What would you do?

I'm in the same situation. Like sunny pub I sell on ebay to try to contribute to the finances, and i find it pretty good, usually. But things are bad this week, and i like you, dont know what i can do to fix them. My partner is working seven days, and now nights too... Ive applied for over 300 jobs in the past 3 months but with no qualifications and limited experience noone wants to hire me... We are behind with our rent, and lst time we were we received a notice to vacate which was scary. Our rent is 1000 dollars a month for a dump. Our son is allergic to milk and has to have a specialist forumla. We are six months behind on all our bills and paying them off at minimal payments weekly, however my partner hasnt been paid since december so we have run out of savings with no way to cover the bills. We have a choice to make. Gas, Electricity, Water and so forth, or somewhere to live. We are going to pay the rent. Thats our choice. How olds your son? As long as he isnt a newborn I wouldnt feel too guilty about the cold. Remember babies have a hotter body temperature anyway and you can swaddle him when he goes to sleep, or tuck him in really tight :) Babies are pretty hardy much as we all love to mollycoddle them. My son smacks his head into walls now, cause he thinks its funny (weird child I know) and hes only eight months old. I think babies ar e a lot tougher than we give them credit for. I can promise you something. Youll get through this week, and the one after, and teh onea fter that. If for nothing else then your child. The fact that you are concerned shows just how good a mother you really are. Any old baby clothers you have of his? sell on ebay. Maternity clothes, prepregnancy clothes that dont fit? sell em. anything you can find that you no longer want or need sell it on ebay. Good luck, and keep us informed as to how everything works out- I know its gonna be all fine :)

Try to budget your money and if you feel that your finance will not be able to meet your daily expenses. I think it is time that you find yourself a job, nowadays, prices are going upo and it is time that husband and wife help one another to meet their daily needs.

Since you are in the US and it sounds like you really need the help, have you gone to WIC to get help with formula and other food items? How about food stamps? Is there any way you could work in the evenings when your husband gets home from work or he can pick up some side jobs? Have you thought about moving in with one of your families until you can really get on your feet? If you can get enough referrals here you can easily make $100 or more per month. Good luck!

i totally understand how you feel... i am kind of living in a tight budget too... i have to calculate my spending really tightly and can't afford to have any unexpected events such as sickness or losing a job... that's why me and my husband always pray to God everyday to protect us, keep us healthy and give us His blessings... we are very thankful that both of us have a job and is doing really fine... well, what i can suggest is may be you can go to government and seek help... is there such thing as government grant for stay at home mother??? we have it here in australia... but i don't know about in usa... may be you can try and ask for it... good luck... i will pray for you and hope your situation will get better...

i am kind of in the same situation only I can't work because of a medical condition and now my husband want to take a new job that pays $3 less an hour than he is makingnow. So I started listing things on eBay. Ihad a bunch of old clothes from my Grandma and I just started putting them up for auction and I have actually made some money. My problem is that I am running out of products so I am going to start selling things for other people and taking a commission from the sale. I am also putting together an huge ebook package to sell online. I am hoping to make about $2000 to $3000 in the next two weeks to help cover bills for a few months until I can be making a decent income online to cover the loss of pay that my husband will be getting. I hope I can do it otherwise we are going to be in big trouble. You could also have a yard sale to sell unwanted items. To help subsidise you could also watch other children since you are staying home with your child. you aren't the only one who doesn't really care for daycares so maybe you could get a few more kids and the parents could pay you to wathc thier kids. I think you just need to take a deep breath and put on your creative hat and start thinking outside the box to come up with things that work for you. Good Luck.

What would you rather have happen? A daycare or babysitter look after your son, or CPS take him away because you're failing to provide him the basic necessities of life? Have your husband pick up a second job, or get a night job and leave him with the baby if you don't trust anyone else.. but you're going to have to do something. There are so many people who have to leave their children with 'untrusted' babysitters and daycare.. because that's what they have to do.. and I think it's about time you looked at what was more important.. having a baby that you couldn't afford and manning up about it, or staying at home with a baby that you can't afford, and crying about it. Sorry to sound harsh, but you have to do what you have to do, and it doesn't sound like you're doing it. I had to leave my son with a babysitter and take a job that I didn't want so that our bills could get paid, sure I was resentful, but then I remembered that I had a child.. and I would rather give that child what he needs than give him his mother at home and no heat.

Well i think this is the time your try to look for a job and can take care you son at the same time yea ... the best will be finding someone who will let you babysit their child yea ... and there you got the money ... If you can't find any job , then try to look for organization which helps the poor , they might sometimes lend you money or even give you the money yea ....

There are groups out there tht will help. Call some of the local churches and I am sure they will be able to offer some assistance. Also phone the gas company and talk to them about your problem. When there are small children and elderly people they usually find a way to see that you have heat. Good luck and make those phone calls.

I have been there too and am kind of still in that situation. Keep looking for something, where there is a will, there's a way. I would call the gas company and tell them that you have a baby in the house and they most likely will not turn your heat off. Most companies are willing to be lenient with families, especially if you tell them you will have assistance soon. I would recommend finding a job that works around your son, like in home daycare. I also sell stuff on Ebay and you can make great money if you find the right stuff to sell. Also, if you have stuff sitting around that you don't use anymore, post it on Craigslist.com in your area. You could get money there too. Also like others said, maybe find a local church that would be willing to help. I know they are always willing even if you don't go to that church. Find a playgroup in the area, even though that doesn't bring in money, you may find a friend that you can trust and swap childcare with them. Figure out what you are willing to do and not do. Don't let people make you feel bad because you aren't bringing in cash. Your job is one of the hardest and least respected jobs and the only pay you get is peed on and squashed carrots spit at you. If you got paid for your job as a cook, nanny, housekeeper, accountant, cab driver, toxic waste engineer, etc. you would have a house with a pool and all the luxury you could want. We can dream can't we?

Contact the gas company and asked to be put on a payment plan until your assistance kicks in. They all have these for low-income and will be glad to help you over the phone. Its more expensive for a baby to get sick.

Are you able to pay your car insurance monthly, it makes it easier to manage when there is no big bill coming in. Perhaps you can see a financial adviser to help you manage your money better, I know in Australia that they offer them free to people on a low income....not sure about America though.

$100 for gas is not high at all. I suggest you move to a studio where all your utilities are included. Or you can ask your parents for help. I'm sure they wouldn't want you and your family cold. I'm sorry to hear this, I know you care a lot about your baby. I hope you get some help soon!

is there really no money leftover in your bank account or pocket? maybe you dont have to pay the whole amount just yet for now.. say maybe pay half or something.. the gas company will billed you again and again of course but they most probably will not cut off the gas like just now.. can you borrow money from someone? your parents? friends or something? dont feel bad about yourself.. you are not a bad mother.. you want what is best for your kids is just that you dont have the money for it.. maybe you can work around the house.. maybe do other people laundry. or something like that? or open a day care yourself so that way other people can put their kid in your place.. you got the money while you can also watch over your kid.. :) be strong :) you can do it

Hey mommy unfortunatly as we can see there are a few of us in the same situation. I also am a stay at home mum with my son who is 3 and my fiance is usually working but had a minor heart attack about a month ago and has been home since,so we are doing it pretty hard also. As other have noted I also sell different things on ebay such as my own natural products i make, but also things that we dont need or want anymore or items i buy for a very good price to resell. Also here in Australia we have a system with most elec or gas companies where you can pay weekly amounts on a card they send out, this helps soo much. I also fill in a few surveys, but these are genually small amounts and very infrequent over here so far. I hope this helps in some way and I also wanted to say keep your chin up hun, and as long as you love your child like you do you will never come close to letting him down. May your Angels continue to watch over you and yours.

Juggling bills is something we do here all the time. We have 2 girls and I am unable to work because or some medical conditions. We live off of my wifes income (she is a waitress). Our rent is about $790.00 monthly so there are many bills we have to juggle around sometimes. You do have one good thing behind you... Your gas company legally cannot shut you off in the middle of winter when you have a child. Your child needs heat and hot water. We had our gas comapny shut us off once, we got a DR's note about our children needing heat and hot water, took it over to the gas comapny and was truned back on within an hour. We didnt pay a cent. Also, you should be getting help from social services. They will help you with your bills when times get rough. Your child will get medicade and your family will receive foodstamps. Sometimes you just have to suck up your pride and go in and apply for help. It's not a bad thing, that's what they are here for. Good luck to you! If you would like more tips and tricks, just let me know.

Is there a close family member or friend you could trust to watch your son? You really should go out and get a job. Your family doesn't deserve to be in the cold.

I feel your pain. I'm in the same situation you are and have been for a while. Don't loose hope. First where I live they call it FISH they help alot of people. They put me in touch with a church that assisted me with my heat bill last year. Also contact your local DHS office( Department of human services). If you have a baby they will not let you lose your heat. They can also help you out with food assistance. If you need more info contact me. Things will work out. Love your husband and child and things will find away to staighten out.

I have been there too. I used to stay in the bedroom with the door shut and only turn the heat on in that room. Do you have any friends you can babysit for to earn a little extra ? Can yours or his mom watch the beby so you can work part time ?

For the gas bill call the company and see if they will make a payment arrangement. Around here we have a budget program where the gas and electric is cheaper then normal. Also fo a job see if you can find an at home job or see if there are any parents in your area that need a sitter. You are already stay'n at home, maybe you can make money while stay'n at home.

Wow I can really relate to your situation. Call the gas company and work out an installment plan. I'm guessing since your income is so low you'll be getting a tax refund. If you are that may help your situation. I know that there are churches that will help with your utilities. I am a stay at home mom, and I think it's great. If you need food, many churches have a food bank. Good luck to you. I hope everything works out.