November Low Income Thread - Page 2

[Pumpkin_Pie]

What about saying they won't fill it out? (his employer that is) Maybe they would take the pay stubs then?

[cwat]

Morning all!
I'm going to go to UPS tonight I think I will take a chance with them (also, I've heard so many good things about them)
And, Eric (babydaddy) called me last night and asked if he could borrow my car this morning to go to a interview at Target So if he is working too, maybe I will actually HAVE MONEY (thud!!!!)
Remijo, like the other posters said, see if the FS people will take copies of paystubs (that's what I did)

[honey-lilac]

Joining in. Due to a long mixup (mostly our fault) with school payments and the like, we now owe DH's school about $15K. (I think these numbers are totally off but DH keeps insisting that's true... I'll have to sit down and see where he's getting the numbers from.)

BUT he is applying for a scholarship today that he is totally qualified for and SHOULD get - but they might not take the paperwork because we don't have any official income. (They don't count disability, which is what we live on.) And since it's beurocratic, if there's no "proof of income" - etc. And the budget sheet we had to fill out was totally not appropriate for a home-owning family, it was made for a single college student or something. The categories were all off. I wanted to attach a mini spreadsheet of our expenses so they could get a better idea but DH said absolutely not, they don't want that, they just want their paperwork filled out. Well, OK, probably he's right, but I still don't think it gives a good idea of our lifestyle.

Ugh. I'm so nervous. If this goes through we will have enough to pay off the school and get DH's teeth fixed (a huge amount) but if not, no teeth, and we will be $15k in the hole. DH turns it in today. So nervous, you have no idea. I had a nightmare last night that I filled the paperwork out wrong. Literally, a nightmare. I haven't had one of those "real life" nightmares since.... like... high school?

[Satori]

I haven't had time to read all the replies yet as I didn't know the Nov thread as started and I'm short on time.

Can I just say, THANK GOD OCTOBER IS OVER!!!!!!!!!! Seriously! I was thinking yesterday how well November is already going compared to any day in Oct and I had a duh! moment, Oct always sucks for me, ALWAYS. Its always a very bad month, its when all the bad stuff of the year happens. If I've ever lost a job, it was in Oct, major financial troubles? Oct. Trouble at every turn? Oct! I don't know what it is but Oct has sucked as far as I can remember! November is a good month though Yesterday was good and this morning I got a surprise, I checked my EBT card to see if maybe I got lucky and I got kicked to transitional FS at least since my QR7 was late and my worker said my stuff would be at least a week late. Both cash and FS were on the card this morning! (nothing was yesterday) and I get my last Pell disbursement tomorrow so today I will be able to go pack the car out with groceries from FS, I'll pay all the bills current (everything is behind again ) and be able to take care of that speeding ticket and then I'm broke again. Hoping to be able to find some winter clothes for the kids at thrift shops today and tomorrow while I'm in the city but hey, today I have hope which was something that was in very short supply last month with everything going bad.

To a better month for everyone!

[HappyLittleHouse]

Last week I got a ticket for missing a stop sign. So that will be expensive.

Yesterday my car just stopped running on the freeway. Fortunately I could quickly get over to the shoulder safely, and my AAA membership is up to date so it was towed home for free. I suggested towing it to the mechanic's and my husband could meet me there. If he could fix it, he could do it and I'd drive it home. If not, it would be at the mechanic's already. He insisted I tow it home, and then he couldn't fix it, so now we have to pay to have it towed to the mechanic and pay to have it fixed, with funds I just don't have. Grrrr...

And to top it all off, my son's jacket was taken from his preschool classroom last Thursday morning and hasn't been returned. It was the nice LL Bean one linked to on here in August for $35. I had another discount, a gift card from my birthday, and got a % back from Ebates, so I got it for about $15 including shipping. No way am I going to find another nice winter coat so cheap right now. Our thrift stores kind of suck, and there weren't any jackets when I went over the weekend. He's using last year's jacket right now, and it's too short.

I made a sign to hang up in the classroom, but most of the parents don't speak English so I'm relying on the teacher to translate it for me. They didn't seem too worried about it and said, "Oh, it will probably turn up. Kids lose things." Right, they do, but I hung the jacket up when I dropped him off in your classroom at 8 am on Thursday morning and when I came to get him at 11 am, it was gone, so it's not likely to turn up unless another parent brings it back.

So I'm grumpy right now.

I am grateful, though, that my kids weren't with me when I broke down, which would have really sucked (add a taxi with two carseats to my car expenses!) I'm grateful that I have fabric to make fun kid stuff for Christmas, since I won't have money to buy much, and that they're happy with inexpensive and home made gifts.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by HappyLittleHouse

Last week I got a ticket for missing a stop sign. So that will be expensive.

Yesterday my car just stopped running on the freeway. Fortunately I could quickly get over to the shoulder safely, and my AAA membership is up to date so it was towed home for free. I suggested towing it to the mechanic's and my husband could meet me there. If he could fix it, he could do it and I'd drive it home. If not, it would be at the mechanic's already. He insisted I tow it home, and then he couldn't fix it, so now we have to pay to have it towed to the mechanic and pay to have it fixed, with funds I just don't have. Grrrr...

And to top it all off, my son's jacket was taken from his preschool classroom last Thursday morning and hasn't been returned. It was the nice LL Bean one linked to on here in August for $35. I had another discount, a gift card from my birthday, and got a % back from Ebates, so I got it for about $15 including shipping. No way am I going to find another nice winter coat so cheap right now. Our thrift stores kind of suck, and there weren't any jackets when I went over the weekend. He's using last year's jacket right now, and it's too short.

I made a sign to hang up in the classroom, but most of the parents don't speak English so I'm relying on the teacher to translate it for me. They didn't seem too worried about it and said, "Oh, it will probably turn up. Kids lose things." Right, they do, but I hung the jacket up when I dropped him off in your classroom at 8 am on Thursday morning and when I came to get him at 11 am, it was gone, so it's not likely to turn up unless another parent brings it back.

So I'm grumpy right now.

I am grateful, though, that my kids weren't with me when I broke down, which would have really sucked (add a taxi with two carseats to my car expenses!) I'm grateful that I have fabric to make fun kid stuff for Christmas, since I won't have money to buy much, and that they're happy with inexpensive and home made gifts.

I'd be upset too. Did you by chance write his name/ph number inside the jacket? I'm weird enough that I'd post a lost sign with a picture of the coat saying it was stolen and offer a reward for its return Both my kids got jackets from that sale too so I totally understand being ticked about losing them. Just a thought, did you check the play ground and any where else he might have gone? More then once my kid forgot her coat out there.

[HappyLittleHouse]

I stupidly didn't have his name in it. It was the first day taking it to school and they didn't go outside that morning, and the pre-K has a private playground attached to the classroom so it wouldn't have gotten further than the class. I did make a little "Have you seen my jacket?" note with a picture and description. Fingers crossed that it will return!

[zacharysmom]

happy call AAA they may tow it to the mechanuc for you even if it was towed to your house i know they have for us

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by zacharysmom

happy call AAA they may tow it to the mechanuc for you even if it was towed to your house i know they have for us

Yes I've had them do a 'double tow' before. Only I didnt tell them it was a double... I just say I have car xyz at addy 123 and it wont start. Can you please come and see if you can jump it/tow to the shop?


AAA has saved my butt more times then I can count.... I hate nails in the tire

[HappyLittleHouse]

I'll definitely try AAA again. DH is saying he'll rent a tow dolly and pull it with his truck, but that costs at least $50, and keeps him out of work for the morning. The mechanic can't get my car in until Wednesday.

And when it rains, it pours: my dryer crapped out this morning and is only spinning air dry. I have a huge pile of laundry to do, and no space to string a line to dry clothes. And it would of course happen on the morning that my Diva cup decided to give out on me, ruining my underwear, one of the three pairs of pants that currently fit me, and a couch cushion. I scrubbed the pants and cushion cover with spray and wash and hand washed them twice in the sink with Dawn. I'm going to run it and the pants through the laundry and hang them in the shower to dry. (The underwear were old and ratty, so not a great loss. I really hope the cushion and pants come out clean, though.)

[Satori]

Yep, November is gonna be better My Pell grant came a day early dam I feel rich today Granted I'll be totally poor again in 48 hours but for now, I feel rich

[Satori]

Originally Posted by HappyLittleHouse

I'll definitely try AAA again. DH is saying he'll rent a tow dolly and pull it with his truck, but that costs at least $50, and keeps him out of work for the morning. The mechanic can't get my car in until Wednesday.

And when it rains, it pours: my dryer crapped out this morning and is only spinning air dry. I have a huge pile of laundry to do, and no space to string a line to dry clothes. And it would of course happen on the morning that my Diva cup decided to give out on me, ruining my underwear, one of the three pairs of pants that currently fit me, and a couch cushion. I scrubbed the pants and cushion cover with spray and wash and hand washed them twice in the sink with Dawn. I'm going to run it and the pants through the laundry and hang them in the shower to dry. (The underwear were old and ratty, so not a great loss. I really hope the cushion and pants come out clean, though.)

Blood is an easy fix for less then $1 Pour Hydrogen Peroxide on it and it will take it right out Thats a trick every woman should know

As for AAA, I think it says somewhere they won't tow it from your home but if you can push it say, a block down they will tow it from there to the shop

See? Things are not as bad as you thought

[sunanthem]

Thanks for all the tips Jyotsna, I especially liked the KEEP your CEll CHARGED! I could have used that advice today.
Today before I even got the last kid off to school, they turned our power off. I still haven't found a job, or gotten my car back yet. Next will be the water.. hoping for a job! So I just cleaned the house and started gathering my bills, ID's etc. so I could walk up to the salv. army and ask for help, I was also going to sell the rest of our dvds and try to sell some sleeping bags at our second hand outdoor store up the street, and cash in the penny jar.. wouldn't be enough for the power bill, I know, but at least I can keep dh getting to school on the bus for a bit.
Then DH came home early, he got a ride. He called the power company and I don't know how he did it, but he finessed them into turning it back on. They turned it back on about an hour ago, and thank god, it was getting soo cold in here! Then I went out to the mail and got a special package.. I had posted my car troubles on my FB last week, and a girl I was an aquaintance with in high school pm'd me asking for my addy. Well today she sent my kids a new book and a note to me that said, I've had to struggle before, I hope this helps, take care of your kiddies... and it had a $100 dollar bill in it!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe it. I was not even close to this girl.. I amazed at the kindness she has extended to me. I'm trying to figure out which bill I should use it on, probably the water bill, since that will be shut off next.
Today has been one hella whirlwind day. Another good thing, both kids brought home sign-ups from their schools for christmas present help. Yup, I'm signing them up for that.. I just hope we'll still be living here come the holidays. More then anything, I don't want the kids to have to leave their schools.

Happylilhouse.. have you tried calling your insurance for a tow? I have pretty basic insurance, but they stil cover up to 100miles of towing.. it's saved my butt a few times.

Good luck to all the job seekers! Especially the 2 going to UPS!
I'm so glad we are warm and fed tonight!

[zacharysmom]

happy i have another tip for you peroxide takes out blood. completly pour it on and run cold water thu the fabric irmay take a time or two but has always worked for me. i worked day care and now am in the medical field

[remijo]

That's great about the random gift, sunanthem. That is so sweet!

I have asked food stamps about bringing in check stubs but DH hasn't worked there long enough so I have to wait until he has enough check stubs (they only pay monthly). But I am going to go down to WIC, maybe they'll be able to help a little bit.

We are borrowing money for utilities this month again and getting a cash advance on the credit card, when we finally get out of this slump, we are going to be in so much debt. Makes me want to bury my head in the sand. I really wish we could sell one of our cars, we don't need both of them but we don't think we can sell it for what we owe on it.

[waiting2bemommy]

Joining this thread, lord knows I belong here, however I have to rave because I got my food stamp card in the mail today and went grocery shopping. Of course my mom went with me (I am living with her) and "helped" me pick out the food so that the bill came to almost $100 which is a 4th of what we get for the month. I told her that was it for the week (I usually divide my benefits by four and then spend a little less than that each week, to leave left over for treats or whatever) and that I'm putting the card away until the weekend. No matter what I am NOT letting her spend it all which she would happily do.

Also got our WIC checks today and we went and took some of the extra milk to someone we know who is struggling also but her ds is a teenager (autistic, and very much fixated on certain foods) and doesn't qualify for wic. Luckily he happens to be fixated on peanut butter and milk so I always bring some to them.

On the bad side, my dad's car went kaput so he and my mom are now down to one car for awhile. My dad is insanely thrifty even if he doesn't *have* to be so until he finds the perfect, very much used car, they will be a one car family for a while. This means that they are expecting me to not look for a job outside the house because it would probably involve me needing rides from them at some point. I still have to pay the rent though.... I'm hoping to find a few kids to babysit during the day. I just can't make enough working online, although I'm certainly going to try.

Originally Posted by remijo

I do have a serious gripe, wondered if anyone else can tell me how to deal with this. I went down to get food stamps, we definitely qualify but it requires that DH has to take a income verification sheet to his workplace which he won't do. He's too proud. He would rather rack up money on the credit card then do that. It makes me want to hit him, seriously.

Do you have any of his paystubs? Bring those in, the 4 most recent, and if the caseworker won't accept them, speak to a supervisor. I don't blame you for being aggravated! It's like when my bf told me to stop begging the ex for child support because it was a matter of pride that he could provide for my ds. Which was sweet and all, but money is money.

[simple life]

I think I'd like to try to join you ladies. We are definitely low income! I am a sahm to Paul with our second coming any day. Hubby is a 911 dispatcher, which you'd think paid well, but it doesn't! I don't know what all you'd like to know. Looking forward to getting to know those of you who take part in this thread.

Julie

[ediesmom]

good morning mamas!



thats all.....



have a great day ladies

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by ediesmom

good morning mamas!



thats all.....



have a great day ladies

Thanks

I have a ton to do today!

[sunanthem]

to Kaleanani, waiting2bemommy, and simple life!