Making ends meet: are you making enough money, single mom?
I’m unemployed again. I’m sure something new will turn up — I just don’t know when. I’m faced with a staggering bill for shipping my belongings back to the US from Dubai. Believe me, I wanted to just leave it all there, but much of what was there was irreplaceable. It’s still less expensive to ship it back than it would be to try to replace it all. Still. I’m facing a frightning budget crunch for the holidays. As in, thank goodness the KoE is only three and won’t notice that the tree is looking a bit bare this year. If there is a tree. I was going over the numbers tonight and, if I don’t spend a dime on Christmas, I’ve got enough saved up to get me through January without work. I’d rather not have to prove my shaky budget skills, however. I want work for Christmas. I did find a nifty, simple budget calculator over on the about.com’s single parenting channel run by Jennifer Wolf. The Budget Calculator for Single Parents adds in some items most of us just don’t have the resources to contemplate: savings? That’s a laugh. I’d hate to lose sight of some loftier dreams (owning my own house, going on a real vacation with the KoE) and altruistic possibilities (charitable giving). The budget calculator let me know that though I can get by with what I’ve got now, I’m going to have to reach for the stars to give my child everything he deserves. Which, according to the letter we’re writing to Santa, includes some dreamed-up remote controlled Spiderman motorcycle thing, the absence of which in real life has in no way deterred my son from coveting it. I’m still trying to figure out how to afford a Christmas tree.
*shrug* We’ll make our own cheer, and it will be a good Christmas, because my son is bright-eyed again, the color has returned to his cheeks and he’s a joyous child. Haven’t seen that kid in about a year. Damn, I missed him. He’s the one that matters, and making this all work is the reason the hard stuff is bearable. Happy holidays, everyone! And if you see Santa, tell him you know someone who’s looking for a job in that big sack of his, ok? thanks.
4 opinions for Making ends meet: are you making enough money, single mom?
Michael
Dec 10, 2006 at 2:02 pm
I’m not good with links and such and how they all work, but I would gladly (no make that I want to) send you and Nico a little holiday gift of money if you would send me your address and if you would allow me to do so. Maybe call it Michael’s helpo Christina get-a-tree fund.
christina
Dec 10, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Michael, you really are too sweet. We would love a Christmas card from you, but money? No. Please leave me free to bitch about making ends meet without feeling guilty — I’d hate for anyone to think I’m offering a thinly veiled plea for contributions. I’ve got my eye on Freecycle, and folks are giving away fake trees all the time. We’ll find something to make the season bright! I’ve got tons of lights, friends have given them to us, so at the very least we’ll have a beautiful home full of winter cheer.
Your friendship is such valued coin in my world. That’s the best gift you can give.
dorene
Dec 14, 2006 at 4:36 pm
Don’t feel bad. We don’t have one yet either. We might just get one of those little two-footers this year and watch the after christmas sales for a bigger one. I’d rather spend the money on presents and a small tree and have a few more presents this time around.
christina
Dec 14, 2006 at 10:37 pm
A friend is going out of town, and her sister got her a way big tree. So they are going to come over on Saturday morning, I’ll whip up a quiche and some scones and some muffins, and we’ll make merry and bright.
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