Feeling the financial pinch—not sure what else to cut

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. All new clothes are from the thrift store or yard sales for everyone. If the kids want brand new clothes, they can buy them themselves.
2. Kids need to borrow Homecoming dresses from a friend. If they are a unique size, that rewear the same one. If kid is still growing, but used homecoming dresses made of stretchy fabric.
3. You cut everyone’s hair.
4. No make-up.
5. I know not everyone gets good light, but if you have access to any kind of land, now you garden. Buy a few organic vegetables one week and save the seeds. For example, the seeds from one organic bell pepper will be more than enough for next summer’s garden. Replacing any grass you can with a vegetable garden will also save on mowing costs.
6. Stop all kid activities that require any fees or uniforms. The kids now work ( or look for work) as their primary activity.
7. Cut gym memberships. Now you walk and garden for exercise.
8. Cut that last streaming service.

I personally have done everything from my list except #6, and that was because a family member paid for the activities. It’s really, really hard. I’m sorry you’re going through this.

NP, but I always see these suggestions and they just make me roll my eyes.

Cut everyone’s hair? With what skills? I have no clue how to cut women’s hair, and I don’t think it’s the sort of thing one can YouTube, and I wouldn’t my teen (or myself) as a test subject

No makeup? I’m sorry, but I’m expected to look at least a little presentable in my professional career. Would you tell a man to skip a tie? No more suit jackets? Just wear everyday shoes instead of dress shoes? How expensive do you think basic drugstore cosmetics cost?

Gardening? It’s not free. I’m a gardener and there is an ongoing joke that you spend hundreds of dollars to save $5 on tomatoes for the summer. Water costs a lot of money. It’s a hobby, not a cost cutting measure

And for the love of god, that $15 a month Amazon subscription isn’t going to change the trajectory of OPs finances anymore than one coffee from Starbucks will, sorry to say. Everyone needs and deserves a vice

Agree! This post made me cringe and roll my eyes. Walking around with a home made haircut and no makeup picking up books from free libraries is not a long term solution.

I'm UMC. I learned how to cut both my son, husband and daughters' hair during the pandemic. Girl hair is SO easy. I watched a lot of youtube videos and got really good at guy hair too. I buzz the sides, fade them and then cut the top with scissors. I do a great job and I'm a picky person. DH is always begging me to cut his hair because it's a lot quicker than running out to a barber. Anyways, don't knock it until you try it.

I figure I save: $30 for guy hair every 6 weeks ($240 a year) x 2 guys, $30 for female hair every 3 months ($120) x 3 females= $840 a year.

Regarding makeup, just use makeup from Target. Nearly all of it works just as good as Sephora brands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. All new clothes are from the thrift store or yard sales for everyone. If the kids want brand new clothes, they can buy them themselves.
2. Kids need to borrow Homecoming dresses from a friend. If they are a unique size, that rewear the same one. If kid is still growing, but used homecoming dresses made of stretchy fabric.
3. You cut everyone’s hair.
4. No make-up.
5. I know not everyone gets good light, but if you have access to any kind of land, now you garden. Buy a few organic vegetables one week and save the seeds. For example, the seeds from one organic bell pepper will be more than enough for next summer’s garden. Replacing any grass you can with a vegetable garden will also save on mowing costs.
6. Stop all kid activities that require any fees or uniforms. The kids now work ( or look for work) as their primary activity.
7. Cut gym memberships. Now you walk and garden for exercise.
8. Cut that last streaming service.

I personally have done everything from my list except #6, and that was because a family member paid for the activities. It’s really, really hard. I’m sorry you’re going through this.

NP, but I always see these suggestions and they just make me roll my eyes.

Cut everyone’s hair? With what skills? I have no clue how to cut women’s hair, and I don’t think it’s the sort of thing one can YouTube, and I wouldn’t my teen (or myself) as a test subject

No makeup? I’m sorry, but I’m expected to look at least a little presentable in my professional career. Would you tell a man to skip a tie? No more suit jackets? Just wear everyday shoes instead of dress shoes? How expensive do you think basic drugstore cosmetics cost?

Gardening? It’s not free. I’m a gardener and there is an ongoing joke that you spend hundreds of dollars to save $5 on tomatoes for the summer. Water costs a lot of money. It’s a hobby, not a cost cutting measure

And for the love of god, that $15 a month Amazon subscription isn’t going to change the trajectory of OPs finances anymore than one coffee from Starbucks will, sorry to say. Everyone needs and deserves a vice

When you cannot afford the bills monthly and have to use a CC or dip into savings, you don't "deserve a vice". Many times people have multiple vices and those all add up. So sure, keep one that is small, but it should be only $20-25/month in this case. Otherwise that $25 will end up costing you $100+ as it sits unpaid on the CC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You said you are a teacher? Have you tutored kids on the side? I used to pay $60 per hour many years ago so you could definitely stretch your budget with a few hours of tutoring each week.

Great idea! If she is in DCUMland, should be able to easily get $60-75/hr. Probably the best way to spend her time. The teens can help around the house (getting dinner ready/cleaning up/etc) to enable mom to tutor 2 kids daily (and/or on weekends).

Also perk, if the parents pay with cash....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You said you are a teacher? Have you tutored kids on the side? I used to pay $60 per hour many years ago so you could definitely stretch your budget with a few hours of tutoring each week.

I’m not the OP, but I’m a former teacher. I could tutor before I had kids, because I had predictable free time. I imagine that OP might not have free time. I hear that they can’t get subs at some buildings, so teachers are subbing during their planning blocks. That moves all playing and grading outside ofschool. Go to Reddit and look at r/teachers.

Her kid's are 15 and 13 I believe. She can most definately tutor after hours/weekends. Those kids can take public transportation and/or arrange rides with friends from activities. Besides, most activities will be at school as she doesn't have $$$ to pay for other stuff

[Anonymous]

Pet sitting is a great gig. Kids can walk dogs or feed cats for people who are away. I cat sit with my teen and it’s a good gig. We’re not dog people but that’s even better money. Also boarding dogs for sure if feasible!

[Anonymous]

My 14 yr old just got a part time job (yes, 14 yr olds can get part time jobs). He'll only work 4hrs/week and is earning minimum wage + tips, so roughly $20-25/hr. $100/week is not bad, plus it teaches him to hustle.

I agree it's hard for 14yr olds to find jobs, but in this case my husband has been talking to the business owner (he's a customer) about the possibility for months. Good options for teen boys include: mowing lawns, bussing tables or dishwashing at restaurants, especially where tips are shared. Or the ever popular power washing side gig...a 14 yr old in our neighborhood power washes decks, sidewalks, and cleans trash cans; he also works in his mom's store. I agree working as a referee or a lifeguard are also great.

I also have my 12 yr old working occasionally for pet sitting, weeding, or house sitting chores. I've been reaching out to friends and neighbors saying I want to train him in various part time jobs. He's not exactly reliable at this point so I go with him to make sure he does a good job and only he gets paid. Yes, it takes up some of my time and he's getting paid a tiny amount, but he's already looking up to his brother who is making more.

Also: in your profesisonal life if you've ever had the unfortunate responsibility to be a supervisor to a 20-something who has never had a job before, you'll know how insufferable they are... don't let you kids grow up like that, sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are your expenses higher than your take-home income right now? Is it something that's temporary, and temporary enough for you to not drain your entire savings?

We need a few more details here, OP.

I’m just a little more than a year out from a divorce and just trying to find a groove. I’ve been hit with a lot of unexpected expenses lately, on top of expensive months—like this month, homecoming for two high schoolers somehow has thrown everything into chaos, and we bought the most inexpensive of everything.

High schoolers should have jobs and pay their own homecoming costs and all expenses

I don't disagree but kids in sports and some other clubs don't have a lot of time to be employable. For example, football practices run until 7pm. Film, eights on weekends. if you play club sports (which I assume if you were struggling to feed your family, you wouldn't be doing), those practices run until 9pm,. games on weekends, etc.

If the parents cannot afford to pay for "all the homecoming expenses" then the kids have choices to make---they need to find jobs to pay for it or not do the activity. It's quite simple...they have to help contribute to extra expenses if mom cannot afford it

[Anonymous]

Join the forums on Mr Money Mustache. Several threads about extreme frugality would help you, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, I forgot my best tip: you acquire all of your Christmas presents for yourself from Free Little Libraries. Every time you’re driving past a FLL and your kids aren’t with you, you stop and look. Pull like-new hardbacks that vaguely interest you. Replace them with an old book from the stack you keep in your trunk for this purpose. Looking all year, I could get half a dozen adult hardbacks in mint condition. I’d wrap them for Christmas morning, read them once, then leave them in my car to restart the process the next year. My kids thought I really loved reading.

Omg I do that too! Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are your expenses higher than your take-home income right now? Is it something that's temporary, and temporary enough for you to not drain your entire savings?

We need a few more details here, OP.

I’m just a little more than a year out from a divorce and just trying to find a groove. I’ve been hit with a lot of unexpected expenses lately, on top of expensive months—like this month, homecoming for two high schoolers somehow has thrown everything into chaos, and we bought the most inexpensive of everything.

High schoolers should have jobs and pay their own homecoming costs and all expenses

I don't disagree but kids in sports and some other clubs don't have a lot of time to be employable. For example, football practices run until 7pm. Film, eights on weekends. if you play club sports (which I assume if you were struggling to feed your family, you wouldn't be doing), those practices run until 9pm,. games on weekends, etc.

If the parents cannot afford to pay for "all the homecoming expenses" then the kids have choices to make---they need to find jobs to pay for it or not do the activity. It's quite simple...they have to help contribute to extra expenses if mom cannot afford it

Yes. If you want to do something, you have to figure out how to pay for it. Have them ask their dad or another family member or think of an entrepreneurial idea.

[Anonymous]

Since you have Amazon prime, you can take advantage for great bulk food buying deals. I recently found this. Example, 10lbs of rice, multiple pounds of dried beans, 50oz of olive oil. Even things kids like, Annie's Mac for $1 each, Asian instant ramens for super cheap. Don't buy what you want, buy what's cheap and nutritious. Also look for local food pantries and produce giveaways. DC parks and recs has weekly free veggie giveaways. Main thing I eat for cheap:

Oats (Aldi or Walmart brands)
Rice
Dried chickpeas or green lentils
Frozen veg whatever's on sale
Flour and yeast for baking bread
Shelf stable milk is usually cheaper
Spices from Walmart or dollar tree
You can make big batches on the weekend
If kids want something else, they can buy it themselves

[Anonymous]

Also, you can sell clothes on Poshmark and the kids can help too. Get all your clothes thrifting and you might notice some good deals on big brands that you can resell on Posh.

[Anonymous]

How's the electric bill? I know mine has skyrocketed over the last few months, and if I needed to shave some expenses, I'd start by having the thermostat fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How's the electric bill? I know mine has skyrocketed over the last few months, and if I needed to shave some expenses, I'd start by having the thermostat fight.

It's her and her 2 kids---there is nobody to have the "thermostat fight" with. You simply do what you can to save $$$. If kid's don't like it, they are free to get a job to earn extra money to turn the thermostat up/down as they want. Until then they don't get to fight with you over it

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. I don't know if you create your own lesson plans, but if you do you can sell them on TeachersPayTeachers. If they are well liked, you will start to get a following of teachers. I make a little bit of money this way.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/