https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:40:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836249 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:13:24 +0000 wrkbrk 2836249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: May not be relevant but I gathered up a bunch of old (mall quality) jewelry and took it to a place that buys pre-owned signed pieces (like tiffany) and scrap gold. Stuff I wasnt using at all and didnt like turned into a check for $1400!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836230 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:04:50 +0000 Modern Daisy 2836230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>im so sorry you are in a rough patch, that is rough. I hope things turn around soon, but I’m the meanwhile I recommend using a budgeting app to keep on track and plan for expenses you can plan for. Also tell people you are on a strict budget when necessary so you don’t feel pressured to spend money in a group setting. Low hanging fruit budget items are food and clothes, do your best not to waste any food, don’t eat out, and no new clothing unless absolutely necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836223 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:41:34 +0000 Mrs D 2836223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I apologize for not reading all the responses first but here are my quick thoughts:</p> <p>1) Meal plan, budget friendly of course, and stick tightly to it. Do you have frozen meat you can get creative with? Check out Aldi? You can get real creative with meals to cut costs....I did a challenge one week and was shocked how much I could cut our grocery bill if I really tried.</p> <p>2) Establish a cash only system...We've got friends who do this when they need to tighten the purse strings...set a budget at the beginning of the week, cash in envelopes for each item...use cash only. </p> <p>Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836220 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:34:58 +0000 brownepiano 2836220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You've gotten really good advice already on budgeting/making stuff at home.<br /> I just wanted to add two things:<br /> homemade yogurt is REALLY easy and around for me it's a lot cheaper than the store stuff.<br /> We switched to single ply tp for our lousy pipes and I've been surprised by how much longer a roll lasts! Not to mention they are cheaper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836191 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:16:35 +0000 charlotte 2836191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for us, food is one of the biggest expenses every month. I would maybe ask at your local stores when they mark down meat, bakery, produce... I have gotten some insanely good deals on perfectly good groceries and even household items like AC filters or contact solution that way before. you can follow some coupon blogs for ways to get CVS extrabucks and all of that. my friend has made a lot of money with that kind of thing. I am sorry you are dealing with this. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836190 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:14:47 +0000 Sams Mom 2836190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The easiest way that I have found to stick to my grocery budget is to order online for pickup or free delivery; I add everything to my cart, look at the total, then add or subtract based on my total with tax. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836189 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:09:09 +0000 codeitall 2836189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just like you can temporarily scale back on your 401k, you can do the same with your taxes for a few paychecks, you'll just have to make up the difference in April. Summer is also a great time for free kids meals. Check if your local school district offers them.</p> <p>Definitely find a card with 0% interest until you can get back on your feet. You may be able to borrow from your retirement funds, but I'd save that as a last resort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836177 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:46:18 +0000 snowjewelz 2836177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have any spare time at all, go on swagbucks and in time you can accumulate points to earn free giftcards. When I'm really good about this I get earn $25 giftcards that I redeem for Amazon/Target in like a month. When I'm too busy obv it takes much longer to earn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836172 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:36:29 +0000 mediagirl 2836172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A couple of things I can suggest that I think just echo what others have said:<br /> 1. Cut out all unnecessary spending (which it sounds like you have).<br /> 2. Create a meal plan with simple meals and stick to your budget. Remove drinks and snacks from food shopping budget ie: wine, beer, soda, crystal lite. Obviously snacks for kids makes sense but buy off brand or shop at Aldi or Walmart. Those are more often than not, the most inexpensive grocery stores. Use cash for food, which helps with sticking to that budget.<br /> 3. If you can, find a second job temporarily. It may take a couple of months but Christmas season is coming and people always hire around August / September for that. A night shift at Kohl's can help A LOT, surprisingly.<br /> 4. Stop contributing to 401k, kids savings plans, etc. </p> <p>Good luck. I know it's hard but once you get those medical bills paid off, you'll be able to get back on track with your emergency savings. I did Dave Ramsey's program and it was a huge help to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836170 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:26:17 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2836170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: yes, I think that is the one I was remembering. I am at work now and just didn't have time to go down the rabbit hole of searching....<br /> Her first child was in my DS' birth month board....I always appreciated her thoughtful, non-judgmental posts and miss her too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836169 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:23:19 +0000 crazydoglady 2836169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLonghorn: Is this the one you are thinking of? Although it's hard to pick just one. I miss her... :sad: </p> <p><a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hours-cut-at-work-budgetlife-advice#post-2806583" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hours-cut-at-work-budgetlife-advice#post-2806583</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836166 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:15:21 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2836166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately, I can't find it right now, but @Gingerbebe has written one (or more) fantastic responses about this. She is no longer on HB, but if there is a way to search for her posts, I think you will find a ton of helpful ideas from her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836163 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 09:04:26 +0000 looch 2836163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would look for income opportunities at this point, are you in the position to get a temporary job?</p> <p>I also don't know if this is an option, but can you barter for services? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836139 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:27:44 +0000 jennlin821 2836139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like you've cut everything you basically can. To me it looks like food would be only thing that could be a variable. Find out about your local food shelters, and do as much of your 'shopping' there. Whatever you can't get, then spend money on at the store. It should cut your food bill way down. Also look into vegetarian recipes, specifically soups and chili. Buy using dried beans and canned vegetables you can make huge meals (freeze half for later) for very little money. </p> <p>Many local churches or nonprofit groups have free dinners - spaghetti nights, BBQ nights etc, so find out whats going on locally. A free meal that you don't have to cook would do great things for your mental health too!</p> <p>Not sure of your cooking skills, but I make my own bread which is delicious, healthy and cheap! I have a bread maker which really helps (set it and forget it). So if you could borrow one for a few months that would help too. You can easily make it without the maker, it just helps cut down on time. </p> <p>My last piece of advice, calculate your budget and stick to it. If you have a shortfall, you will have to find a way to bring more money in. Can you sell anything on ebay? Can you babysit on the weekends? I don't know what your skill set is, but there will be a way to make it work for you. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836137 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:02:50 +0000 Silva 2836137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>is there any wiggle room in your schedule to take on any extra paid work? Maybe babysitting a couple hours a week, cleaning a house or two on the weekends, or even a regular waitressing shift?<br /> I'm sorry you guys are going through this- it sounds really stressful </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836136 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 06:57:46 +0000 Ajsmommy 2836136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went through a tight time when DH was sick/unemployed. We cut out all extras. We paid minimums on everything. We had a strict grocery budget and stuck to it. No gifts for anyone for bdays or holidays other than something homemade with stuff we already had. We called and asked for reduced payments or payment plans on everything. We deferred student loan payments. We did it for about 3-4 months and it worked. Good luck and I'm sorry you're dealing with this!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836134 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 06:41:13 +0000 hilary 2836134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry. This sounds like a really hard time and you've already cut a lot out of your budget. When we've tightened the only extra thing is I buy raw ingredients (so bag of beans then crockpot cook them and freeze rather than buy cans) and cut down on meat consumption. </p> <p>Like others suggested I would look for a CC with 0% for 12 months promotional deal so if you do end up needing to use it you're not accumulating interest. Also calculate what you can pay of the medical bills while still making ends meet and try to negotiate that. Hospitals and the like much prefer something rather than medical bills just getting unpaid. They tend to work with you on those. Also watch those bills because we've found mistakes that if we didn't pay attention we would have paid more than we had to. Such a pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836130 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 01:10:19 +0000 DesertDreams88 2836130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also maybe find a CC deal where they are offering 0% interest for the first 12 months. I've seen that sometimes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836129 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 01:09:35 +0000 DesertDreams88 2836129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had a ton of medical bills in the past 5 years so I hear you :( the main thing I think is to negotiate an interest free payment plan with the medical providers. Between DH and I in 5 years, we have had 3 surgeries, 5 ER visits, and 2 babies, and every time the medical providers were willing to do a payment plan.</p> <p>I don't know what your spending habits are like, but I think you cover some big major moves in your post. Do you track spending in categories and have an idea of averages? When we had a ton of extra surprise expenses last year, I went through our budget with a fine toothed comb, and tried to come up with strategies for each category.</p> <p>Also there should be free breakfast and lunch provided over the summer in some schools in your area most likely, no forms to fill out or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836128 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:50:37 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2836128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much cc debt are we talking? If all those things happened and you're only on the verge of being short for the month I don't think assistance type things apply.. if it's something you can pay back in a month or two it's not the worst thing in the world. We've done it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836126 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:41:09 +0000 JCCovi 2836126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we’ve hit tough spots we’ll suspend 401k contributions for a couple pay cycles until we get back on our feet. That can bring in quite a bit more per pay cycle and we always manage to catch up before the year end. Can you suspend gym memberships? Charitable contributions? Bike to work to save on gas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836125 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:40:34 +0000 crazydoglady 2836125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: I'm so sorry-- that's a lot for one month. :sad:<br /> --As far as the medical bills go, definitely look into going on a payment plan.<br /> --Shop around for new car insurance. We are saving nearly 100 bucks a month by switching to Progressive from AAA.<br /> -- look into cell phone services like Ting Wireless. We are saving so much money switching from AT&amp;T.<br /> -- look into babysitting/daycare through your local mom's Facebook group (I'm not sure if you WOH.)<br /> -- start shopping at places like Grocery Outlet (if those are local to you)</p> <p>I hope things start looking up very soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836122 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:27:15 +0000 MrsDynamiteGal 2836122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: I'm so sorry you are going through this :( What is DH's recovery looking like?</p> <p>Do either you or your husband have a 401K to draw from during this time? </p> <p>I'd also try to simplify meals as much as possible. Cut costs where you can. Reduce energy bill by cutting consumption. </p> <p>Cut out or reduce snacks from grocery list.</p> <p>Reach out to your community. Food pantries and churches can offer help. Temporary public assistance. </p> <p>Maybe ask for a personal loan through a friend or family member?</p> <p>Anyway you can pick up extra money through a temporary job or services? Can you cut hair? Offer to mow grass? Babysit?</p> <p>That's all I can think of hon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-budgeting-tips#post-2836120 Wed, 25 Jul 2018 22:07:51 +0000 Hypatia 2836120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had a really awful month. Our emergency savings is gone and we're on the edge of having to accumulate credit card debt to make ends meet. </p> <p>My DH severely hurt his hand.<br /> Our car needed tons of repairs.<br /> I had to go to the ER.<br /> DH got walking pneumonia.<br /> Kids had ear infections.<br /> HVAC stopped working and needed repairs. </p> <p>Do you have any tips for trying to get back on track? We've canceled stuff like Netflix. We're on the lowest data plan for our phones (no landline). Our internet bill was just raised $20 because we were on a promotion before--I'm going to try to call and negotiate it down. We are giving our old second car to my FIL to use so we can take it off our insurance. We just went through a major purge when we moved, so we don't have anything extra we can sell. I'm going to try cooking virtually everything we have in our pantry and freezer to reduce grocery shopping. </p> <p>Can you think of anything else? It feels like there aren't many changes that will make much of a difference. :bummed: </p>