Do one-(low)-income families ever get ahead?

RAS

Hi

On tithes, please read this https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1968189 and sueeve's comments here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2392901

Norman_Bean

Hi stayathomemom.
I don't normally post on DFW board but wanted to say that I'm in France and at end of the day it doesn't matter too much what currency you're using you need to use it wisely :money:
I have found the Old Style board a godsend - I have learnt so much and although I wasn't overly extravagent before have saved a fortune on groceries with cooking from scratch, not throwing anything away and meal planning.
Since being MSE we now also have a budget which we look at and update virtually everyday and a spending diary - this has really helped.
Good luck
Norman

Marisco

Fiddlestick wrote: »

I don't want to come across as rude, but can you not speak to your priest/pastor and see if they would mind if you didn't pay this for say, 6-12 months?

Whilst I don't want to go into your personal beliefs too much, I'm sure God would want you to have a safe and secure family life no?

I agree, £188 pm ($290) is spent on this, its only £8 less than the £196 ($300) spent on groceries!:eek:

katsu

Could you maybe do a 5% tithe until you clear your debt and sort your budget? I'm sure God doesn't want you to pay the tithe with money that you owe others (which is basically how you are paying it when you are in debt).

property.advert

Drop the God Squad claptrap and you're 10% better off but actually you are around 100% better off in terms of available cash.

If there is a god, he won't mind I'm sure. The bloated church wil surely understand as well if they are at all decent people. If they don't understand, then you truly know just what they value !

Money !

solodanceparty

stayathomemom wrote: »

I am new here, glad to find the site.

I am a nurse and my husband barely makes over $40K a year at his salaried position. I quit my job last year, making $20K/yr, to be full time stay at home mom with our daughter.

I will skip all the boring details and say that our only debt is a $800 mortgage payment and as of now, a $2,900 credit card balance with a $35/mo payment.

This $2900 has accrued JUST in the last year. We paid off our credit cards before I quit work and they have sky rocketed up to this in no time.

I feel so discouraged right now. We have turned off our cable TV and are about to turn off our land line. We have cut off everything we can live without. After all the bills are paid and the groceries and gas are bought, we barely have $130 leftover every two weeks to spread between all other needs and expenses that may occur. As you can see from our credit card balance, we are frequently having car repairs and other things that have been outside of what we could afford. Not all of that was necessary charges and a good bit of it was learning how to adjust to a new lifestyle and curb old spending habits from when we had 2 incomes.

All that being said, when I worked we did not save anything and we had a ton more money than we have now. I don't feel like me going back to work would solve anything unless we can become disciplined with where it goes. I want to continue to live a debt-free life but there is no way we are gonna make it on one income unless we figure out a way to get ahead. And I have no idea how we'll do that.


How on earth can you spread $130 between car repairs, savings accounts, and future expenses and actually have a decent amount in those funds?? Our cars are nearing an age where they are about to cost us some money in repairs and we are in no way prepared for that either.

I'm just really discouraged and wondered if there were other families in the same boat and what you are doing to pay off debt and start saving and get out of the hole.
Right now I kind of feel like I can't squeeze blood out of a turnip.

Edited to add: I should add I am from the U.S. ;-)

I'm from the US as well.

solodanceparty

Elsewhere wrote: »

Having no idea of the cost of living in the US, it’s difficult for those of us in the UK to comment. For instance, we don’t have to pay for health care here (though some things aren’t free unless you are on a very low income); everyone with kids gets money from the government in the form of Child Benefit; if you are very poor or disabled you get other benefits...

How does the cost of food and housing/taxes/insurance compare as a percentage of income? It’s hard to suggest savings without a complete understanding of how these costs compare, unfortunately.

Maybe Moneysavingexpert needs an “Overseas” section!

It's.... Different. Mind you I haven't lived in the US for 5 years, so it may have changed.. BUT. When I lived there we got paid every/every other week. The healthcare thing is so complex. Some employers offer it, some don't, some can get *gasp* government assisted healthcare if they make under a certain amount. I think the think you're talking about it copay, which can be very expensive. Like I said, it may have changed loads since I moved over, which is why I'm brcking it about moving back in October. :rotfl:

thorsoak

Hi - and welcome!

You'll find lots of good advice here - and to answer your question "do one (low) income families ever get ahead?" - the answer is yes - eventually, and by doing just what you are doing now - looking at where the money goes!

Have you looked at Flylady.com? It's an american site - and you don't have to buy all the bits & peices - and her FACE: Financial Awareness Continuously Empowers! pages might be a bit of a help.

Good luck!

Ellabelle

property.advert wrote: »

Drop the God Squad claptrap and you're 10% better off but actually you are around 100% better off in terms of available cash.

If there is a god, he won't mind I'm sure. The bloated church wil surely understand as well if they are at all decent people. If they don't understand, then you truly know just what they value !

Money !

Is property.advert one of those board 'troll' people??:mad:

Your tithe does sound a bit high to me stayathomemom but I'm from the Uk and of no religion myself so not sure what would be a normal amount to give to church in America.

Please don't stop visiting these boards - We occasionaly get these board 'tolls', however most people are lovely and very helpful to new 'debt free wannabes' inparticular. :A

x.

P.s. I apologise property.advert if you are not a board 'troll'. What you said, did sound pretty offensive and judgemental to stayathomemoms religion though. Can we all be nice and respectfull please?!

Nargleblast

Just bumping this back to the top for stayathomemom.

Re the church tithe business, there must be some system in existence where families who are struggling can get help from the church and maybe exemption from paying the tithe, at least for a while? That certainly would fit in with basic Christian principles.

Hope you are managing to find some useful information from this website. Let us know how you are doing.