Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Preparing for a Lay Off

We are blessed because we know a lay off is coming, what we don't know is when. I've been busy preparing our family for the upcoming stress that comes when the main bread winner is no long employed.

One of the first things I did when I learned about the upcoming layoffs was to evaluate our entire budget. What and where can we cut back? How can we earn extra money? How stocked is the pantry? Do the children need clothes, shoes, boots, etc for the upcoming winter?

The first and most obvious place to cut the budget is for us is eating out. We budget $100 a month for that and if we stop, there's almost our electric bill payment! The thing is, it takes discipline. I cook three meals a day, 7 days a week. I get tired! However, my family can't afford this luxury right now. I'm on a hunt for quick and easy meals that are gluten free.

 I plan and grocery shop for our meals once a month. I've been able to cut our grocery bill in half by switching to once a month shopping/meal planning. I plan out all our meals and snacks. Tuesdays, I spend the day in the kitchen making bread, cookies, granola, yogurt, etc.  I also take the time to inventory the refrigerator and pantry Tuesdays so I can see where/what I'm getting low on and what needs to be eaten asap!

The clothes have been sorted and I have a couple boxes of items ready to go to a local resale shop. My plan is to fill in what we need with the money I make off of the clothes. This is the time of year to be looking for snow boots and pants at the thrift stores! I was able to find one of my daughters a pair of like new land's end snow boots for $2.99 at Goodwill!

I am struggling though, I want to run out and stock up on everything that I know we will need, things like toilet paper, animal food, etc. I want to see the future to see just how long this unemployment time will last. There will be no unemployment, my husband hasn't worked there long enough. We have no savings to speak of, we were just able to get caught up on our bills, only to be hit with this.

If you knew a lay off was coming, what would you do to prepare? How would you prepare your children when the holiday gimmes hit? What quick and easy gluten free meals would you rely on to help reduce your eating out?


This post is linked to:
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Message me via my facebook page www.facebook.com/lessonsfromivy and I'll send you my newest eBook that has some gluten free recipes in it. It might be a blessing to you right now. The book is on Freezer cooking which might also be helpful.

Also since it's getting towards Christmas this is the PERFECT time to put affiliate ads on your blogs sidebar. I've made a few dollars this way. I've also made extra money from selling eBooks and through fiverr.com.

Our goal is so that we can depend solely on online income within the next year or so, so that my husband can enter the ministry full time, it's kinda like preparing for a layoff but not quite. If you have any questions about affiliate sales just message me through facebook I know how scary the place you're in is right now.

Amanda said...

We're gluten free too. I cook batches of beans, lentils, and rice and keep in bags in the freezer. We also freeze tortillas, muffins, and pancakes. They thaw quickly and are a good start to quick meals.
I cook, season, and freeze meat for tacos and spaghetti. This can be quickly warmed and made into a meal. Even older kids (or a husband) can do this to give you a little bit of a break :)

Amanda said...

I forgot to mention that I have found several frugal gluten-free recipes on the Hillbilly Housewife site.

Jenn in Indiana said...

Two ideas that I have: I realize that you are the homeschooling mamma but is there anyway you can temporarily get a job, maybe on a different shift? And also I don't know how your family feels about food stamps, but it may be worth checking into. If it comes to that you will need food, and check food banks.
Has your husband had any luck with any new job leads? I saw you are in Ohio and I've heard jobs are hard to come by there, where abouts are you in Ohio? I am in Indiana about 20 min north of Fort wayne.
I will lift your family up in prayers.

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