Budget Help

[angelcollector1]

In less than a month I will be on unemployment with a monthly income of $1200. Gotta love the state of FL!

These are what my bills should be once I move next week.

Rent w/water - $650 (it's the cheapest in a decent neighborhood I could find)

Electric - $120 (this is a guesstimate - everything is electric - I must have the A/C set at 72 or below - due to breathing issues)

Cell - $80 - it includes my son's phone which is on a contract - and I need it for job search/phone interviews - (I can't find anything cheaper and use the phone too much to cut the plan to less minutes- I also have such poor credit that I would have to put security deposits of up to $400 to get service)

Internet- $50 (It's the cheapest in the area)I need this for job search - it's not an option - there isn't a library within any close distance where I could use their internet - I thought about going to a restaurant/bookstore for free wifi service but that's not going to work - I need to buy a coffee or something to sit there and use the service, that would defeat the purpose.

Food- $200 to feed 2 adults

Gas/Car maintenance $100

Car Insurance $160- this is full coverage - my car is a 2006, fully paid off and I have had an accident and poor credit. I've searched for cheaper, but couldn't find anything for less.

Medications - $100 - I am also going to lose my health insurance so this could go up because I won't be able to pay the COBRA fee of $279 monthly - I will also have to stop my therapist visits once that happens due to the cost. Which is bad because I really need the help.

Obviously my expenses outweigh my income - any help would be appreciated.
I am going to try to apply for foodstamps again as well as medical assistance - that should help considerably and cut those expenses if I get approved.

Would you drop the comp/collission on the car since it's paid for to save $ - it would be about $40 less per month - mind you I don't have an EF to cover any repairs if I should have an accident.

Any other advice would be appreciated - the cell company couldn't offer me anything less than what I'm paying for what I'm getting and I really do not see cutting internet as an option at this point. Not trying to make excuses.

[mamaofprincesses]

If cutting Internet is not an option, what about cutting the cell and getting a magic jack? We have one, and it's fine. maybe not fantastic, and we had some kinks at first, but once it's set up and going, it serves its purpose jsut fine.I think we paid $40 for the year.

What are your deductibles on car insurance? If your car is a 2006 and paid off, have you considered selling it and buying a less expensive car? Is your car a gas guzzler, or expensive to insure/repair? You need to own a very practical vehicle at this point.

What is the situation with your son, that you are paying for his cell? Is he the other adult for whom you are buying food? He either needs to get a job, or if that's not possible because of a disability, he needs to get on disability so he can contribute. If he's still a teenager, then you should be eligle for free or reduced price school lunches, and his father should be paying child support.

Apply for any and all assistance, but also sign up for every temp company you can find.

[angelcollector1]

I could consider cutting the cell and getting magic jack. It leaves me without a cell phone if I'm on the road and have a problem. I drive at least 80 miles round trip a minimum of once a week, usually twice a week to see my therapist and doctor and will not change at this point, I haven't found anyone in my area that will accept a payment arrangement at this point and they all want 150+ a visit - way out of my price range and budget.
My car is fully paid off, if I try to sell it, I might get $5000 for it, if I'm very lucky- I don't think I'd be that lucky - it has it's problems and I've got some front end damage from an accident.
I have full coverage on my car and the deductibles are at the max, $1000.
My son does have a job and he does contribute 30% of his take home pay to the household, it amounts to about $200 a month - he has asperger's and only works part time.
I'm widowed, so there is no support from his father and he was not able to be determined to be totally disabled to receive SSI.
I'm only 46 so I don't qualify for social security - in case you might be wondering since I stated I am widowed.
I am going to fill out the forms for state assistance today. I have put my resume and application in with the temp agencies in the area. Unemployment in my part of FL is 13%

[mamaofprincesses]

So is the $200 your son contributes included in the $1200 you stated as income? It seems like a lot for him to have almost $400 in (more or less) disposable income, while you are struggling so much.

Are you entitled to a death benefit from your husband?

Maybe you should consider moving, if you are so far from your doctor and therapist and in a place with high unemployment.

If you need a phone for safety, you can always get a prepaid, emergency-only cell in case the car breaks down.

[happysmileylady]

If your son's father is deceased, given that he is disabled, does he qualify for any sort of death benifit/ss from that?

On the cell, since you don't have a home phone, I agree with keeping it. I believe everyone should have one dependable phone, at least, be it a home or a cell. However, is going pre-paid an option and would it save you money?Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

Car...I would recommend doing EVERYTHING you can to save up SOME sort of emergency fund. Even a small one of like $1k or $1500. Then, drop your insurance to liability only. Since your car is paid for, you may consider selling it, buying something cheaper (and potentially newer and with fewer problems, if you work it right) and then using that money to fund the emergency fund. Really, even if you kept full coverage, ESPECIALLY in a situation like this, you need an emergency fund.

Food-even with coupons, sales etc, $200 a month is going to be ROUGH. I totally agree with your plan to check into food stamps again. Also, look up all the food banks and religious charities and so on that you can. You are in Florida, so you have a longer growing season...even though it's already August, you might be able to pick up some plants like tomatos or peppers, maybe a couple of topsy turvys or something that you can stick out on the porch/balcony. That could help.

Are there any other expenses that you are missing? Not that we want to add more to your list, but when putting together a budget this tight, you want to be 100% certain that you are planning for everything you can.




Job Market. Yeah, 13% unemployment sucks. But, in an attempt to remain positive, at least that means that 87% of folks who want to be employed are. The first thing most unemployed moms/women look at doing is usually providing some babysitting or in home childcare. So you might want to check into something like that, particularly for people who need evening childcare-it's harder to find.

Also, if you have any talents or are crafty or anything, you might look into doing something from home/starting a home business. It's REALLY hard when you have absolutely no money for start up, which I know is the situation you are in. But something service oriented, like home cleaning, would require less start up. Also, you can look into doing something like Pampered Chef or Tupperware or something. Most do have a small start up cost, but once you get going, if you really treat it like a job, it can really generate income like a full time job. And with something like that, you don't have to interview or get hired, just hook up with someone who already sells it.