Monday, February 28, 2011

Budgeting!

I may claim to be good at Math... but I've now realized that can/will never be good at saving Money and MS-Excel. Thus, I now unabashedly declare -- I'm MS-Excel--ly challenged.. !!

And since Budgeting and MS-Excel go hand in hand (says my better one by two.. since he's mastered the art of Excel and I suck at both!)

He decided to take matters into hand and Impose a Budget on ME!

The events that followed that gloomy evening were as follows:

Cheetoz: (Chomp..chomp..) "Hmmm...we really need to figure out how much we're spending and where.. we should plan and start saving money" (whilst munching chips.. with one hand and flipping through channels on TV with another)

Appie: (In a state of shock! wondering why this is being brought upon her now.. pretending to not hear thinking being pretentious would help avoid the topic)

Cheetoz: "Hey.. got my salary!! We really should sit down and start planning!" (Still watching TV)

Appie: (Why God! why) "Ya sure okay.. I'll get a piece of paper and pen!"

Cheetoz: "Ya do that" (watching TV)

Appie: (wondering if not budging from the bed would help)

Cheetoz: (As if he suddenly woke up) "Wait..! Why do you need pen and paper...? You’re so old world style... We'll do it on Excel!"

Appie: (Omg! Excel!!) "but I still think we should do it on Paper.. its simpler that way"

Cheetoz: (whilst flipping through channels.. looks at poor Appie and laughs) "Yea Sure".. (switches on his computer and starts doing "tak tak tak" on excel.. the TV is still on!)

Appie: (Can't see anything... this is so uncomfortable...should adjust the pillow... Still can't see anything).. Yells --"I can't see anything...!"

Cheetoz:(In a state of shock) "Why do you need to spend 5000 on yourself!.. I need a Justification!"

Appie: (close to tears and aghast!.. of course doesn't think its a big amount! why is he making such a big deal out of it.. calls Mum)

Cheetoz: "Why don't you sit closer you dumb!"

Appie: (Almost teary eyes) "Why don't we use a simple pen and paper..! And why can't I spend 5000 and I still can’t see anything!”

Cheetoz: (Rolls eyes) "How do you want me to sit doll…"(I turn the laptop towards me).. "how will I type if I sit like this!? Annd Apart from your Gym and other expenses... where would you spend that much money love"

Appie: “Oh well… so how and where should I sit? On you? On your fractured leg!?... I might need a pair of shoes! (Mum laughing on phone.. Cheetz making faces... Oh God! Please get me out of here)

Cheetoz: (Points to the same place where I’d parked myself)"No you fool sit here..! And you already have more than a dozen pair of shoes!"

Appie: "I might need more! I’m not budging from here… you move! You always make me run around the house.. I’m not moving from here"

Cheetoz: (Sighs!) "So what do you need so many pairs of shoes for doll --To open a shop?"

Appie: (not understanding the sarcasm) "No! you silly(with a smile).. to wear them to work!"

Cheetoz: (Mutters Oh God!) "OK. I give up... here... Have your 5000 every month to spend on shoes!" (Mutters --"Women!!")

Mum still laughing away on phone... unveils the secret -- her theory to Cheetoz -- She exposed me to the world of shoes much early than she could to the world of ‘Savings and Budgeting’ and hence the sorry state of affairs!

We finally could decide on some numbers which he still has on his Laptop.. saved in that damn Excel sheet.. I hope and pray I stick to it this time and prove people wrong!