Single, living on your own and having a Horse.

[Cheesmnky]

Anyone else having the struggle of paying the bills for you(with no help from anyone else) and having a horse? I took on two jobs for the year, and I'm still just barely breaking even. It's a hard struggle and sounds like it'll only get worse?

Anyone want to be roomies and buy a house w/ a pasture together? lol :)

I'm in Illinois... look me up.

[Mercury]

Hehe... I know the struggle. I ended up getting a house with 2 roommates. Plus I have 2 dogs and 3 horses (ok... one is only half mine so I don't have to pay board on him, just food). I worked out a deal with the barn and do barn chores in exchange for free board. My fiance does help, but he's only been around for just over a year so I did it by myself with 2 horses for many years. Plus summer time I'm going to be helping with baling hay, so I'll get a discount on hay. I've gotten good at finding sales on grain too. With the wedding next year though things are definately tight.

[palomino]

I was a single mom for alot of years, some with and some without horses- I know how tight it can be!! Make sure if you get a roomie they are on the up and up tho- I went thru a year with a flaky, crazy roomie, and that was NO fun!!!

[Jump The Moon]

I'm a kid so I don't really know, but, I can imagine I'll be the same when I'm an adult.
I'll end up broke, with as many horses as I can keep and dogs to match! But atleast I'll hope to be happy, after all, that's what really matters. :D

[lovesfortune]

ooh, I 2nd Palomino...crazy roommates are NO FUN! I dealt with one for over a year and it was HORRIBLE! Sounds like Mercury had some good suggestions about working off cost of board/hay..but when you already work two jobs... I feel for yoU!

[vicklynn]

I was single, raising a son, had a horse. I ended up having to sell him after a couple yrs of being out of the military. Money sure changed, and I needed to make a final payment on my house. Was the hardest thing to do, he WAS my love, and his pic will always hang above my desk. City is his replacement, so Im good with it.
Things come around to you when you least expect it.
I sure hope things dont come to that for you.

[WashingtonBay]

I've been there, I've been single and on my own, and had my income fluctuate all over the place from fairly good down to the bare minimum anyone could expect to get by on. Even when hubby and I first moved in together, things were pretty darn tight while he was still looking for work here.

We did the best we could, we tried to live as simply as we could, and we had to credit card some things for many months to make sure everyone got fed and everyone who needed to be paid got paid. But things did turn around, and we're doing pretty well now. Good thing, with everything getting more expensive.

Things are looking up. Gas prices are coming down. Keep hoping for that, it affects everything else.

Roommates aren't an altogether bad idea while you're young. I had roommates in college of course, and it's good life experience to live with someone who is not a relative that you may end up irritated with some of the time while you work things out. Those are good life skills you'll need later, if you're lucky :), and it can help with expenses.

[Sparrk]

Ha, you have to prioritize.

I own my own house, 2 vehicles, have 3 horses, 3 cats, a dog. I accomplished everything by myself, and I admit it was a struggle, but I'm happy to be where I am now.

Although some help, would be nice....................................

[AUEquine]

I'm right there with you! It's really hard! I live in a mobile home, I drive a paid for truck, I don't buy new clothes very often, I don't travel except home, I could care less about shoes or purses!

You adjust! With my job I can just barely squeek by with the horse and the dog. And still have enough to be able to save some, and save a little extra for new tack and goodies!

But I can definalty tell you I'm very much looking forward to Tim and I getting married, double the income and half the bills (not completely, but you know what I mean)!

[Mandzanita]

I feel you! If I were there or you were here I would go in on it! The only reason I am in the house I'm in is because my family owns it and I have four roommates, I still pay a fair chunk for rent though! I have my horse in a less than perfect place (wish he had a larger paddock or pasture) but I can't afford any more on board because I have to pay for his food as well as do my own feeding and cleaning. I work full-time and find it to be a bit of a juggling act to keep everything up to date and paid on time. The stimulus check really helped me because I saved it (I know, I didn't do my part in helping the economy) but it gave me a little cushion in case something comes up.

I have found myself to be quite the bargain shopper and have gotten alot better at WAITING for items that I don't necessarily NEED. I've gotten to be a better cook because I can't go out every meal anymore. Good things come from learning to live on a shoe string budget! I just wish horse could have a better place to hang his hooves :( The actualy facility is GREAT for riding but his stall isn't bery big and he is!

[Steelhorserider]

I have managed to buy a home and keep the horses in grain, but boy do things get tight sometimes. I have to budget very carefully and check the bills against the income every paycheck. It is a struggle, but I wouldn't trade having my horses with me for anything.

[painthorse72]

Im a single mom(newly single) with 1 daughter 3 horses and 3 dogs. Luckily I have a good paying job that also allows for ot if needed and a responsible ex. But with the economy the way it is my work has done some major cutbacks of staff and pay. I lost 20% of my monthly income, not to mention the ex just got laid off so Im kinda worried about that too. A roommates not an option unless it was family (very protective german shepherds). Knock on wood that things start to look up but if not we do have hay for the winter and 5 acres with the horses at home. With gas prices they way they are Id love to trade my truck in but thats really not an option with the animals.

[All4Grace]

When my sister first moved out to CA 2yrs ago I was left to run the barn we leased, care for 6 horses, 3 which were mine and work a full time job.
I lucked out in that I didn't pay board, the 2 horses that paid full board paid for the feed and shaving for the whole barn. My TB was being leased by a very very close friend and she covered all his vet and feet costs. I didn't pay for my cell phone as my sister covered that cost in exchange for having to leave one of her horses behind in MA because of a massive hoof absess she blew the day we were supposed to leave for CA.
I had amazing boarders that helped me out SOOOOOO much, and even when things got rough they were there to help me out. They allowed me use of their truck to get grain, or they paid board a week early so we could get hay if we ran short.
The BO allowed me to rent a room in her house for only $240 a month as I was caring for her two horses.
When a vet bill came around, I missed a few meals, or lived off ramon noodles and water.
Things got tough, but honestly I would never trade my experience because it taught me how to really work hard to keep that I loved.

[ProvenPaint]

I feel for you! I'm in the same boat - recently single & all the furr-babies are solely mine now...my 2 horses, 3 large outside dogs, and a cat that takes special food. I've got a good job, and have picked up a 2nd babysitting - every bit helps! I've done many of what others have suggested too. Although it's not a steady flow, for a boost I've been cleaning out my closets & cabinets for a garage sale. It's amazing what I'm willing to pass on. If it doesn't fit, I haven't used it, or know that I won't use it - it goes. My cousin that came out of a 10 year marriage had a huge garage sale and made just over $1,000! I don't have as much as she does tho...

Wish you were in my area - we could help eachother out! Good luck!

[Roanchar]

I can totally relate with you. in addition to a full time job, I work several part time jobs to pay for my house and clan of four legged friends. For me it is worth it because my life would be very empty without them. I have found that every little bit helps and do some work online. While it by no means is a full time job, taking surveys and reading paid emails does help with the bills.

I think that being able to survive on a small budget has made me a stronger person and I know that I can handle a lot of what life throws at you. I have really surprised myself with what I have been able to tackle over the past few years. Keep your chin up and you may surprise yourself too.

[elleng]

I am also on my own. I own my home and have a decent job but like other's have said you have to prioritize what is important to you. I make a decent living and there are things that I would love to do with my mare but they are not possible right now. My bills are paid and I'm working on cleaning up some debt to make it easier for myself.

[WP~Paint]

I can't really relate to being single and on my own...But, I am a college student and I pay for pretty much all of the extra stuff I want. My fiance is a huge help with my horse...It's only 150 a month for full board...my friend gave me a discount...but that's a lot for someone who makes like 3-350 a month. He pays half of that and helps with my gas and stuff. We also live 45 minutes away, so I use gas! We are getting married in two years after I finish college and I'm afraid we won't be able to afford my horse. I will not go down without a fight though:D!

[zoel_222]

I still live at home, but we have 11 acres so I don't have to pay board. If I was boarding I don't know if I'd be able to afford 1 horse let alone 4. When I move out my mom is letting me keep them here free of charge. Without board it's a lot less spendy. Some months I only pay $60 towards my horses because that's all I need, but July-August I spend about $2300 on them (hay season :rolleyes: )

[magayle]

after reading this post ya all made me so thankfull for my wonderfull husband and our wonderfull life:)

[FoxFireEMT]

I'm a single college student with a horse & two dogs & a cat! I got truck payment, house rent, and the the fun bills that come along with it. So yep, I feel the struggle. I'm tight & cut it close every single pay check. But like the others said budgeting makes it all worth it in the end!

[natisha]

I can't really relate to being single and on my own...But, I am a college student and I pay for pretty much all of the extra stuff I want. My fiance is a huge help with my horse...It's only 150 a month for full board...my friend gave me a discount...but that's a lot for someone who makes like 3-350 a month. He pays half of that and helps with my gas and stuff. We also live 45 minutes away, so I use gas! We are getting married in two years after I finish college and I'm afraid we won't be able to afford my horse. I will not go down without a fight though:D!

Why do you think you may not be able to afford your horse after you are married? If you can manage on your own surely it would be easier being out of school, employed with 2 incomes.
If being married meant I had to give up my horse that would be a deal breaker for me. A husband should enhance your life, not be your life. Of course this is coming from comfirmed marriage phobic ,single, happy gal.

[zoel_222]

Why do you think you may not be able to afford your horse after you are married? If you can manage on your own surely it would be easier being out of school, employed with 2 incomes.
If being married meant I had to give up my horse that would be a deal breaker for me. A husband should enhance your life, not be your life. Of course this is coming from comfirmed marriage phobic ,single, happy gal.

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[John Boy]

Anyone else having the struggle of paying the bills for you(with no help from anyone else) and having a horse? I took on two jobs for the year, and I'm still just barely breaking even. It's a hard struggle and sounds like it'll only get worse?

Anyone want to be roomies and buy a house w/ a pasture together? lol :)

I'm in Illinois... look me up.
------------
One must gamble to get ahead. Best advise I learned from an old white haired sage.
Won't go into details , but I am quite happy with what surrounds me , and I have lived my whole adult life from 18 to 50 single. Wealth is in the eye's of the beholder.
Material things are just that. However I will say , the last 5-8 years have put a strain on me financially in many ways that I have gambled and have gotten by. Ironically our socialistic society has been economically structured to a traditional family with 2 incomes. That said - who cares ... let's live and ride horses.
---------I was down by your region in Birmingham,Ill about two weeks ago. It was summer compared to where I am from , and could not believe all the darn corn. I thought Nebraska was the corn belt !! ;)

[Remali]

Glad that you posted this....so many days I feel like I am in the minority. I am single, no kids, and pretty much all of my family have passed away....closest relatives are a couple elderly aunts and uncles about 185 miles away. I rent, and live alone. It's been tough, and of course I have had some health woes this past summer after losing a job (I had ulcers and stomach issues that flared up and got bad for a time).....but I am determined to make horse ownership work for me.....I board my horse at a place that just offers pasture board, to keep costs down. I don't go out, I hardly ever buy new clothes, and it's a good thing I like to eat noodles....lol. But, it's tough being on your own, and some days I wish I had a roommate to help with living costs, but so many of my closest friends are either married or live about 100 miles from me. I'm willing to give up a lot of things to have a horse (I gave up cable TV, going out to eat, vacations, etc.), but that is how I want it....I cannot imagine life without a horse. My animals are my family.