ok we are in budget overhaul (advice/experience appreciated) - Page 3

[sosurreal09]

TY Holly for the support.

i live in isolation! the main reason we want to move is b/c hate the city i hate it so much i cant even walk down the street our neighborhood is dangerous and i am so worried about DD all the time. we lived in a different part of the city before and i was attacked physically and sexually in our apartment while DH was at his moms. TG the baby was not born or concieved yet. that was a few years ago...then we moved to a "nicer" part and have a great home but the neighborhood is worse IMO...found a girl on the side of the road a few weeks back that was no longer with us. TG DD is too young to realise what were are living in.
but i do go to a monthly AP mom group and story time at mothers and comapany.
Anyways we found an apartment for $725 thats is a great suburb neighborhood and its perfect! there is one we are going to see in a few days for $650 as well. We found a good realtor who is heping us b/c i could not find anything under $1000 in a 2br in the location we desire, he aparently has hook ups lol. so thats worth it to me!!

we wont have moving expenses. we have the rav and some good friends with pick up trucks and we have empty boxes too
the apartments we have been looking at do not require last or security. (upfront)

well wic could get us produce and beans. i will call them for an appointment..if they even provide that after 1 y/o? idk.

the car thing would be something to look into as long as it can peel off or something TY for that tip

i called the gym and aparently i can not cancle it until after a year (some fine print i missed) but idk i called and flipped out about how i cant even go b/c the child watch people are incompitent (last time the woman was violent with her own child in front of me and the kids) and how i cant trust them...
im fighting to get out of it anyways...
i offered DH that i would buy him anything he needs to aide in quitting.

i do the online surveys too and i dont know anyone who needs a babysitter but i will post something for the area.

im sure it would save some money to pay off the insurance. i guess im nervous to spend the $4500 in case we need it...maybe i should pay it off? its 1700

[sosurreal09]

GOOD THINGS TODAY

1. we got an apartment!!! $725+ utilities but it was also built 10 yrs ago and is energy efficient everything! so we save $125 a month in rent and should also save on heating/gas. no security or last either.

2. found a local farm that has shares for $1000 for the year!!! this includes all organic/free range meat, eggs, dairy (we dont do dairy though), and produce! the sign up isnt for a few more months but wow would that help we are talking $80 a month for meat and produce!! woo hoo

that all sound good right?

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by sosurreal09

GOOD THINGS TODAY

1. we got an apartment!!! $725+ utilities but it was also built 10 yrs ago and is energy efficient everything! so we save $125 a month in rent and should also save on heating/gas. no security or last either.

2. found a local farm that has shares for $1000 for the year!!! this includes all organic/free range meat, eggs, dairy (we dont do dairy though), and produce! the sign up isnt for a few more months but wow would that help we are talking $80 a month for meat and produce!! woo hoo

that all sound good right?

Sounding pretty good. Maybe you can find out from the farm whether they have anyone who doesn't do eggs and you and that person can switch--he/she gets your dairy and you get that person's eggs. If you want. Eggs can be frozen by scrambling them up, then freezing them (kinda like egg-beaters) to be used in scrambled eggs or when a recipe calls for egg to be added.

And WIC goes up to 5 years old as long as you qualify. You get it for each child over 1. Our baby is 17 months, so we have the "toddler/preschooler package". We get one pound of beans or peanut butter, one dozen eggs, one pound cheese, 32 ounces whole grains--usually pick up brown rice, 3 1/4 gallons whole milk, 2 bottles juice, and $6 worth of produce, and 36 ounces of cereal. I wish the cereal was X number of boxes because we never get the 36 ounces, as we are only able to get corn and rice chex (gluten issues). By prescription, we get 21 6-packs of pediasure. Several years back, we were on it when I had 2 kids under 2, and we got so much stuff that I could feed the family almost completely on WIC. Before age 1, you can get either the fully breastfeeding package, the partially breastfeeding package, or the formula feeding package (formula, jarred fruits and veggies, and baby cereal--great as a thickener in gravies).

[KnockedUpButtercup]

That's great news!

I got curious about the car thing (we need a new bumper, but after it's fixed I'm going to try this), so I googled it and found this handy looking guide to the whole process:

http://www.leaseguide.com/articles/getpaidtodrive.htm

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by KnockedUpButtercup

About that WIC - is there anything they offer that you can use? Even if you have to donate most of it to the food bank, maybe you could get a few dollars worth of usable food - every little bit helps.

Holly

This... if you or the baby cant eat it, can your DH eat it... IMO it doesn't matter who eats the food, its food in the house and $$ to help with the grocery budget. Years ago when DS was on WIC the free groceries were a godsend at times. The eggs, pb, juice, milk, cheese *I* ate most of it or traded with a nieghbor for free daycare, I think now WIC added in fruits and veggies too. Your DH could have egg omlets, juice/milk for breakfast, PB sandwiches for lunch... there are alot of creative things or 'filler' things to do w. wic and the worst that happens is if you or the baby cant eat it is possibly your DH eats it or you 'trade' with someone for babysitting etc...

[Thystle]

Originally Posted by sosurreal09

GOOD THINGS TODAY

1. we got an apartment!!! $725+ utilities but it was also built 10 yrs ago and is energy efficient everything! so we save $125 a month in rent and should also save on heating/gas. no security or last either.

2. found a local farm that has shares for $1000 for the year!!! this includes all organic/free range meat, eggs, dairy (we dont do dairy though), and produce! the sign up isnt for a few more months but wow would that help we are talking $80 a month for meat and produce!! woo hoo

that all sound good right?

Wooohooo!!! Also i you guys are big meat eaters maybe you can buy a freezer and get a 1/4 or 1/2 a side of beef or a whole pig or load up on whole chickens with some of your money! Also make sure your pantry is fully stocked and you take care of any needed dental/eyeglasses/exams/labs/meds you need for the next year.