Canadagirl, so glad you weren't hurt. Good luck with any necessary car repairs.

ChefSam, I understand. I think many people are making less than they used to. I don't expect to get as much for an eventual new job as I earned before. Most ads require applicants to submit either salary history or salary "requirements," and I try to be as vague as possible. If the figure you give them is too high, you won't be considered. I say "in the range of" to let them know I can be flexible up to a point. What I'd really like, since I have my own health insurance, is for a company to pay me more salary because they won't have to pay for the health ins., but at this point, even just a salary would be great.

Maureen:
How scarey. So glad you are all okay. Poor deer should have looked before he crossed. I feel badly, but you have to think of your safety first. TYG!

Also glad the insurance will pick up your operation. Silly isn't it, asking permission, they sure don't do that when they take your money! Sorry, I get all riled up lately with the economy and all the junk going on in the government. ENOUGH!

ChefSam:
Good for you in declining the low ball offer. Shame on them!
Good for you.

When I was offered a raise that was an insult for the amount of work I was doing, I quit a part time job. Their loss.

I admit that it is a continuing struggle to "organize" my finances because things keep happening. A huge tree branch fell on my car during a storm. I was fortunate that it didn't break the windshield, but there is body damage that will have to be repaired. Car insurance will cover most of it, but I still have the $500 deductible. That's definitely money I hadn't planned to spend.

Ever notice how you put things off, scrimp, save, and so on, then you are forced to spend even more, like it or not?

Simplicity
So sorry about the auto being damaged, but at least no one was in it, and that is what we have insurance for. Glad the windshield didn't break, that would have been a mess.

Was able to pay off a few bills this month. TYG! Will continue to pay down what is left, and NOT use the cards, only cash or debit!

Simplicity: I'm sorry to hear about your car. As I said yesterday, in response to your post on another thread, it's the last thing you need! Under normal circumstances (normal being with a steady income coming in for daily living expenses), one would have an emergency fund to take care of sudden expenses such as the deductible. But, when one is without income, already living on that emergency fund, then, such unexpected expenses take on an entirely different meaning, don't they? (((HUGS))) to you.

Diana: That's great that you were able to pay off some bills.

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I am still trying to figure out how best to account for DD's up-coming college related expenses. Do I set up a separate budget/account for her college expenses? Do I integrate them with my regular household budget? I have all of summer to play around with this, as she doesn't start until the 3rd week in Sept. But I'd like to have things set up and ready to go at the beginning of Sept.

Personally, I would suggest a separte account for DD Bless, easier to keep track of things. I have separate accounts in the house for that reason. It is easier to account for the expenses and costs by having them separate, IMHO.

Unfortunately I learned all this after DH passed. He was a CPA, and took care of all that type of stuff. BIG MISTAKE! Ladies learn what your expenses, investments, etc all you can about the household, just in case.

Thanks, Diana. That is what I was leaning towards doing. Yes, my mother said she didn't know how to write a check until after my father died (in 1963).

Simplicity: Sorry to hear of your car, it is always something.

Diana: Thanks, I feel badly to for the deer. I wish the hunting season were longer ~ they are so over populated here. I love wildlife and deer esp but I'd rather they ended up in someone's freezer than along the roadside...

We got a payout on our car. We'll still have to cough up $800 to fix it according to the estimate ~ we'll look around and see if we can find some parts. Our house is rented out again and we received a cheque It rented for $100 more/mos than it had been so that is nice to have for repairs.

Blessmymess, I recommend having a separate line item (or more than one, if you see the need) for DD's college expenses. I don't see how they would logically fit into a household budget. The one exception is food. As I recall, she is going to be a day student. If she's still eating at home, you can continue to include her food in the grocery budget. If she will be eating lunch at school, that might be a separate category (or will she be brown-bagging?).

The best way to account for things, I believe, is the one that is easiest to do on the one hand (don't have 100 categories, but don't have just a few, either), and that also makes sense. For me, tracking each utility (gas, water, electricity) is desirable, partly so I can study ways to reduce expenditures on each, compare past and present consumption, etc. Some people are content to combine them all into a single "utilities" category.

With regard to DD's college, I think it might be wise to separate tuition, surely the highest cost, from others she will incur. Maybe have four or five subcategories under "college": tuition, travel cost (bus, train, whatever), books, supplies, and whatever others you might need, such as food, miscellaneous fees, and so on.

You seem to be very meticulous, so a few extra categories might be useful as you track particular expenditures. I find it nearly impossible to track every cent I spend, but keeping everything college-related separate will give you not only a better idea of those costs, but what the remaining (non-college) costs are in the rest of your budget.

Bless, we have two DSs in college. Our guys have had the responsibility of managing their monies since initial earnings from lawn mowing/snow removal middle school 'self employment.' They each have made earnings based contributions to their college fund which they now control since DH & I are often out of the country. We expected the boys to pay their tuition from summer earnings and their suggestions for investment are carefully considered. They know if their monthly expenses exceed 50% of their income, the shortfall will be paid out of their 30% discretionary spending and pay nearly all expenses on-line. University tuition & fees have escalated beyond belief the last two years while their fund's investments have lost nearly 30%. This may result in student loans by 4th year if that situation continues. Books are priced $100.- $150. re-edited by professors making used books invalid.

Your daughter is level headed and would likely benefit from the experience of managing her funding with your guidance so long as it doesn't adversely affect any available tax benefit. She can research her transportation costs, university food plan vs packed meals, fees, books, tuition, specific extra curricular activity costs and clothes allowance. She may wish to take P/T work to round-out her Resume and expand horizons which puts her on yet another learning curve.