Quote Originally Posted by pomtzu View Post
Melissa - a part time job isn't always the answer anyway, so maybe it's just as well that you can't do it. It's a quick temporary fix for the present, but hardly a long time cure, and you would find that out next year when you filed your taxes. My ex always insisted we needed the extra money (we didn't), and he always worked a part time job in addition to his full time one. And every year it screwed us up and we got much less back on Federal, and ended up paying State. Unless you can find a job that would pay you "under the table", then you could be in the same position you are now.
For anyone reading this thread, and feeling the pinch in their own household (and, really, who isn't), please note that working a second job(or more hours at your first job) IS the only way to bring more money into your household.

Getting more or less money back from the government is not a 'working 2 jobs' problem, it is not taking enough (or too many) deductions on the form (W-4)you fill out. I have heard that it is recommended that for for your second job, you claim 0 exemptions/dependents so that the highest amount of tax is taken out. That will cover you at the end of the year, and you will still get a refund. (Getting a refund, or a large refund, is a whole 'nother financial discussion).

Melissa- I am not encouraging YOU to get a second job...just don't want anyone that reads this to think there isn't any benefit to getting a second job to help you get out from under.