[JeanLynn81]

Ok, I know y'all can help me out with this one. I need some help with budget issues.

The ex has done alot of damage to my property lately. I have incurred the following charges for the damage: $100 for flat tires, close to $250 for a cut break line, and $100 for a broken window in my house. That's a total of $450. I have $300 in savings. I make $195 a week. I pay $50 a week rent and spend about that much also for diapers, wipes, food, etc for my dd. $60.95 a month for a medical bill I am paying off. VERY tight budget.

Ok, phew...sounds do-able you say? Here's my BIG problem. Alyssa is going to be a year old in a month and 3 days (Yay!), but how do I give her a birthday party she is worthy of? The $300 in savings was for that purpose.

Gosh I sure need to win the lottery right now!

[tymee]

Now I dont have kids of my own...YET!! But the best thing my sister always told me was, the best part about kids turning 1, 2, 3 is that they truly dont remember what gifts they got, who came, or anything...that those are the years that you can really have a nice party with out all the galore...when my oldest nephew turned 1, my sister didnt have much money at all...so she rounded up support from her family members, my grandma made the cake, my mom got balloons and decorations, I made the punch and put little rubber bath toys in it(part of his gift...they were cute, little planes, trucks) so that added to the decoration, and she just got hotdogs and chips, and my aunts each made a salad, and had a low key cookout...why I remember this I dont know, but the whole party cost my sister $30 out of her pocket for hotdogs and buns...

Try enlisting some help from your family and friends, they will all be willing to help out.

[siageah]

Your daughter won't remember her 1st birthday party. She really won't even understand it. It is more of a photo op than anything.

But that said, I know you want to make it special.

Join your local freecycle group if you have one. Post a wanted for 1st birthday or other birthday themed items. I know that I had a fancy hat and streamers and the like left over after DDs birthday.

I don't know where you live, but many local supermarkets offer a free 1st birthday cake. Grab it! I know Albertson's does this.

As for presents, I know you want to spoil her but at this age, a box is just as interesting. Plus it will do her so much more good in the long term for you to have some money in your savings than some toys she'll grow out of quickly.

Freecycle is a great place for toys too! Especially at that age. They go through those toys so quickly.

I don't know the story behind your ex, but sue him. Okay...I don't know the story. But anyway...

Have you checked out the Deals part of this place? Diapers and wipes are always something you can stock up on and get a good deal on. (There are other couponing boards too that can help) This coming week at CVS Huggies will be $9 a jumbo pack. If you buy three packs for $27 with an ExtraCare card plus a bottle of Windex you'll pay $30 and then $15 back. Not a bad deal for Huggies and you don't have to use coupons.

If you have an Eckerd's or Brook's nearby all of their store brand stuff is 75% off this week. I think Rite Aid has all of their name brand stuff at 50% off this coming week. Not a bad way to save on some diapers and wipes.

[ljb]

I agree. She doesn't need a big circus with clowns and a magician. My boy turned one a month ago, and we did throw a small party. I didn't spend much at all. My SIL brought a cake, MIL brought some food, and I got a few streamers (see my avatar?) and he had a blast visiting with his cousins and aunts, uncles & grams. He has so many toys that I didn't even want to contribute to that but at the last minute I picked up a $2 ball. Still, that is his favorite gift! He chases that thing all over the place.

So for $2 and a couple of streamers, you can have a perfectly fine party for her!

[Alejandros Mommy]

What do you need? I have recipes I used for Aiden's first birthday...I have tons of cake books that don't take a lot of $ to make. I just had a reg dinner for Aiden...made him a special cake and asked for practical things for presents. Anything you need just PM me.

[twinzplus3]

Ditto and truth be told I stopped throwing big first birthdays bc I found it to be traumatic for my kids! But you can make the cake, do easy decorations. . .etc. You can't spend more than what you have regardless. . .you just have to find a way to do it within your budget. Have you thought about checking out the frugal blog? I bet they have ideas!

[QueenAngie]

So sorry that the baby's father did the damage and now has you in financial concerns.
That stinks!

You are so good with photos! That is the most important part when you look back years from now.

Go to the mall and have her try on some pretty party dresses or clothes. Take her picture. You don't have to buy the party clothes. It will be a picture to treasure.

Check out and see if you can get a free 1st BD cake. Or make one of your own. Or have your Mom bring it.

Some of the grocery stores hand out free little helium balloons for the kiddies
and free cookies too. Bring some of them home w/ you.

There is always the dollar store.

It's beautiful outside to have a picnic in the park. Great opportunity for photos.

Or go to McDonald's playland. You do not have to buy anything to have your daughter go play. Take photos there too.

(((Hugs)))

[mollymae]

I can completely remember being in your situation when I had my 1st and constantly budgeting is very mentally draining. I didn't do a party other than family and a few sandwiches. I was upset at the time but he never noticed he fell asleep. 10 years on and he's still not bothered. You adore your daughter and thats so so clear to all of us here and it is to her too. All that matters to her. She wouldn't want a stressed out mommy.

[JeanLynn81]

Originally Posted by tymee

but the whole party cost my sister $30 out of her pocket for hotdogs and buns...

Try enlisting some help from your family and friends, they will all be willing to help out.

I had really wanted to do a barbecue, but now I can't afford the food. I'd love for my family to help out, but honestly...my close family are having financial problems themselves. And the relatives...eh...for so long they thought I was a loser and that I'd never amount to anything (I think it was just that I was a crazy teen). I really want them to continue to think I "have it together". It sounds strange that I'd want to impress them, but trust me, my life is so much easier without their criticism. But that is all great advice-Thanks!

Originally Posted by siageah

I don't know where you live, but many local supermarkets offer a free 1st birthday cake. Grab it! I know Albertson's does this.
; I don't know the story behind your ex, but sue him. Okay...I don't know the story. But anyway...

I am SO checking out the free cake thing!!! Thanks! And the ex, long story short, is "unemployed" (works under the table).

Originally Posted by jlb

He has so many toys that I didn't even want to contribute to that but at the last minute I picked up a $2 ball. Still, that is his favorite gift! He chases that thing all over the place.

That's how it is here TOTALLY. Alyssa desperately needs clothes-the ones now are just about stretched to the limit! Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Lessly

What do you need?

Sigh...ok here's the thing-my family does the big giant meal thing. Pot luck is a definate no-go. This was the first ever family party/dinner I was going to throw. I'm so disappointed it has turn out this way. I don't get my impressive party. At least I can feel better knowing this is definately not the worst thing to happen lately. Thanks girl.

Originally Posted by Valorie

Have you thought about checking out the frugal blog? I bet they have ideas!

They DO have great ideas!!! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Angie

So sorry that the baby's father did the damage and now has you in financial concerns.
That stinks!

You are so good with photos! That is the most important part when you look back years from now.

Go to the mall and have her try on some pretty party dresses or clothes. Take her picture. You don't have to buy the party clothes. It will be a picture to treasure.

It does stink! But its ok...its taking Karma a little time, but she'll catch up to him and payback's a you-know-what. Great idea for the pictures...I will do that! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Jo

You adore your daughter and thats so so clear to all of us here and it is to her too. All that matters to her. She wouldn't want a stressed out mommy.

This brought a tear to my eye, I swear! Thank you so much. I will try not to stress about it, you are SO right.

Wow overall I have gotten some great advice-THANKS SO SO SO SO MUCH!

[Alejandros Mommy]

Why not try to do hamburgers Jean...ground beef is not too expensive, you can also buy a BIG bag of frozen fries. For stuff to nibble on Buy a HUGE watermelon and cut it up into cubes. You can also buy a couple of thoes pre-made salads...like ceaser(sp?) which I love. It comes with everything!