that is awful that the ex isn't paying.....I wouldn't work extra job because it would cut time with your kids...just me...I don't have kids....but they need a mom not just a check to draw money from....

The hours I can work would be while my son is in school. It's not many hours which is why I am wondering what's out there. I am pretty limited on choices it seems.

In my past I have worked a full-time job and a part-time one. And twice I have worked two full-time jobs.

I made a lot of money, yet my debt was still there and in fact grew.

For me personally, I never got out of debt by increasing my income. I got out of debt by cutting down my expenses.

Is there anyway to cut down on expenses if a second job can not be obtained?

Everything I have is either utilities, rent, daycare, or cell phone and car insurance. The only extras I have is internet, Netflix, and wow (total of about $50/mo). Without the child support, it's the daycare I can't really afford. I can get rid of my garage and save an extra $60/mo but I wouldn't have anywhere to store my motorcycle and Iowa winters can be hard.

If you have a court order for support, if he gets a tax refund you should get that... if you don't know for sure call and find out...

Iowa? My favorite state. Home of my favorite university and sports team - Cyclones!

It is court ordered. He hasn't filed taxes in at least 2 years. His parents were paying 100 a month to keep him from going to jail but I've got CSRU after him. I just filled out the huge 8 page questionnaire about him and now they're going after him for contempt of court. Of course, if he ends up in jail, there still won't be any child support. He hasn't had a job in the last year and lives with his current girlfriend and her three kids. His parents pay his bills. It's frustrating. My son is autistic. There's a lot of help I need that my ex won't contribute to. I have had the same job for almost 9 years and the daycare cost is new. My mom use to watch my son but her health has declined and she's not sure she can do anything if an emergency occurs. But $500/mo on top of paying for rent, utilities, hospital bills, and the whatnot leaves me with very little money. :( I know it'll get better but right now, I'm struggling.

I forgot to respond to the Iowa comment. I wasn't always from Iowa but I'm definitely an Iowa girl now. Got the 4WD and the snowpants to prove it. Love Iowa.

If Ames has a Salvation Army, go there and speak to them. They have so many programs and different funds to help folks out.

The only thing they really require is that you live in the county where you are asking help from.

With an autistic child, I'm sure they will be able to help.

I donate money to them and occasionally volunteer time to them, all they want to do is help and ask nothing in return...

I'm not sure if they do or not, to be honest. I shall have to look into that. I never thought about them before. Thank you for the advice.

well good thing is when son starts school no more preschool bills....

My son is already in school. Has been since he was 3. I work overnights so my daycare is for overnights. He is 10 and not sure that he will ever not need a babysitter but maybe one day.

LilAdei,
My daughter recently got a part time job at a local bank with flexible day hours. Her daughter is 8 years old and she has to work around school schedules and such.

P.S. If the motorcycle is a luxuary item, I would sell it. You can bank that money and have an extra $60.00 in your wallet a month by getting rid of the garage. (I basically had to sell almost everything I had to get by). I thought I would miss it but I don't.
Good luck!

I drive a 4WD truck during the winter and when the months are good, I drive the motorcycle to work to help save on gas in the summer. Not sure if that would count as a luxury. But the motorcycle is 100% paid off. I am going to get rid of the garage. My next door neighbor has offered me a spot in his garage at no charge to keep the bike in. I have a lot of things stored in the garage but most of it, I don't use. So it'll be mostly packed up and taken to goodwill or given to friends who can use it.

I live in a college town, so I am hoping that the places I apply at will be flexible as most students have class schedules to work around. Here's hoping. It's only going to be til August 2015.... then hopefully, the boyfriend and I'll look at places together.

LilAdel, when I read your post. It sounded too familiar. As I was reading your posts and comments. I have something very important to share with you. It is changing lives and you were one of the first people that I thought about. I am working with a prosperity partner and she will qualify you to see if you are a good fit for this. She is a national and international expansion leader and she is a President in our company. She loves working with me and I am excited to be her partner. She is very busy so I need to schedule a time that we can talk. I promise that this phone call would change your life. Message me for #.

Ooooh gonna pass on that last suggestion, but thanks though...