November Low Income Thread - Page 9

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Leta

Very tricky, frugalmama. I am impressed.

I've tried this with meat for DH, and it's worked quite well, but never with dairy.

(I've actually been known to look at the sell by date on pricey meat, write it down on the calendar, and go back a day before to see if I can buy it cheaply. )

That never occurred to me! I'll have to start doing that

[frugalmama]

Originally Posted by Satori

That never occurred to me! I'll have to start doing that

BTW - you can also do it with eggs {much harder but occasionally happens}, cheese {sliced, bricks, cubes, and cottage}, sour cream, dips, produce, and even occasionally bakery goods.

I normally manage to get milk, dips in the fridge cases, chicken,salad mixes, bananas and apples, and yogurt. Anything else is a bonus.

Make friends with the people who work those depts in your stores, and let them know you are looking for clearance. I have several who when they see me come in will wave me over and say "would you like X for Y price?" since they know I will gladly take it ALL off their shelves. Makes it much easier for them since otherwise they have to keep checking back to restock that item.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by frugalmama

BTW - you can also do it with eggs {much harder but occasionally happens}, cheese {sliced, bricks, cubes, and cottage}, sour cream, dips, produce, and even occasionally bakery goods.

I normally manage to get milk, dips in the fridge cases, chicken,salad mixes, bananas and apples, and yogurt. Anything else is a bonus.

Make friends with the people who work those depts in your stores, and let them know you are looking for clearance. I have several who when they see me come in will wave me over and say "would you like X for Y price?" since they know I will gladly take it ALL off their shelves. Makes it much easier for them since otherwise they have to keep checking back to restock that item.

Reminds me, need to pick up eggs, there .99 doz at Walgreens this week

[zebra15]

Well I went for my interview with the grocery store last night. I was scheduled for 510pm, it turned out they were running REALLY late and didnt get me to til 715pm. I didnt get out of there until almost 8pm. $$$ babysitting bucks right there. Wish they had told me that when I got there. Anyway I got the job, but training is Thursday from 11-4 and I probably have to teach then, no there is no other time I can go to training. The interviewer was NOT friendly at all. Then there is the issue of dress code. Black pants and white button down shirt. Neither of which I have. I have black capri pants but they must be black long pants, i have long khaki pants... I have lots of white tops but none that are button down, i have lots of button downs but none that are white.... And since there is no guarentee this job is even going to happen i dont want to go and even spend $5 at the thrift on clothes, cuz I dont have that $5, espically now that I had to pay extra for that babysitter last night. I told her it wouldn't be longer than ONE HOUR for the interview,(that is what I was told on the phone) it turned into 3.hrs ... everyone was mad. Yes training is paid, but you have to go to training in the 'dress code', and since training is middle of the day I cant even take a 1/2 day teaching job...

I feel like im drowning here. All over some stupid black pants and a white shirt.

I really want to curl up in a ball and just cry.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by zebra15

Well I went for my interview with the grocery store last night. I was scheduled for 510pm, it turned out they were running REALLY late and didnt get me to til 715pm. I didnt get out of there until almost 8pm. $$$ babysitting bucks right there. Wish they had told me that when I got there. Anyway I got the job, but training is Thursday from 11-4 and I probably have to teach then, no there is no other time I can go to training. The interviewer was NOT friendly at all. Then there is the issue of dress code. Black pants and white button down shirt. Neither of which I have. I have black capri pants but they must be black long pants, i have long khaki pants... I have lots of white tops but none that are button down, i have lots of button downs but none that are white.... And since there is no guarentee this job is even going to happen i dont want to go and even spend $5 at the thrift on clothes, cuz I dont have that $5, espically now that I had to pay extra for that babysitter last night. I told her it wouldn't be longer than ONE HOUR for the interview,(that is what I was told on the phone) it turned into 3.hrs ... everyone was mad. Yes training is paid, but you have to go to training in the 'dress code', and since training is middle of the day I cant even take a 1/2 day teaching job...

I feel like im drowning here. All over some stupid black pants and a white shirt.

I really want to curl up in a ball and just cry.

That stinks IS there anyone your size that you can borrow some clothes from? I have a collection of black pants and white button down shirts from my sever days in a past life... maybe someone you know IRL does too?

[waiting2bemommy]

try putting an ad on craigslist in the wanted section. explain the situation just like you did here. It'll be worth the 49 nasty emails you'll get for the one angel who will offer to not only give you the work clothes you need, but bring them to you, clean and ironed and ready to wear.

Ask me how I know.

[PenelopeJune]

Ugh, zebra, that totally sucks. I know how you feel about the clothes, it's why I can't even apply for a job at a bank (I was a teller for 3 years, so I have the experience) because I have exactly one nice outfit, and I'm thinking that they wouldn't want me to wear it every single day until I get my first paycheck. I'm even a little worried if a get a job at walmart or something if I need khakis, because I don't have any.

But I like waitingtobemommy's suggestion of craigslist. Or do you have a friend you could borrow from? I have had to borrow clothes from my mom twice to go to two different funerals, so I know it's inconvenient.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by PenelopeJune

Ugh, zebra, that totally sucks. I know how you feel about the clothes, it's why I can't even apply for a job at a bank (I was a teller for 3 years, so I have the experience) because I have exactly one nice outfit, and I'm thinking that they wouldn't want me to wear it every single day until I get my first paycheck. I'm even a little worried if a get a job at walmart or something if I need khakis, because I don't have any.

But I like waitingtobemommy's suggestion of craigslist. Or do you have a friend you could borrow from? I have had to borrow clothes from my mom twice to go to two different funerals, so I know it's inconvenient.

What size are you? Maybe someone here has clothes they can pass on

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by Satori

What size are you? Maybe someone here has clothes they can pass on

I think I found something that will work, but I can only go to the training IF i dont get a teaching job. Subbing comes first. The way my luck is going the school district will call me at 5am on thrusday for a job.

Why is it soooo difficult to schedule things like this... Why do I feel like the world aligns so nothing ever works out the way it should?

[s_kristina]

My dh has an offer of a part time seasonal job that could lead to a long term position! The only things left to do are fax in copies of papers which hopefully we can find a place to do cheap or email them back. They offer paid training and it starts in just over a week. The only downside is it could have been a full time regular position if we had the $45 for a credit/background check and weren't so worried they would turn him down over the credit check. They want less then 4 negatives on the credit report in I think the last 2 years. That would be nice, but not realistic with the way things have been for us since construction took a nose dive.

[nertsmommy]

I hope I can join in. We're struggling every month to pay bills. I do get WIC for our 2 kids and myself (pregnant-due in May). DH does have a steady job we're very thankful for. I stay at home with the kids. I've looked into getting a job, but daycare would take all I would make so it didn't make sense to do that. I babysit during the week so that helps. We didn't have much debt (van payment and home equity loan) until we had to start putting things on cards. We make just to much to qualify for anything. Last month I lost a child I watch due to his mom having another baby and taking time off. That took away half my pay. That month I had to call places and say I couldn't pay them for a few weeks. Up until then we were making every bill. I've cut my grocery bill down to $200/mo including the diapers I have to buy for the kids. And we've borrowed money from my MIL just recently. Right now we are having to wait almost 4 weeks until I can get anymore groceries (except the free stuff from WIC) because we took DH last paycheck and paid all our taxes that were way due. I'm sorry to complain because I know others have it worse than us, but it breaks my heart to tell my 3 year old that we can't buy him a doughnut for .53 because it's not in the budget. On the funny side when he asks for something and I tell him no he says "You don't have a coupon, Mommy?" We're just trying to get through until mid-January when I get the child I lost back and his sibling. Then we can start trying to pay off the debt we're making now. Why do these programs look at your gross income? We only actually get half of what it says DH makes. We've gotten rid of everything we can just about. I keep my local channels on tv for the news ($15/mo) and our internet because I pay bills the day they are due that way. No more cell phone. I keep our thermostat set at 65 and the lights stay out until we absolutely need them. I'm open to any suggestions on reducing bills more.

[Ianthe]

Work clothes:

I think several years ago I went to Salvation army, told them I had no money but needed clothes for job interviews and they gave me a voucher to buy work clothes and shoes. Is that possible for any of you?

[Satori]

Originally Posted by s_kristina

My dh has an offer of a part time seasonal job that could lead to a long term position! The only things left to do are fax in copies of papers which hopefully we can find a place to do cheap or email them back. They offer paid training and it starts in just over a week. The only downside is it could have been a full time regular position if we had the $45 for a credit/background check and weren't so worried they would turn him down over the credit check. They want less then 4 negatives on the credit report in I think the last 2 years. That would be nice, but not realistic with the way things have been for us since construction took a nose dive.

They expect you to pay for your own background check? That's a huge red flag! Its the employers responsibility to pay for a background check, not the employees. It should not cost you a dime to get a job outside of buying clothes/shoes. I would be worried about working for them and it doesn't sound right that they would require a background check on a regular employee and not a seasonal one.

[KayTeeJay]

Forgive me for thread-crashing, but zebra, I wanted to let you know about a program in my area called Wear to Work that provides clothes for women making the transition from welfare to work. I know that's not exactly your situation, but maybe the WIC office or public assistance office would know of a program like that?

[HappyLittleHouse]

zebra, check for Dressed for Success in your area, too. They take donations of work clothes for women re-entering the workforce. Good luck!

nertsmommy - welcome. I'm sorry to hear things are so tight for you right now, but it sounds like there is an end in sight with the kids coming back to you in January. My son asks about coupons, too, haha. I try to avoid saying we can't afford things, but say, "we're not choosing to spend our money on that" and explain why. Like, we have money to pay for a warm house and healthy food and shoes and clothes, or we could buy some junk food that won't help us grow and toys. Which is a better use of our money? He's 4, but he's starting to get it.

I also have a list in my purse, and anytime he sees something he likes, he asks me to write it on his list. He rarely asks for any new toys when we're out, but he frequently asks me to write it down. He knows that some of the toys that he likes at the store will show up at our house if I write them down - thank you Craigslist and Freecycle - so he's been amenable to the idea. It has saved a lot of whining at the store.

[waiting2bemommy]

Just wanted to update and say I GOT THE JOB!!!!

My dad is so wonderful.....we have a terrible storm blowing through right now and I had a ride lined up for today but she canceled on me due to not wanting to drive in the rain. My dad just happened to get sent home from work and offered to drive me so I wouldn't have to spend 3 hours on the bus (everything is running slow today because of this nor'easter/hurricane/whatever it is). Anyway, they hired me on the spot and I start Monday. They accept the social service vouchers and won't charge me anything over what social services pays so I will get to take hom my whole check.

I am SO excited. It seems like a really nice daycare/preschool; they do tons of learning activities and I think ds will be happy there while I'm working. I'll be a lead teacher so I will get to craete lesson plans and do actual teaching (Pre-K), which I absolutely LOVE to do. My dad also offered to pick us up from work every Tuesday night to give me a break from the bus....it's a 90 minute ride each way.

I just need to get clothes for work from the thrift store and get ds a pair of boots since they wil be going outside and he only has one pair of shoes right now that I don't think will hold up very long if he wears them every day.

Hopefully, this won't affect my food stamps at all, and I'm hoping I'll still be making little enough (7.75/hr) to qualify for the $200/month from TANF. Things are looking up, I'm so happy.

[s_kristina]

Originally Posted by Satori

They expect you to pay for your own background check? That's a huge red flag! Its the employers responsibility to pay for a background check, not the employees. It should not cost you a dime to get a job outside of buying clothes/shoes. I would be worried about working for them and it doesn't sound right that they would require a background check on a regular employee and not a seasonal one.

Unfortunatly it's no longer a huge red flag even schools and hospitals here in FL are having prospective employees pay for their own testing prior to being employed. I was very leery of it last year when I was first looking for a job and then was told tons of stories from friends and church members of having to pay for their own testing. I do agree the testing for regular employee vs not for seasonal is odd. However that is what happened with me when I had a seasonal job over Halloween last year. If I had been brought on full time after i would have been expected to do all the drug testing etc.

[greenmom4]

Originally Posted by waiting2bemommy

Just wanted to update and say I GOT THE JOB!!!!

Congratulations! I'm so, so excited for you!

[frugalmama]

We spent all day getting ready for a yard sale tomorrow - I am really hoping things sell as I barely have enough money to buy the garage sale permit.

It's only the 12th, and we've got $65 in FS and $18 in cash to last the month. And $17 of the cash goes for the permit tomorrow. I hate living like this.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by frugalmama

It's only the 12th, and we've got $65 in FS and $18 in cash to last the month. And $17 of the cash goes for the permit tomorrow. I hate living like this.

We've been out of FS for a couple weeks now, and it sucks! We keep running out of essentials too (like cooking oil, soymilk, etc)... in just a couple days we will be getting $600 in FS and I plan on stocking up now that Costco accept them!