Has anyone else ever experienced this phenomena---you have x amount of days until you get paid, and you are literally counting each day as they pass? I find myself doing that alot and really, I don't think it is a good thing for me. I get worried about if I need to buy something, or waiting as long as possible before buying something in a hope to not have to buy it until after I get paid. I end up counting out food and meals per each day and some of my more recreational activities like going to a cafe, etc., are put off until I am better off financially.
I have noticed that it seems like time seems to fly by when you think this way. Or is this more related to just working full time and the aging process? (Remember when you were younger and the days seemed to take forever! Now, a weekend races by and you are left a little downtrodden on Sunday evening wondering where time went.
I have better goals in plan for next month. Namely, I am going to try and buy as much food and necessities as will fit in my apartment so that I have enough for the entire month and am not scrambling to pay for basics like paper towels.
I am not feeling as stressed as I was last month, and that is good. I still need a lot of fine tuning on my budgeting skills, however, and I want to improve that for next month.
Being Broke and Trying to take it easy
January 14th, 2010 at 05:24 pm
January 14th, 2010 at 06:18 pm 1263493125
If you start building up an emergency fund, even a small one, it won't be so stressful for you.
January 14th, 2010 at 07:26 pm 1263497217
I think that if you are able to build a small stockpile of things that you might feel more comfortable about things. I've noticed if that I spend even $5 extra dollars per week, I can build up a small surplus. This past week I ended up with 2 Halls cough drops for $.50 each at Walgreens (using a store coupon plus one from the Sunday paper). Same thing with Campbell's Soup on Hand ($.50 each). No one has a cold in my house and DH takes leftovers for lunch, but there will be one day soon when someone is coughing and I don't have leftovers.
And yes, I do find myself counting the days til payday. I have a tenant who is slow pay again and that covers some expenses that I don't usually pay from DH's paycheck (extraneous things like dance competition fees and YMCA classes for my kids). She hasn't paid rent and I've still had to cover these expenses. Makes me think twice on what and how I'm spending money on.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:44 am 1263516286
Maybe you could try something similar ?