Budgeting is a big issue for single Augusta parent
Sophie Baconnet
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Special Report
The Department of Family and Child Services was already packed early in the morning.
Janet Clark, 22, was there for her 3-year-old son Dylan. Clark works at T.G.I. Fridays five days a week, 25 hours a week, and warns between $700 and $800 a month, tips included.
Clark said she has been working at T.G.I. Fridays for about two and a half to three years. It first started out as her secondary job, but it is now her primary job. Clark used to work at Physician Practice Group (PPG) in downtown Augusta and T.G.I. Fridays at the same time.
"I'm certified in medical billing," she said. "Goodwill was doing a program for 21-year-olds and under, and they sent me to learn about medical billing. They trained us, which was like $500, and they intended me out to PPG."
After she finished her internship, Clark applied for a job at PPG and eventually worked in the mail room.
Yet, because she did not have time to take care of her son, she decided to work at T.G.I. Fridays only.
"The money was good," she said. "After taxes and medical insurance it was about $900, but my son needed me to be a mommy, which was really hard, especially when I had to wake up in the morning and be on out the door before he could actually get up himself. And at the same time, I wasn't being a mom, leaving him to strangers taking care of him."
In fact, when Clark was still working at PPG, she was spending $95 a week in child care. Now that family members help her take care of her son while she is at work, she spends $50 a week for babysitting.
"I'm really lucky that my family can help me. I would not be able to keep up spending $400 in child care only."
Because Clark cannot afford to pay for health insurance, she was seeking help at The Family and Child Services Office in downtown Augusta. She filled out a form to get medical insurance for her son.
"I have to manage my bills just right," she said. "Medical insurance is a big thing. I'm a single parent, so I don't get a lot of extras. (When there is) a family of three and tow of them have minimum wage, it might be possible. But for me, it's really, really hard."
Janet Clark, 22, was there for her 3-year-old son Dylan. Clark works at T.G.I. Fridays five days a week, 25 hours a week, and warns between $700 and $800 a month, tips included.
Clark said she has been working at T.G.I. Fridays for about two and a half to three years. It first started out as her secondary job, but it is now her primary job. Clark used to work at Physician Practice Group (PPG) in downtown Augusta and T.G.I. Fridays at the same time.
"I'm certified in medical billing," she said. "Goodwill was doing a program for 21-year-olds and under, and they sent me to learn about medical billing. They trained us, which was like $500, and they intended me out to PPG."
After she finished her internship, Clark applied for a job at PPG and eventually worked in the mail room.
Yet, because she did not have time to take care of her son, she decided to work at T.G.I. Fridays only.
"The money was good," she said. "After taxes and medical insurance it was about $900, but my son needed me to be a mommy, which was really hard, especially when I had to wake up in the morning and be on out the door before he could actually get up himself. And at the same time, I wasn't being a mom, leaving him to strangers taking care of him."
In fact, when Clark was still working at PPG, she was spending $95 a week in child care. Now that family members help her take care of her son while she is at work, she spends $50 a week for babysitting.
"I'm really lucky that my family can help me. I would not be able to keep up spending $400 in child care only."
Because Clark cannot afford to pay for health insurance, she was seeking help at The Family and Child Services Office in downtown Augusta. She filled out a form to get medical insurance for her son.
"I have to manage my bills just right," she said. "Medical insurance is a big thing. I'm a single parent, so I don't get a lot of extras. (When there is) a family of three and tow of them have minimum wage, it might be possible. But for me, it's really, really hard."
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