For the last month we’ve been simplifying your life with my 30 Days to an Organized Life series. This month we are focusing on your money.
May is typically a big spending month with Mother’s Day, Graduations, Weddings and preparing for summer so I will be giving you ideas, tools and strategies so you can save more, make more and live more.
To help you get a jump start you can download my mini e-Course Punch Plastic in the Face: 5 Steps to Freedom from Credit Cards.
Click here to read more!
I am also giving away a $50 Visa Gift Card to one reader!
To Enter to Win:
Click here to subscribe to receive the Money Makeover emails.
Leave on comment on this post telling me your biggest money frustration.
Rules:
1 entry per person using valid email address.
Winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.
Giveaway ends Monday, May 18, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. EST
Click here for all the 1 Month Money Makeover Posts.
Thanks to everyone who participated!
I completely understand Jen! Sometimes I just have to be thankful that we have the money for items when we need them and not worry about making “progress”. It takes a lot of trust in God!
That is so true Tasmin and you deserve peace! Hopefully some of my strategies will be helpful to you. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment Theresa. One thing that works well for us is using a second checking account to save for irregular expenses. You can read more about it here: https://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/02/21/living-on-less-than-28000-a-year-managing-the-money/. Maybe that will help. 🙂
I like the sticky note idea !! We are down to just one CC that we owe ! And darn if it isn’t hard to get it down quicker… grrrrrrrrrr
You can do it Loyda!!!!!
I hate that too Kristin! It has helped us to use the Freedom Account that I talk about here: https://thepeacefulmom.com/2012/02/21/living-on-less-than-28000-a-year-managing-the-money/ so at least there is something to work with and then we work on re-funding those accounts once we have to use them.
Really enjoy your posts. Will start to use your tools. Too many frustrations to mention!! Blessings.
Thanks for joining in!
I am so happy Claire! Even if your finances aren’t where you wish them to be it is empowering to know exactly where you are because then you know what actions you need to take. So happy for you!
Love your posts!
Thanks for all the tips, your website is very inspiring! It’s always hard to save but – one day at a time!
I finally feel in control of money after making a budget?!! I wish I had more money than month, but at least I feel in control..lol. Thank you for the free printables. Makes organizing the finances and budgeting easier!
Hi there! I really enjoy all the great insight and tips you give! My biggest frustration with my budget is that every time I seem to be staying on track with my budget and I seem to be making progress, there is always something that pops up and throws me off course! Ugh
My biggest frustration is having no savings at all. It is beyond stressful living paycheck to paycheck and never having money for things like car repairs or replacing appliances. I hope this will be my first step to managing my finances.
I’ve had my head in the sand for far too long. I budget and plan strategies and then somewhere I over-extend. I recognize and now acknowledge that I need to be consistent in dealing with this debt and get it out of our life forever. There is no peace when you owe everyone and you can’t put money back into your home or family.
My biggest frustration is never getting beyond filling our emergency fund. With 4 kids, our budget is very tight. We’ve been following Dave Ramsey for about 10 years and have never made it past baby step two. We’ve also faced the medical bill challenge.
My biggest frustration is that I would love to be able to save more by buying in bulk, however, I live in 1,000 SF apartment therefore no storage. Sometimes I will buy things in bulk but my kitchen is so small (only one person can fit at a time) that I have to store cans of food in my daughters closet and then sometimes I forget about them because out of sight, out of mind. Then I buy more without using the ones I stored because I forgot I had them! LOL
You have such great tips! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the great tips! I love the colours, makes saving money much more fun. My greatest frustration when it comes to saving money is getting the whole family on board. Seems as though everyone always wants something.
Also big thanks for the chance to win!!
I totally understand that frustration Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
My pleasure Susan! I am sorry that you have difficult circumstances but I am proud of you for taking control of your situation and doing your best. Great job!
I know what you mean Crystal. I had to stop couponing because it caused me to spend $20 – $50 more each week on groceries. Money-saving strategies can be used to save money but we have to pay attention to whether or not we are really saving or just spending “frugally”.
My pleasure Shelly!
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas to live more frugally.
I agree that you can’t save money by spending money. I go to stores that are having sales, I have all the coupons and rebate forms, so I think my bill will be small, but I end up spending so much money on these things I am getting for such a good deal. I would have saved more money if I had never tried to save it in the first place!
My biggest money frustration is when I buy something and think i can flip it quickly. And I don’t lol. I eventually sell it for more than what I paid for. But it becomes additive and then my house looks like a hoarder episode. I decided to research things to do without spending money. So I can stop going to thrift stores all the time to treasure hunt. To only go when I need something or looking for an inexpensive gift.
I’m finalizing my divorce and preparing to move to a new house with my kids. I flagged this post for when I’m realgoing to need it & be in control of my own finances. I’m hoping to get control before the holiday season.
Thank you for the GREAT tips!
I had to laugh when I saw the title to this. I really wish I could save $1,000 a month but as I only get 753 it might be a little hard to do. Just sharing my giggle!
I try to read you daily and pray for you everyday! I do enjoy everything you do for others and I am SURE that God knows it!
Thank you so much for your prayers! Maybe you could try some of the money making ideas at the end of the post. Blessings to you!
I spend a lot on snacks and “treats” like starbucks and other coffee drinks. I am going to start planning my day ahead of time and making sure I will have snacks if I need them and limiting my “treats” to once a week.
Awesome! Way to take control of your money Heather!
Hardest for me is saving. I put aside what seems like a reasonable amount, given the small income my husband and I get from Social Security Disability and what we’re trying to do to spend down our debt, but by the end of the month it seems I have to dip into it for some sort of emergency or another.
My hardest thing is keeping my kids on board. Of course they want what everyone else has. It is hard to teach the difference between want and need.
My upcoming wedding has turned into a huge financial frustration
Thank you so much for serving our country Cat! I pray that you can find a job soon or a way to make a side income. Thanks for joining our Money Makeover!
The hardest thing for me is just sticking to living frugally when life is stressful- it takes a lot of self control to not succumb to retail therapy or eating out!
We have a hard time saving. We were doing ok and then replaced windows and now we’re taking a trip to Alaska to visit dear friends this summer. Yes, we get to stay for free but it’s $$$ to get there and we need some new clothes, gear for when we’re there. Too much we want to do and not quite enough money to do that stuff and still make progress on saving goals.
My biggest frustration is that due to a recent PCS to a very small, overseas base, I’ve been unemployed and it seems it may stay that way. Being an Active Duty, US Military Family, we know the rounds of feast or famine when it comes to PCSing, and we plan and save for that. However, I’ve never gone more than a couple months before getting a new job at our new home. This time is different and will be our longest “famine” to date. We’re doing good on just one income…the bills are paid, food is on the table, and our needs are met. We never forget that we are truly blessed…we have one stable income that includes all medical, and we are wealthy in love and health! It would be nice to have “a little extra” to put aside for our next PCS, so we don’t go into debt when it comes around (like we did during our very first one), and be able to have a little fun and explore our host country while we are here…that ‘s our biggest frustration.
Right now my biggest frustration is that we made some bad choices and have a pile of debt. We’re making some progress but it’s SO hard and it feels SO slow..
My biggest frustration is just when i think I’m getting ahead something else comes up.
The hardest thing for us is trying to save. My husband been a his new job for about 3 months and we should be able to get ahead but we can’t seem to for some reason. And the scary thing is we have to go out of state to bury my mom and we have nothing saved.
I am so sorry to hear that your mother passed Mary. Prayers for you and your family!
I totally get that Camille. It’s easy to see extra money as spending money but for the last few years we have tried to spend a little and save some of it for the future. It’s the best of both worlds. 🙂
Getting ahead never seems to happen because we go from one life event to another…..
One expense is taken care of and then it is time to do some other repair. Then it is time for one of our children to go to college. As he finishes his brother will be entering then the next one and so one…..it keeps on going! Gratitude is definitely key in keeping the right mindset (I have plenty to eat and more than one room to live in and clean clothes to wear), and reminding myself how RICH we really are in the things that matter.
I think my biggest money frustration is getting overly excited when we get “extra” money (i.e. tax return, monetary birthday gift, a month with 3 pay periods instead of 2, etc.) and spending the money on fun things (i.e. not things like debt or household stuff or savings). It feels really good in the moment but sometimes regret it afterwards. I guess it’s a thing of being reactive vs. proactive. Any tips to trick myself to save or better yet pay down debt would be much appreciated!
My biggest money frustration making enough to save enough to have a NICE rainy day fund before it rains….
My biggest money frustration is having too much month left and not enough money. I also work on salary and commission so it is difficult to set a true budget without always knowing what I am going to bring in each month.
My biggest money frustration is having too much month an the end of my money. I also work on salary with commission and it is difficult to budget monthly when I’m not always sure how much my take home is going to be.
my biggest frustration is not being able to save…we meet bills, even have a little extra for others, but something always comes up that needs our attention NOW
That is frustrating Mellie! Perhaps you could cut just a bit from the grocery budget to give him some “fun money” or find a way to make just a little bit extra every month. My husband searches with Swag Bucks and uses survey sites to earn money for fun. Click here to read more: https://thepeacefulmom.com/best-online-survey-sites/ .
My biggest money frustration is not having enough at the end of the necessities to let my husband, who works tirelessly, have fun with what he has worked so hard to make. I wish we had just a bit more so he could go out to eat with the guys without we worrying about whether we have enough for groceries or gas…
Biggest frustration, getting it all paid off only to have some unexpected expense or breakdown and not having enough to cover it. Then the cycle begins again. Grateful for what I have and only wishing and hoping that at some point not to have to worry about how the bills are going to get paid. Thanks for all that you do
I TOTALLY get that Jeannie. I am a recovering shop-a-holic. I just have to stay out of the stores as much as possible or I can get into real trouble.
That is challenging Beth but you are wise to be grateful to have that “problem”. 🙂
Haha! So glad I could write about what you are thinking. 🙂
Biggest frustration is when everything breaks down at once, and requires all of our “envelopes” to be depleted. (Although I have to add, I’m glad we are at a point where we have a fund for them to depleted from.)
Yes Vanessa – it’s great to have savings to pull from! Good for you!
Yes Vanessa – it’s great to have savings to pull from! Good for you!
Biggest Frustration: being reactive with my budget (making the numbers line up with what I already spent) instead of being proactive (creating a spending plan and actually sticking to it). I do this month after month and I get so frustrated with myself for it but can’t seem to change my ways!
I absolutely need help with paying off debt. It’s been a goal for years, but I don’t seem to make much progress…sigh.
Biggest frustration….there always seems to be unexpected things (broken bone, dr appts, sick pet, car repair) that come up and stress my budget even more
Biggest frustration: i know we make enough money, but can’t seem to pinpoint where it goes every month.
I feel like you got into my head and wrote out my thoughts. That’s why I love your blog! Looking forward to learning more saving skills!
Biggest frustration: husband gets paid every 2 weeks. It makes it harder to budget when the bills are due. It’s not the same as getting paid twice a month because it shuffles due dates with corresponding pay checks. However, I’m thankful he has a job to provide for our family of six! 🙂
My biggest frustration is not being able to save more.
Biggest frustration: Trying to budget with my husband’s freelance income that is hit or miss each month.
One of my biggest frustrations is my inability to avoid deals. Lol If I see a deal, I am very good at talking myself into it…even if I don’t need it. Which throws off the budget and leads to buyers regret later
My biggest frustration has been us not saving like we should but we’re changing that with God’s help!
Biggest frustration: spending it before I save it.
My biggest frustration is that everything looks ok on paper, but there’s never enough money for food. My husband makes a considerable amount of money but we are always lacking in someway. Not to mention the credit card debt.
That can be difficult Jenna. We have found it helpful to add those categories to the budget so we can spend within reason and without the other spouse questioning what we are doing. Try to have a chat soon when you are both relaxed and agree together on a reasonable amount to spend on each of these extras. To make it easier you can take this “fun” money out in cash and agree that when it’s gone, it’s gone until the next paycheck. Hopefully that will help.
Good for you Sharon! Hopefully this series can help. Please let me know if you have questions. 🙂
It is frustrating to see others spending money when you choose not to but they may be adding to credit card debt in order to pay for that spending. We never really know what others’ situation is but we can choose to act wisely with our own money, right? 🙂
My biggest frustration is that we never have enough to pay the bills! This stresses both of us out trying to figure out where the money is going to come from!
My biggest money frustation is forgetting a bill and ending up with late fees. Our income is not a set amount and I dont feel safe scheduling everything to be paid automatically.
My biggest frustration is when I share the budget with my husband and he still makes random purchases.
How about a spender married to a saver? Constant compromise.
karla
When everything seems to tear down at the same time. It seems to go in spurts though, we keep creating more “envelopes” and sometimes it’s just frustrating to save for something slowly when you see others around you just spending, spending.
One of my biggest frustration is not sticking to my budget. It happens rarely, but it is still so frustrating when I don’t stick to it.
My biggest frustration is not sticking to a budget. I’m not sure if maybe I set it too unrealistically to actually be able to stay with.
My biggest frustration is planning for one time or yearly lump sum payments, like certain re-certification costs for my career, home insurance, buying contact lenses, etc.
My biggest frustration is not budgeting and sticking to it.
Unexpected expenses that haven’t been budgeted for such as school trips, school disco, mufti days (non-uniform day at school in the UK), birthday party presents for other children (I’m not mean but we are on a budget….).
My husband’s sporadic income. He’s a union carpenter who has been unemployed on & off since 2008.
Wow – that sounds difficult Kelly!
I made a life choice to leave my high-stress corporate job and spend more time enjoying life and being with my family. I know I need to create a budget and start living and spending money differently and planning is a key but I feel overwhelmed with where to even start!
Good for you Sharon! Hopefully this series can help. Please let me know if you have questions. 🙂
My biggest frustration is saving. I set a budget but our income with a family of six just never allows for much of a savings.
Not taking the time to use the budget I have set up. I feel like I am going two steps forward and one step back all the time. i am not sinking but not really making progress either. I need this month more than last month.
That is so AWESOME Sarah! Good for you!!!
I totally understand JF! When things are busy I head straight to the drive through! Don’t give up! We can do this!
Probably not feeling like I have the time to get a budget in place.
My biggest frustration is that I don’t have enough savings that I can feel comfortable tapping into it when I have extra expenses.
The fact that every time I feel like I’m getting a grip on things we have some huge emergency expense that sucks everything, plus more away. I need an emergency fund and I need it now! But, its hard to do when you feel behind with everything else.
My biggest frustration is that I know what to do to make things better but it’s hard to implement. When one thing in life is off (ie. I”m stressed at work) then that kills my spending money budget because I’m going eat loads of fast food and drink gallons of Starbucks drinks. I’m tired of starting over.
My biggest frustration is budgeting and sticking to it.
The cost of college for my kids.
Our biggest frustration is saving for retirement or the future, as we’ve been in school since we were married, going on 7 years ago. Hubby is finishing his PhD this year so that will change.
My biggest frustration is getting all the information in one place. Some things online, some things through the mail, random expenses throughout the school year. I seem to always forget something in planning. But, I’m actually feeling really good today, because this week we paid off our last credit card!
My biggest money frustration is the cost of insurance.
My biggest frustration is when my husband questions a for the family purchase (extra snacks, or outside games/ toys to be used by more than one person) and then gets hostile when I question his purchases (usually items at a convenience store, multiple times a day).
My biggest frustration with money is trying to find out the best way to invest it.
I often feel my spouse is not on board to getting out of debt.
My biggest frustration is not having a usable system. My income is small so very penny counts, but I need a better way to keep track and budget. I think knowing where I stand at all times would help a lot.
My biggest frustration with money is unexpected expenses.
My biggest money frustration is emergencies! This year, I’ve had to pause any progress in paying off debt and saving due to major health expenses. In 1 week, I got laid off from my job, found a new job (but have to wait for insurance to kick in), then got the news that I would have to have stent placed in my cerebral sinus to avoid losing my vision. I was actually just finishing Dave’s FPU class when all this happened. I just feel like even with me doing the right things, life is just kicking my butt!
Wow! That sounds stressful! I pray that things get back to normal for you soon!
My biggest frustration is that my income never seems to be enough to put excess towards my debts. I know that we could pick up side jobs or something, but I don’t want money to control my every waking second, so we just pay our bills and have little left over to knock down debt or save up a bigger emergency fund (we have $1200 or so in our emergency fund)
Very good timing for me on this money makeover! My biggest frustration is in tracking variable expenses and getting the rest of the family to work on that with me. In the last couple of weeks, I have crunched some numbers and figured out that DH’s income covers all fixed expenses, so we switch my income to a different bank account. We are hoping that by separating the variable expenses, it will be easier for us to see and track. This challenge will help build momentum on this experiment that only started with yesterday’s paycheck!
Sounds like you have a great headstart Emily!
biggest frustration with money is that i can’t seem to actually put a budget to good use. There’s always something that happens (car, house, ect) that comes up that takes the money I have saved..
My biggest frustration is feeling like I never make any traction. We are also a family of 6 living on a small income and I can never get any money in the savings for long. I have been trying to get $1000 in an emergency fund for at least 2 years and anytime I get a couple hundred saved something happens to wipe it out and I’m back to square one. And sadly I was dumb enough to get myself in credit card debt so I make min payments every month and the balances go nowhere. I would love to see some forward progress that lasts!!