Payday Shuffle

It's time for the Payday Shuffle! Turn on some music and let's get busy! Here's what the Payday Shuffle is:

As a commission-based sales person, Hubby makes an hourly wage, however, his commissions every week must meet or exceed that hourly wage, otherwise he must pay his employer back for the amount not met by his commission. It's almost like an interest-free payday loan. On the down side, if his "draw" (the amount he owes his employer) gets too high, they are more inclined to fire him for non-performance.

Hubby's draw amount is not a horrible amount, however, it isn't nearly enough to cover the bills like we need, which is partly why I'm still working. Our bills were caught up until about mid-May when his sales dropped tremendously and then he was off for the entire week of Memorial Day weekend which normally is a busy week in car sales. So, enter the month of June, all the bills had to slide just a tad, called the utilities for extensions, called the landlord (who is wonderful at working with us) and paid him as little as possible, scrounge on groceries, save gasoline, etc. Even though June was a better sales month for Hubby than May was (he ended the month with 7 sales as opposed to 1.5), he owed his employer well over a grand for May. All of which was paid by last paycheck, but it put us in such a pinch for the months of May and June that I was in tears at least twice a week over the finances.

So, in essence, the shuffle is just that, shuffling the bills around paying what we absolutely have to while making sure we still have gasoline and groceries, because as of yet, we don't have a pantry stock pile (more on that at a later date). Here's the break down of what we are paying...without giving specifics on amounts, because neither of us feel comfortable doing that...maybe in 6 months or a year we'll show ya that stuff, for now, live with the generalities.

Due this week 7/1/11
Rent 
Internet
Car Insurance
Water/Sewer/Trash
Gasoline for 2 vehicles
Groceries & Diapers

After looking at the income this payday, we don't have nearly enough to cover what needs covered, especially since it appears Hubby had a payback taken out (they overpaid him a couple weeks ago). YAY...not. This is the life we live though. So here's what we do.

1. Call the landlord and explain the situation (lack of money due to other bills) and request to pay partial rent next payday...enough to catch up June's rent and part of July.
2. Pay internet...I know, it may not be a necessity in some people's books, but I do TONS of stuff online every day. It's where I get my menu plans, recipes, keep in touch with friends and family (or I'd lose my mind in the summer with the teens and the baby) and of course blog. I also make some cash here and there online, not much, but every little bit definitely helps.
3. Put gas in the cars so we can get back and forth to work. VERY important. 
4. Pay the past due water bill. And of course hope Hubby makes enough to catch that bill up this month.
5. Use the rest for groceries and buy those darn diapers so we don't have a nekked baby running around (or wet sheets in the morning since the cloth diapers we have aren't that great for overnights). 
6. Spend the next couple days looking at ways to make that extra cash online. 
7. Boost hubby up so he does well in his sales this weekend. Since it's a holiday weekend, he's hoping to do VERY well...so we'll just keep his spirits and confidence high so he does.
8. Oh yeah, forgot the car insurance, that has to wait until next Friday. It won't get canceled this week, so it can wait a bit. I truly love grace periods.

I will have a menu and grocery list posted later today, along with the deals I found. And maybe I'll get around to the pantry stock pile I mentioned earlier...I really have to start working on that.