How many of you are the only income for your household ?

[sasha2lady]

My dh was miserable in his Job of 10 yrs and went thru truck driving school . It's required for all the companies that you. Be unemployed in order to be prehired and hired ( truck companies). Soooo he resigned and was set to go to his orientation for a truck company. The 2 nd day they sent him home along with all but 18 out of 63 orientees for an "inflamed" area on his back. He said the nurse was awful cussing at them and she threw his phone across the floor and ripped up his paperwork and threw it at him yet be says he can't complain or they'll put it on his report so noone will ever hire him. Now I'm the sole income for us and our toddler. I work ft 2 nd and I am set to go to orientation at 2 other places ( hh & another snf) for prn 2nd & 3 rd which means I'll be leaving one shift to go work at another one several times a week. I don't have a chice in the matter and he is still job hunting. I'm so discouraged by this I took out a 3 grand school loan so he could learn a trade and get a better job with hopes of eventually cutting my hours back a little. I know several nurses who are the sole income. They seem to do ok. I'm able to do any shift since he's out of work because I'm not struggling to find a sitter. Is this doable? How do you juggle more than one job? I think it will even out once I get his debts down. Times like this is when one really pays attn to debts and he has acquired a few small debts. Help!

[bigbub3000]

For the past 30+ years, I have supported first myself, then a spouse and children. Sole support. On RN pay. Not the best RN pay. More than aide pay, more than many people make. Lots than a whole lot of others make.

Easy? No. Doable? Yes. I have always worked a job and a half, plus taken care of a sick spouse and the lion's share of the homemaking, insurance, banking, and all the other many, many things that must be taken care of. You just have to do what you have to do. I hope you have family, neighbors, friends to help you. You'll be alright. Lots of us have traveled this road. Just try to somehow get enough sleep and put your family first, whatever that means. I think it means working enough to keep them adequately fed, clothed, etc., but it does not mean they have to have lots of material goods, attend private school or have every lesson in the book.

Just do the best you can. I wish you the best.

You really should report that nurse to the state board of nursing and to her boss. She sounds like a mental case, honestly. Report anonymously if possible.

[LovebugLPN]

I was the sole support for myself and son for 6 years. That included private school tuition on top of everything else. Just get enough rest and take care of yourself.

[NBMom1225]

Sole support of my two children and my fiance...he's a millwright who's been out of work for the past 18 months, and the skilled trade industry in our area is basically dead. We've looked into other areas of the country and it doesn't look any better anywhere else either.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm the only income in my household, and things tend to stay afloat financially. However, I must clarify the fact that I am single, childless, and live alone. This makes a big difference.

I give my utmost respect to those of you who must support children and spouses on only one sole income. It must take plenty of creativity and careful planning to make things work.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

The only income here. We were hoping to save up enough to move. Now we are in between a rock and a hard place. Not enough money to move, not enough money to stay... Ugh.. I am thankful to have at least one of us working and a roof over our heads though..

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I'm sole here. Hubby makes 10 bucks an hour, but it does come in handy.

[Cyn2school]

Be glad to have a profession that supports your family.

I thank God every morning that I have work ! "I can do all things through he who strengthens me. " -Phil-4:13

I have been sole support for my 2 kids for 10 years. One I put through Catholic HS & UCLA, paying as he went...no student loans or debts. The other has learning disabilities- but still goes to college and gets a small stipend from the state. Both kids know that I work out of the home and their jobs are to pitch in so I can rest and study when I do come home. They clean house, grocery shop, and do laundry ... and have been doing so from the time they were in 5th and 7th grade. It's not all a grind, we plan for small trips and have no debt other than a small house mortgage.

[RNmom7]

I'm a new grad and just recieved my first job offer today! I'm also single and the sole provider for my 6 children. My kids and I are ecstatic that I will finally be getting a paycheck, which is triple my previous income of child support and student loans. So yes I believe and RNs salary even GN base pay is a doable living salary.

[siringe]

I am the sole provider for myself and 2 children. I currently am employed by multiple places of employment. These are all contingent/per diem jobs with no guaranteed hours. I was recently canceled for 36 hours of 60 hours scheduled between the jobs for the past two weeks. I look at myself and say "you must be crazy!" to work multiple jobs yet you have to do what you have to go to survive. Budget yourself accordingly and cut out extra splurging. I cut coupons and have become super cheap about everything. Oh, don't forget to rest because the human body can only handle so much.

[geekgolightly, BSN, RN]

Since October of 2004, I have been the sole provider for my family. It's soon to change. My husband will graduate from Pharmacy school in 2011. YAY!

[ChristyRN2009]

I am the sole provider for me and my 2 kids. Well, I should count Peter that I rob to pay Paul too.

[Ayvah, RN]

While I am not the sole provider, I know many nurses and aids who are.