did you check into nanny jobs? I was just in the process of getting a nanny job that would have paid $300 a week (for 3 days of work) -- that's $1200 extra a month!! (they decided to wait a little longer before going the nanny route) anyway, look into it.

Also, you could check with your local nursing home to see if they're doing any CNA training classes. The last CNA job I worked at, I made $11.50 an hour. They're great for flexible hours because you can just come in and work mid-shift to mid-shift. I'm sure they would work with you. also, you can do work through an agency and make twice that.

I'm just afraid that you'll put all that on your credit card just to get by right now and then, because you said you're $1000 short every month, you won't have the money to make the bigger minimum credit card payment, and then you'll lose out on your good standing credit. Have you tried calling and seeing if there are any more options? Maybe you could go sit down with a financer at the bank and explain your situation and see if there is anything that can be done or manipulated to help you guys out. Also, check with your local Community Action, as they have people you can talk to about financial problems. We just went through a program of theirs last year where we saved $2000 and the state matched it and gave us $2000. You had to pick a goal for saving (home repairs, home purchase, car purchase, paying off credit, etc) but it was great to have free money as a bonus reward for our hard work of saving that money. I only heard about it from someone who worked there - they didn't publicly advertise - so it'd be good to call.

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~~Amanda~~ Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), TTC #2

My mom was a SAHM until the inflation of the 70's caught up w/ her, and my dad wasn't increasing the child support to make up the difference. She got a part-time job at a bakery. Something like 4am - 7:30am, so she was coming home just as I was leaving for school. She also had a job to clean a local realty office once a week. She did it on Friday or Saturday night for $100 (this was 15 years ago). She would go in & vacuum, clean the bathroom, dust around the desks, empty trash cans. Maybe you could find something like that?

I am so sorry you are in this situation! I think we have all been in dire straits at one time or another! Here is my suggestion: Since the holidays are here and stores are desperate for help, can you do something from now 'til New Years? I know you said that daycare is an issue, but I know many stores hire stock people to work the overnight or late night shift - like maybe Toys R Us? Or are you near a mall that might need extra help since many stores have expanded hours you might be able to get a 7-11 shift at one of the marts?

Anyway, I wish you the best... HTH!

One other thing I just thought of -- can you post a "situation wanted" ad on craigslist? Like I will type from home? Or do your gift wrapping from home? Or maybe walk your dog or something like that? Sorry if these ideas might be way out there -- just trying to explore all options...

Thanks, everyone, for your kind suggestions. The good news is that my good friend is hiring me to watch her two little boys a few days a week, which will be $700-800/month. Which will be a huge help. I can bring DS with me, and if (when) we do go down to one car, it will even work to carpool with DH (though not very conveniently). I must admit, though, I'm a little worried about the employer-employee dynamic effecting our relationship. Also, another friend of mine is lending us some money to get us through the next couple months, and I'm worried there will be some weirdness there, too.

We are trying to get our student load payments deferred for 6 months, too. I still think we're going to have to sell the truck and charge the deficit to the CC and pay it off with our tax return. A good friend with loads of financial experience strongly exhorted us not to let our vehicles be repossessed, whatever it takes. But I'm now holding out some hope that we can keep our car that we have now. In any case, things are looking a lot more bearable now, even though I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep doing my home-business at the same time. That might just have to be put on hold for a year or so.

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