How do you get blood from a turnip?  Is that just a southern saying?  You folks out there in other parts of the country let me know.

That’s what old folks say around here when something is difficult (nigh on to impossible) is another similar saying, but, I digress.

Today I want to discuss what to do when you plan your spending, trying to follow my advice, and your money runs out before your month does.

“Dr Dean, I have looked and looked and I don’t know anywhere else I can cut my spending, this planned spending stuff just doesn’t work for me!”

“Well let’s see what we have here.”  (Rustling of papers, clearing of throat….)

• Smart phone bill for you and your spouse $200/month.  RESPONSE: (I have to stay in touch!)
• Satellite (HDTV package) TV (you can substitute cable) with 4 premium movie channels, TIVO,  and NFL everything (premier league for you soccer moms). $90/month. RESPONSE: (Why watch tv, if you don’t have hdtv.
• Lunch-$260/month for two. RESPONSE: (I don’t have time to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for two.)
• 52 inch hi-def 1080 dpi- payment $150/month. RESPONSE:  (NFL package without HDTV-that would be a waste of money!)
• i-tunes download for two $50/month.  RESPONSE: (but that is only 25 songs apiece)
• 2 car payments bought new  $1,000/month. RESPONSE:  (but we got a great deal, cash for clunkers and everything!)

There are truly poor people in this country, trying hard to just get food on the table.  I have no patience, however, for people who feel as if their life would stop if they couldn’t text their crew, with white buds in their ears, bobbing and weaving to a beat only they hear.

Then at the end of the month they wonder why the check for the power bill bounced and their electricity was cut off-”Don’t those idiots at city hall have a heart-we have a baby here!”

If you are having trouble paying your bills, “Man Up” as they say.  You can do without the pedicure, the texting on the phone, the lunch’s with your friends, the satellite tv.  You could drive a “clunker” for a while until you pay-off your debts!

Just like an alcoholic, admit you have a spending problem, and vow to 12 step your way to recovery.

Your family life and marriage, I guarantee, would benefit from:

• less tv and more talk,
• less texting and more reading.
• Less i-tunes and more sex (yes-make your own music!)
• Less fast food, and more left-overs.

So quit making excuses, and make a plan instead.  Get your scalpel out and cut down or out  your unnecessary expenses so that you are not living on the financial edge (precipice- for you English snobs).

And if you need help, suggestions, brow-beating, that is what we are here for.

And remember, if you need “Emergency Money Resuscitation” click this link.  It will get you a free e-book along with a mini-course, delivered right to your email, on personal finance.