[jnewton]

Hey, So here I am, a single mother raising a 2 yr old. I have never been under as much stress as I currently am. I just do not know how we are going to get the bills paid when I have so many. My money only stretches so far, and what I get from my daughters' father, can't be totally counted on. Although I wish I was superwoman, or Donald Trumps wife, I am not. The one good thing about things is that I haven't been missing anyone in my life. What I mean is that I am content being single, although it would help a great deal if there were another paycheck to fall back on, or even a sugardaddy.
Things have never been so clear as they are now. But it is just not knowing how far the money will take us this week that puts me in the yellow. In the past I have bought and bought and bought, and now I am paying for it. I don't need half of the things we own, but when you have a lawn sale, you just don't get back what you pay. I am willing to change my ways and spend less, but when I decided that it seems to me that is when the money doesn't get everything paid that needs to be. Well, I am going to start a budget, and knowing that I can save, I will. Jen

[mcmama]

Hi jen, I hear you about the lawn sale. I am moving and in the process of having several of those. Ebay can sometimes be a bit better than lawn sales, also I have had luck selling books on Amazon.com. This helps when the kids are in high school and college, I resell their textbooks when they are done and get a better price than trading them in to the bookstore.

I also hear you about being single and content to be so. As far as not being able to count on money from your daughter's father, there are threads elsewhere on the site that discuss child support and how to collect it. Where are you located? Many states have set up systems where the payer can have the money automatically deducted and then transferred to you. That way you do not have to worry about checks being lost, or manipulative games. Also he doesn't have to worry that you are going to be hassling him.

Budgets are good, and getting the spending under control is key. Check out our threads on money and deals, there is good information, and more to come.

I find that instead of being addicted to shopping, you can replace the addiction with another - saving money and getting something for less!