need financial advice from US ladies please :)

[megrenade]

so my OH and I don't live together and are trying really hard to get an apartment before our LO arrives (April-May).. we have applied for 2 apartments, both are nice.. and less than $600/mo.. but one of them isn't available until June! but it's being built and will be brand new.. so it would be worth the wait and we're on the list.

so, OH makes about $300-350 every week.. so, $600-700 every 2 weeks if he doesn't miss any days.

half of our income will be going towards rent

we don't have any outstanding bills or debts.. I have a car but I own it and it's completely paid off; do you think we'll be able to swing the rest of our bills and be okay? all he has for bills are our cell phones ($150) and his gym bill, which I think is like $25.

I was THINKING of applying for WIC & food stamps.. but only if we absolutely need it; I don't like taking advantage of the state's money (no offense to anyone).. but would it be a good idea to apply? I'd apply now but my dad makes too much money (that's who I live with).

any advice on how to make money stretch with having a new baby?

 

[babybaker2011]

Wow, sounds like you guys will definitely be on a tight budget. I've been there...I understand what it's like. Do you work or is he the only one with an income? It will be tough with a baby, but manageable. You have to just sit out and budget your monthly expenses so you know what to expect. Try and put some money aside each pay check (if possible) for unexpected expenses such as meds for baby, etc. (hopefully you'll have a healthy one). I would limit going out to eat, unnecessary shopping, movies, etc. Good luck to you both!

 

[megrenade]

Wow, sounds like you guys will definitely be on a tight budget. I've been there...I understand what it's like. Do you work or is he the only one with an income? It will be tough with a baby, but manageable. You have to just sit out and budget your monthly expenses so you know what to expect. Try and put some money aside each pay check (if possible) for unexpected expenses such as meds for baby, etc. (hopefully you'll have a healthy one). I would limit going out to eat, unnecessary shopping, movies, etc. Good luck to you both!

yeah, definitely a tight budget

and no, I'm not working.. if I can manage to find or get a part-time job, I will.. but we won't be able to afford child care or anybody to watch our son so we're going to have to work something out with our schedules.

I'm a pretty frugal person.. I'll probably be the one doing the budgeting.. but I think we'll make it!

 

[andella95]

That's going to be really, really tough, but probably doable.

Don't forget about thinks like gas money, utilities, etc.

Please don't feel bad about applying for assistance. That's what it's there for. If you are going to give the baby any formula (ever!) then WIC would be a godsend. I am on WIC and just got my first formula from them on Friday - and it would have been $160 without wic.

I ended up having to supplement and then eventually go to all formula, and formula alone can ran well over $100/month. If you buy the cheapest diapers & wipes, you'll probably spend at least $40-50 per month as well.

I'm married and we have 2 kids and we are on WIC and we also get food stamps, and our income is about $500/month more than yours will be, with a $647/month house payment.

I think you can do it, just know that it will be hard - but having a baby is totally worth it!

 

[megrenade]

That's going to be really, really tough, but probably doable.

Don't forget about thinks like gas money, utilities, etc.

Please don't feel bad about applying for assistance. That's what it's there for. If you are going to give the baby any formula (ever!) then WIC would be a godsend. I am on WIC and just got my first formula from them on Friday - and it would have been $160 without wic.

I ended up having to supplement and then eventually go to all formula, and formula alone can ran well over $100/month. If you buy the cheapest diapers & wipes, you'll probably spend at least $40-50 per month as well.

I'm married and we have 2 kids and we are on WIC and we also get food stamps, and our income is about $500/month more than yours will be, with a $647/month house payment.

I think you can do it, just know that it will be hard - but having a baby is totally worth it!

yeah, it's nice that neither one of us really have any bills right now.. so he's been able to save up like $3,000 to get us into an apartment and such; and hopefully we won't suffer too horribly the first month.. it's nice that he gets paid weekly though!

and definitely worth the baby! it's been a struggle for us, the the closer to the due date we get, the closer WE are getting as a couple (we conceived shortly after we got together.. so we haven't really had much "us" time); we're learning to love each other, haha.

and I'm hoping to breastfeed to save money.. I really, really hope it works; and I'm sorry BF'ing didn't work out for you