End of the Month Crunch
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (92696)
United States
June 25, 2018 4:57pm CST
We are there. The wife and I. We are at the end of the month crunch as I like to call it. It's when we reach the point where there is only so much left in the spending budget from the salary draw we provide ourselves each month. The wife HATES the end of the month crunch because we actually have plenty of money in the bank.
"Why can't we just pull some money forward?" she asks.
"Because, dear, if we do that we'll be like everyone else we know. Living paycheck to paycheck. Having nothing to fall back on. Having to rely on those paychecks each week. Panicking. In peril financially. It's not worth it."
We DO pull money forward from time to time of course. But it is a very calculated decision, based on the markets, the value of our portfolio, whether or not we took in a considerable amount in paychecks than we drew for our salary.
She'll never get it. But because I control the money...she'll have to just deal with it. 
In the end, we HAVE money for a reason.
In the end, we HAVE money for a reason.10 people like this
9 responses
@porwest (92696)
• United States
25 Jun 18
One of the best ways to have money is to pretend that you don't. No matter if there is one person involved in that conversation or two...it tends to work. And what you find is that when you do it this way, when you DO want to give in a little and take a little extra, it does not break the bank.
3 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
26 Jun 18
@porwest That's true. I have savings that I never think about as "useable" money. I have plans for it when it grows to a certain point, but that's all.
Then there is other money that's more accessible, both physically and mentally. It's for emergencies and larger necessary purchases, but sometimes I have to argue myself into realizing that a new couch is not a necessity!
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
26 Jun 18
Hi Jim. You know how to handle money. Mostly women are the ones who manage the money. You know how to take care of it. You are good. 
3 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
26 Jun 18
@porwest Yeah. My dad is more of handling the money than my mom. So I have to agree with you, with the exception of ME. haha
2 people like this
@popciclecold (39533)
• United States
26 Jun 18
My husband was totally opposite, he always found something to buy, it's hard when there is a saver and a spender. Now thAt he's in a nursing home, it's a lot easier. I divided out money, and I have a payday in 4 days, but I budgeted and still have money left.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92696)
• United States
28 Oct
I will admit, it is MUCH more difficult to save when you have someone else in the house not willing to be onboard. But that is also why the person designated to "run" the money in the house is best relegated to the most knowledgeable and responsible one about money in the house. That happens to be me, and no money goes out of our hands that I am not aware of, or that has not been previously "authorized" to be spent.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92696)
• United States
28 Oct
Minding our money is by far (aside from our health of course) is one of the most important things we can do. I never want to be in a situation where I am held hostage because I don't have enough money to do what I want and need to do in life.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223850)
• Chile
25 Jun 18
This June I forgot to add as I always do. i usually take out as much as I need and I feel safe.
Not this June. I went to the Iguazú Falls for a week with friends who have more money than me. I paid my third of good restaurants instead of going to more modest places.
Besides, as it was my birthday, I gave myself 2 gifts. One I needed and the other was pure luxury. The credit card cried in despair and this month I will have to pay a lot more and buy only bread and butter at the supermarket.
1 person likes this
