How much does it cost per month?

Right now I’m in an interesting financial state. I am essentially unemployed, so I have drastically (and I mean drastically) cut my expenses. I am currently only paying $25 a month to maintain my relationship with my handsome husband.

Here’s a screenshot of my current budget plan.

As you can see, only the Securus category (which is our new email app) is getting any money—$25 a month.

The Family Visit category was so much ($1770 every four months) because I live in Texas, and he’s in California. But I will be moving back to my soul’s home this summer, so this category will radically reduce. The family visit costs will then be just the food we have to order (about $200) and time off work.

The canteen category at $66.34 per month pays for things besides canteen. He doesn’t buy food at canteen because it’s not a very healthy selection. It should really be titled Living Expenses, because it’s allotted for food sales and Securus costs.

He used to get nine packages a year, and now he’s trying to live on six packages a year, or less. A package typically costs $150-$300. This is how he obtains healthy food, clothing and other necessities of life like hygiene items. (Of interest, since I’ve looked through several catalogs, inmates can also purchase electronics and art & craft supplies, among other things.)  

Who pays for what?

Historically, for the most part, MFT pays for his own things and still has money to supplement my life. (What a great guy!)

My heart wants to pay for all of MFT’s needs and desires, but more often than not, he can’t help himself and diverts the money back to me. (What’d I tell you—he’s a great guy! And don’t worry, when it’s all said and done, I’ll make sure he gets all the goodness he deserves.)

How do you send money?

There are three ways in California, and they are detailed at this website.

Basically,

1. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) with a fee—very fast, only 1-3 days
2. Lock Box—send your check or money order to JPay, and there’s a 10-day hold. But, no fee!
3. Money order, cashiers check, or personal check to the prison—no fee, but much slower as there’s an incredible 30-day hold. Plan ahead for this option.

What is canteen / packages / chow like?

My dear misfit toy will have to answer this question:

In a nutshell, it’s all processed food and sugar.

Canteen—a lot of processed food, sugar, carbs, and unhealthy meats

Packages—a lot more healthy options, but still a lot of processed carbs and sugar

Chow—a lot of grossness, but I have some people bringing me things that are less gross and fairly healthy

How do phone calls and video calls work?

Since I am never one to reinvent any sort of round tool, please read my posts on this topic here. (The company we use for emails and phone calls has changed, so the details and recorded messages are slightly different, but it’s essentially the same process.)

What apps do you use to communicate?

We’ve had several over our six years of togetherness.

1. JPay
2. GTL
3. And now, most recently, and most excitedly because it has functional voice-to-text on HIS end, Securus!

All three work basically the same—they let you text/email back-and-forth. And all three are crappy as apps go. They all have issues. There is obviously no incentive to provide decent service to families and loved ones of inmates. (There is a post churning about in my head to write about the invisibility of us out here.)

How do you plan visits (travel, time off work, etc.)?

Since I’ve been in Texas, which has coincidentally coincided with the beginning of our family visits, I fly to see him for each visit, every four months. I have been working as a caregiver/home health aide/remote editor with no PTO, so I have had to save up for my missed income (the $500 in my Family Visits category). I use travel points to help with the travel costs, and I’ve been able to get some pretty good deals (especially by taking advantage of the bonus points when you open a new credit card).

However, this summer, as I mentioned above (but I’m really so excited I can’t mention it enough), I’m moving back to California and I’ll be living only an hour from my heart’s desire. We are going to gorge ourselves on regular day visits! I’ll be so full of love and happiness the COs will have to roll me back to my car.

Coming Up Next: Trust & Truth Questions