bills while on maternity leave

[shell0209]

Any advice on how to manage bills while on maternity leave. I don't get paid plus I am just a temp so I am not even sure if I will have a job when I get back. I feel bad leaving all the bills to the dad since once in a while we struggle when we both have income. I have checked with my county and state things and as long as we are living together and he is going to sign the papers at the hospital there is no way to get help. I go on leave in 3 weeks and we have pretty much everything we need for the baby to get us by until I go back to work, I was just wondering on tips for like utilities, rent and things like that.

[marisol_jose]

I like cylstas advice ;;

But like u said shell0209 if they don't really help in your state it makes everythinq harder . Here in arizona u have a lot of help but it takes a long time to be approved and then the people who don't even need it r the ones getting and taking all the financial help there is . I wish I could help u more and give u more advice on what to do and where to look . I wish u the best of luck .

[shell0209]

We pay rent, phone,electric, internet the first part of the month. Car payments, insurence, student loans the second part. Right now I don't even have the spare money for shoes, nursing tops or clothes and I have out grown my uniforms for work, my feet are so swollen I can't fit into shoes. I know its all worth it but I just wish there was more resources out there for people who work and stay with the baby daddy .

[shell0209]

I live in Wisconsin and I have been trying to find some sort of cash assistance. We do have a program call W-2 where they help you find a job and pay for some child care while you look for work but that doesn't take in effect until you can go back to work. My state pretty much encourages young women to get pregnant and not have dad in the picture. They get everything paid for and can pretty much go 19 years with out having to work and they get all their bills paid. I just wish they would come up with something for those who try to work and only need temp assistance since we do pay taxes.

[Clysta]

I can't say I've been on maternity leave, but we do survive on only one budget. I wasn't able to work will pregnant (far too ill) and am now a SAHM. It's definitely got it's moments, but it can be done. What I do (I'm in charge of all the finances and paying things) is go through every bill we have and see what HAS to be paid now and what can wait. Then you need to draw up a budget and stick to it perfectly. When you go shopping, make sure you're only buying what you need and not wasting money on wants. (It also helps to shop when you're not hungry) To help cut down on utilities make sure you use only what you need and turn everything off that isn't needed. For rent, do you guys pay at the end of beginning of the month. What we do is set aside a portion of each check, and then send it in. That way it's not a huge chunk at once.

[marisol_jose]

Hey well I'm 31 weeks and keep thinking the same thing. I don't get paid for maternity leave either . I'm allowed to take as much time as I want to since its no pay. I'm planning to take the least amount of time as possible since I don't want to leave it all on my husband . He's such a great provider but when I was on bedrest a few times and missed a month of work it was so hard for him to do it alone on the bills. What I would sugguest is - is there anyway you can get des help like cash assistance or anything like that. What state do u live in if you don't mind me akinq