Single Parents

Background on me...

So I did a short and sweet intro last week but I didn't give any details about how/why I ended up here on this board. While I have a few minutes at work, I figured I'd come fill you all in. Sorry in advance if this is long...

BD and I started dating in September 2013. Shortly into it, (before we slept together because he wanted to make sure I knew before anything intimate happened) he informed me that he was in recovery (alcoholic) and had completed a rehab stint as well as lived in a sober house up until June 2013 at which point he started renting a room in his sponsor's house. I didn't judge. I never would. He seemed sincere in making his life better. He also had a son who, at the time, was 2. I love kids. I've dated a few people with kids which I think was kind of normal considering I'm not really THAT young and lots of people my age are already DONE having kids lol Again, I didn't hold that against him.

The relationship progressed fast. Mostly, I think, because of his manipulation. (Looking back at the relationship, I've come to realize a lot.) By November I had paid $2800 in back child support for him (I know, I know...insert eye roll). We decided to move in together (him moving in with me) and the way I looked at paying off the back child support at the time was that he'd have more money in his paycheck to help with day to day living. Once he moved in, it became "why don't you had me on your credit cards so I can build my credit and we can buy a house in a year or two" to which I said...of course! (Insert eye roll again). Now, I had ZERO debt when we got together. Paid it all off that August...a MONTH before we started dating. So adding him (or anyone) to my credit cards was scary but in my mind, I felt it would prove to him that I was in this because he would always say I wasn't. Manipulation at it's finest.

Also in him saying I wasn't in this, I started deleting any guy from Facebook/my phone that HE said made him uncomfortable. These guys could me anyone...someone I had dated, someone I hadn't dated, a guy I knew from the gym, a guy I knew from school, a guy I knew from the car dealership I brought my car to, a guy from work...it didn't matter. I quickly realized that ALL guys made him uncomfortable and that was because he was a manipulator. Uncomfortable in his OWN skin as well as guilty of having inappropriate conversations with women behind my back. As I was deleting and blocking guys, he was going to AA meetings with females and telling me that was ok because it was for his recovery. Yet, never had ANY men around. Didn't take long before my eyes opened.

In January 2014, "we" made the decision to move to a different/bigger apartment in my complex. I say "we" because really it was all another manipulation. He wanted out of the other apartment because it was too small; because his son needed a room; because other guys have been there; because he wanted a brand new fresh start with me. Well, I understood where he was coming from and again, felt the need to prove myself. So, we moved into a 3 bedroom with rent of $2110. And boy did we fight. A lot. All day. I think I knew at that point I had made a mistake but kept trucking along because I was in this dammit! By this time, MOST of my credit cards were maxed out (mostly by him). Since I make more than him, we decided I'd pay the rent while he paid the utilities ($500 a month) and at least the minimum payments on the credit cards (which, at the time, were also about $500). We didn't talk about food, cell phone, etc. and it turned out he thought I was responsible for all that as well.

I'll skip the details of January through the beginning of March and bring you to when I got my positive pregnancy test on March 10th. It was a sympathy lay because it was his birthday. And boom. Pregnant. Which, at 34 and ALWAYS wanting to be a mother, I was happy. But, I was NOT happy with our situation. At this point, I am now $24,000 in debt and he hasn't paid a THING for any credit cards OR utilities in months. We were about to be shut off and I was getting call after call from credit cards. Tried to make it work for a couple months for the baby's sake but to no avail. I was disgusted with the "man" that stood before me. He had no idea how to take care of himself let alone me and a baby. May I told him it was over and to look for a place. June 14th (day before Father's Day) he was gone and I haven't seen him since.

To date he owes me about $15,000. When he left he asked me how much money I wanted a month. I told him to come up with a figure and stick to it because he seems to have trouble doing anything he says he'll do. He told me I'd get AT LEAST $600 a month. I got $175 in June. $250 in July. Texted him yesterday to see if he plans on doing ANYTHING he said...no response.

My bank accounts are negative. I still owe utilities from the last apartment that HE lived in for FREE for 6 months. I have to file bankruptcy. I'm avoiding answering my phone like the plague because I know they all want money. My life is a mess. And I'm bringing a little baby into the world. I broke down this morning at my desk...sobbing like a little girl. I'm officially scared. I know how much I already love this little one in my belly and I know that love will grow immensely when he's here but love doesn't buy diapers and formula for him. :-S

Sorry so long but now ya'll know my story. Thanks again for having me and welcoming me here :)
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Re: Background on me...

  • tig594tig594 member
    So sorry you are going through this.  I have, however, filed bankruptcy and maybe can give you some helpful advice.  While it sucks to have to do it, it's not really as bad as you think.  Stop paying EVERYTHING now except what you really need to pay (rent, utilities, car etc).  You could even move to a new apartment now and put your current apartment in the bankruptcy to clear that debt if you need to.  

    DO NOT acquire any new debt!  Go do a consult with an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy.  You should be able to find one who can file for you for around $1000.  Save what you can to pay him ASAP.  Get the ball rolling so it's done by the time the baby is born.  Within 6 months of your bankruptcy clearing you can go buy a car.  The interest rate won't be ideal but you'll need to re-establish your credit.  You can also get an unsecured credit card with a low limit right after the bankruptcy clears.  If you use a credit union you can also apply for a small personal loan to help rebuild your credit.  

    Good luck and, again, welcome!
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  • Thank you @tig594. I have definitely come to terms with filing bankruptcy. I have quite a few friends and co-workers that have done it and they have eased my mind. (As well as you have now.) The only credit card I've been making payments on is my Home Depot card and that's so I can use it to finish the nursery. Also to stock up on some supplies that they sell like garbage bags, detergent, etc. The reason I'm doing this is because I've spoken to a bankruptcy attorney. Twice in fact. The first time was when BD was still living with me and since he was there, the attorney had to include his income even though we're not married. Outcome was I make too much money to file bankruptcy but that I can file once the baby is born. I went to the same attorney last Saturday now that BD moved out. I still make too much money to file until baby is born in November.

    As for the apartment thing, I actually have moved since he left. I am in the same complex but I downsized to a 2 bedroom for me and LO. I got rid of Direct TV and got local cable. I've made numerous cuts wherever I can in preparation for when I'm out of work and won't be making much money. I am trying as hard as I can to do this on my own right now...without relying on his money. Just hate when people say one thing and do another. Especially when he texted me almost 2 weeks ago telling me what a horrible person I am (a story for another thread lol).

    Thank you so much for all your information! I appreciate being able to come here and have other women to relate to :)
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  • Im sorry youve been through all of that! Hugs, my xh was a huge manipulator i lost alot of friends while with him because they were the friends who knew what a pos he was and would tellm to leave. Hed do the whole your supposed to stand by me. Im your husband thing and i did becausehe was abusive and a manipulator.

    I also wound up in a world of debt because of xh i was lucky though my dad helped out a lot. (Paying off some medical bills of mine getting me off some of xh bills, tickets, debts) he got me a great divorce lawyer who made sure i wouldnt have to pay a cent of his 10,000 dollar irs debt.

    Im on food stamps and cash assistance, im in school, and im making it work(even without the court ordered child support) so just know it is possible to make things better from here on out. Hugs again!
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  • @MinnesotaMomma91 Your dad seems like my mom! I know she will do whatever she can to support me wherever I need the support. She will be watching the baby when I have to go back to work after 6 weeks so I know that's a HUGE help.

    I went online and completed a survey of sorts to see if I can get WIC. Of course I make too much money. I work a lot of overtime so I can pay my bills. I (almost) never have anything left come next pay period but apparently I make too much. It's not cheap to live on Long Island, for sure.
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  • I'm not eligible for WIC either.  But DD is covered by allkidscovered.com, they accept everyone (I'm told) and that was a HUGE help.  When she was on my insurance I have through work, that took an extra $200 out of my paycheck that I couldn't afford to lose.  

    Do you use Amazon?  They have Amazon Mom which allows you to "subscribe and save" on certain items. And you get free Prime membership with it.

    Also, @eg214 is pretty knowledgable with some good money-savers.
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  • tig594tig594 member
    I didn't know you could make too much money to file.  Interesting!

    I almost wish I could start over with all the stuff I got DD before she was born.  If I knew then what I know now I could have saved a TON of money.  Oh well.  At least she had/has some really nice stuff.  :D
  • tig594tig594 member
    ^^^ Just to clarify, it makes sense if you make oodles of money and are trying to file bankruptcy on minimal debt.  Doesn't sound like your situation really.  
  • Yeah, I make just enough to not qualify for WIC. Sucks.

    @amandarae529  are you a good couponer?  I suck at it, but when I remember to do it, I walk out of the grocery store like I won the lottery.
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  • tig594tig594 member
    Well, you'll have to give us some pointers!  Where the heck do you get good coupons?  Coupons.com has been sucking lately. 
  • I shop at Jewel, they give out mailers with sales and coupons in them, sometimes they email you coupons... I don't know, I don't generally buy lots of things. Also, there is a Facebook page that helps you buy a week or two of groceries for under $50 or something. I mean, I'm shopping for me and DD and I have to tweak it so I end up spending more, but search Facebook for Budget 101
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  • also, retailmenot.com works sometimes.
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  • @20thirteen Fortunately I have GREAT benefits through my job. I work for the county and I don't pay a thing for my health insurance. Covers medical, dental, and eyes. So LO will be covered from the moment he's born and the only thing I'll have to pay for is co-pays for visits/prescriptions. Having the benefits makes up for the sh*t pay haha I LOVE Amazon. I'll make sure to check out Amazon Mom today! Also, I'm NOT a good couponer but many have told me I should start. No clue where to start though so thanks for the pointers! I used to coupon but I always ended up with crap I didn't need just because I was "saving" money on it. Would've saved more not buying it to begin with lol I'll also be looking into that Facebook thing!

    @tig594 When I went to the bankruptcy attorney last weekend, he didn't even ask to see my debt. He put my salary into some program that calculated everything I SHOULD be paying...rent, cell phone, travel for work, etc. And he said I make too much. He did say I was only off by like $100 and that we could try to squeeze it through but if someone happened to look at mine and found a discrepancy, my bankruptcy would be denied and I wouldn't be able to file again. So it's better that I wait until November.

    Thanks again for all your support ladies. It means a lot!! :)
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  • Also check out costco! Diapers, whipes, formula are all cheeper there(and in bulk)

    Plus there is second hand stores for maternity wear and baby clothes, toys, etc

    Also check out groupon, target cart wheele, if you have cub foods near you they have a coupon app for smart phones
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  • @MinnesotaMomma91 I have a BJs membership and there's one opening 3 minutes from my house any day now so I'll definitely be going there! I hear their diapers are pretty good for little boys, too. (I was told Huggies leaks more with boys). I have been shopping at second hand stores for maternity clothes since I found out I was pregnant. I don't have a cub foods near me...I've actually never heard of it. But I'm downloading Target Cartwheel as we speak. Thanks for all the input! There's so much I need to learn...
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  • Not sure if you're a Walmart shopper but DD has been on the Walmart brand diapers since the shower stash was used up.  They've worked really well for her.  
  • I'm usually not a Walmart shopper...but I know that a lot of things are going to have to change and that's probably one of them!
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  • Ima a pampers and luvs kinda girl. Pampers was my go to for newborn and luvs has heen great since my shower stash ran out(they are a little cheaper then pampers) i hate target brand diapers for boys, but the walmart brand was okay other then bentley has a weird shapr so they dont work for him.

    Also 90% of what the bump/baby magazines/stores tell you a baby needs is crap
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  • I never liked Huggies. They leaked with DD.  My *one time* using them, DD wet my pants.  Right before BF and I were going to leave to see a movie (his parents were going to watch DD).  I know some people have success with that brand, but, nope, not me. 

    As for couponing, I used to clip/buy things just because I had a coupon for it too.  But now, before I cut out coupons for anything, I sit and ask myself if I see myself using the product.  My dad (who I live with) will see me doing this and say "just clip it and we'll get it to see how it is".  Which, right there, shows everyone where I learned my spending habits.  If I don't see myself using that product, I won't buy it.  Buying something for $1 off and not using it is still wasting that amount of money.  With the exception that you spent $1 less for it.

    I thought of something this morning and I don't know if anyone is like me and just loathes the thought of a crowded store, but shopping around a holiday is awesome.  I hate people and will fight with other consumers if they bother me, but, especially summer holidays, my Jewel will have meat sales (buy one get one free or, sometimes, buy one get TWO free).  If you have a spare freezer (we got one for $99) or know how to tetris in your current freezer, you can buy a TON of meat and have it last for a while.  I still have ground beef, chicken, and porkchops in my freezer that I bought in May.  Keep an eye out for those sales.

    And, as always, make food in bulk at home.  Freeze the leftovers.  Save money by not going out to restaurants. If there is a dish from a favorite restaurant you "can't live without", find a copycat recipe. And Pinterest is also awesome for DIY things.  

    BTW, did you see our recipe thread?  Feel free to add :) 
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  • Another thing that needs to change is getting over my dislike of frozen meat. I've been spoiled. It's just been me so if I wanted fresh meat, I got fresh meat. Plus I suck at defrosting. If I take it out and leave it to defrost, it's fine...but I have to remember. If I forget and try to defrost in the microwave, I always end up cooking it lol But again, I need to start catching sales and taking advantage when I can. As mentioned above, I do have a Home Depot card that I've been paying and using to get some necessities. Perhaps an extra freezer to stick in the garage would be a good purchase.

    I haven't seen the recipe thread but I will be sure to check that out as well!
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  • Apply for snap(food stamps) thats been a life saver for me. I dont kniw where you are but if your in a place that has kuik trips they have gas coupons.

    My grandpa clips them for me(since i dont get their ad flyer) and gives them to me and my mom and that helps ALOT.

    I quit smoking again, and im saving money that way.

    Shope around and price compare eventually you get a feel for whose prices are what :D
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  • I assumed that since I didn't get approved for WIC, I wouldn't get approved for snap either. But I'll look into it.

    My grocery store allows me to earn points towards money off gas. I've never actually used them because the gas station they're for is usually 20-30 cents higher than the one I normally use anyway plus it's totally out of the way. Doesn't seem worth it for me.

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  • Check if your gas station has rewards or coupons.

    Also i get milk, eggs, and bananas at thegas station cause they are cheaper
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  • Cell phone contracts are also a huge waste of money. HUGE!
  • tig594 said:
    Cell phone contracts are also a huge waste of money. HUGE!
    Fortunately (and sometimes UNfortunately) I have 2 other friends on my cell phone plan so my bill is cheaper than if I were by myself. I can't even tell you when the contract is up for me but I do know that one of the friends contracts isn't up until January 2016 :/
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  • I love this thread and all of the great ideas. Thank you @AmandaRae529‌ for sharing your story and being so open and honest. Welcome to our extended family.
  • Welcome @amandarae529 (haha our screen name numbers match! and we're the same age too!) Sounds like you have been through a LOT...you'll come out the other side stronger for it as well. Thanks for sharing your story!
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  • Thank you both for welcoming me! @jellybean529‌ The 529 stands for my birthday :)
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  • We should have a sticky thread of these kind of things! It would be nice to be able to look back at these
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  • For intros or all the knowledge you ladies have? Either way, I agree! :)
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  • @Amandarae529 for all the money saver tips and tricks
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  • Thank you both for welcoming me! @jellybean529‌ The 529 stands for my birthday :)
    @amandarae529 then you and my DD have the same birthday! 
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  • Jumping in late... but yes Huggies Brand Diapers SUCK for little boys. I had a pack as a gift when he was like a year old and it was a diaster. I am a Luvs girl right now but I put Pampers Baby Dry on him at night... Oh and the Toys R Us/Babies R Us brand aint worth a crap either!

    But everyone else gave pretty good advice. I am sorry that you were put into this situation.

     

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