Topic : Living on One Income

I agree you know fresh fruits and veggies are way cheaper than those boxed up sugar added processed foods. I know those work for foodstamps. You have to be willing to not make excuses and just plain make it work. That's all there is to it .

Well I know for a fact my husband is so "great" at keeping up with our money! He spends it all on useless crap and doesn't even begin to know how to explain where it all went. Yep you are right us women don't know a thing about finances we should all stay home being barefoot and preg. and just stick to what we know best cooking and cleaning! LOL 

Steph 

 It is very hard to live on one income. I do it,and have done it since I was 17,and on my own. Everything I have, I have obtained it from my hard work.The only reason I think I am able to do this is because I stay debt free,and only buy what I need or can afford.I use credit cards to buy stuff,and pay them off promptly only to build credit,not because I don't have the cash available.In addition to just living off my meager salary,I also have put my self through school. Sure I have made sacrifices,but at least I can live free of worry from mounting bills.The only thing I personally believe you should go in debt for is a house or medical needs.I don't even go in debt for a car,I save up cash,and pay for it upfront.I save a lot of money this way,and can use this to further my education,thus yeilding an even greater income. 

Don't give up,you can do it.Hard work,and preserverance never killed anyone. 

I finally decided after many years to stay at home and for me it works my husband is a over the road trucker and i live in an area wher my own family is not and i do not get alot of support from my husbands family who lives near by.  I am the father and mother when my husband is gone and i realized after several years that the 1,000.00 I was spending each month to have daycare so i could work was actually breaking us. My situation is different than some and one day i will focus on me and finish my education and become the social worker i have always wanted to be I am so sick and tired of kids coming second i have three and they are my whole world but right now with my husband just making enough i know it wont be possible for a few more years but i do love staying at home my girls get to see me when they wake up and when they come home and to be honest not holding a " second job" makes life alot easier

I agree, staying home is the best thing for me as well. Sure, I could go get a job, but the majority of the money would go on childcare, which I have two children and that can be costly. Certainly pays to stay home and I did things just right for me, I went toschool and got an education, worked for many years and now I have the privelege and gift of staying home to take care of my two little ones right along with a husband who loves and respects his family and we are on the same page when it comes toour choices. And that to me is priceless.

I agrew ith you. I think we are certainly living in a greedy society. I honestly think the majority of the people who are in debt do not live within their means. We live very modest here but we own our home and cars, we are clothed well and we eat healthy, all our needs are met and even my childrn as young as they are, are learning the value of money and hopefully they will ive by our example as they grow older.

My husand and my self live on one income. I use to work but due to some medical issues i can no longer work. Its been that way for almost three years. its very hard. But we try not to have all the extras like the cable tv and not drinking,smoking. ect. we are raising two boys on that. Its makes it very stressful. But we are doing it. The good thing is that the boys like it when i am home when they get home. Just try to keep things simple and not go out to eat alot. helps. Any way thats us living on one income. New to this board. Have a nice day you all.

There's an old  saying  that goes like this: old habits die hard!

Living an healthy  life has nothing to do with income. Believe me! Want to know how?

1 - Plan your meals and your grocery list - Stop buying and eating junk food, and if you really want to become healthy become a vegetarian. Make a list of what you should eat and what you should avoid. Here's a good example:

What to eat:

- Vegetable soup (everyday at lunch and dinner. I cook a big amount and keep it on the fridge, and I just need to warm up the needed portions for that meal. It's fast and economic.)
- Fruit ( fruit is tasty and healthy, everytime you feel like wanting a snack instead of eating junk food eat fruit)
- Water ( this is essential for your body to work right and helps you to lost weight)
- Tea (green tea is the best because it makes you look and feel better)
- Orange juice instead of soda drinks
- Cereals like All Bran and Weetabix for breakfast
- Grilled fish and white meat are the only healthy options if you don´t want to become vegetarian. (My doctor said that salmon is the best fish you can eat to avoid colesterol and cardiac problems).
- Salads (are very tasty if you learn to be creative. For example: add tomatoes, lettuce, canned tunna, boilled potatoes, carrots and a boilled egg and you have a five star salad).

What not to eat:

- Red meat (porc, beef)
- Junk food (That means the burger and fries, the pizza, the frozen dinners, the bacon and eggs, all that stuff. If you and your family really enjoy that stuff, you can do only one meal a week "the junk food meal")
- Soft drinks - no more cola, that thing kills you and it doesn´t help you at all if you want to be healthy and thin.
- Candies/ Snacks - be a balanced person. It's ok to eat a chocolat bar 2 or 3 times a week, but no more.
- Beer - wine is better than beer. But it's ok to drink one a day, no more. About wine - red is much more healthier than white, because it has a natural substance that helps your heart functioning. But you now - be moderate!

You'll see if you follow this rules you'll save a lot (I'm not kidding) of money at groceries, and you will feel much better. You will feel and look an healthier person. You will lose weight naturally, your skin will look better, and you will feel with more energy. Therefore you'll be happier.

Tips to exercise without money:

- Jogging - go for a walk for 15 m after a meal, or go jog for 30m every morning.
- Choose a soft lovely music that you enjoy and meditate some minutes everyday, that will help your innerself. You deserve to have that time for yourself.
- If you have kids go play with them - basket, dance, baseboll, whatever - move for your health and at the same time have family quality time.
- In the internet there are some pages that will give you for free an workout plan. With that you will learn some basic exercises that you can do at home with no expenses.
- Spend a few dollars and buy a book or a dvd with exercise tips and examples- Yoga is the best, because is so complete.

And most important program yourself, and that's why the medidation is so important. Learn to love yourself - forget your flaws, and focus on your qualities. Start loving yourself today, right away!

The last tip, but important - Want to keep the motivation. Keep a journal and promise yourself that you will learn one new thing a day - ONE POSITIVE NEW THING EVERYDAY - and keep it on your journal. This will make a diference, I promise!

Take care. And please, don't give up on you.








    

I HAVE WORKED SINCE I WAS 16 YEARS OLD, IN THE LAST 7 YEARS I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, I WAS MARRIED LAST JUNE AND MOVED TO A NEW STATE... I DO NOT FEEL GOOD ENOUGH TO WORK, HAVEN'T FELT GOOD ENOUGH IN 7 YEARS, HOWEVER RAISING CHILDREN AND BEING A SINGLE PARENT, YOU HAVE TO WORK!! I FEEL BAD FOR MY HUSBAND.... HE WORKS HARD AND NOW SUPPORTS MY DAUGHTER AND I, I HAVE SOME PRETTY HIGH MEDICAL BILLS AND HIS INSURANCE THROUGH HIS EMPLOYER IS AWEFUL!! HOW DO I PAY THESE BILLS? I HAVE APPLIED FOR SS HOWEVER I WAS TURNED DOWN THE FIRST TIME AND HAD TO FILE A RECONSIDERATION FORM, WHAT A PAIN.... I JUST DO NOT KNOW HOW ANYONE CAN MAKE IT IN THIS DAY AND AGE ON ONE INCOME... IT BOGGLES MY MIND!!

Don't give up on your hopes of school.  Be open minded and corageous. 

3 years ago I started a Day Home (Day Care) out of my house.  I have made phenominal money and I'm still home with my children and see them every day and I have introduced them to new friends that they love.  Its the best of both worlds.  I have registered to take schooling via correspondence and my lifes doing great.    

  

Just a thought for moms who are willing to do a little extra each day to be home with their children... it eases things for the husbands (Dads who are home you should do it too!)  and its rewarding without giving up my personal need to make money and contribute.