We are already currently spending more money then we make now (Paying off school loans, making house payments, truck payments, paying normal/everyday bills).  How can I save more money without adding more stress to us both?
122372
Maybe try cutting back on "non-necessities", ie: eating out, start bringing your lunch to work. Ask a co-worker that lives near by to start car-pooling to save on gas prices. Cut coupons! Just last month I saved $15 with my coupons, the money you save, you could apply to your gas tank in your vehicle. Also, since your wife is pregnant, apply for the WIC(women,infant,children) program. That will save you money each month on your grocery bill, because you will get milk,cheese,juice,beans,tuna. You can sign up at your local Department of human services office.\n\nGood luck to you and your wife, and congratulation on the new baby!!! :)
340240
Give more than you take. Love as much as you can and often. \nExpress yourself. and budget;)\n(oh and prioritize-PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE over things and $$$)
358211
There are some excellent resources out there for saving money on a budget. \n\nLucy Lazarony with Bankrate.com has some excellent advice tailored specifically for college students:\n\n1. Track it\nTrack your spending for two to four weeks to find out where your money is going. Are four trips to Starbucks a week really necessary?\n\n"They don't realize how much they spend on little things," says Vickie Hampton, a financial planner and an associate professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbuck, Texas. "That's the most common revelation."\n\nMark Oleson, director of a financial counseling clinic at Iowa State University, adds, "Usually, just by tracking expenses, you'll start to curb expenses." \n\n2. Get a plan\nThe best way to manage your money over the course of a semester is to sit down and map out a budget. List sources of income such as scholarships, loans, money from summer jobs and cash from your parents as well as expenses, such as tuition, books and groceries. \n\n3. Good time money\nIf you know you need to buy a new CD or go to concert or a party every week, make room for that in your budget. \n\n"You need some entertainment," Hampton says. "A student is going to get really burned out if you don't do anything fun."\n\n4. Pace yourself\nIf you spend, spend, spend at the beginning of the semester, you could be tapped out later. Give yourself a spending limit for each week. Stick to it and you won't have to eat macaroni-and-cheese every day in December.\n\n5. Go easy with the credit cards\n"One quick way to spend beyond your means is to charge it," says Mallary Tytel, president of Healthy Workplaces. \n\nUse credit cards sparingly. Once you get into the habit of reaching for a Visa, it can be hard to stop. \n\n"I saw a student pick up a bag of chips and charge it," Tytel says.\n\nWho wants to pay interest on a bag of Doritos?\n\n6. Set your own credit line\n"Just because you have a credit card with a $2,000 credit line doesn't mean you have to spend $2,000," DiSpirito says. "If you know you can only pay back $500, then just spend that."\n\nAfraid you'll spend as long as there's room on the card? Call your credit card company and request your credit limit be lowered. Keep at it. Card companies will try boost up your credit lines so you spend more. Tell them "no" each time they try. \n\n7. Get real\nYou can do what you want, but you can't do everything you want. You're going to have to make some choices. Whatever you choose is going to cost some money. Be realistic. \n\n"You need to understand you can't have everything and you have to understand there are consequences," Tytel says. "At some point there needs to be a reality check in terms of what things cost. Most kids have no idea."\n\n8. Stuff happens\nIf you bust your budget on something you really, really want to do this week, make up for it next week.\n\nIf you find that you must go out to dinner and a movie one week, spend the money; be satifisfied with the decision, and commit to staying home, eating at home and not making any other purchases the following week.\n\n9. Look ahead\nWhether it's a road trip with friends or an auto insurance bill, if you know a big expense is coming, start putting some money aside to pay for it.\n\n"It's a lot easier to set aside $50 every month than to come up with $300 when the bill is due," Oleson says. \n\n10. Get in touch with your roomie\nContact your roommate before the semester starts and divvy up expenses. Chat about who will bring a refrigerator and who will bring a microwave. \n\nThis way you avoid duplicating purchases and excess spending, but will still have all the conveniences to make college life easier.\n\n11. Spread it out\n"Most of the big expenses are at the beginning of the school year," Tytel says. "Buy books as you need t
53044
Write down a budget.  Figure out the things you can do without (can't afford) and do without them.  Does your cell phone give you more enjoyment than the stress the bill causes?  Unless you know, dollar by dollar, what your spending you money on, the opportunities to cut back may pass you by (do you eat out? A 99 cent burrito is cheaper than 6 bucks at McD's).  Empower yourself with information and have the discipline to make cuts where needed.  If all else fails, consider bankruptcy – alleviating the stress your suffering from is sufficient justification for such a decision.
61148
You would need to reduce your current level of spending by approximately $10 per day. You could save this amount by not going out to eat, driving less to conserve fuel, and cutting back on miscellaneous expenses.\n\nAnother suggestion would be to have a garage sale to get rid of some things that you no longer need. That would help you raise some money.
137138
Have you consider taking some kind of public transit system that would reduce your stress and expenses.\nWhen doing budget you need to ask yourself if you really need this or want it.\nNeed is something you must have.  Want is something you can cut off.  For example do you need to have cable T.V. or should you spend time with the kids instead of watching T.V.
39120
right time to grow together.  many factors in your life may answer that better.  do you have $ saved? family supports? another income? then perhaps is the right time.
552263
get a savings account with someone else (like a parent or spouse, depending on your age) and put some money in it every time you get paid. make sure that it is a savings account that requires both peoples signature to withdrawl money. this is what I did when I wanted to save money and it worked great!
533566
To me the best way to save money is put aside some amount every week systematically you can't miss one deposit, then forget about that money is there, there is no other way around unless you have several thou to play with..☺
430103
Try to consolidate all your debt so that you have only one payment to make per month and you can easily see that it is going down - this may give you some incentive to slow down your spending habits. And most definitely pay them off before you get married. You will have enough stress adjusting to married life and everything that comes with it without having money problems to add to it.
647593
My and my fi have ours like this\nJoint Checking- bills\nJoint Saving- for our wedding and house repairs.\nHe has another checking\nand I have another saving account.\nBoth of us put 75-85% of what we make in the joint account.\n\nI don't think it really matters if it's a checking or saving but you should have a little money put aside for you.  \nI had friends who just went to see a $ planner and he told them the same thing.  It helps you save and spend wisely plus gives you a little Independence.
64871
The first thing you need to do is sit down and figure out what your expenses are. What are the bills you *have* to pay:\nrent\nelectric bill\nfood\ngas\ncar payment\n\nThese are all non-discretionary bills\n\nThen subtract your total monthly non-discretionary spending from your total monthly income, this number is what you can use on discretionary spending. Then agree on a personal spending allowance (play money) for each of you that you can spend each month. If he wants a new toy then he's going to have to save up his play money. The rest of the discretionary money should go toward common goals like paying down your debts and nice things for the both of you.\n\nThe link below is a great link to an excel spreadsheet that helps you calculate this. Just plug in the numbers and it does the rest!
635097
Work as hard as you can and save up.  One day you will need the money and you will love it that you have some extra stored up.  Wouldn't it be great to pay for a car in cash?  To put a nice large down payment on a house?  To take some extra time off of work when you start a family?  To have extra cash so you won't need credit cards?  For one summer see how much you can bring in.  It may surprise you.
556177
What if your husband could put some more hours in to support you while you attended school? Also, you mentioned on another page you work with credit, so I'm sure you could find ways to obtain a loan during that time. Final option: downsize. Too many people voluntarily join the "rat race" with their monthly payments on a nice car, nice house, and other items that aren't necessary.
339894
Don't panic. You need to deal with this problem like all problems in life with calm and confidence.\n\nIf your income is less than your expenses there is no way you can get out of debt. So, first step.  Is it possible to cut down your expenses? Evaluate the following  home rent, expenses for cable tv, internet connection, mobile phone, long distance telephone provider  and other utilities- do they all cost the lowest rate possible. \n\nIf not shop around and get the best deals. If you call only one or two people frequently then switch to some connections like friends and family which give you the lowest rates for 2-3 phone numbers you choose. Cut down on things you never use or which can be postponed. If you don't use your internet connection - get it disconnected. You don't need the cable connection - get it cut too. Till you are firmly back on your feet you may have cut out some luxuries. \n\nCall up your credit card company and ask them if they will lower your credit card interest rate. As you have good record of paying on time they will surely consider your request. A lower interest rate is like getting a cash back. For example on your debt of 18,000 dollars at 20 percent interest you will be paying 3600 dollars per annum in interest alone. Cutting down the interest rate to 10 percent can bring down your interest to 1800 dollars. That means you save 1800 dollars in interest which you can use to pay your principal. If you promise to pay on time they may even waive your late fees. So, make that call to your credit card company. If you have more than one card then transfer your debt to the lowest interest card, that should also save lot of cash.\n\nCan you get another job? That should help you go a long way in cutting down your debt. If you daughter can pitch in by earning a few extra dollars through some baby sitting or cleaning neighbors yards that should help too. Many such jobs will be posted at the local supermarket. \n\nIs it possible to get a raise at your current job? If not try to find a job that will pay you more. Most important don't lose your confidence. You have done a fine job till now with a little help you would definetly do better.\n\n You should also go to debt counselors who will give you more advice on how to tackle your debt with the income you have.\n\nBest of luck.
387760
Usually when you get married you put the 2 incomes together.  But dont forget about your other expenses also, food, utilities, any credit cards, food, and all the little extras.  Being newly married is tough enough without financial problems...don't get in to deep to quick!  Good Luck!
425604
Try talking to him first if U havent already,both of you handle this right and you will be happy rather than a leach (lawyer).You may save enough to pay your bills with less stress.