Hot dogs and ramen,summer budget

Farawyn · May 25, 2016

This is my first summer off as a school nurse. Any tips on budgeting for the summer? Think I'll have to hide most of that money from my husband because he will think he needs to spend it! If there is x amount in the bank, he thinks that is x amount to spend. Doesn't think about bills, groceries, etc.

I got nuthin', jess. I get excited if I have lots of change in my "change jar".

Ramen sounds about right. I'll steal it from The Big Kid's leftover college stash.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Do you have your paychecks spread across the summer, or is your salary "condensed" into the school year pay dates?

SnowyJ, RN · May 25, 2016

Go on day trips that are free like to State Parks, etc. We have a ton of free options around here!

Eat at home more than going out.

Movie nights at home

Shop only with a food list to avoid impulse purchases. Plan your meals for at least 3 days at a time.

OldDude · May 25, 2016

Drink cheap beer like Busch or Natural Light.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Drink cheap beer like Busch or Natural Light.

Or Pabst, if you have it in New Mexico!

I'm glad I get paid over 12 months. Like someone mentioned about, is that an option for your school for next year?

Farawyn · May 25, 2016

Drink cheap beer like Busch or Natural Light.

FAIL.

Don't compromise on beer.

DEgalRN · May 25, 2016

Can you create a new savings account with that money and give yourself a "paycheck" every two weeks?

NutmeggeRN, BSN · May 25, 2016

We get a 20 plus 1 (equals 6 pay periods). Most goes into credit union for auto draft, so I add up the non negotiable bills and others I would expect to pay out over the the summer and that becomes non touchable. Every 2 weeks, I do a withdrawal with the extra I would keep for the 2 weeks in the school year. Almost always works, but sometimes I blow it. The good news my health insurance and FSA is not deducted so there is that little cushion in there (which has saved my keester a few times).

djh123 · May 25, 2016

There's some good advice in some of the other responses, but it sounds like one of the biggest 'budgeting tips' is to keep it away from your husband! People and money are sometimes a funny (as in, weird, crazy, odd, not ha-ha) mix.

jesserpie · May 25, 2016

All summer checks in June, then nothing until two weeks after school starts.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Our district keeps money out of every paycheck so that we get paid for 12 months instead of 10.. I'm feeling grateful for that right about now!!