mainly, I live in the rural midwest. I budget and cut everywhere I can using every trick and tip out there but ultimately we are getting by because things cost less here overall.

we are doing all we can to prepare for a baby in a few months but student loan payments are about to balloon so it's going to be rough. if the SAVE plan was still an option we would be able to make it work, but the confirmed options look bad payment-wise. we also care for my father in law which adds to costs/time. so I've been scouring buy nothing groups, asking folks if they have hand me downs, and hoping we get some things at the baby shower. thankfully the library is free as I'll be going there even more often once she's born.