re: single moms how do you do it?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Vivian [♥]:</b>" I stopped paying everything else. You need that car. Credit cards, renters insurance, medical bills. ... [snip!] ... really matter anymore. Rent and food and daycare was all I could do. My elec bill got over $1000 and they never shut it off."</blockquote>




The renters is $21 a month and Adt is $45. My house was broken into twice so I do need those bc I lost everything both times. I got my Adt lowered by $10 though by calling. My phone lowered by $5. The credit card is secure. I only owe $200 on it then I use it for emergencies. It builds my credit too. I don't have internet and my cable is free. I don't go shopping or out to eat. I only eat fresh produce, beans, nuts and seeds. I'm going to try to only spend $25 a week on groceries but I have to feed lo too. Idk what else I can cut  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" honestly to me it sounds like you need a good budget plan. $16 an hour is a very decent pay check. Have ... [snip!] ... and thanks to dave ramseys budget plan and scholarships/grants and childcare assistance I am barely making it, but making it."</blockquote>




My budget was listed above. I don't see what else I can cut. I can't just stop paying my car and let the bank take it. I'm not going to get a payment lower than 210 a month. I am going to try to refinance it maybe. I don't have savings or anything to buy a new or used car. I can't move bc I won't find anywhere cheaper. I am already in the hood. Only place I can cut is food. I am going to try to work 12 hours overtime a week and I am interviewing two sitters today. No daycares are open 24/7 here or do part time other than a smurffy one. Plus my job won't let me go to days. It just seems so difficult to really be a true single mom not on assistance. If I go back to school then I am missing more time with my daughter and I think you have to take 3 or more classes to defer if I'm.not mistaken. I'm not getting any more student loans. I already owe $6000 for 2 semesters. I don't have medical bills or credit cards other than my secures credit card I owe like $200 on it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" honestly to me it sounds like you need ... [snip!] ... owe $6000 for 2 semesters. I don't have medical bills or credit cards other than my secures credit card I owe like $200 on it."</blockquote>


Are there no food pantries in your area? Did you google it? That's how I found ours. Its made a world of difference.the little money we have goes towards produce since we get some meat, grains and staple items from food pantry.

Like I said, do you keep everything unplugged? The TV is a big electricity sucker

<blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" honestly to me it sounds like you need ... [snip!] ... owe $6000 for 2 semesters. I don't have medical bills or credit cards other than my secures credit card I owe like $200 on it."</blockquote>

Maybe I just don't get how it works, but why can't you trade in your car for a cheaper one and downgrade so that you aren't paying so much per month??

<blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" how do you know you don't qualify? Do ... [snip!] ... year) 25 credit card 60 to 80 diapers 30 to 60 baby foods<she won't eat what I make That does not even count food and taxes"</blockquote>



And all of your bills add up to around $2000 and I even added in $100 for food. You said you made $16 an hour.....how many hours do you work? If you always work full time then I'm not seeing how you will have a seriously difficult time because you should have around $600 or so after all your bills....

Quoting O ♥ G:" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" ... [snip!] ... I'm not seeing how you will have a seriously difficult time because you should have around $600 or so after all your bills...."

yeah. I'm not really getting it either. There's obviously some money being spent elsewhere and some terrible budgeting going on. People survive alone on way less than that.

Quoting Vivian [♥]:" yeah. I'm not really getting it either. There's obviously some money being spent elsewhere and some terrible budgeting going on. People survive alone on way less than that."

agreed. I'm confused too because my SIL lived in Alabama and talked about how super cheap the cost of living was there and how they don't have like anything taken out of paychecks for taxes. we live fairly comfortably off of 18 dollars an hour for three people....

<blockquote><b>Quoting O ♥ G:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" ... [snip!] ... I'm not seeing how you will have a seriously difficult time because you should have around $600 or so after all your bills...."</blockquote>



That did not count taxes and my 401k loan. That is 25% of my gross income.

No you can't just trade in your car. I owe $10,000 on my car with a loan from the bank. I would have to have someone pay me the cash then I go pay off the loan. Then I would need a down payment for a car or cash. Then money for a tag title and insurance. I only pay $210 per month. I am going to see if they can reduce my interest on my current loan which was only 9% anyway.

<blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Cassie♥:</b>" ... [snip!] ... grains and staple items from food pantry. Like I said, do you keep everything unplugged? The TV is a big electricity sucker"</blockquote>



We don't eat meat or grains   but I will check on food pantries here. I do unplug the majority of my items but I will try to unplug more.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Vivian [♥]:</b>" yeah. I'm not really getting it either. There's obviously some money being spent elsewhere and some terrible budgeting going on. People survive alone on way less than that."</blockquote>




Actually I don't have that much money left. That is before taxes.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Vivian [♥]:</b>" yeah. I'm not really getting it either. There's obviously some money being spent elsewhere and some terrible budgeting going on. People survive alone on way less than that."</blockquote>




16 an hour times 40 hours a week if I get that. I usually get 32 to 35 equals 2560. After taxes and deductions I bring home about 1920 to 1980 a month. I know how to budget and I don't spend money on other things. I did not even add food in that budget. I came asking for help not to.be called a liar.

I checked for child care assistance and gross income has to be 1839 to get any assistance. I do not qualify. I am going to see if they can lower the interest rate on my car payment and see if I can lower my insurance. I might remove the renters but I have been broken into twice. If I did not have insurance I would have nothing.

I am going to unplug my electronics and try food pantries. I might can lower my phone to $25 a month. Hopefully I can get my light bill down.

All the sitters I found charge $5 an hour. The day cares are $160 a week and I would have to go to day shift and lose $240 per month. That is if my job allows me to do that and I was told no b4. The only 24/7 day care has horrible reviews and has harmed children b4. Idk. All I can do is try my best. I am going to ask if my landlord can lower my rent $25 to $50 a month since I have lived there over 4 years with no problems.

Thanks ladies for all the advice and help.

<blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" ... [snip!] ... meat or grains   but I will check on food pantries here. I do unplug the majority of my items but I will try to unplug more."</blockquote>


Is there a medical reason why you don't eat them?
I was vegetarian and the vegan for about 10 years and it made a huge improvement on the quality of my life. Right now though, we are so broke that I've had to accept milk and some meats, for now, because my family and I need to eat.

Not sure what time you sleep but what about watching another persons kid during the day while you are with your daughter? If by law you can't have them at your place you could at least be at theirs and then your electricity bill will also go down.

<blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" ... [snip!] ... If by law you can't have them at your place you could at least be at theirs and then your electricity bill will also go down."</blockquote>



Me and lo have gluten issues. Meat I just have grown not to like but you are right. I do have to eat. Maybe I could trade it for veggies. But beggers can't be choosers.


I could try watching another child. Good idea. I have to find one lol

<blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting {tamz}:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting momma melissa85:</b>" ... [snip!] ... trade it for veggies. But beggers can't be choosers. I could try watching another child. Good idea. I have to find one lol"</blockquote>


At our food pantry I get a lot of vegan stuff and stuff like Amy's soups, mm like lentil yummy. I also get tofu cause no one ever wants the tofu and even soy milk sometimes! If you find a pantry that's more church based then you will see alot of stuff like that as well as clothes!! Honestly I hate the way all meat except chicken make me feel and still won't have red meat in the house.

Our food pantry and I think others do also, has laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, and toilet paper a lot. They also have tons of canned veggies and fruits. Ou don't have to accept the foods you can't eat, but even a couple canned veggies can make a difference financially.

Also, sell LOs clothes as she grows out of them.

During the day if you have nothing to do, unplug everything and go to the library, mall, park, etc. less electricity and can be fun. Wash out. And reuse plastic sandwich bags, Saran Wrap, tinfoil at least a couple times. Take lightbulb out of fridge. I take a picture of my electric meter every morning. It's become like a game to me t see how much I can save. Soak (in a small amount of water) all dirty dishes so you use less water and soap washing them.

And most importantly, join freecycle and watch Craigslist for free things that you can use like clothes and such. Alright I think that's all I got  .