Hi again! If you don't remember me, I came about a month ago for advice on our manufactured home (which, btw, we are closing on in about a month!).
In the OP, I stated that we were selling because of an out of state job I was offered. Well, unfortunately, that job has fallen through. We are still very glad that we sold the house though, because of the giant money pit that it turned into.
Anyway, for the time being I am unemployed. My husband wants me to stay at home for at least a few months so I can really get to enjoy my son. (I got pregnant while in college, took exams on campus a week after I had him, and then continued for 13 months after that while taking no breaks or anything until I graduated.) During this time I am going to aggressively look for a decent paying job.
Our tax return is expected to be the same as it was last year. ~$6800. With this money, we are going to pay off every debt we have - All of the CCs, which all have less than $700 on each of them; the remainder of H's car, which is $600 right now; the remainder of H's car insurance premium that will go until July 2014, which is roughly $1000.
The rest of the tax return will go into savings to help us if we need it until I get a job.
H makes a minimum of $1200 per month. Lately with overtime and extra shifts, it has been ~ $1800-$2000.
Rent - 693 Water - 50 Electric - 85 Cable - 30 Car Ins - 80 Car - 100 Cell - 48 CC 1 - 21 CC 2 - 15 CC 3 - 25 CC 4 - 15 CC 5 - 25 Gas - 100 SeaWorld -25 Medical - 20 Diapers - 20
TOTAL 1352 TOTAL W/O DEBT 1071
Groceries are not included because we qualify for food stamps (461 per month). We usually only spend about 200 on groceries, and the rest I use to buy my mother and IL's groceries as a way of thanking them for all that they do for us.
My question is this : If our total monthly expenses are 1051 and my husband makes 1800 one month, what should we do with the excess? We are completely fine living bare bones. Our favorite entertainment outlet is simply hanging out at my IL's house with family. (We're saps, I know!)
Should I put it into savings? Use it for eating out/entertainment/shopping as a treat? Again, we're ok with bare bones which is why I'm asking MM what to do with any excess.
* SIDENOTE: I hate being poor. I hate being on food stamps. I am aggressively looking for a job that will pay enough to help us. MIL will babysit for free (she stays at home with younger SILs). My mother pays my cell and car insurance. Should I give any excess to her? This is all very temporary until I can find a job.
Anyway, for the time being I am unemployed. My husband wants me to stay at home for at least a few months so I can really get to enjoy my son. (I got pregnant while in college, took exams on campus a week after I had him, and then continued for 13 months after that while taking no breaks or anything until I graduated.) During this time I am going to aggressively look for a decent paying job.
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Are you looking for a job, or staying home and "enjoying" your son? These two things conflict with one another.
I'd save any extra while you're looking for a job. And staying home to enjoy your child while collecting money from the government is probably not going to be something most people here approve of. Staying home is a luxury for those who can afford it, not for those who need help from the taxes the rest of us pay in order to do so.
Anyway, for the time being I am unemployed. My husband wants me to stay at home for at least a few months so I can really get to enjoy my son. (I got pregnant while in college, took exams on campus a week after I had him, and then continued for 13 months after that while taking no breaks or anything until I graduated.) During this time I am going to aggressively look for a decent paying job.
___________
Are you looking for a job, or staying home and "enjoying" your son? These two things conflict with one another.
I'd save any extra while you're looking for a job. And staying home to enjoy your child while collecting money from the government is probably not going to be something most people here approve of. Staying home is a luxury for those who can afford it, not for those who need help from the taxes the rest of us pay in order to do so.
My husband wants me to stay at home but I am not comfortable doing so unless we can get off of any and all assistance. I am trying to find a job that pays more than minimum wage, though. I have given myself a deadline of April to do so. If I can't find more than minimum wage, I will take anything as of that time.
My last paragraph was meant to be more of my explanation of what I'm trying to accomplish now that I'm out of school.
This is not really help with your budget~~ But I have serious issues with your use of Food Stamps..This money is intended to feed your family because you qualify (not sure how if you have an excess in your budget but that is for the state to decide). They have approved you for $461. I find it to be fraudulant for you to buy things for your extended family to "use up the money". All the states are in a deficit, and you are giving food to people who don't qualify for the benefit. If you don't use it all, the state could use that money for someone else. I find this so wrong. ETA: I am sure I will get flamed for this but so be it..I absolutely disagree with what you are doing.
I'm sorry, but why would you think this is MUD? I constantly lurk on this board because I want to one day be as financially stable as the majority on here. I'm only 22. I had a baby in college. Things happen. I'm trying to get my life under control.
This is not really help with your budget~~ But I have serious issues with your use of Food Stamps..This money is intended to feed your family because you qualify (not sure how if you have an excess in your budget but that is for the state to decide). They have approved you for $461. I find it to be fraudulant for you to buy things for your extended family to "use up the money". All the states are in a deficit, and you are giving food to people who don't qualify for the benefit. If you don't use it all, the state could use that money for someone else. I find this so wrong. ETA: I am sure I will get flamed for this but so be it..I absolutely disagree with what you are doing.
How do you disagree with me trying to find a job? And my buying a few groceries for my family is because my mother pays some of my bills that I can't every month. My MIL will watch my son for free whenever I need her to, including daily if/when I get a job.
I'm not abusing the food stamps at all. Trust me. I know plenty of people who are.
Anyway, for the time being I am unemployed. My husband wants me to stay at home for at least a few months so I can really get to enjoy my son. (I got pregnant while in college, took exams on campus a week after I had him, and then continued for 13 months after that while taking no breaks or anything until I graduated.) During this time I am going to aggressively look for a decent paying job.
___________
Are you looking for a job, or staying home and "enjoying" your son? These two things conflict with one another.
I'd save any extra while you're looking for a job. And staying home to enjoy your child while collecting money from the government is probably not going to be something most people here approve of. Staying home is a luxury for those who can afford it, not for those who need help from the taxes the rest of us pay in order to do so.
Depending on her field and location, it is very very likely that it will take her a while to FIND a job. In the mean time there's no reason she can't enjoy her son assuming she has alternate means of child care should she get called to a job interview/land a job.
Do you have any savings? Even with a new manufactured home, I worry about repairs, or a medical emergency, or something of the sort.....you say you're putting the remainder of your refund into savings, but that is also going to help out while you are unemployed?
Why on earth are you getting a $6800 refund? Can your H adjust his withholdings for this year so you can get more money monthly?
I'm not sure how I feel about you buying groceries for your mom and MIL with foodstamps. I know you want to thank them, but that money is supposed to be for YOU and your family.
Especially using food stamp money to buy others' groceries? I know you want to thank them, but I really doubt hat is acceptable.
It usually works out to be about 75 a month that I can give them. It's my only way of saying thank you to them for paying my bills and helping my son. I'm sorry if you think it's wrong but I've done it once, and we will hopefully only be on food stamps for another 2 months or less.
I'm with bucky; are you looking or not? I really think you need to look for a job. Not everyone gets the luxury of staying at home to enjoy their children.
With the excess, I'd save it more the time being. You never know when you'll need a car repair or some other emergency expense pops up. When you're back on your feet, you can give a little to your mom and MIL if you wish, but they likely don't need/want it.
What is the Seaworld line item? I know it's only $25, but it looks like something extra.
Anyway, for the time being I am unemployed. My husband wants me to stay at home for at least a few months so I can really get to enjoy my son. (I got pregnant while in college, took exams on campus a week after I had him, and then continued for 13 months after that while taking no breaks or anything until I graduated.) During this time I am going to aggressively look for a decent paying job.
___________
Are you looking for a job, or staying home and "enjoying" your son? These two things conflict with one another.
I'd save any extra while you're looking for a job. And staying home to enjoy your child while collecting money from the government is probably not going to be something most people here approve of. Staying home is a luxury for those who can afford it, not for those who need help from the taxes the rest of us pay in order to do so.
Depending on her field and location, it is very very likely that it will take her a while to FIND a job. In the mean time there's no reason she can't enjoy her son assuming she has alternate means of child care should she get called to a job interview/land a job.
I'm hoping it won't take a while. My degree is in Hospitality Management and I live in Central Florida. I'm thinking it will take me about a month or so to find a job and begin getting paid.
I'm curious how you ended up selling your mobile home. Where are you living now?
I, too, agree that its wrong to use food stamps to support other people. Use it for ourself or don't take the handout.
I would take over the car insurance and cell phone bills so that I don't owe my mother anything and I would offer something to MIL for watching my kid.
Do you have any savings? Even with a new manufactured home, I worry about repairs, or a medical emergency, or something of the sort.....you say you're putting the remainder of your refund into savings, but that is also going to help out while you are unemployed?
Why on earth are you getting a $6800 refund? Can your H adjust his withholdings for this year so you can get more money monthly?
I'm not sure how I feel about you buying groceries for your mom and MIL with foodstamps. I know you want to thank them, but that money is supposed to be for YOU and your family.
We don't have any savings. The remainder of the tax refund will start it. If an unexpected expense comes up before I can get a job, we are going to use that money.
I have no idea why we get so much. My husband claims as little as possible and gets a good chunk of money taken out each week. But with me being in college and us having a child, we get a lot because of our low income.
Especially using food stamp money to buy others' groceries? I know you want to thank them, but I really doubt hat is acceptable.
It usually works out to be about 75 a month that I can give them. It's my only way of saying thank you to them for paying my bills and helping my son. I'm sorry if you think it's wrong but I've done it once, and we will hopefully only be on food stamps for another 2 months or less.
Yeah, I missed the foodstamps thing. I'm pretty sure you're abusing them. I don't fault you at all for receiving the assistance you need.
I am not disagreeing with you finding a job..I disagree with your use of food stamps and your justifying it. IT IS WRONG in my opinion. I am sure the Department of Family Services would also find it to be wrong and yank your benefit if they knew. There are other ways to thank family members rather than using the state's money to do so. In essence, your fellow tax payers are thanking your mom etc. And as a tax payer, I find that offensive. Your family is helping out to help you and your family. Hopefully, they are not just doing it for free state funded food. Furthermore, just because other's are abusing the food stamp system doesn't mean that you should too.
I'm with bucky; are you looking or not? I really think you need to look for a job. Not everyone gets the luxury of staying at home to enjoy their children.
With the excess, I'd save it more the time being. You never know when you'll need a car repair or some other emergency expense pops up. When you're back on your feet, you can give a little to your mom and MIL if you wish, but they likely don't need/want it.
What is the Seaworld line item? I know it's only $25, but it looks like something extra.
I am looking. My husband doesn't mind picking up overtime and extra shifts until I can get something I will enjoy though. I replied earlier what I plan to do as far as a job search and timeline.
I think that I agree with the PPs that are saying that you shouldn't be using your allotted FS money to buy groceries for others. I understand what you are trying to do, and you have good intentions, but really, if you arnt using all the $$ the state gives you, maybe you can give some back or ask for a lower amount each month? Ive never qualified for FS so I dont know all the rules.
I understand that you want a job that pays more than minimum wage, but unfortunately, you might have to take one for the time being. That would at least help bring up your income enough to not qualify for FS. If you get a FT job paying minimum wage, that would be ~15600 a month, which would definitely help. What do you have your degree in?
I think that I agree with the PPs that are saying that you shouldn't be using your allotted FS money to buy groceries for others. I understand what you are trying to do, and you have good intentions, but really, if you arnt using all the $$ the state gives you, maybe you can give some back or ask for a lower amount each month? Ive never qualified for FS so I dont know all the rules.
I understand that you want a job that pays more than minimum wage, but unfortunately, you might have to take one for the time being. That would at least help bring up your income enough to not qualify for FS. If you get a FT job paying minimum wage, that would be ~15600 a month, which would definitely help. What do you have your degree in?
ETA. or you could just save the extra FS $$ and start an e-fund.
Especially using food stamp money to buy others' groceries? I know you want to thank them, but I really doubt hat is acceptable.
It usually works out to be about 75 a month that I can give them. It's my only way of saying thank you to them for paying my bills and helping my son. I'm sorry if you think it's wrong but I've done it once, and we will hopefully only be on food stamps for another 2 months or less.
well, based on your previous post, you get $461 for food stamps and said you only spend $200 with the remainder going to your extended family. that is over $250, not $75. I also think that this is an an abuse of the system and take issue with it, regardless of the length of time you are planning on being on food stamps.
your husband should absolutely adjust his witholdings. getting a $6800 refund at your income level is ridiculous. if he adjusted his withholdings, that would be an extra $566 per month you would have for your budget.
i would save any excess in the budget to build up an emergency fund. if you have no savings, your credit card debt will be back immediately after you pay it off if any unexpected housing, car or medical expenses come up.
I am not disagreeing with you finding a job..I disagree with your use of food stamps and your justifying it. IT IS WRONG in my opinion. I am sure the Department of Family Services would also find it to be wrong and yank your benefit if they knew. There are other ways to thank family members rather than using the state's money to do so. In essence, your fellow tax payers are thanking your mom etc. And as a tax payer, I find that offensive. Your family is helping out to help you and your family. Hopefully, they are not just doing it for free state funded food. Furthermore, just because other's are abusing the food stamp system doesn't mean that you should too.
That is extremely rude to say my family is helping us only to get groceries.
For the record, I use all of the monthly amount, and then I tell my family to come over and take anything they want. This past month was the first time I have had food stamps, and we used the majority of the food to have a dinner together. And before you all jump to the "I work so people can have steaks from food stamps!", we had a pasta dinner.
I'm really appalled that people think allowing my family to use our food is wrong. Especially when there are months where my husband only makes the minimum and our families pay our bills.
I don't think you all understand that we are trying.
I think that I agree with the PPs that are saying that you shouldn't be using your allotted FS money to buy groceries for others. I understand what you are trying to do, and you have good intentions, but really, if you arnt using all the $$ the state gives you, maybe you can give some back or ask for a lower amount each month? Ive never qualified for FS so I dont know all the rules.
I understand that you want a job that pays more than minimum wage, but unfortunately, you might have to take one for the time being. That would at least help bring up your income enough to not qualify for FS. If you get a FT job paying minimum wage, that would be ~15600 a month, which would definitely help. What do you have your degree in?
ETA. or you could just save the extra FS $$ and start an e-fund.
A full time job paying minimum wage works out to less than 1200 a month. I previously had one for my last semester of school.
And you don't get actual money for food stamps. It is a pre-loaded debit card. If you don't use all of the allocated amount, it goes back to the state.
I didnt mean to quote myself. Fail. FWIW, I don't think theres anything wrong at all with being a SAHM. But, if your goal is to raise your income, I think your best bet is to find a job, any job. I know thats its not easy, believe me. Good luck!
I'm curious how you ended up selling your mobile home. Where are you living now?
I, too, agree that its wrong to use food stamps to support other people. Use it for ourself or don't take the handout.
I would take over the car insurance and cell phone bills so that I don't owe my mother anything and I would offer something to MIL for watching my kid.
We complained to the sales office that our house wasn't being shown enough, and it turned out that the majority of the employees didn't even know it was for sale. We are still living in the mobile home. We close in a few weeks. This budget is for our new apartment once we move.
ETA. or you could just save the extra FS $$ and start an e-fund.
A full time job paying minimum wage works out to less than 1200 a month. I previously had one for my last semester of school.
And you don't get actual money for food stamps. It is a pre-loaded debit card. If you don't use all of the allocated amount, it goes back to the state.
Ok you're right, I didnt account for taxes, etc. in my #. If you bring in 1200, that would be at least 2400, which would definitely help.
I didnt mean to quote myself. Fail. FWIW, I don't think theres anything wrong at all with being a SAHM. But, if your goal is to raise your income, I think your best bet is to find a job, any job. I know thats its not easy, believe me. Good luck!
I'm trying really hard to find something that pays more than minimum wage, but if I can't, I'm going to take anything. I don't want to be on assistance. It's embarrassing. Even more so when you ask for advice from people who have money, since they don't seem to understand what it's like to be in this situation.