I haven't blogged for a while because I haven't had any money in my pocket for a few weeks. Every Monday, after my payday, I look at my bank statement and cringe. I have alot of bills that are due and past due, yet I spend my money during the weekend and justify my purchases at the time as " I deserve this" I have this mind set, that I don't have enough money to pay my bills, because I usually have two month balances or more, so I need to hang on to my money for the next two weeks, because gas and food are so expensive, and $100 doesn't go far with two tanks of gas at $36 and food, but then I end up spending the money I have and I haven't paid one bill. I am in over my head with a cell phone plan, a chapter 13 plan I'm three months behind on and my rent check bounced this month. I don't really know where to turn to get a grip on my pattern of money management. I hope someone can give me advise, because I'm not being responsible with my money.

The last raise my company gave was in 2008, so now I make about 10.00 more each paycheck. I wrote my total amount of each paycheck that I will bring home and my new plane is to pay my chapter 13 and rent and everything else will have to follow. This week after my payments, I have 60.00 for the next 14 days. Fourteen days is not that long, really.

My plan was to get $34.00 in gas and then a 30.00 gift card from the grocery store, to ensure, I'd have gas money. I would have had 10.00 left. But, I went to wal-mart first and spend 20.00, then 10.00 to open my son his own savings account, which I've been needing to get started for his allowance. I put 7.00 in gas and I have and and a new phone charger for 15.00. The clothes are stacked up and need washed, I'm thinking of using my tub to get everything cleaned. I don't like dirty clothes sitting around. I have plenty of rice, beans, and canned food. I am find to eat what I have, but my 13-year old son is picky and thinks he can have fast food every day, which will not be the case. We'll see what happens in the days to come.

My finances:

Paycheck (every 2 weeks)
Salary $1192
Dental Ins. $23.64
Group Insurance $100.17
Vision Insurance $4.17
SS tax $44.69
Medicare $15.43
Federal Tax $27.17
State Tax $39.00
Life Ins. $6.18
401 (k) was $23.00 - I stopped contributions

Final Net Pay $931.55
Less automatic savings -$20.00
$911.55 x 2 = $1,823.10