I should post this in the forum as well but it is also a vent so here we go.
Lets start off with the fact that I work from home. I do Rcodes for a telemarkting group. Rcodes are getting a lot less and I am now working on my own access database just to make sure I can get 30 hours in a week. But I think they want to not pay for someone to do that now so I might be out of a job. I was bringing in 300 a week. Now My Hubby brings home 874.74 biweekly.
Here are all our bills
Rent 730
Electric 120-150
Water 50
Cable 100
Car payment 300
Car Ins. 395
Groceries 300
Storage 40
Tim's smokes 40
Thank god I breastfeed. That would be another 60+ a month. Now my parents who live with us pay half of all the household bills which help out alot. I just don't know what to do if I lose my job. I try to be frugal and not spend alot of money on extras. I just need some help and ideas! Please? I am going crazy thinking about it.
Need some help!
December 17th, 2006 at 01:10 pm
December 17th, 2006 at 01:28 pm 1166362105
I think it is a good idea to cut down on your cable bill since you can save a lot of money by watching local/free channels. Just until you can make more money again.
Tim should also quit smoking if possible. That will save some money and it will be good for his health.
Your car insurance payment seems high, so perhaps you can look for another policy or consider reducing unnecessary coverages.
Set up a good line of credit with your bank instead of using your credit card. This will save you money in case you need to take out loans or something to get through the month.
hope that helps.
good luck!
December 17th, 2006 at 01:38 pm 1166362707
December 17th, 2006 at 02:39 pm 1166366347
I hate to be another one to suggest reducing cable costs. Would removing a box save you 1/3 of the cost? It is a luxury and $100 a month is a lot of money.
Your car insurance sounds really high. $400 X 12 = $4800 a year? Can you shop around or are you in a high risk pool?
I'm not sure if you heat with electric but maybe try to reduce this bill a bit. Switch to CFL bulbs as bulbs break, lower the house temperature a degree or two, get the plastic film and but it over a window or two, dry clothes on the line etc.
For groceries all I can suggest is to cook more from scratch. Menu planning can save you a lot of money and so can using your slow cooker.
Get rid of your storage locker. Declutter stuff in the house and bring the good stuff home, ditch the rest.
Hope these ideas help. Cutting back does take some work and sacrifice but its worth it in the long run.
December 17th, 2006 at 04:46 pm 1166373971
I would definately get rid of the cable and use rabbit ears for the TV and rent movies from the library.
Maybe you could sell your car and get a reliable used car paying cash. You would eliminate car payments and reduce your insurance payment at the same time, unless your are in assigned risk.
And please use coupons for everything . It is free money! And it is tax free!
I know this advise may sound severe...but you may only have to do it until you find another job. Good Luck!
December 17th, 2006 at 05:11 pm 1166375472
December 17th, 2006 at 05:29 pm 1166376599
My son, who smoked three packs of cigarettes a day, quit by using the lozenges made for that purpose. They were expensive, but now Wal-Mart has a generic brand for much less money. You could save a fortune, and his and family's health in the future if he quits. He has to want to do it though. You might get a break on your insurance too, as policies usually give a break to "non smokers".
You probably need to keep your thermostat higher with a baby, but can you dress the baby in a pajamas and a blanket sleeper at night, and turn down the thermostat at night?
You need to make permanent plans for the stuff in storage, or that forty a month will go on endlessly, eating up your money.
Good luck.
Listen to Dave Ramsey and read The Complete Tightwad Gazette for constant motivation.
December 18th, 2006 at 01:28 am 1166405308
December 18th, 2006 at 07:19 am 1166426352
Hope all goes well I no it's hard but you will get over this hump.
January 1st, 2010 at 01:03 pm 1262351034
Also, if you can't afford diapers, why in the world is your husband still smoking? I am an ex smoker and I think it's ridiculous to smoke at the price of a pack of cigarettes nowdays. Have him go visit the 38 through 40 year olds dying of lung cancer esp after it matastisises and spreads to the brain. It's a horrible way to die.