Hmm it seems like Jo and I have been having some important discussions about things in the past couple of days. Today's topic was: Money.

I'm pretty sure the topic was brought about by our discussions on which videographer to select. We didn't plan on getting a videographer, but 2 of Jo's sisters can't make it to the wedding as they can't get any leave next year...so Jo's mom requested that we get a videographer. So after checking a couple of them out I've narrowed down to 2 videographers - 3logy, or Jason M. I told Jo that if it is possible, I would prefer to have Jason M for reasons of (1) quality of shoot, (2) editing, and (3) experience. This choice would, of course, have corresponding cost premiums. Don't get me wrong, 3logy are good talaga. Pero they're not as hasa as Jason M yet. For their fees, we would be getting a very good deal, and they're great guys. Jason naman, well, he charges a lot higher, pero you wont be lugi if you get him.

The thing is, Jo feels we don't have focus with regard our budget. So I had to update my costs (yeah yeah I know I seem so OC na talaga, bear with me, I do this for a living) with my budgetary estimates and actual costs. Well, really, we're currently 10% over my preliminary budget, which I made 1 week after finding out we were getting married. Soooo.... not too bad naman, considering were actually 30+ people over the 100 guests we planned.

This discussion highlights the differences in how we handle money. Jo's really prudent with money and he constantly checks on budgets and always knows where his money goes.

Me naman I'm really lousy with personal finances. Skewed priorities kung baga. If it's a choice between a Philippe Starck backpack or eating decently for a month I would definitely end up eating pan de sal for 30 days while wearing my new pack. This is how bad it is....I am actually on beso-beso terms with sales persons, some know my size and actually call me or keep items for me when they know these items are something I would like. Arrrr. Now that I'm typing it down I am a bit ashamed :(

Anyway, we had a pretty long talk about the budget and then money in general; and although things were pretty heated at the beginning, eventually we got to see each other's points. My point was : "I'm not being malustay about the wedding, I have tried to keep within agreed budgets, and I have kept to them". His point was: "We need to be vigilant about budget creep, because the wedding isnt the end of expenses, we'll need to have a nest egg for after". Ahhh I love it when misunderstandings get resolved, as it turned out na we just didn't get to communicate clearly.

We also discussed how we would need to handle household expenses (cool solution btw, we agreed to set aside X amount for savings, contribute Y amount for expenses, then keep Z amount or whatever is left as our personal money :P) Siempre, since I'll be in the US on a dependent's visa and cant work yet, I said he needs to give me baon. Hahah! He said he'll find a way to make me work for it. Eek.

All this discussed during a 2-hour plus overseas phone call costing $$. But this is what I call a worthwhile expense.

Hay nako I really love Joey. :)

This entry was posted on 8/17/2004 at 8/17/2004 06:05:00 am. You can skip to the end and leave a response.