Budget for Critique

[Radiance]

I can not apply to safe link, my salary is too high...
I think my reductions will take me to even and then the renter will allow me to start paying off debt.
If I can get food down to 300 that would be anothet 100 bucks.

[graceful]

For long distance calls check out onesuite.com.

That is what we use even at the office. I had cut out a long distance carrier off the land line years ago because there was some sort of FCC charge on top of a monthly charge of something like $5 just to have the long distance service even if you don't use it. So, I had them cut it off altogether so I wouldn't get charged.

Onesuite works like a pre-paid calling card - a pre-paid long distance plan. You pre-pay something like $25-$100 on-line with a credit card and use up the minutes and replenish as needed. I think you have to either use or replenish the account (activity) at least once every 12 months.

You enter the phone numbers on-line that you will call from and you won't need to enter pin numbers like with a calling card.

Check the website to see how much per minute it would cost to make your international calls. The best part that we like about it are that the rates are really low and there is no per call surcharge like some calling cards.

[Tree0164]

- Cancel cable, my son loves to watch educational programs like "between the lions" and "Sesame street. ok, I guess I can borrow some tapes at the library each week? After all I only allow him 1 hour during the week and 2 hours during the weekend. It helps me when he watches 30 min in the morning while I get him and myself ready.

- I am not willing to let go of the cell right now, I

- Eat out, I can cancel this, actually, done, until I am in the blue

- Groceries, I alrady reduced from the original 600, work in progress

- Toys, I need to get familiar with thrifty stores.

-

I am not yet confident to execut this plan... shaky, really

Get some DVDS or your can watch those shows on PBSkids.org

Your food budget is close to my family of 5 food budget for the month- check out the frugal menu.

Get a prepaid cell phone

[ActYourWage]

I am starting to agree with all of you about the sponsored child, but not ready yet. Baby steps.

I- Sponsored child. sigh, I need to consult the higher powers. I think this will be the last one to go, maybe after I cut all others and get my renter I won't have to stop this?

(

Pleae don't take this harshly, but if you can't support your own family why would you sponsor another child.

You're letting your heart do the talking and not being reasonable. Just make sure it is God that is directing you and not your emotions. However, when you are in the BLUE each month, then start giving / sponsoring a child.

[momcents]

1 Timothy 5:8

"If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

I think that there are plenty of families who would be willing to take over your sponsorship. You are doing plenty to Honor Your Mother and Father by supporting them during their difficult time.

Charity begins in the home, and you are being charitable to your family.

You can always come back to sponsorship when your finances are in a better place.

God bless you on your journey to financial peace!

[Radiance]

I believe I needed to hear that, Thank you!

[AlligatorBaby]

Steve, what am I going to put on my cereal???

Radiance, I think you are doing an excellent job with this. You take advice well and put it to use. You are making big changes and working really hard to take care of your son. I think a lot of people could learn from you!

[disneysteve]

Steve, what am I going to put on my cereal???

LOL! There's always soymilk, rice milk, almond milk, etc.

[Radiance]

Thank you for all your kind words, very uplifting!

I know you are just pushing Steve's buttons, however, some ideas for those trying to save on milk, or are, like me, lactose intolerant:
I really can eat it dry with a glass of fruit juice on the side.
There is oatmeal milk and hemp milk, but these two are usually expensive, but delicious.

I became lactose intolerant on my mid 20's. Which is very sad because I love dairy products...

I am checking onesuite Graceful, I had somehow missed that info

[Broken Arrow]

LOL! There's always soymilk, rice milk, almond milk, etc.

Oh man, I love that stuff! I just wish they aren't so expensive.

My second son has lactose intolerance, and would always puke up his formula milk. Consequently, we had to bottle him on soy milk. That was noticeably more expensive, but we had no choice.

[disneysteve]

I know you are just pushing Steve's buttons, however, some ideas for those trying to save on milk...

Seriously, for those trying to save on milk, I'd suggest 2 things.

1. Drink skim milk. At least in my area, the price increases as the fat content increases, so cheapest is skim, then 1%, then 2% then whole milk.

2. Shop around. In my immediate area, a gallon of milk ranges from $2.09 to $3.99 depending on the store.

[Radiance]

Updated budget $7 surplus!

I just couldn't have done it without you!

Updated Budget for August , now at $7 surplus
Also, pending actions
-Find a charger for my old razer so I can deactivate my G3 ($20 savings)
-Find a cheaper options for vitamins ($15 savings)

Short term objectives
-Eliminate debt category ($410)
-Build 3 months expense in bank

Mid term objectives
-Join employer 401k
-Start my son's pre paid college

Long term Objectives
-Get life insurance
-Get long term care insurance

August 2009 Budget

Housing
Mortgage 1550
Taxes 290
Home Insurance 92
HOA 287
Total 2219

Utilities
Water 65
Electricity 100
Phone/Int ernet 65
Cable 0
Cell 71
Total 301

Savings
Savings 300
401k 0
IRA 0
College 0
Total Savings 300

Food
Groceries 400
Lunches 0
Total Food 400

Transportation
Car 293
Insurance 100
Gas 150
Tolls 35
AAA 6
Maintenc 100
Transportation 684

Baby
School/Day Care 849
Baby Toys 0
Baby Clothing 15
Baby non-Food 80
Total Baby 944

Family Necessities
Personal Care 20
Clothing 6
Household 50
Entertainment 40
Total Family Nec. 116

Medical Health
Medical 100
Vitamins 41
Contact Lenses 5
Total Medical 146

Health
Signature-14% 360
Visa-14% 20
Amex-24% 30
Total Debt 410

Family Support
Parents Support 300
International Calls 21
Total Family 321

[psuicyde king]

I've read the posts here - all good advice.

Although I think a little differently than most.

Don't stop sponsoring the child. Yes you need the money. Need you could pick sponsorship back up later on. But you're having a hard time giving that up, and I believe the satisfaction you get from sponsoring this child negates a lot of the negative emotion you're going through right now. $32 to help a life and secure emotional well-being. I say it's worth it without a doubt.

I completely agree that cable could be cut. I have relatives in a similar situation, and their little girl watches the same 1 or 2 DVDs for MONTHs. Get the ones with with a lot of short cartoons on it. No need for cable after that.

I'm sure you already have looked into this, but depending on when you financed your home and car loan, it may be a good time to consider a refinance.

With the high interest rates and high minimum payments on your cards, it looks like the monthly interest is something that could be hurting your budget - look into loan consolidation. You could dramatically reduce your interest rates and stretch the loan out over a longer period of time. This would greatly reduce your monthly contribution.

Between that and the other things you've figured out, you'll be back in good shape in no time.

But I'll finish with my FIRST recommendation. Read "The Noticer" by Andy Andrews today.

[PennySaved]

Sure would like to see your housing bill decrease... that would free up alot of space.

Is there any opportunity to increase the income? Perhaps do something from home just as data entry or deliver newspapers in the early am?

[Radiance]

Actually, I am looking into doing an energy healer course (Abount $100 per level, 3 levels)
Energy healing sessions in my area are about $85.

Of course if I work from a partner's office I have to share my earnings, I guess I can keep $60 for an hour session? I need to research how are these things split.

I have connections with several natural health providers.
I could offer my sessions at my midwife's or doula's practice.
Also at spa's where I was a customer.

My pediatrician who is also an N.D. (naturopathic doctor) told me he can introduce me to other practicioners that can be interested.

At the begginning I might need to volunteer at hospitals to make myself known, but in the long run I feel this is a more sustainable second income, something I'd enjoy and I could do in a more permanent basis.

I do appreciate the ideas, please don't get me wrong, but deliver papers in the early am would be a problem, I don't want to drive my baby around so early.

Data entry, that sounds better and something I can moonlight at.
Do you know where/how can I find such opportunity? I guess customer service could work too. My baby goes to sleep at 9:00PM