How do you make ends meet??

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Jan 17, 2006

It can be hard. For my family, we make extra money here and there by having a yard sale or two every year, sell on eBay, and I also do Mary Kay. Maybe try babysitting? I really don't know what else to tell you, so good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!

nursecher · Jan 17, 2006

I am in you boat! I am also married with 2 kids and unemployed. I go to school part-time but I am taking 10 credits which is 2 credits away from full time. (at my school and there are no 2 credit classes, they all start at three).

As for making ends meet it is very hard. My husband works alot of overtime. We live pay check to pay check. We don't go out to eat alot or go shopping except out of necessity. We drive two older vehicles that are paid for. (we could not afford car payments). I also shop at Sam's Club and buy things like toilet paper, diapers, wipes, shampoo, razors and paper towels in bulk.

It is hard and stressful. I sit down with the bills and decide which ones absolutely need paid and which ones can wait. If they are going to turn something off that is usually when it gets paid. We are just now catching up after Christmas and we just bought a home in Oct of this year.

I guess I try to stay positive and be thankful for what I have. I try to stay focused and realize that it will all be worth it in the end.

Good Luck!

LuvMyGamecocks · Jan 17, 2006

I, too, am in a similar situation. I'm not taking full-time classes, as most of my gen ed is already done (PHEW!!!!), but I do have to manage A&P II, a nursing class, a full-time job (with an extremely understanding boss), a husband and two little ones (2 and 4). Sometimes I feel like I'll never meet the goals that I've set for myself, but then I wonder....what would I be doing in the next 2, 3, 4 years if I DIDN'T finish school? The ends will most definitely be worth the means. (And please, PLEASE don't feel bad or disappointed in yourself that you have to figure out what can and can't be paid. My electricity bill doesn't get paid until I know it's time for cutoff....just the way it has to work while I'm still in school.)

Trying to offer encouragement doesn't help pay the bills, I know. Do you have the ability to work 3rd shift? Hospitals here are always looking for third shift ED registrars (?), and they seem to prefer nursing/healthcare students. How far along are you in your Nursing program? Some will hire you as Student Nurse Techs, Patient Care Techs.....

Please feel free to PM me....if nothing else for moral support. Good luck!!!

momx4 · Jan 17, 2006

I was wondering how ya all make ends meet. I am currently enrolled full time, married with 2 children. I got laid off from work and decided to return to school now that my unemployment has ran out I don't know what to do My husband makes too much money to get any assitance and he is trying to work as much as he can and with my homework and the children schedules basketball practice and games and I have one who needs extra help with homework at night I can't find the time to make any money. We have no family that will help. And with all the prices going up our credit is going down. Does anyone have any advice? I know sometimes the best advice is word of mouth. Thanks for any advice:crying2:

I am in the same situation as you. I am married with 4 children, 2play sports.My husband works fulltime. I have taken up babysitting but I feel that will shortly end. It is too hard to add more kids and try to study. I am looking into selling all this clutter in my home on ebay. I was just going to set up my account after this comment,lol. Good luck!!!!

bckthuzs1 · Jan 17, 2006

It's kind of assuring to know that their are others in the same boat racing to keep bills going, sometimes it gets so frustrating. I haven't got accepted into nursing yet but I am getting all of the pre reqs out of the way. Right now I am taking speech, algebra, A&P II, Human Growth and Development and Socioligy. My Husband is scared that if I take a job that my gpa will go down and the nursing program here is so full that it starts accepting by taking who has the higher gpa. Thanks for the advice and keep up the good work!!!!

NaomieRN · Jan 17, 2006

I agree with nurse-to-be, eBay is the way to go. Can you waitress on weekends? That might be another way to make some money working 2 nights a week. Good Luck to you!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jan 17, 2006

I was working 2 jobs. One from home and one in the wee hours of the morning slicing meat and cheese for a deli's home delivery.

It was a challenge with school and all. Now that I started the nursing program, I left the deli and work a few hours from home. I also babysit every now and then. It's not easy especially since husband is the sole bread winner.

One thing you can do it cut out un-necessary expenses. I got rid of a car payment and bought a used not so nice car (but it's payed for). I also moved into a smaller apt. (which included some utilities). We hardly spend or splurge........but do eat out once a week. Meals are home cooked. I have basic cable, conserve energy as much as we can and moved very close to my school........(I will walk there during the summer and spring). I clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper and shop around for my groceries.

I could go on and on........but this is just my example. Believe me when I say all our hard work pays off.

Good luck

sumthnspecial · Jan 17, 2006

Student loans! I quit my job when I went back to school last semester and I took out student loans(I dont qualify for grants). I know that I will have a ton of debt to pay when I am done with school, but hopefully I will have a good paying nursing job too.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2006

It was easier for me to make ends meet since I am single without children. Moreover, I had a decently sized savings account to live off.

Try http://www.SallieMae.com for a student loan to help with the extras. They often don't look too closely at the credit history if your credit is not perfect. Good luck to you.

sumthnspecial · Jan 18, 2006

Hey commuter, I was reading some old threads and I came across one that said you lived in Bakersfield. Is that true? I live here(there)???? What High school did you go to?

Amber

kukukajoo, LPN · Jan 18, 2006

Is it even possible to make ends meet!?! I live day to day and on a prayer! Someday I will figure it all out I hope! My hats off to everyone working their butts off with a family and/or job and going to college! Remember with sheer determination we can make the impossible happen!

I am single mom full time in college with three kids- a freshman in HS and twins in college. I was actually fired from the job I had before starting college and vowed never to be put in that position again and decided to follow my heart into nursing. I was fired when I reported being harassed and the humiliation was horrible and I felt powerless. Since then I have taken out lots of loans and work part time. This semester I am looking for a full time job. Last winter was brutal and I juggled my heat bill and finally had it paid off in September!

Ways I have saved:

buy books online

No more cable- get my news online

Phone bill down to bare minimum- long dx block and no extras

I turn the heat way down and no AC in summer

No clothes shopping and when i do, I shop at Goodwill and a real nice upscale consignment shoppe.

Mealtime has me skimping. My kids like Annies Mac & Cheese and I try to use pastas a lot and make soups as you can stretch that a lot.

Buy meats on sale in bulk and stock up

Bartering services

Ways to make money:

I will babysit the worst terrors!

I live in laconia and can waitress during bike week and make great money for the week

I work at a local outdoor concert facility as a waitress in the summer- free entertainment and learned how to get better tips!

I will do my friends typing and errands for them for a tiny fee!

Resume writing for a fee

At one time I had a roommate renting a room but new house is too small to do that.