Saving $$ for the wedding

gonzalezm3 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 12:52 PM

Saving $$ for the wedding

FH and I are working 2 jobs each and are having such a hard time saving for the wedding. It is so much stress! We don't ever go out because we can't afford to and its so hard. FH is so sweet doing all these things for me like a picnic in the park or a movie night at home and is so understanding! But it still is really stressfulll.
Is anyone else having a difficult time with this?

StaceyWill Posted: Oct 14, 2009 12:56 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

OMG!!! We are having a really hard time too!! We are now almost 3k behind budget and I've really begun to panic...I'm hoping we can pull it together...We don't go anywhere anymore either cuz I'm so adamant about not spending any $$

gonzalezm3 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:06 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Posted by StaceyWill

OMG!!! We are having a really hard time too!! We are now almost 3k behind budget and I've really begun to panic...I'm hoping we can pull it together...We don't go anywhere anymore either cuz I'm so adamant about not spending any $$

we are 2K behind budget and with the holidays coming up, I'm so nervous!!!

Im_My_Own_Princess Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:27 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

I have the exact opposite problem. We're both working/he goes to school and we have like nothing saved. ½ his paycheck goes into our wedding account... and I don't really make a lot of $$ so mine goes towards bills and food.
but rather then saving $$ he goes out and buys my a Louis Vuitton bag and wallet... I adore it, but I think that money could have gone towards the wedding.

and its just little things like that.

I wish we could lock ourselves in a room until Oct 9, 2010 so I'll know we haven't bought anything thats not necessary.

He really needs to stop buying random things (I'm guilty of that too) and focus on this wedding (oh and a house!)

kater08 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:31 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

It helps if you write down EVERYTHING you buy. And I mean EVERYTHING. I was horrified to see I spend over $500/yr on coffee alone!! I started drinking the coffee at work...not as good but thats $500 right there.

StaceyWill Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:34 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Posted by kater08

It helps if you write down EVERYTHING you buy. And I mean EVERYTHING. I was horrified to see I spend over $500/yr on coffee alone!! I started drinking the coffee at work...not as good but thats $500 right there.

That's a great pointer. I think I'll start doing that. I know definitely one of our downfalls is that we eat out A LOT. I don't mean fancy dinners, but we get take out a lot and that adds up like crazy.

DaniandKen2010 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:40 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

In the same exact boat as you and freaking out about it. We just started a no going out budget and $20 a week allowance each for emergencies. I honestly have no clue how we are going to have enough money by the time Oct comes around.

Lady12 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:43 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

FH calls me the money drill sergeant because every check, I tell him 'give me the savings money'. But it gets tough... I havent really bought myself anything I really love in a long time.. I miss shopping so bad!!!!

gonzalezm3 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:52 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Anyone have any tips/advice on saving? or doing budget friendly activities?

NYgirlinTX Posted: Oct 14, 2009 01:54 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Hunny you are not alone... FH and I are both working two jobs too! Just know your not the only ones struggling it is completly normal!!

I am working 3 Doubles a week. Tues, Thurs, Fri 830-430 job#1 and 5-11 job#2 And then Saturday usually 4-11.

Just remember to breath and know that we are all doing this for a reason, and the end result will be amazing!

Golden Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:00 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Ugh! I'm in the same boat. I need a second job and FH too but I'm so drained after my first job I don't know how I'm going to do it. If anything, I'll need to work somewhere lively. We are having a really hard time saving because we have so many expenses. We started a 'wedding account' and have money automatically put into that account but everytime we book soemthing we see how little is really in there. It's really sad

AngnShaun Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:00 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Posted by gonzalezm3

Anyone have any tips/advice on saving? or doing budget friendly activities?

Coupons
I never buy anything online without going to Ebates.com, retailmenot.com, or just typing in the website and coupon code to see if there is anything useful out there...

Change
I always save my change... eating breakfast at home, bringing lunch, making dinner... all that stuff!!

DaniandKen2010 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:01 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

I'm working 2 jobs as well and am even looking for 3rd one for Sundays. It hurts and I keep trying to tell myself that it will be worth it in the end.

snoozyandboo Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:02 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

We have the place picked out but we decided not to book until I land a professional job. Well, I have been looking since I graduated in May, and as you can see, we still haven't booked. I would love to start saving but there isn't enough money as it is. Sometimes I think I only go on this site to torture myself. It feels like its never going to happen. How can you plan a $20,000 or more day in a recession?

halfbaked Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:05 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

It is really hard and even harder for us to justify it for a party that's only going to last one night. I'm considering getting a second job though FH always tells me not to, but I feel badly because he's been working so hard, doing a lot of side work and I just want to be able to make it easier on him. We hardly ever go out anymore and never go to dinner or anything. Oh well- the ends will justify the means. It's just hard.

Rivera2be Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:09 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

It is just so hard to save money, there is always something else that pops up which steals your funds away.
We picked our reception hall and I feel we got a great deal for this time next year, but I am afraid to put the deposit down, b/c I'm petrified we wont be abel to save enough in time with all the other expenses!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

summerbride20 Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:18 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

I'm trying to make a 50,000 dollar wedding fit a 15,000 budget. IMPOSSIBLE.

bigsal Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:30 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

I'm having such a hard time with this. I cried the other night just thinking about where the money will come from to pay for everything. FH always tells me not to worry, but I still do. I know that I have to limit the budget on flowers, and make my own invites and favors to cut down on costs.

FutureMrsLMS Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:30 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Not impossible. My budget is less than 20K for my wedding and I plan on being creative where I possibly can and not short-change on the important stuff.

FH and I got engaged a year ago but only last month did I actually get the ball rolling w/ wedding planning. Last year, I had no $$ saved for wedding or anything. I figured 2 years would be enough to save at least $15-20K and fortunately if I fall short, FH has a lot of savings stacked up.

We aren't a 'traditional' couple. Both of us are much older (Im in my early 30s and FH is in his 40s) so we have emergency savings, 401Ks, homes, etc. In that sense, we are fortunate we are not completely shortchanged if we go overbudget.

The way I calculate my budget, about 30% will go toward the RH, another 30-40% on photography, and 10-20% on DJ/entertainment. The rest will be for the florist which I refuse to spend anything more than 2 or $2,500. The rest like wedding dress and invitations along with the church/pre-cana costs are getting covered by my parents. FH's parents will probably cover the RD and wedding bands. I already bought my shoes and hair/makeup is pending - so its really the big ticket items that eat into that budget (namely Catering Hall, DJ/Band, and Photographer).

NYgirlinTX Posted: Oct 14, 2009 02:35 PM

Re: Saving $$ for the wedding

Posted by gonzalezm3

Anyone have any tips/advice on saving? or doing budget friendly activities?

I live in Texas so i am not sure if you have them up in NY... But we have a $1 movie theater. It ***** we had to wait an extra 3 months to see the hangover but it saved us alone with getting into a movie 18 bucks. And i made my own popcorn
Ooo and RED BOX TO RENT MOVIES

Subway $5 footlong is good to split if you guys are on the run and need food

Write your grocery list out before you go.

EAT LEFTOVERS!!! When i cook i make enough to either freeze enough for a whole meal for us, or enough for the next night.

Coupons

Learn prices.... There are some people who just do not understand pricing of things. LIke Tide laundry detergent can cost not on sale like 8 bucks for a small bottle.... I have found sales for 2-3 bucks (and i stock up on it) it doesnt go bad,