I am stressing BIG time. Since DS was born in March and we've been down to one income, we have been tightening our belts to the point of suffocation, and putting off big (but necessary) expenses because we could get away with it for the time being. But it all comes due this month, and we are more than $1000 short:

Heating oil bill: $275 (and we're going to have to fill up again pretty soon!)
Eye exam: $100
Car registration: $200
Car tires needed for inspection: $150
Car inspection: $40
Driver's license renewal: $50
Unexpected medical bill: $140
DH needing steel-toe boots for work: $100
Total: $1055
Not to mention it's my birthday in a week and a half, and no matter what I say, DH WILL get me something.

I have been praying for a miracle windfall (and keep dreaming about getting one... last night I dreamed that DS's pediatrician slipped me 5 grand! I was on my knees balling my eyes out thanking the Lord for providing for us that way.. and then I woke up.), but I just don't see that happening.

We have a credit card, but it KILLS me to think about putting that much money on it (it already has about that much on it to begin with). I haven't brought up the idea to DH yet, because I know the thought will make him queasy, too. We have had to get help from our church a couple times in the last 6 months already, and I know they don't have $1000 to give us now, but they might have some... but I hate asking again.

Should we just put it all on the CC? It would take a lot of the pressure off for the moment, but adding to our debt and having more interest accumulating makes me sick. But I just don't see any other feasible option at the moment.

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Trust God. Whatever risk there is in doing so, the risk of not trusting in him is far greater. - Spurgeon

I'm sorry this is hitting all at once. People say these are expected expenses (like the car ones), so since you know it's coming you should have saved, but how the heck can you do that when you are fighting to keep on top of everything else the rest of the year?

Steel toe boots - shop the internet. Check Goodwill, even if it's a pair just for awhile. Shop around, definitely. Advertise on CraigsList. My dh has an old pair barely worn, so someone in your area may have the same.

Eye exam: do you have eye care insurance? It's so worth it for us and not very expensive. VSP and Eyemed are big ones.

Medical bill: Don't cc this. Work out a payment plan with them directly.

Car tires: Check into retreads, if your car doesn't usually go on the highway a lot. I wouldn't trust them if you do go high speeds a lot. If you do the retreads, which you may be able to get for around $20-$25 ea., do plan on not keeping them for a long time. Otherwise, shop around. We found HUGE price differences in our shopping around. Be sure your quotes include valves, stems and balancing. Going to a different tire may also save you money. We actually got a higher grade for less by just changing brands.

The other things you may get stuck cc'ing. Just try to pay off as much as you can as quickly as you can. I know what you mean, though. I just had to pay $200 last week alone for Dr. visits, OTC meds and RX meds for just dh and me. A couple of weeks ago had to do the same for the kids. And now flu season is on its way. Fun.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

The Really Needy, Special, Networking and Talking Mod

some of the companies that require steel toe boots will also pay for them or at least part. This doesn't help you know but depending on his job you can probably deduct that expense from your taxes. I know how it feels to be overwhelmed all at once. Try attacking one of the expenses at a time and see if you can't figure out another way. I hope you find a way.


It is important to keep your head held high, but once in awhile look down-you may find a lost $100 bill.

Can you reschedule the eye appointment? The boots, definately check ebay, classifieds (on line if you don't get the paper) or Goodwill. Compare prices for the tires. Call 4 or so tire places (instead of driving and wasting gas) and compare prices. Do pay the medical bill. Our grocery budget is what is always tinkered with if we need a little more $$$, so maybe eat beans and rice for awhile. Please try not to use a credit card. It will just bite you in the behind later on down the road. Good luck!

Have you re-calculated your hubby's paycheck withholding? With you not working, it is possible that his withholding will go down dramatically. Okay, it won't be $1000 worth, but you need the cash flow NOW, not later.

In addition to what has already been mentioned ...

- Eat from your pantry instead of buying groceries.

- You deserve a happy birthday. Head-off the expensive gift now by suggesting something that hubby can do for you - something you'd really appreciate - that would be low cost or nearly free. Don't hint around. Be very specific!

- Hold a garage sale. The little guy is 6 months old. Perhaps there are a few things he doesn't need anymore. You can always declutter. I'm sure as he gets walking you'll want more room anyway.

- Along with the garage sale theme, look at your other assets. Are there other assets you can tap? Savings bonds? Stocks?

- Do improve your cash flow. Look at every single expense you have and question it.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

I don't know what it's like in the US, but where I live (Canada) a lot of the places that sell you glasses or contact lenses will give you an eye exam for free. It doesn't test for eye diseases if that's what you need, but it does test you for the proper prescription. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions... unfortunately, I had already thought of most of them . Oy. Actually, I cheated a little bit on that list. The eye exam and the boots are already paid for, but at the expense of other bills...so all of our student load payments will be a couple days late, etc. I couldn't put off the eye exam any more as I had already put it off six months and I was out of contact lenses, and my glasses were just too weak... and DH came home with two shoe boxes from the outfitters store at his work and I wasn't expecting that. He did get a great deal (buy one get one free, plus he gets a huge percentage off for being an employee), and he's considering selling that free pair on eBay. If he does that, then the total cost is down to $40 or whatever. But I know he desperately needed those boots (his old ones were killing his feet, and didn't have the steel toe protection), and it will be a write-off later. I will be calling the dr. office and try to work out a payment plan in a little bit, and try to buy as little as possible at the grocery store on Thursday. I have no other assets to tap into, don't really have anything left I can sell (pretty much all I have is hand-me-down already!), and our expenses are cut back as much as possible already. Yikes.

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Trust God. Whatever risk there is in doing so, the risk of not trusting in him is far greater. - Spurgeon

I don't know if you are just having a rough month, but it really sounds like the solution is to bring in more money. Does your husband work a lot of hours already? Maybe one of you could get a part time job at night. It would be rough, but I know for myself that the stress of not being able to pay bills is worse than the stress of being busy. I hope it all works out for you soon. I know it's a tough place to be in.

Contact your student loan providers - you can even do this online. You can get either a deferral or forbearance for economic hardship, for anywhere from 3 mos. to 1 year (1 year is common). Interest will build - you have a choice to pay the interest or let it roll back into the loan. But it can free you up during this crunch.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

The Really Needy, Special, Networking and Talking Mod

You know it happens to many of us from time to time. I had the same thing happen when DD was born in april 06. We owed 2K in Taxes and didn't have it. Rough months come up I guess the best thing is to not let it get you down. The important thing that helped me is to always have a plan. How am I going to pay this down. Make a plan you can live with set a dead line and stick with it.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006