how often do you have to use savings $$?

MoRoseT

Times are not that great for us right now....well, at least, they won't be come the beginning of next year due to DH's job situation and me needing to take a little time off after Noah comes.  Oh yes, and having to pay those damned real estate taxes at the end of the year, along with Christmas....that will be fun too. 

DH will still be employed (at least, hopefully), but will be making less $....so that obviously means going into our savings a little bit.  We have NEVER had to do this for things other than major house renovations or unexpected major expenses.  But, for some reason, the fact that we will possibly be using some of it totally eats at me and I hate it.  We have a substantial amount in there, but I just can't seem to get over the fact that it might be necessary.  Gosh, I hate lifestyle changes and all the stress that goes along with it. : (

Rebekah1021

We have had to dip into it to cover unexpected things. Don't beat yourself up over it, you have it for that very reason. ((Hugs))

sooosie

It's good that you have savings you can dip into though.  That's what it's there for really, right?  Stupid economy!

goodhartedmommy

That's what it's there for! It sucks, but sometimes you have to do it.

eclaires

Honestly, never, because even if we want to do a renovation or have an expense come up, we cut back on our frivolous expenses for the month (and for a few months if necessary) instead of dipping into savings.

That said, that's what it's there for, but I'd probably feel the same way.

jerseysunrays

Your savings are there for a reason and you should use it if you need them.

However, I know that I strongly prefer to make "liveable" cuts to our budget before dipping into our savings.  

stcroixbride

most of ours is currently tied up in mutual funds...and has taken quite a hit, obviously!

We may need to start dipping into our small savings that is attached to our checking account, but we really only have used that so far for things like vacations and such.  I need to start building that up, honestly, but only working part-time now, we don't have a lot of "free money" or "frivolous expenses" at this point.  We've trimmed as much as we can, honestly.

I need to get a paper route or something ;P  Otherwise, we are pretty much screwed if any big expenses come up -we'll be putting it on credit, I guess.  BLAH!

sweetie1528

we were just talking about that tonight.  it stresses me out so much.  I hope I don't get an ucler from this stress.  sorry that you are stressing while pg hon. 

pincushion

ditto eclaires.

We just cut corners. We have had to use our savings once... during our first house purchase but we completely cut off all frivolous spending in order to bring it back to what it is today. If we had known about all the hidden costs we would have just waited to purchase.

it is there for emergencies.. use it if you need too.

MoRoseT

thanks for you support ladies.  I feel so stupid for saying this, but I have been crying off and on all day about this and I just feel like that is ridiculous.  Everything will be okay and work out obviously, but I just don't get why these things have to happen.  And to top it off, we got the bad news about DH's job today...oh yes, and I am sick as a dog and pg. 

Okay, pity party over.

eclaires

Oh and like jerseysunrays, we'd definitely change our lifestyle before dipping into savings.  We'd cut our budget, and I do think we're lucky to have the luxury that we could cut almost all of our spending besides our mortgage and necessities.  We'd cut cable and all that stuff, I'm sure.  Or at least reduce it.  There's no way we'd dip into savings to maintain our lifestyle beyond our mortgage and  necessities, I know that.

MoRoseT

yeah, I am thinking that we will just need to quit the frivolous spending....which I happen to do a lot of.  I am not looking to dip into it to maintain our lifestyle obviously.  We have to just cut corners and reduce our unnecessary expenses...but even that is tough when you are so used to not having to do that.  We too are lucky enough to have to do that and still make it....but I just fear the unknown, you know?

luckyluvr

Wow! You ladies are very fortunate. We have approximately $300 in our savings, which isn't going to last long. This is all thanks to the lovely economy. DH hasn't worked in 7 months, and there are no prospects in the near future. We're pretty much living an unfrivilous life as it is, with no more areas to make cuts. I would love to have a savings again, but that's the hand life gives you sometimes. I know things are going to pick up. We all just have to sit tight and wait for this thing to get better.