Dh took a new job this month. We thought it would be the best thing since it was a permanent job with benefits. Well, he got a pay statement for the check that is to be deposited into the bank on the 26th. All I can so is we are so Screwed it is not even funny. There is no way on earth that we are going to be able to pay even our basic bills with this paycheck. He took almost a $1,600 a month pay cut. I am so stressed right now I do not know what I am going to do. I have been trying to pick up some merchandising jobs to make a little extra cash, but now I guess I am going to have to go back to work. All I want to do is sit and cry. One paycheck barely pays for the mortgage. He only gets paid twice a month. So there is absolutely no possible way for me to pay all our bills this month. I honestly don't know what I am going to do. I barely have $1000 in our savings.
Sorry, just needed to vent a little.

Traci,

Since he just started this job are you sure his pay wasn't cut by a week (you know they always hold the first week)? If his paycheck is right, dont worry I am sure that you will find a way to cut costs and make it.

Hubby's 1 bi-monthly paycheck doesn't even cover our mortgage either and I am always freaking out about how are we gonna pay this or that, but we make it, maybe you can get a part time job or do some babysitting or housekeeping in your area, I posted an ad on craigslist and I got a 5 day housekeeping jo at only 2 hours a day and they are paying me $200, then might also need me tomorrow so that's an extra $40.

Have you calculated how much he gets in a month (take home) and then subtracted your bills from it? I do this and there is only like $200 left from paycheck to paycheck but then there's the car needing gas or we need milk or bread, by the time his next pay comes with all my penny pinching we have $100 or less, which stinks but we make it.

Either way I wish you the best of luck and if you need any help or anything feel free to PM me.

Wow! Are you sure the paycheck is correct? Maybe there was a payroll error--was this the amount he was told when he originally took the job?

If it is correct--hang in there. I'm sure everything will work out. I agree with the post before me--whenever I'm short on money, I will take babysit at home. Another thing (which I've been thinking about doing) instead of babysitting everyday is advertising a parents night out and just babysit on a Friday or Saturday night--pop in a special video for the kiddos and have a pizza party.

Good luck.

Yep, it is correct. He had me fax it to him at work to check it. He thought maybe it was an extra check. Nope, that is all he will be getting. I went through all the bills in my head, and there really isn't even enough money to pay the mortgage, electric, phone, car payments and still have money for food, gas, and the other bills that we have. We are paying on our siding, braces, two credit cards, two car payments, propane, electric, cable(we do not get any tv channels any other way), phone, cell phone and god forbid anything else comes up. I know he needs tires for his car in a bad way, but there is no way that we can afford them now. Basically, if you take his two pay checks he is going to be getting, it would only cover the mortgage, both car payments, the electric, and braces. Nothing else. I am just so tired of not having enough to cover things.

Baronmom - Are they are things that you can cut back on to cut costs? What about cutting down the phone bill by taking off some features and maybe cutting off the cell phone for a while or possibly goi ng pre-paid for a bit till things start looking up?

DH and I have pre-paid cell phones, we are a gold member so our minutes last us a year so we only refill $10 each time when we have no money left and we only text each other when we need to get a hold of each other, no phone calls. If we need to call, he will use his jobs phone to call home.

I dont know where you shop for food but try Aldi's or Ollies Bargain outlet, I shop there sometimes and find great deals.

I wish you luck I am sure things will look better, remember we are here for you.

Tracy, I am so sorry that things are so rough right now. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. :hugz:

I have no advice, but wanted to offer a hug. :hugz:

Traci, hugs are being sent to you and your family. Since you took a pay cut do you know qualify for any assistance, free lunches, reduced lunches, WIC, heating assistance, or something like that? Could you sell your cars, I see you have 2 car payments, and get a beater car? Could you talk to the company or doctor about your situation and make the braces payment lower? Usually you will take a butt beating on turning in your cell phones, I know that is my case, so I still have to pay it until the contract expires next May.Could you maybe just pay interest on your mortage for a month or two, until you get this all figured out?What is your tax withholdings from his paycheck?? I would change it to the lowest amount being taken out. Sometimes this can make a big difference in take home pays. just some suggestions, do you love your house??? If not consider selling it for something less, that is smaller with smaller household utilities, I would definitely start looking at the areas where you can be extreme about cutting back. What about groceries from the Angelfood Ministries?

:( I'm sorry to hear it Tracy. I know it has to be terribly stressful. I'll be thinking of you and Art and hoping that you figure something out quick. :hugz:

If it helps to know it, many others have been (or are currently going) through similar situations. Do the best you can at any point in time, try not to kick yourself for any slips you make, try not to kick anyone else for any they make either, and look for lifes simple (often free or cheap) pleasures. Some of my best memories are when each of us got to pick out 1 brachs candy at the grocery store (yep, that's the kind you buy by the pound, and they're individually wrapped in bite pieces) and go to the local park. Recent memories with my son include getting up early, making hot cocoa and taking a walk while drinking it.

Others have made good financial suggestions - I hope you can take care of yourself and your family emotionally through this, and know that you have MANY well-wishers out here!

I agree with what others have said. I know this is very tough and I am sending good thoughts and (((HUGS))). I know it doesn't seem like anything is going right...but when I am down it always helps me to count my blessings. Hang in there!

I can't really offer any more suggestions than what has already been posted. I just send you positive energies and :hugz: and hope for the best for your family.

I'm so sorry you're going through this hard time. Sending hugs and saying prayers for your family. :cheerup:

I second changing the tax withholdings. If his pay went down that much per month, you may be in a lower tax bracket now and can lower withholdings. Have him talk to his human resources person.

I can't really offer any more suggestions than what has already been posted. I just send you positive energies and :hugz: and hope for the best for your family.
:yeah: Take good care Tracy.:cheerup:

baronmom... hopefully things will turn out ok... i will pray for you...
frugal mom of 3 has wonderful idea!... i looked on craiglist but i am not sure of how to post for jobs wanted...
are we allowed to ask for the correct website?...
i am always looking for odd jobs to do...

I know it must have been quite a shock! We've had similar years ago in a job transfer, the stress was tremendous.

First, try to breathe deeply and tell yourself that you can and will work this out. stress can make you sick and you need to take good care of yourselves right now.

Heres what we did maybe something will seem helpful in your situtation hopefully.

Sold a car and had a used no-loan car. Walked the kids to school and caught the bus.

Cut the cable tv down to the very basic at the time $9.95 a mo. But Id cut it altogether if it were today since they dont give those deals now (we dont get tv reception here without cable or an antenna).

Cut all newspaper/magazine subscriptions-received refunds, etc.

Sold lots of items at the swap meet. People can make use of things we never needed.

Cooking from scratch, bag lunches and drinks.

DH took all OT.

None of these things are new, but at the time it was very new to us.

Good luck, take care and give each other lots of hugs.

hi, sorry you're going thru this....i like the idea of getting rid of a car...does your town have a food bank? can you apply for foodstamps? i know these don't help you pay the bills, but getting free food can really free up some $. we have a thriftstore that gives away free bread every friday; maybe you can find something similar?

sending many Hugs,

it will be okay

last january dh took a huge loss of pay due to his company overpaying the previous months and we had to pay it all back over 6 months - long story and i wont bore you with the details LOL

january to july was a nightmare and its going to take us a long while to cope with the repercussions of the pay cut - we are back on a normal wage again but its lower than we thought. we didnt have the cash to cover the bills let alone to live on.

however there is a light at the end of the tunnel and its getting slightly brighter from the pinprick it was.

can you ring up some people you owe and explain there is less money coming in and try to negoiate a payment plan on your cards, we did this and we are paying a reduced amount for the next few months, some companys could be helpful.

we sold our car and bought an older one releasing a bit of cash.DH has a company car and this one was mine - i only use it when i have to and dont go long distances in it so a smaller cheaper car made more sense.

I found out when the local supermarket put there reduced items out and made sure i did my shopping at that time so i could get some bargins.

I made alot of stews and casseroles using the cheapest ingreadients and i cooked in bulk and froze it was a lot cheaper that way.

we have an open fire and we have started going for walks round local woods and picking up fallen branches for the firewood, free entertainment and fuel! LOL

coming up to christmas i have spoken to my SIL and asked that we only do gifts for the kids this year - they were very happy about this as it saves us all cash not having to buy. I am making the kids presents so that will not cost.

you CAN get through this!

more (((Hugs)))

we have also pretty much cancelled christmas, due to an accident / huge cut in income. family understands...don't let the coming holidays freak you out.

I don't have any advice to offer over what's already been said, but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. (((((HUGS)))))

I second the recommendation to sell both cars and get one car you can pay cash-in-full for. Looks don't matter, just a reliable dependable work car. How about keep the cells and lose the landline? I don't think multiple cells plus a landline is necessary in a very tight money situation. If the cable has to go for awhile, let it go. Now's the time to choose between real needs and wants.
My thoughts are with you during this tough time.

FrugalWitch

I agree with frugal witch. sitdown and write a list of all the things your house can function without and the nescessities.

These are the things we found we can live without if push comes to shove:

Cable TV - minimal cost $40 per month - gone
Internet - minimal cost $12 per month - gone - use the internet at the library
Cell phones - $60 per month - gone - keep deactivated phone with us - it can still dial 911 in an emergency and get you police/fire/medical/tow.
Long Distance on land line- gone - buy prepaid phone cards witha a cheaper per minute rate.

The only bills that we would have coming in the house to run it are:
basic phone $17 per month
Water/Sewer (if you have it - we don't asked friends for total) about $14 per month
Electric - varies regionally - here about $50 per month
Heat (oil/gas etc) varies regionally - here about $20 per month

Try to think about all those little "nescessities" that aren't really nescessary when it boils down to it. Obviously if you are an on the road sales person etc, then you need a cell - but how about asking the company to cover it, or look inot the prepaid option?
If you use the net for work as a nescessity, how about calling the company and tellt hem you are thinking of switching. We did that here and they knocked off $15 per month and gave us a year long "promotional" rate.

It's tough to think of "getting" rid of stuff, but you've probably done without it before and can again.
Also, as part of your food budget, look into things like the "share" programs or food co-ops. Sometimes you can get staples and good stuff at super deep discounts.

Good luck to you!!