Dear Liz: My husband and I are having a rough time making it from paycheck to paycheck. We make pretty good money. We have four children and end up helping them every month. We cannot seem to make it without going in the hole in our checking account. Could you please help me with what we should do?
Answer: As writer Erica Jong once said, advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.
You know what you need to do: Cut off your children (assuming they aren’t minors, of course). If you can’t make it from one paycheck to the next, you’re in no position to help anyone else. Your children may not know the financial straits you’re in, or they may not care; either way, it’s up to you to close the Bank of Mom and Dad.
Once that financial spigot is shut off, you’ll need to look for the other leaks in your financial system. Track where your money is going using personal finance software such as Quicken, online tools such as Quicken Online, Yodlee or Mint, or a notebook and a pen.
If you’re still spending more than you make, you’ll need to find ways to cut back so that you not only don’t go in the hole but are putting aside money each month. You need to save for retirement and for an emergency fund, among other goals.
To do all this, you’ll need to use a word that apparently hasn’t been given enough of a workout around your home: “no.” “No, we can’t help you.” “No, we’re not going to buy that.” “No, I’m not going let my finances be in chaos because I can’t say ‘no.’ “
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