Feeling the financial pinch—not sure what else to cut

[Anonymous]

Also, more and more people need Government Assistance and there is nothing wrong with it. Do you qualify for SNAP? Apply. Do you qualify for property tax relief? Apply. Look into all the good ones. It is hard to start the process of needing government help but once you do, you will be very relieved and surprised at how easy it is.

You would not be in this position if the billionaires weren't vacuuming up all the money and spending it on Yachts. They got government assistance to start their companies. You can get assistance to feed your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m really beginning to feel the financial pressure, and I could use some fresh ideas or perspective. Earlier this year, I made some cuts to our spending, but I’m at the point where there’s nothing left to trim that feels feasible or impactful. I’ve been dipping into savings every month just to cover our basic bills, and while I’m grateful I have some savings, I really don’t want to keep draining them, especially since I’m not currently able to replenish anything.

To make things tighter, I just got a notice from our mortgage company that our escrow is increasing by $50/month. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when everything is already squeezed, it feels huge.

Some context: I already bake treats at home and we stopped buying most convenience foods. We eat at home almost all the time, maybe 1-2 meals out per month, and often that’s just pizza. We’ve cut streaming and subscriptions down to just Amazon Prime. No vacations, no big shopping splurges, no new clothes unless truly needed. I do have a raise coming in January, but it's modest and won’t solve this problem on its own.

Has anyone else been in this position and found something that helped shift things? I’m open to creative suggestions, whether it’s ways to temporarily ease the squeeze, things I might not have thought to cut or change, or even ways to bring in a little extra income. I’d appreciate any practical insight.

got divorced, saved a ton of money after getting rid of x-wife.

[Anonymous]

You might be able to save a lot of money if you switch your cell phone carrier. We recently left Verizon and will be saving hundreds a year. Read the contract and watch the bill, because they charged us a hefty fee to leave and we had to fight it.

[Anonymous]

You need to find a wealthy new man soon OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, more and more people need Government Assistance and there is nothing wrong with it. Do you qualify for SNAP? Apply. Do you qualify for property tax relief? Apply. Look into all the good ones. It is hard to start the process of needing government help but once you do, you will be very relieved and surprised at how easy it is.

You would not be in this position if the billionaires weren't vacuuming up all the money and spending it on Yachts. They got government assistance to start their companies. You can get assistance to feed your family.

OP says she brings in 100k. I’m not up on SNAP rules but I’m guessing she doesn’t qualify.

[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

In the pp you’re replying to and a former teacher. OP asked for quick tips. I was thinking of things that would get her through December. I gave advice that I have personally followed.

I started cutting my hair during the pandemic and never stopped. Slightly longer hair is more forgiving. If OP is African American, I can see how this might not work for her. There are indeed tutorials on YouTube.

I wear no makeup. It saves me time of money. Men look professional w/o makeup. OP is a teacher. Make-up isn’t going to change her career trajectory.
When she runs out, she can choose to not replace it.

DH gardens. DH comes from a farming family. His dad has an incredible organic vegetable garden with saved seeds kitchen waste. His grandfather had an even bigger vegetable garden from saved seeds and kitchen waste. DH used to have a very easy time gardening, but we moved and now our light is terrible. That’s why I wrote the caveat I did. I’m not sure what to say to this because I’m not the gardener in the family.

I shared event dresses with friends in high school and college. Stretchy dresses are better for sharing.

I lived for years watching only YouTube. As a teacher, I didn’t spend the money on streaming, because I was saving for retirement.

I bought only used clothes for myself for a few years. As a teacher, I bought new underwear, bras, shoes, coats, and swimsuits. I went to Unique Thrift for everything else.

If OP is pulling money out of savings, then she’s living above her means. Teaching is so hard that I know she can’t deal with a second job, so she needs to cut expenses. She’s doing a great job cooking things from scratch, but by her own admission, she needs more money. These are the things our family has done to save more money. I’m glad you don’t need to deal with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teens in lower income households work and contribute to the bills. You need them to pitch in.

Or they need to skip all events/extra curricular s.

Those are nice to have for family making 600k/year but not when one parent is struggling.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

1. Why do you even have an escrow? Pay taxes and insurance directly once a year and cash out that escrow.
2. See if you qualify for discounts on utilities - water and electricity.
3. Teens pay for their own clothes, tickets, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you’re doing a good job cutting spending. I disagree with a PP. You need to add income. Someone mentioned dog sitting, which you could probably only do over the weekends because you work but families with kids in travel sports could use a niche sitter like that. My kids dog sat for two different families this weekend with minimal effort. Did you say you own a condo? Start in your building.

[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.

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.

[Anonymous]

If you feel comfortable doing so, I'd go to food banks. You could get some staples and maybe save a few bucks there.

[Anonymous]

I still think you should request to have this moved to the Money forum and you need to put a line for line monthly spending on here for other posters to be able to offer real suggestions to help. It's all great to suggest get a better cell phone plan, but no one knows how much you are paying right now, for anything.

If you really want help, you have to give us real info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never take from savings to pay for frivolities like Homecoming outfits.

It doesn't seem like you have the right priorities, OP.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I still think you should request to have this moved to the Money forum and you need to put a line for line monthly spending on here for other posters to be able to offer real suggestions to help. It's all great to suggest get a better cell phone plan, but no one knows how much you are paying right now, for anything.

If you really want help, you have to give us real info.

OP is a teacher and probably won’t check in until after dinner. It underscores the point that she might not have unlimited time to pick up extra jobs.

I’ve found good tips at r/povertyfinance.