CSE in FL is not enforcing support order

[CJane]

She probably has a decent apartment, but that is pretty much the going rate for a 3-bedroom in a non-high crime area in Broward county. I'm two counties up and run about $900 plus utilities for a 2-bed-bath place here.

But is THAT county and 3BR (or even 2) really necessary? Seriously. I have a 2 BR w/3 kids and a dog. All three kids share a room. That's why bunkbeds were invented. I DID look at a 1 BR with thoughts of using the DR as a bedroom, but the difference in rent just wouldn't have made enough difference.

Now, IF I were to move closer to the 'city' I'd be paying about $1200/month for the same sized place. I choose to commute instead.

Gas is abou 3.25 per gallon.

It just went down to $2.49 here.

A gallon of milk is $4.39. My food bill nearly doubled when I moved here from Michigan and I am queen of cheap!

It's $4.10 here. I thank ALL the gods for WIC. And I'm pretty sure OP would qualify for it, so there goes some food expense.

Now, personally, I would cut the ballerina and toys out of my budget!

$200/month in TOYS. I don't spend $200 on Christmas!

 

[CJane]

I found this.

Stated another way, it's 51.2% more expensive to live in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, Florida than Kansas City, Missouri

http://www.bestplaces.net/col/default.aspx?salary=24000&city1=28140&city2=33100

I shall bear this in mind when chastising OP for spending money on ballerina lessons for kids that aren't even potty trained yet.

 

[Silverplum]

I shall bear this in mind when chastising OP for spending money on ballerina lessons for kids that aren't even potty trained yet.

All I know is I laughed my ~~ off when I read that sentence!

 

[nextwife]

Stated another way, it's 51.2% more expensive to live in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, Florida than Kansas City, Missouri
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I'm not sure. If you factor in other expenses, it's not that different.

Example: Housing cost may be higher there but cars last longer because they don't have seasonal road salt.

State income taxes are far less than we in WI pay.

Four seasons of clothes and all the winter gear/coats/snowpants for kids is not needed.

Fewer slip and slide fender benders on icy roads or slippery parking lods.

 

[CJane]

Stated another way, it's 51.2% more expensive to live in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, Florida than Kansas City, Missouri
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I'm not sure. If you factor in other expenses, it's not that different.

Example: Housing cost may be higher there but cars last longer because they don't have seasonal road salt.

State income taxes are far less than we in WI pay.

Four seasons of clothes and all the winter gear/coats/snowpants for kids is not needed.

Fewer slip and slide fender benders on icy roads or slippery parking lods.

What an EXCELLENT point when considering the economics of one locale over another.

Thanks so much.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

If we are going to compare ....

When I came down here, I actually owned two cars. Had PL/PD on my little Tercel. I was paying $130 every 6 months in Michigan for it. Keeled over when I came down here ... it was $475 for the same 6 months. And I'm like their top of the line, super duper drivers, etc! That car when in a hurry!

Notice who knows the prices of two bedroom places here! Personally, the bonding time sharing a bedroom would be ideal for twins.

Based on her expenses, my guess is that she doesn't qualify for WIC or any other government program cuz she's not getting assistance in the income department.

My house insurance in Michigan ran about $850/year. Same size house here ... $4000.

I think you get the drift. What we don't spend in clothes, we spend in insurance. And don't get me going on property tax.

Positve here ... no state income tax

 

[Silverplum]

I don't care what you ladies say, Colorado rules, in every possible way (except for football).

 

[CJane]

If we are going to compare ....

When I came down here, I actually owned two cars. Had PL/PD on my little Tercel. I was paying $130 every 6 months in Michigan for it. Keeled over when I came down here ... it was $475 for the same 6 months. And I'm like their top of the line, super duper drivers, etc! That car when in a hurry!

That's close to what I pay for full coverage on my Suzuki.

Based on her expenses, my guess is that she doesn't qualify for WIC or any other government program cuz she's not getting assistance in the income department.

I don't know what the income guidelines are for WIC in that area and I'm not gonna look. But here, for a family of 4, I could more than double my current income and still qualify. Since it's not welfare, the income guidelines are WAY higher than they are for public assistance. And even if people don't qualify financially, they can qualify medically - by proving their child isn't getting adequate nutrition.

My house insurance in Michigan ran about $850/year. Same size house here ... $4000.

I think Stupidhead's home owners (higher because we had a high risk dog and horses) was around $3000/year. Property taxes on D'Man's house are around $2000/year. Property taxes on my CAR are almost $300/year.


But alas... my point is made. OP needs to quit blaming the babydaddy for her expenses - even the child specific ones and learn to live within her means.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Some of our members have returned to Florida, from Colorado, because they had ***SNOW**** already! ewwwwww

It's so nice to be in shorts and sandals

 

[CJane]

I don't care what you ladies say, Colorado rules, in every possible way (except for football).

In every possible way.... la la la

Now that Cranberries song is stuck in my head. Thanks so much. I'm goin home.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Back to the OP's problem ...

For your 2005 tax return, file them. Your window of opportunity will close for you receiving a tax refund. It will get help up from anywhere of 4-6 months while they investigate WHO could lawfully claim the children.

You might seriously want to revisit what you think are NEEDS versus WANTS since you know that you cannot count on child support.

There very well could be a income tax refund intercept on, but .... If dad doesn't file a tax return or OWES, there is no refund to give to you.

Now, you claim you didn't get any of the $3k he received in 2006. He might not have either if he owes the fed's for prior year taxes. Any outstanding student loans he defaulted on? The government gets their money first.

 

[Gracie3787]

The expense that OP listed that really shows her thought process is the $750 per year for furniture, car seats, and strollers.

OP, according to your own post, you are paying expenses that total $5,565.00 (NOT including the ludicrus claim of furn. car seats and strollers). You are claiming that your ex isn't paying CS, so that means that YOUR income is at least $5,565.00 per month. You can complain all you want, but that income is VERY GOOD even for a more expensive place like Ft. Lauderdale area. The questions I have :
is your ex paying any CS at all?
Have YOU been honest with the court/CSE about YOUR income? I ask because at your income with even just a min wage income for your ex, the CS order should be for ALOT more, not because of ex's income, but because your income is so large.

The bottom line is this:

Stop complaining and take the advice given, including getting financial counseling. Right off the top of my head, I can see at least a way for you to save at least $850 a month:

1. potty training, no more $125 a month for diapers and wipes. (a child who is old enough for ballet lessons is old enough to be potty trained)
2. Shop for clothes at consignment shops (Ft lauderdale has many shops) save at least $130 a month
3. Stop buying your kids so many toys. Save at least $100 a month
4. Bath supplies- $50??? Get real, a few bars of soap and a few bottles of shampoo a month, save at least $40 a month.
5. Don't go out so much. Go out one noght a week, pay a teen babysitter $15 for an evening. Save $140 a month

And, NO ONE believes that you actually buy your girls brand new beds, car seats and strollers every single year.

One of your biggest savings would be to move to a 2 bedroom apt for $900, saving over $400 a month. First, children do NOT have to have seperate bedrooms, especially 3 year old twin girls.

You asked if the court would order your ex to pay for half the expenses instead of going by income- the answer is no. There are CS guidelines, what you decide to do with the money is up to you, but when you waste so much money, you have no right to blame anyone for your own wastefulness.

 

[CJane]

is your ex paying any CS at all?

Has to be paying SOMETHING if he's only $7000 in arrears on an order of $150/week. That's not even a year of not paying... and the order's been in effect since 2004.

 

[Bloopy]

I can't belive ya'll are slamming this poor mother when she has the

"sweetest, cutest, BLONDEST little twins"

I mean, these are flaxen darlings of Aryan perfection...