No other alternative.....as a struggling single parent.....

[catcountry]

....I must get a second job. I feel the guilt killing me with just the thought of it. My 12 yo is the only one that will suffer from this but there is no other way. I went to the grocery store this week w/ $60 to spend. Do you know how hard it is to plan a menu for a week w/ just that much? The only relief may or may not come at the end of the week but that is based on the decision of others. I don't think it will happen but, I HOPE. Even so....the second job is needed. How do you be a parent when you have 2 jobs? ....I'll never see her

[bichin]

Clean houses or do odd jobs and take her with you (and make her work too).

[Jetta]

Do you use coupons at all? I'm sorry you're struggling, I personally couldn't handle the stress of single parenthood which is partially why my ex husband has custody of our daughter. That broke me and was difficult to do but I think she's better off for it. Can you find any work from home type jobs to suppliment your income? I know many are scams, but there's always a few good ideas. Petsitting for example.

[catcountry]

I have a full time job...M-F, 8-4. Cleaning houses....usually a day time thing. Seems retail is the only option. Maybe at least the store we love to shop at. In either case, it doesn't matter......nights and weekends.

[Princess123]

Need money fast? Sell things. Another thing is baby sit. You have experience, you have a child! Say you have a day job? Maybe you can find someone who needs child care at night, and would let you eventually watch their child at your home. That way you can still be around for your daughter. Or if you work at a grocery store, employee discount!

[sophie274]

Have you made any headway on getting the money that your ex owes you and your daughter for child support? Seems like that could really help you out. I hope you find a way to see some of that money.

 

Do you think you could find a better paying job? Perhaps working on the janitorial staff in some sort of institution/school/office building would pay better than cleaning individual homes (if that's what you do)? Perhaps there are ways to trim down your other expenses, so that even if you do have to get a second job, you would have to work fewer hours.

 

I hope you can work something out where you are not working yourself to death and also get to spend time with your daughter.

[mustard1234]

Hi cat,

 

Times are hard for all of us. You have my support! A few suggestions:

 

-I know it's hard to think about but, have you considered food stamps aka: the SNAP program? It is definitely worth seeing if you qualify. No one will ever know but you and the burden of food for your family will be eased up a bit.

 

-When looking at a second/third income consider the book "The Other 8 Hours". Amazon has used copies for as low as $5 and also it's in many public libraries. It has an amazing amount of real-life advice for adding a second income and maximizing what you're good at to add to your prosperity. No fluff, all substance. I recommend it to everyone. Always.

 

-Craigslist: "Gigs" and "Etc" and "Part Time" page listings are very much worth checking out at least once a day. You can pick up decent side income there.

 

-Look into government jobs offered on the city and statewide level. They *always* have openings for something or another. Decent pay and steady work.

 

-Fill out applications at your local temp agencies if you haven't. Even if they dont' have immediate listings, they'll keep you on file and eventually someone will call. Also, aside from the major agencies (Apple, Kimco, etc) make sure to hit the local, smaller ones. They have more to prove to their clients and are a little more motivated to turn employees.

 

-oDesk and link removed are awesome short-term work resources. I personally know people who have made enough to pay some bills with their projects.

 

You're in my prayers. Wishin' ya all the best. We are *all* hustling our way through this recession. Bon chance!

 

~R

[mustard1234]

Also, thank you for posting.

 

I've had my head up my arse for the last 3 solid months moping about some douchebag who broke my heart. Real life continues, there's mothers out here fighting like warriors for their families...life turns and goes on. Something about your situation made me realize I need to stop being a twentysomething stereotype and get my head in the damn game. Thank you.

 

#justasidenote

[catcountry]

Have you made any headway on getting the money that your ex owes you and your daughter for child support? Seems like that could really help you out. I hope you find a way to see some of that money.

 

Do you think you could find a better paying job? Perhaps working on the janitorial staff in some sort of institution/school/office building would pay better than cleaning individual homes (if that's what you do)? Perhaps there are ways to trim down your other expenses, so that even if you do have to get a second job, you would have to work fewer hours.

 

I hope you can work something out where you are not working yourself to death and also get to spend time with your daughter.

 

 

I'll never see a dime from my ex. He is the looser of all loosers. I am willing to do anything. As a matter of fact my daughter just came to me with yet another field trip form to fill out. The second of the school year. (Yes, she's only started school less than 2 weeks ago) I do not have the $20 for this trip and she's pissed that I asked her to just leave it on the counter and I'll try to figure it out doesn't seem to cut it. *sigh*

[catcountry]

Mustard...thanks but I don't qualify for anything. I am one of those people at make too much for any assistance, yet not enough to live. None what-so-ever. Even $25 more than needed for her to get a reduced price for lunch at school. Imagine that...$25.

[catcountry]

Mustard...thanks again...I'll look into that book

[OptomisticGirl]

I feel you. My mom feeds four of us off $60 a week. It's damn hard, I don't know how she does it tbh. A second job may not be ideal, but sometimes it's all you have.

[OptomisticGirl]

Check your local churches as well Cat, a lot of them do food drives. My mom goes once a month and they give her a TON of groceries.

[CatsMeeoow]

I agree with checking in with a local church. Are you members anywhere?

 

Religion aside churches are great support groups!!! Many have food pantries, financial assistance, single parent programs... etc. It would be possible to find a network of other single parents and share ideas/child care with those in similar situations. It may even be possible to find another single parent to create a roommate situation and lower your housing costs?

 

I was a single parent for many many years and while I had the benefit of financial support from the ex there were still some very very difficult years.

 

Its so hard sometimes especially with the down turn in the economy not to be able to qualify for anything. Many of our local churches support these kinds of families. Look into joining one!

 

Its unfair to make your daughter aware of your financial straits and how a $20 field trip isn't easy to come by but its life. Ask her what she is willing to give up to be able to go?

 

Hugs!

[catcountry]

Thanks OG.......seems to be the way I might have to go. I hate to take from those that are worse off then me, tho. IDK...we'll see.

[catcountry]

Cats...I made my daughter aware because she needs to be aware. We do belong to a church.....and there isn't anything she can give up. The activities she does belong to are very aware of the hard times some parents have. There is nothing to take away. We wil be okay but the road is long and hard.

[thejigsup]

I am a single mother and when my son was small, I worked two, and even three, jobs AND I went back to school. You gotta do what you gotta do. I am now working on my doctorate, have a great job, and my son turned out just fine! Don't be afraid of working and achieving, it sets a great example for your kids. I survived and you will also. Plus, the more education you get, the better paying jobs you can get and that lets you work less hours. It's a win/win!!! I wish you good luck with everything!!

[Ariel85]

Cat - just wanted to say I really respect your work ethic and parenting skills. A lot of people wouldn't look for real-life solutions, so well done.

 

Your child will feel the same way...

[thejigsup]

I agree, you are to be applauded.

[SicFounder]

You can always see if the government has some unclaimed money for you. I know it sounds like one of those 3:30AM infomercials, but this is real. I'm only 20 and I had $64 unclaimed from a tax return in 2006. I saw this website on Yahoo! News.

 

link removed

 

If any website that says they have unclaimed money for you and ask you to pay, IT'S A SCAM. But this site is legit. I got my check in about 3 weeks. The site will only ask for your first name, last name, and state then give you a list, if available, of those with unclaimed cash with that search criteria.

 

It's worth a shot to take a look.

[AutumnBorn]

Go to the nearest food bank and stock up. Where I used to live there are no income guidelines - show up and they give you all you need.

Have any old gold? It's at an all-time high. A friend recently sold two bracelets, two pairs of earrings, and a ring she stopped wearing and got $730. It was cash on the spot.

Recycle. Glass, cans, paper.

Dog walking - pays $15-20 per hour. If you go into business for yourself, you can make $20 per hour per dog.

House sitting - pays about $25 per night, $30 if it includes pets.

Gardening/weeding services pay about $20 per hour here, but speed is key.

Online paid surveys (pays about $1 per, but you also have to stock up $20 in your account to get a check cut).

Raise your rates for cleaning, if possible, especially if you have to drive to your jobs. Gas is expensive.

 

Saving money at home: Unplug everything you're not using - coffee maker, microwave, anything with a clock or timer. Turn off your hot water heater at night, turn it on about two hours before you shower, then shut it back off when you're done.

 

Get a roommate - if you and your daughter have to share a room, so be it.

 

Tell the school your daughter is not going on every field trip they offer. It's bad for the environment with all those buses driving around, expensive to fill up those bus gas tanks and for parents, and usually not as educational as they'd like parents to believe. (Also, let them know in advance you aren't sending her to school to learn to be a sales person, so she won't be participating in any fundraisers which involve selling subscriptions and wrapping paper - that way you aren't tempted to buy anything or pressure friends and family to buy, either. The schools actually get very, very little money from these and parents spend a lot. My daughter's school does a yard sale of donated items from the parents and staff and a dinner/auction each year - that's it, two fundraisers and no sales except auction tickets and no pressure there.)

[Mesemene]

Here's another link for you - hope it helps, since it took me a couple days to find it!!!

 

What I used to do with my kids was have cookoffs on the weekends with them helping - and we made our own "tv dinners" for the week so we still had time

 

link removed

[catcountry]

You all are wonderful. Thank you so much for the support, thoughts, links, suggestions. We've been okay until now and I did see it coming but, some unexpected expenses over the summer made it all hit way before I thought. Keep on truckin'.... I applied today for a PT position at our favorite store and I am going to keep looking. In the mean time I can only hope that I will hear good news at the end of the week.....some relief.

[FathomFear]

Have you thought about taking out some substantial loans and using it towards education? Ideally you should be investing in yourself in order to increase your average salary per year. I would seriously consider researching what kinds of grants and scholarships are available for people who do this. Otherwise, I suspect you'll perpetually be struggling to get by.