Reasons for holding off on the wedding planning:
1. Too busy planning for Baby Orion.
2. Too busy expanding at the belly and dreading the thought of a wedding dress
3. Too busy looking for a job. (Not me. Jimmy. Although McClatchy is sinking ...)
Jimmy lost his job a few weeks ago. OK 4 weeks and 2 days. Yes, I've been counting. And losing sleep. And losing my marbles. It's not his fault. He's just a victim of budget cuts and layoffs like so many others. Bills are stacking up. One of my two $933 paychecks each month will almost cover rent ($950). Other monthly expenses include:
Heating and electric: $200 (Too high. The house is not properly sealed.)
Water: $50
Internet: $40
Maternity care/medical fees/prescriptions: $200-$300. Seriously.
College loans: $100 (Or much more. I'm not going to get into that.)
Car insurance: $40
YMCA membership for Jimmy and me: $54
Gas for car to drive to work: $75? At least
Total: $759 and these are modest estimates.
That leaves $174 for groceries for the month. Less than $50 a week. Then we're out.
Oh, then there are things like dog food and Bailey got an ear infection and needed to see the vet and get medicine ($100). I need two serpantine belts and the tension belt replaced on my car by the next oil change (in the next week or two -- $400).
Where to cut costs? Well. We can cancel the Y membership. (I might lose my sanity.) And we can cancel Internet. OK, that pays for Bailey's ears.
Jimmy is applying for any and every job out there. The economy is BAD. Things are very bad. It is scary scary scary. We aren't quite poor enough for food stamps.
So needless to say, UH OH! But hey at least we're not losing our home! What are we going to do? No clue. Survive. Breathe. Smile. Tell jokes. And ...
Pick out a wedding song! We think this is the one. It brings tears to my eyes every time. And is quite fitting. Right down to the little baby boy. So this makes me smile. Everything's going to be all right. :) I have faith in that.
Loggins and Messina - Danny's Song
Watch/listen to it on YouTube.
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one,
And we've only just begun.
Think I'm gonna have a son.
He will be like she and me, as free as a dove,
Conceived in love.
Sun is gonna shine above.
And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Seems as though, a month ago, I was Beta-Chi,
Never got high.
Oh, I was a sorry guy.
And now, I smile and face the girl that shares my name.
Now I'm through with the game.
This boy will never be the same.
And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign,
Strong and kind,
And the little boy is mine.
Now I see a family where the once was none.
Now we've just begun.
Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun.
And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup.
Drink it up.
Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home.
Don't you live alone.
Try to earn what lovers own.
And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Oh and while we are on Kenny Loggins, try listening to this and not smiling thinking about being a kid again. I won't tell anyone. :)
Watch/listen to Pooh's corner
(And in case there was any question about this, yes, I'm quite doped up on all those wonderful pregnancy hormones.)
3 comments:
Dude, one word: unemployment. File for it. I was kind of disappointed when I couldn't because I quit my job in September. HBO laid off some of my mother's friends, and I know at least one of them is getting unemployment benfits. I would totally take advantage of that. It would have kept me from accruing so much credit card debt when I moved here.
If you guys eat meat and aren't super picky about planning meals, start getting some of groceries through Angel Food. A lot of area churches do it and it's only $30/month for a ton of food. You may need to pick up a few extra things, but you get a lot of basics for meals.
~ Meghann
Jen! Congrats on all the amazing things you are doing.
Some suggestions to save money that have recently helped me:
Don't use your dryer. Hang your clothes to dry all over the house. Totally saves on water and electric!
Cancel your television and Internet and use services at work or the public library (good to get your man out of the house!)
Sell stuff you don't need or are not using on Craig's List. You can always repurchase later! Seriously - do you need more furniture than a bed, table and a couch?? Nahh!
Also on Craig's List: Maybe rent out a room in your house? You could charge some transient person by the week to stay.
Goodwill is also great for picking up things you need around the house - or maternity clothes! Seriously - I just moved to California and needed bathroom organizers. Target wanted $12 for a toothbrush holder! I got a .50 cent one Goodwill instead :)
And yeah, no worries on the gym membership. It's warm year-round there!!
Oh, plus - maybe contact your student loan organization to see if they allow you to pay a lower amount each month. I did that when I moved to Europe and my net worth fell by 25 percent just because I'd crossed an ocean.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!! You are doing so much and I am really amazed! Cool to find your blog :)
And, P.S., cute baby name :)
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