Feeling the financial pinch—not sure what else to cut

[Anonymous]

Pet sitting. Take only one dog or cat at a time. Go onto Rover and build a profile, you can be choosy with the animals you pick. I use a sitter I found there for my dog who is a divorced mom and pay her $120 dollars a day plus tip. She basically just has to be a dog owner of a well behaved dog and collects a great sum. This should be even easier with teens who can pitch in on walks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is feeling what a lot of us will be feeling soon - we just aren't as close to the edge so don't realize it yet. The value of the dollar has plummeted, and inflation is soaring - despite the official numbers. This is what I suggest -
1 - Call up your cell phone company and internet company. Tell them you are newly poor and need to find savings. I called Verizon and reduced mine by over $50 a month each.
2 - Credit cards get paid first (after mortgage!). Try not to keep a balance on them. Other bills can wait until you pay them down.
3 - Electricity, gas, water are super expensive now (thanks Data Centers!). Be strict about their use. Act like you are in a drought - if it's yellow let it mellow. Only use dryer if necessary - clothes can be air dryed, etc.
4. Lentils for the win! Less meat is good for you. Growing up poor (then rich, then poor again), my mom would make huge batches of lentils and beans and freeze them. My sister and I joke about the bean soup but we ate it and survived.

OP here. Thanks! You get it.

My mortgage is dirt cheap; I got really lucky when I found my condo and I couldn’t do better even renting, so I’m staying put. My car is paid off so I’m not selling it, because I’d get next to nothing and would then have the added stress of figuring out transportation—I don’t live in an easily walkable area, nor near quality public transportation. I’m a teacher and make a little more than $100k after support.

I’m just in disbelief by how expensive things are all of a sudden. It’s like it happened overnight.

A "cheap mortgage" doesn't mean everything, I think a lot of Americans are using that as a crutch and not realizing other expenses will go up and sometimes we need make a move, physically (move locations) or career wise to make more money. We all just can't sit in our cheap houses and expect the world to stay static.

Wait, what? What exactly are you suggesting? That the OP sell her cheap mortgage and… move into something more expensive, in order to save money? Explain how that works, please, because I’d love a bigger house.

NP - yes. She needs to sell if her income does not cover expenses. Teachers can live and work anywhere. People share smaller spaces, or live in a less convenient location or rent a room to someone else, etc.

[Anonymous]

There's an amazing lady on tiktok who puts together "Dollar Tree Meals." You don't have to get your ingredients from Dollar Tree, but she's basically making dishes that are filling and nutritious without expensive proteins.

Going vegetarian and making all your meals at home is a quick way to save.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's an amazing lady on tiktok who puts together "Dollar Tree Meals." You don't have to get your ingredients from Dollar Tree, but she's basically making dishes that are filling and nutritious without expensive proteins.

Going vegetarian and making all your meals at home is a quick way to save.

I love those meals! I’ve gotten some good ideas from them. Also ChatGPT has good meal ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is feeling what a lot of us will be feeling soon - we just aren't as close to the edge so don't realize it yet. The value of the dollar has plummeted, and inflation is soaring - despite the official numbers. This is what I suggest -
1 - Call up your cell phone company and internet company. Tell them you are newly poor and need to find savings. I called Verizon and reduced mine by over $50 a month each.
2 - Credit cards get paid first (after mortgage!). Try not to keep a balance on them. Other bills can wait until you pay them down.
3 - Electricity, gas, water are super expensive now (thanks Data Centers!). Be strict about their use. Act like you are in a drought - if it's yellow let it mellow. Only use dryer if necessary - clothes can be air dryed, etc.
4. Lentils for the win! Less meat is good for you. Growing up poor (then rich, then poor again), my mom would make huge batches of lentils and beans and freeze them. My sister and I joke about the bean soup but we ate it and survived.

OP here. Thanks! You get it.

My mortgage is dirt cheap; I got really lucky when I found my condo and I couldn’t do better even renting, so I’m staying put. My car is paid off so I’m not selling it, because I’d get next to nothing and would then have the added stress of figuring out transportation—I don’t live in an easily walkable area, nor near quality public transportation. I’m a teacher and make a little more than $100k after support.

I’m just in disbelief by how expensive things are all of a sudden. It’s like it happened overnight.

A "cheap mortgage" doesn't mean everything, I think a lot of Americans are using that as a crutch and not realizing other expenses will go up and sometimes we need make a move, physically (move locations) or career wise to make more money. We all just can't sit in our cheap houses and expect the world to stay static.

Wait, what? What exactly are you suggesting? That the OP sell her cheap mortgage and… move into something more expensive, in order to save money? Explain how that works, please, because I’d love a bigger house.

NP - yes. She needs to sell if her income does not cover expenses. Teachers can live and work anywhere. People share smaller spaces, or live in a less convenient location or rent a room to someone else, etc.

DP. She already explained that it would cost her more to rent. Doesn't make sense for her to move at this point.

[Anonymous]

Two things that have helped me:

Shopping at Aldi. Not for everything, but it's cut down my grocery bill quite a bit.

Selling on eBay - stuff from around the house - it's not a ton of money, but it helps. Your teens could actually do this to help out.

[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

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.

I can agree with all your suggestions but not about makeup. Lipstick, blush and eyeliner/mascara from the drugstore are not that expensive. Appearance does matter unless you belong to a strick religious sect.

[Anonymous]

A different strategy is to look at you expenditures you cant control- cell phone, utilities, mortgage, insurance.

Can you reduce or cut or shop around? Right now is not the time to refinance, but keep it in the back of your mind for when interest rates do drop.

Can you reduce your car insurance? Take a defensive driving course, is teen away at college, does your credit card offer road side assistance, for example, so strike that from your insurance coverage.

The list goes on.

[Anonymous]

Gas is cheap, but lots of stuff sure is getting more expensive. We just got our power bill and it was our highest ever summer bill by a lot. Groceries are creeping up there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is feeling what a lot of us will be feeling soon - we just aren't as close to the edge so don't realize it yet. The value of the dollar has plummeted, and inflation is soaring - despite the official numbers. This is what I suggest -
1 - Call up your cell phone company and internet company. Tell them you are newly poor and need to find savings. I called Verizon and reduced mine by over $50 a month each.
2 - Credit cards get paid first (after mortgage!). Try not to keep a balance on them. Other bills can wait until you pay them down.
3 - Electricity, gas, water are super expensive now (thanks Data Centers!). Be strict about their use. Act like you are in a drought - if it's yellow let it mellow. Only use dryer if necessary - clothes can be air dryed, etc.
4. Lentils for the win! Less meat is good for you. Growing up poor (then rich, then poor again), my mom would make huge batches of lentils and beans and freeze them. My sister and I joke about the bean soup but we ate it and survived.

OP here. Thanks! You get it.

My mortgage is dirt cheap; I got really lucky when I found my condo and I couldn’t do better even renting, so I’m staying put. My car is paid off so I’m not selling it, because I’d get next to nothing and would then have the added stress of figuring out transportation—I don’t live in an easily walkable area, nor near quality public transportation. I’m a teacher and make a little more than $100k after support.

I’m just in disbelief by how expensive things are all of a sudden. It’s like it happened overnight.

Shit is about to hit the fan in the DC area, due to more federal layoffs, and those who took the Fork whose paychecks will stop this week. So it's great that you're a teacher. Keep that job. The car and condo make sense. You need to reduce your other expenses.

We are a family of 4 and make do with just a little more than you, so in my mind, three of you living on 100K should be doable. You REALLY need to account for every penny for the same few months, to track your expenses. There's got to be something extra you can cut. No eating out or consumable entertainment for now, reduce electricity bill as much as you can (like close the blinds to get less sunlight and consume less A/C, it's very expensive). I hope you're eating the leftovers diligently and not wasting food? Is there an outflow of money that you're missing? Maybe you can shop around for car insurance? When you keep the same one for years, they tend to increase the premiums sneakily.

You can do it, OP! Many families are in the same boat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

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.

I can agree with all your suggestions but not about makeup. Lipstick, blush and eyeliner/mascara from the drugstore are not that expensive. Appearance does matter unless you belong to a strick religious sect.

Not for teachers. Their jobs are not dependent on appearance. I agree with the other PP to shop for consignment clothes at Unique. Her kids have to change their lifestyles too.

You need to wean yourself off of your savings, OP, otherwise you're in deep trouble, because what you describe is not temporary. It's the new normal. Inflation is going to get worse. Ditch the streaming. Your library is free and has some movies.

[Anonymous]

Switching to Mint, raising temp in house, switching from individual streaming services to bundles (and cutting some), and basically buying only needs not wants helped us. Looking at switching wi-fi next. Currently paying too much for Verizon, looks like T-Mobile is offering $35/month guaranteed for five years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pet sitting. Take only one dog or cat at a time. Go onto Rover and build a profile, you can be choosy with the animals you pick. I use a sitter I found there for my dog who is a divorced mom and pay her $120 dollars a day plus tip. She basically just has to be a dog owner of a well behaved dog and collects a great sum. This should be even easier with teens who can pitch in on walks.

Seriously?? Approximately $3000/monthly for your dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

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.

I can agree with all your suggestions but not about makeup. Lipstick, blush and eyeliner/mascara from the drugstore are not that expensive. Appearance does matter unless you belong to a strick religious sect.

Not for teachers. Their jobs are not dependent on appearance. I agree with the other PP to shop for consignment clothes at Unique. Her kids have to change their lifestyles too.

You need to wean yourself off of your savings, OP, otherwise you're in deep trouble, because what you describe is not temporary. It's the new normal. Inflation is going to get worse. Ditch the streaming. Your library is free and has some movies.

You can't be serious. Teachers interact with parents, give presentations, conduct meetings, etc. and you think they should wear no makeup? Maybe a woman in her 20s can get away with it. Not more mature teachers. (And I can promise you that middle and high school students notice.)

[Anonymous]

OP, consider going to the thrift store for clothes. My family has found a lot of clothes (including HoCo and prom dresses) that were very inexpensive. Unique has tons of jeans, tops, dresses, shoes, etc.

Since meat costs are so high right now, consider a more vegetarian diet — beans, lentils, chickpeas, and tofu are great sources of protein. I have made a variety of vegetarian soups, stews and pastas.

Consider getting an extra job you can do one day on the weekend - maybe take advantage of the upcoming holidays when retailers need extra help.

My heart goes out to you! ♥️