How to get rid of money

After a summer of barely squeaking by, we are enjoying the relative abundance that comes with my husband's busy season of work. In his job, fall means lots of overtime hours, along with higher than average commissions. It feels so nice to pay all the bills, and still have money sitting in the checking account. It is nice, but it is also dangerous. 

When there is money sitting in the checking account, we are more likely to loosen the purse strings. We spend a little extra here, a little extra there, and before I know it, the "extra" is gone. It is nice to enjoy a little surplus, but when your income varies that surplus needs to be saved for when the income dips again. 

My solution is to get rid of the money as fast as possible. Oh yes, we could do that in a heartbeat on fun or frivolous things. I'm suggesting to get rid of the money on practical things before it all gets spent on the frivolous. This is our plan.

1. Pay off debt.

We paid off one credit card that had inched its way up over the summer. 

2. "Invest" in the practical.

Tim bought some hunting equipment. I pre-ordered some plants for the garden, including strawberries, blueberries, and asparagus. That might not seem like very fun purchases, but we were both excited, and both of our purchases will provide food for the family. 

3. Put it away for later. 

Simply moving it out of the checking and into the savings keeps the money from being spent. 

A little breathing room in the finances is nice, but we have learned that if the money  is there, we will spend it. We need to get rid of the money to practical places before we have the chance to blow it. Getting it out of the checking account keeps us from spending. It works for us. 

Works for Me Wednesday

Photo credit: PM22