Getting started on a VERY limited budget

Good to hear this. We have a good friend who worked as a certified electrician within the new home construction market. When that became depressed he began his own heat/ac business. He now runs 2 work crews fulltime and stays covered up in new jobs. We hired him to install our new heat/ac system last year. He's installing a new heat/ac system in recently deceased FIL's home so it can be put on market for sale next month.

Another friend worked as a carpenter building new homes, but now works with a 3 man crew building decks, outdoor structures, and home repairs. He's never got a free minute and stays busy. We hired them to do our home remodeling last year and are working with them to build an outdoor shop building and install handicap ramps next month.

And yet another friend retired from an auto factory where he also drove a van to haul workers/himself. He now provides a local van service to take people to medical appointments who need someone to stay with them for surgical outpatient procedures and then transport them home again. We've used this service several times.

What I'm saying is that if you do a good job and take pride in what you do, then word of mouth will get you more business than you can handle by yourself, and that's a good thing.

Best of luck to you and I wish you all the success in the world.

__________________
There are endless combinations of truth.

I see that you are leaving the union and pulling the kid out of daycare. Both good decisions I think. Something else you probably should consider is once you are back on your feet a little bit is perhaps moving to a lower cost of living area. New Haven CT is expensive as hell (my hub is from RI so I am kind of familiar with the area. There are parts of Kentucky and Tennessee where the wages are decent, jobs are available, and the property is affordable. Not to mention the climate is agreeable to growing stuff I know there are other places in the country where people have suggested that are as good for a place to start over and thrive. Wouldnt be bad to consider. Hopefully things improve for you guys quickly.

Just like everyone else, I'd pull your daughter from daycare.

The monthly cost basis of $600 a month is killing you...$7,200 a year...your wife could stay at home with her, especially if she could find some additional at home money making work.

Reselling on ebay? Listing items on ebay for others? Reselling items on Craigslist?

How is the new job going?

__________________
"Never stop questioning - curiosity has its own reason for existence." Albert Einstein

"I used to be a terror, now I am a tired man" Jim Croce

Salads might be about the only thing that you can grow. You can try fall crops, like growing garlic and such, but not much of a meal there. Check CL and any other local classifieds. Many people are selling off or giving away animals that they can no longer feed due to the spiking feed costs. Butchering is not a difficult task, and is free if done on your own. If you want to keep any of them for home production (laying hens, say), then look for the cheapest option to feed them... No tractor supply, but feed mills, then see if you can afford those costs. After that, look for FREE foods, like freezer burned meats, brewery grains (if you have a brewery, most likely, they'll be willing to let you pick some up for free), then post on Freecycle looking for other scrap foods (if anyone has stashes of foods or whatever that have gone bad, and it's cost efficient to pick it up). Otherwise, just butcher them out the day you get them (or the day after) and don't worry about feeding them.

Make the most of everything. Free laying hens can equal a hearty stew, chicken gravy, etc, and can possibly bring money in... Have you noticed the new trend of feathers in the hair, on earrings, etc? I've even been looking into making mandalas and such for sale from the by-products of my butchering. Those things sell for up to $200 a piece, and can't cost more than $15 to make.

You've made the first step, but it is just the first step if you plan to dig yourself and your family out of this hole.

With your very first check, pamper your mother-in-law like you never thought possible! She just may have saved you from financial ruin and she deserves it for opening her home to you.

You and your wife didn't have your child for someone else to raise. Over and above the cost, she deserves to spend more time with you - and you with her. The extra $7200 a year will be a nice bonus.

Cancel both of those cell phones. Get a pre-paid one for emergencies only.

You are already cooking from scratch which is a HUGE money-saver. Good for you.

Getting into homesteading is not a cheap proposition. If you're going to do it, you will definitely need a good job at the beginning, as well as a source of income until you become completely self-sufficient. I think a lot of potential homesteaders are surprised by the fact that there are still expenses to be met, some of which are very costly.

The previous poster made an important point, it is very hard work. Does your wife feel the same way about it as you do? Having a partner pulling in the same direction will make a world of difference. Why has she not quit her job knowing that it is losing family funds the longer she keeps it?

Congratulations on finding a job on your own. I know it was a big step to give up union membership.

So your wife works in order to send your daughter to daycare? Sorry, but that makes no sense to me. If she quits, you'll either be ahead or break even. And the daughter will be raised by her mother and father, not strangers.

Probably too late this year to do much in the way of gardening, except a few greens. Yes, pots will work, but you won't get enough harvest to make a dent in your grocery bill. If you are planning on staying where you are through next summer, prepare a decent sized garden space before the ground freezes -- maybe a 10x15 - 10x20' to begin with. Cover it well with manure and shredded leaves, and you'll be able to turn it under in the spring.

In the meantime, advertise that you'll do "honey do" projects. Single women and older folks especially, always need a few hours work to be done around the house. I'd be lost without my handyman as I can't even reach the light fixtures in this house to change out a lightbulb. He's on "retainer" and comes by about once a month just to see what I need doing, even if I don't call him. He makes a decent living in this small town by charging $15.00 an hour. If you are near a larger town, you could probably get by with $20.00-25.00 an hour for simple tasks, and even more for actual carpentry work.

__________________
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it. Attributed to Voltaire

KaejGi, I hope you'll check back and let us know how life is treating you! Don't feel like you've gotta have 10 acres, a mule and 20 head of chickens to participate in the forum or anything.

__________________

There is a time and a place for decaf coffee.
Never, and in the trash.
Are you an AZ farmer too? Arizona Backyard Farmers on facebook

The wife and I refused to do babysitters or daycare. My wife went into work at 2 am. When she got home, I would go to work and she would watch the baby during the day. Now that she is in school, the wife can work a few more hours each day.


Do what you got to do to make things work. Good luck.

I agree with those who said that your wife either needs to make more money either at that job or at another, or she needs to stay at home with the child.

Unless she packs a lunch every day, she's probably spending money on food. We know she's spending money on gas. She's probably spending money on clothes, too, more than she would be if she isn't working.

All told, as sad as it is, it's actually costing the two of you money for her to work.

I gotta agree, even though you have your new job and things are looking up, it is still costing your family money for your wife to keep her job. Not only the clothing, gas, car wear & tear, and food, but it probably costs you more tax wise as well. If she stayed home, she could work more at economizing for the family as well, and you guys could be ahead before you know it! If she must have other adult interaction or just needs to bring in an income, she should get a part time night job so there is no need for that crazy day care bill. I know when you're young, you want to spend every minute together and not work opposite shifts, but it really would help you get to a position in life where you can homestead and have your dreams. Homesteading in MIl's yard is not the same thing. Also, should look into Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University so your family can get ahead and never be in debt.
I hope the new job is working out well for you, and that your family gets where they want to be! Keep us posted!

I agree with everyone here who suggested letting the daycare service go. Which ever of the two of you has the capability to earn the most money should be the one to go out to work even if it means moving your family to a new area. The other should stay home with your child and put frugal living into practice.

Living a frugal lifestyle, cooking from scratch, gardening, sewing, doing your own almost everything requires time. It works if someone is home to do all the work. It doesn't work if both parents are out working because someone will burn out eventually. There is only so much time in a day and only so much energy in a person. No one can do it all and work out too plus care for a child. I wouldn't pay someone to babysit if there was any way for either you or your wife to stay home. Some wives can make more money so Dad says home. More often the reverse is true. Hope you are able to logically sort through your situation together and reach a solution. Good luck.

It's been a few months, how are things going?

I agree that the days of a strong unions are over. I have two friends one is a union carpenter, still is. He's a verry good carpenter. That being said he is off more than on. Other friend bob was a union pipe fitter for 20 yrs , said he had enough and quit , cashed in his 401 k , pension. Now he works non union. I on the other hand went the other way and started my own construction co. I had between 4 to 6 guys working solid for 20 years , when I first started if I had to buy a tool I'd have to bust but to get the job done before the check would bounce! We're not rich but there were somedays I made more money than a doctor, some days lost money. The biggest thing I see now is everybody with a truck and a Home Depot card thinks there a contractor. Listen to me pls, don't under bid a job just to get it. If your not going to make money at it, let the guy down the streeet do it. He will be broke and out of business in no time . Then you won't have to bid against anymore. If a homeowner shows me a lower bid, I just tell them I've been here for 20 yrs and be here 20 more. What business was he in 3 yrs ago? Will he be here next year if somthing goes wrong with the job? But if I was you I'd go for it. Be fair. Work hard. Respect the home owner. A successful business will build it self. Benny