When I was 5+, our kindergarten required us all to bring our Bibles. I was then gifted by my parents, with a pastel pink, genuine leather full sized Precious Moments Bible with just a few pictures but it was NKJV. We read them together in class everyday. And I will never forget how precious it was to me -- the smell of a new leather Bible -- and the softness of the pink -- but most of all, the words of Jesus in red. When my daughter was turning 6, I made sure I bought her that exact Bible. She is turning 13 next month but still uses it.
First of all, the two of you are one. Your bank account should be one. Secondly, you need to live within your means. $600 is way too much to be spending on clothes and stuff in a month if that doesn't include groceries. Learn to get second hand items from marketplace and thrift shops. Thirdly, get rid of the credit card. It will affect your ability to get another house loan or refinance if you need. Fourthly, stop eating out. If you really want to, have a picnic or pack food. Especially the drinks - no buying coffee, and don't start that habit in your kids. It's the lifestyle, and a mindset that needs to change. Fifthly, be a crunchy mom. Stick to healthier, one-ingredient food items on your shopping lists. I know they sound a lot more expensive but the truth is that, you will find yourself buying less junk and more real food, and packing home cooked food more than you eat out. Next, if you have an uncontrollable impulse to obtain more items for your kids, learn to collec...