If you're comfortable with it, share your monthly bills, and perhaps a fresh set of eyes can see a way to give a little more breathing room in the budget.
((Shelli)), it's rough, right now, but this too shall pass, with a little perseverence and patience.
I am going to post them in a little bit.
Cutting bills:
-drying clothes outside
-we have cable but we reduced the channels
-grocery (started using coupons and watching sales alot closer)
- we have bartered for a hair cut and babysitting
- libary (we love it now more then ever)
Increasing Income:
-selling things we no longer needed
-I have done online surveys in the past
-always saying yes to extra hours at work
We have started doing most of this as well - I just stopped using my dryer. My grocery bill is about $50 a week - according to DR it should be $30 - I have to work on that. I cut all of our hair and I always used the library. I LOVE the library
I want to set up a garage sale - I need to work on that. I have done the surveys, too - but it seems like I took them all - I havent qualified for any in a long time. I dont work, hopefully I will be able to find a job come sept.
Check out the new Federal programs for mortgage relief and see if you qualify.
We don't. I tried, but apparently we are already at the lowest interest rate they can give, and we can't refi because of the bankruptcy.
There are probably areas where you can cut back. You have 3 little kids? Do you qualify for WIC? Can you lower your bills at all (get rid of cable, get cheaper internet or get rid of internet, lower cell phone plan/pay as you go)??
We are on WIC for the 2 youngest. I am about to give up internet, cable is at its lowest (contracted) and I can't lower the cell b/c hubby (who is not on board) uses most of the minutes!
Do you have any trustworthy friends or relatives who need an inexpensive place to stay? Renting out a room could be a big plus. Of course with the little ones you have to make sure that the person is trustworthy....
This is something I had thought of. We have a whole downstairs in need of repairs that we could rent out. I need to find someone willing to help me here, I am not capable of making the repairs, maybe I could give a month or two rent-free in exchange for the repairs being done? What would be acceptable rent for a living room, 2 bedrooms and a full bath? There is no kitchen down there, but room for a fridge, table, etc.
So, see if you can use this asset you've got can help pay for itself? Can you sell even a little of your garden produce? If so, pay the extra against your mortgage. Sell your extra rocks, lawn, whatever you can that's EXTRA for you to someone else, for a cheap price. Use that $ to add to the mortgage payment. It may not be a lot, but all those little payments can take a chunk o' interest off your loan in the long run.
Judi
LOL - me, garden?? ROFL! I should post a pic of my "garden". We live in the woods. I have a 12 gal rubbermaid tote on our porch with plants (hopefully) growing in it. I pray for a few tomatoes, peppers and some herbs this year. That is if the raccoon doesn't get them first!
How would you market selling rocks and so forth?
This situation will not last forever and you are learning from it obviously. First thing I would like to tell you is to make sure that you take care of yourself and your health...that way you will be the best you can be.
Take care and keep in touch!!
Thank you for the encouragement! I try really hard not to get down - I even joined a home group at my church for some extra "grown-up" time and spirituality.
I have the same prob but its worse! I have someone helping me with our house payment right now bc its just out of our reach! We are working on modifying our loan right now to fit our monthly income. Maybe you could try something along those lines?
{{hugs}} I wish we could. I pray it works for you!
I will post again in a little while with my expenses. Thank you all for posting, and for all your ideas. Some of them might really work!!!