Gas, milk, produce... (or Up, Up, and Away!)

Absolutely...I have no real helpful hints to offer, but we're feeling the pain as well.

I know the feeling. I keep telling my husband that I am going to take on a second job.

I feel this overwhelmed all the time. Our electric bill has been running anywhere from $350 to $500 for a family of three. Most of the time I'm not even home so I keep the AC up to about 80 and the Heat at about 65 or 67.
Have you tried being a consultant for something like Tupperware, Gourmet to Go, Creative Memories, Etc? Of course its its not massive income but the few dollars here or there really can help sometimes.
I wish I could give you some encouraging words but I don't have any at this present moment.

Adair ~ My hubby has taken on a second job and I work part time. Plus my hubby is starting school here within the month. Its quite hectic aroud here. Scheduling everything around my daughter school is hard to do too.

I hear you! My husband was let go from his job in January, one week after our son was born. Then he just found a job this week, but the pay is less than 1/2 of what he was making. We are in rent too expensive for us, but we have a signed lease. Right now we are still receiving food stamps and medicare and WIC. The food stamps and medicare are going to end soon, and then I don't know what we will do. For the past month we have been selling our stuff on e-bay to make some money to pay rent and our car payment. It really hurts to see some of our favorite items being sold for pennies on the dollar -but we have to survive. About 5 years ago we were in a much better place - a good job that paid well and we had the extra money to buy what we wanted. I have hope that someday soon we will again have money to pay our bills and maybe just a little left over to have a little fun. In the meantime, we are learning how to better manage our money and relying on God to see us through. It does seem that employers don't pay enough for anyone to survive - and the only way to get any assistance is to be at the very bottom of the ladder.

We are thinking about starting an e-bay business selling used books. It takes hours and hours at the computer, but at least I can be home with my son and be the one to raise him.

Good luck to you and your family, I hope you find something that works.

monaviemoms.com

I have a friend who got me started with MonaVie. I haven't sold yet, but I haven't really tried either. The product is really awesome!

It's all Bill Clinton's fault ;-)

Back in the Clinton days, everyone I knew had money. Now, we're all struggling.

Overwhelmed? Always!! 10 for the thought & towards your total points! ~ Least I can do! ~ lol :o)

Thanks, Cyndi, for the link. I am going to check it out.

Deb, the points helped a bit, although that really wasn't my intent in publishing this article. I was only venting.

Yes, Don, it is easier to blame Clinton. When Bush is out, we'll all be blaming him, oh, some of us already do! Who's next in office to blame?...

My husband and I work on a volunteer job 3 days a week cooking meals for 30 to 50 people per day at a non-profit agency. After cooking dinner, we eat with the people we cook for. That means 3 dinners a week we don't have to buy groceries for. We don't have any minor children at home but when we take our 3 year old grandson to work with us, he goes to an educational (free) class while we work. (Then he eats with us too.) When we grocery shop, we usually do it at the discount grocery (Aldi) and we get bread at the bakery outlet. I use coupons when I can get a real good deal with them. I also get some money and gift cards and things like magazine subscriptions by doing surveys online, and some free products by testing them or bzzing about them. I also get many needed items on freecycle, at yard sales, or at second hand shops.

Our grocery bill has gone up 25 dollars a week in the last year or so and our gas for me to go to my job has gone up about 10 dollars a week. There are only the two of us in our household, though, and we are hanging in there. What gets to me is the thought of my two daughters. They are young, working waitress jobs that (In Wisconsin) pays about 2.50 an hour plus tips, when people tip. Unfortunately, now that people are feeling the drain, no one tips like they used to. It's making it very difficult for them to raise their children. I think it's so sad when parents have a hard time making ends meet for their kids. There's no such thing as a comfortable life for most of us. However, the rich (who include most of our politicians) are richer than they've ever been and I guess they figure that's good enough. I think the saddest thing that has happened to this country is the loss of the American Dream. But, when people have worked 30 years (like both my husband and I) and know we have to work another 20, when, if there is social security available, we will get about 700 bucks, it's a little depressing to contemplate our future and our children's/grandchildren's futures.

and the vicious cycle continues...

Janet, I try some of the things you mentioned. As for volunteering for fixing meals or something along those lines, I am very limited to that as all my children are 5 and under (and counting).

Up things do go like you I stay at home with my almost three year old. We manage to get buy I babysit some but not every week . would like to do more My little girl love it when she has a playmate. I just went to the store today and spent almost one hundred dalllors. I shop the sales and go to Aldi's for all the can goods and fresh produce , use coupons and look for mark downs. Feeding six on one income is hard. I am greatful for the little bit of food stamps we get but it is not nearly enought. I have herd of tis program called Angel Food Ministeries (you should see if their is one in your home town or near bye) for twenty five dallors you get enough food to feed (4?) for a week they also have extra stuff and you can get as many as you need . The food is real good . For the kids clothes we go to thrift shops and yard sales some are hand me downs and I also shop the sales at Kohl's , walmart, kmart and Jc Penny's. You have to plann ahead some tho like I have gotten stuff for next year for pennies I got a $40 sweater for 4 . Another idera is start a swap meet in your church or neighborhood everyone brings clothes that their kids have outgrown and swaps for clothes that they need . CLean out your house and have a yard sale .

Angel Food Ministeries (mentioned by Kathy above) is a great program!

We figured it out once, and by the time you took out child care, eating out, clothing, and all the other expences we had while I worked, I cleared $50 a week!

A person can make more than that sitting home filling out surveys and sending for freebies.

I have done Angel Food Ministries recently, but they seem to have alot of "fry-able" chicken" and that kind of keeps you from eating healthy. I had like 5 pkgs of assorted frozen - ready to fry - chicken in my deep freezer that I have finally cleared out and eaten after a year of not doing Angel Food. But you do get some good food for $25! I ended up having to drive 30 minutes to get it, and then stand in line with all the others (with 3 kids - one in a stroller) holding a box or pushing a cooler. It was just too much trouble for my time and money. I do still get their menus each month, so if I see one worth going for, I just might do it!