A resolution to break the feast or famine cycle

Prior to my children both being diagnosed on the autism spectrum I was big on making lists.  I still have the last notebook I wrote down my goals – 54 of them in 1998, and crossed them off as they were completed.

I kept a log for everything utilizing steno notebooks and analysis pads.  Back then I was into refunding and noting the date of all the refunds I mailed in.  There was a log of all the fast food we consumed with the date and amount spent for each month.  Another page was a recycling log with the date and amount we received for turning in our plastic items.

One of my lists was a laundry log that listed the number of dryers at fifty cents each I used and the total amount I spent on laundry.  For example in April of 1998 this was $32.00. 

All the change I saved we took to the coinstar machine at the grocery store.  I kept track of the date and amounts we received, plus another page for the coupon and sale savings.  I would write down the amount listed at the bottom of the register receipt that we saved for that trip.  I even compiled a cash only money log recording all the money I spent and where it went..

I had a notebook with my expenses written down and monthly shipments like book clubs that we belonged to.  I noted the amount of time between shipments and whether I was past due on payments.  Another notebook held all the magazine subscriptions with a label taped and pertinent data for that subscription.  There was a wish list of items I wanted to get for their birthdays. 

All these lists were before I had a computer.  I spent years working in the accounting department at various companies and loved using analysis pads for recording data.  I also learned how to keep track of my expenses and income through consumer credit counselors many years earlier. 

Now at the present time we live paycheck to paycheck with lists being kept on items needed that we cannot afford at the moment.  This would include items like Claritin for my allergies, yet it is too expensive to include into our budget regularly.  Between paychecks I borrow money from a payday loan company.  This is the only way we can survive with food on the table and wipes for diaper changes.  For several months now I have been saving all receipts so I can start compiling a list of the money being spent on various items and find a way to afford these expenditures. 

For many months now cat food has been an expense I did not count on.  Because of this my eleven-year old son has not been receiving an allowance.  I need to start this up again before his birthday in March, but do not know where the money will come from.

I will be doing taxes as soon as I receive the forms and plan on changing my auto insurance from being paid monthly to annually so I can free up some money monthly.  For seven years now I have been paying my landlord $25 to rent the stove and refrigerator.  I need to use the income tax refund to buy these appliances so I can stop that payment and own my appliances outright. 

I would like to be able to increase my life insurance policy and need to find out what the additional cost would be for that.  My son plans on attending college to work with animals.  I would like to start saving for that through a College Savings 529 plan, but not sure of how this affects his Social Security income and need to begin that process.

This is the year I am going to get back to my lists and stay on budget, buy a calculator that has paper so I can keep track of all my expenditures and teach my son how to budget and spend wisely.  We are going to break the feast or famine cycle of our household once the refund comes and there will be a plan in place so we will be set in case the car needs repairs and not have to go to a payday loan place to make ends meet.