is unschooling possible for anyone?
moonwindstarsky
out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?
clock, or run-down areas?
Holly Selden
It's possible. It takes some creative time management and in some cases some support from other family members, but it is possible.
I'll put it to you bluntly...we're poor. Dirt poor. We make it work somehow each day and the key is...we're all happy.
I'm in school and my husband works as a house painter...money is tight and I have to work classes around other people's schedules. I think it's easier having them home than it would be if they were in school, still, though.
Holly Selden
I'll put it to you bluntly...we're poor. Dirt poor. We make it work somehow each day and the key is...we're all happy.
I'm in school and my husband works as a house painter...money is tight and I have to work classes around other people's schedules. I think it's easier having them home than it would be if they were in school, still, though.
Holly Selden
----- Original Message -----
From: moonwindstarsky
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 5:18 PM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] is unschooling possible for anyone?
out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/10/04 04:20:19 PM Central Standard Time,
moonwindstarsky@... writes:
out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?
#######
Lots of families have parents who both work full time and homeschool. Lots of
families have just one parent and s/he works and homeschools. It works. I
guess I don't understand what you mean by run-down areas. IMHO it really doesn't
matter where you live, does it? We live in a little house, in a poor
neighborhood, on less than $35,000 a year. (and that is a good, rich year for us!) And
who hasn't heard the story of the kid who was homeless, homeschooled out of
his car and went on to college? There are solutions to everything, obstacles can
be overcome, mountains scaled, rivers bridged, homeschooling is easier than
either of those.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
moonwindstarsky@... writes:
out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?
#######
Lots of families have parents who both work full time and homeschool. Lots of
families have just one parent and s/he works and homeschools. It works. I
guess I don't understand what you mean by run-down areas. IMHO it really doesn't
matter where you live, does it? We live in a little house, in a poor
neighborhood, on less than $35,000 a year. (and that is a good, rich year for us!) And
who hasn't heard the story of the kid who was homeless, homeschooled out of
his car and went on to college? There are solutions to everything, obstacles can
be overcome, mountains scaled, rivers bridged, homeschooling is easier than
either of those.
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/10/2004 5:20:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
moonwindstarsky@... writes:
<<out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?>>
I don't know that parents who would chose to work around the clock would make
good unschooling parents, but maybe if there was an interested grandparent
around. <g> As far as *run-down* areas go, I live in a very run-down area in
the middle of a city, and I have no problem unschooling. I don't understand how
where you live could prohibit unschooling.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
moonwindstarsky@... writes:
<<out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
clock, or run-down areas?>>
I don't know that parents who would chose to work around the clock would make
good unschooling parents, but maybe if there was an interested grandparent
around. <g> As far as *run-down* areas go, I live in a very run-down area in
the middle of a city, and I have no problem unschooling. I don't understand how
where you live could prohibit unschooling.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Holly Selden
There are some parents out there that don't "choose" so much as "need" to work around the clock. For years my husband and I worked opposite shifts so that we didn't have to put the kids in child care, but we could not afford for either of us to stay home.
Holly Selden
Holly Selden
----- Original Message -----
From: ivorygrace7@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] is unschooling possible for anyone?
I don't know that parents who would chose to work around the clock would make
good unschooling parents, but maybe if there was an interested grandparent
around. <g>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Julie Bogart
--- In [email protected], "moonwindstarsky"
<moonwindstarsky@y...> wrote:
care giver (such as a grandparent or another mother). It's important, imo, for kids to have
someone involved in their daily lives to support and facilitate their interests and passions
(and to simply be someone who can drive, provide or discuss).
I don't know what a run down area has to do with anything, but maybe someone else does.
Julie
<moonwindstarsky@y...> wrote:
> out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round theHonestly I don't think unschooling works well without an invested parent or committed
> clock, or run-down areas?
care giver (such as a grandparent or another mother). It's important, imo, for kids to have
someone involved in their daily lives to support and facilitate their interests and passions
(and to simply be someone who can drive, provide or discuss).
I don't know what a run down area has to do with anything, but maybe someone else does.
Julie
Diane
By "round the clock" do you mean people like firemen who are away from
home for 24-hour stretches, or perhaps shift workers with rotating
shifts? If the kids are young, someone has to be available to take care
of them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a parent is not available
someone else must take care of them, either a friend or family member or
paid helper. School is often seen as a solution to this problem, but
would not be effective for 24-hour care.
People who live in run-down areas are frequently better off
homeschooling as the schools in those areas are often much worse than
the schools many of us on the list are avoiding.
I'm not sure this addresses what the questioner meant, but it's as close
as I could come.
When I became a single parent, my sister helpfully suggested that now
may be a good time to consider putting my son in kindergarten rather
than hiring child care to come to my home on weekends only, and working
only those two days a week. I asked her exactly how that would help,
since I would now have to arrange before school care, care for my
4-year-old, transportation to and from school, care for snow days and
vacation days, and I'd STILL have to work some weekends and arrange care
for that. School is not the be-all and end all for child care issues.
:-) Diane
home for 24-hour stretches, or perhaps shift workers with rotating
shifts? If the kids are young, someone has to be available to take care
of them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a parent is not available
someone else must take care of them, either a friend or family member or
paid helper. School is often seen as a solution to this problem, but
would not be effective for 24-hour care.
People who live in run-down areas are frequently better off
homeschooling as the schools in those areas are often much worse than
the schools many of us on the list are avoiding.
I'm not sure this addresses what the questioner meant, but it's as close
as I could come.
When I became a single parent, my sister helpfully suggested that now
may be a good time to consider putting my son in kindergarten rather
than hiring child care to come to my home on weekends only, and working
only those two days a week. I asked her exactly how that would help,
since I would now have to arrange before school care, care for my
4-year-old, transportation to and from school, care for snow days and
vacation days, and I'd STILL have to work some weekends and arrange care
for that. School is not the be-all and end all for child care issues.
:-) Diane
>out of curiousity, what about families whose parents work round the
>clock, or run-down areas?
>
Robyn Coburn
<<I don't know what a run down area has to do with anything, but maybe
someone else does.>>
I have been thinking about this since we have just been approved for a
pretty small loan and begun house hunting in Los Angeles. Many (but not all)
of the areas that we could afford to buy might be termed run-down. Perhaps
the writer is thinking of the parks being scarce or with dangerously old
equipment? Maybe it has to do with there being bars on all the windows, and
clearly broken down cars in the street, and lots of gang graffiti on the
road signs, and little shrines on the streets because of drive by shootings.
Maybe it is the fear that if your kid is playing in the front yard she might
get in the way of a bullet. This happens in parts of LA often enough to be
very discouraging.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
someone else does.>>
I have been thinking about this since we have just been approved for a
pretty small loan and begun house hunting in Los Angeles. Many (but not all)
of the areas that we could afford to buy might be termed run-down. Perhaps
the writer is thinking of the parks being scarce or with dangerously old
equipment? Maybe it has to do with there being bars on all the windows, and
clearly broken down cars in the street, and lots of gang graffiti on the
road signs, and little shrines on the streets because of drive by shootings.
Maybe it is the fear that if your kid is playing in the front yard she might
get in the way of a bullet. This happens in parts of LA often enough to be
very discouraging.
Robyn L. Coburn
---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.567 / Virus Database: 358 - Release Date: 1/24/2004
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
Nancy, sounds like you've been through a LOT. I'm so glad you're well
and back - you were missed!!!
-pam
and back - you were missed!!!
-pam
[email protected]
Thanks Pam. I'm glad to be back. I tried a few months ago to come back, I
just couldn't keep up! <g> Who would have thought reading email would be
exhausting?
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
just couldn't keep up! <g> Who would have thought reading email would be
exhausting?
~Nancy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/10/2004 11:36:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,
HLSelden@... writes:
<<For years my husband and I worked opposite shifts so that we didn't have to
put the kids in child care, but we could not afford for either of us to stay
home.>>
I was referring to situations where both parents work around the clock...lots
of hours...overtime...etc. If parents were working different shifts, of
course it would be possible to unschool. I guess that was my thinking.
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
HLSelden@... writes:
<<For years my husband and I worked opposite shifts so that we didn't have to
put the kids in child care, but we could not afford for either of us to stay
home.>>
I was referring to situations where both parents work around the clock...lots
of hours...overtime...etc. If parents were working different shifts, of
course it would be possible to unschool. I guess that was my thinking.
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa H
--Jacqueline wrote:
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year. ---
Jaqueline,
Pardon my ignorance. Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year? I think the information would be very helpful to know when having discussion with those who feel they never have enough.
Thanks.
Lisa Heyman
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year. ---
Jaqueline,
Pardon my ignorance. Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year? I think the information would be very helpful to know when having discussion with those who feel they never have enough.
Thanks.
Lisa Heyman
----- Original Message -----
From: ivorygrace7@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 10:14 AM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] is unschooling possible for anyone?
In a message dated 3/10/2004 11:36:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,
HLSelden@... writes:
<<For years my husband and I worked opposite shifts so that we didn't have to
put the kids in child care, but we could not afford for either of us to stay
home.>>
I was referring to situations where both parents work around the clock...lots
of hours...overtime...etc. If parents were working different shifts, of
course it would be possible to unschool. I guess that was my thinking.
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
Visit the Unschooling website and message boards: http://www.unschooling.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnschoolingDiscussion/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
I don't think unschooling is possible for everyone. Even a family with every
physical-plant advantage might not be candidates for unschooling if the
parents are not flexible and light-hearted and curious about the world themselves.
<< I was referring to situations where both parents work around the
clock...lots
of hours...overtime...etc. >>
How will people like that be more benefitted by kids in school?
I mean how would they get the kids to school, get them back, help them with
homework?
Nobody works around the clock seven days a week. If someone is really
working 80 hours a week and has barely time to eat and sleep, they'd better have a
spouse who's spending some time with the kids.
Worst case work loads, maybe having someone else live there for room'n'board
to help take care of the kids would be a possibility.
Sandra
physical-plant advantage might not be candidates for unschooling if the
parents are not flexible and light-hearted and curious about the world themselves.
<< I was referring to situations where both parents work around the
clock...lots
of hours...overtime...etc. >>
How will people like that be more benefitted by kids in school?
I mean how would they get the kids to school, get them back, help them with
homework?
Nobody works around the clock seven days a week. If someone is really
working 80 hours a week and has barely time to eat and sleep, they'd better have a
spouse who's spending some time with the kids.
Worst case work loads, maybe having someone else live there for room'n'board
to help take care of the kids would be a possibility.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/04 9:39:44 AM, Lmanathome@... writes:
<< Pardon my ignorance. Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on
less than $10,000 a year? I think the information would be very helpful to
know when having discussion with those who feel they never have enough. >>
This is likely to turn into something best discussed on other forums. Let's
do it lightly but move back toward unschooling, and if anyone wants to share
sites where money-saving pointers are, that would be cool too. But
obviously, people need to live where rent isn't $1200 a month to even begin, and I
know there are families here living in high-rent cities (literally and
figuratively).
Sandra
<< Pardon my ignorance. Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on
less than $10,000 a year? I think the information would be very helpful to
know when having discussion with those who feel they never have enough. >>
This is likely to turn into something best discussed on other forums. Let's
do it lightly but move back toward unschooling, and if anyone wants to share
sites where money-saving pointers are, that would be cool too. But
obviously, people need to live where rent isn't $1200 a month to even begin, and I
know there are families here living in high-rent cities (literally and
figuratively).
Sandra
Julie Bogart
--- In [email protected], ivorygrace7@a... wrote:
year with seven. I can't even believe it's possible to live on what you make...
Are you feeling limited by that income? Do you feel that you are not able to offer as many
opportunities to your kids? Or are you one of those thrifty types who loves the challenge
of living well on litte?
I know for us, it became imperative to my mental well-being to earn more. So we figured
out how to do just that and it's made a world of difference in our lives and ease. I wouldn't
want to go back.
Julie
>Are you in a rural area? I felt absolutely strapped in LA when we made less than $30K a
> Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
> My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
>
year with seven. I can't even believe it's possible to live on what you make...
Are you feeling limited by that income? Do you feel that you are not able to offer as many
opportunities to your kids? Or are you one of those thrifty types who loves the challenge
of living well on litte?
I know for us, it became imperative to my mental well-being to earn more. So we figured
out how to do just that and it's made a world of difference in our lives and ease. I wouldn't
want to go back.
Julie
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/2004 10:22:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,
ivorygrace7@... writes:
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
--Jacqueline
I find that very intriguing! We've just been doing some budgeting and
realized we are spending more than that a year on travel to different places and
things of interest that Cait wants to experience. I know we could probably just
cut out the travel and hotels and events and save money while learning the same
things through pictures, books and movies and such but I wonder if it would
be the same?
Maybe because of the recent budget discussions here, I'm more aware of what
we spend on art supplies, costumes, sports equipment, glitter, glue, paint and
such, all the things that Cait requests for her learning...
It seems almost impossible that a family of SIX could live on 10,000 a year.
I don't doubt you at all, I would like to know if you could send some tips
and hints for unschooling on a budget?
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
ivorygrace7@... writes:
Also, most people can get by on a lot less money than they think they can.
My family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a year.
--Jacqueline
I find that very intriguing! We've just been doing some budgeting and
realized we are spending more than that a year on travel to different places and
things of interest that Cait wants to experience. I know we could probably just
cut out the travel and hotels and events and save money while learning the same
things through pictures, books and movies and such but I wonder if it would
be the same?
Maybe because of the recent budget discussions here, I'm more aware of what
we spend on art supplies, costumes, sports equipment, glitter, glue, paint and
such, all the things that Cait requests for her learning...
It seems almost impossible that a family of SIX could live on 10,000 a year.
I don't doubt you at all, I would like to know if you could send some tips
and hints for unschooling on a budget?
glena
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/2004 11:39:41 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Lmanathome@... writes:
<<Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a
year?>>
I don't mind sharing. I receive $300 child support every other week. I live
in an urban housing project in a small 3 bdr. townhome. My rent is
$300(includes all utilities) and one child support check each mo. goes to that. The
other $300 is divided close to this: $100 food, $100 Emily (she takes voice and
ballet lessons and pays for those out of this as well as buying a few new
clothes and sometimes goes somewhere w/friends that costs money), $30 phone, $30
internet, $40 everything else (money for the other kids, sometimes clothes,
cleaning supplies, hygiene stuff...) We get most of our clothes from
hand-me-downs from friends and relatives. We eat very simply.
Twice a year there will be a month with 5 Fridays when we get an extra check.
We use this money for holiday expenses, doing fun stuff, *special* clothes,
and ordering stuff from *learning* catalogs. We also get $500 when my
ex-husband files his tax return, and we use this money in a similar manner...all
deciding together how to spend it.
The kids ask for money, video games, DVD's, and CD's from their various
relatives at holiday times. I ask for family memberships to the zoo and science
museum. We have a great library system and can get nearly any DVD's, videos,
and CD's as well as books that we want. Occasionally we use the bus to go
somewhere, but most the places we go are within walking distance so we don't have
many transportation expenses.
The children stay with their dad and stepmom every other weekend, and because
he has a car this gives them a chance to go places they wouldn't be able to
otherwise (beaches, nature preserves, daytrips to other cities.)
I hope this helps. :)
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lmanathome@... writes:
<<Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a
year?>>
I don't mind sharing. I receive $300 child support every other week. I live
in an urban housing project in a small 3 bdr. townhome. My rent is
$300(includes all utilities) and one child support check each mo. goes to that. The
other $300 is divided close to this: $100 food, $100 Emily (she takes voice and
ballet lessons and pays for those out of this as well as buying a few new
clothes and sometimes goes somewhere w/friends that costs money), $30 phone, $30
internet, $40 everything else (money for the other kids, sometimes clothes,
cleaning supplies, hygiene stuff...) We get most of our clothes from
hand-me-downs from friends and relatives. We eat very simply.
Twice a year there will be a month with 5 Fridays when we get an extra check.
We use this money for holiday expenses, doing fun stuff, *special* clothes,
and ordering stuff from *learning* catalogs. We also get $500 when my
ex-husband files his tax return, and we use this money in a similar manner...all
deciding together how to spend it.
The kids ask for money, video games, DVD's, and CD's from their various
relatives at holiday times. I ask for family memberships to the zoo and science
museum. We have a great library system and can get nearly any DVD's, videos,
and CD's as well as books that we want. Occasionally we use the bus to go
somewhere, but most the places we go are within walking distance so we don't have
many transportation expenses.
The children stay with their dad and stepmom every other weekend, and because
he has a car this gives them a chance to go places they wouldn't be able to
otherwise (beaches, nature preserves, daytrips to other cities.)
I hope this helps. :)
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/2004 12:02:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,
julie@... writes:
<<Are you feeling limited by that income? Do you feel that you are not able
to offer as many
opportunities to your kids? Or are you one of those thrifty types who loves
the challenge
of living well on litte?>>
I feel that I can certainly offer my kids as many opportunities as I could if
they were in school, and I worked full-time. Sometimes I feel limited. I
like to travel, and I like to visit the country (grew up in an extremely rural
area and sometimes miss it). But I don't think my kids feel limited. We talk
about if I should get a job so we would have more money, and they look at me
as if I were crazy. Their opinion is that we have plenty of money. We do
handle our money well and prioritize. Emily is starting a job in a couple of
weeks and has agreed to add her extra money back into the family's (her idea not
mine.) I think we are all feeling a bit rich at the prospect! I am glad that
my kids are growing up learning that you can find a way live on less money.
--Jacqueline
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
julie@... writes:
<<Are you feeling limited by that income? Do you feel that you are not able
to offer as many
opportunities to your kids? Or are you one of those thrifty types who loves
the challenge
of living well on litte?>>
I feel that I can certainly offer my kids as many opportunities as I could if
they were in school, and I worked full-time. Sometimes I feel limited. I
like to travel, and I like to visit the country (grew up in an extremely rural
area and sometimes miss it). But I don't think my kids feel limited. We talk
about if I should get a job so we would have more money, and they look at me
as if I were crazy. Their opinion is that we have plenty of money. We do
handle our money well and prioritize. Emily is starting a job in a couple of
weeks and has agreed to add her extra money back into the family's (her idea not
mine.) I think we are all feeling a bit rich at the prospect! I am glad that
my kids are growing up learning that you can find a way live on less money.
--Jacqueline
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
Sorry...I should have read ahead before I posted.
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jenkileycody
--- In [email protected], ivorygrace7@a... wrote:
how much we spend on groceries!
Thanks
jen
> The other $300 is divided close to this: $100 food... ]Can you share some tips on eating for $100 a month...i cannot believe
how much we spend on groceries!
Thanks
jen
[email protected]
In a message dated 3/11/2004 7:12:32 PM Mountain Standard Time,
jenandkiley@... writes:
Can you share some tips on eating for $100 a month...i cannot believe
how much we spend on groceries!
==========
There were a couple of questions like this in the pending posts. I've let one
through and deleted the other.
Rather than discuss this here, are there other websites or discussion groups
anyone here knows of where we can refer people who are interested in cooking
less expensively?
Let's post a few resources and get back to unschooling, please.
Thanks.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jenandkiley@... writes:
Can you share some tips on eating for $100 a month...i cannot believe
how much we spend on groceries!
==========
There were a couple of questions like this in the pending posts. I've let one
through and deleted the other.
Rather than discuss this here, are there other websites or discussion groups
anyone here knows of where we can refer people who are interested in cooking
less expensively?
Let's post a few resources and get back to unschooling, please.
Thanks.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa H
Thanks Jacqueline for sharing your story. It's very inspiring.
We just viewed a movie last evening, "The Other Side of Heaven," where the defining moment for me was the final statement when the missionary returns home to the US in the 1950's after three years in the Tonga Islands and comments how the people he was with in the S. Pacific have nothing in the ways of the materials of the US but are the happiest people he has had the privilege of knowing.
Lisa H.
We just viewed a movie last evening, "The Other Side of Heaven," where the defining moment for me was the final statement when the missionary returns home to the US in the 1950's after three years in the Tonga Islands and comments how the people he was with in the S. Pacific have nothing in the ways of the materials of the US but are the happiest people he has had the privilege of knowing.
Lisa H.
----- Original Message -----
From: ivorygrace7@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] is unschooling possible for anyone?
In a message dated 3/11/2004 11:39:41 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Lmanathome@... writes:
<<Would you mind sharing how a family of 6 gets by on less than $10,000 a
year?>>
I don't mind sharing. I receive $300 child support every other week. I live
in an urban housing project in a small 3 bdr. townhome. My rent is
$300(includes all utilities) and one child support check each mo. goes to that. The
other $300 is divided close to this: $100 food, $100 Emily (she takes voice and
ballet lessons and pays for those out of this as well as buying a few new
clothes and sometimes goes somewhere w/friends that costs money), $30 phone, $30
internet, $40 everything else (money for the other kids, sometimes clothes,
cleaning supplies, hygiene stuff...) We get most of our clothes from
hand-me-downs from friends and relatives. We eat very simply.
Twice a year there will be a month with 5 Fridays when we get an extra check.
We use this money for holiday expenses, doing fun stuff, *special* clothes,
and ordering stuff from *learning* catalogs. We also get $500 when my
ex-husband files his tax return, and we use this money in a similar manner...all
deciding together how to spend it.
The kids ask for money, video games, DVD's, and CD's from their various
relatives at holiday times. I ask for family memberships to the zoo and science
museum. We have a great library system and can get nearly any DVD's, videos,
and CD's as well as books that we want. Occasionally we use the bus to go
somewhere, but most the places we go are within walking distance so we don't have
many transportation expenses.
The children stay with their dad and stepmom every other weekend, and because
he has a car this gives them a chance to go places they wouldn't be able to
otherwise (beaches, nature preserves, daytrips to other cities.)
I hope this helps. :)
--Jacqueline
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.
Visit the Unschooling website and message boards: http://www.unschooling.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnschoolingDiscussion/
b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Aimee
A few things....
Plan your meals.
Make a list.
Buy in bulk.
Our food budget is about $200 a month, and we eat very
well.
I have lots more to share but this is probably not the
right place to do it!
Email me off list if you'd like.
~Aimee
<<Can you share some tips on eating for $100 a
month...i cannot believe
how much we spend on groceries!
Thanks
jen>>
Plan your meals.
Make a list.
Buy in bulk.
Our food budget is about $200 a month, and we eat very
well.
I have lots more to share but this is probably not the
right place to do it!
Email me off list if you'd like.
~Aimee
<<Can you share some tips on eating for $100 a
month...i cannot believe
how much we spend on groceries!
Thanks
jen>>
TreeGoddess
Check out Menu Mailers at http://www.menumailer.net/ for weekly menus
with shopping lists already planned out for you. I had a 3 month
subscription once and printed all the recipes. I was able to adjust
almost everything for our vegan lifestyle and they were all delicious.
-Tracy-
with shopping lists already planned out for you. I had a 3 month
subscription once and printed all the recipes. I was able to adjust
almost everything for our vegan lifestyle and they were all delicious.
-Tracy-
On Mar 12, 2004, at 11:48 AM, Aimee wrote:
> A few things....
>
> Plan your meals.
> Make a list.
> Buy in bulk.
>
> Our food budget is about $200 a month, and we eat very
> well.
>