My husband gets paid weekly and I been wondering how the best way to control our bills would it. I got the bills written down on a piece of paper with the amount, but seems like we never have enough of money. I was wondering if the enveolope system would help us out or if there's another way that may be better.

Also we gotten a little bit behind on some of our bills, and I was wondering if anyone has some idea's on how to get caught back up. My husband may be getting laid off here pretty soon, and I would like to get out of this big hole of debt/bills that we got ourselves into.

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~~Mikey~~~
-Matt - DH
- Catalina - 8/17/04

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Stephanie

The envelope system has worked for me in the past. I agree, using coupons would help you save some money. Look at your bills, is there anything you can cut down on or let go until your situation improves? There are things that we cut out, like eating out, we cut our satellite plan to the very basic, we let go of one cell phone...Are there any unneccesary things you are paying for? And you can cut down on your groceries by making a few things from scratch instead of buying alot of processed, convenience items. Also match your coupons to the items that are on sale, if possible. You can also try to eat some meals like leftover night, soup and sandwiches, breakfast night. I hope some of these things work for you. There is alot of good advice on the site.

Talk to your creditors. Explain that you're behind and taking the steps to catch back up. Even if you're paying just a small amount, pay something, and what you agree to with them do your best to live up to the agreement.

very simply and basically, a budget is key. add up how much you make in 4 weeks- and what the amount of your bills are in 4 weeks- bills meaning fixed expenses you can't change like mortgage, water, ect. if you are in the red- it's time to either, make more money, or cut expenses.

I've always had the mindset of paying the most important bills first- rent, electric and water. The last thing you want is to have those shut off. If you have to cut off cable, or phone- o well, you can still eat, have shelter and be sanitary. so when those bills come in. I pay them- right away. I don't care if they aren't due for 2 weeks- I pay those bills first. THEN, I work with the remaining amount for food, gas, ect.

if you feel comfortable, maybe you could post your bills here, and your income, and we could help you wiht setting up a budget or help you see where you could cut costs. Oftentimes it takes an impartial eye to see totally obvious budget ideas that we don't see ourselves.

Shopgal817,
There are a few good books to read Finacial Peace & Total Money Makeover, By: Dave Ramsey, Tightwad By I think) Amy ???. There are few more but I think of the name right now. There are alot of websites to go too. Living on a dime, Get out of debt, The Dollar Stretcher, Old fashion living, are just afew. They all talk about how to help lower your bills.

I also agree with girlscoutmom regarding the order of your bills your rent/mortage is the first to be paid, then food, lights/heat, car, and if there is any left then the credit cards.

One of the things I did to get more money to pay off some cc bills was look over all the bills and see if there is some thing that can cut from it. Like my landline I cut to a basic service, my cable is basic, I have unpluged all items that are not used all the time, I cut our portion sizes down alittle, turned the heat down (put a sweater on), insurance on the house, and cars lokked at them and raised the deductable. Every little bit helps. and do a budget.

I have certian paycheck for certian things. Getting paid weekly means that the 1st paycheck pays for the car insurance and payments, Week 2 goes toward all our bills and week 3 and 4 goes toward the morgage payment. The extra after the bills is what we live on and spend for other things.
There are some gals on here who spend next to nothing on food expences. That was the biggest area where we were able to cut back.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

DH and I both get paid bi-weekly. The first pay period goes to the mortgage and the second pay period goes to everything else-cars,gas,food, cable,cc's, etc.

You mentioned that you have fallen behind on some bills. I am not sure if you are a SAHM, but if you are and your husband has a set schedule (unlike mine), maybe you could pick up a part-time job?

Thanks for all your advice. I am going to sit down and see what I can cut down, and make a budget..

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~~Mikey~~~
-Matt - DH
- Catalina - 8/17/04

Keep in mind that when you do your budget, you might need to have a mindset to do whaterver it takes to get out from under. It sounds like you're living paycheck to paycheck and that you need to make some really positive changes.

When you look over your expenses, it might be important to look at them with an objective eye, and not just cut out the ones that are painless for you. To maximize your savings and restructure your budget you may have to get rid of the things you love a lot. Remember that it will only be for a short time and you will recover those things again.

I have a friend who is still complaining about money who refuses to cut back on her food budget because her husband likes meat every single night. Well, in my opinion, her husband's rigidness is helping to keep them in the hole. So are the multitudes of extracuricular activities the children are in. She's yet to modify her Christmas list and what she spends for fear of disappointing anyone. At the end of the day, if we allow others to control our finances, we will stay exactly where we are.

JMHO.

Good luck! And keep an open mind.