Esther and I have been putting our noses to the grindstone these last few weeks. There has been a lot of open communication and future planning. Over the course of this time, we’ve setup an online calendar that we can update and observe our schedules and plan activites around our work hours. It’s especially helpful for me b/c i can see my week in a visual format and rocks my productivity levels.
We’ve also setup an online spreadsheet which outlines our budget and expenses vs. our income. This is REALLY helpful since we’re trying to build up some money for a downpayment on a house. Right now we’re looking to buy within 3 years and in NY. But we’re not sure if we’ll be able to afford NY. I don’t get how these young non-working yeshivish couples buy a house in Far Rockaway (which is not cheep).
At the same time, since I know we need a good credit score to make the purchase, i decided that now is the time to see what my score is so i can work on it. It turns out that I checked my score thinking it would be poor (cuz when i was single i spent lots on credit cards and missed some payments), but it turns out my score is quite nice . Woo Hoo!
 It takes a lot of planning to build a bayis ne’eman – and not just $$ planning. For those of you who don’t talk to your spouse about your future, “We need to talk…”
Having the “budget” conversation or conversations is hard. very hard. went through it myself. but it’s important for couples to get onto the same page when it comes to money otherwise fights will ensue!
I don’t know how many couples afford NY. We’re having a hard time ourselves, but hopefully we’ll be able to buy a house soon as well. it’s a struggle.
chin up – you have alot of company in this area!!
Financial matters are the worse things to agree on in a marriage so good for you that you are able to get on the same financial page and agree to mutual goals.
I don’t know either how people purchase homes in NYC, I had to move to another state in order to be able to afford a home. It’s not just the prices that are so outrageous, but the deposit to purchase a home, who can come up with $50-$60K just like that to put down as earnest money and deposit on a home with closing costs??
Wishing you lots of luck in this area, but you are successful in other endeavors and this too shall pass well!! I have all the confidence in the two of you!!
C&M – Maybe we should chip in and buy a house together?
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Mom – its easy to be on the same financial page when there aren’t any big financial issues yet….the real test will come when we have the bigger bills – such as morgtage and tuitions – to pay. But thanks for your vote of confidence!
You guys should give intro lessons to newly-weds. I mean we’ve had this discussion on a smaller scale; but whatwhith spreadsheets, online calendars (yea, we’re visual-people too), and schedules ..you’re turing shana rishona (and acharis/ta) into a whole new ball game.
You go guys!
N & S