bills,bills,bills
By clouds0327
@clouds0327 (1389)
Philippines
February 16, 2012 11:44am CST
I am very stressed right now. Bills are coming in like clockwork. Sometimes I don't even want to think about it anymore. It's like payday is not very exciting anymore because of the bills and expenses waiting to be fulfilled as soon as I have my salary on my hand. I want to know how to save money, cause honestly I don't have any savings and there's a lot of things that I need to pay for. Aside from bills I also have loaned my jewelry and I just realized it is going to be for auction this March. That is my only priced jewelry so I really need to make sure it won't be put up for auction. And because of that, I am now very stressed. I want to save money but I just don't know how. It's one of those things that is easier said than done.I guess I have to be more organized and really recognize what I really need to pay every month so I know where to put the money and so I know when I can make extra spending or not. How about you guys? Do you have savings?
2 people like this
16 responses
@jhuddith (222)
• Philippines
19 Feb 12
Various people and that includes me can relate to your situation right now... Until now, I have also monthly credit card, electricity, cellphone billings, etc.. The good thing is that I've already started to manage them.. I also prepare an excel file/spreadsheet for the expenses to ensure that my would be expenses would no exceed my would be income. I stopped using my credit card already - the only transactions in it are the remaining installments that were incurred when my sister had a stroke... I have also practiced self-discipline by buying some stuff only if I have the extra money..
In our company, we have this what we called "cooperative" and you get to set how much you wanted to save and that it is immediately deducted via payroll per payday.. So automatically, I have my forced and active savings.. Annually, we expect dividends for this...
1 person likes this
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
4 Mar 12
I am happy to hear that you are able to manage your finances. I am really hoping I'll be able to do the same as well. Although it can be very hard but I am trying.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
16 Feb 12
Saving money is really easier said than done, but it is very doable. You really just have to put in some effort and a lot of discipline in setting aside even a small amount each payday. Getting organized and recognizing where your money goes each month is a very good first step to start your savings. If your salary can't cover the cost of your daily living, you really have too augment it with some other job or online work. You can't save anything if your bills and other monthly payables are higher than what you earn.
1 person likes this
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
Exactly...
That's why I am active again in mylot. Mylot is really therapeutic and quite a big help when it comes to money. Yeah it's not so big but at least there is something coming in and at the same time it also serves at a support group to some extent. Thank you so much. I'll take your advice. Have a great weekend!
That's why I am active again in mylot. Mylot is really therapeutic and quite a big help when it comes to money. Yeah it's not so big but at least there is something coming in and at the same time it also serves at a support group to some extent. Thank you so much. I'll take your advice. Have a great weekend!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
16 Feb 12
its tough when the money that is needed to pay for bills and just for every day living out weighs the money that is coming in.
we have very little savings because my hubby has been in and out of work (through no fault of his own) and the job he has now, he doesnt make that much and i can only work part time do to my health. so i know how you feel.
1 person likes this
@lampar (7584)
• United States
16 Feb 12
It sure sound bad for you, with all these bills that need to take care of at the end of the month, the only way out of this is to cut down on your monthly spending, or you can work extra hours with longer hours and find side job beside the full time job. There is no other alternative right now. It is just not possible to have saving nowadays, with the rapid rise of inflation and cost of living, i will be really fortunate to keep my saving afloat, let alone has any money $$ left over after paying my monthly bill, every thing seem to be going up except my paid cheque, it is just impossible to save anymore in this economy and the rate of inflation going on in the country. 
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
Yeah, economy is in a very bad shape right now. Looking at the situation I think It's gonna take a long time before everyone can really catch up with the rising of everything except for the pay. It's like it's everywhere and it seems like we all know where the economy is going. Yeah, the only way to get past it is to adjust and save money. Im still hoping that some miracle will happen and will turn everything back to what it was before.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
17 Feb 12
Theoretically every financial planner will tell you to save more and don't waste. But in reality, those low income workers and jobless people are faced with higher inflation rate every year and are just not making enough money to pay for monthly expediture, let alone can set aside extra money for saving, it is just not realistic at all. Saving is only possible for someone who is making several thousand a month in today world like an executive, public employee or an engineer, it is becoming harder for low income group to pay for their monthly expenses with present low minimum wages and high inflation rate, let alone can hold on to a saving account, unless you are living in a surreal world.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
27 Feb 12
I agree with you, Pay day is NOT all that exciting anymore when you don't have extra spare money to throw around. But you should be excited to get your bills paid, I suppose, so you don't go into collections! . I think you shouldn't stress yourself out about money. If you are really tight in the pocket-book maybe you should look at what you are spending money on to see where you can cut back. (I am trying to do this with myself and my money right now), otherwise you could also see where you could MAKE more money from - to alleviate some of that stress. Maybe sign up for another online earning program or get extra hours at work or donate blood or something to make it a little easier for you; it's not good for you to be stressed, especially over something as silly as bills... . Happy MyLotting!
. I think you shouldn't stress yourself out about money. If you are really tight in the pocket-book maybe you should look at what you are spending money on to see where you can cut back. (I am trying to do this with myself and my money right now), otherwise you could also see where you could MAKE more money from - to alleviate some of that stress. Maybe sign up for another online earning program or get extra hours at work or donate blood or something to make it a little easier for you; it's not good for you to be stressed, especially over something as silly as bills... . Happy MyLotting!1 person likes this
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
1 Mar 12
Randy and I have a savings account, but there is not much in there. Currently Randy and I are not working due to the fact that Randy has a serious foot condition and is unable to work and he needs help getting around the house. I refuse to hire a nurse. I know that Randy's unemployment goes towards our storage bill and also the car insurance. I am trying to make money online and am hoping to find time to get into making jewelry and soap making so I can sell these things online. I currently make earings and am trying to learn how to make necklaces and braclets. I try hard not to spend much money. I use excel to keep a budget and to help me see where I am spending and where can I cut back.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
1 Mar 12
I am also planning to use excel to plan my expenditures. I just can't find the perfect template.
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
That's what I discussed in my recent post being depressed in having an extra income for the payments of so many bills. And if your asking of my savings nothing at all. These past few months I have many things to spent that's why even my savings must take out to the bank. Also like what you did I already loaned my jewelry also so that I can survived. Now hoping to start a new saving that's why I'm very eager to find and extra income.
@dodo19 (47336)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
18 Feb 12
I can certainly understand how you feel. It can be very stressful, when you need to pay the bills, but you don't always have enough to do everything you want and/or need to do. Sadly, my husband and I don't have much savings at the moment, but I think that the important thing is to budget, and to stick to it.
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
16 Feb 12
There is a book called 'Total Money Makeover', by Dave Ramsey. Many have used this book to successfully get their finances under control. My daughter and her husband used it.
They were making real good money but they kept buy 4 wheelers, riding lawn mowers, expensive house, etc and found themselves having a difficult time making their monthly bills.
This book explains how to get out of this situation.
The motto is 'Live Like You've Never Lived, so You Can Live Like You've Never Lived'. It's pretty neat. You might want to look Dave Ramsey up and take a look at his financial history and his books. I wish you the best.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
Thanks. I will check it out for sure. You are right, change should really originate from us personally. I guess I really need to control myself when it comes to spending and how to manage my finances. Hopefully it will help somehow. Wish you all the best too.
@post2sawa (88)
• Philippines
16 Feb 12
Same with you I also have a monthly bills, but I tend to manage it by making an excel file of my monthly bills to pay. I breakdown monthly bills like electric, water, credit card & our grocery budget for the month in this way I am able to see if I do have money to spend to other things, or to save up.
I don't have much of savings but I don't have any additional debt because I am able to see what to prioritize with my earnings. I suggest you do the same thing.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
Yeah, I have not been very responsible with regards to my finances. I thought not thinking about it (suppression) can help me get out of the stress, but I just realized that it adds up to the flame. I need to be responsible and I guess the excel thing is really a great idea. I am lazy when it comes to these stuffs. I guess If I want to really change something really bad I really have to go through overcoming the things I consider very tedious and tough. Thanks a lot.
@puneetgzb (61)
•
17 Feb 12
Ya u r right it is very easy to say "keep saving" but very difficult to do, how can we save if we don't have. My sugestion for u my dear friend first of all make a list of recurring expenses that u have, then distribute your monthly salary among them, and afterward the extra money that u keep try to save some bit from that. and remaining if balance spend that as per your need.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
That is ideal. Im gonna start doing it now and hopefully I will see some changes in the next months. Thanks!
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
16 Feb 12
I never been so meticulous about how my expenses should be now since we went bankrupt 8 month ago. We cut back so much that it hard be able to have our 3 full meals everyday. We are a family of 7 and I can tell you that we had some help to go bankrupt along the way, yes it stressful to have always bills that comes in and you have to keep paying, well you know I started looking at my bills and asked myself if they were overcharging us and then I began to cut back, to basic and survival mode. We are going to get out of it,hang in there.
@clouds0327 (1389)
• Philippines
17 Feb 12
Thanks, that is really helpful. Sometimes, words can really do great things. One word can save a person's life. Yes, I guess the only option I have now is to keep on going and try to survive amidst all the trials and sufferings. I am beginning to look into my bills too. Discipline will be my regular companion nowadays. I hope we all can get through all this, I know someone else out there is really suffering more than we do. I just hope time will come that we will all be feeling okay and at least enjoy life once in a while. Thanks for the response. Have a great day!
@NailTech (6874)
• United States
16 Mar 12
I'm so sorry to hear about this, it is like everyone on the planet is suffering still right now with that sort of thing, and no one knows when exactly it will get better, if it does. I hope for all our sakes it does, eventually. I think you might save some money by using coupons and sales at the same time, for food, if it is allowed in your country. Maybe you can do some odd jobs here and there part time?
@Glitznglitter (389)
• Canada
4 Mar 12
I feel your pain, We put at least $50.00 a week in a separate bank account one that is not easily accessible, this allow us to save for a trip at the end of the year and pay for it cash, so each week we go without $50.00 and the reward is a trip at the end of the year or thereabouts.
Could you make arrangements for the jewelery you have on loan to make a regular monthly payment to avoid having it go up for auction? I believe if it's auctioned and the price owing isn't the price they receive your still on the hook for the difference.
@constabularyid (151)
• China
17 Feb 12
Hi clouds , there is no doubt that saving is easier said than done. But I strongly recommend you to save a little money every month. Just little per month, then you will have a habbit of saving :) good luck
