I knew we were in deep, but when I actually sat down to do that math reality hit!. I have thought of cutting the internet, home phone, cable and cell phone just to catch up with the debt we have. I have done the FPU with Dave Ramsey, but the husband has not. So it is really hard to be on the same page. So last year this time we were almost out of debt and I was worn down with his complaints I gave up and let him do what he wanted.
This next year I really really want to make change in our family lives. Anyone have any idea's on what kind of extra job there is out there for a part time work. I work m-f 8-5, have three children 1 in school sports. My husband is off Fri, Sat and Sun. So idea's for either of us would be helpful. I have already sold the pool table, and sleep number bed, but that money slipped through the cracks on cathing up some household bill, and not the debt.
Very interested in earning money to be able to go buy my children clothes and not have to get hand me downs. I would like to buy at leat one pair of new shoes, mine currently are pretty worn. I
What are your idea's to make more money???
There are a lot of jobs out there that allow you scheduling flexibility. Around here there are two grocery store chains that do. I worked for Breadco (Panera to the rest of the US) who let me make my schedule around my school schedule. :)
When getting clothes, order online. I find there are sometimes better deals and it's easier. Not to mention you can sear "coupon code for.." and usually get a 20% off etc. good sites for that would be retail me not. Waitressing is always a way to work a day or two and make good money quick. Hope this helps in this tough economy!!!
K.
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So, it's easier with three kids and two FT jobs to work another job than to budget more?
I'm afraid, having lived with a man who couldn't budget, that the more money you manage to make, the more will be spent and you still won't get out of your debt. The two of you need to be working together here. I don't have any magic solution to make that happen.
Seems that if you and your husband aren't on the same page you will stay in this situation. Did you go over the budget with him? Does he understand that y'all are going down? If not, tonight would be a good time to start. I know from experience that if both aren't working towards the same goal the goal is unachievable. good luck!!!
In addition to my FT job, I work for a test prep company as a classroom instructor and private tutor. Starting pay is about $25 an hour and increases quite a bit if you get experience, good ratings from your students and referrals. I work for Revolution Prep but other companies are also good. Classes are three hours one evening a week for 6 weeks and tutoring packages range from 8-20+ hours per student and are usually done in evenings or on weekends. A lot of our instructors tutor via Skype, which is a great way to make money without any travel time. So if you liked taking the SAT/ACT, are a good test taker and like teenagers, this can be a great second job. I've been doing this for more than 4 years and it really helps us to pay for things like hockey, karate, and our small summer vacations.
We did Dave Ramsey's FPU. Though I don't agree with everything he says, his method works. We paid off $26,000 of debt in 3 years. It was hard. It took work and commitment, but we did it.
If I were you, I would sit down with your husband and do the math together. Let him share some of this burden. Then, do FPU together. Cut up the credit cards (we kept one in case we need it, but it's paid off), and start using cash. It's tricky to do, but the envelope cash system is what saved our butts. Granted, we had some slip ups, and yes, we had to sell some stuff (flatscreen, PS3, piano, etc.), but it's worth it to be out of credit card debt. SO WORTH IT!
We're paying down the car next, and then tackling student loans. You can do it, but you and husband MUST be on the same page! Start there.
Sell Scentsy. I sell on the side in addition to my full time job. It is amazing and EASY to sell. Message me for details.
Sell things on ebay. I do this all the time as well. Great way to make extra money.
I would, in addition to cutting cable and all the other things you listed, ALSO get another job, like selling Scentsy. Don't just get the extra income only to see it go toward a luxury like cable. Use it toward debt. Then, when you are out of debt, you can buy every cable package you can dream of.
Eliminate all extra spending that is not needed. No dinners out, no lattes, no gifts for you or hubby on birthdays, etc. You and your husband BOTH have to be willing to do this. It is a few years of "suffering" to get a HUGE reward. It is so worth it. My husband and I make very good money, yet we don't have cable. Why? We still have student loans. Therefore, our money isn't really ours. Once all that debt is paid off, then we have earned cable.
getting a job doesn't gaurantee you will have more money, it's more money, more tax, more expenses. Eating out more, driving more, stressed more so shop more. That type of thing. And having a job for a short time will not mean you can quit it later and still be o.k. you tend to become dependant on that money.
Nobody really needs a cell phone, at least one with all sorts of fancy add ons, $20 gets you a decent phone for a month if even that, we pay $20 for two emergency phones, and then use our landline primarily. We don't have cable tv that we really use, our plan was cheaper if we had basic cable, phone and internet then if we just had phone and internet so we kept cable, we have all of like 10 chanels. there are options out there we pay 102 a month for high speed internet, cable, unlimited long dist phone, and two emergency cell phones. I don't know if you can get much lower then this amount.
we are about to do Dave ramsey's FPU also - and i was told that once you purchase the package you can take it as many times as you want and it's free. maybe you should talk to your husband. "look, when i did this class, we were doing really well. now i've let you do it how you want for a year and look where we are! PLEASE think about taking this class with me". either that or YOU need to get back on it...and send HIM to find a part time job on the weekends. sorry, that's all i've got.
Dave Ramsey and FPU changed our life, but it was us, together. We cut out everything extra including home phone, cable, and cut down our cell phone plans. We used (and still use) the envelope system to fit our budget and stay within the system. We have paid off almost $10K in debt since May. It can be done, but you will both have to make the change.
Good Luck!
It is tough these days. I haven't taken the Dave Ramsey class but watched his show and have the book. My husband and I did (what little we did) together. Really try to get your husband on the same page. It sounds like if he were on the same page - you would be out of debt.
Here's what we do at the moment -- we don't have a home phone, we just use cell phones. My next option (we haven't done it yet) is to cut cable (I lived without it for 9 years before though). Depending on how much you use the internet (we use it all the time) - you could cut that next as most cell phones have the basic, e-mail/search/etc.
I purchase most of my clothes at yard sales or thrift stores. Look for ones in "nice" neighborhoods. Thrift stores, you just have to hunt around and find the ones you like. They also have sales so make a list and call once a week. Most of my wardrobe and household items are from yard sales and thrift stores. I find better clothes there than store buying alot. But I love the hunt. I rarely buy anything new, especially kids stuff because they outgrow it so fast or stain it, rip it, etc.
To make more money -- we're still trying to figure that out!
Continue to sell things you don't need. Cancel EVERYTHING you don't need... cable, extra services,. It is tough but you can do it.
Remember delayed gratification.... live by it. SO many people have to have something right now... so before you make a purchase, sleep on it and then decide.
Stop using any credit cards, etc.
Don't let it overwhelm you, just do your best to get out of debt and get some savings built up for the rainy day fund and college funds.
As far as other jobs, consider retail (stocking store shelves at night, grocery stores, etc) babysit,
I'd stay away from the MLM/direct sales recruiters because that does involve work, investment, recruiting, etc. If you make money at that you must have some investment. You have NO investment to make right now.
How old are your children? Can the oldest babysit while you are on a weekend job?
I don't coupon and that can get out of control... buy basics, keep your pantry stocked with staples that you can use anytime. Wait about buying your children new clothes and appreciate the hand me downs. The time will come when you can go do that AFTER you are out of debt.
Even when you get out of debt, remember multiple income streams. Even an odd job can add $100+ to the family budget monthly.
You and your hubby need to be on the same page about this. No secret spending.
Best wishes to you !
We kept internet only (of what you listed), and watch tv on Hulu.com. Also, you can get your phone service through the internet using Magic Jack, and really save $.
I sell Pampered Chef for a little bit of extra money. Really, the products sell themselves and I get to have a little bit of fun with the girls. Email me if you are interested in learning more.
I don't know how well these will work for you but you could try...
From a magazine,
If you are a good communicator
Many businesses, such as JetBlue Airways, recruit hires from staffing companies to work from home as customer-service agents. You can often make your own schedule, working when it’s convenient for you.
Check out these following sites for more information:
Arise Virtual Solutions
Working Solutions
Alpine Access
ACD Direct
Live Ops
If you love trying the newest products
If you always have to have the newest items that hit the shelves, and can't wait to talk about it with your friends, you can turn your passion into profit. Companies want your input on their new products and will reward you for giving it with discounts, freebies and more. Check out the following sites to find out how to become a product tester:
Houseparty.com
Shespeaks.com
Vocalpoint.com
Crowdtap.com
We are starting FPU in Jan. Both my hubby and I. He is the one asking and I'm all for it. We were doing some budgeting for a year on our own and I do all the coupon stuff. It's helped a lot but we know we can do much more.
Hubby works 1 Full time and 3 part time jobs. I work 1 full time (split shift) so I don't have to pay day care for the kids while in school.
Good luck!
Retail and restaurant jobs generally need people on the weekends. Start with stores you like or shop at frequently so you can take advantage of the discount there. Target, a grocery store, favorite clothing store, etc. If you can't find a job at one of those, branch out to other stores - money is money, even if you don't care about the discount.
Babysit other people's children. Try to find a couple of steady customers who want a Friday night or Saturday night date night.
Do either of you have a specific skill or trade? Can one of you do handyman type work? Can you entertain at children's birthday parties (play an instrument, magic tricks, balloon art, facepainting, etc)
Good luck
Ditch the cable. If you have internet, you can watch most all shows on hulu.com. That'll save you, what, $80 a month?
Making money is not my expertise. I'm better at saving it and not spending it.
Does your husband want to mow lawns and stuff on the weekends?
How about taking in ironing? That way you can be at home, do it while watching TV in the evenings, spend more time with your family. You could put up notices on community noticeboards, on the internet, etc.
Also, I do the $21 challenge every now and then to boost my savings or to pay for unusual things. You can google it. It's about only spending $21 for one week's groceries. It's doable and can really work for you.
Good luck!
You might think about couponing also to stock up on stuff, this helps.
I make extra money by doing surveys and being active in websites that give you points to redeem for gift cards. I set aside everything I earn and use for holiday and "fun" shopping, this way little to no money actually comes from "out of pocket". It does take a little time to build up the "free money", but I think it is worth it and it has helps us a great deal.
If want to give it a try I can send you some links. ____@____.com
