How do you make ends meet??

sdmommie · Jan 20, 2006

I definitely would suggest filling out a financial aid form (FAFSA). I didn't qualify for any grants or loans because of our income, surprisingly. However, I did get a waiver that pays for the tuition and fees.

fotografe · Jan 20, 2006

Check back with the unemployment office. SOmetimes they extend benefits if you go to school to learn a new skill after being laid off.

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:

stacyinMD · Jan 20, 2006

I'm married with a 5yr old DS. My DH makes a decent salary and we manage pretty well. But If I weren't so frugle we wouldn't! I do a few things to cut costs

1. We shop at costco once a month and stock up. We usually spend about $300. We only shop at the grocery store for bread, milk, and fresh veggies and fruits. And I only buy what's on sale and or generic brands. At the most we eat out once a month as a family. Although DH buys lunch a few times a week.

2. I use coupons whenever possible. I only buy the newspaper on Sundays if I'm in need of coupons.

3. If it's not a necessity we don't buy it. We do splurge sometimes on things like family dinners out, movies, ect. But I still try to use coupons if possible.

4. Sign up for clubmom.com ...you can earn points for things that you normally buy and can redeem them for gift certificates to grocery, clothing, and other retail stores. Even restaurants and movie tickets!

5. DH and I buy clothes for ourselves as we need them. Usually twice a year...summer and winter. I usually wear sweats, T-shirts, slacks, and sweaters so my wardrobe isn't too expensive. But if you are required to dress for work try buying four or five pairs of pants and more tops that you can mix and match.

I try to get my DS clothes on sale when ever possible, but I don't skimp. I buy clothes and shoes that are durable. In the long run it saves us money. We also buy some of his clothes a size bigger...boys can get away with it! LOL

HTH!

beckyboo1, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Great thread and I've enjoyed reading everyone's tips. I'm doing my education through Excelsior but census has been down at work and I never know when mandatory days off might become a reality. Also, we can all use money saving ideas. Keep em coming!

Becky

XYRN2B_SOCAL · Jan 22, 2006

Here's a thought if you have hi-speed internet access. It's called vontage. It's 24.95 a month and you get free long distance any where in the u.s and canada. I am not sure what you pay for your phone bill, but 24.95 a month is a steal here in cali. You can get it at your local CompUSA or Besy Buy. You basically don't need a lan line like G.E, Verizon it's all done over you cable or dsl modem. :smokin: Smokin deal. If you want any info just let me know. Also another good website to sell stuff is craigslist.com.

-Josh

nursemelani · Jan 22, 2006

When I was going to school for my LVN, I waited tables. It was hard work, but I only had to work a couple of nights a week. You can easily bring home 100 dollars in tips working a dinner shift, plus you get your little piddly minimum wage check on top of it.

Now I am working part time as an LVN while going to school part-time for my RN, being a wife and Mom, and spending too much time on this board!!

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2006

I was in the same boat when I went to nursing school. It came down to no other choice but to work, go to school and take care of the kids. If one needs to do so, there is no choice if it is not unavoidable. For us, it was that or starve.

Good luck,

renerian

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2006

I'm single, living alone and going to school full time. Here's what I'm doing. I'm getting the maximum in loans. I'm going to qualify for grants after this year. I'd rather not work during school so I take out the max in loans and I'm able to focus on school. Of course I have a learning disorder which means I must study 2 times as much as a normal student. Note, it's not a lack of intelligence, but a learning disorder that makes memorizing info harder than for normal students. So I feel like I'm overwhelmed with 12 credits, but I'll be ok. This is why it is critical that I not work during school. Here's what I'm doing to be frugal:

Shop at Costco. Buy everything there. Be careful to not use large portions of items wastefully though. (I did at first without realizing it.)

Vonage for phone service. After taxes it's $27.00 per month. All the features and unlimited long distance.

Canceled the cell phone. I went into withdrawal the first few months, then found it's actually nice to be 'unavailable' sometimes. It's also nice to just drive when you drive, just walk when you walk, etc.

Canceled the cable t.v. Yes you can live without it! I went into serious withdrawal on this one. In the end, I found all I really need is the antenae to get me my local news and PBS.

Shop at used clothing stores. If you shop carefully you can find good quality items and nobody knows the difference.

Buy textbooks on the internet, usually on Half.com.

Paid car off before starting school, no car payment.

Paid off all personal debt before starting school. Do not use credit cards unless life/limb/school literally depend on it.

Buy all extra items that come up on Ebay.

I moved to a *tiny* apartment.

I no longer dye my hair. I also switched to a style I like that allows me to go 3 months in between cuts. (I freeked over this one. Wanted my foil highlights! Turns out I like my natural color for now. And a few gray hairs are just fine. I've earned them.)

I learned that paper towling is not a necessity. Same with fabric softener. Same with the multitude of household cleaning products and wipes. You just need dish soap, a multipurpose cleaner, bleach, and a rag.

I do not eat out, not even at the cafeteria at school. I pack a lunch and snacks.

I called my car insurance agent and told him we had to lower my premium somehow now that I'm a student. Turns out they have different rate classes for working adults and adult students. He changed my rate class to student and I saved about $15 per month.

Take a hard look at all those personal care items. For example, I no longer buy shave gel. It's not a necessity. It's just nice.

Learn the difference between need and want. For example, last night I wanted to go to Blockbuster and rent a DVD. In my former life I wouldn't have hesitated. Now, I won't spend $4.26 to rent a DVD. Solution...go to the library, they have some DVDs to check out.

I do reward myself once a week with something like going to the cheap movie theatre with a friend then coffee afterwards. We do have to have rewards or we will crack.

If I had to work during school, I'd get a job as a CNA at a hospital. Almost all the hospitals here will pay for your tuition and books to become a nurse if you are an employee. They do this if you will work two 8 hour shifts weekly. Then all those financial aid dollars can go towards living expenses instead of tuition.

I think the key is learning the difference between need/want.