A
female
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anonymous
writes:Hi.I'll try to make this breif :)My fiancee and I live together, and thus we share the finances. He recently got a new job and a promotion to Case Manager, which means he makes 14$ an hour. He works 30-40 hours overtime also, and so is bringing home a lot of cash.Up until this point we have struggled and relied mainly credit cards to make ends meet. Now we're able to save money..pay an entire bill on time...I'm not used to this at all! I'm still living with the standards that we have no money..and I find myself afraid to open the mailbox..I'll do ANYTHING to avoid it.I've never had money like this...He has a job where if we need a little extra cash he can simply sign up for a few extra hours.I feel like I'm waiting for a bomb to go off...I'm waiting for something to happen to put us back to square one..even tho I know thats not logical...How do I stop making myself crazy over this? Thanks!
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reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks guys and girls.
:)
RythmandBlues. He works for a residential facility working with deaf people. They are a rather large place with several other houses besides the one he works for. Since he has been promoted to Case Managet he has first dibbs on any overtime before other staff and if the overtime is not avalible in the specific house he works in..he is free to pick it up in other houses within the company.
I do undertand what you mean tho...and I have no intention of going through the money like a drunk person on payday but his job is not one where he would be laid off or fired.
:)
Thanks tho..what I think I will do is continue to live like we don't have the money, open up a savings account and stash whatever we can.
Splurging on one or two nice things is one thing...but I really need a budget.
Thanks again.
A
female
reader, aunty t  +, writes (9 March 2007):
 Im so glad that life is improving and you have more money now. Its nice to have a little extra cash to splash around but i really dont think you need to change your ways. Its good practice to be thrifty and save money as you never know whats around the corner. Maybe splash out every now and then on a meal or night out but other than that i think you should stay as things are.
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A
female
reader, aunty t +, writes (9 March 2007):
Im so glad that life is improving and you have more money now. Its nice to have a little extra cash to splash around but i really dont think you need to change your ways. Its good practice to be thrifty and save money as you never know whats around the corner. Maybe splash out every now and then on a meal or night out but other than that i think you should stay as things are.
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A
male
reader, childof1981 +, writes (9 March 2007):
 I think it is just plain prudent to maintain your limited expense lifestyle for a while. You SHOULD feel uncomfortable until you have savings equal to at least 6 months of living expenses. If you still feel uneasy after that then I would recommend that you write down what exactly you "fear" about your financial situation and then list what you are going to do about it or what things are in place to prevent you from going back to square one.If you are still anxious about money make a budget. Chart your monthly expenses, chart your monthly income, then make a savings plan and stick to it. The key to not being afraid is knowing EXACTLY whats out there and knowing you can deal with it.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2007): I don't think you should change your lifestyle all that much just because you know have more income coming in. He is an hourly worker and can work overtime whenever he wants, however, this is still not in his control. If the company he works for takes a downturn in business or hires more workers, his overtime opportunities will diminish, often business is seasonal as well.
My attitude would be to take all of this cash and pay off everyone of your credit cards down to zero, if you haven't already and start paying cash for things....also put enough money in your savings account or money market fund untill you accumulate at least 6 months of living expenses or wages, that way you will have a blanket to cover you if either of you should lose your job...don't just assume that money is a windfall, money is a tool to achieve your goals of owning a house, a wedding, a vacation, education for your children, and so on....so save wherever you can.
To help yourself feel less anxious, I highly recommend you get a Quicken or Money and set it up with all of your accounts, it shows you automatically where your money is going, food, utilities, clothes, personal care, taxes, etc....it is a great tool, put yourself on a budget and try to stick with it, and watch your money work for you instead of the other way around!
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A
male
reader, BenQ  +, writes (9 March 2007):
 Just be careful.
You can afford to spend a bit of money, treat yourselves to nice things, but my advice would be take some of both your wages, say 5% of your pay packet and put it into a savings account.
That way, if something does happen you have some money put aside for an emergency.
If nothing happens, then you have this lump of money, which you could use for a whole bunch of things, a nice trip away together, maybe even your wedding ;)
You're doing the right thing, and not going wild with the extra money, but hopefully things will stay the way you are and you can relax, and enjoy life with each other.
BenQ
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A
female
reader, AskEve +, writes (9 March 2007):
 Just enjoy being able to splash out once in a while but still keep an eye on things. Now that he's earning more money it might be a good idea to have a savings account of your own so that you can put money away for emergencies. That way if there is a change in circumstances then you're ready for it.
Eve
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