Getting unstuck

**Huskies7** · 10-09-2011, 12:39 PM

Feeling stuck in a rut now. About a year ago we were very gazelle intense and were doing so well at Dave's plan. We sold off about 80% of our stuff and were doing well on baby step 2.

Around this time, I got pregnant with my second child and quit working to stay home with the kids. It's a blessing and a curse. We are doing well with our monthly budget but we have an income problem. We are barely making it on my husband's income. We are actually on Medicaid because we can't afford health insurance.

I decided to finish up my degree and go to school full time (only have 1.5 semesters left). The Pell Grant covers my tuition and my mom watches the kids so there's no out of pocket expenses for school. However, I hate this feeling of being stuck - we aren't making any headway on our debt snowball and have over $100,000 in debt. I am currently 4 months pregnant with our 3rd child (no bashing please - this is our last child).

My husband is going to school full time and working full time. He graduates in June 2012. I will graduate in May 2012. Is there anything you think I/we could be doing in the meantime to knock down some debt? I appreciate any feedback.

**ladykemma2** · 10-09-2011, 12:46 PM

you sound like you are making progress to me...

**pollypurebred39** · 10-09-2011, 12:57 PM

Huskies7, no bashing here. The only advice I can offer is to reduce your expenditures so you can put more towards debt.

The FV is pretty saturated with ideas on how to reduce. There just may be ideas you've never thought of and you might be surprised just how much further you can cut back. Start searching through posts, both old and new. There's lots of ways/ideas to reduce spending in every area of life.

Wishing you the best

**Sumacaroni** · 10-09-2011, 01:00 PM

There's really only two ways to tackle debt that I can think of - adjust the budget to spend less money or make more incoming money happen. So without specific budget information I just want to say I think there's probably some things you can find here at this site that may help to do either one of the solutions.

**Josephhgoins** · 10-09-2011, 02:23 PM

I am not in your situation at all so please keep that in mind.

My suggestion is that since you have free childcare is to quit school at the end of the semester and get a job for a bit or if possible get a part time job now.

**Nishu** · 10-09-2011, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

I am not in your situation at all so please keep that in mind.

My suggestion is that since you have free childcare is to quit school at the end of the semester and get a job for a bit or if possible get a part time job now.

She only has 1 1/2 semester left!

Hang in there, dear. This is a mental block, a morale problem. It's not a snag. You will finish school, hopefully get a job, and get moving again. Good luck. You guys are doing fine, you just don't know it.

**FrabjousDay** · 10-09-2011, 03:08 PM

I agree with hang in there! Graduation is just around the corner for both of you!

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-09-2011, 04:54 PM

I think you just need to hang in there another year or so and not accumulate more debt. Yes, you aren't paying anything off right now, but you are covering your expenses and working on degrees for a better future. Just work on not sliding deeper into debt.

**dancemommy** · 10-09-2011, 05:04 PM

Yep, hang in there. You have to graduate. The good thing is that babies don't notice when you are broke and don't ask for much except food and diapers! But make a plan for after graduation so that you don't end up one of the many who are underemployed after graduation because you will need to find some income ASAP. Maybe you can pick up some part time work- babysitting, mystery shopping, child care, ebay, garage sale. etc. Good luck!

**l8eebugg** · 10-09-2011, 07:45 PM

Think you are on right track, I remember the days I was in school with four children. Seemed like it would never end and we weren't moving forward. It was all worth it and I am so-o glad I stuck it out. Hang in there....you should be able to see the light at the end, very soon!

**Debbie-cat** · 10-09-2011, 09:34 PM

Hang in there!! You are making progress. It doesn't seem like it right now but you are. You can do it. Hugs

**Huskies7** · 10-09-2011, 11:01 PM

Thank you for the replies. We'll see if there are any more expenses we can cut. It's frustrating because we want to see more results now. No, we aren't borrowing anymore so at least we aren't going backwards. Thanks for the reassurance that we're on the right track. We'll keep trucking along and remind ourselves that it is not forever. Thank you!!

**knotme** · 10-10-2011, 11:16 AM

You can do anything when you know the end is in sight. For you, the end in sight is the graduation from college. So keep plugging away. Remember that slow and steady is the way to go.

**ncarr** · 10-11-2011, 07:07 PM

finish school. Cloth diaper the babies- pick them up at garage sales or goodwill.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-12-2011, 07:02 AM

I think with everything going on in your life - just the fact that you are not going into debt is a huge accomplishment. You are doing very well all things considering. I know it is painful to sit there with all that debt and have no extra to put towards it, but for now I don't know what else you could do. Have you thought about trying to bring any income in while you are at home. I did pt daycare for years off and on and also worked in my churchs nursery. I could take the kids with me, so it worked out. Good luck!

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