< Return to Talk
07.12.08, 16:08 PM General Topics
20 replies
We need to cut back on our monthly expenses. Health insurance: $700 (dh is self employed), Preschool $600, rent: $3400, Groceries: $850, babysitter once a week: $60....we're thinking of pulling our 3 year old from preschool as I homeschool my eldest and am home. Any other suggestions? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:08 PM Flag
 

Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

»
Where do you rent? Can you move? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:10 PM Flag
»
Move out of NYC. Why live there if your dh is self-employed and you're a SAHM? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:17 PM Flag
»
he needs to be in nyc for his work: he has clients here. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:32 PM Flag
»
yes, we could move. We live in manhattan and may need to move. But right now, we're looking for less drastic changes while DH goes through a rough patch at work. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:32 PM Flag
»
you should probably leave [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:19 PM Flag
»
have you taken 2 months and written down and/or kept track of every single purchase? That can be illuminating. We always realize we need to cut back on eating out and $60 ATM withdrawals (the money just disappears). [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:30 PM Flag
»
yes, we don't use the atm at all (i withdraw 200 a month for cash expenses, the rest we put on one card which we pay every month in full.) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:31 PM Flag
»
groceries seem high for 4 of you (unless you have more kids). we spend about 500-600 for 4 of us (and I buy organic, etc). where does the 200 for cash expenses go? [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:38 PM Flag
»
for books, starbucks (occasionally-i just quit coffee so this will go down), pizza when we're out with the boys without snacks or lunch, subway rides. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:40 PM Flag
»
honestly, I'd look at those expenses. library instead of buying books-we use our local library more than buying books. between 4 of us, we go through like 40-50 books a wk (I do have a toddler, and some of these are board books, but if you think of that financially...) [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:46 PM Flag
»
and yes, we're working on reducing groceries! thanks. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:40 PM Flag
»
thank you! i will definitely be more careful with that. We're thinking of pulling my youngest from preschool to save money. I am a sahm so I could do that, but we love the school and it's only 3 days. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:52 PM Flag
»
Should be okay if you are able to structure in regular play dates, read to 3yo, do activities, etc. It's a hard job. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:55 PM Flag
»
I know LOL. Especially as I homeschool my older one. We do do lots of activities where younger kids are around, so I do think playdates won't be impossible. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:56 PM Flag
»
I have an opposite spin. I would put both kids in school, transfer every other babysitting week money towards childcare costs, and do something where you can get health insurance fo rthe family. I actually think your rent for NYC-metro area is reasonable, you don't seem to mention a car, and your groceries aren't so, so bad considering you would have to probably buy worse quality, more fattening/less healthy food for your family. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:54 PM Flag
»
one kid is homeschooled (our older one) and the other is in preschool which technically isn't neccesary (we love the school and have strong ties to it). So maybe keep them both home? I don't have a job, well of course, i homeschool but I don't make money from that! [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 04:55 PM Flag
»
OP. What I am actually saying may not fit with your educational philosophy, so you have to weigh things up, but economically speaking if you are not saving, you can't afford to home school. Put #1 in school, keep #2 in school, get a sitter a few more hours for #2, get a job that pays insurance and your golden. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 06:04 PM Flag
»
This is good thinking. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 05:07 PM Flag
»
Don't dry your clothes, just hang them up on the shower rod. No cable. Check the phone - you could probably save money there. Videos and books from library only. No newspaper or mag subscriptions. NO Starbucks. Walk everywhere you can. Or share a monthly metro card. Cook at home. [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 05:32 PM Flag
»
Put them both in school and get a job [ Reply | More
]
General Topics 07.12.08, 05:39 PM Flag
Refresh » New Post »
Select Category
close [X]

close [X]

Select a Category (only 1)

category
Stages
Regions