« Coming Together to... | Main | The Start of Hurrica... »
 

Entry bubble Your Turn: What to Keep, Give Up on a Budget

By: Editor | June 08, 2009 | Category: Money

Our Monday blogger, Jake, has work duties that will take him away from Gov Gab until September. In his absence, we’re alternating between “Your Turn” weeks, where we’ll ask a question to spotlight your knowledge about government resources, and posts from guest bloggers across the government.

My husband and I are finally working on making a budget after being married a little over a year. So I’m curious . . .

Today’s question: If you had to stay within a budget you’d created, what would you give up? What couldn’t you live without?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: budget   editor   money   save   spend  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Single Dad on June 08, 2009 at 09:17 AM EDT

Budgets are all about priorities. First you ahve to keep your basics, food, shelter, clothing, & basic utilities. After that, if oyu have it to spend you can upgrade or add. Unfortunatley being a single parent it's usally a struggle just to keep the basics.

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Guru on June 08, 2009 at 10:26 AM EDT

If you had to stay within a budget you’d created, what would you give up? What couldn’t you live without?

It isn't that hard, destroy credit cards, buy used cars, and never use over draft protection.

Besides our government; it is almost impossible to go over budget, if you don't have the money you can't get it. I know some people increase their income with loans, but that doesn't last long.

As a common person if I mess up and spent my money on junk, I will end up homeless. Don't buy the 'big' things just because you can, but what you need and that is it. My house is only 1000 sq ft, which is great for my wife and I, even though I could have gotten a 3000 sq ft house. I pay less in house payments than I could rent for.

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Wolf on June 08, 2009 at 09:56 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND OVERTAXING ITS CITIZENS


In an a communique released today by Vonage the VoIP service provider, Montgomery Country--Maryland will begin charging an additional $2.00 a month to this already overtaxed telecommunication service that was originally meant to be cheap and provide relief to the consumer.

Vonage base charges are 24.99 a month. When I first subscribed to the service back in March 2005, here is how my bill read:

Premium Unlimited Plan for $24.99
FET Tax $3.79
Regulatory Recovery Fee $1.50

Which translates to 21% of tax assessed to the account


The bill that I received yesterday read:

Premium Unlimited Plan for $24.99
Regulatory Recovery Fee $0.99
Emergency 911 Cost Recovery $0.99
Federal Program Fee $7.76
County 911 Fee $0.75
State 911 Fee $0.25

Which translates to approximately 44% of tax assessed to the account

With the additional $2 per month that the county will charge beginning June 1st, the percentage of tax assessed to the account will amount effectively to 51%

This sort of taxation is unfair and therefore has pushed me to cancel my home telephone services effectively tonight.

The county official responsible for this can be reached at the address, telephone and Fax below:

Ike Leggett (D)
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850

TEL: 240-777-2500
FAX: 240-777-2517

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Michael on June 09, 2009 at 04:08 PM EDT

Living within our means is the message most do not get. Being a single Dad like the 1st entry, lots of extras that most take for granted are just that - extras. When making a budget, leave room for savings 1st of all - you will be glad later. Housing,food,electricity,heating,savings are the bare necessaties for me. When your financial situation changes, the budget has to, be adjusted accordingly. For me being unemployed since March, it is now June 9th, I do not have cable,phone or internet, do not eat out anymore,learned to cook chicken in many different ways, buy new to me clothes at goodwill, have no credit cards, only my debit,moving from a 2 bedroom to a one bedroom(I will sleep on the couch and my two boys will be in share the bedroom. You would not believe how quickly kids adjust to no TV.Use your public library for books,internet,movies. The bottom line is: YOU MUST STICK TO YOUR BUDGET!
Bottom line

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Editor on June 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM EDT

Thanks for the advice from the single dads. Luckily, my husband and I are in complete agreement about living within our means. I was more curious about the decisions others are making regarding their own budgets, especially given that our definition of what's a "need" and what's a "want" often changes as our means change.

Comment Permalink