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Friday, April 22, 2011

Getting Paid Early

We traditionally get paid of the 25th of each month. It's a long long wait from one month to the next.  When there is a banking holiday, we get paid the next earliest possible date.

 Since the 25th is a banking holiday here on Monday, payday would be bumped back to Friday the 22nd (today). Since today is a banking holiday, it got bumped back to yesterday.

Usually I am on top of these sorts of things but this year, being so tired adn run down, it never even crossed my mind. I also didn't check  my bank account yesterday  morning. What a surprise it was when one of the staff reminded us.

I hate getting paid early, particularly since I've been on budget and following my 'weekly paydays' for the jars.  A month is long enough as it is, without adding a few extra days to it.  I knew I had to pretend that money was not in my account until Monday. If I believe it is there, the temptation to spend is very strong.

It was interesting to see how others processed this. Some were of the same mentality is me. Pretend it does not exist. Others needed that money immediately. A few 'hoped' they would not spend it before payday actually arrives.

I have to say that I love that I am actually thinking and aware of these things. I have come a long long way.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like getting paid early. Let's see if I can explain this in a way that makes sense...

What I do is I have one month in savings as a short-term emergency fund. I use that money to pay the bills for the previous month (money that has already been spent, but wasn't billed yet). I have all my bills come due the same time (the first week of the month).

So if I got paid early, that money would just go into savings to hang out with the money from the previous month which is earmarked already for bills.

If money in savings gets low I have to cut expenditures. If it gets high, I use it like snowflakes for longer term goals so it is out of sight and mind.

Jane said...

sorry to hear you've been feeling tired and run down. We all need spring to REALLY arrive and STAY. There has been a bad cold in my classroom moving from student to student and staff. Just can't get rid of it.
I know what you mean about getting paid early - the next stretch seems super long. We get paid twice a month now thank goodness, sometimes it works out to be a two week period, sometimes 2 1/2 weeks so it's tricky to make the $$ last longer.

Nd.chic said...

I can't imagine getting paid once a month. Sometimes I have trouble making it 2 weeks. I really like getting paid early, too but I can understand why you wouldn't like getting paid early if you are doing the jar system.

The Witch said...

I think I would pretend that it wasn't in the bank yet. The temptation to spend earlier would be there especially because of it being a Easter long weekend.
Happy Easter to you and your family.

The Asian Pear said...

wait. you only get paid once a month? Not bi-weekly? eek. that would be rather hard.

jpkittie said...

stay strong! don't spend it - pretend it isn't there - you can do it!!!

Auntie April said...

Try getting paid once a year. It's way tougher to deal with, lol!

Jolie said...

Once a month??? ouch!!! for what kind of job, Eboo?

Februa said...

Im like you - get paid once a month, on the second last business day....Im used to it by now, but when its December, we always get paid really early because of closure between Christmas and New Years, and I ALWAYS struggle in January...I am unable to resist spending extra money on Christmas/Boxing Day knowing it is already in my account :(