My dh was let go and was then underemployed for 2 1/2 years. He got 2 hours notice. yes I know that sounds really scary. I was able to go back to work but only PT in the evening. we started only giving kids 3 presents at xmas, Jesus only got 3. we used up everything in our cupboard/freezer b4 going to grocery store. I only gave myself 25.00 per week for staples and if we ran out of something. I eventually started going Grocery shopping every 2 weeks. I made sure I was putting smaller helpings for kids lunch/dinner. if they wanted more then I gave them more, but I also had less waste and more leftovers for next day.

we also didn't qualify for any help except school lunches. I think b/c I knew principal from volunteering that she talked to social worker and that helped b/c we still made more than the cut off. Talk to school social worker. they have all sorts of info. they may be able to get you in touch with places that are by invite only.

dh and I stopped all gift giving to each other. we did not buy gifts for anyone at xmas except for girls 3 presents. I had girls make all cards.

have you tried the barter board here for clothes and other items you might need or want to get rid of.

I can't think of anything else right now. please feel free to pm me if you want to talk some more. I did just about anything to keep bills down.

oh yeah, keep house cooler in winter just where sweaters/extra layers. same goes for ac have it higher. where clothes more than once b4 washing if possible. reuse towels. keep lights off during day. and keep it minimal at night. invest in high energy bulbs, they cost more but last 10x longer.
HTH
allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time

first off, what size clothes do you need for your son? I have a 6 year old in size 9 and a 2 year old in size 3-4 and I have pretty much all there old clothes, and my kids grow way to fast to ruin there clothes, so they are in good shape I have no problem sending you clothes also our church has a clothes closet that i know i can get more...


as far as food, i know tha salvation Army will give you food, you don't need to be on state assistance... and anyone can go in anyday of the week except sundays and get all the free bread, rolls, hotdog buns, any type of pasties free. its what the grocery stores take to them that they pull off the shelves and they get tons so anyone can go get it..

also contact local churches most should have a food pantry, I know our does, that you go in once every 2 weeks and they give you bags full of items...

and I will pray for you and your DH. hopefully the Lord has a bigger and better job for him somewhere...

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IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN MATCH THE HEIGHTS OF A MOTHERS-LOVE...

IT'S THE DEPTHS OF A MOTHERS GUILT!!!

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. I know we talked a little the other day about the whole coupon thing. My suggestion is to start contacting companies any way you can. Whether you call, write or email. It can be time consuming but well worth it. I'm getting ready to do my "free"shopping again. I'm trying to hold out until Meijers has super doubles though. Also the next time you go to the store do another price check on things. This way you can match coupons up better for better savings. I'm guilty of not doing that often enough or not knowing what the other brands cost. But I'm finding from my mil when I shop with her if you pay more attiontion or write prices down you can usually end up with more free or almost free stuff.

I know it's frustrating. I have donated plasma in the past to help pay for food (pays about $20-25/visit). Can you do before/afterschool care? Any elderly people you know who are willing to pay for someone to run errands, cook/clean? If you are willing to clean homes advertise at grocery stores--this would also have a low start up cost. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have actually stopped, got out of my car to pick up discarded popcans on the side of the road, and recycled them for cash.

Our Goodwills have quarter day each week. On that certain day whatever color they have picked is a quarter. Start there for back to school clothes. The last 2 years I have bought the majority of my daughters clothes that way. If you get there early you can find good quality clothes without holes/stains.
Check out consignment stores in your area as well?

You are making so many sacrifices, it's gotta get better for you...maybe the accident was a blessing in disguise?? Is DH out there actively looking for a new job and company to be with? I remember growing up so many people getting laid off, and sitting around "waiting to be called back". I wondered, even as a kid, why. Why be loyal to a company that would hurt you like that? One time a few years ago when we were going through a rough spot, DH started delivering pizzas, of all things, as an extra part time job, and it brought in over $500 a month. Helped us through. I hope you receive some kind of blessing soon, because I know you have been working so hard to be frugal. Sometimes it feels like squeezing blood from a stone.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

Hi,

For kids clothes, you could try a thrift store. Our town has a really nice Goodwill store. Hey there's no shame there, alot of my work clothes come from there. I think it is great to pay $2 for a dress!

I sell some of my sons clothes and toys at "Once Upon a Child", if you have one near you. It's a childrens/babies thrift store and they will pay you cash, immediately. They are somewhat picky about the quality of the items they will take.

Also, do you belong to a Freecycle group? You may post items you want, or give away things you don't need. Everything is free. I have gotten alot of good things from there. I see many posts for kids clothes, and I have given away bags of clothes and toys my son has outgrown. Here is a link:

http://www.freecycle.org/

Living on a shoestring here, as well...I can sympathize. Best of luck to you.

cheryll

Its funny that you should say that my accident was a blessing in disguise! I just got back from the other insurance company where they did an estimate. It was so weird. I was putting the kids in the car and he hands me a check for $500 which is "their" estimate but not quite enough to get the car fixed. He told me that if it were him he would just take the money and put it towards our bills since its seems that everyone is getting laid off lately and that he added an extra $50 in there to pay for the deposit on the rental car, just in case or its just extra if we dont get the car fixed.

I havent talked w/ dh yet but I am thinking that it might just be better for us to put the money away and save it just in case he does get laid off. Then we can at least try to cover some of the bills.

Dh in the union so he can go to another company w/in the union if laid off but it usally takes some time. They have to go onto a list and then companies that need people take the first person off the list. Dh did talk w/ another company yesterday that his mom worked at for almost 10 years that is part of the union and they are looking for people right now. So, hopefully if he does get laid off then they will pick him up. So we will see. I guess it just drives me crazy b/c I cant really contribute money wise and when we get in a bind I feel helpless .

Oh and I almost forgot in my ramblings. Thank you all so much for your ideas and your support! I dont know what I would do w/o you ladies. God Bless you.

Hi. *I have a concern, but only you know, since I'm not there: You said the insurance company gave you a check that doesn't even cover the repairs - is this the other guy's insurance company? *Sounds like they are gypping you. Your insurance company can help advise you and fight it - that's why you pay them! *Our insurance company will pay us and then go after the other guy, unless the other guy's company does right. Is something fishy here? *It sounds like this guy may be trying to be nice but is really not doing right by you. *Whatsup?

Also, regarding clothes, food - is there a church you can turn to?

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Make someone's heart smile today.

I was about to make this suggestion as well.

Consigning is a great way to get nice clothes for your children for 'free'. YOu bring in what is worthy of selling. After they sell it for you, they give you half of what it sold for. If you let it go for a month or so, it adds up. Then what I do is basically reuse that money buying more clothes for mykids in ther sizes.

I also do alot of shopping at goodwill. I get some brand new items in there, some with the tags still on them for pennies. And my kids are NOT hurting for clothes. I just like to shop in there for the deals.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

Back together!! Sept 28th Boston TDCenter!! Woohooooo!