May 2010 Low Income Support Thread

[thatgirliknew]

We're only 4 days late. lol.

How's it going? I hope well.

I need to vent to people who understand so here goes.
This week we have had 3 unauthorized charges on our account that will overdraw us and the bank said that all they will cover is the unauthorized charges themselves, not anything that those charges cause to overdraw.
We had very heavy rains and my apartment is halfway underground which caused water to seep into our house and ruin all the electronics we were going to sell.
My car is squeaking and I have no clue why.
My internet will be cut off any minute now, hopefully it will wait until Friday when I can pay the minimum payment, but if not it will cost $300 to reconnect.
I feel like screaming right now.

[zebra15]

TGIK ss about the bank and the rain, any chance you have renters insurance?

May is going well here... positive thoughts

[dealic]

Subbing

[cwat]

TGIK, sounds like you are having a Terrible May already. Sending hugs your way.

Actually, my May hasn't started out too great either.
The battery in my car died, so I had to buy a new one, and now I have to get the temperature gauge replaced in the car, too. Sigh...

Plus, I might have to move this summer.
The landlord (and his daughter, who is the Actual owner of the building) are thinking about putting the house on the market (good luck with that, there are 15 houses for sale on my block alone, and most of them have been for sale for longer than 6 months) At least it gives me an excuse to move out of New Britain, which is slowly dying. More businesses are leaving here than are coming back in (hell, even Wal-Mart left!!)

[happyhats]

i was just thinking of starting this thread.

So I recently found out I was pregnant. I just made a doctor's appointment for this Friday. I am trying to get medicaid for pregnancy as a secondary insurance but I don't have it yet, so this doctor's visit will be out of pocket. Thankfully it's only a twenty dollar co pay, and twenty bucks for any labs/tests they want to do ontop of that. My last pregnancy they drew blood after my first appointment, but I'm going to a new office so I'm not sure.

I also have to get my mom's mother's day gift, buy a few odds and ends around the house and pay some bills so the paycheck is pretty much spent, lol. I'm hoping we can go to a matinee or a quick meal or something, but that may not be.

Overall though things have been going well. I was having a lot of nausea and was lucky enough to find some candied ginger my hubby bought long, long ago. It cleared me up and it was free!

I'm stressing a little thinking about whether I should move or not, thinking of the few things I need for the new baby, etc but I know I have time and I'm a creative lady so things will work out.

[aslyn]

Better than April thats for sure!

Well I FINALY got the bank to clear my direct deposit..

I made a payment on my rent, I went grocery shopping, I did laundry..For the first day since April 1st I can RELAX! Next check is already spent with cable bill and rent but at least stuff is getting paid down. The worst feeling in the world is to have zilch money and try to figure out how your gonna get through! Still no medicaid/food stamps. The caseworker after 2 weeks of calling and calling never once called me back to give me a new appointment. So I am just going to apply for medicaid online and screw going in and dealing with the system. I am going to have to pick up more hours now that things are getting more stable. Maybe I will be able to buy some baby stuff before River makes her appearance next month???? Would be really great to have some onsies and sleepers since the smallest thing we have in the house is a 2T!

Hugs to all of you going through the same thing! I am really glad this group is here, sometimes we just need people who understand!

[ewp11100]

Well we made May's mortgage payment I'm not sure about June at this point. I have no money for food except for WIC checks till food stamps gets deposited on the 12th, we are mostly eating our side of beef and thankfully have a good pantry stockpile. I recently dignosed (oviously self diagnosed as I have no health insurence but couldn't think of another word for it) with Celicas and have been going gluten free (feeling much better btw, I was already dairy free). I need to clear out my frige and pantry . Cross contamination is a big issue with Celiacs, for instance, I can't used the tub of earth's balence because it has toast crumbs in it. I need to get GF verities that cost a fortune, but for now I'm just eating rice, lots of rice... I hate rice I'm hoping my student husband gets a good paying job at the end of the semester (June because of the huge snow here pushing things back). But his previous employer probably will not hire him back so who knows. I really need to et health care as fast as possible but it's usually a 90 day-1 year wait

[confustication]

I'm hoping hat May shapes up as well as it's started too. I'm hoping that for once, the light at the end of the tunnel doesn't turn out to be yet another train bearing down.

After having been jerked around with a job offer that never firmed up, I started sending applications out again. I found a decent job, with decent benefits... just finished all the 'new hire' paperwork, then have two weeks of training. I'm returning to health care, which will leave me some time to continue writing and covering news. It will also um- pay the bills? YAY!

Trying to decide if I want to stay here and save money or move to a bigger place for my sanity. The place in question is across the street from my new job. Talk about an easy commute. Anyway, I'm hoping to resolve that question this weekend as I really weigh my options. I've been so broke for a while that the idea of taking on additional expenses scares me even though they would be well within our means... $400+/month for the place, but about $150 less per month for heating/cooling expenses, $50 less for water, savings on gas for the car.. and so on.. really weighing my options right now. The prospect of a place that feels like home just calls to me though (we'd be buying it on a contract for deed...)

[Satori]

Originally Posted by ewp11100

I recently dignosed (oviously self diagnosed as I have no health insurence but couldn't think of another word for it) with Celicas and have been going gluten free (feeling much better btw, I was already dairy free). I need to clear out my frige and pantry . Cross contamination is a big issue with Celiacs, for instance, I can't used the tub of earth's balence because it has toast crumbs in it. I need to get GF verities that cost a fortune, but for now I'm just eating rice, lots of rice... I hate rice

Being new to the diet sucks but after almost 10 years of being GF its not all that expensive. Earth Balance is GF, you just need to buy a new tub which is about $3 and mark it so no one else uses it. Why are you eating rice? There is no reason for it. Skip using prepackaged stuff and actually cook a meal from scratch. Most meats in what ever form are GF as are most cheeses (excluding the really cheap fake ones). Almost all Farmer John pork products are GF if you eat pork. I buy my flours in bulk, every month I bought 1 25lb bag until I had like 6 different flours that I commonly use. I only buy the small 1.5lb Bobs Red Mill bags for things I don't need a lot of like Amaranth and Quinoa. Although I would buy the 6lb bags of it if my hfs could get it. We use it mostly for junk food baking though I think the only premade thing I buy is Udi's Whole Grain bread but at $5 loaf its flippin $$$, well it is when you can go though 16 loaves in a month (were all GF)

Anyway GF doesn't mean breaking the bank, tonight for dinner the kids are having BBQ curly q hotdogs, corn on the cob, deviled eggs and sliced tomatos's (total cost about $1 for 2 kids). I however am eating a burrito using the GF ivory teff tortillas from La Tortilla that are awesome (soft and pliable unlike every other brand). Inside the fillings will be taco meat (ground turkey with taco seasoning using a recipe I got on allrecipes.com), lettuce, tomatos, onion and chedder cheese. If I wasn't feeling so lazy I would make corn salsa and use it in place of the cheese and serve it up with Pace or La Victoria Salsa. If we had any made I would probably add spanish rice to it too. Tomorrow's dinner is BBQ'd chicken thighs, potato salad, deviled eggs, left over corn and watermelon if I can find space in the fridge (.10cents lb yesterday!). Whole meal for 3 people will cost about $4. FYI, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce is GF and here its often on sale 10/$10. Lunch tomorrow is either turkey or egg salad sandwiches with Lays classic potato chips.

If you like Oatmeal you can get about a months worth from Bobs Red Mill for about $7 and mix in stuff you like. Tip: cook it in a rice cooker, comes out perfect every time. I burn the tar out of it on the stove and its yukky in the crockpot.

[maciascl]

We moved on May 1st & are still living among boxes, but it is getting a little better everyday. I am so glad it is over. The last few weeks have been aweful! We have rent covered until August (unless something catastrophic happens) but if DH doesn't sell (& close escrow, a 30-60 day process) atleast 1 house before then I don't know what we will do. In the mean time we are watching every penny to stretch what we do have as long as possible.

However, because of the change of address (atleast I am hoping that is why) we still haven't recieved Dh's unemployment check we should have gotten on Monday & it is now Thursday evening. I think if it doesn't show up by Sat I will encourage DH to visit the unemployment office on Monday. He will not be happy with that idea

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by confustication

Trying to decide if I want to stay here and save money or move to a bigger place for my sanity. The place in question is across the street from my new job. Talk about an easy commute. Anyway, I'm hoping to resolve that question this weekend as I really weigh my options. I've been so broke for a while that the idea of taking on additional expenses scares me even though they would be well within our means... $400+/month for the place, but about $150 less per month for heating/cooling expenses, $50 less for water, savings on gas for the car.. and so on.. really weighing my options right now. The prospect of a place that feels like home just calls to me though (we'd be buying it on a contract for deed...)

Sounds like it would work out to be just about the same cost wise. Keep in mind the cost of your time too. If you are spending money on convience foods to get meals cooked faster due to the longer commute keep those expenses in mind too. Good luck making your choice!

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by maciascl

We moved on May 1st & are still living among boxes, but it is getting a little better everyday. I am so glad it is over. The last few weeks have been aweful! We have rent covered until August (unless something catastrophic happens) but if DH doesn't sell (& close escrow, a 30-60 day process) atleast 1 house before then I don't know what we will do. In the mean time we are watching every penny to stretch what we do have as long as possible.

However, because of the change of address (atleast I am hoping that is why) we still haven't recieved Dh's unemployment check we should have gotten on Monday & it is now Thursday evening. I think if it doesn't show up by Sat I will encourage DH to visit the unemployment office on Monday. He will not be happy with that idea

You still get UE checks?? Here its either direct depo or they load it onto a debit card. They phased out checks years ago, huge cost savings for the state (or so they said). I would check and see if you can get a debit card, its loaded the next day and there is no 'lost in the mail' issues.

[buckeye_bebe]

I notified food stamps (I get sixteen dollars a month) that we had an increase in our household, went from 1 kid to 2. Same income, same sixteen dollars though. They sent me a confirmation of the change report, and that my benefit was not increasing. I'm still frustrated over that. My SSDI plus the dependent benefit (1/2 of mine) isn't all that much, but enough to disqualify us from food stamps? I think it is because I don't pay rent, so they don't take that out of the calculations.

[ewp11100]

Originally Posted by Satori

Being new to the diet sucks but after almost 10 years of being GF its not all that expensive. Earth Balance is GF, you just need to buy a new tub which is about $3 and mark it so no one else uses it. Why are you eating rice? There is no reason for it. Skip using prepackaged stuff and actually cook a meal from scratch. Most meats in what ever form are GF as are most cheeses (excluding the really cheap fake ones). Almost all Farmer John pork products are GF if you eat pork. I buy my flours in bulk, every month I bought 1 25lb bag until I had like 6 different flours that I commonly use. I only buy the small 1.5lb Bobs Red Mill bags for things I don't need a lot of like Amaranth and Quinoa. Although I would buy the 6lb bags of it if my hfs could get it. We use it mostly for junk food baking though I think the only premade thing I buy is Udi's Whole Grain bread but at $5 loaf its flippin $$$, well it is when you can go though 16 loaves in a month (were all GF)

Anyway GF doesn't mean breaking the bank, tonight for dinner the kids are having BBQ curly q hotdogs, corn on the cob, deviled eggs and sliced tomatos's (total cost about $1 for 2 kids). I however am eating a burrito using the GF ivory teff tortillas from La Tortilla that are awesome (soft and pliable unlike every other brand). Inside the fillings will be taco meat (ground turkey with taco seasoning using a recipe I got on allrecipes.com), lettuce, tomatos, onion and chedder cheese. If I wasn't feeling so lazy I would make corn salsa and use it in place of the cheese and serve it up with Pace or La Victoria Salsa. If we had any made I would probably add spanish rice to it too. Tomorrow's dinner is BBQ'd chicken thighs, potato salad, deviled eggs, left over corn and watermelon if I can find space in the fridge (.10cents lb yesterday!). Whole meal for 3 people will cost about $4. FYI, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce is GF and here its often on sale 10/$10. Lunch tomorrow is either turkey or egg salad sandwiches with Lays classic potato chips.

If you like Oatmeal you can get about a months worth from Bobs Red Mill for about $7 and mix in stuff you like. Tip: cook it in a rice cooker, comes out perfect every time. I burn the tar out of it on the stove and its yukky in the crockpot.

I know GF doesn't have to be expensive, right now spending 3$ for a new tub seems like a lit of money. We have about $25 and a few WIC checks to last us till our food stamps comes in next week. SO replacing all the condiments is not high on my priority list. I'm eating out of what we have and we happen to have a TON of rice, lol. WHich I know is safe. Luckaly we also have a side of beef in the freezer, slowly dwindling. I haven't tried oats yet. I want to slowly add things back to make sure I know what my sensativity is. But hey tonight I decided it's time to add chocolate!!!! (we happen to have a huge bag of semi sweet chocolate )

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by zebra15

You still get UE checks?? Here its either direct depo or they load it onto a debit card. They phased out checks years ago, huge cost savings for the state (or so they said). I would check and see if you can get a debit card, its loaded the next day and there is no 'lost in the mail' issues.

Uggh! No direct deposit or debit cards would make way too much sense for the state of CA to do. When DH started his real estate training we went over 6 weeks without a check. It was ridiculous! I am hoping they are just taking a few extra days to process the change of address & not stop everything until they can set up a phone interview & leave us without money for 6 weeks again.

[Mylie]

Subbing....

Satori...What is curly Q barbecued hot dog? Is that just hot dog sliced up with sauce? Your kids have alot of the same food allergies that mine does and I am looking for some fresh ideas...Care to give me some menu ideas??? We are Dairy,Gluten and Soy free..stage 1 or 2 is fine...I tend to stay away from corn syrup as well...

May isn't coming in like a lamb around here...I just spend all my savings getting my van fixed..The Transmission

Back in the shop it went yesterday...I could cry because it has taken every penny I had saved to move us into our new apartment June 1st for these repairs...I have to have a vehicle to get to my jobs..But we have to move..This apartment is creeping with mold and when we move out will have to have some serious work done to it..It is so bad they don't even know if they will even rent it out anymore..Don't know what I am going to do

But ...I do have a tiny bit of hope right now..My supervisor gave her notice..I am putting in for the job..Good news is I have the years exsperience on my side..Bad news is everyone is applying for this job..Everyone needs a job around here..They haven't even posted it yet and oodles of people are calling already.The competition will be stiff..I really don't think I will end up getting it because so many people are more qualified than I am but I am hoping that my familiarity with the parents and staff will help.If I get this job I will probably be able to quit my weekend job and spend more time with the baby and get the bills paid on time and actually be okay financially...I think..I had my first semi interview a couple days ago with the head supervisor..I kept both her kids...I hope that helps She said they hadn't worked out all the details of the position yet but would probably post them next week when they officially start taking the applications for it...

I am nervous nervous nervous....Think good thoughts everyone...Pray.... whatever you feel comfy doing...I would really appreciate everything you have got!!!

[FishBounce]

cwat, you're in NB? I'm in Bristol!

May is going ok here. Our food stamps got bumped up a bit because I'm pregnant, so that's good. I can make that extra $60 go a long way at Aldi's.
Dh is still hunting for a job. I'm glad he got another extension to his unemployment. Without that, we'd be sunk.
Right now the only thing that's really stressful is our electric bill. We set up a payment plan with CL&P, but wow, they stuck it to us. It's not easy to come up with an extra $360 a month when you only have $256 coming in a week.

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by buckeye_bebe

I notified food stamps (I get sixteen dollars a month) that we had an increase in our household, went from 1 kid to 2. Same income, same sixteen dollars though. They sent me a confirmation of the change report, and that my benefit was not increasing. I'm still frustrated over that. My SSDI plus the dependent benefit (1/2 of mine) isn't all that much, but enough to disqualify us from food stamps? I think it is because I don't pay rent, so they don't take that out of the calculations.

Yes rent is a huge part of FS calculations. If you arent paying rent you seriously get screwed on bene's. Thats why you always want to pay rent. Even if your 'rent' goes toward something else in the end. I give my roommate 'rent', she gives me a recipet and then I have proof for DES. She can also write a letter every 6 mos for re-cert if they so wish.

[maciascl]

Ok so now I am really freaking out! I remembered that unemployment has an automated phone system to check on your payments. They say that they send out Dh's check on 4/29 & they recognized the new zip code so they did the addy change & the post office probably returned the check instead of delivering it. This means that once UE gets the returned check they are likely to put DH's acct on hold again until they can set up a ph interview. Last time that took 6 weeks!!!

I don't know how to tell DH this. He is already so mad all the because he is so stressed about money. I can't take this anymore!!!! I just don't know what to do & I can't handle his being so angry all the time. I understand he is stressed, I am too, but it isn't fair to the rest of us for him to act that way. I am already an emotional wreck & trying REALLY hard to stay calm for this baby (and my other kids) but it just isn't working.

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by maciascl

Ok so now I am really freaking out! I remembered that unemployment has an automated phone system to check on your payments. They say that they send out Dh's check on 4/29 & they recognized the new zip code so they did the addy change & the post office probably returned the check instead of delivering it. This means that once UE gets the returned check they are likely to put DH's acct on hold again until they can set up a ph interview. Last time that took 6 weeks!!!

I don't know how to tell DH this. He is already so mad all the because he is so stressed about money. I can't take this anymore!!!! I just don't know what to do & I can't handle his being so angry all the time. I understand he is stressed, I am too, but it isn't fair to the rest of us for him to act that way. I am already an emotional wreck & trying REALLY hard to stay calm for this baby (and my other kids) but it just isn't working.

My UE has a number you can call for problems. Granted its hidden in the 'push 1 for this push 2 for that' but eventuall you can get a live person.
It may not take a phone interview and 6 weeks, what it may take a persistence and patience.

Not that it helps you now but, I use a PO box for all my mail. Ive moved many times in the past 8 years and my mailing address has always stayed the same. If Direct depo or a debit card isnt an option maybe a PO box would be the way to go if you move alot?