I am embarassed to admit that although I may live within my paycheck 99% of the time there are those times that I don’t. I am one of those 47% that you here so much about in the news now a days. Now I would like to point out that I do pay taxes. Ok yes they are income taxes, sales taxes, Medicare, & SSI taxes, but they are still taxes. No, I don’t own property and my 401k isn’t much to sneeze at and my savings account is there in name only, but I do pay my rent on time, my bank loves me because I have bought and paid for 4 cars over the years, and every loan that I have received I have paid off early. So far you are probably wondering what the problem is and you would be right it doesn’t seem like there is much of a problem. Except that I have medical bills and a couple of credit card bills that I knew I shouldnt get but I ignored that voice in my head and got them anyways. I know, I know, stupid me.
I live paycheck to paycheck, not because I don’t make enough to cover my bills or take care of my children, I do. I live paycheck to paycheck because the cost of everything is going up faster than my paycheck does. If you are wondering if I went to college, I did. Unfortunately I discovered soon after that most of the jobs I could get with a BA in History I don’t particulary like. Trust me you don’t want me being in charge of your children’s education. You think we have an education problem now, let someone like me teach them. I also live paycheck to paycheck because I am horrible with money. No, it’ s true I am. And not in the traditional sense that I spend money on smartphones, big screen tv’s, or stuff like that. I guess you could say that Im pretty low maintenance. Sure there are alot of things I wouldn’t mind having (for instance a nice, new Ipad) but if I never have one then I’m ok with that too. But basically as long as my rent is paid, the frig is full, and there is a good show qued up on Netflix I’m a happy gal. Netflix can be replaced with good book, good friends, goofing off with the minions, or Star Wars marathon.
I am horrible with money because I am always worried about the month when things are bad and money is super tight. As in Pennywise (nickname I gave to my eldest minion on Twitter to protect his privacy because of a picture I took) having a growth-spurt (that has yet to happen, his growth has always been slow & steady & yet I still worry) and having no money to buy him clothes. Or Cujo (my youngest minion and the nickname is for the same reason as mentioned above) deciding she just has to be a part of a new club at school or play a new sport because she is your typical Type A over-achieving personality and not being able to afford new soccer cleats. Because I am constantly worried about the month when I can’t provide these things for my minions I am obsessed with making sure they have those things. So I buy Pennywise clothes in a bigger size in preparation for that time when he needs them or I buy Cujo a new pair of tennis shoes or cleats just in case she grows out of them too soon. I buy can food in bulk because you never know when you wont be able to afford green beans or toliet paper, laundry detergent, or cereal.
When I get my income tax refund I pay off bills for up to 6 months and buy birthday and christmas presents months and months in advance just so I can make it through those lean months I call August-December. Thanks to mother nature and my uncanny sense of timing I have school, birthdays, and holidays to get through in the span of 5 months so I spend those months balanced between broke and poverty unless I have already bought their clothes and/or presents.
Yes I know I am being insane and that having 6 months worth of toilet paper stocked up seems a bit excessive. I realize that and still I cant help myself. Like I said it’s an obsession. If you are wondering why I am like that stay tuned for a future post because trust me it’s coming.
So now you know why I live paycheck to paycheck and have probably figured out why my medical bills and credit card bills end up going to the bottom of the Must Pay pile. Hey I didn’t say it was the smart thing to do and I am not making excuses. Before you ask, yes we do have medical insurance, but not everything is covered completely.
Congratulations (I always used to believe that was spelled Congradulations & a part of me still does. I’m stubborn that way) you have made it to the point of my little blog entry. I know took me long enough, right? Well this morning I decided I was tired of having these outstanding bills hanging over my head. Especially when you add them all up they don’t equal all that much. Less than $4000.00 (that does not include my car payment). So today I added all my medical bills and my 2 credit card bills to my web bill pay and sent a payment off to the smallest of them. I have made it my mission to get these bills paid off. Oh sure I may only be able to afford $10, $25, or $50 a paycheck (I doubt very much it will ever be $50 a paycheck) and it may take a while to pay them off, but pay them off I will. Because like I said it’s all about the fiscal responsibilty.