Waiting tables gives you a daily paycheck. You work for tips and the $2.13 an hour wage JUST covers the taxes. There is a daily cash flow from waiting tables. You never know "exactly" how much you are going to make but you can pretty much "depend" on a certain amount of cash everyday. Sometimes a little more...sometimes a little less. The job I have now is hourly and the paychecks only come twice a month.
I know, I know! Most everyone lives like this. You will have to take my word for it when I tell you the transition into the bi-monthly money from the cash daily money has been difficult. Some might think its not that big a deal. But after having cash available every day for so many years and then to go back to getting paid twice a month, I've had to rethink alot of things. I've had to remind myself over and over that what I have right now is all that I will have until the next check.
The reason I bring all this up is because of the effect it has had on my storage preps. I have had to rethink the way I prep. I used to put back X amount of dollars every day for the bills. But if there was a great sale at the grocery store, I could fudge the budget and know that I would be able to put back that amount the next day. No longer! Now my lists are not vague they are concrete. I had forgotten this aspect of life to be honest.
I should be ashamed of myself.
Oh to change a habit! Nope you should not be ashamed of yourself as you became accustomed to things a certain way. Prep sales are what I rob Peter to pay Paul so to speak, myself, so I understand!!
ReplyDeleteNo worries you will be back to the old way soon enough!
Jen
Sci~
ReplyDeleteAshamed of yourself? what for, for being human?
That's how we have to add to our preps too. If we have any extra left this pay period we need to start adding to them again. We've been dipping into them a lot recently.
I'll see you in a bit.:D
Hugs~Felinae~
I've had to do that...changing from one method/time of pay to another is the pits. One good thing: at least you are getting a paycheck!
ReplyDeleteI've lived on the edge...paycheck to paycheck, and we all learn "creative financing"! Nothing to be ashamed of, it just sucks some days. lol
hey sci what has happened to wolfes site? also our chat is down fatkat
ReplyDeleteI think you ought to be patting yourself on the back, Sci ...good grief! I only know you in blogworld, but I think you are amazing. I know what you mean about budgeting. The ratio of money to bills is only part of the equation ...CASH FLOW is the really tricky part. I changed jobs on June 1st myself. I went from a job that paid every other week to one that direct deposits ONCE a MONTH. The money is a bit better at the new job but going without a paycheck at all for those first four weeks was rough. I think now with four months behind us, we've finally settled into a financial rhythm. But there was some transitional stress along the way. Like Herbalpagan said, I'm just grateful to be getting a paycheck!
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