limited income

[sands01]

My husband lost his job some tie ago and has only been able to get seasonal work. He has been working pretty much year round, but some weeks only gets 5 hours. We get government assistance because of the little bit of money my husband gets. I am going to school so we can change all of this and be a little better off where we don't need assistance.

My question is how do you live off your limited income? I am looking for some advice on how to pay for everything we need. I really suck at budgeting so it hasn't been going well so far.

[karenkpc]

bartering is a great option when you can find others willing to barter for you.  make a list of your skills against the things you need and see if you can pair up with someone.  energy assistance and/or flat rate level payments help with utility bills.  google for freecycle groups in your area, in which there is no money exchanged for items given and received.  hope these help!

[mc1962]

buying no-name brands and buckling down on all expenses is the best way to cut back.

[sands01]

Thanks guys! To start, I think I will sit down and make a list of our expenses to see where our money goes. My friend is a great bargainer! She always finds good deals. I never even think to go to our local thrift shops. We just did a couple days ago for the first time in probably 6 to 8 months. I definitely need to go back more!

[sands01]

I love rummage sales. I just haven't gone to one for years. My mother in law is going to take me to a city wide one and she always helps with clothes for the kids.

I need to have a rummage sale but no one comes down our street, ever, even for Halloween.

[Storm61115]

  With summer coming....two favorites:  rummage sales & flea markets!! 

HECK YEAH! U GOT THAT RIGHT! i love garage saling. but i dont like to drive all over town just to go to one. i havent been to much lately coz it has been bad weather and i want to put one one coz i just want to make some many and get rid of the crap i dont need. why waste the space with something u dont use when u can sell it and get something u have been wanting forever and will use.  i also like to go to garage sales coz i never know what u can find. i mean there could be things u would never normally see. maybe u can find ur childhood toys? maybe something u cant afford but can afford to buy it used from the person who is putting on the garage sale. i get alot of crap for cheap and my money goes along way. i get alot of nice gentle used clothes at garage sales too. i also go to the salvation army. they dont have the best of everything but beggers cant be choosers.

[dreamyxo]

Stop spending.  Try for one month and only spend on necessities.  You either need to increase your income or cut expenses or preferably do a little bit of both.  Learn to live with less.  Cut out shopping, eating out, going out.  Find ways to save on your bills.  Do you have to cheapest internet plan, cell phone, cable?  Do you even need these services?  Can you find ways to cut down on electricity, grocery bill, other utilities?  How much driving do you do?  Can you carpool to save on gas, take public transportation, etc?

[lynnc35]

Start seeking more employment, this is the only thing you can do.

[pattypingle]

I get extra money from FC and Inbox acct. that helps me with money for food. Is not alot, but better than not getting any money, and its simple to do even though you don't always get credit.

[sands01]

My husband is trying to find a different job. He has been since he lost his last one. He had been there about 5 years.

Stop spending.  Try for one month and only spend on necessities.  You either need to increase your income or cut expenses or preferably do a little bit of both.  Learn to live with less.  Cut out shopping, eating out, going out.  Find ways to save on your bills.  Do you have to cheapest internet plan, cell phone, cable?  Do you even need these services?  Can you find ways to cut down on electricity, grocery bill, other utilities?  How much driving do you do?  Can you carpool to save on gas, take public transportation, etc?

We have cut everything we can. My inlaws pay for our internet, satellite, and cell phones. We get assistance for our food. We have cut down on all of the utilities we have and my husband and I started driving the car when we go anywhere because it has better gas mileage. Thanks for your suggestions! If you have any more feel free to share again!

[dreamyxo]

Have a yard sale.  Clean out your closets and see if you have anything you haven't used in a year.  Sell whatever you can.  Then find ways to bring in extra money.  You say you are going to school can you find a few hours a week to find do something like babysit, clean houses, deliver papers, mow lawns, pet sit?