Struggling to stay afloat. What can I do?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why so many people are so quick to suggest you sell the place. What a dumb idea. It's paid off, and although you have property taxes, you sure as hell will spend a lot more on rent or a mortgage on the next place.

OP - your best bet is to take a renter or 2. Or airbnb a room. Dog sitting/boarding is also a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I state the obvious? You need to apply for government assistance. SNAP at the very least.

And disability for you child. ASAP. It's what it's there for!

If there are universities nearby, rent out of room. Vet people closely and demand all sorts of assurances. Even if you just manage the $4k a year by renting out ($333/month), you've got what you need.

Is there an open air market nearby? Bake pies and cupcakes. You can make enough to cover a bill that'll free you up.

I do seasonal fed work to bring in clumps of money that I need for uniforms and Xmas. It looks good on my resume, uses my skills, and covers the financial gaps.

Lastly, please go to a pro bono legal clinic at your local social service and see what your options are re XH. Four grand a year is not a lot to ask/demand.

[Anonymous]

Look into SSI for your child - https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/ssi.html

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the suggestions. My house is mine, free and clear, DH's name is off the deed. If I am struggling to put away $330/month for taxes so selling and moving to somewhere where rent is $800 doesn't help much. The house can be portioned off and rented out, I suppose, but it will take money I don't have. It did have an apartment before so there are two meters, which helps.
I also have some livestock that feed us and one boarder who pays for the livestock instead of rent. Which is huge.

The kid is autistic and explosive and part of the reason we moved to the middle of nowhere. City life was not for him. He can't handle crowds and noise and has thrived raising animals and running through the fields.

I have applied for SIS but was denied.

[Anonymous]

I will apply again because the reason I was denied was because I have $1,000 in the bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will apply again because the reason I was denied was because I have $1,000 in the bank.

Yes, apply again and make sure to clear any accounts with money. If you do get the SSI checks you need to make sure to take out the money every month, or else it will mean you're living the high life because you're not immediately spending all the money you have. Any savings must be hidden at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you spoken to your DH? I would hope he'd help you instead of letting his kids get thrown out onto the street.

Cash out refinance? But you said your credit isn't great.

Dog sitting? Dog walking? My friend gets $40 a dog a day to watch them. It's very easy cash.

Your electric bill is $300? Can't you cut any of that?

The delivery charges for the electric far exceed the charges for the amounts used.
Living in farm country there isn't a need for dog walking but maybe dog sitting is a good idea.

DH, soon to be Ex-DH, doesn't care about the kids, or I. He went four years without working and just growing more and more bitter as the days past. He threatened to kill me and I have an order of protection as a result. He left the state to live with a relative and I haven't heard much from him in nearly a year. Except in regards to our divorce and the kids, he isn't allowed to contact me. I have sole physical and legal custody. He gets whatever is left of his savings and gets to just walk away.

Refinancing or selling really aren't an option. Not just because I can't do that to the kids but because I do have some livestock and a garden. I sell eggs and such but they don't make a killing as the area is saturated with fresh eggs. What I paid $5 for in DC, I sell for $2 here. Taxes are high and my biggest concern.
Also, if I mortgaged the house that would mean I would have to insure it, which I can't afford to do at this point. That means painting (peeling paint) and repairing all 4 porches. I kinda bought a 200 year old farmhouse, a giant one, that needed a ton of work. It cost next to nothing, which was good, but it is still a work in progress.

Can you rent a large portion of your property to a farmer for him to plant his vegetables? Write a simple contract, signed by both you and farmer who rents.
A giant farmhouse - can you rent out a big room to someone? This is probably very doable!

[Anonymous]

I just had another idea. Since you have a farmhouse, do you have a barn or stable? Could you provide housing for someone's horse?!

[Anonymous]

House cleaning? You could do it in the evening or weekend. Yard work? Helping people declutter or get organized?

[Anonymous]

Apply to lower your taxes in your county.
They do that for low income folks, have you ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But you own the house without debt, you could take out a mortgage (reverse mortgage) and free up some of that equity to pay off your monthly necessities. But yeah, selling the house and moving and renting/buying something more affordable would probably be the better option long-term if you don't expect your salary to increase or costs to decline in a few years.

That's exactly how senior citizens get conned out of paid off homes.

OP isn't an 85 year old with Alzheimer's. There's nothing wrong with the reverse mortgage instrument, just the financial terms people agree to. op could get a home equity loan if that makes you feel better, but that's technically fraud if she's not doing improvements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apply to lower your taxes in your county.
They do that for low income folks, have you ask?

+1. You need to contact people in your local government and explain your situation. Most websites have a section on available resources.

[Anonymous]

It makes no sense to take a reverse mortgage or to sell given her housing costs.

You need to file for child support so it is documented - when he works it will go retroactive. Usually one cannot waive child support.

You need to file for medicaid, food stamps, utility assistance, child care, WIC if kids are little.

You need to rent out rooms in your house and if necessary get rid of the live stock. You should easily get food stamps on that income.

If your child is severely impacted by autism and most likely will not be able to function, you need to hire an attorney to get disability for that child. Attorney's charge a portion of the money you get, so you don't pay upfront. If your child is very high functioning, get a child care voucher and get a better paying job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate all the suggestions. My house is mine, free and clear, DH's name is off the deed. If I am struggling to put away $330/month for taxes so selling and moving to somewhere where rent is $800 doesn't help much. The house can be portioned off and rented out, I suppose, but it will take money I don't have. It did have an apartment before so there are two meters, which helps.
I also have some livestock that feed us and one boarder who pays for the livestock instead of rent. Which is huge.

The kid is autistic and explosive and part of the reason we moved to the middle of nowhere. City life was not for him. He can't handle crowds and noise and has thrived raising animals and running through the fields.

I have applied for SIS but was denied.

Why are you making renting more complicated than it needs to be? (By saying you need to spend money?) You just need to get roommates or tenants. You don't need separate meters. Or separate quarters. Share your kitchen if you have to for now. Build your partitions when you have the money.

[Anonymous]

This is very tough OP. If you can't qualify for government assistance, do you have family that might be willing to help? Renting with an autistic child where you have to work and spend money to make it rentable is more money you don't have. It is something people with money fail to understand, in order to earn money by renting you need to spend money, and since you say you are in a middle of nowhere, it is not easy to find a single renter who would take a room and share a bathroom. Though, trying won't hurt either.