I don't know what to title this entry. I am really trying, but I can't seem to get ahead. I tried searching on Decluttr. With all of my books they only offered me around $5. Not sure if its worth it. Maybe I can get more for cookbooks? I am going to try to go through my old purses and see if I have any hidden change. I work 2 days this week so maybe I will get some tips? I do have the cakes that I will sell on Saturday. After supplies I will make about $80. But I feel like I am in a hole. I have to get my account in the black. I don't have any clothes worth selling. We don't have any big ticket items to sell. I have a few things on Letgo, but no responses. I'm working about 50-54 hours a week so I can't add any additional jobs. Ugh. No OT at my job. Anyone have additional ideas? Still not well enough for plasma and no family to borrow from.
I hate to sound so Debbie Downer. I really am looking for ways I could boost my income or make money quickly.
?
March 27th, 2018 at 08:15 pm
March 27th, 2018 at 08:59 pm 1522184368
Your sidebar says you want to get back on track...what does that mean to you?
Have you looked closely at your variable bills such as groceries, fuel, household expenses, and personal care to see if there are ways to lower those expenses? Sometimes we don't think critically about our own habits for spending. Debt is an emergency! You have to be willing to give up some things, or work for more pay to make progress. I'm not trying to defeat you further, only to prompt you to really examine EVERY expense. Sometimes we have found people have large expenses for soda, convenience meals, manicures or hair, or they are not willing to let go of large monthly expenses in the short term to make a difference in the long term.
We do want you to make progress! Are you a follower of Dave Ramsey? His first step is to make sure are able to cover your four walls, which consist of food, shelter (and utilities...water, gas, electric only), transportation and clothing. Are you able to meet these obligations each month?
Do you have an emergency fund? His first baby step is to save $1000 AS FAST as possible. Emergency funds are the basis for any financial stability. It keeps you from getting further into debt. If I had to get $1,000 in a short time, I would sell our extra fridge, an extra twin bed, a couch, an extra tv (or 2), and possibly some other miscellaneous items. My guess this would get me a little more than halfway to my goal of $1,000. I would cut cable, Netflix, our home phone (Ooma), trash service (because there is a drop off two miles away), and I would stop our girls allowance in addition to make all meals from scratch and buying even less during that month. I think I have a blog post where I talk about another scenario where I would come up with $1000 in more detail.
You might see if you can check out some frugal sites, such as Money Saving Mom and Frugalwoods. Check out Living on a Dime as well, website and YouTube channel. The idea is to really lower your expenses and these sites have really good ideas!
March 27th, 2018 at 09:29 pm 1522186167
March 28th, 2018 at 02:19 am 1522203555
March 28th, 2018 at 11:10 am 1522235424
This won't put money in your pocket today, if that's what you need, but certainly worth your time looking forward.
Also, just looking at your expenses, why do you need Netflix if you also have satellite TV? Can you do with just one or the other?
March 28th, 2018 at 03:49 pm 1522252194
A family member is now paying for our Netflix so that is 10.81 we do not have to pay.
We are in a contract with our Satellite so we cannot afford to cancel because they will take out the cancellation from our bank account and I am already going to be in the red. But I did get it reduced and I think it will be $90 or less.
My husband and I both got new phones last year, so we are on a payment plan. It is figured into our phone bill. So until we pay those off, we cannot switch. But I did convince them to give us a loyalty discount with is about $10 and I should save 10% with my employer discount. I should see that next month.
We just changed insurance companies. I am saving $400/ year on our homeowners and our car insurance dropped $60. We have to have full coverage on both vehicles.
I do not have an emergency fund. I think I may have $20 in our savings account right now.
I will try to look harder this weekend and see what we can cut.
March 28th, 2018 at 05:38 pm 1522258696
I don't think you are eligible but look to see if you are food stamp eligible or eligible for other services. Look for nearby food pantries that assist anyone regardless of income. The less you pay for these things, the more you can apply to your living situation.
I would also suggest posting on the forums side. It can be a little scary over there, but you might get more eyes looking at your situation to figure out what your options are.
Is the $500 loan payment for the car? I'd honestly sell the car. You cannot afford it. You are living beyond your means. If you have two vehicles start sharing or borrow a car from family/friend/neighbor for a short time until you have cash for a beater car
Can you rent out a room in your home? Do you have other equipment that could be rented...you said country so I think farms even though I know those two are not one in the same? Could you move in with another family member and rent or sell your home? I'm really thinking about options for desperate situations.
March 28th, 2018 at 05:54 pm 1522259699
We are not eligible for food stamps. We make too much and we are not to that point.
In June, I will be done with my Bad Loan and I will have $244 to apply towards other things. So that will help.
And hopefully, I can continue the baking and use that towards debt.
March 28th, 2018 at 08:14 pm 1522268067
March 28th, 2018 at 10:54 pm 1522277652
You mention that you have lots of animals. Are any of these livestock that you can sell? Cows? Goats? Horses? Do you have any tack or equipment that you can sell?
Does your daughter have any toys you can sell for $5-$10 on Facebook? Or clothes she has outgrown?
Any chance you can approach either or your bosses and just explain that you really need to make more money and ask if there is anything else you can do? More responsibilities you can take on?
March 29th, 2018 at 02:07 am 1522289224
March 30th, 2018 at 02:57 pm 1522421841