My Middle-Class Struggle: Resuming the Job Hunt

Friday, June 17, 2011

We have resumed the job search as of yesterday, sending out two resumes for Mr. Struggle.  One was for a job in town, that probably doesn’t pay near enough, and one was for an out-of-state position which would require a move but could have great potential.  Too bad it isn’t the other way around, but at least we have several family members in the area where we would need to move, so I could get used to the idea if there was a good job offer.  In fact, several aging family members in the area would be thrilled to have us nearby to help.

Did I mention that Mr. Struggle was turned down for a raise earlier this month? He was told that revenues were so low that they couldn’t afford to increase his salary right now.  You want to be understanding, but at the same time, you have to look out for yourself and your family, right?  If things are as bad as they say, the company could go under and everyone would be out of work.  It would be foolish not to be looking for another job with a more secure company.  Do you think any company is secure, these days?

I have found a great part-time position here in town to apply to myself. I plan to be working on that application later today, but don’t hold high hopes given my spotty job history during the past two decades, while I was primarily raising children.  Still, it can’t hurt to try. The position is ¾ time, I have the exact degree required, it sounds like interesting work and it actually offers very good pay and  benefits, even though part-time.  I bet they already have a hundred applications!

Of course, my interviewing here in town while Mr. Struggle interviews in another state presents a whole conundrum of ethical and/or logistical issues.  I guess, ethically, one of us should stop interviewing when the other accepts a job.

I think we’ve been pretty good with the spending this week, although we did have some car repairs/maintenance issues to deal with.  We also are debating the idea of replacing tires on the other car before taking it on a long car trip we may take next month---a visit to see family several states away.  The tires would probably last another six months or so, but Mr. Struggle doesn’t want to take any chances on an extended road trip. 

It certainly would be nice if Struggle, Jr.’s university would send us a final bill, so we could plan the rest of our finances!

Anyway, here’s the tally for the week:

Carryover balance:   $669.14

Income:                      169.54 part-time paycheck

Expenditures:              20.85 gifts/postage (Father’s Day)

                                   28.80 groceries

                                   10.00 household repairs

                                    32.50 gasoline

                                   122.13 car maintenance/repairs

Current balance:  $623.24

The household repair was the replacement of a closet rod we had added to a guest room closet in the house.  The first rod evidently was not sturdy enough to support much clothing, and collapsed when we recently moved Struggle, Jr. into that bedroom and he tried to hang his clothing.  At least, that’s what they tell me.  My theory is that he was using the bar for chin-ups!       

I need to sit down with the checkbook and pay a few bills that have arrived, but it irritates me to have to do that more than twice a month.  The homeowner’s insurance bill has arrived, but I’m still waiting on the Visa---the one with our travel charges---and a dental bill that is way late. So the bank balance is not as healthy as it looks.

My Middle-Class Struggle: Catching Up

Friday, June 3, 2011

Because of our trip, it’s been quite a while since I posted the details from our checkbook register.   I’ve been waiting to make sure all of the debits cleared, and to tally the damage to our balance.   Surprisingly, we have a decent balance left in  the account,  almost enough to pay off the Visa card, which we used for our hotel bill and many of our other travel expenses.  I am hoping to pay off the charge card when the bill arrives (for the third month in a row, I think?),  and very pleased that we estimated our travel expenses so accurately.

Anyway, here are the details:

Carryover balance: $205.98

Expenses:      $120.00 graduation gifts (friends and family)

                       127.63 gasoline

                        227.49 groceries/petfood

                          14.00 haircut

                         100.00 cash for travel

                           37.51 household misc.

                         286.23 travel (food, entertainment, etc.)

Income:  $1885.74 full-time paycheck

                  169.54 part-time paycheck

                    42.38 part-time paycheck (reduced hours due to travel)

Current balance: $1387.02

Hopefully, that adds up.  I didn’t want to take the time to enter each individual transaction, since there were so many while we were traveling. 

I noticed the food and gasoline expenses were up dramatically this month.  The food budget will be higher throughout the summer, due to both kids being home from college.  I am trying to compensate by serving cheaper foods, more vegetarian fare and lots of pasta, beans and rice.  I also am trying to make sure we eat all leftovers and perishables, so as not to toss anything due to spoilage.

The gasoline is another matter, and will hopefully be lower this month.  Not only is the price coming down at the pump, but we don’t have any traveling to do that I know of, unlike the last few months, when we drove out-of-town on several occasions.  Still, I totaled it up, and realized that for the past two months we have spent nearly $100 more in gasoline each month than was in our budget!  We will have to scrimp in other areas, such as saving or paying off debt, in order to pay for gas. I'm sure this is affecting many middle-class families in today's economy.  Unfortunately, we live in a very rural area and have no other form of transportation available to us except our own automobiles.

So, I’m trying to decide what to do with the $1387.02 remaining in the checking account.  As you’ll remember, I had transferred $1500 from our savings to help pay for our trip to see our daughter’s graduation.  That left our savings account at only $300, well below the recommended $1000 balance recommended by Dave Ramsey for your starter emergency fund recommended in Baby Step 1.   I would love the security of having this money back in savings, at least part of it, but it is extremely tempting to send it all to Visa and pay that off in one fell swoop, not to mention avoid the interest that would otherwise accure.  What's your opinion? Which would you do?

My Middle-Class Struggle: Travel Issues

Monday, May 30, 2011

Sorry for the long absence, but I'm sure regular readers realized we were out-of-state attending our daughter's graduation ceremony and doing some sight-seeing.  We had a great visit and are so happy and proud of our oldest daughter for completing her graduate work, not to mention receiving a promotion and raise at her job.  It looks like this kid is on her way!  Although she has a very middle-class salary, (as it is an entry level job), I'm happy to report that her hours and benefits package are much superior to what her dad has at his current job. And hopefully, this will be a springboard to a much better salary. Onward and upward!

Our trip was a whirlwind of excitement, including the graduation ceremony, the sightseeing tours and getting to see our daughter's home and workplace.  We were busy every minute of the day, but had a fabulous trip.  As far as expenses go, the jury is still out.  I will report on that in a few days, after the bank has posted all of our transactions.  (This holiday weekend seems to be slowing things a bit.) 

We did have a bit of a problem with our bank.  Seems they are not used to us traveling so far afield, and decided to "protect" us by cutting off our debit card, which they must have feared to be stolen!  After being declined (on payday, no less) for the second time, we caught on and called the bank.  Mr. Struggle spent ten to fifteen long minutes on hold before getting the mess straightened out.  When he added that my card needed to be re-activated also, he was told this had to be done in a separate phone call!  We decided to pass on that, and I just used the cash we had, my credit card or let Mr. Struggle pay with his debit card.  What a pain! The bank will be hearing from me tomorrow...

My Middle-Class Struggle: Juggling Act

Friday, May 20, 2011

I made some money moves today in anticipation of our big trip, which will be here very soon.  I transferred most of the money we have been saving into our checking account, so that it will be available to use for travel expenses and sight-seeing.  I also set up our bills to be paid online, out of next week’s paycheck. I had to guess at the amount and due date for a couple of the bills, because they actually have not arrived in the mail yet.  I was afraid they would be late if I waited to pay these bills after our trip, and I wanted to go ahead and subtract them from our balance, so I would know what we could budget for the trip. My middle-class struggle is turning into quite a juggling act, and this trip, although exciting,  is going to be quite a financial challenge.

I also bought half a tank of gasoline (still hoping for prices to fall!) and a supply of groceries for Struggle, Jr. and Miss Struggle2, who are not going with us, since they went to visit last year.

Here are the details:

Carryover balance:   $107.55

Deposits:                  $169.52 part-time job

                                 1500.00 transferred from savings

Expenditures:           $15.00 haircut

                                   11.08 fast food

                                 148.00 groceries and travel-sized toiletries

                                   30.01 gasoline

Pre-paid bills:           $750.86 Visa (paid off---again!)

                                     53.16 water bill

                                     69.00 home phone and internet service

                                   174.00 car payment

                                   275.00 church donation

                                     44.98 newspaper subscription (quarterly)

Current balance: $205.98

That  $205.98 balance is not much left for travel money, but payday is only five days away and the bills are covered.  Well, except for Struggle, Jr.’s  fall tuition bill, which is still unknown. Harrumph!

I think I mentioned before that we had used the Visa to pay for Mr. Struggle’s new eyeglasses.  We also charged the restaurant meal for Miss Struggle2, as well as her birthday presents and a gift for Mr. Struggle, whose birthday is next week.  We have also bought a few clothing items for our trip.  I don’t know why I didn’t just use the savings account to pay for all of this up front, except that I wanted to be able to monitor what I spent more closely.  I think I’m actually more careful with my spending when I use the charge card, because I know how hard it is to pay it off.  Notice I did send the money to pay it down to zero, so at least we aren’t paying interest.

How about you, do you spend more carefully with your charge card or more carelessly?  Or have you followed Dave Ramsey’s advice and cut up all your charge cards?

Paying Off Visa

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Starting balance:  $ 290.62

Deposit:                 1885.74

Subtotal               $2176.36

Expenses:            $1087.25 mortgage

                                 233.00 power bill

                                 175.00 car payment         

                                 162.17 life ins/ Mr. Struggle

                                   68.24 house phone/internet

                                 440.70 Visa-final payment!

Ending balance:     $  10.00

           

Notice I was finally able to send a check to completely pay off our Visa.  I can’t remember when we last had a zero balance.  Unlike Dave Ramsey suggests, we won’t cut it up because we are

Blowing the Grocery Budget

Friday, March 18, 2011

Income:   $169.54

Expenses: $22.17 contribution for church dinner

                     21.52 misc. household

After deducting all expenses we have a surplus of just under $400, which unfortunately is not enough to pay off Visa as I had planned.  We are short just $10.00!  

I shouldn’t have gone so crazy at the supermarket; I spent way more than we ever do.  I know some of it was inflation (even at Aldi, prices are up drastically), but mostly it was me, buying extra after not having been shopping in a long time.  Also, I bought a few luxuries, thinking that we could afford to eat better since there are only two of us home most weekdays.  I bought a $10 corned beef and some Irish cheese for St. Patrick’s day, two vacuum-sealed filet mignons (to be saved for our up-coming wedding anniversary) at $2.49 each, and two stuffed tilapia filets at $2.99 each.  This, in addition to all the regular stuff which should feed us for a month, seriously.  I also bought extra snacks to have on hand when the kids are here on weekends, because they are cheaper at Aldi and it’s too far away to go back frequently.  

I guess Visa will have to wait.  Drat!  Maybe next Friday.  Oh, well, the bill isn’t here yet, anyway.

What are you doing to combat higher grocery prices?