When your going to lose the house

[amomof4]

I thought it would be interesting to come up with things for people who are in jeopardy of losing their home to foreclosure or eviction. Besides, it would be kinda fun to give moneyrant a headache. Just kidding tyrant, I mean moneyrant. I really do enjoy your arguments. I sure don't want to banter with you--I would lose.

Here is a link from budget101 on how to spend only $10 for the week on groceries: http://budget101.com/$10_grocery_list.htm

Get rid of cable

Pass on the Lattes.

Discount all electrical cords except the refrig.

Light only one room for the whole familty until it's time to go to bed. Might want to try some LED nightlights for bathroom or bedroom.

If possible, get rid of second car.

Get rid of internet unless you need it for work. Of course, you wouldn't be able to to searches that could save you money or help with the budget.

Cut up credit cards. You can always get a replacement when you're ready.

If you can't pay your bills, call the creditor. Sometimes they will work with you.

Get rid of all non-cash generating animals. (I'd probably be homeless with my dog as I couldn't get rid of her) Sometimes animal shelters and the humane society will help with pet food. I know someone who got help this way.

You could start a day care in your home at night for 1 or 2 children. This way, you're working while your sleeping. When the children go home in the morning, you can go to your day job.

Don't drive anywhere except to work and once a week the grocery store. Try to car pool if you can.

For entertainment, have a family night at home with existing games. Make homemade snacks.

Assuming this situation is temporary, don't spend any money except for gas and the $10 grocery budget.

Turn the heat way down and wear sweaters. If you can see your breath, it's probably too cold. Gee, it's probably been only in the last 50 years that we heat our houses the way we do. Read Little House on the Prarie to find out how rich you really are.

If possible, down-size your home. In todays market it is very easy to sell your house and buy a smaller one. But check the values of the smaller house first. If I sold my house to down-size, the smaller house would probably have a higher mortgage than my current house.

You can switch your homeowners insurance to a fire policy with liability coverage. The only thing that's not covered as well would be your contents.

Re-shop your insurance coverages.

Buy your subscritions in Canada. We even went to Canada to the dentist. It was 50% cheaper. Of course we only live an hour from Canada.

Don't charge your medical bills. Doctors and hospitals don't usually charge interest. And if you are in a big bind, they will often accept very small monthly payments.

Trade in your gas guzzler for an economy car.

Use a tablespoon of soy flour to replace an egg in baking.

Hang your laundry even if you have to drape it over the couch or hang it on the shower rod. Wear your clothes twice before washing. Use 1/2 the amount of soap. Wash towles weekly or even less often. You're only drying clean water off a clean body.

Don't buy paper products.

For feminine needs, you could use "The Keeper". You could also use homemade pads and wash them.

You could use washable toilet paper. Just buy a box of diaper wipes and wash them. I would only recommend this for #1. So it wouldn't work for men.

Don't go out to eat.

Pack a lunch.

Rent out a bedroom.

Get rid of the ATM card.

Shop for lower rate credit cards to take advantage of introductory rates.

If your children are old enough, let them get a job to pay for their own personal needs. My girls started working at 12 for the neighbors babysitting needs. They also raise pure bred pups to sell.

Give your pet their shots yourself. Only rabbies has to be given by a Vet.

You probably would want to live like this forever, but if you're in a pinch...

Feel free to add other ideas.

[Tammy]

WOW! You had some great ideas.

[terry1156]

You had to mention the lattes -- lol. And near the top. You should have hidden it somewhere in the middle where it wasn't so obvious moneyrant will be hear sooner or later.

[PrincessPerky]

Very interesting list, but the milk (4$) and eggs (2$) and potatoes(2$) would be almost 10$ here.

I let my kids have all the milk they want, which is roughly 3 gallons a week. No wait That is restricted milk, all they want is closer to a gallon a day. So I still pay about 15$ per week in milk. but I consider it a savngs.

Now the reading little house on the prairie thing is pretty cool, Noticing how rich I am helps me figure out what is a luxury, not that I deny myself all luxuries, but I am not losing my house.

Speaking of luxuries, I will not cut my hair just cause the length makes it cost a lot more to care for. But it would save money. That is the only thing I could think of to add.

[Lori63]

I live in a 4+ bedroom house with a basement and a huge yard. My relatives in California said it would cost $1.5 million out there. So, when I'm writing my mortgage check it makes me feel better to know how 'rich' I am. Totally off the topic, though. Sorry.

[joesbaby]

You spoke of babysitting at night to earn money, i ebay to make money. In the last month, ive made over 300 just selling things around here that i dont want anymore. some days, like today, there is a .10 insertion fee insted of the regular fees. You save alot of money today if you insert all the auctions you can in this one day. i run auctions for 5 to 7 days and stager the ending days so that i can box and ship things easily. i only ship on monday, wends and friday. the money i make doing that will pay my dsl bill (no phone so cant have dial up) and the other bills i have right now. im not in the postion to loose my house, i have a trailer that is paid for, but i do rent the lot, and i have 3 kids to feed. plus my husband lost his job 4 months ago, with no unemployment. The money i make at ebay is the diffrence in wether or not my kids get special things or not. i used it last month to pay for xmas gifts i still needed.

hope that helps some.
ericka

[Beeba]

I have also sold things on Ebay. If you work at it you can make decent money. I know people who shop garage sales and then sell it on Ebay.

[amomof4]

I wouldn't do a lot of things that are gross either, but if you don't have money to spend, it's nice to know that there are alternatives.

Wow, 3 gallons of milk a week. Have you considered a cow? We use to have a cow. We only drank 1 gallon of week and sold the rest. But it was a lot easier to give the cow to a friend in exchange for free milk. Now she milks, and I still get fresh milk that's free until the cow is paid.

I couldn't resist the lattes. I had just read that thread, and I thought it was so funny. It reminded me of my children when they have to get in the last word. I really do enjoy moneyrant. He is so sarcastically funny in an ironic sort of way. But I don't think I'll ever debate him. I imagine it could get pretty frustrating.

[PrincessPerky]

Not allowed a cow here, no room anyway, but yes I have considered one.

[moneyrant]

Mixed small things with large. Large things matter. Going to lose the house?

Sell the house and get a smaller one.