I am so sick and tired of being poor

I cant take this anymore. We never have enough money to pay our bills. We ar always behind, I have no job and will be having a baby in July...I am so upset everyday. Everytime we think we are ahead, something else comes up. I feel like it will never get better.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

i'm going to sound like a broken record:

TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by dave ramsey

i had heard of him years ago, but Beth turned me on to him last year. i am not joking or exaggerating when i say, it has CHANGED MY LIFE!

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

i read the book a few weeks before stbx asked for a divorce. i was down to one income (the smaller of the two) and a mortgage i can not afford.

i had nothing. honest. i promise you that it can be done.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

What about babysitting in your neighborhood? Do you have any items in your house you could put on Ebay or Craigslist?

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

i just wanted to offer some hugs i dont even have any good advice..the economy s*cks and please know that u are not alone..take it day b day, month by month, things will turn around....

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Posted by Michi

i just wanted to offer some hugs i dont even have any good advice..the economy s*cks and please know that u are not alone..take it day b day, month by month, things will turn around....

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Realistically if you feel like you are poor, there are only two ways to improve that.

Spend Less
Make More

That's the reality. With that said, I would start writing down every single expense you have (including all the little cash purchases you make). Document where EVERY dollar is going, and try to trim the fat. You will probably find you can save a couple bucks a month by doing (or not doing) things you don't even realize. Use a program like Quicken or Money to help yourself out. I do this and I manage to save more every month because I find I am more picky about where my money is going on a monthly basis.

As far as making more goes, definitely look for part-time work if you can find it. I know it's easier said than done, but babysitting is an option like a PP poster said. Or you can take on a night job.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Posted by ave1024

Realistically if you feel like you are poor, there are only two ways to improve that.

Spend Less
Make More

That's the reality. With that said, I would start writing down every single expense you have (including all the little cash purchases you make). Document where EVERY dollar is going, and try to trim the fat. You will probably find you can save a couple bucks a month by doing (or not doing) things you don't even realize. Use a program like Quicken or Money to help yourself out. I do this and I manage to save more every month because I find I am more picky about where my money is going on a monthly basis.

As far as making more goes, definitely look for part-time work if you can find it. I know it's easier said than done, but babysitting is an option like a PP poster said. Or you can take on a night job.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

in money, like it weight management, it all adds up.

ok, so you can't work right now because you're baby will be here any minute. what else can you do?

what do your cell phone plans look like?
how many channels on your cable plan do you not watch?
how often do you eat out?
can you line dry your clothes?
what's your deductible on your insurance plans?
how many cars/car payments do you have?

these are all things to consider... and ways you can reduce your output, to work your way out of the red.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Hi there. I know how you feel and it sucks and it's scary. I'm pg with twins and going out of work at 28 weeks. We're trying to get money any way we can right now.

Can your DH get a second job?? I don't see my DH much anymore but, and this may sound mean, I don't care. We need money. He's working all the overtime he can get and he's painting on the side. He's telling everyone who will listen that he's a painter on the side and trying to pick up jobs here and there. He tried to get pt work at Walmart but the hours didn't work for him.

Get ready to sell your maternity clothes! I've already started taking pictures and grouping them so when I outgrow them or don't need them, I can easily put them up on ebay and get some cash in.

Pasta is our favorite meal. It's cheap and easy. Yes, it gets boring but we just use different sauces. I buy chicken cutlets on sale and freeze them and several times a week we'll have chicken or, I'll grill it up and throw it in with the pasta.

You'll be ok.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

You could try this website-

They provide a box of food every week-regular grocery store food for $30. I thought you lived in VA-here is a search for VA. It is not depended on income just call the locations in your area and they will tell you where to pick up. That may help. I know we spend about $100 a week on groceries

angel food ministries

ETA_start stocking up on baby items now-look on craigslist-people sell formula and diapers. Take EVERYTHING you can from the hospital-tell the nurses your story. Also ask your pediatrician for samples-formula, diaper cream, meds-it all adds up. There are also formula reps who visit the Dr's find out who your is and tell her/him your story. The Enfamil repo was a lifesaver for me before we got my sons formula covered by insurance. It is $1600 a month!!!!We have been shocked by how much we need to spend on the babies(I have twins but still)

buy clothes at consignment shops-Once upon a child has nice stuff and every town has shops like that. Buy every b aby item you can used. I have a bunch of NB diapers I can give to my in-laws-they have a house in VA beach and you can meet my MIL to pick up if you want.

Message edited 6/15/2009 7:42:42 PM.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

You're gonna be OK. DrMom gave you some great resources! Try focusing on what's good and things will get better

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Posted by DRMom

Posted by starryeyes

Posted by DRMom

You could try this website-

They provide a box of food every week-regular grocery store food for $30. I thought you lived in VA-here is a search for VA. It is not depended on income just call the locations in your area and they will tell you where to pick up. That may help. I know we spend about $100 a week on groceries

angel food ministries

ETA_start stocking up on baby items now-look on craigslist-people sell formula and diapers. Take EVERYTHING you can from the hospital-tell the nurses your story. Also ask your pediatrician for samples-formula, diaper cream, meds-it all adds up. There are also formula reps who visit the Dr's find out who your is and tell her/him your story. The Enfamil repo was a lifesaver for me before we got my sons formula covered by insurance. It is $1600 a month!!!!We have been shocked by how much we need to spend on the babies(I have twins but still)

buy clothes at consignment shops-Once upon a child has nice stuff and every town has shops like that. Buy every b aby item you can used. I have a bunch of NB diapers I can give to my in-laws-they have a house in VA beach and you can meet my MIL to pick up if you want.

all i can say is thank you so much for your generousity..i am crying right now bc it is amazing how caring some people are. thank you so much

Of course-and if I have anything else I'll surely pass it on. Do you live in VA beach? One other thing-try as hard as you can to BF-it is SO MUCH cheaper. Meet with the lactation consultants at the hospital as soon as possible and get their #-they will help you once you get home.

You may want to consider looking into your states programs. The resources are there to help people when they need it-ie food stamps, formula help, etc.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Posted by starryeyes

Posted by DRMom

Posted by starryeyes

Posted by DRMom

You could try this website-

They provide a box of food every week-regular grocery store food for $30. I thought you lived in VA-here is a search for VA. It is not depended on income just call the locations in your area and they will tell you where to pick up. That may help. I know we spend about $100 a week on groceries

angel food ministries

ETA_start stocking up on baby items now-look on craigslist-people sell formula and diapers. Take EVERYTHING you can from the hospital-tell the nurses your story. Also ask your pediatrician for samples-formula, diaper cream, meds-it all adds up. There are also formula reps who visit the Dr's find out who your is and tell her/him your story. The Enfamil repo was a lifesaver for me before we got my sons formula covered by insurance. It is $1600 a month!!!!We have been shocked by how much we need to spend on the babies(I have twins but still)

buy clothes at consignment shops-Once upon a child has nice stuff and every town has shops like that. Buy every b aby item you can used. I have a bunch of NB diapers I can give to my in-laws-they have a house in VA beach and you can meet my MIL to pick up if you want.

all i can say is thank you so much for your generousity..i am crying right now bc it is amazing how caring some people are. thank you so much

Of course-and if I have anything else I'll surely pass it on. Do you live in VA beach? One other thing-try as hard as you can to BF-it is SO MUCH cheaper. Meet with the lactation consultants at the hospital as soon as possible and get their #-they will help you once you get home.

You may want to consider looking into your states programs. The resources are there to help people when they need it-ie food stamps, formula help, etc.

I do live in VA Beach. I do plan on BF and I have looked into state programs as well. Thank you very much for ur advice.

Message edited 6/15/2009 9:07:06 PM.

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

Re: I am so sick and tired of being poor

angel food ministries!!!

that's right!
i haven't tried them, but i've heard good things about them to get you over the hump!