My 19 year old sister is married to a very nice young 21 year old guy and they are due to have their first baby in April. They've been together for 3-4 years now.
They've been living with his parents and my sister wants them to move in with her... they want their own apartment. I think it's great that they want their own apartment and they have tried to find one in their price range. A small 2 bedroom, 1 bath for $560 a month (which is cheap for Naples, FL). In fact it's a couple blocks from my house.
The thing is that things are going to be tight, they both work, but he brings in about $1000 per month and they will get food stamps and wic. My sister plans to work up until the end (she's a waitress). But maternity leave is going to leave the strapped. She'll need to go back to work asap.... but she will also have to have care for the infant.
So, does anyone know of any government assistance programs they can look into to help with childcare... or is there something else that might be able to help them?
I'll help them where I can, but I'm supporting a family of 4 myself and things are very tight. I'll give her extra food and stuff and help with cleaning supplies etc... and of course teach her to use coupons.. which she is very open to.... she has even picked up a CVS card already.
I've already offered to help watch the baby if she works nights and weekends. I work full time myself, so it would have to be in my house, but what's 3 blocks to drop him off right?... and I told her that she could come over here to do her laundry to save the cost of doing laundry at the laundry mat!
Any other ideas? She plans to breastfeed because it's more affordable, but she'll have to breastfeed and bottle feed when she returns to work.
Any ideas on where they can save or where they can get help to get on their feet?
They are scraping together the first last and security and are going to move in the middle of the month so that the first months rent is less. But they will also have to come up with an electric deposit because they have never had service before.
Her hubby even said they would leave the air off and open the windows alot to save on that expense... one of the luxuries of living in FL.
Thanks in advance for your help. They are good kids, just didn't realize you could get pregnant when on birth control and antibiotics!
1|1|WIC will provide formula for when she goes back to work. In IL the same dept that provides food stamps also provides (pays for) daycare. She would have to find a daycare that takes infants and accepts the state payments for care. She really should start getting on waiting lists now....it can take months to get into those centers. |Barb09|Barb0969@AOL.com|19:04:50|01/17/2009|
I looked and looked and found no coupons for troll food......SO, I don't feed the trolls!! 2|2|she can check out craigslist or freecycle for free baby clothes,stroller and possible furnature for the apartment|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|19:32:19|01/17/2009|
Last edited on Jan-17-09 at 07:36 PM (Eastern) by 76.217.60.101
The only thing I would'nt get used is the crib, unless it is coming from someone you know, as so many have been recalled over the years, and old cribs are full of lead paint..
Also they might qualify for section 8 housing. My ex brother in law got it years ago, lived in a nice apartment, in a good neighborhood and only paid $300 a month. The waiting list is usually long, can take a year or longer, but worth a shot.
Have her sign up for all the formula web sites, similac etc...they sent out free product coupons and cents off too,and some actually send you the cans in the mail. 3|3|another great plac is goodwill|angNC|memawang@embarqmail.com|19:49:25|01/17/2009|
Also a lot of prolife places try to help out by giving supplies, there is on here that does that.
Start stocking up on diaper. After 2 gransons,don't buy to many newborn and one's. Also look on
CL for focus groups under general,event,volunteers, etc.Best of Luck and prayers for them.
4|4|also forgot to say, she can apply and get on wic now, they will give her vouchers for eggs, milk,cereal, juice etc..and depending on state some wic|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|20:06:47|01/17/2009|
locations do give out to breast feeding moms a free breast pump with the bottles. I don't know if she is interested in using eco friendly products, such as breast pads,cloth fitted diapers and wipes, but there are charity sites that ship out items for free, just pay shipping to help low income familys.
"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." -Willie Nelson
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Linda
5|1|here are some ideas |lydzkydz|lydzmcss@yahoo.com|20:50:31|01/17/2009|
she needs to get WIC now since she is pregnant already
and she can get the formula when the baby is born
but she can also breast feed
i did both when i went back to work
just breast fed all the time until the baby had to have a bottle that i couldn't have pumped myself
save the formula for the caregivers and she can also check with the health dept if they have the manual pumps that they give away i got those and they aren't that bad to use
check with the pregnancy center if there is one in your area they are a great help also
post on freecycle for baby things and you never know what a person might have to give away
clothes closets if there are any around at your churches in your area
i have gotten things from there before
then when i was able i gave back to them something i didn't need
if i think of anything else i will post more
i know how it was to be a waitress and nursing a baby
tell her to hang in there when she starts nursing cuz it is ruff to start with but worth it in the long run
wish i was closer and could help her out
:)
does she know what the baby is yet ??
please include your user name on refundsweepers.
i appreciate all the trades made in the past.
THANKS!! 6|2|Yes, it's a boy. Thanks so much:-)|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|01:07:56|01/18/2009|
My sister and I love garage sales, so she will probably have tons of clothes that we get very cheap. I was able to give her a bassinet, baby bath and bouncy seat... it was all I had left from my kids. My other sister has been cutting hair for baby stuff... so she should get a bit from that.
Goodwill is wonderful! Baby clothes for .99 each. We'll definately check there as well. I'll have to stop there more often.
Now I have to find some good deals on wipes and diapers
Laurie