So as I mentioned on another thread, our montly deficit is going from $90/mo to $477/mo in January. We also an unexpected $600 car bill last month so it has been a bit of a struggle.

My second income options are very limited bc I have a highly professional job. You can't really be a high level manager and take on waitressing at the local pub! grr...DH has been unable to find ANYTHING - well, he and DS1 delivered phone books one w/end and earned $100 - but nothing consistent. I even took on the northern part of our province as my territory bc you can't make it there and back in a "normal" day so business trips usually include overtime. But they have cancelled any overtime!

That is the no progress. The progress is that DH and I both got 2% raises as of Dec. Not much but every bit helps. Also, I have been doing mystery shopper gigs and website reviews to earn another $100/month. Again, not much! DH is getting 25 hours/week up from 20 hours/week.

But Feb, Dh sees a $1/hr raise. Mar, we both get 1% raises, etc.

So I just keep telling myself this is going to get better!

I just feel like a terrible mother. My kids can't do recreational courses or lessons. DS2 has no winter/rain boots (it rained 23 days in Nov here). DS1 only has 4 pairs of pants that fit him. Etc. You can only buy no clothings and things for so long. We bought DS1 his boots at a second hand store but there was nothing for the little guy.

All my extra money goes to "date nights" twice a month but I feel like after working 12 hour days & the extra side stuff, I need it for my sanity.

I am considering cashing in some retirement savings to ease things a bit. We are also considering selling our home and renting (it would be cheaper and we would pay off the car loans)...

Once DH is working FT this will all be an unpleasant distant memory. The silver lining is that it has given me the push to go back and finish a degree I started in 1998~!

Haha,

Dee