savin4disney
12-23-2005, 01:05 AM
I am a single mom of one teenage boy.
I lost my job in October and was on unemployment. Then as of Nov. 13 my unemployment was on hold.
When I lost my job I had NO savings. I had one more check coming. I got the check and had a few weeks of unemployment.
We totally survived the 4 weeks. I did have some money from a lump sum payment I got. I used that to pay off an extra month of rent, catch up on my household bills (phone, gas/electric, etc.) I used some to go on vacation. It was already planned and 99% paid off. I was going either way. When I paid off our gas bill. I made sure to get on the budget billing, so I would know what my bills were every month.
I started selling things on the local sales and barter group. I did sell a few things on Ebay. I totally made our meals from home. I got some things from Freecycle that made it easier for us. I got a bread machine, some extra blankets. Coupons off bus tickets, got some free tickets that came in the mail, also my parents gave me their free tickets.
I put my son on free lunch right away when I became unemployed.
I watched the trips I made outside of the house. Since I do not drive. I made sure I could get to a few places on one bus ride with a transfer.
Washed less clothes. Did not use as many. Since I am not working my work clothes are clean. Also hung up my clothes.
Cut back on the treats and going out to eat. We ate out one time in 4 weeks with a coupon.
The four weeks are over. My unemployment was reinstated. I do plan to keep cutting more. I am so proud of myself that I was able to do this without asking for money from my parents.
I lost my job in October and was on unemployment. Then as of Nov. 13 my unemployment was on hold.
When I lost my job I had NO savings. I had one more check coming. I got the check and had a few weeks of unemployment.
We totally survived the 4 weeks. I did have some money from a lump sum payment I got. I used that to pay off an extra month of rent, catch up on my household bills (phone, gas/electric, etc.) I used some to go on vacation. It was already planned and 99% paid off. I was going either way. When I paid off our gas bill. I made sure to get on the budget billing, so I would know what my bills were every month.
I started selling things on the local sales and barter group. I did sell a few things on Ebay. I totally made our meals from home. I got some things from Freecycle that made it easier for us. I got a bread machine, some extra blankets. Coupons off bus tickets, got some free tickets that came in the mail, also my parents gave me their free tickets.
I put my son on free lunch right away when I became unemployed.
I watched the trips I made outside of the house. Since I do not drive. I made sure I could get to a few places on one bus ride with a transfer.
Washed less clothes. Did not use as many. Since I am not working my work clothes are clean. Also hung up my clothes.
Cut back on the treats and going out to eat. We ate out one time in 4 weeks with a coupon.
The four weeks are over. My unemployment was reinstated. I do plan to keep cutting more. I am so proud of myself that I was able to do this without asking for money from my parents.