Cutting the Budget to the Bare Bone!

The worst has happened. You've lost your job, or your husband lost his job. Whatever has happened, the need to cut the budget to the bare bones has reared its ugly head. After the shock wears off and the determination sets in, you square your shoulders and announce, "No more vacations, movies or shopping. No more snacks, candy or steaks!" After all, if you're going to survive on half your income, you're going to do it with gusto!

Intentions are good, in fact their awesome! Good intentions tell those around you that you intend to ride out this storm with integrity and fearlessness. Try to remember one thing as you slash away on that budget - you still have to live. And I don't mean live as in breathing and eating, I mean Live as in Enjoy Life. So, let's take a hard look at that budget and make some decisions.

You will need to decide what is a bona fide need and what is a nice thing to have. Sounds easy enough, but it's actually a little tricky.

Bona fide needs are mortgage/rent, utilities, gas, car payment, and groceries. No matter what else is in your budget, those things have to be there no matter what. The only variable would be if your car is paid off.

I can hear you now - but what about cable/internet/haircuts/clothes/lunch money? Are they really, truly necessary to your life? I can't answer that for you, this is the tricky part of making these decisions. Let's go over them.

Cable, satellite, whatever it is you have that delivers shows to your television set. Do you get any channels at all without it? Have you ever considered living without TV? People do it; people did it for thousands of years! Think about all the time that would suddenly be at your disposal - family time, reading time, hobby time, time for friends. We all say we want more time - now you have it!

Internet can be a tricky decision as well. Kids use it for school, Mom uses it to stay in touch with her gardening buddies, Dad uses it for work sometimes. Grandma uses it to send emails to the grandkids and receive new pictures. Can you really live without internet? Many times our phone, cable and internet are on the same bill, depending on the company you use for phone service. Many times getting the bundle is cheaper than having 'phone only', so in that case, yes, of course you'd keep all three. But if they aren't bundled, see if you can get one, or make that tricky decision.

Now, haircuts and clothes are real, true needs. But do you have to go to the high end place you may have been going? I know if you're working or job hunting, you need to look nice. So, let's look into some alternatives. Do you have a friend who can cut your hair? Maybe you can trade with her for something you do. Start asking people who cuts their hair. Only ask people who have 'good' cuts. You'll probably start to see a trend as one stylist is mentioned more than others. If they are lower in price, try that. We do need clothes. If you're job hunting or trying to hang on to the job you have, you better make sure you appear in good, well fitting and fashionable clothes appropriate to the job. First of all, take excellent care of the clothes you already have. They may have to last longer than anticipated. Things like tights, pantyhose should be washed after every wearing in gentle soap and hung to dry. Yes, hang your stockings in the bathroom and drive the guys in your home crazy!

As soon as you get home, change into street clothes. Save the wear and tear on the 'good' clothes.

Shop the clearance racks if you need something. Shop the thrift stores - they have incredible details. Shop the clearance racks at name brand discount stores. Take cash when you shop. You won't be tempted to overspend.

Entertainment is part of our culture. We're accustomed to going to the movies, out to dinner, amusement parks, weekends away...the list goes on. These are certainly luxuries and you simply have to give a lot of those up in the quest to buy groceries.

But that doesn't mean you stop enjoying yourselves! Rent videos. Check out DVD's from the library, they're free. If the weather is nice, take dinner to the park and enjoy the fresh air. If you're saving gas, take dinner into the backyard. Visit museums in your area that are free, science centers can be free of charge, some zoo's are also free.

Entertain with friends. Have potlucks, trade dinner nights, play cards or board games. Let the kids watch one of those free DVD's from the library and let the parents play cards.

There are other expenses you may have - private school, gym memberships, cleaning service, yard services, any number of things may have found places in your budget. You have to start trimming them. Clean your own house, mow your own yard. This is where those kids you had come in handy! They can be responsible for cleaning things inside and outside the house. Assign chores in order of age naturally. And once you start doing all these things yourself - you won't need a gym membership.

Private school is a personal decision. There are many valid reasons why it should remain in your budget. Only you can make that choice.

I think the point is to cut away and trim the things that are not necessary for survival. We've kind of gotten lost on what is and what isn't necessary for survival these days, but I think with some honest talking and viewing of the budget, you'll know exactly what to cut. Hang in there!