't know WHY I feel as though we're broke. We have nice things, we're happy and comfortable. Our son is able to join sports & clubs have birthday parties... Santa was VERY generous.

I've been very good since the holidays... Not using my CC for anything unless absolutely necessary...cat food, new winter hats for the kid--(who loves to leave his at school)

I blame it on gas prices and the cost of milk. AND WHEN DID MOVIE TICKETS BECOME MORE THAN 10 DOLLARS A POP???

Please, someone tell me I'm not alone!

I feel like a FAILURE b/c although I have a GREAT job, I don't make a lot of $... And I WENT to college.

Re: Am I the only one?

well... I guess so.

Re: Am I the only one?

You are NOT alone! My DH and I are constantly worrying about the $$$ issue... but when we sit down and write up our budget - we have plenty of money left over - including being able to save some too...
Money is always an issue considering how friggin' expensive EVERYTHING is lately!

No worries girl!

Re: Am I the only one?

We just bought a house....We just got our first mortgage payment slip yesterday...I thought I was going to choke looking at the amount of money we are going to pay each month...but I know we can do it..DH is very optimistic and we are also getting a raise in May. I worry a lot though

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I worry about money constantly. It's a little different for us because I'm still in school & I'm only working part-time. I worry every month that we won't have enough money at the end of the month, but somehow, at the end of every month, we're fine. We're not huge spenders, but we go out to dinner a couple of times a month (Applebees just like you), we spoil DD, and we still have money to buy a thing or two for ourselves every month. I freaked out because my car broke down this week & I thought we'd never have the money to fix it. Of course, we were just fine.

I know what you mean about TTC too. We are TTC now & sometimes I want to tell DH that we just have to stop because we'll never be able to afford having another child. I know I worry too much. I keep reminding myself that we had so much less when DD was born & we did just fine.

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The way i see it is, money is always an issue. With a lot of people, the more you have, the more you spend. There are many many ways to cut back on spending (bring lunch, cut coupons, carpool) but if it isnt going to be saved or geared towards the right thing(debts, bills) then there really is no point. I work 3 jobs, i split the mortgage with DH, and pay the utilities. I just had my son 5 months ago, it came to the point where i knew i wanted another kid, and timing is never perfect, but we both figured there is always another PT job out there if we need it. And its true, there is.
So if you know your clock is ticking, and you want another, and your doing ok now, i say go for it.

Re: Am I the only one?

It's an issue for us as well. We recently bought a house & we're strapped...esp. now after the holidays. I have always paid my CC bill in full e/ month & now (after holidays bills) that won't be happening this month---its killing me. We basically have no debt just a thousand or 2 on CC's & then our house bills, but its so scary. We have 1 & want to try for a 2nd this summer...we're not going to let $ stand in the way b/c you always find a way to make it work. Also, now is not the time the $ is an issue w/ the kids but down the line.

Re: Am I the only one?

thank you ladies. I just feel BETTER when someone can relate.

I need to remind myself how LUCKY I am.... i don't have any debt (aside from a few CCs with money on it but nothing more than 1500). I have NO student loans to pay off... no car loans...

I just HATE not being able to put money away into savings. I have a 529 account for my son, but I only contribute 25 dollars a month... luckily, he wont be going to college anytime soon (though he IS brilliant... [sn0rt])

for those with mortgages, at least you own a HOME... it would be easier to swallow being broke if i can say i OWN something...gosh, i just dont see DH & I ever owning a home. I applaud you for being able to do so.

but to be COMPLETELY honest, i dont know if I really want to hahahaa...

again, thanks for the replies

Message edited 1/15/2008 3:15:30 PM.

Re: Am I the only one?

Posted by Dani922

I know what you mean about TTC too. We are TTC now & sometimes I want to tell DH that we just have to stop because we'll never be able to afford having another child. I know I worry too much. I keep reminding myself that we had so much less when DD was born & we did just fine.

Re: Am I the only one?

I agonize over how much $$$ we spend, DH spends like it grows on trees...

Needless to say, this is a topic of contention in our house. However, I feel we do balance each other out. If I had my way we'd be sitting home staring at the TV all the time, so he persuades me to spend some money on fun stuff that we deserve once in awhile. (Then I freak out for weeks about how much we spent )

Re: Am I the only one?

You are definetly not alone. I just just thinking this same thing. I also have a seven year old son and would eventually have possibly one more child. This week I was thinking okay I will just pay bills and save the rest of the money and of course I had an extra expense of school tuition for me and I am just so upset. I cant catch a freaken break. You are definetly not alone with the cost of oil its rediculous. I feel your pain, sometimes I feel like getting a second job to save, but how do you with a child and both me a DH get a pretty good paycheck its just so hard.

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Re: Am I the only one?

You are not alone. DH and I have been married just 2 months and just had the "budget" talk. We own our co-op but want a house eventually which means getting the other bills paid way down.

Re: Am I the only one?

yes - i worry about it - despite the fact that DH and I own a condo/townhouse and have good jobs. i like to think that the worrying keeps us in check...

Re: Am I the only one?

You are definitely not alone at all! I hear your 100%. My DH and I don't own and don't have kids yet and I still feel like we're struggling. We'd like to start on that path soon but it's definitely a big stress. Like you said, we're able to do things now and then, and we're happy and very appreciative of what we have, but there never seems to be enough money and it is always a worry!

I just feel like the price of EVERYTHING keeps skyrocketing and the salaries can't keep up. Something's gotta give at some point, I hope!

Re: Am I the only one?

thanks everyone <333333333

Re: Am I the only one?

I am the list too...month after month always making myself sick over $$$
It always works out but it still feels like it will never end!

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Re: Am I the only one?

Message edited 3/12/2011 11:06:20 AM.

Re: Am I the only one?

Re: Am I the only one?

I know exactly how you feel. I have a 14 year old (I was VERY young when I had him), but I have a great job w/excellent benefits and good salary, DH makes great money, but at the end of the day I always feel like we have nothing to put into savings. We own a home and after all of the expenses I feel like there's no money left to even budget for kids. But when we sit down and really look at the money, we're doing okay. We look at other friends our age and we are pretty far ahead of the game. Hang tight, I'm sure you'll see some light at the end of that tunnel...

Gotta love it, $5 for a gallon of milk!