New Here

**DonnainME** · 05-30-2007, 11:32 AM

Hi everyone. I have been reading your forums for a while now but just joined.

I wanted advise on how to live on almost nothing. I am taking a leave of absence from my job for at least a month - hopefully find a job closer to home in the meantime - anyway, I have a few thousand dollars saved up but wanted to do some remodeling on the house we have. I do get $200 a month in child support and we will be receiving $140 in food stamps in addition to health coverage from the state. I have an 11 year old daughter and am helping my boyfriend get his GED (he's taken 2 of the 5 tests already - another test scheduled for Thurs) and his Driver License (has his permit). Our location really hinders him finding a job without these things. I have 2 other children and they are with my ex-husband (soon to be ex) in TN. We live in Maine.

I have a box for coupons that I use - when we do go to another town that has a store that doubles to .99 I use them there. I am looking at cutting down the dsl speed that we have - I need to keep dsl so I can web cam with my 2 children in TN (cheaper than ld) and I also have a cell because of that same reason (and because we live in the middle of nowhere).

I just need some extra (even extreme) ideas on saving money right now. Both saving money in house things and in remodeling also.

I hope to become a regular poster here!

**FrugalMomof3** · 05-30-2007, 11:52 AM

Hi there and

**Mom23boys** · 05-30-2007, 11:53 AM

Hello and welcome to the Village.

**yonksgirl** · 05-30-2007, 11:55 AM

Welcome!!!

**Katybird** · 05-30-2007, 12:25 PM

to the Village! It is wonderful to have you joining us here, jump in anywhere!

**peanut** · 05-30-2007, 12:31 PM

Welcome! Nice to meet you! Feel free to ask whatever, whenever. I'm sure someone here will have an answer!

**Domestic Gal** · 05-30-2007, 12:48 PM

Welcome to the Village!!

**Little Birdie** · 05-30-2007, 01:18 PM

Welcome!

I enjoy reading the challenge threads. So many good ideas in them, and reassuring to see so many other people doing the same things I'm doing.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 05-30-2007, 01:27 PM

Welcome. As far as the home improvements go you may be able to barter services to get that done. You just never know what someone else might need that you might have or be able to do for them. I find what saves me the most money is proper planning. When I don't plan, money just flies out the door. When I write down everything we anticipate doing/needing/etc...it really helps me to see where we're at and where we need to be. Good luck!!!

**Neeley** · 05-30-2007, 02:01 PM

**Amanda W** · 05-30-2007, 02:24 PM

Welcome to Frugal Village!

**justpeachy92** · 05-30-2007, 03:16 PM

Welcome to the group. As for the remodeling, what all do you hope to do. If it is just some painting, check lowes and home depot for their oops paints, you can score paint for around $5 a gallon. Is there a habitat for humanity store near you, might score a deal there. Lowes usually puts stuff out for clearance on Sunday mornings, we have gotten light fixtures, rugs, and other stuff cheap then. Use your coupons with your food stamps, that way the food stamps will stretch out farther.

**DonnainME** · 05-30-2007, 07:21 PM

Thanks everyone.

I am using the food stamps with coupons and it does help. Went today to the local store that doubles (little hole in the wall store) and got 6 free bottles of French's mustard, 2 bottles of Suave Shampoo, a box of cake mix and a container of frosting for $2.88 including tax. I was mainly scoping out the store. They don't have much there but I think it might be ok to occasionally go there - they did have some B1G1 Free deals that looked decent.

As far as improvements on the house - well it needs everything. I'm gonna do a little at a time.

I am really considering watching a couple of children at my home to make a little money rather than going back to work outside the home. I looked up the laws in Maine and I can watch 2 children unrelated to me without having to worry about being a licensed provider. Looking around I can charge up to $125 per week and I was thinking about $100. If I had 2 kids that would be like $800 a month - that would be enough to pay the bills.

I have so much going on right now though, I'm not sure what to do.

I will go read the challenges and more on this site to hopefully learn some more from you wonderful folks.

**baxjul** · 05-30-2007, 07:27 PM

Hello and welcome! I have a day care in my house, I can have up to 5 children at a time, without a license. I charge different rates for the ages. Definitely use your coupons, combined with the sales!