Just Want to Let It Out

Know that you are not alone... It's happens to all of us at one point in time. You will somehow get through it :-)

start a daycare or clean houses....I have one mom in my daycare who's in college & cleans to pay my fee.

hope this helps!

1st) Make Money - Is there anything you can do to bring in a few dollars? Babysit? Go work at Mothers Day out so you can bring the babies with you?
2) Save money - Do you cook meals at home from scratch and avoid high priced prepackaged convenience items? Does your husband buy convenience food out or do you send his lunch? Can you buy a smaller car that gets better gas mileage? Call your utilities to try and negotiate better rates. Track your spending for a month and identify the silent killers that are leaching away your husbands pay.
3) Build a network - You're lonley and depressed. Do you have a good church? Times like now it helps to have faith and also to surround yourself with good positive happy people. You can build a network of friends and get to do a lot of fun activities that are free and good for the whole family. If not church, a Mops group or can you make friends with the other moms at the park? It really helps to talk to people.
Good Luck

Your not alone! I doubt that you are doing anything wrong, the majority of families are struggling with money (mine included) no matter how hard they work. I hope letting it out helps you feel better! :)

Have you thought about not having a cell phone, cable, or internet? I know it sounds old fashioned, but those are not must haves. We cut our cable and never got a cell phone (just a land line). Another idea, how about one car? My husband and I shared a car for the first 8 years of our marriage. I know that no one wants to hear any of these ideas, but they really do save you a big chunk of money every month, especially when you are trying to get ahead.

If anyone is interested, Creflo Dollar has a 21 day class on his website about finances. I'm working on the spiritual maturity one now. But I'll do the finance one next. Just google Creflo Dollar :)

Well if the self employment isn't bringing in enough money or money on a regular basis and you can't find a job then maybe your husband needs to find a "regular" job and do the self employment on the side. Have you checked into other forms of assistance (rental assistance, food stamps, etc.)? Best of luck.

I highly recommend Dave Ramsay's book "Financial Peace" or "The Total Money Makeover". Get O. free from the library.
It will teach you to learn to live on less than you make--especially if you are living paycheck to paycheck--it will help. It will help you to see what expenses can be cut and how income can be increased. Maybe look for a 2md or 3rd shift job, even PT til you get it all sorted out.
For food, look into food pantries and/or Angel Food Ministries.
Cut the cable off, stop newspaper delivery, no to-go coffees....write down how EVERY dollar is spent. Buy nothing unless you have the ca$h. Cut up all credit cards immediately!
A budget is a MUST especially when money is tight. And income is variable (as with a lot of self-employed folks).
Best of luck!

I created a spreadsheet to keep my husband and I organized and extremely budgeted.

I was grocery shopping on $50 and $60 for 4 and making it last a couple of weeks. It can be done... HARD as hell but it can be done.

If you're interested in looking at my spreadsheet, email me @ ____@____.com.

I have SO been there. I would just want to know why you don't have any access to the finances. My husband and I both have access to the accts and have the ability to withdraw or deposit.

Most banks and credit unions have web access and you can do all kinds of things right from their site. I balance our acct at least once a week... To the PENNY. That keeps us from being overdrawn.

When we were at the point of owing more than we were bringing in, I did what Tracy K said and worked with as many that would work with me... For Credit Cards, utilities, and school loans. Then, I decided what was more important.... A good credit score or food for my family. I was 'scoring' my bills. From way important (food, roof, and transportation) to meh, they can wait... They can't take my health away or my education away...

Dave Ramsey all the way!! Listen to his show. Read his books, take his class. You are in control of your finances and your future. Only you can help yourself.

Lots of people are struggling right now. The economy is not good. I've been in your shoes and I"m jsut starting to see abouve the whole a little. Its just hard..
I agree with the poster that said your huby maybe should look for something different and do his thing on the side.

Can you keep kids in your home. Thats a good way to earn some extra but yet still be able to stay with your kids.

Good luck and lots of prayers your way.

I am a stay at home mom. In order for us to do this, we only have one vehicle and we didn't have a cell phone for a couple of years. It's still hard financially. You may want to list all of your bills that you have and downsize on the ones that you can until you can get back above water, ie: cable, cell phone/land line (have one or the other but not both), internet, you can see if your electric company can put you on a budget program, make sure you wash clothes in the early morning where the energy cost is down and don't do it past 9am.
Sit down with your hubby and talk to him about cutting down where you can. You can also look into financial counseling because they can help you organize and minimize your bills to where it can help you all get back on your feet.
There are so many families in financial crisis.....I just hope and pray that we all can climb out of this hole.
Hope this helps. It's always good to vent and whenever you need to, we moms are here for you. :-)

if you go to church does your church offer any personal finance assistance? ie- they'll help you figure out how to budget for what you make and live within your means?

I know it can be hard these days, but don't give up hope. Just try to do the best you can with what you've got.

best wishes-

Sometimes it just feels like you've been abandoned and have to do it on your own, doesn't it. Sorry Kate. I'm glad you vented to us...... as far as advice.....

Tracy K is good. Listen to her!

Would you be interested in hearing about an opportunity that is helping us earn more money and has helped a lot of others as well? Not sure if it is for you or not, but wanted to throw that out there just in case. Sorry for all you are going through. You will get through it! God bless you.

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