First pregnancy and can't afford child-care? (car payment $448, rent $1060, insurance $287.......?

Question

I'm 22 and this is my first pregnancy and I am on my own. I am just making it with just me but now I have a child on the way and I have so many bills (car payment $448, rent $1060, insurance $287, electric bill $54, gas/heating bill $84, fuel per month to get to and from work which is a 50 min drive to and from $190, cable $86 and now Doc co-pay and whatever my insurance don't cover ect.) I am in a scramble and wrecking my brains trying to finger out what I'm going to do when I come off my maternity leave. So far I have everything planned out as far as pay while I'm out (short term disability) but after that is just all a blank. I called around to ask the rates of childcare but most places and privet sitter are talking $250-$280 a week for my infant. And I tried talking to Social Service but they say I'm not eligible due to how much I make by the way is not much $13.50 hourly. I can't quit my job, I don't have any family close by but my baby is due 6/29/07 time is running out for me!!

I live outside of Washington DC in the Northing VA area as for rent it is about the cheapest around this area an that is what I did move away to get a cheaper rent other wise I would be paying like between 11,000-12,000 for a one bed room. But the car thing I have tried to get rid of it but I owe more than it's worth I would be like $9,000 upside down in negative equity. I did a stupid thing by getting a car on my own and got screwed.

Answer 1

I understand how you feel. I'm 22 and expecting my first in a month. Child care where i live is $300 A WEEK (outside of Washington DC...a very expensive place to live) so I completely understand your situation.

The thing I really notice that you could change is sell your car! I had a vehicle and my car payment was $325 a month...too high for me! So I sold it...it can really help. Your car payment is extremely high...you need to sell it and REALLY down grade. Right now I'm sharing a 2 door Ford Focus with my husband to help save money. That's the most obvious example to cut costs...otherwise just keep cutting! Cut out the cable, internet, eating out...etc.

My husband is a PhD student so I'm the "breadwinner" of the family and we are really struggling (we also have a $2000/month mortgage on a 650 sq foot condo)...but since becoming pregnant we have really learned to live without and have started selling everything we possibly can. It's hard but you can do it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First off, definitely see a lawyer about child support.

Second, cut EVERYTHING you can, right now. You DONT need cable. you dont need 'fancy' foods-- top ramen, crackers, etc are cheap and affordable...you can lower your food bill to make up for the increase in cost for baby food/ diapers.

Shop around for insurance with many companies-- maybe you can go with the bare minimum on coverages and drop it $50 or more a month.

I dont know what area you are...but $1060 is a big bill....are there more affordable places to go? Maybe you can cut a few hundred there.

Last, the car payment-- do you owe more than its worth? Now is the time to trade it in for a much cheaper car if you can get out of it without having to pay down negative equity. $448 a month is like a 20,000+ car-- you can get a used Neon or Focus or something simlar for like $6,000 and have a $150 payment-- which would also lower insurance.

You need to sit down and figure what bills can be chopped and then immediatly start saving the difference-- it'll buy you some time.

Lastly, consider putting out an ad for a cheaper child care option. Many stay at home mom's who have 1 or 2 kids of their own like to supplement their income and they will do it for half or less than what day cares do. (also check www.sittercity.com)


Your last option/idea is to ask for a raise at work-- even $.50 could make a difference, and many companies will reconsider your wage if you've been working hard.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

I might suggest one to visit this internet site where you can get quotes from the best companies: http://QUOTESDEAL.NET/index.html?src=2YAyiod69oEn

RE :First pregnancy and can't afford child-care? (car payment $448, rent $1060, insurance $287.......?
I'm 22 and this is my first pregnancy and I am on my own. I am just making it with just me but now I have a child on the way and I have so many bills (car payment $448, rent $1060, insurance $287, electric bill $54, gas/heating bill $84, fuel per month to get to and from work which is a 50 min drive to and from $190, cable $86 and now Doc co-pay and whatever my insurance don't cover ect.) I am in a scramble and wrecking my brains trying to finger out what I'm going to do when I come off my maternity leave. So far I have everything planned out as far as pay while I'm out (short term disability) but after that is just all a blank. I called around to ask the rates of childcare but most places and privet sitter are talking $250-$280 a week for my infant. And I tried talking to Social Service but they say I'm not eligible due to how much I make by the way is not much $13.50 hourly. I can't quit my job, I don't have any family close by but my baby is due 6/29/07 time is running out for me!!
Update: I live outside of Washington DC in the Northing VA area as for rent it is about the cheapest around this area an that is what I did move away to get a cheaper rent other wise I would be paying like between 11,000-12,000 for a one bed room. But the car thing I have tried to get rid of it but I owe more than it's worth I would be like $9,000 upside down in negative equity. I did a stupid thing by getting a car on my own and got screwed.
Follow 18 answers

Answer 4

Get a smaller or older car. I don't know where you live so rent may just be real expensive where you are (i.e. new england vs. Texas) If you can find a place that is cheaper but still nice do it. Look into different jobs. I am kind of in the same boat. Child care is very expensive so I am taking a Medical Transcription program should be done soon and then you start in a hospital that very often provides daycare, and eventually they may let you work from home. Stop cable...i know it sounds crazy but thats about $100 a month that you are gonna need. Good Luck and if you have more q's email me

Answer 5

Ok 1rst I would move to somewhere that is much cheaper to live, around the town you live in... There is cheper housing.. you just have to find it. Then I would def. sell you car, and buy a used one that is a little older.. it would be much cheaper payments if any, and the insurance would be cut in at least half!! Conserve gas and elec. in everyway you can. Carpool instead of drive, and cut out cable. As far as childcare, find a local babysitter who is willing to work those hours and I imagine they will watch the baby in your home. Then when the baby gets here you will need to do a paternity test. (From the way is sound daddy bailed out on you) and force him to pay child support. Take him to court and get a court ordered pat. test andchild support. He will have to pay for it.. You might go ahead and get on the waiting list for legal aid now so your lawyer will be free. They have a long list, but this way if you are already on it, it shouldn't take too long after the little one arrives to get the ball rolling.
Try WIC too, they have different guidelines that DHS.... You need to stop all the extra spending now, and save back every little penny.... You will need it... Baby's are very expensive!!!!!

You might also look into a roomate to share all the rental bills and etc. if you cannot find cheaper housing... That is always an option too.. Put an ad in the local paper...

Good Luck!! It will be hard, but I am sure you can do it!!!

Answer 6

I would start with eliminating the unnecessary things. Your car payment is huge, sell your expensive car and buy something cheaper. Find a cheaper apartment or other living arrangement - how about sharing a house? Maybe find something closer to your work. Get rid of the cable. Comparison shop for insurance rates. Regardless if you want the father of your baby in your life, he has financial responsibilities to his child. He should be helping out. Check with your employer, some offer programs to help with child care expenses. You will have to scale back your life style and make some tough decisions about what is needed and what is just a want. Having a baby while in a loving, committed, stable marriage is hard work and requires many sacrifices. You can be a great single mom, but the work and the sacrifices are double. Raising a happy, healthy child makes it all worth while.

Answer 7

WELCOME TO MOTHERHOOD.......just think of what i'm going through, i have one in daycare and have to figure out how to put another in and pay all the bills....it's hard but you gotta make sacrafices to do it, whether it be getter a cheaper car or possibly getting rid of your car and just buying one so you don't have a car payment or finding a cheaper place, cuz 1060 is a large rent amount and i bet you can find something for half that, i know my 3 bedroom apartment is just about half that.
You're gonna be a parent, you gotta do what you gotta do to make it work. Where's the daddy? Get him for child support if he's not around.

Answer 8

Gosh Tika .. whish I could meet you... i'm also expecting and am on my own... That question had popped in my mind too.. only i'm self employed. I'm a parts driver and make probably about the same as you. I live in Irving Tx. but i'm currently staying with a friend. My time is also running out... I have to find my own place soon because I don't think my (guy) roommate is going to tolerate a crying baby in the middle of the night. I was thinking of throwing newspapers again. great cash.. but uuhh the hours and no sleep will kill me. You can do whatever you want in self emploment including taking your baby with you, which is exactly what I plan on doing whether or not this place likes it. If you want to email me go for it... [e-mail] Mabey we can put our heads together for this one.. I know how serious that is...Take care.

Answer 9

Where do you live that rent is so high??? You could consider moving closer to work (you really should do that), trade down on your vehicle to have smaller payments, cut out the cable (really, how much do you watch it - it's not necessary in the grand scheme of things). And where's the baby's father in all this? Be sure to get child support from him.

Answer 10

You could consider living in a cheaper house / apartment, refinancing your car, or just moving closer to family. I live in Oklahoma and the cheapest I found for day care was $400 a month for an infant. Ouch. I don't know where you work but could you take the baby with you or work from home?