Does anyone else have trouble feeding their family?

2015-09-06T17:06:42-04:00

Response by 1LT William Westervelt made Sep 6 at 2015 5:41 PM

2015-09-06T17:41:09-04:00

As a PFC I had three kids. Three months after my first deployment, I had one more. Money wasn't in high supply, but I never had trouble meeting my family's needs. Well, not until my (now ex)wife lost her mind and started spending money we didn't have. If you're having trouble, I'm going to assume that you have a bit of debt. Get some financial counseling. If you're the church going type, see if they can hook you up with Financial Peace University ( a Dave Ramsey product). It isn't the answer to everything, but it's a great start. Let your Chain of Responsibility know what's going on. They can connect you with Soldier resources to help alleviate some of the stress your finances create. Maybe an AER loan/grant would be appropriate. In summary, you should not have trouble feeding your family. If you are, the Army will help you address the problem causing this trouble.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-09-06T17:52:18-04:00

I got 2 horses.. A 8 year and 3 year old.

I would ask you, if your having troible feeding your family, perhaps your not eating right. How much prepared food and fast food or dining out do you do??

I go as far as making my own spaghetti sauce and homeade noodles!! I even make my own pizza dough from scratch!! Not many things in our home are premade.

The forst thing i did, was toss the microwave in the trash. Havent had one in 5 years. Our portions have gotten smaller, and our leftovers are almost hardly ever. I learn to use a lot of them, like boil a hen/chicken leftovers to make stock. I buy whole pork loins instead of precit chops. I grind my own pork and beef together, weigh the portions and make sausage and meatballs.

We used to spend 350 a pay period on groceries, now maybe 200 a pay period. Were a family of 4 and noone goes hungry.

Per 4 people, no more then $10 per meat portion. So if you want porterhouse steak, better learn to share.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 6 at 2015 6:05 PM

2015-09-06T18:05:07-04:00

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 6:38 PM

2015-09-06T18:38:53-04:00

You may want to look at Government assistance such as SNAP (food stamps). And there are charitable organizations such as food banks, churches, etc as well. You also need to look at your finances. There are places that you can go to for financial counseling, some may be free, just have to look and ask around in your area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-09-06T21:18:35-04:00

God bless you! I know times can be tough, but you are in many thoughts and prayers.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 10:06 PM

2015-09-06T22:06:37-04:00

Yes. I don't care what anybody says, much of the country is still in hard times. I work a full time job, my wife works part time, and I take whatever side jobs I can get. We're always on the edge. I don't say this to grumble or gripe. I could have and still could make different choices. I don't have a degree, and I won't work over the road. I just tell you because you're not the only one. Sometimes it can feel like you're the only one out there who isn't rolling in the dough, but it's just not true.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Sep 6 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-09-06T22:08:33-04:00

My middle daughter doesn't like to eat what we give her.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-09-06T22:38:17-04:00

PFC Robert Falk, I'm not in that position, but I can relate because I was a young married troop trying to make ends meet (about 40 years ago).

I second what 1LT William Westervelt said about Financial Peace University. I think you need some financial counseling to get a handle on your finances and to start living within your means.

An AER loan or grant might be good for the short term, but in the long term, the bottom line is that you have to find a way to live within your means. That could mean extra work, it could mean working with creditors to lower your monthly payments.

There are some good credit counseling services that can help as well. The thing about those credit counseling services is that some are really there to help and some are there to make a buck themselves. Check with AER. And if you go to a credit counseling service, check them out on the Web and see what others have said about them.

Also, watch this space, because I'm sure others will be able to offer more and better advice/assistance.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 12:37 AM

2015-09-07T00:37:09-04:00

You might consider consulting a debt consolidation attorney seeing if there are options. As for the utility bills you should see if there are options for assistance there as well. Some utility companies have programs to make sure you can get some service like gas in the winter. I am surprised you cant assistance with having a disabled child. I think an attorney might be able to help. Sometimes the bureaucracy likes to tell you no when they may have not considered everything.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 7 at 2015 8:48 PM

2015-09-07T20:48:51-04:00

PFC Robert Falk, Other posts focus on your $ problem. My concern is when you say a child's eats 3-4 plates of food. That is a lot of caloric intake, not monitored that may lead to problems in the child's later life. Responsibility is displayed in many actions, the child is one of those responsibilities you are tasked with.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 8 at 2015 1:56 AM

2015-09-08T01:56:38-04:00

Understand your issues with money. Everyone has them from time to time. When my first son was born, the expenses involved with caring for a newborn hit us hard. With out some assistance that first year, before my husband rose to the next paygrade we would have been sunk. But, it sounds like what you really need is counseling or medical help in dealing with your son's appetite. I've known children with medical issues where they had none of the natural controls over their appetites and food intake. This caused severe binging and purging. Don't know if that's your problem, but eating 4 big plates of food is not normal.

Hope you find a good doctor to address this.

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Aug 11 at 2021 2:41 PM

2021-08-11T14:41:25-04:00

If your having trouble feeding your family check your local church as many of them have food pantry's that give free food once a month to needy families. Given the size of the family determines how much is given each month. It doesn't give enough to survive on for the month but it goes a long way to relieve the food bill and every little bit helps. We here at 12 Corners Baptist Church in rural central Oklahoma hand out food to approximately anywhere from 50 to 75 families on a monthly basis. The food is purchased thru Feed the Children Organization which comes out of our donations fro the church. My wife, my grandson and I unload a truck twice a month and stock our food pantry.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Aug 11 at 2021 7:14 PM

2021-08-11T19:14:11-04:00

I have trouble getting some to stop eating

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 12 at 2021 1:31 AM

2021-08-12T01:31:52-04:00

PFC Falk ,take some advice from a man who at one time was Homeless living in a van with a wife and 2 children, GO To a Church !!! If you do not have a Preferred one Find one that is Close to You, they should be able to help , You will Make Some Friends and maybe make some contacts That will help you find a job you can do. THE LORD WILL HELP YOU, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.