Make a budget and go over to Money matters or mm moms. They should be able to help you look for cuts.
Also, I think you need to decide what you are more comfortable with--living within a really tight budget or finding some other ways to bring in income. Some people would rather live paycheck to paycheck then miss out on family time. Others are the opposite. Smudgee gave you great advice-your dh could also find an additional part time job.
Please don't count on refund money for necessities. That money should go into an emergency fund.
we CD and if you buy the cheaper ones (we have Alva, Sunbaby, Kawaii) you can get a pretty full stash and save up. If you buy American made CDs they still will pay off but require more of an initial investment. Our utilities bills didn't change much.
About baby food, I planned to make my own but then we decided to go with BLW instead and it doesnt cost anything extra! Just another thought- they had the BLW books at our library
I don't really have anything to add that others haven't already said. But like PPs have said, you'll figure it out! I know it seems tough right now but you've still got time to prepare. Right now, just enjoy your son and your pregnancy. Everything will come together in time!
Post by livinreality on Jan 13, 2013 14:58:25 GMT -5
I would highly recommend a cash envelope system and a budget, it was the only way we could manage to get our budget under control and stick to it. Ie We ate rice and beans, and pb&j the week our grocery cash ran out, we have not done that again.
Also we spend 380 on insurance a month for the family, 190 a paycheck, ours is not great but it is our only option.
You guys can make it work! Look into reoccurring monthly fees. Cable tv is a huge rip off. Cell phone, land line, car payments, utility bills. Also look into cutting out soda, it keeps getting more expensive!
If you want to CD there are a few of us here that do. You can get diapers that will fit your LO right now and also your next one. Some are as cheap as $5 a piece, Alva brand. I love CDing and it is a pretty easy way to save money
we are going to cancel our cable and only have Internet, but DH said it would still be about 40 dollars? We'd only be saving 50 dollars by cutting out cable, but we are still gonna do it. My h is addicted to Pepsi and gets terrible caffeine headaches when he doesn't have it. It's ridiculous. He doesn't like coffee. He also never gets cavities which I have no idea.
I just looked on wic and we are like 14 dollars away from making it. Err!!!
When you are that close to qualifying, you usually have a few options for deductions that bring you under $14 that isn't immediately obvious at first glance. Contact a case worker to ask for assistance with your application. People who work at WIC are usually really motivated to get qualifying families on, do great outreach and are super helpful. Most times. Also, keep in mind it's income AND a medical need. Pregnancy is a medical need, but you may need to be more specific, so be prepared and smart about it.
WIC is a great program that gets nutritious food into the house and frees-up household dollars for other things. Really great program. I hope you investigate it more.
Anyway, I also feel like I need to cloth diaper and make our own baby food, because we just won't be able to afford it. But I don't know where to start.
I am just stressed and want to enjoy my pregnancy but I can't help but think of the money part.