Food, Shelter, clothing, and transportation.
Taking care of our four walls is something I needed to remind myself of today. Financially, July has been a tight month for us. Admittedly, some of this was our own doing as we pushed June’s debt snowball to the limit. Finding a healthy balance has never been a strong point for us, and apparently, this is also the case when it comes to paying off our debt.
Tomorrow is payday for us. Except for the check from my very part time job, we already know how much we will have to work with over the next two weeks. Time to pay more bills and debt! Much of this was a no brainer until I got to our $67.77 electric bill. Yes, I realize we need to pay the bill, but it could wait until our next check in August. My initial thought was to do just that. After far too much over analyzing, I decided it best to pay the bill now rather than later.
While our lights wouldn’t have been turned off by waiting to pay the bill, I know that taking care of our four walls must come first! Allowing ourselves to put this bill off is not something I feel comfortable ever doing again. I guess I liken it to our days of using the grace period to pay our mortgage. Never once did we incur a late fee, but we used that cushion far more often than I care to admit. Since starting our journey, our mortgage has been paid on time every month. Doing so has given us peace of mind.
Today was a lesson in how far we have come on our journey. It also taught me not to put off for tomorrow (or in this case, next check!) what we can and should pay today. No matter what, always take care of the four walls first!
Yep, those four walls are big ones. I cannot wait until I can put a budget in place! This uncertain time is getting to me – though we have saved a ton. It is sad to know it is all going away soon!
I give you so much credit. I don’t think I’d do near as well as you are with so much uncertainty! On the bright side, at least you are finally getting some walls! Lol
I just have my budget set up so bills that are paid to whichever paycheck the due date fall into, since I get paid 15th and end of month. I usually get the bills during the paycheck prior, but since most are just set up to auto pay, I just have them come out of the next check, but before or by their due date. I’m not sure I even knew bills (other than mortgages) had a grace period! LOL. Better I not know that, haha.
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I don’t know as they necessarily have a grace period (other than a mortgage), but most give several weeks until they must be paid. Our electric company is very “generous” in that they give about 21 days in which it must be paid.
oh I see what you mean :). If it’s a regular monthly bill due I just use the due date that falls in the pay period and make sure it’s paid on/by due date. But for non regular bills I try to do like you just did and just pay it, rather than waiting. Like our annual propane tank rental fee came in the mail and then a couple days later they came and filled and handed us a bill to mail in that payment. I think I had 2-3 weeks, but I just mailed it all in right away and be done with it.
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Yes. I should have been a little clearer with that!
Until recently, we’ve had a very all-or-nothing, contract-based income. It was always hard to know when to throw money at debt and bills and when to hold back for the leaner times. It sounds like July has been challenging, BUT you’ve made it work AND you’ve been a snowballing pro! 🙂
Your comment sums it up nicely! It isn’t always easy to know when the throw the snowball, especially when money is tight! Any twinge of holding back pains me as I want to keep throwing as much as we can! Thanks for your comment and encouragement!
I get paid bi-weekly, and so I am always planning ahead. Meaning I know what bills are due and have nearly EVERYTHING on auto-pay. I am trying to get to the point to have a months bills in the bank, and then lather rinse repeat.
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Having a month’s worth of bills in the bank is what we want to do. I think paying bills would be a lot less stressful with that cushion.
Wow! Unbelievably timely post as I was sitting here reminding myself that this check pays the rent and I looked at the calendar and saw that next payday is the 3rd which is the final day for rent payments and said….ooh I can spend this check and use that one. Oh…heck no I had better not even think along those lines.
Nope. Don’t do it! Take care of your four walls first!