Money Talks

Mike is at the helm of our financial situation, all the time. Not a day goes by where he is not found poring over our "books" aka online bank account summary. As he is reviewing our accounts, sometimes he heaves a deep sigh. I don't ever inquire what is wrong until he heaves several deep sighs in a row - then I ask quietly with just a little bit of frustration tinging my voice, "NOW what's the matter?" I always get a sick feeling and sweaty palms awaiting his answer.

Because I know it usually has to do with me. And how much money I have spent using our credit card.

There. I said it. I am a credit card junkie.

And by "junkie" that means I just have ONE credit card. I only carry one. But I use it for everything. And I am the main purchaser in the household.

Because he is kind, if Mike was reading this over my shoulder, he would say, "It's not ALL your fault. We just need to tighten our belts."

He says this often. All too often, in my opinion.

We couldn't figure out where the money was going. Why our credit card debt was getting higher and higher each month. I should add that we attempt to pay off our credit card debt every month. I did some self-reflection. I don't spend money on me. It is rare that I purchase something for myself. (And it shows, I am afraid.) I don't spend money on Grayson...other than the essentials. I looked at Mike. The man only buys clothes when he has gift cards available to him.

I actually think we are somewhat frugal people.

And full disclosure here: I HATE TALKING ABOUT MONEY. It is my least favorite (and Mike's most favorite!) thing to talk about. I hate talking about our financial situation with other people. I just feel it is incredibly private thing, but Mike has a completely different outlook on that. Which is cool and fine - but it has taken a lot of getting used to on my part. So I actually think it is weird that I am writing this post at all - but I felt compelled to for unknown reasons.

Maybe this post could encourage someone? I don't know. Give someone an idea on how to deal with money issues? I don't know. Not like we have it all figured out, obviously.

Anyway, I felt compelled.

So to track down where our money was going, Mike suggested that we institute an envelope system for spending money.

I got to tell you what...I HATE IT. It is the most annoying thing ever and I will tell you why:

- I am terrible at math. I think I actually have a pretty severe learning disability. I once had a meltdown in the liquid hand soap aisle at Walmart because I literally could not understand what Mike was telling me about when it came to cost-savings from liquid soap refills to just buying a new liquid soap pump. Ask me to make change, and I struggle. I have to count, re-count and then count again with shaky hands. I get flustered. To do this all with a screaming baby in a shopping cart...oy vey. It is not fun. How easy is it just to swipe the card and go?? Oh how I miss those days.

- Having to remember the money before we leave the house. How can I do this when I sometimes don't know where I even put my car keys? When I am on my way down the driveway somedays and I gasp in panic because I can't remember if I even put the baby IN THE CAR?!?! (I always have of course, but I still get a bit of panicky feeling.) And now you want me to remember the money on top of that all???

- This means I have to plan ahead. That is not a strength of mine at all. Shoot me now.

All three things that I have a really hard time with are all coming together to become my worst nightmare called: The Envelope System.

BUT. I have to say that there have been some small perks.

- I think twice about everything I buy. No more compulsive shopping trips for retail therapy. (I miss that too.) I take that back - since I married Mike, I never shop compulsively anymore - so it is really more like I think three or four times about everything I buy now.

- It reminds me of our roots and how we struggled on just my income for quite some time. It reminds me about how I got my job back after Mike lost his in Cleveland and how we were dealing with two rents - one in Cleveland and one in Cbus - all on my meager salary. But we were able to make it work. It was so hard - 2009 was the hardest time of our married lives for so many reasons - but we made it through.

- It is satisfying to have some extra money that we didn't end up using. I am not sure what we will use that money for. It will probably take us 20 years to save up to go on vacation with just that money alone, but it is nice to have - to know that I didn't go over our budget.

- It makes me have to plan ahead. Yes. That is one thing I hate about it. It makes me work harder at getting better at planning ahead.

We are seeing where this is going to take us. The whole thing makes me mad, annoyed, anxious and thankful - all at the same time!

Do you have any money saving strategies??

I'd like to hear them. And don't say couponing because I do that. :) Not very well because of the whole not being able to figure out discounts issue I touched on before, but you got to give me an A for effort :)