Ask:
i have been reading for a while and seen how much advice you guys give, so i was wondering if you could help me with some advice.
my dh had gotten laid off from a really good job a few weeks ago and had just recieved another job but the thing is that it pays less than what we have to pay out. he took more than half of a pay cut. we are expecting our third baby in feb. we receive food stamps but i can not afford tp, dish soap. i am getting some help for x-mas. i do the coupon thing, i do not pay for anything over a dollar i just need some advice.
thank you in advance.
amanda
Answer:
Maybe list all your expenses and ages of kids so we know a little more about your situation. Do you have 2 cars? You could take one off the road temporarily and save on that car insurance? You could disconnect cable for a few months. You could go to a food bank, cancel internet, use calling cards for telephone long distance, sell on ebay or consignment. I work 2 days/week just to get out of the house and make some money but it's barely enough and if I want to continue to stay at home the other days w/my 2 kids, I am going to need to start selling some stuff on ebay. I will do a search on there for stuff I have (I've got tons of boys clothes and no boys) and see what's making the most money. I know my friend sold her used scrubs from work, free designer make up she got at like Macy's, and even 1/2 bottles of designer perfume were selling! It's amazing. Good luck to you!!
Answer:
I'm so sorry to hear this. The timing definitely sucks.
I think if you cut corners even in the smallest of ways, you will notice a big difference.
For example, when buying groceries, consider generic brands over brand names. Even with a coupon for the brand name stuff you still save more buying generic.
If you can, buy in bulk and save up. Eliminate "box" meals and do the from scratch way. Stir frys are always a nice and healthier alternative. Use frozen veggies over fresh veggies. That way you don't have to worry about the veggies spoiling before using them...and you can buy frozen veggies in bulk and keep them tucked away for whenever you decide to use them ~ with no pressure!!
Look over your cable TV or Direct TV bill and decide if you really need all the channels and maybe down grade there. Do the same with your home telephone. Every little feature has a cost. If you take away the calling features: Caller I.D, call waiting, Call Answer, you can save yourself a bunch and a bunch in taxes too.
If you have a cell phone, maybe consider using it instead of both a home phone and cell phone.
Check your internet package. You may be paying more for what you are actually using. If that is the case, consider using maybe the public library's access for free.
If you are going to bottle feed, consider generic formulas over the brand names. My kids used the Parents Choice formulas for half the cost and are happy and healthy (and busy) little guys. Consider the same for when you buy diapers for the baby. Especially in the beginning when the baby goes through so many of them!
We also have a bartering board on here. You may want to hear over there and see if you can maybe get some needed baby items for free, saving you even more items.
Hope this helps or at least gives you some ideas where you can start cutting some corners.
Again, I'm sorry this happenned to you
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get as many freebies as you can off of this board! Send them to friends and family too, such as all the laundry soap, that can help out alot!
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I agree with the other posters! We (hubby and I) have been in the same situation while I was pregnant with my youngest. We both got laid off about 3 weeks apart.
During that time, my hubby got a part time job to help supplement our income- but it still did not cover what we made prior. While he was laid off and I was working (full-time), I had a notebook that I would disect all of our receipts and bills and figured how much money we were spending on frivulous things! We shut off our internet, I qualified for free health insurance through the state (since I was pregnant- we were paying out of pocket for hubby's insurance prior to finding out that I qualified), we did not qualify for food stamps because we made too much (by their standards!). I discovered shopping for food at Aldi's- you get more for your money (they also accept food stamps). I would only buy needed items like toilet paper and house products at grocery stores that were on sale that took coupons (of course it had to be a double coupon store). I got my coupons by going to the library (they had a basket with unwanted coupons- I would go first thing on Monday morning). I also joined a food bank that helped people in financial trouble- that helped provide some extra food so I could put more towards other expenses.
A few other things you can try is calling your electric supplier and other utility companies that you use. Some times they offer discounted rates to families that meet their financial guidelines (with you qualifying for food stamps, you should be able to qualify for some other types of assistance). Also, never under estimate the joys of shopping at the dollar store- they usually have household items (toliet paper and cleaning products) if you are in a bind and can't get a good deal on toliet paper.
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don't forget Angelfood! find out if they have it avalible in your area, go to angelfoodministries.com they are wondreful! Also turn off lights when you are not in the room. Turn down the heat and put on sweaters. Sell your car(if it's fewer) and buy a good 1,000 car. Good Luck!
-C.
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all the suggestions here are great ones. overall amanda, it reads like you are really in survival mode. although it will be hard, but if im understanding correctly you do not have any extra money, even some for tp and soap. if that is truely the case, then you have to get bare bones about your money and go into emergency mode. and like the other posters, emergency mode is
getting rid of all extras - cell, cable, pizza dinners, conveinance food, beer, cig's, whatever it is. even an extra car and even downsizing where you live.
i would also tell the relatives who give you gifts (and your kids) that you need wal mart cards or whatever cards to buy necessities. now is not the time to keep up appearances and get bath gels and yet another toy for your kids from well meaning relatives....if you cant afford tp, ask for gift cards.
i hope you get through this as smooth as possible....good luck!
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You can get WIC along with food stamps. That way, you don't have to buy milk, cheese, etc with your food stamps. You can get 6 rolls of tp at family dollar for $1. I can understand where you are coming from. I had to take our rolled coins to the bank today, so I could get some $ to go and buy milk and bread. Call your mayor's office or city hall they should be able to direct you to some charities that can help with the non food items.
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I know this may seem very small but Walmart has free samples all the time on their website:
This month it includes Tide laundry det., personal femine products, and hand lotion. It may seem like a pain but their samples are always great and arrive quickly. The tide for example normally includes enough for 1-2 loads of laundry. Think about all your friends and family that live close to you and send a sample to their house as well. Every little bit helps out -- laundry soap is a big expense. If you have 4-5 friends it would be enough for 1-2 weeks of laundry depending on your family size. Check back often as they seem to change every 2-3 weeks.
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thanks for all the advice.
my expenses are rent which is 500 a month
my lights and gas is about 300 a month
i only have only car and no payments and my car insurance paymnt is 110 a month
my kids ages are 6 yrs and 20 months which is still in diapers they both wear second hand clothes i sign up for tons of free samples
my husband makes about 200 a week. i get 508 in food stamps a month i recieve wic and where i am from they do not give got tp and soap from the charties i tried i dont buy anything unless i have a coupon and it is on sale. also i just recieved help with my lights and gas but it was enugh to keep us turned on due to having a disconnect notice