Not play catch up every month? Not live paycheck to paycheck? Im so fed up with this. I dont know where to start to fix it. Trying to play catch up with bills that were due last month, how does it end? Our bills are going up just as much as gas, and dh hasnt had a raise in over a year. He went from getting raises every 6mths to nothing! We got a baby due in 2 mths, and ill be off work with no pay, just more stress! Am i the only one? Can it be fixed?

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WIFE TO MIKE
MOTHER TO HUNTER 3YRS OLD AND HEATH BORN 9/22

For the past year I have been a full time stay at home mom. Which was great. And we survived, even took a trip, but for us to completely catch up I'm going to have to re-enter the work force. At least part time. At that point we will start snowballing on debt.

I see though that you are getting ready to have a baby -- in my case I had to sit back and wait a bit until the baby was older.

This is a good question and I look forward to reading other responses.

The best way is to live below your means. I know its tough especially if you COL is higher

First your DH needs to get on the ball and be asertive about that raise. Its a tough thing for some but He needs to go in and tell his employer Why he is an asset and why he should be paid more. Many people don't get raises unless they ask

So living below your means is a tough one. Most of us have been there continously tightening our budget as prices go up, and unexpected things happen.

These boards have a lot of tips
My favorite is buy only what you need and not what you want evaluate every purchase.
Cut the non essentials many go without cable tv, cell phones, eating out, high speed internet, AC or even a 2nd car in an effort to save.
Look at what you need to survive,
It may be a while we are struggling still after 2 years to find a balance between expences and income.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006

Well the practical, but not fun answer is that when expenditures are more than your income there's only two things to do.....bring in more money or spend less money.

So if you're consistently falling behind already and you're going to have less income coming in, you need to look at ways to cut your spending. Some of the obvious ways are cutting out cable, cutting out the internet, getting rid of cell phones, stop eating out, no unnecessary purchases, etc.

I'm not sure if you're planning to stay home after the baby or you're going back to work, but if you're planning to stay home you could start thinking of ways to earn extra income after the baby is a few month's old.

Unfortunately there's no easy answer, you just have to make adjustments to your lifestyle.

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Some of the things we do is no cable, we have one prepaid cell phone that whoever has the vehicle carries, we only have one vehicle. We do have high speed internet, but only because dial up doesn't work right out where we live. We buy in bulk when we can. I make things homemade when I can. It's tough because even with some of these things, we still struggle.

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Brandy, SAHM to Jodi & Andrew

I always mention this point because a lot of people don't think about it, but look at your W2s. When you are home, your Dh can have his W2 changed to reflect the fact that you are a dependant as well as the baby. That will change his paycheck a good bit without a raise. Also, if you already qualify(or will qualify when the baby comes and you are out of work) for Earned Income credit, then have Dh change his payroll to receive his EIC each payperiod instead of in tax season. If you are working right now, factor in what not working will do. You will pay less in gas, lower tax bracket, etc. IN addition to that, you will have more time at home to do things like cook from scratch, hang dry clothes, etc. Everyone has given some great tips, and this site is full of other tips. Relax, make a plan and stick with it. Don't worry about money your Dh doesn't have. Use what you do have and live below your means. My mom says "God doesn't send a baby where He doesn't send a biscuit". It may be that you have to go without things like cable, internet, whatever is expendable right now. You can add them back later. You can use the internet at your local library. I can swear to you you won't regret making the necessary changes.

Back when I was a single mom, it seemed like it was always a struggle.

But the one thing I did was set the goal, that all my bills would be paid before anything else. But I cut out all of the things that I didn't need. No phone, no cable (that was a luxury back in the late 70's).

So the utilities bill, rent and gas and car insurance was paid before anything else. Then what was left went to grocerys or an occasional movie with dd.

There was plenty of times when meals were nothing but rice or grilled cheese sandwiches. But I always made it fun for dd so she didn't realize that we were struggling. We would take our megar meal and eat outside on a blanket or have a picnic in the living room.

I think the main thing is to spend money only on things that you have to have. Also ask friends and family members for their hand me downs. Also, before you buy go to yard sales, goodwills and consigment stores.

And whenever you go shopping for anything, make a list and stick to it.

I can't really add much. The only thing I would say, is to really really budget and cut out everything you can that just isn't necessary. Then just stick to it like glue. It is hard, and it can even make you feel bad for a little while, but you just have to keep in mind the big picture, and all of the positive things that are coming through because of it. It's a good idea to allow yourself just a little tiny bit each month to get/do something fun together (or even better - look for free activities in your area)!

I wish you the best of luck!!!

You have gotten some really good advice so far. It really is a matter of cutting back everywhere you can and trying to save each dollar. Overtime it will add up.

I think it is challenging for many employers right now because they are having higher overhead and they cannot afford to give raises to their employees yet at the same time they know their employees need more money. Ask your DH if there is anyway he could make more money -- pick up extra shifts or ask for a raise if he's salary?

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Grace

Wife to Stoney

Mommy of Sarah (8.5), Hannah (7), and John(5)

Great advice, all I would add is try your library for Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. Great book, I always recommend it to anyone struggling!

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt