what to do????

[ReginaCherie]

ok so i got an email from scott yesterday saying that he got in trouble because he overdrafted his navy cash card by like $80 and there wasnt enough money in our account for them to take back the money and if it happens again that hes going to get a page 11. yea i dont really know what that means but im going to go with really bad....

he asked me to always leave $100 in the account. the only problem with that is after i paid bills on the first there was only $150 left and i had to get diapers, food, and gas. i really didnt spend anything else. i just dont know what to do to make sure it doesnt happen again. like right now there is almost $1000 in savings cause i just figure ill be at my moms this week and wont have the need for as much money. and i paid all but one of the bills and thes about $300 left in cheaking. i just REALLY dont want him to get in trouble cause im spending money. like i feel like if this happens again its going to be my fault.

i was thinking about shutting off my internet to save money. but i already dont have cable and i think i would be really bored with out internet. any tips on how to make sure this DOESNT happen again?

[Cortnie DeNise]

Watch how much you spend on things...keep track of what u spend.

[Danie]

Lately Evan and I have been in a tight spot with losing our tenants. We've decided to shut off the crap we don't need. We can get local television, and we don't need our cell phones. Yes, that means I won't have my cell phone. But you can text anyone on your Yahoo Messenger. So, i can still bug you all! But... I would suggest, if you have a house phone, get rid of the cell phones. It's a hard adjustment, but we don't leave the house much, and I have a house phone. Othewise, try working on paying off some of the smaller bills so that you have a little extra money to put towards the larger bills and getting them gone faster. I hope that helps... we have no life aside from our kids, and we don't spend any extra money... so I don't have much advice for you except that... Hope that helps.

[Mouse]

I get into trouble when I have my debit card. Take out the cash you need for bills and necessities etc. Then when it's gone you know you don't have any money to spend. It's been working for me lately. HTH

[Belinda]

I find that keeping a book of where it all goes and watching what you spend really helps...
And cutting coupons is usually a good idea. It can save you a lot of money.
Another thing to consider--buying diapers every month is really expensive, maybe consider going to cloth diapers that you can wash?

[happilymarried]

We have online banking where we can keep close track of everything,and it helps a lot!you can always see whats going.Maybe you could set that up.good luck!

[Spahr]

COUPONS! lol online and in newspapers also buy diapers in bulk at like costco/sams club... ask around and see if anyone you know has a membership card to either of those and see if you can make a grocery run with them once a month. My roommates have one thru her mom and it helps to buy in bulk!

[Spahr]

Oh also maybe a gas card? You get some discounts when you use em and depending on what kind you get it will help your credit.

[ReginaCherie]

danie - yea i would get ride of our cell phones but i dont have a house phone. so thats out. that and because we have only had them since nov we would have to break the contrat and that would cost more then the bill

belinda - i would really love to use cloth diapers but i dont have my own washer and dryer and i dont want that just sitting around.

lately i have been pulling out cash and leaving all my cards at home so that really does help. and i always put as much as i can into savings so we get interst on it.

i kinda want to enroll in summer classes that way my i can put off paying my student loan. but i really dont want to stuck in classes when scott gets back.

this is beginning to be a pain in the butt. scott and his stupid credit cards!

[Mary Cat]

Use coupons and look for sales

Also, have you thought about getting a part time job???

[Spahr]

ohh I have a few places online to make extra cash... its not much but like charlie says its money!

[Courtney]

I keep an excel spreedsheet of what we spend (down to the penny). I even predict weeks ahead. I know how much our checks will be each week and our set bills that I pay each week and I know about how much we spend on groceries and gas every week. And when you get a bill that varies (like utilities, phone, etc.) you just plug it into that week ahead. So I know before hand if we'll have extra or not. It sounds kinda confusing, but I could show you my spreedsheet if you wanted, and it REALLY REALLY helps!