Plain Old Petunia
Senior Member
bloom where you are planted
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 2:09:44 GMT -5
Posts: 4,840
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Post by Plain Old Petunia on Apr 1, 2011 17:27:12 GMT -5
The things that Mom can't quite swing right now while trying to save. My Mom coupons and price matches so she always has Tide Cascade and other items she brings over to help out. Your Mom sounds like mine! She is always sending over breakfast cereal and mouthwash she got for free by couponing. I think it is so sweet.
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ses
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
Posts: 654
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Post by ses on Apr 1, 2011 17:51:48 GMT -5
I forgot to mention how impressed I was to see no credit card debt. It is amazing how many get sucked right back into that trap, even after a chapter 7.
I agree that you should check your tax withholdings. With an extra $300 you could, carefully, live on your income and direct the CS to your medical fund, next car fund and an EF. In a couple of years or so you should meet all of your goals. Then re-evaluate and make new goals.
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kindthatjingles
Familiar Member
Joined: Feb 5, 2011 19:06:06 GMT -5
Posts: 622
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Post by kindthatjingles on Apr 2, 2011 16:55:38 GMT -5
I started my log this morning of everything I spend in order to get that on lockdown. Keeping it in my purse so I can write it down or put the reciept in. Also joined the local library for the kids and was able to rent movies.
My Mom surprised us today with a Zoo pass so that we can go this summer . So all the advice from you all has sunk in. I will be checking back and bugging you all often for help.
No, I will not be getting in that trap again with the credit cards. It was so eay to bridge the gap with them. I did get a secured card to help rebuild my credit for when I need a car again etc. but just put my Sprint bill on it and pay it off every month. This tax return was higher than I think it will be because of all the daycare and such. I also did get the EIC which I know many people hate on. This Summer family has graciously offered to help with care for hte 8 year old and little one will stay where he is.. Those amounts are the ones I am ordered to pay x pays his portion as well.
Thanks
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Deleted
Joined: May 1, 2024 19:11:33 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 8:22:14 GMT -5
I started my log this morning of everything I spend in order to get that on lockdown. Keeping it in my purse so I can write it down or put the reciept in. Also joined the local library for the kids and was able to rent movies. My Mom surprised us today with a Zoo pass so that we can go this summer . So all the advice from you all has sunk in. I will be checking back and bugging you all often for help. No, I will not be getting in that trap again with the credit cards. It was so eay to bridge the gap with them. I did get a secured card to help rebuild my credit for when I need a car again etc. but just put my Sprint bill on it and pay it off every month. This tax return was higher than I think it will be because of all the daycare and such. I also did get the EIC which I know many people hate on. This Summer family has graciously offered to help with care for hte 8 year old and little one will stay where he is.. Those amounts are the ones I am ordered to pay x pays his portion as well. Thanks You are the type of person I think should be getting EIC, make sure to check, your state may also have a EIC. Can you change your W-4 so you do not pay taxes? Also, does your work offer a flex account for daycare? If so, the flex account amount is exempt from social security/medicare and could save you a little money, even though it would not save you money on taxes.
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Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:39:46 GMT -5
Posts: 17,962
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 3, 2011 8:47:44 GMT -5
I was going to echo what Gin said abput the EIC ( it's there for people in your situation).
The suggestion of looking into a flex acct for the childcare is an excellent one.
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Deleted
Joined: May 1, 2024 19:11:33 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 6:35:53 GMT -5
Just a question . . . WHY are you asking your ex to buy shoes? If you want to keep the child support at its current level (and possibly increase it in the future), you should be documenting your expenditures for the kids. It's ok, I think, to document increased housing and utility costs as part of this, but you want to be able to demonstrate that the child support is necessary and appropriate. $836 isn't pocket change even with the after school and day care. Your ex is supposed to be providing half the support, not all of it.
All I'm saying is to watch what you ask the ex for. I've heard too many guys in real life complain that their wives are "living off" the child support while the kid would go hungry/barefoot/naked if they didn't step in. That isn't what you are doing with those health copays, etc., but you do want to watch the perception.
So make a budget for the child support as well! The co-pays, etc. would also be a part of that.
ETA: I understand you are struggling. You are doing great.
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Deleted
Joined: May 1, 2024 19:11:33 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 6:41:26 GMT -5
I'm sure her husband is taking the deduction for the two kids on his taxes. She'd have a hard time demonstrating that she is paying more than half their support when that's almost half her income.
Can you take the EIC if you can't claim the kids as dependents?
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Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:39:46 GMT -5
Posts: 17,962
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 4, 2011 8:59:28 GMT -5
I'm sure her husband is taking the deduction for the two kids on his taxes. She'd have a hard time demonstrating that she is paying more than half their support when that's almost half her income. Can you take the EIC if you can't claim the kids as dependents? 1) The husband cannot claim both deductions unless he has a form signed by her that says he can. 2) Typically, when each parent is providing 1/2 the support, they divide the deductions, each claiming one child 3) I believe only the custodial parent can claim the EIC.
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kindthatjingles
Familiar Member
Joined: Feb 5, 2011 19:06:06 GMT -5
Posts: 622
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Post by kindthatjingles on Apr 4, 2011 9:07:42 GMT -5
I have Full Physical Custody and we have joint legal.
The Child support was figured on a joint calculator because in summer he will get them for one extra night.
Ex made over 150 k last year between work and his own bus. so I think he made out pretty well in the support amount.
I did not expect him to pay for everything, my goal is to not need him at all but to be frank he left me and got another woman pregnant. He owes me NOTHING but owes my children.
I am only ordered to pay for 30 percent of extras// Boy Scouts T ball Swim lesson etc. But unless I pay 50% he will not let them participate at all. I choose my battles. It would cost me more money to pay the lawyer to fight him.
in his settlement offer he wanted joint custody with a support amount of 375.00
I laughed and so did the judge.
I claim one child per year and so does he. They gave me that becasue of the amount of medical expenses I have to pay as well as the joint calculation for support.
When I ask him to buy shoes, it is becasue one will blow out a pair of sneakers and he will call me from the store and want me to meet them there to pay for the 75.00 dollar sneakers he thinks they should have. I don't have Nike Shox they don't need them either.
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Deleted
Joined: May 1, 2024 19:11:33 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 9:43:56 GMT -5
I would email him in regards to the payment of the extras to have documentation. Gardening grandma is right on how EIC works. When you go back maybe you should agree to 50% of the extra (since that is what you are paying) and he has to pay for the medical, all of it. Keep in mind that if you are each claiming a child, you claiming the youngest would be most beneficial for you because you can take advantage of the flex account for her not the older one.
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