I make $1600/month before taxes which seems to be too much for food stamps or hardly any kind of help with anything.... =( Is there any program out there that can help me....anything helps.
2007-02-12 07:05:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Unofortunately, the system makes it impossible for people sometimes. I know it sucks but I would take a lower paying job to qualify. The only real help out there is social services.
2007-02-12 07:16:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where are you? WIC is a great program. Women Infant, & Children. If you dont qualify for food stamps you can still qualify for WIC. They give checks each month for specific food items, milk, bread, eggs, juice, cereal, and the best is formula. They can start you with these check while you are pregnant and you get them , I believe until your child is 5. ALso look in your area for a daycare assistance program or scholoships. Daycare probably take away most of you money, if you dont have other arrangements.
2007-02-12 15:21:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many thrift stores or consignment shops carry really decent stuff as far as clothing and baby gear goes. For ever better deals, check out places like Salvation Army or Goodwill. The quality might not be as great, but you can walk out of there with bags full of baby clothes for practically nothing. Warm weather is around the corner, so don't forget about garage sales.
Never turn down hand-me-downs from family and friends. And if you have some close friends or relatives (like a sister or cousin) who has baby gear stored away, don't be afraid to ask if you can borrow it for awhile. I have happily shared many baby things with my family members. It feels good knowing these things are being used instead of just stored away, and we're all getting their full money's worth out of them. Just be sure to take xtra good care to retuen them in the same shape you received them, when you are done.
By the way, is someone throwing you a baby shower? If this is your first baby, that is something every new mom deserves! It really helps a lot!! If no one has stepped up to the plate, and you feel comfortable mentioning it, why not suggest to a friend or relative how nice it would be to have one? Hopefully they'll get the hint and put something together for you.
If there are particular items you need that no one can lend you, like a crib or stroller, you can place a cheap, simple ad in your classified's "Wanting to Buy" section. Many families in your area will surely have these items just sitting around collecting dust and hopefully be willing to sell cheap just to get rid of it. Also, check out www.freecycle.com. I have never used it, but I have heard good things about it!
You could breastfeed instead of using formula. The savings will be tremendous, not to mention the great health benefits, which will keep your baby from having to visit the doctor too much. If you have to work after the baby gets here, you'll need to pump bottles for daycare but pumps are xpensive to buy. Many hospitals and some drug stores can rent you a good-quality pump.
Some of those tips should help your budget and allow you to put more money toward your groceries, since you don't qualify for food stamps.
As far as your grocery bill, itself... Sign up on all the different baby websites... Huggies, Pampers, Gerber... and they will send you coupons in the mail. If you'd like to save even more, you could always look into using cloth diapers instead of disposables.
Also, I have recently become one of those "crazy coupon ladies" and I have saved $160 so far on my grocery bills since late December by using coupons and mail-in rebates. It's awesome and my husband can't believe it! LOL
You can print out FREE online coupons now for all sorts of groceries. Some stores won't take them, but just call ahead. My Super WalMart never gives me a problem. Some websites to check out:
http://www.boodle.com
http://smartsource.com
http://www.thecouponclippers.com/index.html (This one is a clipping service where you pay a small service fee for them to clip coupons and mail to you. With what you end up saving on your groceries, the service charge is worth it.)
Hope some of these ideas help. Good luck!!
2007-02-12 15:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i guess it really all depends on where you live. you could be able to get medicaid. thats a great program and wic. thats good too .look into it at the health department.
2007-02-12 15:08:57 · answer #4 · answered by littleluvkitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What country, province/state are you in?
2007-02-12 15:13:51 · answer #5 · answered by Gig 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WIC
2007-02-12 15:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by suckmykiss232 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋