I'd do it this way if I had easier access to ATM machines affiliated with my bank (and therefore fee-free). As is, I'd have to carry more cash than I'm comfortable having on my person, given where I live and especially where I work, just to have enough to get me between ATM visits.
The trick (and I have to start doing this again) is that you pull out the money once a week. You don't have to carry it around with you at all times--in fact, it's probably better at first to pull out the weekly budget money and separate it into daily budget amounts.
Of course, when we were doing our strict as hell budget, the weekly "all things not food or gas" budget was a whopping $25, and it frequently went to overage on the food budget or the gas budget. (I think we had $100 a week for the household.) So, you know, that was easy to carry around. And because the gas budget was so tight, I never went anywhere or did anything. Good thing the kid was cute.
Then I went back to work, and it all got shot to hell.
I have lived paycheck-to-paycheck, and I know I'm not doing it now. When I refinanced my student loans on the 30-year plan to reduce the payment, and still didn't always have money in the bank to buy groceries with? That was paycheck-to-paycheck, and I'm still paying it off.
Tommy, my multi-CD player loads in order, 1-6.
I'm doing my own little cabbage patch dance .... Kat, insent (and please yell if I sound like an ass).
Mr. Jane and I have been paycheck to paycheck since I've been here. Monday we'll go back to being able to pay off debt and afford toys. I forgot what all that was like.
It occured to me yesterday that on top of the working poor being screwed health wise (can't afford to get the good fresh stuff, or get to the store that has it-possibly don't have health care), parenting wise (can't afford really good daycare and have to work lots of hours for enough money) and all that other fun stuff I read about in Nickle and Dimed, they're also screwed as far as hobbies or other interests.
This is because I was thinking about what I would do now that I'm off at 5, and I thought "Ooooh, I'll knit and sew and crochet." and then I wondered why I hadn't been running home to do that lately, and I realized it's because I rarely get off in enough time to go buy supplies and I also have no money for supplies.
Sox, backflung. It was fine.
okay, I have to go hunt a student down. Too bad it's RAINY and COLD and the school is not enclosed.
I think you're all correct; the phrase "paycheck-to-paycheck" is usually used for much more extreme situations than what I was thinking when I first responded to the question. Mea culpa.
ETA:
Too bad it's RAINY and COLD and the school is not enclosed.
I usually love the open school thing, but it is SO not fun on days like this.
Also, I'm done teaching right now and was planning to sneak out...and I just got an email from the Head of School that we're having a quick meeting at 3:15 so that she can "make an announcement." DAMN.
got it - thanks Kat! & backflung. This is wonderful.
happy hunting. ... er.
I just realized I was getting all worked up for weird reasons, so I'm done.
In more amusing news, Barack Obama apparently told a black audience that they need to get "cousin Pookie" and "Ray-Ray" to vote. [link]
I think you're all correct; the phrase "paycheck-to-paycheck" is usually used for much more extreme situations than what I was thinking when I first responded to the question. Mea culpa.
I think people do use it in that manner though, so I am not sure you are wrong even though I have a different interpretation.
