surviving with very little money

[momma4]

`ok ppl might not think that $1900 some times more a month is very little but with 7 ppl 3 adults and 4 kids ages 9,7,4,2 (still in diapers) it has to go really far.

costs:

Rent:$686
electric:$240
phone/internet/unlimited long distance: $120 (our phone bill was way higher without internet and unlimited long distance) considering doing a cable plan with cable tv, phone, unlimited long distance and internet for only $145
food: aprox $120 per week not including dh eating out durning lunches I keep my eyes open for lots of buy one get one frees, 10 for $10 deals, I am a coupon nut LOL, and OMG freebies are my friend LOL.
dh's cigs: $60-$100 a month
creditor we can afford to pay: $50 a month
blockbuster online: $16.04 per month (it is the only way we can afford rentals it saves ALOT on gas.
water: $40
car insurance: $123

this comes to an average of $1855 a month

My youngest son who is 2 yrs ok is in cloth diapers and this saves me ALOT of month a month. It has only cost me like $50 the last 1.5 yrs for diapers that I have made and have done sewing exchanges with other moms who make their own diapers. And since I can sew I am able to make some of my kids clothing every so often. plus i am a clearance freak lol. I keep my eyes open for anything under $5 clothes, toys, whatever. I also put up x-mas gifts when they are on clearance too. I have a good size bag just waiting on a birthday or x-mas LOL. But if I don't do that then the money won't be there when the time comes for an event. Dh does not believe me but it usually always we are broke when b-days come and always around x-mas good thing for very generous charities I guess that is about it. I am learning alot with this new group hopefully our spendings will go down within time.

[amomof4]

Switch to Netflix instead of Blockbuster.

Reason:

Netflix delivers faster so you get more movies
Netflix web site searches faster so you spend less time
Netflix has better & more recommendations
Netflix always seems to have the movies available whereas Blockbust always seems to
have a very long wait.

Blockbuster does give you free in-store rental coupons, but there's no blockbuster near me.

[momma4]

yeah we have a blockbuster 2 miles down the road on each side of us. It is like they are around every corner. The coupons they give are also valid for videogames which saves us $7.50 on each game rental that is the only reason we stay with Blockbuster.

[momma4]

my dh is an xbox nut

[CRFSaver]

Thats the great thing about used games. For my Xbox I have never paid more then 20 dollars for a game. I try and stay under 12 dollars unless it is extremely popular. Game stop/EB games sells used games and used DVD's...

[mom-from-missouri]

I got you all beat. We get our movies (old ones) free by checking out the library. As for games--checkers, sorry, and monolopy....all for free. If we are in a wild mood, we will pop popcorn (about 30 cents worth will feed us)

[momma4]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

I got you all beat. We get our movies (old ones) free by checking out the library. As for games--checkers, sorry, and monolopy....all for free. If we are in a wild mood, we will pop popcorn (about 30 cents worth will feed us)

My local library only offers VHS movies and we don't own a VCR anymore we broke our 4th one about 2 yrs ago and my dh said he did not want to keep wasting money on one.

[Bluezy]

Hello Hun!

Let's see....one thing that would save you a tremendous amount of money (and future medical expenses as well) is for your spouse to quit smoking. Easier said than done, but it would allow you to save a little something and help pay towards your creditor. I quit smoking years ago when I found out that my little boy was on his way. I couldn't believe how much money I saved and how my medical bills dropped!

Cheers!

Bluezy & Wee CJ

[Bluezy]

And well done on finding accomodation for 7 people for $686 USD! That's great!

Bluezy

[PrincessPerky]

So I'm wondering, how does the electric bill come to 240? It isn't just you, I always see huge electric bills, but I only pay around 50 (little more in dead of summer/winter, less the rest of the time, but average 50)

Whats different? Is it the area? I mean I do live in charlotte NC so it isn't the cheapest community around, nor the coolest.

I second the congrats on the food, but you could really save on the cable/phone stuff if you wanted to. Mine is 75 for all cable and phone, and I could cut down if I wanted to. If.

[mom-from-missouri]

About the movies-double check with the library again to see if they also have VCR's you can check out--ours does, for 24 hours-no fee or deposit if you have had your library card in good standing for a year or more.
also, unless you work from home-internet is not a have too item. (neither is cable). You can access it free from the library also, and in some areas, even the park deparment or public schools have a place for the public to get on line at no charge. It does keep it easier to keep in touch with family though--but, you can send a heck of a lot of post cards with the money you pay for internet and cable. I love my cell phone. $29 a month, and all long distance I make is free, all calls are free, as long as i don't go over my 2500 day time minutes and unlimited nights....

[CheaplyClever]

I think the electric bill is way too high too. Sounds like something is wrong. You may want to look at the electric meter and have someone cut every thing off to see where the culprit is. Is your A/C running too often? Do you need to repair the 'fridge?

Until I mentally added my bills, I thought Cable/Phone/Internet was high too. But I pay $40 for cable, $40 for Cellular, $20 for Phone (needed for internet) and $20 for Internet.

[momma4]

Originally Posted by Bluezy

Hello Hun!

Let's see....one thing that would save you a tremendous amount of money (and future medical expenses as well) is for your spouse to quit smoking. Easier said than done, but it would allow you to save a little something and help pay towards your creditor. I quit smoking years ago when I found out that my little boy was on his way. I couldn't believe how much money I saved and how my medical bills dropped!

Cheers!

Bluezy & Wee CJ

I have tried for yrs to get my dh to quit again but he refuses. He smokes outside or in the van/work truck to avoid the kids getting contact. He quit back in 96 for a few months but he took that 1 cig and it went down hill from there I told him over and over again if he would quit he would have $120 a month to work with for lunches and so on. but he is stubborn.

Originally Posted by Bluezy

And well done on finding accomodation for 7 people for $686 USD! That's great!

Bluezy

Thanks yeah we are in the cheapest in the area. And we are CRAMPED. Techneclly we do not have room for all 7 of us. It is only a 3 bedroom condo about 1200 sq/ft and by law my kids are not supposed to be in the same room together. I have 2 boys and 2 girls. But hopefully within the next few months my dh's friend can get his own place.

[momma4]

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

So I'm wondering, how does the electric bill come to 240? It isn't just you, I always see huge electric bills, but I only pay around 50 (little more in dead of summer/winter, less the rest of the time, but average 50)

Whats different? Is it the area? I mean I do live in charlotte NC so it isn't the cheapest community around, nor the coolest.

I second the congrats on the food, but you could really save on the cable/phone stuff if you wanted to. Mine is 75 for all cable and phone, and I could cut down if I wanted to. If.

I don't know for sure on why our electric is so high the lowest we ever had the electric in this place is I believe $140. I am thinking why it is so high is my dh's friend has no respect for us and he stays up all night playing video games and sleeps with the light, his computer, and tv on. And he won't listen to me about shuting crap off. I have had long discussions with my dh about getting him out but he feels bad cause this is his "best friend" OH and get this he wants to totally screw us too. I wanted to get back on food stamps to help out abit I know I would only get alittle bit but still enough for a week's worth of groceries which will serously help. but he wants to go in and fill out for cash assistance (remind you he is able bodied to get a job but won't) medical, and food stamps for himself. He is not on our lease cause he was only supposed to be here for a few months then leave NOT OVER A YR. I will not tollerate anyone in this house just MOOCHING off the government without helping themselves. We have never done it nor will we ever. We use it in cases of emergencies and to help us get by the hard months and the summer is hard times for us with all the kids home so our grocery bill goes up another $20 or so. That is not it. If he signs up and they find out that I did not put him on my application I go to jail for 20 yrs and there is a $250,000 fine we have to pay and he don't give a crap. The only thing he told me was "oh well, you signed the papers" UGHHHHHHH Anyway sorry venting there.

[momma4]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

About the movies-double check with the library again to see if they also have VCR's you can check out--ours does, for 24 hours-no fee or deposit if you have had your library card in good standing for a year or more.
also, unless you work from home-internet is not a have too item. (neither is cable). You can access it free from the library also, and in some areas, even the park deparment or public schools have a place for the public to get on line at no charge. It does keep it easier to keep in touch with family though--but, you can send a heck of a lot of <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.qklinkserver.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=&k=post%20cards" onmouseover="window.status='post cards'">post cards</a> with the money you pay for internet and cable. I love my <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.qklinkserver.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=&k=cell%20phone" onmouseover="window.status='cell phone'">cell phone</a>. $29 a month, and all long distance I make is free, all calls are free, as long as i don't go over my 2500 day time minutes and unlimited nights....

I did not think of asking if they have the VCRs thanks I will check. Awesome deal on the cellphone I have a prepaid which is all I need cause it is just for emergencies for when my dh needs to get ahold of me when I am out of the house. which is rare (the emergencies pare LOL) but I make $20 worth of mins last alittle over 3 months. I also got an awesome deal I waited til last min (litterally the next day my mins were about to expire) and they offered a double your mins thing if I bought off the internet plus I am still in the 2 yr bonus plan from when I got my phone so I got an extra 30 mins free ok so here it is broke down I paid $21 and some change (taxes) for a 40 min card and they gave me 40 mins free plus my bonus 30 mins so a total of 110 mins for only the $20 something I paid and knowing me it will continue over when I buy more mins when my phone expires in August It comes in handy like yesterday it was pouring and I got stuck at the store so I just called my husband's friend to come pick me up since he is using OUR van for free. I just bribed him with an icecream cone (bought a box for the kids for behaving it is a rare treat)

[momma4]

Originally Posted by CleverButCheap

I think the electric bill is way too high too. Sounds like something is wrong. You may want to look at the electric meter and have someone cut every thing off to see where the culprit is. Is your A/C running too often? Do you need to repair the 'fridge?

Until I mentally added my bills, I thought Cable/Phone/Internet was high too. But I pay $40 for cable, $40 for Cellular, $20 for Phone (needed for internet) and $20 for Internet.

I have the a/c running most of the time to keep it at 78 degs. Our realtor won't replace anything unless it completely does not work they really don't care I just got my stove replaced cause the oven would not heat up. The repair guy I swear was trying to kill me. He gave me one of my neighbors old stoves that was shocking her and it was left out in the rain ALL NIGHT and he thought I would not know. OH>>>>>> my neighbor came over all upset about them doing that she did not want to see me get hurt. So I emailed my realtor and told them about and they were mad that it even happen but they got a local applicance shop to come pick that up and brought me a brand new stove

[marjorie]

Another thought on the VCR is you might try posting a request on Freecycle. I'd make my request short and sweet...
Want: Working VCR for family of seven

[PrincessPerky]

Sounds like the friend is costing you more than your kids. I would kick him out of the bedroom to the livingroom couch and give the boys and girls their own rooms back. Law or no, my family gets better treatment than a deadbeat dude, no matter how much of a friend.

I also have all entertainment stuff plugged into an outlet strip, so you have to turn it on before you can play, it might help to deter the friend, specially if you make a house rule of paying for use. Might not, but it can't hurt. (use the saved money for something fun). Also we sold two of our computers, got the money for them and now we cannot have that many running at one time. (yes we are computer geeks we still have 3 .)

On the Smoking, I know quitting can be hard, specially if he works around smoke. You might ask if he can cut back a little, and let him use that money for lunches for himself. That way it is all reward not all work, not gonna help the budget this year, but might next year.

Oh and what an obnoxious landlord!

[CheaplyClever]

Kick the dead beat out. Short and simple. He needs to grow up and your husband is not helping him by supporting him. He is also a terrible example for your children.

PrincessPerky is right, start by getting the kids situated in their new boys/girls room. Sell the couch and tell the friend he has 30 days on the floor then it's goodbye.

[stretchabuck]

I learned a lot from all your posts....will add up my bills and see if I can get a monthly...and then an average monthly winter and summer figure....yes, it does cost more when the kids are home from school....and more if you have a teenage boy....mine is a walking stomach!

Anyway, Clever But Cheap's last post is great! My only idea is why should the wife be the heavy? The hubby needs to be reminded that HIS family comes first and they are in jeopardy of becoming homeless.....as well as being played for idiots by the hubbys so-called-friend!