Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

If you absolutely can't pay a ulitity, make sure you loo to see which has the smallest penalty.

A few tips for the ecetric bill---

Use the dishwasher less--run the hot water first before turning it on when you do use it.

Vacuum behind the fridge & keep it pulled out from the wall alittle. ( dont' know why this works, but I've heard it does )
Only wash full loads & laundry what you can.

Make your AC a little warmer-- just a few degrees will help.

Unplug cell phone or other chargers when not in use
PHONE:

Get rid of LD, call waiting, etc. Use your cell for Long distance.

Message edited 8/29/2005 4:21:12 PM.

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

I would turn off my house phone if you have a cell phone.

I would have the ac completely off. if you must, turn it on late at night.

I would call and cancel cable if you have it. Once you are late on bills it is hard to catch up, especially with baby on the way.

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Posted by baghag

Posted by msma88

I didn't know, but seriously how come people on this board give nicey nice opinions and not their true opinions.

Shana how about selling on ebay or babysitting for people.

There is no point in bashing her and making her feel worse than she already does.

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Posted by Janice

I would turn off my house phone if you have a cell phone.

I would have the ac completely off. if you must, turn it on late at night.

I would call and cancel cable if you have it. Once you are late on bills it is hard to catch up, especially with baby on the way.

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Aww Shana. You don't need this stress right now!

In college when I was away from home and low on funds we lived on pasta and ramen noodles...I had no cell, bare minimum phone service, no cable, no internet in the apt. We went to the library to use the internet. We did not run the dishwasher, bought all toiletries at the dollar store, never ate out/went out to movies, etc. We also stole toilet paper from the public bathrooms at the college but I wouldn't recommend that. My brother went through law school with no TV at all, no internet in his apt., no land line for his phone...Even pizza can seem like a splurge, you know? It all adds up. I would really decide what is not absolutely necessary, and go from there. Good luck!

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

I want to thank you all for your advice and concern. Many of you know my personal life, many don't.

This is SO very recent and SO very temporary and I could just be panicking due to my hormones. So many of you have been there for the good times, and I assumed I could lean on you in a hard time.

I wish I could cut the cell phone...I hardly use it, but we have a contract and with the baby coming...it's a good idea. Our house phone is the same $$ every month (LOVE Vonage) because I can't live without talking to people in NY.

Can't get rid of DirectTV-again, contract. We did get rid of all the movie channels and cut the bill in half.

Trying the poor person diet....but I have to make sure I have protein and fruits and veggies for the babys' health.

Thanks again everyone, and I'll keep you all posted on how we do!

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

awww shana- you sound so down. Is it possible for hubby to get any OT?

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Posted by DebG

awww shana- you sound so down. Is it possible for hubby to get any OT?

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Shana I just wanted to give you lots of these

FM me if you need to talk!!! I know how easy it is to get worried and all upset...and its the last thing you need!!!

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

It sounds like you're doing all that you can right now! And you don't want to get yourself into a worry frenzy while pregnant!!!
I'd suggest calling the complaines, and letting them know you are not sure if you'll be able to make the full payment....and see what they can work with you on. I'm sure they'll be willing to help you out!
And remember that this is only temporary!!! Things will work out!!!

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Posted by btrflygrl

I want to thank you all for your advice and concern. Many of you know my personal life, many don't.

This is SO very recent and SO very temporary and I could just be panicking due to my hormones. So many of you have been there for the good times, and I assumed I could lean on you in a hard time.

I wish I could cut the cell phone...I hardly use it, but we have a contract and with the baby coming...it's a good idea. Our house phone is the same $$ every month (LOVE Vonage) because I can't live without talking to people in NY.

Can't get rid of DirectTV-again, contract. We did get rid of all the movie channels and cut the bill in half.

Trying the poor person diet....but I have to make sure I have protein and fruits and veggies for the babys' health.

Thanks again everyone, and I'll keep you all posted on how we do!

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

I agree that you should keep the cell phone, while you are pregnant.
I'd imagine it would be hard to cut back on AC in August in Atalanta, while pregnant too.

A pay cut is hard to deal with, b/c you pretty make the most of what you have & don't expect to have to go backwards.

Have you figured out excatly how much less DH will be making? If you have concrete figures, you can figure out how much you need to cut back, which should help, so you just don't have that continual feeling of not doing enough.

I tend to panic about these things too--there is some restructuring going on with DH's job & I automatically equate that with a pay cut , even though we won't know details for a few months.

Re: What do you do if you don't have enough $$ for ALL your bills?

First I want to offer for you.

It sounds like you are doing a lot to try and knock out major expenses. I agree with the cell phone, you have a contract so what would be the point of discarding it? Just try not to go over the monthly on it. Do you clip coupons and return soda bottles? That can help a bit. And if you look around the house, are there items that you would consider yard sale material? Maybe putting them on ebay would help.
DH and I got rid of a few DVD/CD's while planning the wedding. They were a bunch we never watch anymore.

Hope that helps somehow!