My husband thinks we are making it financially, but I keep telling him that we are not.  We have bills that are behind.  I just want some help on how to get caught up and how to set a budget.  If you know of anyone that can help or any advice will be appreciated.
207078
Yes I do. First thing is take your credit card and hide it somewhere that you would have to break something you like open in order to get access to it. For example, your makeup compact that costs a lot. Hide your credit card in there and make sure the only way you can get it is if you break your compact open. This way everytime you are tempted to spend, you wont want to because you wont want to break your compact. Also when food shopping get coupons and look for bigger packages with speacial deals. A few penny's here and there makes a huge difference. Lastly, every paycheck you get set aside $50, even when you owe bills. This will help you out in the long run and remember only get what you need because what you dont have you dont need at all.
612764
At first yes, I did feel helpless.  I mean I am a single mom and its hard enough making ends meet.  But you learn to make adjustments in other financial aspects to accommodate the rising gas prices. I totally understand where you are coming from, but we have to deal with it right? I guess we don't have to-but what else are we going to do? Just like you said, would we rather be able to provide for our families and end up getting bitten in the but because of the financial struggle or get fired or quit and live off of the state for the rest of our lives? I guess for me, I am way to proud to have to live off of the state the rest of my life, therefore I deal with the rising prices in EVERYTHING.  I hope all works well for you!
266330
Could you provide a little more detail please? The approximate amount that you are short by?\n\n\n\nOne good way to start is to start saving. That sounds very obvious, but please hold on. In the US there is not much emphasis placed on saving, no one teaches you how to save. Small things go a long way, for example a coffee everyday costs you $100 a month depending on where you live: so dropping that habit saves $100! And its good for your health and heart. Smoking is another example, but unfortunately its harder to let go. \n\nSaving on fuel: try using the bus for medium distance commutes. Its not bad, trust me! I take the bus to work everyday. I get my commute done in $40 per month.\n\nYou pitched in to help your family, so its time for them to help you back. Don't hesitate to ask them to babysit your kid once in a while. That I believe saves a lot. If they don't, or if you think they are neglecting your kid, its time to break that parasitic relationship.\n\nTry looking for a job that permit you to work from home, so that you don't need a babysitter. Anything that involves typing for example. But beware of internet job sites, a majority of them are hoaxes. For example, the secret-shopping thing is a hoax 99% of the time. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true. \n\nIf you have a kid old enough to do math, it is good idea for you and him/her to let him/her calculate your credit vs. debit everyday. Initially it may be cumbersome and more tiring than doing the darn thing yourself, but it pays off in the long run. Maybe you can ask him/her to sit down while you are cooking, and you recall today's expenses and earnings. He can enter them in two columns, add entries in each column and subtract to give nett daily savings. My mom did that to me :-)\n\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AtScV0GM2DTZVRGW1tmxxuYezKIX?qid=1006050319925\nlooks to be a professional answer.
303881
Wow that's an incredible question...I'll do my best to give an incredible answer.\n\nFirst..YOU DON'T SUCK! And only your thought of you do, you need to give yourself room to be human.. we all make mistakes, sometimes more than once or twice or even a dozen times before we start beating ourselves up enough to say.. "Well this isn't working, time to change tactics"\n\nDoing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity!! \n\nComplaining however is whole different thing in itself..Is it really that you're complaining about it... or needing feedback from an outsider's view to see if your decisions are with sound reason..and as long as you're looking for more info on what went wrong..and learning from them.. \n\nGiving up that right to complain happens when you aren't at all conscience that you have any responsibility in what has happened .... blaming circumstances, blaming others, blaming anything else but what you've personally contributed that made this outcome a reality is what voids the complaint department to me.  And it's okay to complain about yourself, as long as you're learning what you did doesn't work, and try a new path next time, and if the same result happen again.. and you complain.. to me that means you're looking for someone else's view to help see what you might have missed in the situation.\n\nGood Example?..Well I am a work-a-holic, and help-a-holic, When I have time I give it.. and where I see troubles I try to help with it. My hubby's granny had many troubles with credit cards, bills, health and a live in son that most of the time wasn't employed..So I took every path imaginable to bring back value and calmness to her life, but you can't help those who won't help themselves.. so as much as I tried to help in different venues, it was fruitless...you can't invite a person to live with you to help them, for them to want to bring the problem with them to you. And I don't hear them complain anymore since my hubby and I have made several offers to help, and they don't accept those terms, it's the only terms we are able to give. So you make peace with that, wish them well, and pray for them. Then you move forward.
500448
You sound like me and my fiancee. We are paying off all our bills before we get a house. We are going to get a house and stuff before we get married. We figure maybe that will help out some with the stress of marriage if we already have some things in order. He also wants to provide me with a house and stability before marriage. I don't have any problem with it, I would rather have all these things in the beginning instead of having to worry about it afterwards. I wish yall all the luck.
595196
It sounds like he has abandoned you.  Confront him on it.  If you can talk to him on the phone about it, that will be better than text messages and e-mails.  If he is not helping you financially, he is not acting like he's married with a child.  You are both supposed to support each other and your child.  Is he keeping all his earnings to himself?  Do you have separate finances?  That's not a marriage.  Talk to him in person or over the phone, not through e-mails and text messages.  Tell him what you suspect.  Stay calm and don't yell.  Listen to what he has to say.  It may turn out that the marriage is over and you need to move on, or it may be that he is clueless and doesn't know there's anything wrong.
381956
I'm not sure what exactly to tell you but i definitely think he shouldn't blame everything on you. Sure, being married means you might go through financially difficulties but you are suppose to go through things like that together. And since he gave you the ok that you needed, he is just as much responsible as you are.\nI bet you have already talked to him, right? Because everytime somebody posts a question there's always somebody that says "Talk to him". What did he say? It sounds like you are just accepting it the way it is. \nAnd yes, there's always a Saver and a Spender. I can say out of my marriage, i know i'm the spender and my hubby is the saver and i also know i'm the loud one and he's the shy one. But they say 'Opposites Attract'.\n\nAnyway, to come to an end...\nHe should have agreed that it was his fault, too. I think he is the one that made a mistake. You've admitted you would've done it different if you knew this would happen.\n\nI hope i helped you at least a little bit. Don't feel too guilty about it, remember, he gave you the ok about the money. I think he needs to think about what he said and that he never stopped you from getting the money for the remodeling.
436402
First you need to stay strong and focused.  That is very important.  Second, you need to buy a small notebook and write down every penny you spend.  You need to have it on paper so you can see where your money is going.  In most cases you will be able to find places you could cut.  Keep records for a week or two and then sit down with family and decide what wasnt necessary to spend.  After that you will have an idea of how much you spent on groceries, bills, etc.  That next week take your income and subtract what you will need for living expenses, down to the penny, and put the rest away in a savings account.  Even if its not much, it will start adding up.  Good luck.
412866
Stop helping him out financially. Financial help is something that you should dedicate to a husband, not someone as transient in your life as just a boyfriend. Save your money and your dedication for someone who is worthy of it! Have a good, happy life, sweetie!
110630
it's very hard to leave when your lives are kinda of one. you feel bad for leaving. since most of the stuff you share are in your name and you don't want to leave him with nothing. i understand how your feeling right now. i really do. in some ways I'm in the same boat.as i sit here 1in the morning have way to much on my mind to sleep.looking for people to help or dealing with a similar situation.if you feel you can sit down and really talk things over with him no fighting aloud.get all the bill that are in your name.close them or ask that he be taken off.set up a account so its not hard on you when you do get your own place and if i were you i would tell him to do the same. the best thing is try not to fight it will only bring more problems along the way.since both cars are in your name and one is paid off. see if he wants the other car he would take over the payments and get it put in his name just in case later down the road something happens your not responsible.i know its hard but you will work everything out and move on happy that you did. you ever need to talk e-mail me brooke_sittner@yahoo.com
384358
Well the first thing you need to do is figure out a budget for your income and expenses.  Set a reasonable goal in mind for saving and start there.  You will need to adjust things as often as the income or expenses change.  Good luck.
259470
Emily, I have just been there. Get state aid, that's what will keep your little raft a floatin'. Use your yellow pages to first get medicaid, if you are unsure how to apply for medicaid, go to your nearest hospital and ask for a patient financial representative. Tell them that you need their help, so in case, medically speaking, you will be prepared. Once you  have applied for medicaid, you should be asking your caseworker (call all your medicaid numbers, I mean it's not like you have a schedule, find out who your case worker is, don't EVER be rude, this only gets you to the bottom of her papers) Also, go to church...ask them where you can find food pantries. You may have to make some tough decisions regarding things of value that can be sold. This is a good time to use gold necklaces for cash, because baby can't digest them, and NOTHING should be more sentimental than your babies eating. Also call ALL your creditors, tell them what the deal is. They maybe able to put a low-interest pay off status until he gets a job again. Don't give up, I know it's hard....I KNOW!
217655
sorry don't know an answer to this but I just wanted to say my heart goes out to you. I have a prem baby and I know how financially draining it can be. \nHas your wife tried appealing to this guys better nature by explaining the situation to him and asking if there is a compromise you could come to?
43925
I provided a link for the free credit report from the government. As for your medical bills. Call the doctors and explain to them your situtation. Some doctors are known to reduce their bill and sometime even write them off. If your bills are with a hospital, call them and try to work off a payment plan. The best way to do this is to sit down and write a budget for the month. Make sure you list your home, food, and utilities first. Next, car and gas payments. Then other bills, like daycare. Make sure you have all the money going towards something. Just be honest with them and tell them you want to do the right thing and pay them. They should be able to work something out with you.
486883
Ask your friend for the help in paying for the storage unit but be sure you are the one responsible for paying for the monthly rent. Put it in your name not his. Also pay him back as soon as you can. It sounds like your friend is being supportive of you and he should understand that you may need help until you get back on your feet.
310986
First of all, I congratulate you for sticking around so long and trying to make it work. But it sounds like he wants you for all the fun and none of the responsibility. If he wants you home, but refuses to give you money, serious issue in my books. Its saying to me...share my house, but I don't trust you with my money. But, oh yeah, you gotta be home for me whenever. Yuck, sounds controlling to me. For me, the deal breaker would be no more kids. I have 3 right now, and if my hubby said no after the first, I woulda moved on. I love the guy, but its been in my heart since I was a child to have lots of kids. If your relationship were giving, a marriage, and sounded like there was a partnership it would be one thing. But he sounds controlling and like he's dangling the maybe of marriage just to keep you around. So tell him how you feel. Tell him you need more (more kids, a marriage, a guy that devotes as much time to his family as his job). If he's not seriously making improvements in the next few months, I'd start finding a family member to help you until you can get a job and a place. You are still plenty young, and don'y stay with him cause you are unsure of what-ifs. God bless!!
104489
After just being married, I'm sure that your mindset is that EVERYTHING should be together.  Seperate accounts is what he is used to at the moment.  This is all new for the both of you.  Give him a little time.  As time goes on, I am willing to bet the accounts will merge.  This is what happened to me.  I'm speaking from experience.  Don't push too much right now.  Lay low on this and see where it goes.