Need all your ideas to save money - Page 3

Lou · 07-18-2006, 03:53 PM

Sounds like you are having a rough time. It's good that you are thinking ahead. Even if your husband doesn't get laid off, at least you're living frugally so maybe can save some $$ ahead for a rainy day. Don't know how old your kids are but you should check into WIC if you have any little ones under 6. The income guidelines are very generous. Also in our community we have the SHARE program which I think is like the Angel Food Ministries referred to earlier and the Commodities program which provides food for people above the WIC guidelines so your community may have some of these types of things. Find someone at Social Services office, Salvation Army or your church who can help guide you to the services available in your town. Keep checking garage sales, thrift stores, etc. for your child's sizes - you'll find something.

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
(Effective from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007) 48 Contiguous States, D.C., Guam and Territories

Annual
Monthly
Twice-Monthly
Bi-Weekly
Weekly

1 18,130
1,511 756 698 349
2 24,420
2,035 1,018 940 470
3 30,710 2,560 1,280 1,182 591
4 37,000 3,084 1,542 1,424 712
5 43,290 3,608 1,804 1,665 833
6 49,580 4,132 2,066 1,907 954
7 55,870 4,656 2,328 2,149 1,075
8 62,160 5,180 2,590 2,391 1,196
Each Add'l Member Add 6,290 525 263 242 121

(chart didn't quite come out but just google WIC and you'll find it)

Lou

sshallenbu · 07-19-2006, 05:24 PM

Goodwill is an excellent place to shop for clothes. I've gotten my dd, all sorts of brand name clothes, for as little as .99!! Also, in regards to consigning. Twice a year there is a sale here called "just between friends". There is a website you can check and see if there is one in your area "www.jbfsale.com" . I usually make well over $150, on clothes that I've bought at Goodwill!! Good luck to you, we are also in a financial crunch right now, and I know how bleak it feels.

JSEVEN · 07-20-2006, 12:06 PM

I am sorry to hear about your situation at home.

Check with local food bank, sometimes they don't ask about income, or if can volunteer a certain time of the month. Check with your church for help in a food box.

Also, make a list of bills....try to cut off or cut down on items like cable bills, phone bills, cellular phone, internet, insurances home or car,electric,and etc...

Also...shop at goodwill,savers, salvation army, or any discount grocery stores.
Check to see if you have services in area where sometimes a community service group helps a family out by paying one thier bills if they are behind on rent and etc.. I know Arizona has a group that does that.

Also, check to see if it better to have kids access insurance through the state. I think every state has a program regarding cheap health insurance.

Also...check to see if the school district provide help on dental program.
It works for me...since we have seven kids. The dental program is awesome...free to those who that qualifies, base on income.

Get help anywhere possible b/c we all need it during any crisis or any elements that arise in our lives.

Hope this helps!!

gda22 · 07-20-2006, 10:15 PM

It must be a very stressful time for you and your family. *My thoughts and prayers are with you.

As a single parent, I know the meaning of making the $$ stretch. Always think is it a want or a need. For my son it's always a waaannt!

* At the moment petrol is nearly $1.40 Au - which is a real chunk out of the weekly budget. *I try to combine my trips so that I'm not backtracking on any days.

* I cut down our meat portions, eat a lot of chicken & mince but include red kidney beans etc. *Making spaghetti I always include extra peeled tomatoes so stretches for an extra meal. I have a measurer to gauge the amount of spaghetti to cook. *If there are leftovers he will only eat it for the sake of eating.

* Another great idea for mince. *Add a spicy flavour mix then add carrots, peas & cabbage or rice. *Serve on rice. Basmati rice is low GI & fills you up for longer & is better for you.

* Cook stirfrys with a small amount of chicken- mainly noodles & vegetables (broccoli, carrots.

* We rarely buy soft drinks, chips or biscuits or packaged snacks.

* Always look for the specials - eg mince or meat - buy up on those days. *Divide portions & freeze.

* Our local salvo store usually has day old bread. *If not fresh enough for bread makes great toast.

* What about a clothes swap with some of your friends.

* I grow veges. *I shop only every second to third week (except for milk & bread). *Before shopping look at what's been hanging in the cupboard or freezer & plan meals to use them all up. *(I know there are times when I find something in the freezer that's ended up being thrown away)

* To cut down on electricity turn lights off in rooms you are not in & any equipment that you keep on standby. *Put on an extra layer & rug instead of the heater, or put it on just to heat up the room. I even wear gloves to keep my hands warm.

* Wireless computer mouse. *Ours eats up the batteries - I've started taking the batteries out when not in use, especially overnight. *Thought it might have upset the connection but ok.

Hope these ideas help. *I'm sure everything will work out. *A new job maybe a blessing, an opportunity for a new venture & chapter in your lives. *

Gaida

P.S. Also thanks to everyone who posted those great links.
Will definitely check them out.

justbethy · 07-22-2006, 05:18 PM

The first thing I do is the day before grocery day, I sit down and make up a menu. I don't like to shop weekly so I make up a biweekly menu. I make a list of 14 meals including side dishes. I then check the pantry to see what I do and don't have to make the dishes on the list and write down the things I need. I only buy those items plus milk, cereal, eggs, snacks and necessities such as toilet paper, shampoo, soap, laundry stuff and cleaning products. I save a ton by sticking to my list, using coupons and shopping at Aldi. There aren't Aldi's everywhere but Save A Lot, BJ's, Sams Club and other discount grocery stores can help you save a lot of money on food. I love going to Aldi's. I did a comparison once on how much I would spend if I got the same items at Wal Mart compared to Aldi brands. I would have spent $300 at Wal Mart and only $140 at Aldi. BIG DIFFERENCE for the 5 of us.

toadsmom · 07-23-2006, 02:57 PM

Did you check out any local churches, a lot of times they have different programs to help families in need. Ask around, different stores like Wal-mart collect new school supplies for kids. Contact Social Services again and be firm with them, there are different programs that they have to help, food , medical, ect. Other agencies also contact them to help families in need. Sad to say sometimes Social workers either do not want to bother or whatever it may be, but I know there are programs out there for people in your situation.
Take Care, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers!

morrismomaof2 · 07-23-2006, 03:18 PM

There are a couple reasons social services wont help. One being that we are just barely over what they say their income limts are and other being that my son is from a different relationship. They want me to contact my ds father and have him help. There is no way that is going to happen. ds father walked out when he found out I was pregnant and I havent heard from him since except the ocassional phone call saying he was going to sue for custody and that only happen the first year or so. There is no way I am going to contact him now especially since he is a vendictive jerk! Besides, my dh is the only father the my ds has known and I would prefer to keep it that way. The last time we asked them for some temporary help they demanded ds birthfathers name and said that they were going to have him served w/papers for back child support and medical eventhough I have never been on state assistance before. We said no thank you and walked out and they still continued to call and hound us about the issue until we moved. I would rather go w/o food myself if thats what it takes to keep my son from that mess!

On another note my parents did step in and purchase school supplies for my ds and my mil said she was going to get some outfits for ds for school so that is a relief.