Spring low income support thread (April/May) - Page 5

[foxsmama]

DH got the job he interviewed for a while back. It is only part time and seasonal (dorm cleaning at UofO) but it's something for now. He starts on June. 7th. I've made $150 in the past 2 weeks babysitting and helping with yard and housework for neighbors.  That is covering DS's diapers and one of my meds for the month. We still owe $950 (eep!) in back rent.....hoping the landlord won't evict us. He sent an eviction notice a few days ago, but has not called or stopped by............

[betsu63]

I don't know where everyone lives, but i have to suggest Aldi as a place to get awesome deals on groceries. The products are mostly their brand but it is pretty easy to figure out what manufacturer they get their products from. For example the oreo cookies.  I am fortunate to not be struggling, but I like the suggestions on how to save money anyway.

[frolick16]

Thank you for the encouraging words.  I am in the accelerated BSN program and start in August.  I know that employers are using BSN as one more way to chose one nurse versus another, despite there being no pay grade advantages in this area.  I would tell anyone going into nursing now if it is mainly a job security choice, chose differently.  I have heard many December graduates had to wait months for jobs and in this field you are aged out as a grad and not hired without experience and cannot get experience without a job.  So yes, more education for me and hopefully some kind of job somewhere.  I will also work to keep myself relevant.  Meanwhile, two broken down cars, no savings and another long summer stretching before me with limited to no funds.  Thank goodness for FS, MA and WIC...hopefully this poverty breaks soon!

[laohaire]

I've a question for you guys. How do you deal with people who expect you to spend money? I don't even mean anything extravagant, but lately we've had a lot of invitations to do stuff that costs money: go bowling, or meet at a museum event (that wasn't covered by the free library pass), even just lunch together.

Do you actually state that your budget is too tight, or do you just suggest something else and hope they eventually get the hint?

We like doing free things fine - meeting at the park works grand for us, but as we have acquired more friends (for DD mostly) we see that most people seem to expect to do things that involve money, and I'm starting to get tired of having to figure out a response or plan for it.

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by laohaire 

I've a question for you guys. How do you deal with people who expect you to spend money? I don't even mean anything extravagant, but lately we've had a lot of invitations to do stuff that costs money: go bowling, or meet at a museum event (that wasn't covered by the free library pass), even just lunch together.

Do you actually state that your budget is too tight, or do you just suggest something else and hope they eventually get the hint?

We like doing free things fine - meeting at the park works grand for us, but as we have acquired more friends (for DD mostly) we see that most people seem to expect to do things that involve money, and I'm starting to get tired of having to figure out a response or plan for it.

I just tell people things are tight right now. Maybe suggest an alternative such as meeting at a park.

[justamama]

I tell people we don't have the money. We always manage to spend $100/yr on our zoo pass (it was $90 this year because we renewed early) and this year it includes free admission to IMAX movies. They show two different nature films and change films every couple months and usually once a year have a special showing of a major film (usually a previously released one, but we don't care!). It makes meeting friends easy, because our zoo is one of the largest in the country so most families have a pass; it's a great playdate and homeschool activity!

We also do a lot of dinners at home with friends. Most of my friends are just as tight in the budget as we are, and those that aren't are understanding.

[justamama]

DH was going to go to school this summer and get extra out in Pell and Student loans to catch us up on everything. He isn't going to be able to get into summer classes now. :(

BUT, I redid our budget and if we stick to it (no grocery budget at all in June but we have stocked kitchen and are applying for FS Tuesday) by the end of August, we'll have made 5 mortgage payments (getting us 100% caught up), paid a small personal loan back to MIL, got bills all or mostly caught up (depending on if we can get utility assistance for June...otherwise we can't pay the utilities and will play catch up through September)! This is going to be HARD. But then DH will be going to school in Sept, get his semi-annual bonus, etc. And we can use it to catch up on my student loans, pay some debt, and prepare for this baby's birth. There is a light at the end of this tunnel! DH and I are both impulse shoppers, which makes not running through drive-thru or grabbing something fun at the store a challenge. But so worth it.

[Gator-mom]

Originally Posted by laohaire 

I've a question for you guys. How do you deal with people who expect you to spend money? I don't even mean anything extravagant, but lately we've had a lot of invitations to do stuff that costs money: go bowling, or meet at a museum event (that wasn't covered by the free library pass), even just lunch together.

Do you actually state that your budget is too tight, or do you just suggest something else and hope they eventually get the hint?

We like doing free things fine - meeting at the park works grand for us, but as we have acquired more friends (for DD mostly) we see that most people seem to expect to do things that involve money, and I'm starting to get tired of having to figure out a response or plan for it.

I usually just tell my friends we have no money.  DH and I have been in school forever, so most people already know that.  Occasionally our friends will ask us to go out to eat with them and we'll have to tell them we can't.  I usually offer to cook at my house instead.  We also have a zoo pass, which is my dad's bday present to DH every year.  I tend to ask for passes for activities instead of "stuff" for presents as they last all year instead of 5 min until he gets bored!  That is another way we can do play dates that most everyone is happy with.  We'll do that or suggest park and picnic play dates.
 

[mamayogibear]

Hello everyone. I am a low income mama. I haven't had an income since the beginning of April. Luckily (or stupidly) I took out a student loan and it paid for more than my needed rent so instead of having spending money I paid my rent until the end of the lease in August. When I got my child tax I called the utilities and paid up front for as much as I could since I wasn't sure if I would have an income for a while. But I am out of school until next September  when I will go to school to become an RN finally.  Then I will be getting a scholarship, grant, work study and if need be another loan (but we should be able to get by without one).

I have been looking for a job as a CNA but have had no luck. The only people I know who have found jobs have either relatives or friends that know them working in local facilities. Home health agencies have openings but I don't have a running registered car or drivers license. I am applying to a few other jobs, I used to be a bartender and before that a waitress but haven't worked for four years so that hasn't been working either

We get foodstamps and WIC which covers all of our food needs. Right now I know I owe comcast money and the water company will be due in one month. Other than that I think I'll be good until August. But that means I have no money for anything, like going to the laundromat anymore, or taking the bus ($5bothways) or even buying dog food when my dogs run out of the two bags I have left (I stocked up when I found it on sale). I also need to come up with money to fix and register my van which will be around $500. And money to move to where I go to school next fall since financial aid in't issued until the first week of school.

Yay, I love this thread. I have been wanting to vent about this for ages but don't have anyone in real life who will listen.

thanks mamas

[averysmomma05]

I was here before but kinda just got lost and been so busy haven't been online in awhile. I still work at the Hispanic grocery store but work 7 days a week and lots of hours is killing me. We just found out our daughter is more than likely has Autism. We are always at therapy appts,dr appts etc so I actually might need to quit work soon as she has violent outburst and has been refusing to go to the sitter and my work is getting really tired of me missing time.

    For once money wise we are doing really well but now bills are piling up on us with me missing work,taxes, blah blah so we are struggling a bit. Me and dh both failed miserably out school this semester so we lost funding and will need to pay out of pocket until we pull our GPA up. I don't plan to return until stress levels go down but he does plan to return soon. I hope everyone has a happy month as it is almost June.

[averysmomma05]

My friends and family know I am pretty broke so they don't even ask cause they know if I do have money I still will turn them down so I don't spend what little I have.
 

Originally Posted by laohaire 

I've a question for you guys. How do you deal with people who expect you to spend money? I don't even mean anything extravagant, but lately we've had a lot of invitations to do stuff that costs money: go bowling, or meet at a museum event (that wasn't covered by the free library pass), even just lunch together.

Do you actually state that your budget is too tight, or do you just suggest something else and hope they eventually get the hint?

We like doing free things fine - meeting at the park works grand for us, but as we have acquired more friends (for DD mostly) we see that most people seem to expect to do things that involve money, and I'm starting to get tired of having to figure out a response or plan for it.

[mamarhu]

I am finally joining in here - I have been lurking in this neighborhood for months, but my story is too depressing to write about yet. The last 3 months have been the worst of my life; money problems are huge, but only the icing on the cake. I am finally figuring out though that ignoring the bills will not make them go away. No matter how I write up the budget, expenses are more than my income right now. I am trying hard to think of ways to bring in more $ (suggestions always welcome!). Right now, I am working only about 20 hours a week - I am a social worker at a non-profit - I am trying to hustle up a few more hours here and there, but it is slow going. I had a couple home businesses that collapsed last winter. My baby clothes business inventory burned in the uninsured barn fire, along with all the furniture and equipment to sell at craft shows. A couple other major income streams dried up, and I only have one home business left that can be ressurected. Unfortunately, it is based on sales of a purely luxury product, and difficult to promote when no.1, the economy sucks, and no. 2, I am depressed.

Thank you all for the indirect support over the last few months. I hope I can offer some in return, as I get out of my recent funk.

[frugalmama]

So glad it's June now - May was just brutal for us. June isn't looking too much better, but I'm hopeful at least!

[Thystle]

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1315568/summer-11-low-income-support-thread

Made a summer thread.   :)

[mamayogibear]

I have heard from many employers that they look for experience above a BSN so if someone has been working as a CNA or LPN and only has a ADN-RN they would be hired over someone who is a BSN who has no experience... However if there are two RN's who have both worked as RN's and one went on to become a BSN that would be an advantage over jut having an ADN. If you arn't all ready on allnurses, check out that forum it has a lot of opinions about accelerated programs that are a bit discouraging.

I was considering getting a BA in psych to get into a direct entry BSN program because it would be easier than getting into a ADN program here (since most of them have gpa cut offs of 3.8 and you have to be a CNA to apply) but the BSN for people with degrees in other fields had a cut off of 3.0 and did not require experience as a CNA but the tuition for a university for an extra year is something I can not afford. Plus I can always get my BSN online in a year and a half through the state college after completing my RN.

Originally Posted by frolick16 

Thank you for the encouraging words.  I am in the accelerated BSN program and start in August.  I know that employers are using BSN as one more way to chose one nurse versus another, despite there being no pay grade advantages in this area.  I would tell anyone going into nursing now if it is mainly a job security choice, chose differently.  I have heard many December graduates had to wait months for jobs and in this field you are aged out as a grad and not hired without experience and cannot get experience without a job.  So yes, more education for me and hopefully some kind of job somewhere.  I will also work to keep myself relevant.  Meanwhile, two broken down cars, no savings and another long summer stretching before me with limited to no funds.  Thank goodness for FS, MA and WIC...hopefully this poverty breaks soon!