No Income Until May... help!

Took my $100 and went to the grocery store last night. I had lots of coupons too, and got them all doubled too, and got the following:
1 gal skim milk (used s&h greenpoints to get free)
cereal bars (for Nate, not me.. used 50¢ off coupon though)
generic corn flakes cereal
wheat pasta
generic marinara sauce (only $1 a jar)
chicken helper (used 50¢ off coupon - i'm not a great cook:P)
3 healthy choice frozen mac 'n cheeses (were 25¢ off each, and i had a coupon for like 75¢ off 3)
2 boxes lean pockets (for Nate, but they were on sale 35¢ off each, and I used 75¢ off 2 coupon)
1 pkg 6 frozen mini corn-on-the-cob ears (on sale 30¢ off)
1 pkg string cheese (used coupon 40¢ of)
1 box mac and cheese (used s&h greenpoints to get free)
cooking spray (used 35¢ off coupon)
smartbalance margarine (2 pk, on sale 20¢ off and used 40¢ off coupon)
borden ff american cheese singles (on sale 15¢ off and used 55¢ off coupon)
6 cans campbell's soups (used 2 coupons, 1 50¢ off and 1 40¢ off)
4 cans spaghetti-o's (on sale for 79¢ and used 40¢ off coupon)
6 cans progresso soups (on sale 75¢ off each, and used $2 off coupon)
1 can veg. baked beans (on sale for 95¢)
1 box rice-a-roni (on sale 16¢ off)
1 bottle salad dressing (on sale 25¢ off and used 55¢ off coupon)
1 can wyler's light sugarfree pink lemonade mix (on sale $1.25 off)
1 box nabs (on sale 49¢ off)
1 box whole grain crackers (to go w/ soup, on sale 50¢ off)

Total I saved $25.58, and paid $45.70 for the two of us.

I did go to Wal-Mart first though and got
3 cans of fat free pringles (on sale 2 were $1.00 each and 1 was 94¢, and I used a 20¢ off coupon)
1 box generic saran wrap
1 ex-large bottle AJAX dishwashing liquid (used $1.00 off coupon)
1 generic bottle of bbq sauce
1 stick of deoderant (used 20¢ off coupon)
Spent $8.91 total

That means I still have $45.39 left, but I think I have plenty now to take care of us until the 2nd week in May. Oh, and last night I listed 8 books and 1 movie on half.com and 1 already sold this morning! Thanks for everyone's help and advice!

Originally Posted by Russell

Eating peppermints to keep your blood sugar level up is no good.

My doctor told me that eating hard candies periodically when I couldn't eat more would help... was she wrong?

[Russell]

Lisa, your doctor is probably right but I just don't think candy is a substitute for a meal. You should still be eating 2-3 decent meals.

Congrats on selling a book/movie already. What is your seller id on half.com and what state/town are you in ?

Originally Posted by Russell

Lisa, your doctor is probably right but I just don't think candy is a substitute for a meal. You should still be eating 2-3 decent meals.

Congrats on selling a book/movie already. What is your seller id on half.com and what state/town are you in ?

No no, I agree, I just meant to use them between meals... because I normally have to eat about 6 times a day, every 2-3 hours to keep my blood sugar up. I meant to use them between meals, not in place of meals.

Thanks, my id on half.com is lisasayzhi, and i'm in boone, north carolina.

[Tree0164]

Lisa,
Can you get a job until then? Something part-time even McDonalds? You really need to find some sort of income until then.

Also do some planning for in the future so this doesn't happen again.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Hi everyone. I'm doing alright. I made it to May, and now I'm working again. I even got lucky because since my parents made like no money last year (my dad alone only made $8,000 and my mom made like $24,000), so I got a Federal grant and a State grant and a School tuition cut, so my schooling next year is FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I'm SO relieved about that! Actually, the grants and everything more than cover my tuition, so I don't know if I get to keep that extra money to use for textbooks and such or not. I've never gotten a grant before, so I'm not totally sure how they work - so if anyone knows about this stuff, any insight would be appreciated. My parents are on the verge of declaring banctruptcy still. They got someone from their church to help them create a budget... or maybe they're writing down their spending so the person can evaluate it. It's free though, but I think my parents' biggest problem is thier Expanded Cable w/ a DVR. They've just been slack about cancelling it. Meanwhile, their credit card debt is getting bigger and bigger. At least they won't have to help me by trying to get another loan for college next semester and getting more in debt. I wish I could help them, but I understand they won't listen to me or any advice I give since I'm young and not as experianced and stuff. I've tried recommending good websites and things, but I'm not sure if my mom even takes me seriously. Therefore, I figure the best thing I can do for them is 1) Don't get myself into money trouble where I'd need their help, and 2) Just don't do anything to cause them to have to spend money on me or because of me. It's hard though. My dad had to take my dog to the vet because he was sick, and the vet said they think he may have cancer. He's 12, and a German Shepherd. German Shepherds typically live to be 12 or 13, and he'll be 13 on September 11th. My dad can't afford to go get more tests done though to see if he does really have cancer. The vet did say he doesn't believe my dog's in any pain though, so my dad said he's just gonna treat him well and incase it is cancer, he's gonna make sure his last days are good. I realize my parents can't afford those medical bills for him right now, but it still really upsets me. I've had him since he was born, and I'm extremely attatched to him. Anywyas, this isn't a pet forum or depressing forum, sooooooo enough with that. Just thought I'd update on my financial situation. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

[Tree0164]

Lisa,
Nice to hear from you! Glad you made it on through. I think that it is good that you are learning from your parent's mistakes about money. Are they doing the Financial Peace workshop at their church through Dave Ramsey? Either way they are taking some steps.

I am sorry to hear about your dog.

Thanks. I'm actually not sure what the deal is with the person helping them budget. I know they went to the church to meet with him to get some help, but they won't tell me much. I think they're embarassed that it's gotten so bad. Hopefully he can help them understand what they're doing that's getting them further in the hole, since they won't take what I say seriously. Thanks for the reply.

Actually, something really cool happened. Our Wal-Mart is remodeling or whatnot, getting hardwood floors and everything. They got self-checkout regsiters, which I now LOVE! You can even pay in change and just put it in like a soda machine. Now, we've been saving our change and bring a baggie of it with us everytime we go to Wal-Mart to use prior to any cash (bills) or cards. We used to use Coinstar at the grocerystore, but that charges you a certain percentage of your money to use it. By using the self-checkout at Wal-Mart, it doesn't cost us extra and really helps us a lot. I love it!

[amomof4]

I always thought it would be kinda nice to take a babysitting job for parents who work the grave yard. Getting paid while you sleep is my kind of job. Oh well, just a day dream.

Another temporary option is to sell your plasma. You can sell 2 pints of plasma a week. And if you have had some really good diseases like hepatitis B, you can get paid really well. Years ago, I was going to sell my plasma because I could get $200 per month because my blood factor is Rh negative. But your tubes have to be tied & you have to prove it, which was the problem. However, selling your plasma on a regular bases will eventually detroy your veins.

Have you tried to ask your parents/family for help? You could also try a food bank. Some churches might also help.

Just a thought for a desparate situation.

I actually have a full-time job for the summer, at an amusement park, where I get around 45-50 hours a week. I only make $7.25/hr, but that's more than I made there last season ($6.75/hr).

The plasma selling kind of weird me out. For one, I don't do well with needles. And, I don't want my tubes tied... I'm only 20 and I want to have kids some day... when I can afford that expense.

My family can't help because they are on the verge of declaring bankruptcy themselves. They owe thousands in cc debt. I don't really have any friends... especially none close enough to be able to borrow money from.

I'm scraping by for now. I just have to start budgeting my money now that I have income again. Thanks for the suggestions!

[jmjj215]

lisa,
Your thinking is 100% correct:

I just have to start budgeting my money now that I have income again

Don't underestimate the power of a consistent budget to elevate your finances to a new level!

That's so true! I've seen the difference from when I don't watch my spending, to where I watch everything I spend. I save hundreds that way.

[momma4]

can you bake? I have the same problem and I have to eat every few hrs or I am ready to pass out. but if you can bake you can pick up a big bag of flour, sugar, cocoa, ect and start making some small things to munch on from time to time to get your mind off of you having very little to eat in the place. That is what I am doing now I know mine is totally different situation we only have to do this now for only a week but I have been in your shoes where I had to feed me and my dh for months only barely anything. We would eat just one meal a day if that we just made sure our dd ate and it was a good thing we had wic and she had her formula. But since I knew how to bake I tried to make the best of it and had so sort of cookie or bar to help the time fly by.