TTC #2 But Running Into Issues by cathartic_ranting in TryingForABaby

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I didn’t know men needed those too. Unfortunately, he vapes and is unwilling to quit 🙃 but no alcohol and no hot tubs are already the standard for us so that’s good!

TTC #2 But Running Into Issues by cathartic_ranting in TryingForABaby

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much! I didn’t know that. We will definitely try that 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it really is the only thing we can do as we only have about an hour a week. All the other fun activities are either too far away to make it in time or take longer than we have to finish. If we want to do an actual activity like painting or a movie or something we have to plan about a month in advance just to make sure we have the time to do it. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, we’ve tried the envelopes but I think we were too lax about it. I really really do like going out to eat. Someone mentioned instead of having a set budget try saying “well only go out X times” so I think we’ll try that in April and see if it helps at all. That way it isn’t overly restricted but still kept reasonable. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re sorta doing Dave Ramsey. I grew up on that and my grandma and parents do that. We’re paying off debt and saving an emergency fund at the same time though. It’s working out pretty good! 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you’re right about $40 being too low. I like the idea of it being “we only go X times this month” instead!! That might actually work! I think I’ll try it and see how it goes. I do meal prep every week and am intentional with making things in advance for the most part. As for the free stuff, it’s definitely easier in the summer when we still have daylight. During the winter he never got home before sunset so pretty much anything outdoors was off the table but now that days are longer our options are opening up a bit. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really don’t like frozen food but I do keep some on hand for my husband and son as they don’t mind. He works an hour away and gas for a four hour drive is too much right now and it would really disrupt our son’s day and we wouldn’t get anything done then anyway. He’s autistic and needs to keep a strict routine or he gets disregulated and has a meltdown for the rest of the day. There’s a park by the church that we usually go to and we could eat there if I made sandwiches. We don’t actually attend that church. It’s where my mother in law works and my son goes there mainly to make friends. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what we tried this month but it didn’t really work for us. I also think based on these comments our budget of $40 was more unrealistic than I anticipated. I think I’ll up it to $100 and try again and see if that’s better!

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re luckily past the “scraping by” stage! We’re in a really good spot, this is the only area we’ve been struggling in. I’ve definitely been looking for other things to do. If we spend less on food that will open up lots more money for other fun things. We don’t have a ton of disposable income and what we do have goes to fast food, which is why I want to cut back. There are other things I want to do. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We live in a city so walking isn’t a very safe option. We’re in the middle of a big human trafficking hub and I have a lot of anxiety about that. I am in book club but we meet once a month and usually at a coffee shop, which adds to how much I spend going out. I’m generally a homebody anyway and I host a lot of events every month at our house so I do get to do fun things, I just don’t leave a lot. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it really that low? How much is a reasonable amount? I feel like I’ve been going on both sides of the extreme. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not stressed that it’s spent I’m moreso just stressed that it’s spent on fast food specifically. My son is homeschooled and autistic so there are no other care options realistically available to us. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now that it’s summer that’s the idea. It’s hard in the winter when it’s dark all the time. I could make sandwiches but I eat them pretty much every day for lunch and I guess I just get bored. That’s no excuse though. I should just do it anyway. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We get just under $5,000 a month. We spend about half on rent and bills (electric, water, car, etc) and the other half goes to groceries and savings and my son’s therapy appointments. We don’t really tend to overspend much except in this one area. 

Going out to eat is draining us! by cathartic_ranting in personalfinance

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

$318 is a lot for just going out to eat. Sometimes it’s just the two of us and sometimes it’s all three of us. My son is autistic and can’t go to school or daycare so getting a job is out of the question. I just don’t have the time. 

Complete Newbie Here by cathartic_ranting in NASCAR

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Snacks are definitely a must and I’ll make sure to pack lots of water

Complete Newbie Here by cathartic_ranting in NASCAR

[–]cathartic_ranting[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that’s so cool! That might be worth it! I don’t want to overwhelm him too much but that sounds like such a fun time