How are you doing on one income???

**Ella** · November 25th, 2009, 07:35 AM

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 · November 25th, 2009, 08:03 AM

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** · November 25th, 2009, 08:09 AM

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)

**squidipa** · November 25th, 2009, 08:13 AM

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** · November 25th, 2009, 08:14 AM

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!!

**Ella** · November 25th, 2009, 08:19 AM

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** · November 25th, 2009, 08:28 AM

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** · November 25th, 2009, 12:36 PM

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...

**squidipa** · November 26th, 2009, 08:06 AM

Ella i gotta ask hubbie where u are lol then ill post back k sweet

**Ella** · November 26th, 2009, 01:02 PM

Squidipa- that's fine, Ormeau is about 20 minutes south of Brisbane, 10 minutes from the Logan Hyperdome...

Make any sense?

**Amity** · November 26th, 2009, 01:39 PM

I only have one income - mine. I'm a single Mumma to two boys, and have them effectively fulltime. I don't get Child SUpport from the XH. Until this year I had both in fulltime daycare.

How did I get through - by making sacrifices, just like you guys. I lived with my parents until 6 weeks ago. I didn't buy anything I didn't absolutely NEED. I saved every cent that I could. And now, over 3 years since I left XH, I now own my own little unit. Sure, life is difficult and I do worry about finances A LOT, but now that my eldest is in school, I don't have quite the same expenses. And when my youngest starts school, life will be a lot less expensive!

Wishing you all the best!

**Bathsheba** · December 4th, 2009, 12:23 PM

We're getting by with just the one income. Like the rest of we also make sacrifices. I have only had my hair cut once this year. More than half my clothes are from the Op Shop. But we're ok. Next year I am thinking of returning to work... not sure if it will be worth it though. $350 each week in childcare alone... need to buy new work clothes... have to pay for before and aftercare for my 6yo... my teenage DD will have to go unsupervised after school (this worries me the most). Who knows... I think I might decide that 1 income is better than the extra stress of juggling work and caring for the family.

**Muffy** · December 8th, 2009, 10:48 AM

I am a single mumma on one income (obviously lol)
It is TOUGH, every last cent is counted in this house
I can relate to a few of you though being chased by companies for overdue bills etc, Its such a horrible feeling.
Some days you really dont know how you are going to get through.

**Muffy** · December 8th, 2009, 10:55 AM

I forgot to add i use a budget calculator to help me too...
http://www.understandingmoney.gov.au...getplanner.xls

**Kitt3n** · December 8th, 2009, 11:34 AM

we buy in bulk, by going to the markets every week, and only buy boxes of whatever is the best value that week (and cook up a storm using it!).

**Ella** · December 8th, 2009, 01:03 PM

yeah its hard isn't it, we do the markets each week ( when i can aford the petrol to get there) but i still seem to spend around $120 per fort night on groceries from the supermarket for things like washing powder and dog food. That's where we fall down, the rest is really cheap!

**Bathsheba** · December 8th, 2009, 01:11 PM

Try to source bulk laundry powder. we only buy a 20kg bucket/bag of OMO every 5 months. it works out to be $2.40 a kilo. this is a major saving for us.

**Nelle** · December 8th, 2009, 01:18 PM

This time of year is tricky hey. For us it's trying to be content with living simply I guess. We (okay DH, I am not great with numbers) budget for everything, put a bit away each week for registration, bills, rates, saving, pocket money, health expenses, clothes, car expenses...we put a bit away each week for everything, and then whatever's left can go on groceries and things for the house. The reason we put aside for pocket money and clothes for ourselves, is because if we don't then I think 'oh I need new jeans' and spend whatever I like on them because I really did need them. But if I have pocket and clothes money, I think 'okay, here's what I like, it's 3 more weeks til I can afford those' - and I'm less likely to be spending money that's not for my personal use.
That's in theory - occasionally we'll borrow from our bills section and then pay the money back...this is where I get confused and DH seems to have a grip on it...

The aim is not to fall behind, because it's so hard to catch up once that happens! Although, this Christmas is tricky, because we've just moved, so a lot of that money in reserves has gone towards all those small things like a letterbox, towel rails...(okay, and some things we totally didn't need, we are not always models of self discipline

)

We also have very generous families, and I don't for a second underestimate the difference they make in terms of free babysitting, shouting dinner when they come over, and buying things they know we need.

But I think for us, the putting away as much as we can spare each week makes a big difference. xo

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