For those of you who know us I am sure you were surprised to hear I am the money nerd in our family. I think a lot of that is because I grew up in a home where we didn't always know where our next meal was coming from, much less have any kind of financial peace. I began working at 12 years old in the family window cleaning business in order to help out my parents. By 14 I had my first "real job" at a skating rink 20 plus hours a week. I've had control issues with money and a strong need make sure everyone is taken care of for as long as I can remember.
Chris is much more relaxed with money than I am. I get all tied up in knots about it. I have to have MY plan and know what's going on and know where all the money is going at all times! Chris wants the bottom line and doesn't care as much about the whys and how's that got us where we are. We both tend to impulse shop and we have never planned for the unexpected. For those of you who don't know us... we are famous for the unexpected. So now it seems ridiculous to both Chris and I that we've never had an emergency fund. Jordan and I are responsible for draining us financially when it comes to unexpected medical expenses. In the past 2 years I've had a tonsillectomy, broken arm and a brown recluse bite. Where as Jordan has had a concussion, knocked two teeth loose and chipped 2 others.
Chris is much more relaxed with money than I am. I get all tied up in knots about it. I have to have MY plan and know what's going on and know where all the money is going at all times! Chris wants the bottom line and doesn't care as much about the whys and how's that got us where we are. We both tend to impulse shop and we have never planned for the unexpected. For those of you who don't know us... we are famous for the unexpected. So now it seems ridiculous to both Chris and I that we've never had an emergency fund. Jordan and I are responsible for draining us financially when it comes to unexpected medical expenses. In the past 2 years I've had a tonsillectomy, broken arm and a brown recluse bite. Where as Jordan has had a concussion, knocked two teeth loose and chipped 2 others.
I think what makes Chris and I so different is how we look at our spending, because in all honesty we have both fallen into the trap of impulse shopping. For example if I find the kids shampoo on sale "buy one get one free" at HEB, I will stock up with enough for about 4 months even though I hadn't planned on that expense. Then I will go through my grocery list and try and cut it down to make up for the extra money I spent on shampoo. If I can't cut enough money I rationalize my spending by the saying that I am saving us money in the long run and the next three months I won't have to spend any money on kids shampoo. If we eat out on a day we didn't plan to or buy something not on our budget I immediately think of where that money is going to come from and how to make up for that new expense. I'm always looking for ways to save a buck. I turn the AC off during the day in the summer, no lights are EVER left on in an unused room, and there is no need for a heater in Corpus Christi unless the temperature drops below 40. Chris is the free spirit because he doesn't care if it costs us and extra $10 bucks. He wants a warm/cool (comfortable) house. He says "I've already had Whataburger 3 times this week and it won't hurt to pay for one meal at full price. :) He is a bottom line guy when it comes to the budget. Are the bills up to date? Do we have money the bank? Then it's not a big deal. He lives more in the moment. Where I spend 2 days looking for car insurance so that we get the best deal out there. He sees comfort and time as a higher priority than saving $10 a month. He wants to bless his family and give us whatever we need. If I've had a long day he offers to get take out as soon as he comes in from work. If a new Disney movie comes out that the kids really want to see he buys it for them. If there is someone in need he will write a check right there on the spot... while I'm still trying to figure out if we "can afford it"! When we are in financially hard times he is able to relax and know God will provide.... while I'm in the corner FREAKING OUT! :)
There are great blessings to both the Free Spirited Chris and the Nerd Jess. FPU is really teaching us to embrace who we are and work together to budget realistically. Budget for eating out while I'm delivering a baby and then the following night once I get home and I've missed a night of sleep. Now we are both trying to learn how to plan for the unexpected (Jordan and Jess injuries) by having an emergency fund. I love how detailed the Gazelle budget software is. It's helped me plan for things I wouldn't have remembered or even thought of and hopefully begin to strictly stick to our budget! If you haven't already checked it out yet I highly recommend it. If you aren't going through the financial peace university you can buy the same software at Dave Ramsey's website www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com
There are great blessings to both the Free Spirited Chris and the Nerd Jess. FPU is really teaching us to embrace who we are and work together to budget realistically. Budget for eating out while I'm delivering a baby and then the following night once I get home and I've missed a night of sleep. Now we are both trying to learn how to plan for the unexpected (Jordan and Jess injuries) by having an emergency fund. I love how detailed the Gazelle budget software is. It's helped me plan for things I wouldn't have remembered or even thought of and hopefully begin to strictly stick to our budget! If you haven't already checked it out yet I highly recommend it. If you aren't going through the financial peace university you can buy the same software at Dave Ramsey's website www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com
Jess
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