September ~~Low Income Thread~~ - Page 20

[Ianthe]

Satori- When we are low on ingredients we usually always have beans and rice (we always have dry beans cuz I never plan ahead enough to cook them!).. I cook those together, saute whatever veggies I have onhand and top it with braggs or soysauce or hot sauce.. whatever sauce and it is usually pretty good. Do you have anything like that? Beans and rice have ample protein for you, so no need to worry about not having any meat.

ETA- nevermind.. i see you do have plenty of meat. Do you have rice?

[Ianthe]

We stocked up at a local store's caselot sale.. hopefully enough to get us through the year with beans and rice. We got 3 24pk cases of canned beans ($13.xx each), and 40 lbs of brown rice ($18) plus a 48 pk of TP for $6! We did this last year and spent about $180 and still have half of it left... this time we only got chickpeas and blackbeans cause we use those the most.. then I can use my WIC to get other kinds of beans as needed (we get 12 cans a month!)

I have $24 left in FS for the next 2 weeks And our farmer's market ends after Thurs.. plus it is suppose to snow tomorrow.. so no more cheap produce

[maciascl]

Pumpkin Pie: GOOD LUCK!!

Lizzy Q: Snow??? Really? I am in southern CA & it is expected to be low 80's for awhile, but 2 days ago it was over 100. Crazy!

I haven't been looking for work since I don't have many real job skills or a degree or anything & it wouldn't make sense for me to take a min wage part time job due to the amount of money I'd spend driving to take DSs to child care etc... However, I found a part time position with the next city over (where my MIL lives, who would be watching the kids anyway) that has good pay & is perfect for the job skills I do have. I applied last week not really expecting anything but I got an email yesterday that I have been scheduled for an exam. It doesn't say what kind of exam though. I haven't worked in almost 6 years & I have developed serious anxiety issues over the last few years so I am kind of freaking out. I am excited but scared.

[Peacemamalove]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

We stocked up at a local store's caselot sale.. hopefully enough to get us through the year with beans and rice. We got 3 24pk cases of canned beans ($13.xx each), and 40 lbs of brown rice ($18) plus a 48 pk of TP for $6! We did this last year and spent about $180 and still have half of it left... this time we only got chickpeas and blackbeans cause we use those the most.. then I can use my WIC to get other kinds of beans as needed (we get 12 cans a month!)

I have $24 left in FS for the next 2 weeks And our farmer's market ends after Thurs.. plus it is suppose to snow tomorrow.. so no more cheap produce

Good ideas We are supposed to get snow tomorrow too!! but it is so exciting to see those first few flakes even if they don't last!

[Satori]

Well good news is my mom brought us some food and I found a bunch of really good bacon in the back of the freezer I didn't know we had so that opens up a lot of soup options.

The bad new is, my car is still not ready! They said it would be ready by 8am today, nope, its still on the rack, finally around 10am they took it for a test drive and said come on down and get it (while the mechanic was still out driving it), it failed the test drive, its still running hotter then it should and the check engine code saying something is now wrong with the coolant temp sensor or something and no it won't be ready today. Maybe tomorrow if I'm really lucky(they've had my car 6 days already and I've now missed 4 days of school). I hear this 5 minutes before the last bus to school leaves so I can't even catch the bus to school.

Doesn't really matter though because it appears I may be coming down with the flu Over an hour I've been hit with chills, nasty rotten egg burps, nausea, things are starting to hurt and total exhaustion. All I want to do is go cuddle up in a blanket and sleep but instead I need to cook food for the next couple of days before this hits full force

So, on that note I want to make this but will need to sub bacon for ham, any idea how much bacon to sub? Its a strong flavored uncured bacon ($8 per 12oz and I got it for $2 at an outlet, its really really good!)

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Satori, the recipe says it makes 8 servings, I would start with 8 slices of bacon. That way, you get some good flavor, without adding too much fat and overpower everything else with the taste of the bacon too.

I am so sorry about your car troubles. That sounds extremely frustrating. I am so afraid that my car is going to die, but I am pretty sure it will wait until there is a foot of snow on the ground before it finally goes completely. :

LizzyQ, that is a great deal on beans!! I have been trying to use dry beans, because they are cheaper, but I love the convenience of canned beans. They are such an easy dinner for my DS. He will eat a bowl of black beans, straight from the can. I think I might cook up a pot of beans once a week, just so I have them hand. Anyone know how long they can keep for in the refridgerator once they are cooked?

maciascl, good luck on the exam for the new job!!!! How exciting!

So, I found out today that I am pretty much assured of getting my new job! My new supervisor emailed me and said that she is appealing to her higher ups to get me another $.50 an hour! When I was interviewing, she said that the starting rate was $9 per hour, and I said that I was really looking for $10 (still can't believe I was brave enough to ask for that... ) She said it was just company policy and she couldn't do anything about it, but today she emailed me and said that she is trying her best! Wah Hoo! I also took that to mean that she is going to be offering me the job, otherwise, why would she be fighting to get me more money? Happy Day!!

The down side is that I have realized that I will be taking home less money each month once I start working at this job. Grrrrrr..... I will be working less hours at my "on-call" job that I work about 25-30 hours per month at, and I also will be receiving less state cash assistance (if any), plus my rent will go up, food stamps will go down, and I will have to pay an extra $30 per week in childcare costs that I wasn't paying before. I might have to start paying at DS's preschool as well.

I am pretty sure we are going to be hurting a bit more, but it should only be temporary. If I can get DS into the preschool that I will be working at, I won't have to pay for the $30 per week childcare, plus I should have free tuition (or pretty close to it). I also have the option of applying for a full time spot which would be a dollar more an hour, plus once I graduate, I will receive another dollar an hour raise. I can't wait!!! It sounds so perfect!!!

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Satori, the recipe says it makes 8 servings, I would start with 8 slices of bacon. That way, you get some good flavor, without adding too much fat and overpower everything else with the taste of the bacon too.

I am so sorry about your car troubles. That sounds extremely frustrating. I am so afraid that my car is going to die, but I am pretty sure it will wait until there is a foot of snow on the ground before it finally goes completely. :


So, I found out today that I am pretty much assured of getting my new job! My new supervisor emailed me and said that she is appealing to her higher ups to get me another $.50 an hour! When I was interviewing, she said that the starting rate was $9 per hour, and I said that I was really looking for $10 (still can't believe I was brave enough to ask for that... ) She said it was just company policy and she couldn't do anything about it, but today she emailed me and said that she is trying her best! Wah Hoo! I also took that to mean that she is going to be offering me the job, otherwise, why would she be fighting to get me more money? Happy Day!!

The down side is that I have realized that I will be taking home less money each month once I start working at this job. Grrrrrr..... I will be working less hours at my "on-call" job that I work about 25-30 hours per month at, and I also will be receiving less state cash assistance (if any), plus my rent will go up, food stamps will go down, and I will have to pay an extra $30 per week in childcare costs that I wasn't paying before. I might have to start paying at DS's preschool as well.

I am pretty sure we are going to be hurting a bit more, but it should only be temporary. If I can get DS into the preschool that I will be working at, I won't have to pay for the $30 per week childcare, plus I should have free tuition (or pretty close to it). I also have the option of applying for a full time spot which would be a dollar more an hour, plus once I graduate, I will receive another dollar an hour raise. I can't wait!!! It sounds so perfect!!!

Thanks for the advise, I think I ended up putting 7-8 slices and I just turned it off to cool, its really good! I think I like the taste better with bacon then the ham.

The shop called and $300+ later my car is fixed, I'm just grateful my step dad paid for it, they had to replace a lot of parts it seems A/C/heater hoses/thermostat, sensors and 2-3 other things I don't remember. All I know is my car was ready at 4pm and not the 8am that was promised and I missed class! I'm feeling better then I was earlier so I'm hoping its not the flu!

Thats fantastic about the job! I hope you manage to move to full time and get the preschool spot too!

[maciascl]

Pumpkin Pie: WOW! Sounds like it will work out wonderfully! So excited for you!

Satori: I hope you feel better soon!

DH had a phone interview today that he feels went really well but the lady never said the name of the company or what the company sells. So we did some searching through the resumes he has sent out & we figured it out. It sounds like it would be an amazing job & there are alot of little things that give me a good feeling about it. I am really weird about looking for 'signs'. I am keeping my fingers crossed. They said they need to fill a couple spots by mid October.

My sister called today & if I don't get the city job she wants me to babysit my niece 3 days a week. It would be 9 hours a day for only $25 a day, but atleast it would be something else coming in & I'll be helping her out as well.

[cwat]

I just realized today is the last day of September !
It's kinda gray and cool today, but otherwise today is an alright day (so far)
Gotta take DD1 back to the Dr today, to get the packing removed from her arm again. Hopefully, this will be one of the last times I have to do this (I hope :cross)
Now, on to other subjects. I filled out an application on Thursday of last week and the guy told me he would "call me next week". Now, should I wait to see if they call me or should I call them like on Friday and find out if they have made a decision yet? (would that look desperate?)

[Krystal323]

well, my parents told me the other day that they basically cannot help out nearly at all anymore. they got their bank statement the other day and now they're worried about eating their once-a-month dinner out

I am so furious about this whole situation. I have a job that's more than happy to offer me hours, but I simply cannot do it at 8 months pregnant. Mentally, emotionally, physically--I CAN NOT.

We still haven't got food stamps or medicaid "fixed", as they "lost my paperwork" and closed the case, but have not yet re-opened it. I have a fair amount in my bank right now, but of course it's all earmarked for some bill or other. I'm wondering which bill would be least bad to blow off so I can buy some groceries Of course the mid-Oct paycheck will be miniscule, and there might not be an end-of-Oct check at all...

Looking forward to student loan money and tax return time--screw the holidays!

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

LizzyQ, that is a great deal on beans!! I have been trying to use dry beans, because they are cheaper, but I love the convenience of canned beans. They are such an easy dinner for my DS. He will eat a bowl of black beans, straight from the can. I think I might cook up a pot of beans once a week, just so I have them hand. Anyone know how long they can keep for in the refridgerator once they are cooked?

So, I found out today that I am pretty much assured of getting my new job! My new supervisor emailed me and said that she is appealing to her higher ups to get me another $.50 an hour! When I was interviewing, she said that the starting rate was $9 per hour, and I said that I was really looking for $10 (still can't believe I was brave enough to ask for that... ) She said it was just company policy and she couldn't do anything about it, but today she emailed me and said that she is trying her best! Wah Hoo! I also took that to mean that she is going to be offering me the job, otherwise, why would she be fighting to get me more money? Happy Day!!

The down side is that I have realized that I will be taking home less money each month once I start working at this job. Grrrrrr..... I will be working less hours at my "on-call" job that I work about 25-30 hours per month at, and I also will be receiving less state cash assistance (if any), plus my rent will go up, food stamps will go down, and I will have to pay an extra $30 per week in childcare costs that I wasn't paying before. I might have to start paying at DS's preschool as well.

I am pretty sure we are going to be hurting a bit more, but it should only be temporary. If I can get DS into the preschool that I will be working at, I won't have to pay for the $30 per week childcare, plus I should have free tuition (or pretty close to it). I also have the option of applying for a full time spot which would be a dollar more an hour, plus once I graduate, I will receive another dollar an hour raise. I can't wait!!! It sounds so perfect!!!

They don't keep well in the fridge , but beans freeze very well.

Congrats on your job!

Originally Posted by cwat

I just realized today is the last day of September !
It's kinda gray and cool today, but otherwise today is an alright day (so far)

It is gray and rainy here today.. suppose to snow tomorrow I'm not a winter person.

Originally Posted by Krystal323

well, my parents told me the other day that they basically cannot help out nearly at all anymore. they got their bank statement the other day and now they're worried about eating their once-a-month dinner out

I am so furious about this whole situation. I have a job that's more than happy to offer me hours, but I simply cannot do it at 8 months pregnant. Mentally, emotionally, physically--I CAN NOT.

We still haven't got food stamps or medicaid "fixed", as they "lost my paperwork" and closed the case, but have not yet re-opened it. I have a fair amount in my bank right now, but of course it's all earmarked for some bill or other. I'm wondering which bill would be least bad to blow off so I can buy some groceries Of course the mid-Oct paycheck will be miniscule, and there might not be an end-of-Oct check at all...

Looking forward to student loan money and tax return time--screw the holidays!

Ugh! What a headache! I am looking forward to tax return $$ too.. although I will probably spend it on bills this year, and only save $500 of it for a vacation. (We always use our tax return for vacation)

---

THis week was suppose to be DH's last week of work at the BLM, but they offered for him to stay one one more pay period (2 weeks). Which is bittersweet. We NEED him to work, but I wish he were home more (working out of town). Then he MIGHT have a job on a film in CO with his friend for a month.. which means more workin out of town... WHY, WHY WHY can't he find a job HERE?!! I hate the film industry.. even though it pays so well, it is such a headache!! If he gets this job it will probably be $300 a DAY! So I can't tell him he can't take it, ya know? But it would be nice for my DSs to have their papa around.

[SleeplessMommy]

Question: Holiday Helper signups.

....

Thanks for the comments ladies! I will update you all on the signup thread, probably tomorrow.

[janerose]

Pumpkin Pie -- congrats on the job!

And about storing cooked beans, if you do them up & let them cool you should be able to store them in baggies in the freezer for quite awhile. I'd just squeeze out all the air & mark what type & the date. Maybe do a test batch & see if you like the way they come out after being frozen? I've done this before & they were fine for us, but we don't eat them straight either. Always in a soup or some other dish.

[Peacemamalove]

Please let me know when sign ups are things just fell apart here and we are barely hanging on by a thread!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

So, my working interview went great today, and I think I am really going to like working there. I found out that there is only a very slim chance of getting him into that preschool any time in the next year. Plus, I am having an insanely hard time figuring out how to get DS to me at my job, or me to him without one of us leaving at the wrong time from school/work.

The woman I was going to hire to bring him home isn't going to work out, and I have a few friends who are willing to do it, but it is hard to arrange it, as noone can really do all 5 days.

It also looks like I am only going to be making $9 an hour, but I will get a full gym membership! I think I will be dropping DS off an hour or so early each day and hitting the gym like crazy. I would love to get a good workout in each day before work. How fabulous would that make me feel???

Peacemamalove, I am so sorry things are so hard for you and your family right now. I was so there last year at this time, and was so grateful for the Holiday Helpers. I ended up being helped more than I ever thought possible, and I can't wait to be a helper this year. I don't have a lot to share, but am grateful that I don't need help this year and that I have a little extra.

Thanks so much for the tips on the beans. We have eaten pretty much all of the pound of beans already, so I think I am ready to try cooking them in bigger batches and freezing them. I LOVE black beans. Seriously, I think I could eat black beans and rice every day and not ever get sick of them. Thankfully, DS feels the same way. He ate a huge pile of rice and beans with a little chicken tonight and asked for more. :

[Peacemamalove]

s Pumpkin pie and thanks so much . At the moment we aren't sure what we are going to do but we are just so thankful that tomorrow is the 1st and at least we will have food

[Jyotsna]

New October Thread http://www.mothering.com/discussions...4#post14462814

Sleepless Mommy, please post the Holiday Helper sign-ups at the October thread. Thanks!