Just gonna cry now

[phathui5]

Dh was laid off from his job a year ago now. Since then he's tried to start his own business, worked at a credit card processing place where they wouldn't pay him for half of his time and is now at T-Mobile making $8/hr, working less than 40 hours a week.

I do childcare and make halfway decent money, but not enough to pay our bills. Before he was laid off, we had a good cushion in savings that we got from his dad and it's lasted us the year, making up the difference between our income and our bills. But now we're down to having less than a month's expenses in savings.

There are no bills I can cut. We don't have any credit cards, any car payments. It's just our mortgage, BGE, phone, water, insurance, and food. I've tried talking to dh about cutting out the eating out while he's at work, but he can't seem to do it. That runs about $25-30 dollars a week.

I hate being back in this place. We were here years ago, then he got a decent-paying job and money wasn't an issue for a while. Now we're looking at medical assistance, WIC, food stamps, etc. Except that all of those things take time to go apply for and neither of us can afford to take time off. It's a crappy dilemma.

[lil_earthmomma]

So sorry life is such a struggle right now.

I only have advice for cutting the eating out. Just make him a lunch every day. If he has a lunch, then there is no reason to eat out. You can make delicious lunches that are way healthier and easier on the budget.

Also, how's your grocery bill? Any way you can cut that down?

[Belia]

I'm so sorry, mama- it sounds like a very stressful place to be.

I'm glad you aren't drowning in debt, though. That's something.


I understand your DH eating out. I'm the same way when I'm at work- I NEED that break from the office during the day. Not that its right.... I just UNDERSTAND. Especially if he's not happy at his job... he probably feels like that break in the day is a well-deserved treat for having to work a crappy situation.

Go ahead and cry. Your situation sucks.

[MrsSurplus]

I'm so sorry, Mama. That is rotten...especially when you've done so much to minimize your financial risks by being in a good financial position for so long.

[bannanachild]

:

[mich]

I hope you get a little ray of sunshine, or some good luck tomorrow. One day at a time.

[lolar2]

The ideas I can think of, all of which absolutely suck but here they are:

-Sell a car and buy a cheaper, crappier one, even if that means you sell for $1000 and get another for $500.
-Go to a food pantry that's open on weekends to save on your grocery bill.
-Get rid of the phone or switch to basic emergency service (you might be able to get a discount on that) plus pre-pay cell phone, and basically quit talking on the phone unless someone calls you.
-Call the water company and electric company and ask about assistance-- sometimes you can get utility assistance, at least on a one-time emergency basis, without having to go anywhere in person.
-If you pay for health insurance, go to ehealthinsurance.com or some such site, and check out the "short-term" insurance quotes-- you might be able to pay less for a while until you can get medical assistance.

It's possible that some of these measures might save you enough money that you can then afford to take off enough time to apply for WIC, etc.

[hillymum]

Do you have a friend who can do your childcare job for one day so you can go apply for WIC. That would be the extra money that will help. At least food wouldn't be such an issue.

I know your husband dislikes his job, but if he is working less than 40 hours a week, would he be willing to get a second job?

[dantesmama]

Call your local social services office or check their website to see if they allow working families to apply for services through the mail and over the phone. We're looking into food stamps, and our county waives the in-person interview if anyone in the household works more than x number of hours per week. They may be able to work with your situation.

I really hope things start looking up for you.

[AngelBee]

: Wish I had some great advice.

[SeekingJoy]

Can you sell your house and move to cheaper housing? Rent it out for more than the mortgage?

If it looks like your DH won't be able to find a better paying job for a while, it might be time to drastically change your standard of living, if possible.

I am so sorry you and your family are going through this.

[KatWrangler]

Get on the assistance process today! In our state Medicaid has to be approved in 45 days (once you get an appointment with SRS). Food Stamps I believe has to be approved in 30 days.

Call WIC and make an appointment. You will need to take at least the two youngest kids with you. Its only for pregnant women and kids under the age of 5.

Hey, I completly understand. We are in a sh*tty place in life right now too. We may be homeless by the first of the month if my husband unemployment doesn't come through.

[ChristyMarie]

Can you refinance your mortgage?

Can he bring a lunch but eat it outside of the office? That's a lot of money to spend every week.

Can he get a second job? Can you?

I'm sorry you are going through this.

[velochic]

I'm sorry you're going through this. This crappy economy has affected everyone it seems.

For the eating out, could you try to talk to your dh about how many hours per week he has to work to equal the amount he is spending? After taxes it's about 5 hours at his current wage. If he were making a decent salary... say the equivalent of $40/hr, would he be willing to spend $200/week or $800/month on eat out for lunch? Few frugal people would. Sometimes it helps to put it into a different perspective. It's not a very "fair" comparison, but sometimes it helps to see it differently.

[mtm]

I'm sorry phathui, I'll keep hoping that a better job comes along for your dh soon.

[phathui5]

I'm calling WIC now to make an appointment. Hopefully I can get one when dh is able to take them.

Dh had two interviews last week for a better job and is still applying for jobs in his off hours. With this job, he couldn't work a second job because the hours vary and he couldn't commit to something else. But he is looking for a better job to replace this.

Can you sell your house and move to cheaper housing? Rent it out for more than the mortgage?

We really can't afford to lose the house because then we lose my income from the home childcare, which is what's paying our bills right now.

[allnaturalmom]

Hugs mama. I hope things turn around for you and your family real soon!

[LilMama23]

I'm sorry that you're dealing with this.
As far as the eating out thing, my DH couldn't seem to cut it out at work either, and then I realized that it was more about actually physically getting out of his office for a while. So now I pack his lunch, he leaves the office, and sits outside for a half hour eating it. Everyone thinks he's getting fast food while he's gone, and he just uses the time to sit and recharge. Maybe that would help your DH!
I hope things turn around for you soon!

[mysticmomma]

calling you

[phathui5]

The WIC appointment is made. That's something anyway.