How are you doing on one income???

[Ella]

Hi girls....

So fiance' is currently working as a Manager in training for liquorland and I'm at home with my little terror tot!

We are struggling big time... he was made redundent 3 times this year leading to us being on the verge of getting kicked out of our house... we have seen Vinnies and all that guff, but I'm just feeling like I'm the only person on earth who can't afford to make a nice meal for some friends or even get my hair cut....

How are you doing??? What are your coping techniques or ways of making some extra cash???

I'm thinking of doing nails from home as I'm pretty good at it and know there are alot of people who can't afford salon prices.

Would love to hear from any of you....

Ella

[DoubleK]

it is hard isnt it?!

have you thought about getting a job in the evenings? i worked part time 5-8pm in a take away shop, that helped heaps!

nails from home sounds great. im currently doing craft at home, and am branching out into jewellery slowly.

good luck with it!

[Cupcake]

This is what im thinking next year when i stop working, very scary.

Nails from home sounds awesome tho, i'd come get mine done (whilst im still working & can afford it hehe)

[Ella]

Yep It's a bit scary round here at the moment, but feel free to PM me if you wanted to meet up for a coffee some time, I seem to keep bumping into you in different sections... must be thinking on the same wave lengths!!

[squidipa]

well we are in debt trying to crawl my way out not alot but enough just a few hundred. Every slice of bread is calculated at this point i owe this kids 3 weeks pocket money and are struggling a bit once Christmas is passed i hope we can re balance everything.

yesterday i spent $11.40 on a train fair to get my growth scan and i felt so horrible because i could NOT afford the $25 for dd to go out to youth group on Friday night as they are doing an outing or something and i was spending $11.40 on a train fare. I even owe the ex some money too. For driving dd to places to cover petrol. feeling ashamed. But know ill get through it. Hopefully soon as i need to buy another car seat.

hair cut that was so long ago i wish i could just for once, not be concerned and buy a coffee and a meal at the shops for me and hubbie and not fear where the money is coming from.

I have NEVER EVER even been to the movies with hubbie that would be an awesome treat for us like gold. His birthdays coming up and just like myn that passed we dont have the cash for it. unless we create more debt. He wants a bike and i just simply cant afford it and the helmet He has never owned a bike before.

[Ella]

Squidipa- you just made me cry... I can really relate to what you're saying-we've got about 5 companies threatening legal actions for overdue bills!
I had to choose between Conditioner and tampons the other day... ended up throwing away underwear cause my hair looked like a bad 80's do...

Oh the movies... I wanted to see Harry Potter and we never got there... my hair is so split I have to wear it in a plait all night and day otherwise I can't even brush it!

Where does it end???? We're all doing such a great job, so why isn't there a mummy fairy to come lend a hand????

[squidipa]

Squidipa- you just made me cry... I can really relate to what you're saying-we've got about 5 companies threatening legal actions for overdue bills!
I had to choose between Conditioner and tampons the other day... ended up throwing away underwear cause my hair looked like a bad 80's do...

Oh the movies... I wanted to see Harry Potter and we never got there... my hair is so split I have to wear it in a plait all night and day otherwise I can't even brush it!

Where does it end???? We're all doing such a great job, so why isn't there a mummy fairy to come lend a hand????

Oh gosh yep i get ya wanna hear soemthing bad..we need razors and needed them for some time now there is one left and thats hubbie is i have been using hair clippers/ mustash trimmer on my legs and armpits But with all that being said we do have food in our cupboards. Yes i Know not maybe the foods my body is craving or foods i wished i had but still food. I been dying for banana's and fresh ham But wont be happening anytime soon.

My hair yes its becoming so hard to brush been about 1 year since its been cut, i just tigh it up in a bun and try to forget it. Its a growing time for us but we will get threw it and so will you sweet

[Ella]

Wow sounds like you guys are in a similar position to us. Yep 1 year for my hair too, but at least Orlando has toys and nappies and a house, that's all I really care about.

Where about in QLD are you? we could meet somewhere for a coffee if you're close to me?? I'm in Ormeau...

[Ella]

Hmm that sounds liek a good idea, luckily I don't have very heavy periods so I only go through one pack a month!

How is everyone else doing at the moment? We are still pretty stuck but we are waiting on a little lump sum that should come the start of next week and let me pay some bills and do a bit of a bulk food shop.

[squidipa]

hi ella year were alright we got through christmas and now it school books and bits lol. But doing alright.

hubbie applied for a job and is so hoping on it i hope he gets it to as its very local for us.

[tiggerandpooh]

I'm a single mumma with three kids, and constantly juggling. Feeling the pinch now especially after christmas, and the fact that my eldest (dd) turned 14 yesterday as well. I regularly have to "shop" from my pantry. In other words, I do a stock take of what I have in my pantry, fridge and freezer, and plan my menu around that, and ONLY buy what I need to to make that weeks menu. Will have to do this for the next couple of weeks, so I can save $ for buying school supplies... sigh.

Rent for me is the killer. I pay 320 a week. which doesnt leave a lot left over. having said that, it has made me very creative in how I cook, and what I do for gifts, and how I buy clothes. Op shopping, sales, ebay... Vege patch (which I will be starting up again now that the rain is finally here!!) helps immensely. I have to think outside the square constantly.

Hair cut - check out your local TAFE for hairdressers, and volunteer yourself as a model.