I have wanted a big family ever since I met Juz, I would happily pop out babies with him until I can't pop anymore. I am undecided on 4 or 6 and lucky girl I am, Juz says he is happy to give me as many children as I like. I would need to have one after the other since I am pushing 29 so it is unlikely I will be returning to the workforce for the next 8 years at least. Is it possible to have lots of children on one low income? We just qualify for all of FTB A and therfore get a healthcare card so that is how low the one income is. Does anyone else have several kids and manage at these levels? Will it be so much of a struggle that I may resent it?
The steps I am taking currently to offload financial pressure are
*learning to cook everything from scratch
*shop at op shops for my clothes (not great pickings here)
*growing a massive veggie patch
We get a LOT of help from Juz's parents but I don't want to rely on that and Juz along with his brother are set to take over the family business when his father retires but with his father loving work and being so active I would say it is very far off. A bit of a mumble jumble. My opinion is that you learn to manage with what you have but maybe I am dilluded?
I think you are on the right track, but one thing I had to cut back on is music/sports lessons and I REALLY hate that.
Anyway, if you are focussed on having a big family then you can make it happen on a small budget. If you are focussed on having a new car every 2 years and new clothes every season you won't like it. It appears abundantly clear that you gonna have a huge tribe and you are going to love every minute of it!
There are some huge families on here with only one income, I'm sure they'll come in an chat!
I think it is absolutely doable so long as you plan it well and set yourself realistic expectations.
My parents had 4 kids in a three bedroom house on one small income and we all turned out really well (if I do say so myself).
I think that the steps that you are taking are a great start.
Are you a member of the Diggers club for your veggies? They have a great set of seeds specially designed for low income earners and it is designed to feed a family of four and is very cheap (to the point where they only sell it to people with health care cards). Even if you don't buy from them the list of things in that pack would be a great starting point for what is good and productive for little money.
In many places there are coops for food run by charities and you could do a portion of your shopping there. Also, if there are fresh food markets in your local area if you go in the last few hours before they close (here that is Sunday afternoon) you can get great discounts on the fruit and vegs because they don't want to have to pack it all up again. I used to get about 50% off if you asked for a discount. I used to say things like "what is the best deal you have on apples'. And then wasn't too picky about which type they were.
I also find that I spend far less money on food if I plan my meals in advance. I sit down once a week and plan the menu so that if I need a specific ingredient for something then if there is anything left over it is used for something else that week as well. It means a lot less wastage of half used tins and things being thrown out.
The other thing that is great if you have the space is a chest freezer so that when meat is on a really good special you can stock up a bit and put it in there. It is also great when you have a glut of something in the veggie garden. Speaking of specials, I always have a little "stuff on good specials" budget in my shopping so when things like laundry detergent or meat are on a good special you can get a couple because it works out cheaper in the long run.
Also, work on the 20/80 theory for your clothes (and your kids clothes as well). If you become friends with the ladies at the op shops (they are generally lovely and love having a chat with people) once they work you you aren't there trawling for stuff to resell on ebay they can often think of things that are ferreted away in their secret hiding spots that you might like.
Join the library and get books and magazines and even videos and CDs from there rather than buying them. It can also turn into an adventure for the kids. Libraries often have a reading time for kiddies with people reading stories and things. Much cheaper entertainment than a lot of other options.
Remember if you have a budget to allow yourself a little bit of treat money for yourself each week. It only needs to be a small amount but it makes living without other things so much easier if you know that there is $10 a week that you can guiltlessly spend on anything you want for yourself.
I love the idea of a large family myself - all I have to do is convince DH that he wants it too!
well we are just about to pop out number 4 & we just skim over the income thresh hold for the low income HCC.
We manage fine, we don't have fancy things I have to watch the budget closely but the bills are paid & the fridge is full etc.
I have 2 children and we manage fine one 1 income. However DH is in the defence force. So we get a defence house, so that helps ALOT. We also have no debt. I think debt is the killer, don't get loans or credit cards and it can be done!! I have a weekly budget that I try to stick to .. and the mid year tax returns are always a nice way to splurge on things that we want not neccessarily need.
Last edited by Peach; October 7th, 2008 at 08:18 AM.
Thanks for your insight girls! Getting rid of our debt is probably one issue that needs to come to the forefront. We are not hugely in debt aside from a mortgage but in my mind that is productive debt and our house will only gain in value especially with the occasional improvements we make. Just those stupid credit cards!!! Good thing we have tiny limits on them.
Since I already have a mostly established garden I should be good for my seeds as long as I make sure to collect and store them properly. Some things I will need to buy seeds of though, like lettuce, celery and brocolli etc. I will definilty look into the diggers club so thanks for that Muppity.
I buy my meat in bulk and try to grab it when it is on special and then I seperate into portions before freezing. I usually make one chicken fillet last between the 3 of us by making schnitzels or chicken strips.
So a little planning goes a long way I guess. It would be great to live like the Amish, just not sure I could be without the internet, electricity and car
DH is, & I think Evan will be. So I just don't bother as I can live with out red meat (seems I can't cook it that nice anyway LOL) so I only buy nuggest for the kids & sausages from time to time. The rest is all veg
Is it financially possible?
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