How bad has your worst financial problems been?
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Anonymous
| OP, how are you doing? please update us |
Anonymous
+1 I certainly hope you are at the library using the Internet.... I believe handouts such as the food bank are for those who have truly hit bottom which means no internet, cell phone, cable and the likes... |
Anonymous
   
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Anonymous
While I agree with you, we 1) don't know if she has those things, 2) ditching internet might be quite hard with her kids in school (so much is now online, etc), but 3) most importantly even if she ditches internet and cell phones etc, that isn't going to fix the immediate issue of no money and hungry kids. That should be the priority. There's also the very real, however financially short sighted, that terminating a cell phone contract (or multiple) might result in some very big ETFs. That's going to exacerbate issues in the short term not alleviate them. You and I might not look at it that way, but when you are managing cash flow this will be a real concern. OP seems like a reasonable person; and although I wouldn't be surprised of she has a cell phone or internet, and would benefit by not, she seems to be generally quite aware of her situation and the cause of her financial difficulties. I wish her and her family the best. |
Anonymous
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I feel for you OP. I haven't read all of the responses but there was a time, not that long ago when I literally had to choose between putting gas in my car so that I could get to work OR eating. I chose gas for my car. Food pantries were only available to families (not singles like me) so that was not an option for me.
Since you do have kids - I would absolutely go to a food pantry. That is what they are there for. Good luck and I hope things get better for you soon. |
Anonymous
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I learned to stockpile food and supplies, I rarely run out of anything. Buy lots of something when it goes on sale. When you go shopping Buy One Get One Free. Use one and put the other aside. When you can afford it, buy in bulk from stores like Costco or emergency supply stores.
Honeyville sells 25 lbs of beans for about $45, and 50 lbs of rice for $50. Next time you have money, stock up and store in plastic storage buckets, so you always have something on hand when times are tough. http://honeyville.com/ |
Anonymous
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I can't send OP money because I am in basically the same position (except money is coming and can put groceries on a card until paychecks come in), but I just wanted to say, for the people posting on this thread:
The OP is talking about needing groceries. Eliminating the cable and internet bills in the future is not going to fulfill that need. Suggesting a second job is not going to get her food and gas today. I would rather give money, food, help of ANY kind to a person who says, hey, I am struggling, and risk that that person uses the money in ways I would not approve than to withhold assistance I can provide out of suspicion and have someone's kids go hungry at night. If you cannot agree with that statement on basic principle, there is something wrong with your heart. |
Anonymous
| OP, I sent you a gift card to Target. It was a regift! |
Anonymous
I can't help but think of an earlier thread that was on this board where people were asked how much they give to charity -- a few folks sounded really put out about the notion that they should give anything at all, a couple of people said they don't give to charity because Obama didn't give enough before he was president (uh, okay) and someone said that s/he knew someone on food stamps who got a new car, so that's why s/he doesn't donate. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/376751.page I think this OP, if she is legit (please, please be legit!) is just as worthy of charitable donations as any other agency. When people need help, they need help. But I just compare and contrast the response and it's very interesting. I'm not sure what it means - I guess one could say that we prefer to give money when we know where it's going. But it's not as if giving to someone on an anonymous message board really lets us know where the money is going. I'd prefer to think that, despite some of the people on that previous thread, humans generally pull together when we see a need in front of us. |
Anonymous
| I donated to op. Her replies made me believe quite genuinely she's not full of it. I won't say more out of respect but to those who thought this was some kind of scam, I very much doubt it. Not saying it's not possible, but I believe her. |
Anonymous
| In addition to beans and rice, always keep ingredients to make Indian Fry Bread, kids like it. You might find something useful here regarding food...http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/frugal-living/153405-poverty-cooking.html |
Anonymous
| Op are you in Virginia? Loudoun interfaith Relief in Leesburg runs a food bank and as far as I know you can walk in, explain you're in need, and shop. I have donated there and they are a great organization. My husband is in between jobs right now (laid off Thursday but going in to discuss an offer with another company Monday) so we are being careful with money right now just in case, otherwise, I would be compelled to donate as well. I hate to hear of anyone having money problems, there's just nothing so stressful. Sending you lots of love and hoping you can get some food in the fridge and get outside with your kids on this beautiful weekend and get your mind off things. Happy Mothers Day, and thanks to the PP's who took a chance and donated. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thank you for checking up on me.
Two very generous people here donated money, who I have emailed back and for with and thanked profusely, and then immediately went to the grocery store. It was enough to get us a little bit of food. I borrowed a little money from a friend so I could get a half tank of gas. It's the weekend so for today and tomorrow at least, I don't have to worry about what might kids are going to eat at school. Our financial problems came up rather suddenly. Yes we have done all things that have been suggested. And a pp is right - canceling cable, Internet, all of the above, will not help me buy food and gas right this money. I've also listed some things on CL. I hope something happens from that. |
Anonymous
| OP, are you out there, are things better for your family? Hoping they are! |
Anonymous
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I am not sure of your whole situation, but could one of you watch the children and another one of you possible advertise on craigslist and offer babysitting/housecleaning services?
When my own children were young, I was a struggling single mother on a very strict and limited income. I had so much anxiety over how to feed my kids and if our measly amount of money would last us. I hoped and prayed that nothing catastrophic happened that would set us back further than we already were. Every day was a struggle for us. I collected cans and bottles and used that money for food and gas. I also searched Craigslist for babysitting and housecleaning jobs. Good luck OP. I also suggest seeking help at a local church. Many churches are staffed with loving people who would be willing to help out a struggling family such as yours...... |