Are there any single moms out there who are only making minimum wage?

Jacq - posted on 04/29/2010

Hey there Dorothy! I commend you for wanting to step out there on your own with your baby girl! It will be challenging; however, if you make use of state/county resources, it will relieve some of the burden until you are at a point where you can do something different.

I was in a similar situation when I had my now teenaged son. I, we, lived with my Dad and relied on some county resources until I graduated from college. I suggest that you don't rush it. Determine your monthly expenses and then compare it to your monthly take home pay. Does it come out with a negative number? Another suggestion is to explore the possibility of working for yourself. 1) Do you have a talent that you can offer others (crafting, cooking, writing, singing, ...) 2) Try an established product/service once you turn 18 (like Avon, Mary Kay, wahsuccesnow.info, Lia Sophia,...). That way, you can add to the money you make at your regular job without sacrificing alot of time or energy! Write down your plan, research the available resources, do the math, and make it work!

Heather - posted on 04/28/2010

Dorothy,
Hi! I live alone but I am 33 and make a normal amount of income. If you are wanting to get your own place on what you make try checking out the social services department to see what you qualify for such as help with daycare, food, WIC, housing. Also there are apartment complexes that go by what you make as to how much your rent is going to be. We have several where I live and they are pretty nice and in good shape. I hope this helps and good luck!

Natasha - posted on 04/28/2010

STAY with your grandparents. I am 31 and a single parent with NO help from my daughters father. I have a great job and make good money.. I still struggle... If it isn't money it is time that you are lacking. Being with your family affords you the opportunity to build a strong relationship between you and your son. Just think about how many days and nights he would be in the care of someone else(strangers) while you are working to provide the necessities. Everyone on here has good advice, Continuing your education should be the The number two on your list. Your son's happiness and wellbeing the first.

I selfishly moved into my own place 4 years ago, I STRUGGLE to pay bills and buy extras. I am now on Job number 2, and i make over 45K with 1st job. I have decided that if things don't change after i graduate i will be returning home for the 3rd time to regroup. But you know what. it is OK as long as you don't get comforatable and want more you will succeed.

Good luck to you and any others on here going through this struggle.

Eva - posted on 04/28/2010

For as long as humanly possible, I'd say stay with your grandparents, I'm assuming it's safe and secure and a good healthy place for you and your baby. Let them help you - save all your money - help them here and there when you can because you will start to see what it takes to run a household and the expenses and responsibilities behind it. They could babysit while you work and go back to school. Find something maybe you could do from home to earn money. But take this time to enjoy your baby while you have no lingering stress like you have to work all day to make sure you come up with rent. Things will happen when they are supposed to, so don't rush. Many prayers for you - you sound like a strong person already in your life.

Sarah - posted on 04/26/2010

Oh... Make sure you have money saved up for deposits and moving expenses. It's been my experience that it takes $1500- $2000 to move. Hopefully your Grandma is letting you save up.

Sarah - posted on 04/26/2010

Dorothy,
There are programs that you can apply for to help with bills and other needs. See if your state has "Section 8." Go to the food stamp office and apply for everything they have. It never hurts to apply. Get a folder and keep birth certs, SS cards, pay stubs, proof of any other income, and proof of all your expenses. Take it with you to any appointments. I've speeded alot of things along because I came prepared.

It won't be easy. You'll have to learn to make a budget and stick to it. But, you can do it if you really want to.

Good Luck!

Chiara - posted on 04/25/2010

As a tax professional, I work with a lot of people in your case. Most of them do receive government assistance, others do side work. I not only prepare taxes but I offer friendship so I tend to keep my eye out for jobs, daycares, etc for my clients whatever they need I like to help out

Kerri - posted on 04/23/2010

I have been a single mom on min wage since i was 19. Its hard but you can do it. I hope your grandparents are letting you save up as much money as you can. About 2 yrs ago i had to move in with my sons grandma (his dads mom) because i didnt really have anywhere else to go. I had the same $6 in my bank account for about 4 or 5 months at that point. Within 2 months of being there i found a job only making the min and 6 months after that had a car, nothing great lol, an apartment, my own furniture, and food on the table. The only govt help that i have recieved is medicaid, no food stamps or anything. So you can do, i know you can, i have been there, and still am there lol. Keep ur hear up and stay strong. As a mommy we all know that if there is something that has to be done we will do it!

Melissa - posted on 04/23/2010

Hi Dorthy! I had my first son at 16 and moved out at 17. Let me tell you from the prespective of someone who can look back 19 years later and tell you what I did wrong. The freedom you get from living on your own is WONDERFUL! Personally I loved it. We struggled and did without somethings, but it was okay...AT FIRST. As I got older, I wanted more and my son needed more so I worked harder. The cost of living went up, rent was increased but my pay stayed the same. So, I began to start looking for help with paying rent. I moved in friends, boyfriends...anyone I thought that could help lower the cost of my rent. It was way more of a headache than it was worth. You start working so hard, and putting in so many hours that you never get a chance to spend time with your child...the sitter is going to end up raising your baby. Looking back, I really wish I would have slowed down and finished school. I was in such a hurry to prove my independence that I became stuck. Stuck financially, stuck emotionally and stuck in my education (or lack of it). I'm now 35 and finally going back to school. Don't repeat my mistakes. Take the help...go to college and get a degree (not a certificate program) and then move out on your own. I wish you the best...for both you and your child.

Catrina - posted on 04/23/2010

25 year old mother of 3. i am currently living in housing. they go by your income. right now would be the best time for you to apply for housing it have heard of people waiting as long as 1-2 years before even getting in. though i was able to get a place after 3 months.

Lynn - posted on 04/22/2010

Hi there Dorothy - I am a single mom of 45 with a 5 year old daughter! For the past 5 years my income has been very volatile and it has been sometimes a matter of selling my possessions to make ends meet. My advice is to you is to stay with your grandparents until you are financially stable to get place of your own. I know it can be very frustrating to all to be living together but you need to grin and bare it and appreiciate the assistance from your family. I too had to put my pride in my pocket and accept the help from family and friends. They would not do it if they did not want to. They do it because they love you and not out of sympathy. My friends and family were my foundations to eventually after 5 years get a decent job that will enable me to provide for my child the way I would like to and to show my appreciation to those that stood by me. Some say it is tha hardest thing we can ever do it to raise a child on your own. I say it is only your preception of what is hard. It is the most rewarding experience I am going through. Unfortunately only marred by financial contraints but you make do and you adapt. Many, many, many other mothers do and they are stronger because of it. I wish you luck and love for you and your little one.xx

Kristin - posted on 04/22/2010

Check out your state programs, but do what you can to continue getting an education, a career, and at least a 5 year plan. I work in property management and there are several housing programs that can help you there. One thing you need to plan for is that most states require you to be 18 to be on a lease because it is a legal contract. Also, your rent should account for about a 1/3 of what you bring in. My company does a great program with local high schools to show people in your situation just what it takes to move out and create a budget for yourself. Feel free to message me privately if you would like some materials or have questions.

Kaitlin - posted on 04/22/2010

Well I am a waitress so I do not
make minimum wage but I'm certainly
not rich. I was probably mAking two to three hundred a week I have a two year old and I moved out with a friend last fall. I just turned twenty and am
now
moving back with my parents . I don't know tour situation with your grandparents but moving out
made
me appreicaite all the help I had been getting at my
parents not just financially but emotionally

Melinda - posted on 04/22/2010

I am 36 and live have a limited income. Go to the welfare office for food stamps, WIC, they help with housing, and some child care. Go to your local career link..they help with writing a resume, cover letter, free computer training classes, help with all aspects of job finding. They may have career training classes.

I clip coupons..www.couponmom.com, www.redplum.com, www.bettycrocker.com. I shop double coupon days. Shop the doller stores for all your paper products, and cleaning products.

Ask around about places to live. Tell the leasing/ rental people you could do admin work for reduced rent. Offer your skills to help your situation.

I hit all the nice condo neighborhoods with a flyer...offering to babysit, run errands, walk dogs...that could turn into something great. I put the flyer in the doors...It could help in finding a great fulltime job.

Loni - posted on 04/21/2010

sure do sweetie im 32 and i have 2 kids ages 11 and 7 and i have been doing it for almost 6 yrs now and by far am i going to say it is easy cause its anything but that. i will tell u that every woman has it in her to provide for her family i started by going to the local housing authority to get assistant with my housing which is so helpful and i just look at my two kids and they give me the strength to go on i do it for them and me but mostly for them i hav no baby daddy help so im in it to win baby lol hang in there and have confidence in urself and every morning look in the mirror and say im worth it and so is my daughter so i will do this and im sure it will wrk out just as u hav always wanted it to but stay strong and dont give up promise urself that plz

Rebecca - posted on 04/21/2010

You can look for low income housing, places that have income limits and get on teh waiting list with your local housing authority. The welfare office should have a list available of these places in your area. When I was first out on my own I only had a $100 / mo income. Living in HUD/Section8 housing was a blessing.

Jennifer - posted on 04/21/2010

I have read some of the above posts and I can see their point, however, I would not stop planning for the future now (start a savings account or a budget plan).. I DO hope you are in school.. that is SO important!! I am 29 and just going back and I wish I would of did it sooner.. but well, still do not stop planning to move on your own in the future. It doesn't have to be overnight, but its a great thing to work towards. :)

Jennifer - posted on 04/21/2010

I make slightly above minimum and we do well. I am in college right now so I do get aide to help pay me rent all through the year in a lump sum so it loosens the burden for the monthly payments and I do not have to work another job to make it. There are really great programs that allow you to get QUALITY housing for you and your child and will help pay according to your income. Its through your county and is not welfare. It helped me and my son out so much at first and there is never any shame in getting some help to get back on track (just my opinion) you can do it.. you just need to be really firm on your spending limits and have a great budget plan. I have lots of little rules I stick by when shopping that have helped me and if you want to know some of them I would be happy to share with you. Let me know. :) Any way I can encourage you on your new awesome big step ahead I am all for it! You can make it, just be logical and have a plan ahead of time :) I lived with my mom for a year at first and I love having my own space to raise my family and have my own life. :)

Laura` - posted on 04/21/2010

You are 17 years old!!!!! Be greatful you have grandparents who are willing to put a roof over your head. Go to school and get an education so when your son is old enough to be influenced by you, you will make better choices that will ultimately benifit his life.
You've already made one bad choice that has affected your life, make a good choice and have a positive affect on his life. Moving out on your own to try to make it in this economy is not a good choice for you or your son.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/19/2010

I started out making a little above minimum wage. I had to get daycare assistance because I couldn't afford to pay daycare at all. I had no help what-so-ever. Their Dad doesn't pay his child support. It is possible to live on your own with various assistance programs, but very, very hard. I finally am making a few dollars above minimum now, but still find it very difficult. Of coarse, I'm also paying daycare & still with no help from the father.

Krystal - posted on 04/19/2010

I have 2 kids and i'm making 8.75/hr working 40 hrs a week and i live on my own... but .. i have subsidized housing (which means the rent is based on 35% of my income...my rent is like $80/mo) i don't recommend trying it if your gonna try to get an apartment where you have to pay $600/mo then bills and whatever else... because i struggle sometimes to pay the bills even with the rent being so low!!

Brandy - posted on 04/19/2010

I am 23 years old I moved out of my parents house as soon as I turned 18 being stubborn and rebelous. My son is 5 months old right now and when I was pregnant I moved back in with my parents. I know that is is hard living with them because they try to tell you what to do not only with yourself but with your daughter, but I wouldn't move out just yet. As long as they are willing to let you stay I would look into going to school. You now qualify for financial aid because you have a child it wont go off of you parents income it will go off of yours. Which means you will be rewarded more. Finish school get a better job, then look into another place for yourself and your daughter. You will be in a better place in life and better able to support yourself and her. Trust me, because in the end even with the help of government programs it will still cost you alot to get your own place and once you do if you cant afford it and have to move out you're looking at losing out at alot on money that you have already invested and you will have to break your lease which will go against you rental history which will affect and place that you may want to get in the future. (you would have to pay a higher depoist and possibly and additional months rent in advance.) Just some healthy advice, don't take the advice that they are shoving down your throught as bad :) it just means they love you.

Laura - posted on 04/18/2010

I do not know where you live, so I can't give you the best advice on where to start. I have read some replies and most sound like what I would say. I have had 3 children, they are 13, 9 and 15 months. The middle child was placed for adoption and I have split custody of my oldest (I had him when I was 17) with my parents who live 1400 miles away. I also have joint custody of my youngest due to a divorce that is being finalized. I have lived with parents, friends, been homeless, lived on streets, and in a car. I wouldn't leave your grandparents too soon. I would save up and try to get atleast 6 months rent and utilities saved up as a fall back just in case you lose your job. I have been in your shoes many, many times, and always thought I was a strong mother. It is just to hard in this day and age to do it alone. Also, help your grandparents out if you can, don't take them for granted. Try food banks to bring in extra food into the house for the WHOLE family. You can get on lists for housing assistance/rental assistance, food stamps/WIC, medicaid, low income housing and other things in your community that can assist you and your child (and your grandparents).

Brittany - posted on 04/18/2010

Hey, you need to to see if their is any income based housing where u live. that will help you out. I live in income based housing and it works out great. Good luck. Keep your head up. Its hard but anythings possable.

Debra - posted on 04/18/2010

Right now I think that you should concentrate on staying with your grandparents until you can do better. You can continue your education, why would you want to move somewhere and not have enough money to support you and your son? I just want to be honest here. It takes a long time on the waiting list...sometimes years...at 17 years old you have not a lot of choices. Do you get along with your grandparents? You do have to abide by their rules they are footing the bills and I am quite sure that they are trying to help you out. You should not only be looking for an apartment but continuing your education so that you will be able to provide for your child, by me being older I do not see your circumstance as having your own apartment more than seeing you further your education, so that you can provide for you and for your child. Listen to your grandparents advice. I wish that I would have learn sooner, than later...I apologize but just my opinion to someone who is younger than my granddaughters, wanting to leave home so early, and go out to a bigger problems than before.

Tara - posted on 04/17/2010

You should do what I am trying to do. I have worked my whole life but then i got into some trouble when i was with my son's father so my record isnt that great, I am going to be going back to college this coming Aug/Sept but til then getting by sucks. Right now we are staying at my mom;s soon to be ex husbands because we have NO WHERE at all to live, the town's around and all the housing place's that have me and my son on there waiting list think that i have been HOMELESS FOR 9MONTHS and what if i really was, there is NO HELP out there for people trying to do good. I have turned my life around 100 plus % and i am just sick of everything going on. I am sure that you could do it but plan on more stress, it is hard to do, and plan on getting help from your town.. But if your area is like mine there going to say that you are your parents resonsably til your 23 or 24 i cant remember whch one but thats what they told me i was so pissed because there was NO way my parents could help me there losing there house and we are all just going throw alot right now. But i keep telling myself it will get better my son is 5 yrs old now so he knows for sure when i am stressed but i am trying to get my own place that goes by 30% of your income and it sounds like that is prob what you need too. Good Luck im here if you have any questions or just want to talk.

Jessica - posted on 04/17/2010

Yes u can but u have to try to see if there is public housing where they go by your income so your rent is on a sliding scale ...And u can look into help with daycare so u can work..It can be done i have 2 children and i do it without childsupport..Its all managing your money and seeing what programs are out there to help and go back to school single moms are helped alot to further there education so u can support your child in the future..

Lavonia - posted on 04/17/2010

i cant say that i live alone but i do have 2 kids ages 10 and 8. i do currently live on my own and rent aint cheap. but sweetheart when your doing it by yourself its always gonna be hard. good luck

Karen - posted on 04/16/2010

I work part-time minimum wage and also receive assistance. I'm not gonna lie, it's hard. Up until a year and a half ago I had an excellent job as a paralegl, but my firm shut down. This is just to hold me over until I get back to my regular field of work. But definitely look to see what programs your county/state offers to get you on your feet. You'll be ok....just do alot of planning before you make that move. You can make it work if your careful with your money. And just remember, it won't be that way forever :)

Jennifer - posted on 04/15/2010

I live alone but i get help from a county program to pay my rent, been living on my own since i was pg with my daughter. I hardly work but we make due with what we got.