Budget - I think I suck at it
@GooglePlus (3807)
December 11, 2021 3:26am CST
I am stuck with this Credit Card, I usually maintain a list of bills I need to pay every month. I usually try my best not to use Credit Card each month, but at end of month I usually end up paying some of the bills through Credit Card.
Every month I am $100-$200 outstanding on Credit Card. This is the situation for past 3 months now. If you have any suggestion what else I can do to overcome this Use of Credit card. I know many of Mylotters are good with Management of monthly budget 
Hence seeking for some advice.
By the way this month I will have $5 from Mylot for sure 
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Calculation is straight forward for few - >
1) Pay Installment - $200 ( Good news is my Education loan account is closed, though Car loan is yet to be paid)
2) Pay Water Bill - $40 ( This is same for past 6 months )
3) Pay Internet Bill - $7
4) Pay Electricity Bill - $80( Since it's cool in here we are using hot water more then expected and this is causing $20 more compared to regular bills )
5) Gas Bill - $13.21 ( In past 3 months the cost has increased by $3)
6) Petrol Bill - It's based on requirement, I will put $30 petrol every month. Some month I don't need to travel at all, so I might not use it. But some months I need to put twice.
There are few on which I don't have control -
1) Grocery Bills
2) Medical bills - These involve dog's vet bill, their medicines and their regular vaccination. Similarly my health and my family's medicines bill
3) Pay Credit Card Bill
Hence seeking for some advice.
By the way this month I will have $5 from Mylot for sure
=======================================
Calculation is straight forward for few - >
1) Pay Installment - $200 ( Good news is my Education loan account is closed, though Car loan is yet to be paid)
2) Pay Water Bill - $40 ( This is same for past 6 months )
3) Pay Internet Bill - $7
4) Pay Electricity Bill - $80( Since it's cool in here we are using hot water more then expected and this is causing $20 more compared to regular bills )
5) Gas Bill - $13.21 ( In past 3 months the cost has increased by $3)
6) Petrol Bill - It's based on requirement, I will put $30 petrol every month. Some month I don't need to travel at all, so I might not use it. But some months I need to put twice.
There are few on which I don't have control -
1) Grocery Bills
2) Medical bills - These involve dog's vet bill, their medicines and their regular vaccination. Similarly my health and my family's medicines bill
3) Pay Credit Card Bill14 people like this
13 responses
@LindaOHio (157047)
• United States
11 Dec 21
We only use our credit card for charges that we can pay when the bill comes in.
3 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
16 Dec 21
I was forced to use credit card during hospitalization (COVID) as my whole family were tested positive that eat up all my savings. I thought I will clear the payments, but for past 3 months I am forced to use CC just to clear the bills
2 people like this
@arunima25 (85499)
• Bangalore, India
11 Dec 21
All that you have listed come under necessities and I don't find any unnecessary expenses there. I am sure that you are planning it well. Like once the water is hot, few family members can take bath instead of wasting it. Clubbing work together to go out and finish at once instead of making few short trips and wasting petrol.
3 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
17 Dec 21
My trips are mostly to the hospitals/Vets. Apart from that, I haven't been anywhere in past 2 years.
2 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8539)
• United Kingdom
11 Dec 21
It can be hard if your expenses are more than your income. The way I do things is to minus the amount needed for regular bills from my income. Then I estimate what I'll need (by using past experience or keeping a check on current average costs).
We've also started choosing more budget/stores own brands for groceries.
I'll always put some money aside straight out of my wages, even knowing that I might need to use it. Somehow, I find it helps to pretend it's not there so you budget a bit tighter than you really need to. Of course, that's only an option if you have enough income to save.
I try not to use a credit card often but have recently gone over what I normally spend. Usually, I'd use it for monthly groceries and pay it straight off. However, I'm now paying of 100 each month and little extra bits where I can e.g. if I've been paid from survey sites - any unexpected income or income that I've not already earmarked will go to pay debts.
I don't know if any of that will help but I hope it can give you some ideas.
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
17 Dec 21
You might be using high speed internet. For me, it's 15Mbps up and down link.
2 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
18 Dec 21
@shaggin That's true, when we have lot of people using internet, speed gets divided. For me my dad aunts and sister use it only for WhatsApp.
So minimum of speed gets used. So I am okay with the speed I get and my purpose of having it fulfilled with this
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
17 Dec 21
I stopped using my one and only credit card because I'm an impulse buyer, When I had the card. , I usually buy things that I didn't really need it.
So, when the bills came, I was shocked with my bills. Nowadays, I pay in cash, and I stopped being anxious every end of the month. When using cash, I had only to spend for something I can afford, and it helps me keep my bills manageable.
Now, I worry only about my house bills, which is less stressful
2 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
17 Dec 21
I do buy stuffs with my credit cards, but most of them are mandatory things, like Dog food, Bill payments etc.
I had a bad experience in 2019 when I had my first Credit card and I bought a gift for my Dad, I thought I will clear it out with next month salary. Later I had to ask from my dad to close the CC amount Since then I use credit card when I have that much amount in my Saving Accounts.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99423)
• Atlanta, Georgia
17 Dec 21
I budget down to the last penny. In your case if at all possible I wouldn’t use a credit card. I’d pay everything in cash. I’d cut down my grocery bill. Most people buy junk food they don’t need. I’d set my heat as low as possible and limit hot water usage. Look at every little thing that costs you money. Do you eat out? Don’t.
2 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
17 Dec 21
Since 2019, we never ordered or went outside I think.
I was trying to limit hot water but family member doesn't listen to it.
I don't share my financial tension with my family members
2 people like this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
12 Dec 21
Getting control of credit is really challenging- good for you that you’re taking it on .
We lived on credit for years- what a burden - I figured out that I could save a minimum of 300 dollars a month by getting everything paid down and only using credit as a tool to manage money - if at all possible
Sending you a virtual cheering section 
1 person likes this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
16 Dec 21
I can't have part time job as my current employer doesn't allow it.
Mylot and one more site I work doesn't have any trace of my real name hence I am safe here as of now.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29219)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 21
This is very difficult since you have already cut down on anything unnecessary. I think it's important that you get your family to help if you can explain the situation to them - since you live with them it's no good if they are turning the heating up and using up all the hot water while you are trying to save on the bills! Also groceries - do you not have any input?
If almost all these bills are shared with the household you need to get them to help. Be careful not to waste water (especially hot water) - do you have a meter?
Make sure everyone dresses appropriately - no wearing summer clothes then turning on the heating!
As soon as you are paid, either pay off all the bills immediately and then try to live on what you have left, or if that's too scary at least take all the bill money and set it aside so you don't see it.
I used this site a lot, it is tailored to the UK of course but nevertheless I found the forums particularly helpful as lots of people there have good suggestions. What part of the world are you?
@jefferson126 (3057)
• Shenzhen, China
11 Dec 21
from your payment list,i didn't find out any problem,all the payments were necessary in daily life.Installment is biggest part of payment,but it's must. expense in Winter will be higher normally.only advice i can give is petrol reduction.can you reduce travel as far as possible in winter?
2 people like this
@GooglePlus (3807)
•
11 Dec 21
My travel is only to hospital. Since Covid, I never went to any other place except for work place ( for 5 days only )
3 people like this
