Update on us

[janis362529]

Thank you all for listening as things fell apart. Ray is now working and we are digging ourselves out from Ray's disablity insurance mess. So I am going to post my behings and current bills. Maybe you all can help us get on track faster

Behinds:

Rent: $800 a month as of 9/1 we are $1400 behind land lord is boss and working with us
Pay Advance:$400

Current barely:
Direct TV: $90 10/1
Car Insurance: $78 10/1
Oil: $156 10/15 but landlord/boss informed us they already paid $350 for this month

Future dues:
Electric: from old house: $283 on budget plan of $70 a month will roll over to new house with first bill
Vonage:$35 due 11/01


Monthly expenses:
Food:$250 food stamps
Stockpile/non grocery items:$100-$150
Gas: $120 a month
Smokes::$35 a month(we roll our own)

Income:
$400 final disablity insurance check
$565 bring home pay

[Jeanna]

I am not being judgmental as I spend money on things I shouldn't also but could you not cut your DirecTV bill down some and maybe give up smoking? That could free up some money for you.
Good luck on however you decide to do it.

[janis362529]

Thank you
Direct TV is the thorn ion my side. month I have a credit for the previous month's bill b/c they forgot to credit us our deposit each month, then they "forget" to credit us the free showtime/cimimax, then they "forget" that we canceled the NFL last year but still bill us this year. I call them each month and complain. Our monthly bill should be $65 but I hjave to pay them $90 then I get a $25 credit added to my overpayment for last month of $65. Ugh it is so messed up I can barely explain it. Any hoos we have the lowest plan that included the channels we need. Showtime/Cinimax is ended next month(3 mths free when you move)

With the smoking I want to quit but I am not emotionally ready to let it go. Which is why we roll our own.

[wannabedebtfree]

Monthly expenses:
Food:$250 food stamps
Stockpile/non grocery items:$100-$150

I do not normally respond to these posts b/c there are many on here with better suggestions but I do have one suggestion. Does the $250 in food stamps supply you with enough to eat on for the month? If so, maybe you could suspend the stockpile until you get caught up and lower the $100-$150 category quite a bit.

[janis362529]

I do not normally respond to these posts b/c there are many on here with better suggestions but I do have one suggestion. Does the $250 in food stamps supply you with enough to eat on for the month? If so, maybe you could suspend the stockpile until you get caught up and lower the $100-$150 category quite a bit.

I can suspended the stockpile amount and living off the food stamps for a little while. I am doing this so I can go off food stamps on my own by the new year.

[MTS04]

Whether there is a credit or not, stop the direct tv and ask that they send you payment for the difference. It can take 90 days to get the check, but it will be less money outflow for the month.

[nessarowdy]

I agree with the others about Directv. When you are behind on rent, something needs to give. Also, $2000 for a Christmas budget is HUGE!! Now I LOVE to go all-out for Christmas, too, but that really is quite a lot.

-Vanessa

[janis362529]

The Christmas budget is mainly funded by family. We want to get the kids a play yard and Ray and I want a composter so we asked family to donate instead of buy random stuff and pay to get it shipped. Out of the $2000 I may only need to add $200.
Last year we asked for close to $3000 worth of big ticket items and out of pocket we paid only $150.

I am going to talk to hunny about Direct Tv and see how he feels about it going off

[ladykemma2]

you don't have to PAY for a composter. a holey trash can, a pile, chicken wire in a large circle, staked into the ground.

2000- for christmas. hmmm.

[FrugalMomof3]

I say definitely get rid of DirectTV for sure, when behind on bills luxuries get cut out first.

As far as the Xmas budget, that is a bit steep and again when your behind on bills, cards should do, remember it's the thought that counts.

Also, dont worry about stockpiling now, if you have enough to make it through the month with FS then worry about the month, you can always keep getting FS as long as you are below the income limits, there is no time limitation on that and if you need it, then use it.

[janis362529]

Hubby says no to losing the Direct Tv and has already set up 3 overtime days this month so that should help big time.
Again with the Christmas most of that fund will come from family I just have to make up the difference come Dec when I go shopping. Great idea for the composter I never thought of using a garbage can it would work great exceot I do not have a spare garbage can. I may ask my Dad if he has one I could use which will help trim the Christmas fund up for other goodies under the tree.

[forHISglory]

Thanks for the updates.

My advice:
1. Get creative.
2. Get ruthless.

Get creative in how you do things. The homemade composter is one such place to use your thinking cap. Get creative about your entertainment. I know hubby said NO to the TV idea, but see if you can offer some really fun free things to do as a family. Maybe the allure of the tube will wear off???? Get creative about Christmas. Never, even when I had that kind of money, did I dream of spending that much on Christmas!

Get ruthless in your financial thinking. Here's a question to ask yourself about any expenditure: Will my family die or be physically harmed if I don't buy it? That helps to really put needs versus wants into perspective. Get ruthless on yourself with smoking. Just as well roll the cigs in dollar bills if you don't....

And keep on trying. That's what I admire about you. Just keep on trying.

[janis362529]

My creative thinking has hit a wall. I am normally able to look and figure out a away.
Free activites to do with the family is hard considering almost everything is 30 to an hour away. Which is good it helps keep me from the stores. Even a park with a play ground is 30 minutes away onless we go to the school which I would only be able to do on the weekends. I have canceled our apple picking this week end at the orchard,. I do have a ton of craft things to do this week end and next.

[itsahumanzoo]

Also, dont worry about stockpiling now, if you have enough to make it through the month with FS then worry about the month, you can always keep getting FS as long as you are below the income limits, there is no time limitation on that and if you need it, then use it.

I agree with that. If you qualify and need Food Stamps, by all means please take advantage of it. Use $10-$20 out of your Food Stamps to buy stockpile items if you can, and maybe that will make you feel like you are making progress toward getting away from using the Food Stamps.

I know how you feel about the TV. I am still going back and forth with my DH about cutting down to the very basic channels. He wants HD channels because he has a fancy HD TV, and I really think the difference is not worth the money. Sure, later when we have more income he is welcome to have his HD channels back, but right now he won't die without them!

[janis362529]

Luckily no HD here but my hubby is addicted to the speed channel and sci fi. With out those he will collapase on the week ends.

At least he set up those over time days to make up the difference