Okay I am keeping track of my expenses, saw a job coach, and I am within a couple hundred dollars of making it totally on what I earn. Whew, Here are the budget comments
* put $100 earmarked for some take out, coffee shops and emergency fast food. I am at $88 for January which means I can have one more coffee shop visit and be in my budget, and not fee deprived (but possible to cut if necessary)
* one car bill was $184 and I may need to take that from emergency to get through January, that is a concern
* paid my bills, but still nervous about it so not all on time, planning on paying all bills the first week of the month and only be left with somewhat flexible things like groceries and the coffee shop budget ( I get paid once a month)
* student loans, not gonna be able to make that, still trying to figure it out
* I am accepting my parents offer to give me $100-200 a month for that gap, and looking for income increases or side work
* I can cut the job coach, was planning on having her help until child support was gone and then cutting that out.
* adding AAA, older car seems important
* waiting on some refund money from last year which will bring emergency fund to $3K
* my son is looking into his own cell phone account to build credit, savings of $85 a month
Really nervous and encouraged.