I need about $20k to get us through a layoff-home equity loan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To all the people suggesting side gigs — how much are you thinking OP will clear with these gigs? Not a lot. She needs $20k. Earning $1k per month isn’t going to make much of a dent in that.

$1k per month can cover food and utilities.

Sell stuff to come up with daycare payments for at least a month or two.

Didn't they already sell the second car? When folks recommend to sell stuff I wonder what they have lying around the house that will bring in anything worthwhile.

It depends. It's a pain to resell stuff but if you aren't employed and the kids are in daycare, you do have some time in between job interviews and such.

So yeah, you can list old baby clothes and toys, furniture, sports equipment, that exercise bikeyou don't use; boots or shoes in good condition, electronics, patio furniture or yard work supplies, a pet crate, storage and organization stuff, musical instruments. Anything you aren't actively using, or anything you could live without needing to replace down the line is a good start.

I declutter stuff all the time by taking it to a thrift store; I could resell it but it isn't worth my time. But if you are unemployed it could be worth your time. Many people could earn at least $1000 this way.

I’ve been very critical of OP (still am) but it doesn’t sound like $1000k will even make a tiny dent in her shortfall.

Sure it will. $1000 here, $1000 there .. it all adds up.

And every $1000 you earn somehow is $1000 less you need to borrow, right?

You have multiple thousands of dollars worth of sellable junk in your house? I don't.

A friend of mine’s parents died, they had a lotttt of stuff but lower middle class so nothing name brand (unless you’re talking beanie babies). She made over $20k after hosting multiple multiple garage sales. People come out of the woodwork for those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To all the people suggesting side gigs — how much are you thinking OP will clear with these gigs? Not a lot. She needs $20k. Earning $1k per month isn’t going to make much of a dent in that.

$1k per month can cover food and utilities.

Sell stuff to come up with daycare payments for at least a month or two.

Didn't they already sell the second car? When folks recommend to sell stuff I wonder what they have lying around the house that will bring in anything worthwhile.

It depends. It's a pain to resell stuff but if you aren't employed and the kids are in daycare, you do have some time in between job interviews and such.

So yeah, you can list old baby clothes and toys, furniture, sports equipment, that exercise bikeyou don't use; boots or shoes in good condition, electronics, patio furniture or yard work supplies, a pet crate, storage and organization stuff, musical instruments. Anything you aren't actively using, or anything you could live without needing to replace down the line is a good start.

I declutter stuff all the time by taking it to a thrift store; I could resell it but it isn't worth my time. But if you are unemployed it could be worth your time. Many people could earn at least $1000 this way.

I’ve been very critical of OP (still am) but it doesn’t sound like $1000k will even make a tiny dent in her shortfall.

Sure it will. $1000 here, $1000 there .. it all adds up.

And every $1000 you earn somehow is $1000 less you need to borrow, right?

You have multiple thousands of dollars worth of sellable junk in your house? I don't.

DP

You have no jewelry? Not even a wedding ring? No sterling silver flatware? No nice shoes? Nice handbag?
Your kids don't have any video game devices? No tools?
I bet you have a lot "sellable junk" in your house, it just depends on whether or not you're willing to sell it.

Of the things you listed I have wedding rings and a nintendo switch and my husband has some random tools. Thankfully unlike OP we have plenty of savings, even if we went to zero income for a year.

Same. Some of us don’t blow a ton of money on “junk”, crazy right??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

Also to add, none of the therapists that treat that condition are in-network for any insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To all the people suggesting side gigs — how much are you thinking OP will clear with these gigs? Not a lot. She needs $20k. Earning $1k per month isn’t going to make much of a dent in that.

$1k per month can cover food and utilities.

Sell stuff to come up with daycare payments for at least a month or two.

Didn't they already sell the second car? When folks recommend to sell stuff I wonder what they have lying around the house that will bring in anything worthwhile.

It depends. It's a pain to resell stuff but if you aren't employed and the kids are in daycare, you do have some time in between job interviews and such.

So yeah, you can list old baby clothes and toys, furniture, sports equipment, that exercise bikeyou don't use; boots or shoes in good condition, electronics, patio furniture or yard work supplies, a pet crate, storage and organization stuff, musical instruments. Anything you aren't actively using, or anything you could live without needing to replace down the line is a good start.

I declutter stuff all the time by taking it to a thrift store; I could resell it but it isn't worth my time. But if you are unemployed it could be worth your time. Many people could earn at least $1000 this way.

I’ve been very critical of OP (still am) but it doesn’t sound like $1000k will even make a tiny dent in her shortfall.

Sure it will. $1000 here, $1000 there .. it all adds up.

And every $1000 you earn somehow is $1000 less you need to borrow, right?

You have multiple thousands of dollars worth of sellable junk in your house? I don't.

DP

You have no jewelry? Not even a wedding ring? No sterling silver flatware? No nice shoes? Nice handbag?
Your kids don't have any video game devices? No tools?
I bet you have a lot "sellable junk" in your house, it just depends on whether or not you're willing to sell it.

Of the things you listed I have wedding rings and a nintendo switch and my husband has some random tools. Thankfully unlike OP we have plenty of savings, even if we went to zero income for a year.

Same. Some of us don’t blow a ton of money on “junk”, crazy right??

You guys. OP said on the first page of this thread, "I am selling a bunch of stuff and that should get us $2-3k."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To all the people suggesting side gigs — how much are you thinking OP will clear with these gigs? Not a lot. She needs $20k. Earning $1k per month isn’t going to make much of a dent in that.

$1k per month can cover food and utilities.

Sell stuff to come up with daycare payments for at least a month or two.

Didn't they already sell the second car? When folks recommend to sell stuff I wonder what they have lying around the house that will bring in anything worthwhile.

It depends. It's a pain to resell stuff but if you aren't employed and the kids are in daycare, you do have some time in between job interviews and such.

So yeah, you can list old baby clothes and toys, furniture, sports equipment, that exercise bikeyou don't use; boots or shoes in good condition, electronics, patio furniture or yard work supplies, a pet crate, storage and organization stuff, musical instruments. Anything you aren't actively using, or anything you could live without needing to replace down the line is a good start.

I declutter stuff all the time by taking it to a thrift store; I could resell it but it isn't worth my time. But if you are unemployed it could be worth your time. Many people could earn at least $1000 this way.

I’ve been very critical of OP (still am) but it doesn’t sound like $1000k will even make a tiny dent in her shortfall.

Sure it will. $1000 here, $1000 there .. it all adds up.

And every $1000 you earn somehow is $1000 less you need to borrow, right?

You have multiple thousands of dollars worth of sellable junk in your house? I don't.

DP

You have no jewelry? Not even a wedding ring? No sterling silver flatware? No nice shoes? Nice handbag?
Your kids don't have any video game devices? No tools?
I bet you have a lot "sellable junk" in your house, it just depends on whether or not you're willing to sell it.

Of the things you listed I have wedding rings and a nintendo switch and my husband has some random tools. Thankfully unlike OP we have plenty of savings, even if we went to zero income for a year.

Same. Some of us don’t blow a ton of money on “junk”, crazy right??

PP that asked if a poster had jewelry, sterling silver flatware, etc. here

Yes, I used the word "junk" because that is the word the other PP used--saying "You have multiple thousands of dollars worth of sellable junk in your house? I don't."

I also don't blow money on "junk"--I buy very few things, but they tend to be high quality. That's why many of them have resale value.
My point is, in general people have a lot of things they COULD sell. They don't want to "Oh, the ring my grandmother gave me? Oh no! I'll NEVER sell THAT!" but then complain that they have no way to come up with money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

Exactly. Some pp's here are adamant that because OP described them as "small" and has childcare for them, they must be newborns or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

Also to add, none of the therapists that treat that condition are in-network for any insurance.

So you use your health insurance, and the following year you budget for it. No one is saying medical costs are not obnoxious, but they’re hardly surprising. That’s literally the point of health insurance - to limit surprises and allow you to budget. You are bad with money if your kids’ multi-year health condition frequently made you broke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

Also to add, none of the therapists that treat that condition are in-network for any insurance.

So you use your health insurance, and the following year you budget for it. No one is saying medical costs are not obnoxious, but they’re hardly surprising. That’s literally the point of health insurance - to limit surprises and allow you to budget. You are bad with money if your kids’ multi-year health condition frequently made you broke.

DP: The sanctimoniousness combined with cluelessness of people here is so obnoxious. Medical costs hardly surprising?? It's not like they don't drastically change year to year for children and treatments for children often fall in uncovered/off-label category (even many pediatric cancer treatments!) so they don't count towards out-of-pocket maximums so you can't use that as a guide either. Not to mention how you might find yourself unable to work full-time because of caregiving demands or having to find more expensive childcare than everyone else. I'm not saying OPs in this situation, but PP here in my view made some appalling more general comments about people who are dealing with developing children with special needs whose health needs unfold and change over time.

[Anonymous]

Op here. This thread has really gone off the rails a bit.

I’d prefer not to get into all the details of my finances, because I wasn’t looking for a comprehensive review. I had a specific question I got it answered, and I greatly appreciate the replies.

One thing we did that has helped tremendously-I had forgotten about our childcare FSA and healthcare FSA (I might be using the wrong words for these). We never reimburse in real time and usually do it in Jan/feb/March when we turn to taxes. So I’ve already come up with $7600 I didn’t know we had.

The job in January is as certain as any job can be. Signed contract, definite start date. But I’m hoping to land something better and hence all the interviews. I’ve got a good shot of landing something better and might be able to start earlier than January.

I think we will scrape by and be Ok. I’ve been able to sell $1000 worth of stuff in the last week as well.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Y'all are so off topic. OP's kids are small and don't have mental health issues. She was just living to the max and it bit her in the a$$.

My child was diagnosed with a mental health condition when she was 2.5 yo. We've spent thousands on therapy for that condition.

Also to add, none of the therapists that treat that condition are in-network for any insurance.

So you use your health insurance, and the following year you budget for it. No one is saying medical costs are not obnoxious, but they’re hardly surprising. That’s literally the point of health insurance - to limit surprises and allow you to budget. You are bad with money if your kids’ multi-year health condition frequently made you broke.

It is obvious you haven't dealt with high quality therapists and psychiatrists. If you can get an appointment, very few accept medical insurance. I waited a year for an appt and pay close to $300 an hour for my dc's therapist and none of it is covered. Yes, I can use HSA but that is a drop in the bucket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. This thread has really gone off the rails a bit.

I’d prefer not to get into all the details of my finances, because I wasn’t looking for a comprehensive review. I had a specific question I got it answered, and I greatly appreciate the replies.

One thing we did that has helped tremendously-I had forgotten about our childcare FSA and healthcare FSA (I might be using the wrong words for these). We never reimburse in real time and usually do it in Jan/feb/March when we turn to taxes. So I’ve already come up with $7600 I didn’t know we had.

The job in January is as certain as any job can be. Signed contract, definite start date. But I’m hoping to land something better and hence all the interviews. I’ve got a good shot of landing something better and might be able to start earlier than January.

I think we will scrape by and be Ok. I’ve been able to sell $1000 worth of stuff in the last week as well.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

New poster - cheering you on and glad to hear you’re doing ok!

[Anonymous]

Your husband should pick up a side gig and so should you. Wait tables, Uber nights/weekends, tutor, babysit, etc. Get extra cash in the door.

And at the risk of stating the obvious: do not buy anything. Cut your grocery bill back as far as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. This thread has really gone off the rails a bit.

I’d prefer not to get into all the details of my finances, because I wasn’t looking for a comprehensive review. I had a specific question I got it answered, and I greatly appreciate the replies.

One thing we did that has helped tremendously-I had forgotten about our childcare FSA and healthcare FSA (I might be using the wrong words for these). We never reimburse in real time and usually do it in Jan/feb/March when we turn to taxes. So I’ve already come up with $7600 I didn’t know we had.

The job in January is as certain as any job can be. Signed contract, definite start date. But I’m hoping to land something better and hence all the interviews. I’ve got a good shot of landing something better and might be able to start earlier than January.

I think we will scrape by and be Ok. I’ve been able to sell $1000 worth of stuff in the last week as well.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

New poster - cheering you on and glad to hear you’re doing ok!

+1
Sounds good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. This thread has really gone off the rails a bit.

I’d prefer not to get into all the details of my finances, because I wasn’t looking for a comprehensive review. I had a specific question I got it answered, and I greatly appreciate the replies.

One thing we did that has helped tremendously-I had forgotten about our childcare FSA and healthcare FSA (I might be using the wrong words for these). We never reimburse in real time and usually do it in Jan/feb/March when we turn to taxes. So I’ve already come up with $7600 I didn’t know we had.

The job in January is as certain as any job can be. Signed contract, definite start date. But I’m hoping to land something better and hence all the interviews. I’ve got a good shot of landing something better and might be able to start earlier than January.

I think we will scrape by and be Ok. I’ve been able to sell $1000 worth of stuff in the last week as well.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

Great news, thanks for the update! Stuff happens in life, I am glad you were able to push through. Best of luck to you going forward and hopefully your other interviews result in a better offer.