Financially stressed out...

WalkingGirl1985
WalkingGirl1985 Posts: 2,046 Member
in Chit-Chat
Okay, I need to vent somewhere. I'm sure some of you are in the same situation so let just vent here if you need it. My fiancee and I live on one income..It's not very much. It is enough to pay for rent, bills and have food stamps (thank the Lord, or we would be starving). I do mostly get healthy things, but when the end of the month rolls around, and we go broke. I have to settle with more processed crap, which takes a toll on my salt content, but grateful its food and to survive on it can't afford to replace my running shoes every 6 months..I can't afford to go to every race out there..and I feel for the homeless. I have given food, even money, and volunteered my time to help them so i know we could be far worse, so im trying not to complain..but its tough. My fiancee should finish school by may in the technology industry in less then a year..(hopefully) hope things get better for us, so please pray for us if you can. How is everyone doing or dealing?
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Replies

  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    He can't go to school and work part time?

    I part time income could really make this easier.
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Tell your husband to get a part time job!
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    Fiancee needs a job. Stat. I worked 3 jobs through college getting a history degree writing papers, reading books etc all the time. My Mom worked FT and went to school FT with two kids and going through a divorce.

    I know you didn't really ask for the advice, but geez. This is NOT a burden you should have to bear alone. He should be working.
  • WalkingGirl1985
    WalkingGirl1985 Posts: 2,046 Member
    He is still looking at this time, just no offers yet and nothing has came up yet.
  • LiveLaffLoseLove
    LiveLaffLoseLove Posts: 104
    It is tough... We live on 2 incomes, my husband does lots of little side jobs on his days off... Have 2 kids and a house and barely get by. I feel for you, but maybe he could get a part-time job. My hubby works midnights and cuts lawns and repairs cars during the day... so its tough, but something more can always be done. Good Luck
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    He is still looking at this time, just no offers yet and nothing has came up yet.

    Part time jobs are a dime a dozen...

    Grocery Stores, Fast Food, Gas Stations
  • MikeM53082
    MikeM53082 Posts: 1,199 Member
    He has to get some income stream. Hell, cut lawns, rake leaves, or shovel snow.. he should just do SOMETHING.

    Let him know that the lack of money stresses you out.
  • WalkingGirl1985
    WalkingGirl1985 Posts: 2,046 Member
    He knows.
  • fabfindz05
    fabfindz05 Posts: 92 Member
    There are several retailers looking for folks to hire for the holiday season.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    I don't answer the phone.

    EDIT: Thank the gods for chocolate.
  • MidlifeGlowUp
    MidlifeGlowUp Posts: 91 Member
    I wanted to add my voice to the chorus. Fiancee needs to bring in a paycheck. In the 90's I worked my way through undergrad with a parttime job, and I'm currently working my way through graduate school. It can be done. It won't strain him unreasonably, and it will relieve a lot of the pressure on you.
  • Tamisha15
    Tamisha15 Posts: 83 Member
    With the holiday season approaching he may be able to get a seansonal job. I understand what you mean. When my husband was going to school I was the only one bringing in income plus we had our first son but now that I look back it was all worth it. Hang in there and try to be creative. Also, get a Sam's or Costco memebership if you can afford it. You can buy alot of things in bulk like Chicken and fish.

    You are in my prayers :-)
  • rachelrb85
    rachelrb85 Posts: 579 Member
    Fiancee needs a job. Stat. I worked 3 jobs through college getting a history degree writing papers, reading books etc all the time. My Mom worked FT and went to school FT with two kids and going through a divorce.

    I know you didn't really ask for the advice, but geez. This is NOT a burden you should have to bear alone. He should be working.

    I second this.... I also worked 3 jobs while going to school full-time for accounting. Definitely possible!
  • morah29
    morah29 Posts: 107
    I have to agree with everyone else... he needs a job...I am sorry but really he could find a part time job flipping burgers and it would help..... what would be doing for money if it wasn't for you? I don't see good things happening with this in the end.......
  • BSchoberg
    BSchoberg Posts: 712 Member
    Do NOT get pregnant! Be vigilant about it, cut him off, whatever you have to do... do not have that additional set of expenses!
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    Do NOT get pregnant! Be vigilant about it, cut him off, whatever you have to do... do not have that additional set of expenses!

    Wait.. did I miss something?
  • Amryfal
    Amryfal Posts: 225
    did the OP ask for advice? i must have missed that. it's obviously pretty easy to just "go get a job" right now. i just left GRAD SCHOOL qualified to teach college, and after four months unemployed, i was lucky to snag a part-time contract job this semester, pays about $400 a month, after two years of university teaching experience. i'm sure the OP's fiancé knows he should get a job.

    hang in there, OP. i know how hard it is to do this on a tight budget - i have three kids to feed and my fiancé has two, and i'm lucky he has a full time job - he hates it, but it's keeping us afloat right now. barely. you just do the best you can with the food and the diet, and keep working at making things better. don't let it bog you down.
  • dendalee
    dendalee Posts: 10 Member
    I worked a full-time job - raised two children essentially by myself because my husband works out of town. You can do whatever you put your mind to. That's the key! He has to want it.

    Time to tell hubby to get a job. Obviously it's causing you some serious stress, so it might be a good time to address it before it gets any worse and causes a strain on your relationship.
  • HotAshMess
    HotAshMess Posts: 382 Member
    Listen.....feeling for the homeless is one thing. I'm sure you're not at this point yet, but what good are you doing anyone if by helping the homeless, you make yourself homeless? Know what I mean? When things get tight, you gotta tighten up. Stop giving money, stop giving food....get yourself in a place where doing so doesn't remove money you need from your account and food from your pantry. Volunteering is great and I think it is better for your karma than just giving food. And, you're burning calories!

    Feel free to add me/check me out on cheap-o meals. I found a great bean burrito recipe last week...between beans <$2, tortillas <$2, sour cream <$2, and cheese $2......less than $8 that served me and bf for dinner, lunch for me the next day and dinner for him that night.

    It's rough...really rough. I know working 40 hours is hard, but maybe you can pick up a little 5-10 hour a week part time job and he could do the same. I do it every year for Christmas. It can help if you can find a way to make it work, I know you didn't ask for advice. But I hope things get easier. Many of us are in the same boat.
    Hang in there!
  • ajsminer
    ajsminer Posts: 11 Member
    I hear your frustration. Do you have a local farmers market you can visit? Sometimes if you go the last hour they are open you can get some great deals because they don't want to carry it home to rot. Offer half price on their veggies and fruits, worth a shot :) Also, get creative with your finances. See what around the house you can sell. Hold a garage sale or take some stuff to a used clothing store. Do you guys have any bills you can trim? The paper, cable, eating out, and such... I recently called our cable/phone/internet provider and talked them down from $177 a month to $110. BOO YA!! Be honest with yourself and with your fiancee about the money situation. Sit down and TALK IT OUT. Because marriage does not make money problems go away... Dave Ramsey has some good advice. So does Suze Orman, Best of luck to you!! Run that frustration out, don't stress eat ;) opps, that's my issue... oy!
  • dendalee
    dendalee Posts: 10 Member
    Surely a job at a fast food place or something would help at least a little!
  • redfroggie
    redfroggie Posts: 591 Member
    Here is an option for you or anyone actually. There is a website called www.workplacelikehome.com it is a site that is dedicated to actual real work from home jobs. No not the stuffing envelopes or building crafts kind. They have great options for anyone in the US that can't leave home for one reason or other or is struggling to find a job.
    A few of the companies are gearing up for the holidays. You can also check at www.ratrebellion.com I'm not as familiar with that one.

    good luck to you.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    did the OP ask for advice? i must have missed that.

    Yes she did.
    Yes you did.
  • jayhawkfan51
    jayhawkfan51 Posts: 78 Member
    You are correct it is VERY tough. As a single mom of 2, I know exactly what you are saying. I have to work 2 jobs and sacrifice alot. Staying positive is extremely important not only to your weight loss but to your overall health. Dont give in to the negativity.

    Suggestion on food stamp $. Is it possible for you to buy items that are healthy for you, prepare a couple of meals and freeze them. So when the end of month comes around you dont have to eat processed junk. A little brown rice, beans, sweet potatoes, fresh veggie, and cheap cuts of meat can go along way in making nutritous meals. Chicken/rice, zucchini lasagna, pot roast, chicken enchilada (whole wheat tortilla, low fat cheese) all freeze beautifully
  • WalkingGirl1985
    WalkingGirl1985 Posts: 2,046 Member
    Do NOT get pregnant! Be vigilant about it, cut him off, whatever you have to do... do not have that additional set of expenses!

    What the..??
  • ewl6850
    ewl6850 Posts: 158 Member
    I understand the pains. Things aren't as easy out there as it seems. A grant I get for school says that I cant work anymore than 20 hours per week. I have applied to about 40+ places... Not even a phone call.
  • mvatrail
    mvatrail Posts: 45
    Food is fuel - do what you need to earn money to feed yourself, if that means your partner needs to get a part time job, he needs to get with the program.
  • LaurySch
    LaurySch Posts: 277 Member
    I get it - it's never as easy as it seems, is it? I'm a single mom, one income with no chance of ever getting money out of the kids' father. I live with my parents and work at a great job that pays over minimum wage but not a lot. Enough to keep me out of social services/welfare (and the advantages and disadvantages of that!) but not enough to ever get ahead. School is out for me because I already have a debt load and anything I would work towards would take too long to make it worth it (student loans for cost of living AND school for minimum 3 years?!?) I don't have a gym membership because the kids need things. I do what I can and when I need to spend I feel guilty that it's not going to them! My parents are a blessing because I know I'll never be kicked out for being a week late on rent! And that's not the least of my worries - but that's my rant, not yours!

    You are doing great things by recognizing those who don't even have what you have, and you also have an end in sight! Keep focusing on what you can do for others instead of how depressed you are for being in the situation and don't worry about falling back on the 'processed' food at the end of the month. I admire you for supporting your fiance and hope that he will be able to repay the favor when he finally gets an awesome job!
  • Amryfal
    Amryfal Posts: 225
    did the OP ask for advice? i must have missed that.

    Yes she did.
    Yes you did.

    quote that? because i read the post several times and didn't see it.

    wait, whatever, never mind. i know better than to stick my foot in the forums any more, because i just don't have the patience.
  • jonward85
    jonward85 Posts: 534 Member
    My wife and i live on one income. 3 kids and the 2 of us. I feel the stress you're under. I am hoping it gets easier for us as well. Child care is so expensive in the area it's cheaper for us for my wife to be a stay at home mom than to work.

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