Anonymous wrote:OP, cancel internet. Cancel cell phone. Cancel cable TV. If you are really desperate, get a second job.

How do you know OP and his/her DH/DW don't have two jobs? Or three jobs? How do you know they have cable? How do you know they don't have the cheapest Virgin Mobile burner cell phone? How do you know they aren't at a 24/7 McDonald's using free Wi-Fi? You have no idea what it's like to be poor, what OP's life is like. Get out of here.

This is one of the more heartwarming threads I've read on DCUM, and this is not generally a place that can be called "heartwarming."

I'm choosing to believe. OP, the very best of luck to you, I know you can come through this on the other side.

Anonymous wrote:OP, cancel internet. Cancel cell phone. Cancel cable TV. If you are really desperate, get a second job.

You're being condescending and making assumptions.

If it makes you feel better, in the winter of 1992, while living in Binghamton NY, I was down to $600....no income. No place to live. I was sleeping in my car. I was also a graduate student, but had my funding cut, and could not pay the one credit of tuition required to remain a student, so I took a leave of absence. I also had no credit to borrow against.

I made it through that time...I was able to find some freelance work, which got me through. Then, I worked hard, got my funding back, finished my degree in 1994, and have been working 20 years since.

Things can get better.

Op what state are you in? Better yet, what city? I have several contacts in the area I could share that might help.

Hopefully you don't have boys (they eat too much!)

OP, you mentioned wanting to sell some things. Have you thought of consigning? I know that you won't get the cash instantly and the consignment shop takes a cut but you might do better than ebaying? Also, what about having a yard sale? Get rid of all the stuff you don't want or haven't used in a long time. We had a yard sale a couple years ago mostly to get rid of baby stuff we no longer needed. We made around $200, enough to pay a bill and buy some food.

OP, cancel internet. Cancel cell phone. Cancel cable TV. If you are really desperate, get a second job.

Anonymous wrote:Hey guys, don't give money to people on the internet who claim to be poor. Just don't.

I'm the OP. I'm not a scammer, and I'm not into the practice of coming online and pretending to be poor. I know that on an anonymous internet forum, nothing I could say would absolutely prove the integrity of my posts - but I'm for real.

And we're not some sloppy, lazy people who waste money on something stupid one week, just to be broke the next, and then come to DCUM to cry because we can't buy something stupid we think we need. Nor are we unemployed. Nor is this something that we've ever experienced before.

My kids are a little older. They aren't babies or toddlers. No food in the fridge = something is wrong. I'm not ashamed to tell them what's going on - life is teaching them a hard lesson. They just don't know how dire it is. They are definitely learning what it means to take nothing for granted, however.

Please check your email. Hang in there. Please seek out a food pantry and emergency assistance.

OP, so, so sorry you are going through this. I agree with PPs that say look into food banks and food stamps. Two of my friends from graduate school had to get food stamps pretty much right out of school because they couldn't find a job.

Our CSA is starting up pretty soon and they always donate any unclaimed shares, as well as what ever is left in the swap box at the end of pick up time. I know canned veggies are cheap, but fresh veggies are healthier and will make you feel like you're eating "real" food (at least, it would me)

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.

This, their fresh produce can be pretty inexpensive too.

Anonymous wrote:Hey guys, don't give money to people on the internet who claim to be poor. Just don't.

It's not a habit of mine.

Hey guys, don't give money to people on the internet who claim to be poor. Just don't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

rockyriverroad@gmail.com

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.

No worries. Happy to help. Funds on their way tomorrow morning.

Anonymous wrote: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?

There's a For Sale section of DCUM, so I assume so.