We've tried in the past. And we've made some BIG mistakes. It always seemed like it was too hard, so why really bother. And then staying on budget when we did try was always too difficult, and we ended right back where we started before.

Our plan right now is to do "extra" work to pay for food and gas. Whatever side jobs dh can get, things we can sell, sewing I do, etc etc. It will all go into pp and our non-bill paying bank acct. And that's the only money we can touch for anything other than bills. This way it keeps it completely separate from the bill paying money (dh's paycheck) and hopefully will really keep our spending in check.

We're selling one car (the one with the payment) and should have 1 loan payed off in 2 months (with tax returns and snowballing). The rest may take a bit longer... sigh. We have a lot of debt out there.

It's going to be REALLY hard. I'm not sure if dh will get a second job, or me a part time one, but hopefully we can do it without doing that. He works a lot as it is, and if I feel overextended I become very unpleasant to be around.

On a plus, our house is back on the market with a realtor this time. Hopefully it will sell SOON, and for as close to asking price as we can get. Our realtor actually told us to stop paying our HELOC so we can do a short sale if we have to. Not something we're willing to do atm. We have $20,000 in our 401k, and if we need to, my dad will loan us what we have to bring to closing, and we won't roll over the 401k when dh switched jobs when we move. Our financial future is MUCH brighter after moving, lol.

We're also going to apply for WIC. We make close to $20,000 under the income cutoff. We haven't used it in 8+ years. But cheese, PB, beans, eggs, oatmeal and the little milk we use account for almost 1/3 of our grocery spending atm. So it will be a huge help as well.

We HAVE to do this. We have no choice. We've let it get worse and worse over the course of time, and if we don't take control now, dh won't be making enough money to make minimum payments even. Sometimes I want to smack myself in the head for all the stupid things we bought or did! :eyes:

I know where you are coming from. We've had some pretty hard hits financially the last few years so that there have been several times where we were using cc's to pay bills, buy gas and groceries:( It's really hitting us now and with the economy dh is getting no extra work. We just got our refund yesterday and planned to repay 3 people we owe and then really get tight with money. We talked about dh getting a part time job, but he does a very physical job and he's not really home at a consistent time so not sure that can work. Also have thought about me getting one, but again with dh's work schedule not sure how we can do it. I did go and apply for WIC this week, never knew that we qualified for it. Went today and used all my checks except for 3 and was shocked and how much I got for no money. Makes me wish I had been doing this longer! I think I only get it until May since the baby will be 1 then and I don't think they'll give me anything after that, but I definately saw today how much it will help. I wish there was something I could do from home, but haven't figured it out. The sad part is that there are some medical things going on with the baby and it's causing more co-pays for meds, more co-pays for Dr's visits and more gas for all the above. I hate where we are and hope that something changes so we can get out of it. As it is we have consolidated as best as we can, but dh still isn't bringing in enough to cover it all:( Good luck!!

After the baby turns one, you won't be getting anything anymore, but he will start getting milk, cheese, etc on his checks, and he will qualify (as long as you do financially) until he turns 5!

Good for you Allison. That's fantastic.

Way to go, Allison..after you have finished, you can work on prosperity and it will all get better. :hug:

I have no doubt in my mind that you'll do it :hug:

:hug: I have faith in you guys! You can do this.

Good job for making this decision and going for it. You will do it!

That's wonderful Allison. I have total faith in your family's ability to pull this off :)

And let me know when you start sewing. I need some clothes for Demi and I don't really do baby stuff (and my time to sew is shrinking with going back to school) so I'd love to order from you.

you can do it!! good luck!! :)

You can do it! Keep your eye on the prize.

GOOD LUCK! I am sure you can do it. You have a lot backing the process this time. It will soon be second nature. :)

Val