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Cookie,
The only thing to think about when you cancel your home phone is what you'll do when you leave a sitter at home with Kayleigh. Maybe make sure the sitter has a phone? Cuz they might need to call you for something. Just a thought. That's why I haven't cancelled mine.
More $$ savings tips -- What I did when I was a single mom:
If you color/highlight your hair, you might want to let that lapse for awhile...it's expensive. Or you could find another place to go that's cheaper.
The grocery shopping might be more of a hassle but if you have a store like we have (Save A Lot), they have generic and really inexpensive food. I used to go there for anything I could and then I'd make a trip to the other grocery store and get the generic there for the rest. It's a good lesson in economics for kids too. Mine now know that even though the package looks nicer, it doesn't taste any better and it's more expensive.
I also go to Goodwill, The Salvation Army and resale shops for clothing (for the kids AND myself). And I had stuff passed on from other kids in the family.
The kids got toys for Xmas and bdays and if there was some super special occasion. Other than that, I had them save (small allowance 50% savings 50% spending) and if they really wanted something, they could buy it with their own money. Amazing how frugal kids can be when they're spending their own money!  I realize your daughter is too young for that yet but it won't be long. And you know what? They appreciated their gifts so much more.
I made sure to eat everything I had in my cupboards and wasted NOTHING.
I think you're making a smart decision with the car. With lower insurance and less costly for gas, you'll really save.
Well...it looks like most of the rest has been covered well by everyone else.
Hope that helps!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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Hi Shannon,
Don't back down from the child support and alimony payments he owes you. Even if he's crying that he doesn't have enough money, get every penny you are entitled to. It's his fault he's in this situation.
For the financial cutbacks you are doing, the only thing I would do differently is keep the home phone line. Also keep your credit cards. You don't need to use them, but you need to have good credit. A co-worker of mine told me that she put her credit card in a container of water an kept it frozen in the freezer. If she wanted to use it she had to wait hours for it to defrost. That way the frivolous things she didn't buy because she had to wait so long, the need for it fizzled.
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Re: Gracie
#271279 - 06/27/06 06:26 PM
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Flipada
Reged: 03/02/06
Posts: 1026
Loc: West Michigan, USA
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Great idea with the frozen water. I'm no shopper myself but I have a few friends I can suggest that to.
Hilarious! Now there's a woman that knows herself!!
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Flipada - IBS-C "It's a gas, gas, gas"
**Lauren**
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I would add that you set up a savings account and pay yourself 10% and put it away for use later. That might seem hard to do at first, but soon it becomes a habit and it will start to add up quickly. And freezing a card in ice ... I like that!! Stop paying interest on cards. Pay them off.
Keep that smile on your face and your chin up. My father always told me to keep smiling ...
it keeps your adversary anxious and jumpy.
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Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow”. Mary Anne Radmacher
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I laughed when I first heard it, then thought it was a good idea.
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with your daughter around, going to the LOWEST level of cable will leave you with some TV options unless Rabbit ears work well where you are.. in which case, that is more then enough...
I truly agree on the budget suggestions- they are a lifesaver.. and don't just list monthly bills, but things that are due once a quarter, once every 6 months, and once a year too, and put an estimate of what they are. Then break them into monthly payments you make into a savings account or second checking account, so when the big bills come due you have the $$ for them...
credit cards- keep them but don't use them.. pay them off BEFORE you start stashing any $$ for yourself if you can because the interest on them is so high.. get a low interest card and transfer the balances to it so you can pay it off faster!!! definitely track all your spending, even the little cash stuff that you might not even consider- like an allowance or lunch money or milk $ for your daughter...
and don't let the deadbeat get away with not paying- he owes you that money... and you need it to live on- you are seperated and divorcing because he wanted out- not because you did, so milk him for what he owes you... why should you be fighting even harder to support yourself and his daughter just because he's an ass!!
as to ways to cut spending- a home phoen and only use the cell for emergencies and reduce the minutes on it to what will really be used.. or go in with someone and get a second phone on their plan... go for a cheap home phone, get price comparisons that serves your needs- if you never make LD calls, then get a phone that doesn't include them, if you rarely make calls at all, get one that doesn't include unlimited local either..
also- look into bundling packages, or changing providers to take advantage of intro prices to bring costs of services down.. and that cable Bill- if its in his name and you aren't authorized- leave it alone until its turned off, he owes it because you tried to change it... and let him and your attorney know that, then put what you do want with the company into your name.. also.. some companies offer things like lower speed internet packages at good deals, and things like that too...
You will find something out there that works for you.. good luck (and btw- if you are feeling bad taking $$ from him, remember the reason you are paying all these bills, and for childcare, etc is his leaving!)
Amie
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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Bell right now has $18 a month for 1200 minutes of long distance anywhere in North America flat rate.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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I have reduced the rates on my credit cards, and I'm on a 4 year cell contract, and JUST got a new phone 2 months ago, so that's why I'm going with a cell. The land line has been cancelled, so I guess if I need a phone with a sitter, I will leave my cell with them or ask them to bring a parent's? I've NEVER used a babysitter before, just family, so that may not be a worry.
We're also down to basic cable-saved $30 a month.
And I do budget, just not everything. I'm getting into the habit of doing insurance and registration stuff.
And don't ANY of you think I'm not going to fight with all my strength to get child support for MY child and HIS child. No way no how will I give that up without a big fight. but I also need to prepare to ive frugally regardless. Gotta get out of debt.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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Smart thinking on the child support issue. Ya know, you could cut out cable entirely. My husband and I just use rabbit ears. We mostly think the stuff on TV sucks any, though. And, yes, we have dial-up. For the price we get it at, it's worth it.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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she really likes treehouse and is a MANIAC Dora fan, so I'd rather she be able to watch her fave TV show. I could do without TV entirely, to be honest, but she loves it. I've maybe watched 1/2 hour of TV this week.
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Keep on keepin' on...
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