How bad has your worst financial problems been?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're suffering tremendously, and just wondered if anyone has been in a really tough financial spot before.

We have $150 to last until May 15. That has to cover gas, food, everything. We have three kids. And currently no food in the house. It's hard not get really, really depressed.

What do you do when the times get really tough? Other than the spouses try not to kill each other.

I'll send you a $100. Can you post an email I can contact you at?

That really is very kind of you to offer. Despite how desperate we need it, it feels really weird to accept money from complete a complete stranger.

To answer a few of your questions: if we had close family to turn to, or close friends, we would. DH's parents have passed away and my parents are financially completely unable. If we had available credit cards, we would use them. I'm just at a loss for what to do.

Well, the offer stands. I'll say this thiugh.... who gives a shit if I'm a stranger? Isn't that better anyway so you don't feel some kind of debt towards me like you might a friend or a family member?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Regarding my post above, to the PP who offered to help - I meant general "you", when I was talking about answering others' questions. Not you, specifically.

But again, thank you for your offer to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're suffering tremendously, and just wondered if anyone has been in a really tough financial spot before.

We have $150 to last until May 15. That has to cover gas, food, everything. We have three kids. And currently no food in the house. It's hard not get really, really depressed.

What do you do when the times get really tough? Other than the spouses try not to kill each other.

I'll send you a $100. Can you post an email I can contact you at?

That really is very kind of you to offer. Despite how desperate we need it, it feels really weird to accept money from complete a complete stranger.

To answer a few of your questions: if we had close family to turn to, or close friends, we would. DH's parents have passed away and my parents are financially completely unable. If we had available credit cards, we would use them. I'm just at a loss for what to do.

Well, the offer stands. I'll say this thiugh.... who gives a shit if I'm a stranger? Isn't that better anyway so you don't feel some kind of debt towards me like you might a friend or a family member?

We posted at the same time

[Anonymous]

I was single at the time, but I went 2 months one summer between college semesters on $300. Hamburger helper, rice and beans, ramen, peanut butter. I was also $12K in debt due to the loss of my academic scholarship. I cried a lot that summer...So sorry you're going through this OP, but it does get better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, when things were at there worst, I exercised a lot. Running helped me keep my sanity and also gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence when everything else was going wrong. You will get through it.

In the meantime, dried beans and rice. Sale cans of veggies. Eggs are also a cheap protein. Aldi probably has the best prices on all of these around.

Very good advice! I would sub frozen vegetables for can ones. Make chili, a chicken (quarter pieces /peas dish, pancakes for the week, eggs and Ramen Noodle 10/$1, Drink water. WORK OUT! Have the entire family exercise.

[Anonymous]

I created a gmail account. My personal email has my name in it.

[e-mail]

When we are in a better place, such that we could pass it on to someone else in need, we absolutely will.

[Anonymous]

Pregnant and no food to eat bad. Currently out of money until payday (may 9th) but someone kindly gave me a ton of groceries so we wont go hungry. I'll have to take my bank account negative to pay the water and gas bill but sometimes that's just the way it goes down. We'll make it through though. I can stretch the shit out of a penny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, when things were at there worst, I exercised a lot. Running helped me keep my sanity and also gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence when everything else was going wrong. You will get through it.

In the meantime, dried beans and rice. Sale cans of veggies. Eggs are also a cheap protein. Aldi probably has the best prices on all of these around.

Very good advice! I would sub frozen vegetables for can ones. Make chili, a chicken (quarter pieces /peas dish, pancakes for the week, eggs and Ramen Noodle 10/$1, Drink water. WORK OUT! Have the entire family exercise.

I wish I felt like exercising. I feel like crawling in a hole to die. It really does feel hopeless.

To make things exponentially worse, my DH and I are fighting because of this. It's very isolating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pregnant and no food to eat bad. Currently out of money until payday (may 9th) but someone kindly gave me a ton of groceries so we wont go hungry. I'll have to take my bank account negative to pay the water and gas bill but sometimes that's just the way it goes down. We'll make it through though. I can stretch the shit out of a penny

Groceries really are the world. If you open the fridge and it's bare, and your kids are complaining because there isn't anything to eat, it's a constant reminder.

A friend of mine on Facebook posted yesterday that she was irritated because she had a cart full of $300 worth of groceries from Costco in her car, but "some idiot in front of me rear ended another car, so I'm stuck in traffic, and all my frozen food is going to melt!"

Sigh.

[Anonymous]

OP, please seek out help. Once upon a time, my parents were broke and I was a very insecure teen, but we sought out help from our church, social services, even food stamps (now EBT). I was "government cheese poor" -- meaning we were so poor that we received cheese and other dairy products from a program.

Capital Area Food Bank is an excellent place to start: https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/

CAFB will connect you with a food bank and other partner groups in your neighborhood if you're not in the city. More than just a food bank, CAFB will connect you with social services and a host of other programs.

So Others Might Eat is another great provider: http://www.some.org/ Some.org provides food, job counseling and social services.

Most importantly, both have counseling, support and a non-judgmental atmosphere that offers hope.

Good Luck! Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I created a gmail account. My personal email has my name in it.

[e-mail]

When we are in a better place, such that we could pass it on to someone else in need, we absolutely will.

Email sent. Hope this is OP and not some profiteer, but such is the risk I take.

[Anonymous]

Check your email, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I created a gmail account. My personal email has my name in it.

[e-mail]

When we are in a better place, such that we could pass it on to someone else in need, we absolutely will.

Email sent. Hope this is OP and not some profiteer, but such is the risk I take.

I 100% promise, this is the OP.

If I could come through the computer and give you a hug, whomever you may be, it would be the biggest hug you have ever had.

[Anonymous]

I have a question I hope someone can help me with:

Is it OK to try to sell things here on DCUM? I do have a few valuable (with proof of authenticity) things, that I would like to sell. Ebay takes out too much of a percentage, and takes too long.

Think: high end purses and jewelry.

What I have, I'm sure someone would like to have. They were gifts, most not even used. Is it OK to try to sell stuff on this website?

[Anonymous]

^^Obviously, above post is from me, OP.