We can never get ahead! :(

[ColleenSwerb]

Man, I don't know how you all do it. I'm lucky and have a good paying job, but I don't know what i'd do if I were stretched that thin. I get stressed about money as it is (mostly for my total lack of willpower when it comes to scrap and craft shopping!) and we're not tight at all.

I'm so sorry. I hope the economy flips around sometime soon and people can catch a break.

 

[scrapfor5]

I can relate. Dh has a good job but it's also dependent upon the weather. Rain=no work and he didn't work at all this past winter. Plus, his jobs are anywhere from 30 to 60+ miles away so that's at least $40 a day in fuel! I have a job but I don't get paid near enough. Luckily, it's within a mile of our house.

I just got bounced check notices in the mail today and I'm near my breaking point. Feeding five kids is expensive, no matter what corners I cut. We make "too much" for state aid. I couldn't give my Durango away and I can't afford the loss trading it in now at this point in the economy.

I just don't know if I can do this anymore. My ulcer is not healing because I'm so stressed out, my designs aren't selling enough to keep us afloat, I have no where to turn. My parents are as broke as we are. Right now, we're just trying to keep from drowning let alone get ahead. Please pray nothing breaks!

 

[kimmerbean]

Jennifer, I'm so sorry to read about your financial struggles. Trying to make ends meet is so stressful, and with the economy being such as it is, things don't seem to be getting any easier. Please find comfort in the fact that you are not alone -- so many of us are in or have been in the situation you are in right now. Have faith. ((HUGS)) to you!

 

[sugarink]

We're pretty much in the same situation and it definitely sucks! But we're trying to cut things down as much as we can - eating out way less, not buying as much stuff for ourselves & the kids, couponing to make the grocery & household budget go further, and staying home most of the time since gas prices are so high right now and we just keep plugging away on the bills. We've paid of a few smaller bills and credit cards and we just have a few larger ones to pay down so I think we're finally starting to make some progress!

I worked up until just over a year ago and daycare for my 3 would have been way more than half of my income so it really doesn't make sense for me to work either.

Hopefully things will get better for you guys soon!!

Like Shawna, we have had to make some adjustments to our lifestyle and even though it was hard to do, it has definitely helped us not only save money, but be more responsible with how we spend. Making these little sacrifices will eventually pay off in the end. It takes some motivation, but I finally got myself to keep track of our expenses and saw that we spent too much on unnecessary items, like STARBUCKS coffee.. lol! So, just hang in there and hopefully you can come up with a solution that works for you!

 

[Jennilyn]

Oh I know we spend money on unnecessary stuff, such as toys for the girls (I do that ) and coffee & lunches out (DH does that) Oh, and he takes money out of a bank machine all the time that isn't our bank so it's a $3 fee! He knows we don't have a lot of money but he still spends $10 on lunch and gets coffee a lot of the time. I have been really good at not buying anything for the girls the last few times we've gone out. not only is it good for our bank account, it's good for them because they are/were getting spoiled!