~~~~2013 Low Income Support Thread~~~~ - Page 2

[maciascl]

Justmama: Wow! That is quite the amazing score!

We are all sick here so I am not able to go to my small Sunday job watching kids today. Sad to see money lost. Then again the church I am working for is small to begin with and the older members are not wanting to be very family friendly which is causing alot of familys to leave. I have a sinking feeling that that job is going to dissappear very soon anyway.

We did find out that the manager above DH is leaving at the end of the month and he will get that job, but we don't know what that will mean money wise. It is likely to be a sizeable raise, but not enough to get us off of FS. However it will be enough that we can actually cover all the normal bills each month and breathe a tiny bit. Either that or it will be just enough to get us off FS and state medical insurance leaving us right where we are now once we pay for medical insurance. Either way it will be a blessing and I am going to keep looking at it that way.

Still have not gotten a journal, but I did find a school compostition book (a slight step up from a spiral notebook) I wrote in a couple times a year or so ago. I may just use that up until I can get something better. I did also manage to get some make up at some good prices too. I have decided that 2013 is finally going to be the year I start taking care of me again, so this is a big step in the right direction. I miss makeup and looking put together. Next step will be to get myself exercising and find some decent clothes that actually fit. We had a Savers thrift store open here a few months ago but I haven't made it over there yet to look for clothes. I've heard they are pretty great trift stores.

[justmama]

Ooooooh, definitely stop by Savers.  That's where I got that stuff for my kids!  I super heart Savers.  I also buy stuff from there to consign and make a few extra bucks.  

[greenmamato2]

Hi all!  It's been a while since I've had time to be here on Mothering, but I've decided to take a little time tonight and tomorrow day, for me.  This was the first place I stopped. 

Finances have been on my mind a LOT lately.  We're getting our income tax refund, and found out hubby will be getting a sizable amount over and above costs from going to school (FAFSA).  Nobody hate me, but I'm actually really stressed about the windfall, because I feel an incredible sense of responsibility for it.  We've had a history with getting big amounts years ago with hubby's military bonuses, and being the inexperienced kids we were, we spent every dime on stupid stuff.  I'm 30 now and want to make sure that we are wise with our resources.  A lot of my mindset lately is focused around weighing options and finding the best way to spend/save/invest it.   I know we can (and will) save a bundle of it for a rainy day, but I want to try to make it work for us too. 

We talked about buying a house (we could feasibly afford a modest down payment), but it would increase the amount we pay each month for housing, and until our monthly income is greatly increased, and we are more secure (ie - both parties have jobs, instead of one), I don't want to increase our monthly bills.

I'm also looking at options for investing it to start my own business (but doing what???!)

I'm used to being a squirrel of sorts, or maybe just a miser.  I don't know what to do, and I am petrified of making the wrong choice, turning around, and the $ is gone.

[micah_mae_]

So my son broke our PS3. I couldn't really care less, it sucks but eh. My DH on the other hand plays several hours of NHL13 a night. Today he says "I think we should get a new PS3 with our tax return. Sorry to break it to you honey but that tax return is already gone to bills and necessary things. I'm just irritated because he never takes an interest in our finances until he wants something silly.

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by micah_mae_ 

So my son broke our PS3. I couldn't really care less, it sucks but eh. My DH on the other hand plays several hours of NHL13 a night. Today he says "I think we should get a new PS3 with our tax return. Sorry to break it to you honey but that tax return is already gone to bills and necessary things. I'm just irritated because he never takes an interest in our finances until he wants something silly.

My DH is kinda like that sometimes and it makes me CRAZY!! He love bicycles and works at a bike shop so he is surrounded by bikes and accessories all day and he does get a great discount but we still have BILLS TO PAY!!

[justmama]

Yeah.  Ummmmm.  Not to be the crazy bitter ex-wife but that's a typical man thing.  It's messed up.  Quite selfish in my humble opinion.

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by justmama 

Yeah.  Ummmmm.  Not to be the crazy bitter ex-wife but that's a typical man thing.  It's messed up.  Quite selfish in my humble opinion.

I just did a rough draft of our taxes using his LES instead of W2 just to get an estimate of how much to expect with our tax return. By the time we pay for the midwife and the move we will have nothing left over so...he will just have to suck it up. There's a reason he wants me to be in charge of finances, he's irresponsible and immature.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

My husband is the same way!  He will off and on let me be in control of the money because I put bills before fun things but right now he is deciding how the money gets spent and it's so frustrating! 

So today I felt like a horrible mom.  The electric rates are crazy high in NH and they just increased the rates this month.  Our bill went up to $100 this month and we have a tiny 2 bedroom one bath home.  So I was telling my daughter that we need to make sure we keep the kitchen and dining room lights off when we aren't in there even though the downstairs is pretty much one open square so it's kind of easy to leave the lights on. I told her our electric bill was $100 and that's a lot of money so I just wanted her help in keeping the cost down. So then a bit later she told me to go look on my bed. I go up there and her piggy bank was on my bed with a note that said that I could have all her money to pay for the electric bill.  But at the bottom there was a ps that I needed to return the piggy bank after I took the money out.  I told her thanks but I had enough money to cover it and now I really need to make sure I don't accidentally stress her out about  money. 

I've been trying to think of a way to earn money now that my husband's work hours are supposed to get more consistent.  One of my friends went to a home party where there was a consultant for long storage food.  Prepping is all the rage right now so maybe that would be a good job.  She looked it up online and the investment for the kit is $200.  Something to keep in mind.  It seems like the most practical of all the home party businesses

[zebra15]

I just started doing those surveys on the bottom of receipts.  I got the idea from another thread on there.  Someone has to win the $$ right?   I also need to start couponing again.  I am GF and things are so $$$.  I need to contact companies, and such.  Kiddo still eats regular stuff but he is eating more and more these days.

I sign the contract on the rental condo on Monday.  I have no idea how that is going to effect my budget and after March I'm responsible for health insurance ($300 month plus 3k deductible and then 80/20 plan)  and we are a sickly house with asthma, my stomach issues and mental health issues.   Medical is going to cost more than my rent.  OMG.

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by EarthyMamaofDaisy 

My husband is the same way!  He will off and on let me be in control of the money because I put bills before fun things but right now he is deciding how the money gets spent and it's so frustrating! 

So today I felt like a horrible mom.  The electric rates are crazy high in NH and they just increased the rates this month.  Our bill went up to $100 this month and we have a tiny 2 bedroom one bath home.  So I was telling my daughter that we need to make sure we keep the kitchen and dining room lights off when we aren't in there even though the downstairs is pretty much one open square so it's kind of easy to leave the lights on. I told her our electric bill was $100 and that's a lot of money so I just wanted her help in keeping the cost down. So then a bit later she told me to go look on my bed. I go up there and her piggy bank was on my bed with a note that said that I could have all her money to pay for the electric bill.  But at the bottom there was a ps that I needed to return the piggy bank after I took the money out.  I told her thanks but I had enough money to cover it and now I really need to make sure I don't accidentally stress her out about  money. 

I've been trying to think of a way to earn money now that my husband's work hours are supposed to get more consistent.  One of my friends went to a home party where there was a consultant for long storage food.  Prepping is all the rage right now so maybe that would be a good job.  She looked it up online and the investment for the kit is $200.  Something to keep in mind.  It seems like the most practical of all the home party businesses

Aw that's so sweet of your daughter! 

I'm not sure about the prepping thing..I was raised in a "prepping" home so I'm not up on all the mainstream stuff but most real preppers are in the closet about it. What company is doing it?

[justmama]

zebra, I really hurt for you.  I can't imagine if we had to be responsible for medical.  I am so incredibly grateful that we qualify for medicaid.  I know medicaid takes a lot of flack from all sides but I absolutely LOVE that it's there for us.   My heart really goes out to anyone who is uninsured or underinsured.  Not being able to provide for your medical needs or the needs of your children would be so disheartening.

Edited by justmama - 1/24/13 at 6:10pm

[zebra15]

I have no idea how I'm going to pay for rent, utilities AND medical.  All on a whopping $12/hr.  Not to mention my food stamps also end in March.  I don't have a way to fit a second job in my schedule.  I have a myriad of psych meds and stomach meds. DS has asthma meds.  We need ins but that dang deductible is going to sink me beyond belief.  I can't apply for medicaid, I make 'too much'.  I'm trying to refill all the meds possible right now and as much as possible and get as many appts scheduled while I still have 'free' coverage.   To make everything a billion times worse, DS is on swim team and is battling a major foot issue.  "pool foot' that is not getting better with RX creme.  I hate this.

[happyhats]

I hear you guys on the m3dical insurance. Right now nobody in my family has health insurance. Thankfully we are all healghy but its a major stress. My children are going to be on schip but we have to wait a few more months, as they have to be uninsured six months toi qualify. And of course we need to sit in the office for that paperwork to go through, because the last couple times we have mailed or faxed things in they have disappeared. As far as hubby and I, we will see what happens when his insurance premiums change in April. Right now it would be 500 for our family, and 300 for just us. It just isnt there.

As it is, our income taxes are set to be lower this year now that we are in a higher tax bracket. I want to get to a dentist, but we also need to pay up bills to have breathing room. Its a crappy place to be in, for sure. We are in that position where we make too much for aid, now student aid wants monthly paymentsm but the income hasnt raised to the point it covered it all. And of course hubby is gone all the time to make said money.

[wildmonkeys]

:(

Edited by wildmonkeys - 1/21/13 at 11:11pm

[micah_mae_]

Omg so we had a best buy credit card a couple years ago that has since been paid off and I thought it had been cancelled. I checked our credit the other day and realized the account is still open under my husbands credit report so I told him. I thought I was implying that he should call and close it.

Today I tell him he should take the 2 yo out later to do something and he says "Maybe I can use the best buy card to get a new PS3". I was like "No, we're trying to get out of debt, not get more into debt." So then he gets all mad and says "Then why did you even tell me about the card?!? You shouldn't have even mentioned it!" Um hello?!? It's on your credit report! That's  why I told you, you crazy person!

ETA:

I'm aggravated with him because he's been home too much lately. He came home from TDY and worked 2 weeks of 4 hour middle of the night shifts 3 days a week. Then he immediately went on leave for 2 freaking weeks. I'm not used to him being in my sanctuary!

Also the dude eats too much!! He literally got up to put his plate in the sink and opened a cabinet looking for food! Then tonight I'm packing snacks for our trip tomorrow and ask if he wants anything, he says "No, we don't have crap anyway." No freaking duh you eat everything we have and you eat all the time!!!

Edited by micah_mae_ - 1/23/13 at 6:04pm

[Sunshyn74]

I'd like to join here. I am debt-free, but can barely make ends meet with my child support and PT job. Going full time just doesn't make sense right now, as long as I can keep my head above water. Spending time with my girls is too important right now, plus my dad, who I am extremely close to, just had a devastating cancer diagnosis. I hope to spend as much time as possible with my family right now.

Honestly, I WAS doing ok until November. Then oldest needed braces just before Thanksgiving. My ex refused to pay the downpayment. He said to wait until spring. She needed them now, so I drained my savings and borrowed from my parents to pay the downpayment just a month before Christmas.

On top of this...ex said he would pay for dance this year since I paid it in full last year. So he approved 5 classes total when we registered in August. 2 weeks before Christmas, when costume fees were due, he said he wasn't paying another penny toward dance this year. So now I have half the ortho payment (he pays half), and all the dance tuition for 5 classes. I can't make the girls quit when we are halfway through the year (but I would if I could not do it at all).

So now I am barely making it. I do before school care, work part-time at the school cafeteria, and sell things on an online yardsale site. There won't be any vacations for us this year, but we are ok with that. We are happy to just spend time with each other and my parents. Luckily we live just a couple miles from the beach, so summer is filled with beach days

[phathui5]

Tough day today. I wasn't paying attention to what we had available in checking and paid our electric bill ($81). I ended up bouncing that check and got charged a $30 non-sufficient funds fee for the bounced check. You know what I don't need if I clearly don't have money??? A non-sufficient funds fee. I know it's just how it works, but I wish banks didn't do that.

[justmama]

Welcome Sunshyn.  I remember some of your posts from the single parents board.  Your ex sounds like a poo-poo head.  Actually I find myself nodding along to most of your posts in single parents.  My ex is a poo-poo head too.  

Phathui, did you call the bank and ask them to reverse the charge?  I know for certain that Bank of America and Citizens will both refund the first non-sufficient funds fee as a courtesy to their customers but won't do it again on the account.  I've never done it but I heard of it a lot on here and suggested it to my parents once and my friend once and they both called and got the same story.  Apparently it's bank policy as a customer service thing but they won't offer.  You have to call up and ask.  It's worth a shot at least.  The worst they can do is say "no" and then you are still out the $30 and like 15-20minutes of your time on the phone.  At best, you get it turned around.  Worth it I'd say!

As for us, we are short on rent.  Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, we'll be able to squeak by a few days from now and my landlord won't be too irritated.  He's generally a laidback dude and I've been late maybe 2 times in 2 years????  But man do I hate that feeling.  I had to take my cat to the vet and the bill was twice what I thought it would be.  And by then I was already in the office waiting to pay and panicking.  And I need gas to get my kids to school for the rest of the week and I'm just about to get to "E."  We just have to make it to Friday when I get paid and we'll be okay on the gas and Sunday for the rest.  *cross fingers*  I'm pulling out some nicer name brand clothing of mine and my oldest daughter's that she won't wear anymore and calling our local consignment shop in hopes that that will give us a few more bucks.  I hate selling stuff to make ends meet.  That dang vet bill is KILLING me.  I just have to remember that he's part of the family and we've had him for 6 years and he loves us and he's our responsibility and it was necessary.  Still doesn't feel good to drop $212 on a cat though.  

The good things from this week:

-my mom took me out to lunch today

-mom's friend found cat food on clearance(ripped bag) at the grocery store AND had coupons so she paid $.17 for a 4lb bag and sent it along to me(did I mention she doesn't have a cat, just thought of me and wanted to help me out?).

-The elderberry syrup I spent too much money on for my girls is working really well and their asthma is bothering them much less after several days of taking it.

-Last week the kids had an extra day off school for MLK day so I ended up making an extra $50 watching kids that I normally provide only before-school care to.

-found something in my trunk today that I SHOULD have returned 2 months ago to WalMart and ended up returning it today for a $25 gift card(yay food and sneakers for my littlest one!!!)

[Sunshyn74]

Phathui5, I have so been there. My child support comes randomly whenever FOC decides to pay it, so there have been a couple times where a bill auto pay has come out before my support hit. Both times it was the day before. So frustrating.
Just mama, I am sorry your ex is similar to mine. Not very fun to deal with at all. Blah.

I am sorry about your kitty and I hope he will make a full recovery. We just fostered then adopted a black lab over winter break. Not the best financial move, but he brings us so much happiness that he is worth it.

It sounds like the good is outweighing the bad for you this week. Maybe if you talk to your landlord and explain you will be just a couple days late he won't mind at all. Communication might help keep him happy

[justmama]

Yeah, he's fine.  It was some bloodwork that I didn't realize he needed and would be so expensive when I took him in for the appt.  Usually I'm more careful than that.    But we got him the year before our finances tanked when we could afford him.