September ~~Low Income Thread~~ - Page 7

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Jyotsna

I have another smaller problem, but still worrisome. I have been buying the 20lb bag of rice from Whole Foods, that is long, brown, basmati rice. They are not carrying that now, but another short grain brown rice. Our family depends on this rice as part of our diet. We eat rice every single day. I've asked them if they can order, but the person I spoke to doesn't know.

Anyone know a friend or family member who works at Whole Foods? Can I order this? This is vital to our diet. I am currently buying from their bulk bins, about 5lbs at a time. It's much more expensive that way!

I special order stuff all the time, they probably stopped carrying it due to low sales but talk to the grocery manager and they can order it for you.

[cwat]

Jyotsna, I agree with Satori, talk to the manager of the store, they usually will be very nice about it if they know you are interested in a specific product.

Well, it's Monday, and Labor Day to boot. And what am I doing up at 6am in the morning?!?! Getting ready to go to work (of course Please (whoever) let today be quiet and not a complete madhouse like Saturday was (beg)

[cwat]

Well, today was interesting... but at least there were no stupid callers today, just super busy. Why do people insist on calling places when they KNOW it's a holiday (sigh)
Anyway, Happy Labor Day all.

[Madders]

I'm joining in.

I'm broke. I received a letter today saying my student loan is going into defult and the only way to stop that is to pay $200. I don't have $200 to pay them

Just two weeks ago, I was told my forbarence was approved and that I didn't need to start making payments until November of next year. As it turns out that was a "mistake".

They are sending me the paper work to get my payments lowered, but I still have to come up with the $200 first. I have no idea how to come up with this money, as it is we're barely getting the necessary bills paid. (actually, we're not every month...)

I hate this!

[Peacemamalove]

s Madders I know how frustrating and upsetting that is. It is so hard sometimes when there just isn't any money!

[AllysonB]

Well I am starting to get in a bit of a panic mode. School started about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't had fin. aid come through. I signed a lease on a house and I am starting to think things aren't going to fall in place like they should. My X is still trying to set up the BAH (money that the kids and I will get until the divorce is final) and of course he doesn't have any info on what's going on with that. : Food stamps wants to jerk me around and take their time, sending me new things I need to bring in each week. I still am in the processing stage and don't have any benefits yet. I just need ONE thing to come through, just ONE thing right now, is that too much to ask?

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by AllysonB

Well I am starting to get in a bit of a panic mode. School started about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't had fin. aid come through. I signed a lease on a house and I am starting to think things aren't going to fall in place like they should. My X is still trying to set up the BAH (money that the kids and I will get until the divorce is final) and of course he doesn't have any info on what's going on with that. : Food stamps wants to jerk me around and take their time, sending me new things I need to bring in each week. I still am in the processing stage and don't have any benefits yet. I just need ONE thing to come through, just ONE thing right now, is that too much to ask?

[Satori]

Well my fin aid is supposed to be dispersed to my debit card today and I'm still waiting, going nuts too lol Went ahead and bid on a computer on ebay this morning to replace my 6 yr old dinosaur that was used when I got it. I got a heck of a deal, now I just need my money to pay for it! I feel like a kid at xmas FINALLY getting something for ME

The kids are covered for warm winter coats which makes me really happy, now I just need to work on getting winter clothes for my older dd and we'll be set. Today, I don't feel poor even though I know every penny of that grant is spent is a wonderful feeling to know that at least most of our expenses if not all will be covered for the next 3 months if I'm really careful with it

[Satori]

Originally Posted by AllysonB

Well I am starting to get in a bit of a panic mode. School started about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't had fin. aid come through. I signed a lease on a house and I am starting to think things aren't going to fall in place like they should. My X is still trying to set up the BAH (money that the kids and I will get until the divorce is final) and of course he doesn't have any info on what's going on with that. : Food stamps wants to jerk me around and take their time, sending me new things I need to bring in each week. I still am in the processing stage and don't have any benefits yet. I just need ONE thing to come through, just ONE thing right now, is that too much to ask?

I hope things turn around for you soon!

[Kino]

Well I was right. Last week's dr's appointment was the last. Now gotta get through flu season. At least I have credit at my other dr's that would probably cover half a flu treatment. But hopefully no NEW medical bills!

But now there's the midwife $1400 (partner paying other half), but she offers payment plans.

Fortunately saved the useful items from my first baby and have credit at the re-sale store if needed.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by Satori

Well my fin aid is supposed to be dispersed to my debit card today and I'm still waiting, going nuts too lol Went ahead and bid on a computer on ebay this morning to replace my 6 yr old dinosaur that was used when I got it. I got a heck of a deal, now I just need my money to pay for it! I feel like a kid at xmas FINALLY getting something for ME

The kids are covered for warm winter coats which makes me really happy, now I just need to work on getting winter clothes for my older dd and we'll be set. Today, I don't feel poor even though I know every penny of that grant is spent is a wonderful feeling to know that at least most of our expenses if not all will be covered for the next 3 months if I'm really careful with it

I bought 2 coats at Old Navy this spring for a few dollars each on their end of season clearance.. DS2 will hopefully fit into DS1's old coat this winter.. it's 6-12 months size. Too late for that this coming season, but something to think about for next year. (you could get next year's summer clothes on clearance though)

Congrats on your new computer! I got mine last year with my grant refund (and a free ipod and printer to boot!)

Originally Posted by Kino

Well I was right. Last week's dr's appointment was the last. Now gotta get through flu season. At least I have credit at my other dr's that would probably cover half a flu treatment. But hopefully no NEW medical bills!

But now there's the midwife $1400 (partner paying other half), but she offers payment plans.

Fortunately saved the useful items from my first baby and have credit at the re-sale store if needed.

I owe about that to my midwife too (and I've paid $1000 already).. I'm making $50 payments until next year's tax return.

[Peacemamalove]

Originally Posted by AllysonB

Well I am starting to get in a bit of a panic mode. School started about 3 weeks ago and I still haven't had fin. aid come through. I signed a lease on a house and I am starting to think things aren't going to fall in place like they should. My X is still trying to set up the BAH (money that the kids and I will get until the divorce is final) and of course he doesn't have any info on what's going on with that. : Food stamps wants to jerk me around and take their time, sending me new things I need to bring in each week. I still am in the processing stage and don't have any benefits yet. I just need ONE thing to come through, just ONE thing right now, is that too much to ask?

s Allyson hope something comes through for you soon!

[~PurityLake~]

Well, I received a bill in the mail from my doctor visit I had back on August 28th, the visit I PREPAID for. After calling and talking to the billing department, I find out that not only do I not owe more, I was overcharged by $34. It turns out the receptionist, against the policy of the place, told me I owed more than I did and applied what I paid extra toward a bill my husband still owes from April, a bill I might add that we've applied for charity for and are still waiting to find out if it was approved. : That was $34 I could have used that week for something important, not as a 30% payment toward a bill we may not even have had to pay. Now that it's been paid, if the charity application is approved, it will not be refunded. It's money gone for nothing because some receptionist was feeling self-righteous that day. What really gets me is that she looked me right in the eye when she told me that she was certain this was the correct amount because I made her look up our application for the sliding fee scale and told her how last time I came in, about a year and a half ago, I was overcharged and had to wait over 3 weeks to receive my refund. Yet she still insisted I did in fact have to pay $110.50, not the $76 I thought I had to pay.

[AllysonB]

Purity I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I can't believe that lady would be so blatant and dishonest. I hope that it gets straightened out for you soon.



Thank you mama's for all the hugs. I do have some good news that came in the mail a check : from the airline that lost our luggage for 3 days. They are reimbursing us for costs incurred. So it's not much, but better than nothing, and maybe something will some through before we go through that. fingers crossed!

[cwat]

Yah for unexpected checks in the mail!!
And boo to financial aid that is taking it's sweet@$$ time arriving
Well, I made (slightly) chunky applesauce with the apples that I had left (had to hide them so I could use them ) today (or possibly Thurs, since that's my day off this week) I'm making applesauce cake-IF I can find the recipe.
Hope everyone has a good day : (and good news comes through for the ones that are waiting)

[HappyLittleHouse]

Originally Posted by ~Purity♥Lake~

Well, I received a bill in the mail from my doctor visit I had back on August 28th, the visit I PREPAID for. After calling and talking to the billing department, I find out that not only do I not owe more, I was overcharged by $34. It turns out the receptionist, against the policy of the place, told me I owed more than I did and applied what I paid extra toward a bill my husband still owes from April, a bill I might add that we've applied for charity for and are still waiting to find out if it was approved. : That was $34 I could have used that week for something important, not as a 30% payment toward a bill we may not even have had to pay. Now that it's been paid, if the charity application is approved, it will not be refunded. It's money gone for nothing because some receptionist was feeling self-righteous that day. What really gets me is that she looked me right in the eye when she told me that she was certain this was the correct amount because I made her look up our application for the sliding fee scale and told her how last time I came in, about a year and a half ago, I was overcharged and had to wait over 3 weeks to receive my refund. Yet she still insisted I did in fact have to pay $110.50, not the $76 I thought I had to pay.

Wow, that's terrible! I would write a sternly worded letter to the doctor's office to let them know what happened. Your doctor should certainly know that the receptionist did this and that it created an unnecessary hardship for you.

[~PurityLake~]

Originally Posted by HappyLittleHouse

Wow, that's terrible! I would write a sternly worded letter to the doctor's office to let them know what happened. Your doctor should certainly know that the receptionist did this and that it created an unnecessary hardship for you.

I spoke with the billing manager. She was the one who was going to have a stern talking to Gloria, the guilty receptionist and assured me she would take steps to ensure it never happened again. This is a neighborhood clinic, that charges on a sliding fee scale. This time, I saw an ANP? there are several doctors and nurses that treat people there and they have a dental clinic. The billing department is in a completely different building than the clinic itself, not even on the same road.

[GreenGranolaMama]

So glad to have found this thread!!!! I just graduated from college this year but am staying home as long as possible. DP did about 3 years of college (cumulative over like 6 years) but hated it, so he is working full time as an Ed tech and respite worker.

We are currently renting a beautiful home from my grandparents (moved to FL) for only $500 a month and without their help, we would totally not be making it right now. The thought of paying for heat is kinda freaking me out now, on top of all of our other bills. I applied for fuel assistance but couldn't get an appointment until december. The loan companies are starting to call about DP's loans as we can't afford the payments... I'm still in the grace period for mine, thankfully, however it is going to be rough when it comes time to start paying on mine as well.

We get fs and I had to send in the reapplication papers today, kinda freaking out about it as DP is making a bit more now than he was before but we will see.

[Leta]

I understand about heat bills. Oh, do I understand. I would strongly suggest looking at pellet stoves. I know it's not your house, but if you have to pay the heat, it would still be worth doing. Ours cost $1100- $600 for the stove, $400 for all the stuff, including a sawzall, to install it. Our natural gas bill is now $75/mo (we also have gas hot water and a gas stove), year round, and we spend about $700 a year to buy pellets. I couldn't tell you what our year round gas bill was before, because we racked up $500-$600 bills every month for 7-8 months and spent the rest of the year paying it off. The point is, the stove saves us ~$2000 per year on heating costs, so it's already paid for itself in the half-a-heating season that we've had it.

[Leta]

Sorry about the typo! I meant that it cost $1000, not $1000. I can do simple addition.