need help with saving ideas-hubby laid off 2 yrs and unemp$ ran out!

[ccgirl]

I'm so sorry you are going thru this. I was laid off twice in 18 months so I know be hard. Although I was fortunate to find a job, I try to live as if I was still laid off for fear it can happen again.

Walmart is not always the cheapest. View the sales circulars and buy what is on sale. I buy in bulk and break and freeze into smaller portions. I just wrote a thread about how much I love Peapod and how much I could get for $100.

Others have talked about Angel Food Ministries. Google them and see if they have a location by you. Also, check with your local food pantries. Mine you do not need to show need for the supplemental items. I plan my meals two weeks at a time. Drink tap water (it's free) as opposed to soda and juice.

Do you have cell phones? My mom disconnected her home phone and only uses a cell phone now. Much cheaper.

When I was laid off we used a lot of pasta. It was inexpensive and filling. Do you have a mortgage? Do you think you would be able to sell your house and rent?

Not sure what part of the country you are in but, if you use it, turn down your heat 3 - 5 degrees. Turn lights off and use candles. Unplug everything you don't use. Combine trips (gas cost A LOT now). Do all errands on Tuesday/Thursday for example.

Good luck! I hope you find some of this useful. I wish the best for you and yoru family.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Definitely if you have an Aldi's near you, start shopping there. I can easily buy 6 bags of groceries for $50-$60 a week. If you don't, then you need to start comparing prices and shopping for items on sale. Here is a great website to help you with that. http://www.couponmom.com/

I really feel for you. Times are tough for so many people. Best wishes and keep up your faith!

 

[wbh1964]

Quick ? for all of you guys that recommended meal planning...I am not a good cook AT ALL!!! Is there a website that discusses meal planning 101 connected to grocery shopping for only what's needed and the best way to do it? Also is there a good website with simple and CHEAP cooking recipes and tips??? When we were both employeed and doing so well, we ate out ALOT because I am not a good cook but those times are way behind us so I need to learn the art of cooking CHEAP...lol!

 

[Marionnette]

Quick ? for all of you guys that recommended meal planning...I am not a good cook AT ALL!!! Is there a website that discusses meal planning 101 connected to grocery shopping for only what's needed and the best way to do it? Also is there a good website with simple and CHEAP cooking recipes and tips??? When we were both employeed and doing so well, we ate out ALOT because I am not a good cook but those times are way behind us so I need to learn the art of cooking CHEAP...lol!

Check the crockpot meals thread. They're pretty easy because you just dump all the ingredients together and then let it cook for hours. Slow cooking will make the toughest cut of meat tender.

Take a look at the hillbilly housewife link that another person posted. Her recipes are very cheap and don't take a lot of cooking know-how. She also includes a list of pantry staples that you should always keep on hand. It makes cooking so much easier.
http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/frugalstaples.htm

Don't be intimidated. If you can boil water, you can learn how to cook. Don't expect to be Julia Child. You just want to be able to feed your family. Save the complex, multi-step recipes for when you've mastered the basics. Start with one new recipe a week. Try to use a recipe that features something that is on sale at the grocery store. Save the good ones. Toss the clinkers. Build your menus from there.

Good luck! It takes patience to learn how to cook. You don't just wake up one morning and become a gourmet chef.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Has he looked OUT of the area?

I know a few families where the husband works away. My husband did his for 8 months...we did ultimately move as it was quite far away. But I know a family where the husband is away during the week and home on weekends. It stinks. But it continues his career. He works 3 hours away. I have also sene segments on the news.

It isn't easy---but it shouldnt be overlooked.

 

[hsmamato2]

Quick ? for all of you guys that recommended meal planning...I am not a good cook AT ALL!!! Is there a website that discusses meal planning 101 connected to grocery shopping for only what's needed and the best way to do it?

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

 

[rubato]

There are some great suggestions on here.

Do you have a church you regularly attend? Start there. There is so much help available through churches.

Walmart matches prices. Bring the ads from other stores in.

Sell your 2nd car.

I agree with the crockpot cooking. Just get a recipe, throw it all in and walk away. I use lots of brown rice and beans to stretch things out.

Cut out sodas and other drinks. Tap water is cheap.

Lower the thermostat.

Don't even think about the vacation. There is no reason to go into huge debt for a week away, no matter what you're celebrating.

Craigslist (and others like it) is your friend. Sell old and non essential things.

I'll list more as I think of them.

 

[jgates]

I don't know where you live - I don't believe you indicated that. But the Williston North Dakota area has hired over 3000 workers for the massive oil field jobs that are going on up there within the last year or two. And I believe they are still in need of more. We had a long discussion on this area with a banker friend of ours who lives there. Many of the workers are living in temp situations - either renting rooms from families, etc., as there is not enough housing. They are basically living on the basics themselves, but because the pay is so good they are sending good amounts of money home to their families. Some of them have elected to actually move to the area, build homes, etc. Others actually go home on their 'off' times because they can afford to with the money they are making.

But these jobs pay VERY well. I would highly suggest if he is willing to work away from home at all, that he maybe contact the Chamber in Williston to see if they could provide you with the names of the companies he can contact. This link came from their city website:

http://www.rockinthebakken.com/OilJobs.aspx

 

[ccgirl]

I second the crockpot thread. I am out of the house for 10 hours a day so I put everything in my crockpot in the morning and it's ready when I get home. LOVE it! The recipes are so super simple too!

 

[Glenn]

You mentioned you were turned down for aid since you own a small retail store. Do your taxes asap to show what the store is making. Then re-apply for aid. If they see your not making anything at the store it might help. Are you at least breaking even on the store? Anything there you can cut, staf, hours, inventory?

 

[shortbun]

I suggest you start your plants for a garden. Veggies and herbs can be much cheaper if they are grown in your yard. I freeze blanche and freeze tomatoes for sauces, I dry my herbs and late summer, we spend very little for food because we have a trade with the neighbors. I even make my own pickles. Turn off the lights, burn candles, pull all the plugs out of the walls.

My BIL lives in a really depressed area and has been out of work for two years as well. He is working with the small business folks in a nearby town about opening a storefront and supporting himself. I'm hoping he pulls it off. Times are really tough. Good luck.

 

[brymolmom]

Do you have cell phones and a land line? I know that cell phone SEEM like a necessity for most people today - but truly they are luxuries. Get rid of them all (or just keep one if you don't have a land line).

If ds20 is still living in your home - ask him to start contributing - either by giving a % of earnings or by doing some things to help out - like holding a garage sale and doing all the work for it. If he doesn't have a job - see if he can find some work mowing neighbor's yards. I know we dont' like to do this to our kids - but in desperate situations it is much better than losing your house or something. Most 20 year olds should be able to earn enough to help out with grocery costs at least.

You didn't mention - have you already eliminated cable? I would star tthere - TODAY!

If you own more than 1 TV - you could sell the other one(s) on craigslist. Same thing with a bu-ray player or other...again luxuries.

How much are you spending on groceries? If you really refine your menus - you should be able to cut it down a bunch (unless you have already) - I would do a lot of soups (made from scratch - BIG pots with veggies in it - can last awhile and cheap), pancakes for dinner, pasta, other cheap options plus maybe a couple/few meat items per week in the mix - always what is on clearance.

Are you doing hair cuts at home? Another great $ saving opportunity if not. Ask a friend if they have one of those buzz cutter things for guys and see if you can borrow it. For the women in the family - ask a friend for a trim now and then.

Best of luck!!!

 

[tink2dw]

I have been in all these situations fellow Dis'ers!

Dh lost his job 5 years ago! We were lucky to sell our house at the highest amount to that date in our neighborhood. Our house was sucking us dry.

So, moving to a rental apt where all we paid was electric[$150 less a month than at the house!] And Telephone, but a friend transferred her Vonage Account to me. Which saved alot per month!!! Now Her Dh is working 5 states away from home!

We drained Dhs retirement account by year 4 and had to move in with a friend. By then we qualified for food stamps. And I finally qualified for Disability after 3 years of trying. Dhs family begged him to move to their state so they could help us out more. We used the retro payments from the disability check to move.

For Immediate help call St. Vincent De Paul for help for food, clothes, rent and utility help. Those people would beat me home from their office and would be standing on my door step with fresh veggies, canned foods, boxed foods, rice, pasta and dish soap, laundry soap and more!

Most States have some sort of health care especially for minors and the disabled. Both of the states I have lived in the last year even had Adult heath care!! At a low cost. Walmart has many many $5.00 prescriptions. And for my seizure med that is $1400., a month Walmart price matched the online Costco price of $325. a month. My new state has a state health plan and because I have disablity all my meds are free! which is huge since all the stuff I have to take is life or death and are high cost meds.

Moving here our rent is $300.00 less. Well our Family of 3, all live off my once a month disability check so it stretches further here. We have a 2 bedroom apt now instead of a 3 bedroom.

But Dh's Brother still helps out with car gas and co-pays for Dh's doctor visits. And his Sister helps by cooking celebration meals, our anniversary, birthdays, thanksgiving, and Christmas Which was huge because I didn't get out of the hospital on Christmas Day till 5:30 pm!! and they waited dinner for us!!

I looked up online the sorts of help our new state has and there is utility help and help for food here from churches and food banks, that give food boxes. So does Salvation Army. And there are two thrift stores that have food bags. 1 place has rent help but we have to get Dd's birth certificate to get that help. Have u seen the cost of getting BC sent to you lately?? Holy crap!!!

Dh's health has been so poor he hasn't been able to work even if he could find a job. And he has been looking. Tonight he was admitted to the hospital with chest pains and high blood sugar!! They are keeping him over night at least, to watch him. His Father Died Of a heart attack at 64 and he is getting closer to that age.

I was astonished at how hard hit this state has been by the bad economy. Big Name brand stores have empty buildings up for sale, car lots are just carrying a few cars on their lots.

Well I'm rambling now. Sorry! but I hope there is some help in this! One last thing, in church we were told that by not asking for help in times of our need that we were stopping others from getting Gods blessings through their helping us. That it was prideful not to ask for help. That gave me pause, I was alway willing to help with meals for the sick or visiting the lonely. But I would rather struggle through troubling times than ask for any help for me or my family. It took me weeks to process this but, why would I deprive another of God's blessings?? Just a Thought of Hope for the Day.

 

[lisam427]

if you shop at walmart for your groceries there are two websites that ilove!!

http://iheartthemart.com

http://www.couponingtodisney.com

http;//www.iheartcvs.com

thanks to these websites i have been able to buy $79 worth of groceries for $32. i usually save anywhere from 40% or more with coupons thanks to these sites. i also cvs as well! the iheartcvs is very helpful as i usually save a ton at cvs.

thanks to coupons i have enough stockpiled so that the next week or 2 i only have to get bread milk cold cuts and produce.

please check out these websites . they will be very helpful to you.

 

[dimimi]

I agree with asking your church for help. I am sure you have helped others over the years and some day again...you will be able to help others.

How about looking at other things that your retail store can sell? Maybe you could find something that would increase your business?

 

[disneydreamersx4]

OP and others who are in similar situation, I'm so sorry times are so hard for you I hope you get some good news soon. Adding to the wonderful suggestions above, maybe someone in your family could pet sit? Put up a flyer in vets office/around town. People go away in the winter/spring break and might need your help.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Wow, that is tough!! My husband was laid off twice when I was a SAHM. It was really scary to have your income just disappear. One year it was right before Thanksgiving, needless to say that put a damper on Christmas. I can't imagine looking for a job for 2 years. One thing we did was eat a lot of rice and beans and meatless meals. I think I would either cut my cell phone or the home line, plus get rid of cable, newspapers, etc... If your cars are paid off I would keep them, if not get rid of one. We also turned out thermostat way down. I just layered my daughter in tons of clothing. I hope he finds something soon! to you!

 

[crazelion]

Okay I might get slam for this here goes. This is coming from a former unemployed person before she pride side and went to cooking at day care.

I would do surveys site. Since have a internet connection. I would use those site to make a little money. Okay it not much sometimes I make 100 dollars for a month a lone. That help put food on the table.

These is the survey site I used:
quickrewards.net
and
mypoints.com

I do a lot rewards programs. I do pretty good with gift cards and cash. Is enough to take place of a part time job no. Yes enough to put a little food on the table yes.

If want to learn more about different reward program check out the rewards board of disboards. On the reward board there thread start by harveygirl about the in and outs of rewards programs.

I have learned a lot from this board some the tips awesome.

Some meals I cook really simple and last two days because we eat leftovers:
pasta and jar sause
breakfast for dinner kids love pancakes for dinner and they actaully beg for this LOL
BBQ chicken and green beans

There is plenty of easy cook veggies in the frozen food department that is cheap.

Also another tip learn from this board is site call coupon to disney has step by step directions to how coupon. I can get many things free.

 

[HeatherC]

So sorry to hear that you are going through this! Hope things turn around for you very soon.

For groceries, maybe check out Angel Food Ministries. Just google it. You can preorder a certain amount of groceries at a very discounted rate and pick them up at a local church. Anyone can participate and it is not income based.

I have not used it personally, but have read very good things about the program here on the Dis. Hopefully, others with personal experience will have more info for you.

Good luck to you and your family!

 

[beachgrl001]

How about selling on ebay? do some research, get to know the brands that sell then go to your local goodwill, I just sold a pair of hardtail yoga pants for 24.00, I bought them for 1.50! send me a pm if you want. I could tell you how I got started its relatively easy I know how it is being laid off my husband is in construction and gets laid off, on and off. We are lucky cause most of the time he has side work. Some states offer free career training, maybe you could look into that maybe switching to a field where there is more demand...