Why give up before you even try. Has he looked/applied to all the jobs and receive salary info?

Look for a lower cost childcare. There are quite a few in the poster neighborhood (SE) that aren't that expensive.

Get a night job while the mom works days. You might not need child care at all.

I think what OP is saying is that her husband could make money but not enough to justify working and paying daycare. That makes sense in this context. Once the kids are at public school, he should definitely get a job. And at that time your finances will improve, OP. Hang in there!

Anonymous wrote:I rent a one bedroom shack in DC because my rent is $950. Last week a guy got shot 15 times at 2pm in front of my apartment. A two bedroom runs you about $1800 to $2400 and $1800 is a steal. I make $70k. Sometimes a little more. I keep making more $, but my boss keeps adjusting my commissions structure so I stay at $70k. I am actively looking. I could make more laterally, but want to get into about the $150k range...which doesn't seem impossible...just waiting for the right thing to come along anywhere in any country!

The commute is a pain in the butt, but you might look at homes outside of the reach of metro. DH and I moved out to Baltimore City, and he takes the MARC to DC, which takes him an hour (but he doesn't have to do this every day, thanks to telework, and he can read/work on the train). I am less lucky: I treck up and down 95 to College Park, which takes me 1-1.5 hrs on 95. But in exchange, we bought a rowhouse (3 bedrooms, office, basement; in other words, more than 1 bedroom apt) for 160k. For us the lost time is worth the savings.

Not sure if that helps, my knowledge is pretty specific to BC so it might be useless to you. But its one option to investigate. And Baltimore City may not be the only place where you can get cheaper, safer housing.

Obviously OP will continue to makes excuses because they have obviously checked every bar, restaurant, construction and other business in the tri-state area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please the father can get a job in a bar or restaurant at way more than minimum wage. Construction pays more than minimum wage too. He can deliver pizzas. Stop making excuses.

People think they know everything. You do not get hired for felonies anywhere except Goodwill and the Metro with one felony after 10 years of having it. People think the shit is that easy. Give me a company that you know that hires felons. You know for a fact...we you earn more than minimum wage.

You named 2. He can start there.

Cut grass and create your own job.
Do handyman work.
Start a cleaning business.

Listen, if illegal Hispanic immigrants who do not speak the language can clean houses, so can he.

Here is a business idea that has come from DCUM. He should advertise a business, cleaning just bathrooms in people's homes. He can go to work at night and in the weekends. Even in this economic tough times, people can afford someone to come and just clean the bathrooms. He can even start from the building you live in.

He can also provide babysitting.

Can he cook? He can cook dinner for people to pick up. There are tons of things he can do to make money.