My Exit Strategy - Page 6

[_ktg_]

Finally got through reading the entire thread and YIPPEE, I'm glad it sounds like you have a plan!  I just wanted to add - I do my taxes with H&R Block online and the most I get charged is around $30 bucks.  I typically file around early-mid Feb and get my returns in early-mid March.  They also offer state tax packages too, and I can't remember how much they cost off the top of my head.

FYI - I know you're in Chicago, but some of the towns close to the IL/WI border are very nice and I think low COL too.  I grew up in that part of WI and it was nice.

[WindyCityMom]

I love that area! :) My stepfather has family in Pleasant Prairie and we used to go there all the time when I was younger.  I loved it- quiet and peaceful- but not TOO quiet, lol.

[shayinme]

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom 

Originally Posted by Eman'smom 

You need to come up with a budget or else 2 months after you move out you are going to be back in the basement.

Given the numbers you have given with the tax return and his income you have about 2,000 dollars a month (20,000 a year and 6,000 in tax return).   You don't pay rent, utilities, car loan, student loans, you have medicaid.......  The only expenses you say you have are food (200 a month) and gas,and credit cards.   Yet you say you still are using the credit cards, if you are still charging then you aren't really paying them off.

You have the start of a plan, and that is great.  However you need to figure out where your money is going.

During non-peak months (so anything other than Oct/Nov/Dec), DH takes home about $800-1000/mo., sometimes more.  During peak months he earns that in a single paycheck if his sales are high.  I think DH needs to look for another job but I'm not sure where.  I agree, some serious budgeting is in order.

I will look into a waitressing job at night- we have a Golden Nugget really close by.  I'm of the clumsy sort though and waitressing is something that I'm really intimidated by.

And thank you so much for your wisdom, honeybunmom!  I agree, she would adjust, but she's a stubborn little one who loves her nursies.  We'll see how it goes- I need to get a job first! (And before that, I need to get over this flu...)  I also agree that the neighborhood isn't as important as getting away from our health hazardous situation, so I've got more options than I had originally thought.  I know that there are 1br apartments for 600 around Senn high school- very small but safe and cute nonetheless.  The back door leads to the bedroom though... that's kind of strange.  When we move, it is looking like that will be likely where we will go- or someplace similar. 

I used to live in the area a little south of Senn HS (Andersonville) and while Andersonville is definitely pricey the area between there and Rogers Park should be affordable especially near Clark St where you will have access to transportation and other things. Also look at Rogers Park, I know it can be hit or miss depending on street but as far as access to things and public transit you can't beat it also last I heard it hasn't gentrified so much that its unaffordable compared to all hoods of Wicker Park and Bucktown. Good thing though about Rogers Park is you have access to plenty of cheap produce markets, etc.

[Katie T]

WIC does not do home visits. I have a friend who is living in a apt with lead paint and she is getting state assistance. As far as the mold goes spray it down with straight vinegar once a day. It will kill it. Clean the apt with wet cloths to take care of lead dust and paint chips.

I agree that you need to move out but you can't blame your MIL for everything. She is being very kind by letting you stay there rent free. I was a single mom making 8.50 a hr and did it all with no help because I refused. I didn't want to be part of the stigma that is single moms. My rent was 300 (a bedroom of a trailer!) and daycare was 400. Add in all the other costs of living and I was very very poor! No cable, no internet, nothing new, pretty much nothing. It was very hard but at the time I didn't see it as that because I was on my own, I was doing it!!! I don't know if I could go back to those days.

My point being is that if you shouldn't point blame, you should go out there and be a adult as scary and not fun as it is. You may have to get rid of extras if you have any. Internet, fancy phones with data plans, cable, eating out, drinking pop. You will most likely really have to learn a different way of living life but it will be so worth it. Then you too will look back and wonder how you managed and be so proud of where you are now!!

[tracymom1]

Hi Megan!

I hope your plan works out well and you guys get out soon!!  I was going to suggest Roger's Park or Uptown - maybe even near north suburbs like Lincolnwood or Morton Grove.  There are actually some affordable apartments over here by us, too, if you do some walking the neighborhood (around Irving and California).  I will keep my eyes open for you!

[~Boudicca~]

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom 

I will look into a waitressing job at night- we have a Golden Nugget really close by.  I'm of the clumsy sort though and waitressing is something that I'm really intimidated by.

 Haha don't let that stop you.  I am seriously lacking in most things requiring spatial awareness and balance (really. I am one of those people that can knock things over by merely being near them--friends and family have busted my balls about it forever lol) but somehow I have managed to wait tables for 12 years.  It's something that comes with time and practice.
 

[WindyCityMom]

I just got a huge slap in the face, so to speak. 

Yesterday I was upstairs in MILs house, because if I come home by myself I don't feel comfortable to go through the gangway to the back door to go home.  I meant to just walk through and go downstairs but my SIL stopped to say hi to the baby.  At the same time, DHs cousin walked in the door.  They rent from  GMIL (they live in the attic, GMIL lives on the 2nd floor, and MIL lives on the 1st floor).  They pay MIL for the cable.  They came to tell MIL that they were sorry but they wouldn't have the money for the cable right away.  MIL said it was fine.

SIL then walked over to MIL as MIL was walking away into the other room and started her nosy "what did they want!" conversation (she's 16yo, lol).  MIL told her, and SIL asked "well didn't they just have the floor redone?"  MIL said that GMIL paid for it.  SIL asked why.  MIL told her in a nutshell that GMIL is their landlord and that's what good landlords do.  The floor was old and it got wet and they replaced it because the kids were going to get sick.  It was the responsible and right thing to do, she said.  She said it in a "well duh!" tone of voice to SIL.  They did replace the floor the very next week after it got wet.  The window had started leaking, which led to the water in the house (it wasn't a ton of water either, and they redid the foor in every room also).  The window was replaced within the next couple of days following the leak.

I mean.. c'mon. We've been trying to bring that to MILs attention for so long (and we have two mold problems plus a lead problem). 

Anyways, I just left after I heard MIL say that.  Huge slap in the face.

I'm so glad we're going to be out of here.

I'm finally feeling better, so Monday I intend to go check out the mall and look for a job.  Weekends are kind of crazy so I'd rather go during the morning (when managers work) and look then.  I really wish I were able to drive.  I've seen SO many nanny positions on craigslist but you need to be able to drive.  That's my next goal.

[~Boudicca~]

Whoa