After cleaning up the dishes, Max somehow found himself breaking down all his bills for Greed, Reed, whatever you wanted to call the frog doll. "Uh, yeah, so still waiting to hear back from insurance…"
Reed eyed the spreadsheet pensively, "Hmm, do you know when you'll get your first paycheck?" So far, the list of expected bills was longer than expected for a single male without a vehicle.
Max glanced at the calendar, it was already Saturday, the first. He had four days until he had to pay rent. "I should be able to pick the check up Tuesday… but… I still have to deposit it…" Not to mention, who knew how much he'd get for less than a weeks worth of a paycheck, taxes were also a thing.
Reed paced back and forth on the coffee table, mumbling, "We have $297 to work with. Bus pass for a month is $68 possible, car insurance comes out on the second, $119, phone bill just paid on the 25th was $55, rent by the 5th is $200… this month's interest on both cards will be roughly $475… how long does your bank take to release funds from a check Max?"
Max hesitated, "Anything over $250… usually takes three days." He'd been doing the math in his head already, after his insurance he would only have $178 dollars to his name… still 12 dollars short of the needed 200. Not to mention, he still had to purchase his bus pass. $68 was the better deal, or $1.50 for each ride if he paid cash… Walking to work everyday wasn't realistic… it may only be April, but walking over 9 miles… he'd be on deaths door.
Reed sat with a tiny calculator as if he would magically find a missing twelve dollars. "Until you get paid, its safer to pay the fare for each ride, or maybe a weekly pass for $25 if you need to go to more than just work."
Mai glanced at the spreadsheet, "This may be presumptuous… but… maybe someone could loan some money until you get paid?"
Max gritted his teeth, flushing. He knew he'd be cutting it close, but having seven dolls judge his finances… if Arianna hadn't maxed out their shared card, wrecked his car… if he hadn't spent over $7,000 on a ring… hadn't had to pay four months rent to break his lease…
Pride rested his hoof on Max's leg, "Max, there's no shame in needing a hand. We're not here to judge you, we're here to help you find the best choices. That's all we can do."
Max stood up, "I need a sec. I've… I've got to check on the laundry." It was a lame excuse, but he needed to just get away. Of course, he knew his finances were fucked. He'd been trying to figure out how he'd get a place before the first credit card bill came in… between the almost $5,000 on the shared card, and another 3 grand on his personal… he'd never had to ask for money before… if he could just make it to his first paycheck…
Max pulled his dry clothes down, just throwing them on his bed before he started handing the freshly washed clothes. Fuck, he just… he didn't want to ask his brothers for money. It was twelve freaking dollars…
If… if his paycheck didn't register in time… then he'd ask… right now there was still a chance he could make this work. Max took a deep breath, before he went back to finish making his finance spreadsheet… at least he could see it was helpful.
Reed helped him separate his budget into three categories, consistent bills, flexible bills, budget goals. So phone and insurance bills were consistent because he'd always need those. Food, credit card interest, and car payments were flexible because they would fluctuate, or eventually be eliminated. Budget goals… were things that seemed like a dream for now, investing for retirement, buying a new car, possible down payment on a house… yeah, nice to think about but not something he could afford for a long time.
Max stared at the spreadsheet… seeing it all written in black and white was… more real somehow. "Uh, thanks Reed…" After it was done it just seemed so… simple.
Reed patted his hand, "Its less intimidating when its all on paper, the hard part is sticking to a budget. Impulse buying is one of the greatest hurdles to a budget."
Max grinned, then let out a small chuckle. It was really, really hard to take a frog with glasses seriously. "I'll be good."
Reed hesitated, then sighed, "You should still have a back up plan. Have you… decided what to do with the ring?" They had a separate column for assets, old phone, older computer, engagement ring, there just wasn't much. At least not until Max's insurance decided how much they would pay for the totaled 2008 beater. Kelly Blue book had quoted the car at $6,025 if in good condition.
Max hesitated looking at the ring box… "I'd have to go back home to return it… or sell it second hand. I was planning to return it when I saw Stevie off." At least then he'd get the full refund… selling it second hand he'd be lucky to get half. Really, he should have returned it before he left… then most of his financial worries would be alleviated. He could at least pay off the shared credit card.
Mai had settled back in Max's lap, purring contentedly as he stroked her. "Rings are sentimental, it's a shame to return such a beautiful emerald."
Max closed his eyes, "Yeah… it's a custom order…" He swallowed down the rising emotions every time he thought about when he proposed. He'd been so… excited… anxious. They'd already found a bigger apartment, had been planning to have a beach wedding with their friends and family. Max had even been planning to apply for a shift manager position so he could cut back on his second job.
Now he couldn't even look at his gallery to delete the video of that night.
Now he was struggling to figure out how to pay rent if his paycheck didn't hit immediately.
Now he was in a new city, hiding from his family until he had his life figured out.