Dismal finances

[crosses]

Yes, that is right. If there is one in your area, maybe you can pick up some free things for the kids and yourself. With things being really tight for you at the moment, it's a good place to look for things you know you need but can't afford. I'm sure if you posted your needs, some things would come.

[2moretrees]

How did the interview go? I hope that it worked out well. Here are a couple of more places you might want to check out if your DH says that no money can be spent

<A HREF="http://www.givingboardsanta.com/wst_page16.html">GivingBoardSanta.com</A>

<A HREF="http://p069.ezboard.com/fthefrugalshopperfrm109">Adopt A Family For Xmas</A>

[singinjeannie]

I though the interview went great, but two business days have passed and no phone call. Sigh. I really enjoyed the people I was talking to and thought I fulfilled thier needs. Perhaps there was someone more qualified or that they liked better.

I have a possible interview next week. I had a telephone interview with another company yesterday and the phone interviewer said she would recommend me for a face-to-face interview and I should hear from them next week. I'm a bit concerned that this job may be too far away and would be too much in gas money. It would depend what they're willing to pay, I guess.

re: Christmas, we're still trying to work out this problem. Every pay some stupid emergency comes up financially and takes any money I have planned to spend. This pay it's been two visits to the doctors (two sick kids) and two prescriptions to fill. That's $55.

I heard a woman on the radio yesterday saying that she and her husband were bringing home $90,000 a year with no kids, had $40,000 in savings and $15,000 in additional money market savings. I wanted to throw something at the radio. I thought, how the heck am supposed to make it feeding and caring for 6 people on $2,900 a month (after taxes and health insurance). Sorry - I'm just so frustrated!!

Jean

[vendigirl]

Oh Jean. I know it's frustrating, but just think about how much easier it will be to run your household when you don't have money tied up in debt payment.
I'm sure you've heard it before, but it is so true that it's not how much you make, but how much you spend that counts.
Keep plugging away at it. You're doing great.

[miclason]

I find one thing that helps is not focusing on what you can't have at the moment. (easier said than done), but, in the end, the richest person IS the one that wants less, not the one that has more!...
Avoid the malls and such places with the kids....think about the better nutrition they are getting when you don't give them packaged snacks/trips to fast food places...
This Thanksgiving, make a list of the things that you are grateful for, and post it in a place where you can see it every day....

[crosses]

Originally Posted by singinjeannie

I heard a woman on the radio yesterday saying that she and her husband were bringing home $90,000 a year with no kids, had $40,000 in savings and $15,000 in additional money market savings. I wanted to throw something at the radio. I thought, how the heck am supposed to make it feeding and caring for 6 people on $2,900 a month (after taxes and health insurance). Sorry - I'm just so frustrated!!

I understand your frustration, but hang in there. You are on the right road. And while the above couple has money (and I'm not taking anything away from them because that is where we all eventually want to be), would you really trade your children to be in that situation? You do have a wonderful family and that is important to remember. My prayers are with you on the job search.

[terry1156]

I have my fingers crossed for your interviews too. Does "we're still trying to work out this problem" mean that you and DH are at least talking about alternatives to no presents? I hope that you can find a compromise on this so that your kids have at least a little something.

[jhd815]

Jean,

Please keep us posted about your job interviews. I certainly feel for the position you are in and my prayers are with you and your family. I would definitely consider the freecycle site. People literally give things away for free, most just need you to come by and pick them up and you'll find some awesome things there. Heck, I'll even check my local freecycle area for you if you'd like to see if I can find anything for you or the kids if you want. You can contact me personally at jimdim815@aol.com if you'd like.

Also, don't forget to reach out to community service organizations that may be able to help or assist you with bills. Check in your county or state for these programs. Also check with your utility companies to see if they offer any type of assistance programs or even budget plans. Check with your local United Way office. If they can't help, they could probably give you some leads on places that can offer some assistance. Some people feel ashamed to have to reach out or ask for "welfare" but that's what our hard earned money and the donations of caring people go toward. There have been times when my family has needed welfare type assistance. Help is out there but you'll have to take a little time to find it.

If you belong to a church, speak to your pastor. Let him know that you are being stressed out about your finances and being able to get the children Christmas presents. Even if you don't belong to a church, contact local churches to see if they can help in some way.

It is important for you to find some help and get some relief from the stress.

Please keep us posted and get in touch if I can help personally.

[terry1156]

Jean,

Any luck with the interviews? Have you been able to find a solution to the Xmas gifts for your children with DH?

[singinjeannie]

For all who are following my sorry tale --- I got the job!!! I'm not sure when I'll start, but at least I know we'll have some additional income.

Now to deal with the emotional toll of Mommy not being home in the evenings for my little ones and my Hubby. Hope this monetary help balances out the emotional stress of me being gone...

Thanks for the prayers!

-Jean

[lieweheksie]

Congratulations on getting the job- I'm sure you'll sort out the evenings- time for DH and kids to bond
How's it looking on the Xmas front?
This new job sounds like a new year of better finances

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by singinjeannie

For all who are following my sorry tale --- I got the job!!! I'm not sure when I'll start, but at least I know we'll have some additional income.

-Jean

Woo Hoo! Fireworks exploding in the sky, glitter falling down all arouond

You have been doing a great job of taking postive steps toward everything. I'm really proud and happy for you. Keep up the great work and give yourself a pat on the back for everything you have done so far!

The change will cause some problems, but I know you'll be able to handle these too. Keep us up to date on how it is all going.

[miclason]

First of all: C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!! ((big hug))
Second, on to practical things: the most important thing is to start explaining to the kids that Mommy has to go to work, that it will mean that you will be gone X amount of time, and that they will be cared for by (DH?)...it is important that they have time to "digest" the changes...also, make sure to tell them that Mommy loves them very much, and that her being out doesn't change that...Let them ask all the questions they want, and, if possible, start sharing time with them and the person who will be in charge of them...and make sure to take a step back and be more of an observer on the last few days, so they start getting used to it!!

Good luck!!

[marla]

That is great news. Congratulations!!!!!

[singinjeannie]

Thanks for the advice about the kids -- and thanks for the Congrats! I think I'll enjoy the change, to some degree, because I often long to be more than just a Mom, altho I know how important this is...

I just have mixed emotions and start with excitement and fear all at the same time.

Onward to paid off bills and NO MORE debt!

-Jean

[Tree0164]

Jean.
Congrats on the job! Good luck with it.

Keep us updated with your progress!

[jhd815]

Jean,

What great news! Congratulations! I look forward to hearing more about it once you start.

What have you decided, if anything, regarding the Christmas presents for the kids? Just wondering if you and DH have worked things out there.

[singinjeannie]

Well -- interestingly enough, regarding Christmas.

My DH's best friend is a business owner. Actually, he and his wife own TWO businesses and have become very successful. They are the Godparents of one of my children, as a matter of fact. Well, DH was telling this friend, over the past few months, how tight things were and I guess sharing a bit of our situation.

Well, this beautiful couple gave us a check for $600 to cover our Christmas expenses and make sure our kids had a terrific Christmas. They told us that under NO circumstances was any of that money to be used for bills, but it must all go to gift-giving.

Yes, you could say our Christmas dilemma is solved and that God works through people on earth every day.

-Jean

[jhd815]

Wow that is wonderful! God bless them. I hope things continue to look bright for you and your family.

[crosses]

How wonderful for you Jean on both the job and Christmas fronts! I believe this good fortune came because you have been working on your finances. Have you decided what gifts to get? I'm glad to see that your hard work is paying off.