How do you make ends meet?

[flowerchild]

DH and I have never lived on post before and we usually use the extra money from our BAH to pay for some of our bills. In addition, he's been deployed more often than not since we've been married, so this is the longest time we'll be without the monetary benefits of a deployment. I'm looking at our bills, debt, and what we're going to start getting paid as of Jan and it makes me want to cry. I don't know how we're going to survive.

[rosebud*]

first we never counted on the extra as income as it goes away. Second it's all about budgeting. We did a lot of cutting back on things like cable, telephone, internet. things like that.

[harrisonsdream]

well first off realize that when you are living on base the BAH that is taken from you goes to pay your bills (with the exception of phone, cable, internet). Everything is included--gas/electric, trash, sewage, etc. DH and i haven't really found it hard to make ends meet and we have high speed internet, digital phone, and digital cable with HD DVR.

[sgmwife1]

Originally Posted by rosebud* first we never counted on the extra as income as it goes away. Second it's all about budgeting. We did a lot of cutting back on things like cable, telephone, internet. things like that.

I have to agree. Dont count that extra money as income. Whether it be tax free money or promotion money...try to live within the lower amount. Budget budget budget.
Bank the "extra" money into a good savings if you are debt free.

One year we totally cut our cable down to the basic 12 channels and saved almost 45 dollars a month. It didnt hurt us at all. Infact, when I was having it upgraded...my kids admitted "there is nothing on tv." LOL

[flowerchild]

We were using that extra money to pay off the mountains of debt DH racked up. And now that we no longer have it, it's the debt that's killing us. We'd be fine if we didn't have it.

[*MarineBug*]

I wrote EVERYTHING out when we get paid and we only get what we need. It puts it all into perspective when its right in front of you I do so much for food and so much for gas and I know I need this for utilities and this for rent

[*MarineBug*]

If you use the money to pay te debt why are you moving onto base?

[flowerchild]

We're moving on post because we know nothing about the area, we had a bad experience renting from afar last time, we think it'd be easier, and we want a fenced in yard for our pup.

[*MarineBug*]

Originally Posted by flowerchild We're moving on post because we know nothing about the area, we had a bad experience renting from afar last time, we think it'd be easier, and we want a fenced in yard for our pup.

I am going through getting a place for my dog. Make sure you apply to the right housing and that he qualifies for it

[Pebbles]

We pay our bills before anything else. Our savings has an automatic deposit. If there is minimal left for food, we deal.