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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
Are we financially struggling?
DH was laid off right after I took my mostly unpaid maternity leave so we have been living on 1 paycheck since Sept. We bought our house under the impression that we would always have TWO incomes - we spent well below what we qualified for but still need two incomes to meet our expenses each month.
Since Sept, we have blown through almost all of our savings (which was decent but not a ton). We tried doing the "ramen noodles" thing but I am borderline diabetic and couldn't keep my sugars under control eating that way - so we try to buy meats, fruits, and veggies that are on sale, although we do eat quite a bit of pasta and sandwiches. We do not eat out and I pack a lunch for work every day. I also BF DS so that costs nothing.
We both drive cars that are 10 years or so old and have no car payment. DS is still in the infant seat because he's just under the weight limit (20 lbs) and we can't afford the convertible seats right now. We haven't been on vacation since our honeymoon in '05. We continue to pay for internet so that DH can look for a job and we continue to pay for daycare because DS it is what is best for DS and we also don't want to lose his spot when DH does find a job. We do not have a cleaning lady. Hmmm, what else? I do get prof pics of DS taken but I do the $9.99 package and my mom chips in if we want more.
The moral of the story is that we are probably 2-3 months away from not being able to pay our mortgage anymore (and that's with some help from our families). I have never been late with a payment there or to our credit card company but we are quickly sinking.
So, do we qualify in your eyes, bumpies?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Are we financially struggling?
Breleigh & Mason
Yes and I think that the whole argument going on down below is completely ridiculous.
"You think you're poor, well I have to eat ramen noodles"
"You think that's poor, well I would be happy to have ramen noodles!"
"You're not poor until you have to make your own ramen noodles from scratch!!! If you think you deserve to buy them from the store, well that's just ENTITLED!!!!"
Do we really have to define "struggling" people? Can't this just be one of those things that is different for everyone and also...not really worth fighting over?
thank you voice of reason! i give this
Ruffles- right there with you though not as far into it. Had DS and bought our house in October last year. Bought our house within our means... both had steady jobs. DH got let go in January, job search is not going well at all right now. I'm worried about losing the house. I'm lucky my parents watch DS 3-4 days a week but they both work from home and at some point he's going to be too much of a handful for them to get any work done. I'm nervous and scared... We have some money in savings but it's just the first home buyers credit we jumped at and that's almost gone.
I'm hoping something comes through for you soon...
first of all i am sorry for your struggles and hope things turn around for you soon.
second of all who gives a fvck if the people on here think you're struggling. i am disgusted by how judgmental people are being when it comes to finances. if someone feels like they're having a tough time then they are, no matter what anyone else, nestie or otherwise, thinks.
Thanks ladies. I was just getting heated reading the arguments about who/what qualifies. It is different for everyone - everyone has different circumstances/needs - we live in different cost of living areas. $40k a year might be great for some and peanuts for others. Sigh.
And to answer someone's Q, we are waiting to hear back from our bank about possible loan modification. I'm trying to not to change any of our finances until then so that we are more likely to qualify but I do have some options up my sleeve after we hear from them.
Thanks for your well wishes!
It's no one's place to tell YOU whether or not YOU are financially struggling. Everyone's definition of that is different - for some people, not being able to afford designer clothing anymore is "struggling." It's all a matter of what you're used to and what you've had to give up to survive financially. If you feel like you're struggling, then you are. Screw everyone else's opinion. On that note, I'm sorry for what you're going through... What kind of job is your husband seeking, if I might ask?
You read my mind. Dumbest.argument.ever!
I'm sorry you're in a bad place financially - I hope things turn up for you soon.
On the topic of carseats - Cosco brand are only $45 at Walmart (we have one and it works great) OR check with your police station...I think ours gives carseats to people who can't afford them.