Work expenses are the largest part of our budget, fuel being the largest of that.

There is hope though and for the sake of focusing on the positive, I'll share. The company is considering some changes that may well be favorable for us. My husband financed a tool through the company which will be paid off in January, this was $200 a month being deducted from his pay. We think we are also being able to drop the cost of his cell and internet which is another $200 a month in our expenses.

So I think it's looking brighter for the new year for us. I pray everyone who has been struggling find better days soon.

Dear Brandy, Wow!  I surely hope & pray that you can save $400 a month -- mucho dinero -- that way:  that the company not institute a new tool for your husband to finance, & that you can really drop his cell & internet fees.  Yours in Him, Deb

 Deb,

My husband does need more tools but they are not absolutely necessary. So for those we can save up until he has the funds to buy them. Supposedly, the company will be providing a PDA for him to use instead of the cell and mobile internet he pays for now. We will need to pay out the balance owed and the cancellation fees but I think if the company covers the PDA costs, we'll come out ahead in the long run. My biggest hope is that he won't be responsible for a new truck this upcoming year.

Ah!  Brandy, it would be so unfair if your husband would be put in a position where he would be responsible for a new truck!  All we can do is pray ....  Yours in Him, Deb

 Deb,

The truck he uses now is not paid off. He financed a 1998 Ford Ranger. He took a two year loan on it so we don't have too much longer to pay off. But the company he does work for now has a contract that states trucks must be less than ten years old. We can't possibly finance another, even if we pay the one he has off. I just don't think this is a wise move for us.

While I was busy focusing on the larger expense slashing I am looking forward to, I forgot to mention a small one...

NO MORE PULL UPS!!

Our youngest has potty trained but we were still using Pull Ups at night and when out in case of accidents. We have moved beyond the accidental coverage and can save about $14 a month.

Well, Brandy, I know how very, very, very tight jobs are down your way, so this is probAbly a pipe dream, but could he seek work for another contracting company?  His current job sounds draconian in its ways.  Yours in Him, Deb

 $14 a month is $168 a year. Nothing to sneeze at.

Diapers/pullups do make a big difference in the budget. When both of mine were in diapers at the same time, I must of spent $60-$100 per mth on diapers/wipes etc.   potty training is next on my list since ds is just over holding his poop for days, then problems!  then he got sick so wait til Jan since I am home now everyday to do it.

Deb,

He has poked around to see what other companies are offering. One promises more pay but comes with more expense than he has now while others pay less than he is making with the same amount of expense. There are decent jobs out there where the company covers expenses, gives decent wage and offers benefits but they are not easy to get into as those who land positions with them try to keep those jobs.

Since the company he is with seems to be making changes, he is waiting to see what happens there.