I just need some general advice and guidance (financially and otherwise)

Carolinabuckeye · September 2014

My husband works thirds...he just started a a temp at a REALLY nice place to work. They have a mandatory 2year temp contract for all hirees. He'll be at his 1 year mark in October. Even as a temp we have a lot more money than we used to... I quit my job when he started there to finish my degree and just graduated with my bachelors. We have two kids as well. We spend $500+ on groceries for the 4 of us. My husband spends about $60 a month at his work on food from their cafeteria (and yes he DOES pack a lunch). That doesn't count the pop and tons of energy drinks he buys at gas stations. Also there is his fast food stops randomly. I would total it at about an extra $80. Gas runs about $220ish a month for him to go to work. Despite our good fortune, we are really strapped for cash. I don't know what else to cut out...I break down our finances every month and the majority of "extras" go to what I described above. I don't know what to do...he says he's super hungry at work because he works so hard and that he needs his energy drinks because coffee doesn't have enough strength. He gets really offended when I bring up the subject of him cutting back because he feels like he works like a dog! Advice? Thanks!!

Keeptruckin · September 2014

Can you guys buy his energy drinks in bulk at costco? My husband eats a lot. Today I packed his lunch, what I thought would last all day. He laughed and said he would eat it all by 10 am. He is 6'3" and 190 pounds and runs marathons. He says he needs 1 cup of almonds a day, 2 cups of raisins, 2 bananas, a whole bag of baby carrots, one litre of yogurt. If I buy the individual yogurts he needs 3 of them, drives me insane! All I can say is try to buy what you can in bulk. We have an understanding that my DH will not buy lunch or snacks out if he feels he is bringing enough with him. So my grocery bill will never be smaller it's still cheaper than him spending 15 dollars a day on stuff.

LS45 · September 2014

Agree with pp. Buying in bulk has really helped us to moderate food spending. FYI- there is a Costco promo on Living Social right now, making it super cheap. This is my referral link: https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/1197846?ref=email-jp-tw&rpi=172648502&rui=91087557 via @LivingSocial

CuriousKiddosMama · September 2014

I would try sending more with him, including his energy drinks that way he isn't buying them at the gas station- which is probably one of the most expensive places to buy anything. If they go on sale at the grocery store, buy as many as you can afford that week!!
Only other thing I can say would be to post your budget here. Everyone on this board can be really helpful in finding holes in your budget.

Wulfgar · September 2014

Depending on what he is doing, he needs to pack a lot of food. I know that when I was working manufacturing and throwing 50 pound bags around I was eating a lot.

When I was doing this I was trying to minimize the amount I ate out until I was going to school and working so it was easier for me to pack my lunch (dinner) for work then buy something either before work or after school depending on which shift I was working and my school schedule.

It could also help since you just graduated to find at least a part-time job to help out. MW would love to be a stay at home mom but with our plans for our children it will be a long time before we can afford this. Most likely she will just be able to work part-time sometime.

Carolinabuckeye · September 2014

I did suggest buying the energy drinks in bulk but I might have to push it harder. He thinks he's going to drink the crap out if them; my attitude is if you drink them and they're gone-you'll have t learn to slow down. I have been offered a few part time jobs but they're all minimum wage. With the cost of a sitter and gas I was making $1-2 an hour

. Of course I'm still looking; hopefully I get a call soon,

brij2006 · September 2014

Definitely discuss him packing much more food, and ones that are rich in nutrients. I'm a long distance runner also and am also pregnant. So the amount of food I pack in my lunch each day is insane, and I'm lucky if it's enough. The key is to pack him things high in protein and fiber to keep him full.

Also, I would definitely discuss the energy drinks vs his marathon training. They're usually very frowned upon, because they're full of things that just aren't good for the body.

Feel free to post your budget here. We can take a look at the budget and see where items can be cut back or give tips on how to lower them.

Sisugal · September 2014

Can YOU pack his lunches for him?? LOTS of protien and lots of fiber - include snack items - apples, nuts, cheese.
Is he getting enough sleep?
What is your degree in? How else can it be used.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2014

I'd agree with PPs. like Brij2006 I also train for endurance sports (triathlon, century rides, half-marathons) My lunches are huge as I ramp-up training. definitely work with him to pack higher nutrient lunches. I do things like hard-boiling a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and I'll throw 2-3 in my lunch for a high-protein snack. I also keep a tub of peanut butter at work so if I get really hungry I can grab a spoonful.

I HATE energy drinks, honestly they're not doing your H any favors, they're loaded with sugar and other processed crap that I'm confident is making the hypertension and diabetes epidemics in this country worse. and on an individual level all that sugar and replacing sleep with sugar+caffeine will just make your H more tired and cause him to crash harder. he might find (after 3-4 weeks of adjustment) that he feels better and has more energy if he sitcks to water (or seltzer) and coffee (this introduces the issue of buying coffee). We actually invested in a sodastream and it's so much cheaper than the 10 liters of seltzer water I was buying every week (now if I could only find a place with the replacement cartridges in stock!). ...getting off my anti-sugary beverages soap-box.... If you can't sway him from the energy drinks definitely find somewhere to buy them in bulk.

as far as the eating out goes...sometimes it can't be avoided, my H balances a 3rd shift PT job and a regular PT job and sometimes he really just doesn't have time to pack lunch or come home to grab the lunch he packed. he has a budget for buying lunch out (his fun money budget) since we put that in place he's a little more picky with when he buys lunch....he thinks a little harder about if he really needs to buy lunch or if he's just being lazy.

strickland8052 · September 2014

I think you have gotten some really good advice about packing for your husband's lunch. As far as other ways to save money, what about shopping around for car insurance, home owner's insurance, cell phone service, internet, and cable? Over the summer, I cut $200 a month from our budget, just by swapping car insurance and cell phone service then cutting cable in exchange for Netflix. Also, try to use coupons for the groceries. I used to think that it didn't really make a difference, but I recently started reading extreme couponing blogs and now I save about $30 a week on groceries by pairing coupons with store sales.

To make extra money, you could try to do jobs that wouldn't require a sitter and have flexible schedules. What about sitting other people's children? Or what about dog sitting? There is a website called rover.com that facilitates dog sitting arrangements in your own home. Or tutoring? Or, you could try being an on call banquet server? Or some other job that would put you working while H is home to care for the kids.

Best of luck!

hoffse · September 2014

I also don't get the appeal of energy drinks. It's not a replacement for sleep. That said, if he insists on having them then you should be buying them at a grocery store at minimum... better to buy in bulk at Costco, Sams Club, or BJs.

A gas station is pretty much the most expensive place you can buy bottled/canned beverages. It's a huge waste of money when you can pick up exactly the same thing during weekly grocery runs. Even if you are paying full price at the grocery store, it's cheaper than buying them individually at a gas station.

You said you quit your job a year ago to finish your degree. What were you doing back then? Is it something you can get back into?

short+sassy · September 2014

Gdaisy09 said:

I'd agree with PPs. like Brij2006 I also train for endurance sports (triathlon, century rides, half-marathons) My lunches are huge as I ramp-up training. definitely work with him to pack higher nutrient lunches. I do things like hard-boiling a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and I'll throw 2-3 in my lunch for a high-protein snack. I also keep a tub of peanut butter at work so if I get really hungry I can grab a spoonful.

I HATE energy drinks, honestly they're not doing your H any favors, they're loaded with sugar and other processed crap that I'm confident is making the hypertension and diabetes epidemics in this country worse. and on an individual level all that sugar and replacing sleep with sugar+caffeine will just make your H more tired and cause him to crash harder. he might find (after 3-4 weeks of adjustment) that he feels better and has more energy if he sitcks to water (or seltzer) and coffee (this introduces the issue of buying coffee). We actually invested in a sodastream and it's so much cheaper than the 10 liters of seltzer water I was buying every week (now if I could only find a place with the replacement cartridges in stock!). ...getting off my anti-sugary beverages soap-box.... If you can't sway him from the energy drinks definitely find somewhere to buy them in bulk.

as far as the eating out goes...sometimes it can't be avoided, my H balances a 3rd shift PT job and a regular PT job and sometimes he really just doesn't have time to pack lunch or come home to grab the lunch he packed. he has a budget for buying lunch out (his fun money budget) since we put that in place he's a little more picky with when he buys lunch....he thinks a little harder about if he really needs to buy lunch or if he's just being lazy.

Sodastream also has an "Energy" and "Diet Energy" drink syrup. That would be a super cheap way for him to get his energy drink fix. They taste similar, though not identical, to the typical Red Bull and Monster regular flavors. Costco and Sam's Club both sell 24 packs of Monsters for around $30. They also sell Red Bull for (I think) $35 for a 24 pack. But...yeah. A little over $1/can versus the $3/can he is spending at convenience stores is a BARGAIN. Either of those options would be a really easy way to cut his spending.

@Gdaisy09, my Sodastream is one of the best things I have ever bought! I absolutely love it. I drink carbonated water all the time and it is so much cheaper and convenient to have it available whenever I want it, than all the lugging in and storing endless 24-packs of club soda.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2014

short+sassy said:

Gdaisy09 said:

I'd agree with PPs. like Brij2006 I also train for endurance sports (triathlon, century rides, half-marathons) My lunches are huge as I ramp-up training. definitely work with him to pack higher nutrient lunches. I do things like hard-boiling a dozen eggs at the beginning of the week and I'll throw 2-3 in my lunch for a high-protein snack. I also keep a tub of peanut butter at work so if I get really hungry I can grab a spoonful.

I HATE energy drinks, honestly they're not doing your H any favors, they're loaded with sugar and other processed crap that I'm confident is making the hypertension and diabetes epidemics in this country worse. and on an individual level all that sugar and replacing sleep with sugar+caffeine will just make your H more tired and cause him to crash harder. he might find (after 3-4 weeks of adjustment) that he feels better and has more energy if he sitcks to water (or seltzer) and coffee (this introduces the issue of buying coffee). We actually invested in a sodastream and it's so much cheaper than the 10 liters of seltzer water I was buying every week (now if I could only find a place with the replacement cartridges in stock!). ...getting off my anti-sugary beverages soap-box.... If you can't sway him from the energy drinks definitely find somewhere to buy them in bulk.

as far as the eating out goes...sometimes it can't be avoided, my H balances a 3rd shift PT job and a regular PT job and sometimes he really just doesn't have time to pack lunch or come home to grab the lunch he packed. he has a budget for buying lunch out (his fun money budget) since we put that in place he's a little more picky with when he buys lunch....he thinks a little harder about if he really needs to buy lunch or if he's just being lazy.

Sodastream also has an "Energy" and "Diet Energy" drink syrup. That would be a super cheap way for him to get his energy drink fix. They taste similar, though not identical, to the typical Red Bull and Monster regular flavors. Costco and Sam's Club both sell 24 packs of Monsters for around $30. They also sell Red Bull for (I think) $35 for a 24 pack. But...yeah. A little over $1/can versus the $3/can he is spending at convenience stores is a BARGAIN. Either of those options would be a really easy way to cut his spending.

@Gdaisy09, my Sodastream is one of the best things I have ever bought! I absolutely love it. I drink carbonated water all the time and it is so much cheaper and convenient to have it available whenever I want it, than all the lugging in and storing endless 24-packs of club soda.

I use mine all the time too, except I now have 2 empty CO2 cartridges and none of the stores here have replacements...it's taken a lot of willpower the last 2 months not to buy tons of seltzer every week

mana8503 · September 2014

H was spending so much on the same things: fast food, energy drinks... We did what everyone is suggesting - started buying bulk, or at least the grocery store, bigger lunches, etc. We spend more on groceries, but it's better for him and cheaper. He's a trucker driver, so we buy snacks in bulk and he keeps them in the truck (protein bars, cookies, beef jerky, trail mix). I make him 2 sandwiches a night, and he gets the mtn dew energy drinks which are only $1 each.

If he gets fast food, that comes out of his personal spending money we both get.

brij2006 · September 2014

@gdaisy02 Do you have a Kohls or Bed Bath & Beyond near you? They do the exchanges rather than replacements, but you have to go to the customer service counter in order to get it.

formerlyGDaisy09 · September 2014

brij2006 said:

@gdaisy02 Do you have a Kohls or Bed Bath & Beyond near you? They do the exchanges rather than replacements, but you have to go to the customer service counter in order to get it.

We have a Kohl's. I've been to the customer service counter 3 times in the last 4 weeks to try to exchange (that's what I meant). they don't have any in stock and can't get an order date from the company. the other place we used to be able to get them is Walmart, but they (or at least the one near us) don't do exchanges anymore.

brij2006 · September 2014

Gdaisy09 said:

brij2006 said:

@gdaisy02 Do you have a Kohls or Bed Bath & Beyond near you? They do the exchanges rather than replacements, but you have to go to the customer service counter in order to get it.

We have a Kohl's. I've been to the customer service counter 3 times in the last 4 weeks to try to exchange (that's what I meant). they don't have any in stock and can't get an order date from the company. the other place we used to be able to get them is Walmart, but they (or at least the one near us) don't do exchanges anymore.

Well that really stinks. I would definitely keep calling them once a week to see if they have them in. We actually bought a backup canister to have at all times just in case. There's something about sodastream rootbeer that makes my day. Yummy.

short+sassy · September 2014

Gdaisy09 said:

brij2006 said:

@gdaisy02 Do you have a Kohls or Bed Bath & Beyond near you? They do the exchanges rather than replacements, but you have to go to the customer service counter in order to get it.

We have a Kohl's. I've been to the customer service counter 3 times in the last 4 weeks to try to exchange (that's what I meant). they don't have any in stock and can't get an order date from the company. the other place we used to be able to get them is Walmart, but they (or at least the one near us) don't do exchanges anymore.

STUCK IN BOX

Hmmm...that is very interesting about Walmart. I used to exchange mine there but it has been months since they have had them. They keep telling me they have been "ordered", but just haven't come in yet. I'm wondering if the real answer is they don't do exchanges and my local Walmart has just not been informed yet...or at least the employees haven't been informed. That wouldn't surprise me (rolling eyes).

Bed, Bath, and Beyond also does exchanges. They are now my go-to place for that and it has NEVER been a problem getting an exchange there. Hopefully one of those is near you. They always have huge displays of SodaStream stuff, so I think they tend to be more invested in making sure customers can exchange the tanks.

Carolinabuckeye · September 2014

I have my bachelors in science; focused in healthcare. Bad part is, I live in a very small town and 90% of the jobs you get are if you "know someone". Nepotism is rampant and I just moved here a few years ago. Definitely can't babysit with my hubby on 3rds, it's hard enough to keep my two kids quiet as is. I really want to put my budget on here but I'm embarrassed

. While we make good money for the area, it's nothing compared to most places. But once he gets hired into his job permanently, we get free health insurance and you top out the pay scale after 24 months. We also used to be on government assistance but we got off with his new job, but it puts us in a "gap." We can't afford some things we need yet, we don't make enough to get any help.

strickland8052 · September 2014

Carolinabuckeye said:

I have my bachelors in science; focused in healthcare. Bad part is, I live in a very small town and 90% of the jobs you get are if you "know someone". Nepotism is rampant and I just moved here a few years ago. Definitely can't babysit with my hubby on 3rds, it's hard enough to keep my two kids quiet as is. I really want to put my budget on here but I'm embarrassed . While we make good money for the area, it's nothing compared to most places. But once he gets hired into his job permanently, we get free health insurance and you top out the pay scale after 24 months. We also used to be on government assistance but we got off with his new job, but it puts us in a "gap." We can't afford some things we need yet, we don't make enough to get any help.

I'm sorry to hear that about your town. I grew up in a town like that, and it can be really discouraging. Even if you lived there your whole life, sometimes it is still hard to be "in the click".

No need to be embarrassed! Everyone on this board is really friendly, and you don't have to post your income. We could help by just seeing the expenses, if that makes it any easier.

brij2006 · September 2014

AprilH81 said:

Carolinabuckeye said:

I have my bachelors in science; focused in healthcare. Bad part is, I live in a very small town and 90% of the jobs you get are if you "know someone". Nepotism is rampant and I just moved here a few years ago. Definitely can't babysit with my hubby on 3rds, it's hard enough to keep my two kids quiet as is. I really want to put my budget on here but I'm embarrassed . While we make good money for the area, it's nothing compared to most places. But once he gets hired into his job permanently, we get free health insurance and you top out the pay scale after 24 months. We also used to be on government assistance but we got off with his new job, but it puts us in a "gap." We can't afford some things we need yet, we don't make enough to get any help.

Don't be afraid to post your budget here, there is no shame in how little/much a family makes. We all live in different parts of the country with different incomes and different levels of debt.

This. Don't feel ashamed to post your budget. I am actually from a very small town similar to what you are talking about. The jobs here are 90% networking and who you know. So I can definitely relate to that.

One big tip that I have to that though is to get out there and make yourself known. Get involved in a church, PTA, go to community functions (even if they seem lame), hang up a flier to start a mom's group, etc. Networking in small towns is much different than networking and finding a job in the city (quite honestly I found it easier in a city). So get your name out there and make yourself known to the community. It will open up many more doors than you may think.

Carolinabuckeye · September 2014

Thanks everyone! I'll get on here tomorrow and post our budget. I have to g throw everything to make sure things are right because sometimes I forget,

I just need some general advice and guidance (financially and otherwise)

Re: I just need some general advice and guidance (financially and otherwise)

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