May 2010 Low Income Support Thread - Page 3

[Dahlea]

Originally Posted by maciascl

Have you concidered bankruptcy? I know it isn't what people want to do, but if it comes down to eating or paying the creditors, the creditors should come LAST. Sorry you are in this situation! It sucks. We just moved into an apartment (that we have no idea if we will be able to pay for after Aug) last week & the short sale on our home should be closing soon. We are also in process of a bankruptcy once the short sale closes. All after DH lost his job 7 months ago So I can understand how you my be feeling.

ETA: I just saw you in the Aug DDC, I forgot to say I am preggo too. So I understand that added stress as well

Hey I use my iPhone for Internet so I don't usually notice user names. Nice to kind of know someone in a similar boat. We should have filed for bankruptcy when we lost the house but we felt bad enough about that that we wanted to try and pay off our other debts (stupid in retrospect) now we are actually s close to paying them off that it would cost more to file bankruptcy.

How long does it usually take to get approved for FS? I sent in all my documentation and she said t could take up to 30 days. I was looking forward to actually getting a bit of food in our pantry. Guess inshouldnt expect too much from govt workers? Doing wic and Medicaid was so easy though!

Our car is on it's last legs. Luckily my dad is mechanically inclined but it's even baffling him. Living with my parents you NEED a car to get anywhere (40 min out in the country) they need their cars for work so it blows. We are stuck home while we pour the last of our savings into attemptingto fix it. Argh! Why do had things happen all at once?
I was hoping to get a baby shower this time. We were in Fl for my first and didn't know anyone. I was hoping someone in my family might throw one considering the circumstances but my mom hates the rest of them so oh well. Not that I need a whole lot anyway but it would be nice for this baby to have a few new things.

Sorry everyone else is having so many troubles. I'd quote and respond but yeah that's not happening on my phone lol. (and I only have this stupid phone because breaking the contract would cost more than I have and my husband needs Internet to search for jobs. )

[averysmomma05]

Hey girls! So food stamps was on my card this morning and my mom took me to the store to get some grocery! Thank goodness! Now hoping I get my pay before Monday as that is the cutoff for my lights and I am short $40.00 The company I work for said between 5-10 days for it to come at the most. Today is day number 5-6 and I really hope it is there. I am out of toliet paper and a few other things food stamps won't buy. Hope everyones day is good!

[frugalmama]

averysmomma05 - if you have a Walgreens or CVS {Sometimes Target too} that is running a special such as buy Food Items X get a $ coupon/gift card you can actually legally use Foods stamps to buy non-food stamp items.

It's a PITA because you have to do the food order first and then the non-food in order to use the coupon/gift card, but it does work in a pinch.

[averysmomma05]

Originally Posted by frugalmama

averysmomma05 - if you have a Walgreens or CVS {Sometimes Target too} that is running a special such as buy Food Items X get a $ coupon/gift card you can actually legally use Foods stamps to buy non-food stamp items.

It's a PITA because you have to do the food order first and then the non-food in order to use the coupon/gift card, but it does work in a pinch.

Thanks so much for the tip! My hubby ended up bringing home a jar full of pennies he and his friends at work had been filling for him and I cashed that in. I got everything I needed with .02 left. Now just hoping my paycheck shows up by Monday so I don't have my lights shut off.

[thatgirliknew]

Originally Posted by frugalmama

averysmomma05 - if you have a Walgreens or CVS {Sometimes Target too} that is running a special such as buy Food Items X get a $ coupon/gift card you can actually legally use Foods stamps to buy non-food stamp items.

It's a PITA because you have to do the food order first and then the non-food in order to use the coupon/gift card, but it does work in a pinch.

I don't even use formula, but I've done something like that before with the formula checks. Buy formula on your food stamps and give them your checks for it and if you buy something else, the formula checks are used just like a check, if you don't buy anything else, you will get cash back. I accidently did it the first time for my sister, but now I keep a couple checks around just in case.

[averysmomma05]

That is good to know! I had no idea anything about that LOL. So I was saved by luck. I work online so I was waiting on my new debit card to come so I could have my money (paycheck is deposited into a bank account and I get my money off thru the debit card). I planned to use 120.00 of that money for my lights and pay the rest in cash which was like 240 more (was WAY behind and verge of cutoff). I forgot I could use my account as a E-check so I paid half with my paycheck earnings using a check and the other half on my prepaid debit card. Alot of hassle and I got hit with fees twice but it had to be done and my lights are SAFE!! YAY! Now, just have to make enough money at work to cash out to pay a small bill (30.00) on Monday.(BTW for anyone wondering I work from home for a company online so I control how much I earn/how little by how much I work). It doesn't pay well though so earning alot isn't very possible unless I work all night/day. Hope everyone is good!!!

[FishBounce]

I'm so glad you worked out your light issue!

We've gotta come up with $370 for our electric by the 1st of June. Blah. Stupid CL&P and their stupid arrangements. If you look at what they have you paying vs. what you actually owe, it's plain to see that their gouging their customers in need. It's proving it that becomes the hard part.

[averysmomma05]

Originally Posted by FishBounce

I'm so glad you worked out your light issue!

We've gotta come up with $370 for our electric by the 1st of June. Blah. Stupid CL&P and their stupid arrangements. If you look at what they have you paying vs. what you actually owe, it's plain to see that their gouging their customers in need. It's proving it that becomes the hard part.

I know how you feel we have had to come up with at least $300 every month for the lights for past 3 months . Thank goodness our next one is only 130.00 since it is summer and we don't have air besides a window unit. After they tack on fees for everything under the sun and taxes etc that seems to be 1/4 of your bill. I hope you come up with the money I know what it feels like.

[Ianthe]

Hi Everyone! I finally have my internet again after our move... we are settling in good here, and I am sooo happy to be out of MIL's basement!

DH is still working out of town, but he's coming home this weekend for DS1's B-day.

And both of us are getting court summons for debt in the mail We've been trying to save as much money as possible to get us through the summer until I get my pell grant $$, but these things are killing us.. ARRGH, debt! I never want to get into debt again!

I haven't had a chance to catch up on the new thread, but I'll be here from here on out..

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by frugalmama

averysmomma05 - if you have a Walgreens or CVS {Sometimes Target too} that is running a special such as buy Food Items X get a $ coupon/gift card you can actually legally use Foods stamps to buy non-food stamp items.

It's a PITA because you have to do the food order first and then the non-food in order to use the coupon/gift card, but it does work in a pinch.

I have done this too.. Krogers/Smith's will have deals where if you buy so much of one thing they will give you a coupon for $1-$5 off anything.. this is what I use for stuff like TP, baby wipes, laundry soap, etc..

Also, I rack up my points on my shopping card and get a coupon in the mail 4 times a year. this time I got $17.. last time I got $28! It all adds up!

[Satori]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

Hi Everyone! I finally have my internet again after our move... we are settling in good here, and I am sooo happy to be out of MIL's basement!

DH is still working out of town, but he's coming home this weekend for DS1's B-day.

And both of us are getting court summons for debt in the mail We've been trying to save as much money as possible to get us through the summer until I get my pell grant $$, but these things are killing us.. ARRGH, debt! I never want to get into debt again!

I haven't had a chance to catch up on the new thread, but I'll be here from here on out..

Go check out www.creditboards.com and read, read, read! It doesn't have to kill you if you know the laws.

[averysmomma05]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

I have done this too.. Krogers/Smith's will have deals where if you buy so much of one thing they will give you a coupon for $1-$5 off anything.. this is what I use for stuff like TP, baby wipes, laundry soap, etc..

Also, I rack up my points on my shopping card and get a coupon in the mail 4 times a year. this time I got $17.. last time I got $28! It all adds up!

We don't have a Kroger/Smiths but I will look at our local grocery stores. We live in a Golf resort town so mostly everything is crazy here.Glad to see you back!!

[averysmomma05]

We had 2 birthday party invites for today but both were 100 miles away and no way would be attending. Hubby is working overtime and the kids are driving me BATTY!! Going to my sisters for a cookout at 4pm then I will be working all night to make up for. Hope everyone is good.

[cwat]

I officially HATE the month of May
I had to replace my car battery ($99.99+tax)
then I had to replace the temperature gauge in my car ($105)
THEN thanks to a miscommunication with Eric, my ELECTRICITY got shut off!! At least it was only for a short time, but STILL
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

[averysmomma05]

Originally Posted by cwat

I officially HATE the month of May
I had to replace my car battery ($99.99+tax)
then I had to replace the temperature gauge in my car ($105)
THEN thanks to a miscommunication with Eric, my ELECTRICITY got shut off!! At least it was only for a short time, but STILL
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

I am sorry I know how it feels to have your electricity off mine got shut off a couple months back over 60.00 I was paying right before they shut me off .

[FishBounce]

Originally Posted by cwat

I officially HATE the month of May
I had to replace my car battery ($99.99+tax)
then I had to replace the temperature gauge in my car ($105)
THEN thanks to a miscommunication with Eric, my ELECTRICITY got shut off!! At least it was only for a short time, but STILL
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

That seriously stinks. Thank God we're halfway through the month already.

[confustication]

I'm cautiously optomistic. It's been a stressful month, but the first decent paycheck I've had in about a year should be deposited Tuesday night. I like the new job pretty well, in fact. I'm so used to having the wind taken out of my sails though that I'm waiting for something to go wrong. Hopefully I can begin to change that negative way of thinking.

[thatgirliknew]

Well, here's the good news:

I finally got a new Food Stamp and Medicaid caseworker. And within three days she worked my case and I received $389.00 for the remainder of this month and will receive $556.00 a month starting in June!

And here's the bad news. The water damage and MOLD that I reported to my apartment complex on 05/04 and again on 05/16 has still not been fixed. (Not to mention the five other maintenance issues that I have asked to be fixed on my first day in this apartment 02/25 AND the fact that there are roaches in this apartment complex) So, tomorrow I am contacting the local Landlord/Tenant Council and asking them what my rights are and what acts can be taken against my landlord. I am also asking them if in this condition I am legally allowed to break my lease and move elsewhere. I found a much better apartment complex two miles down the road and it has more amenities, is $45 cheaper each month (all bills included) plus there are 1/2 off the first two months and only a $200 deposit, so it will only cost me $475 to move in which is $120 cheaper than what I would have paid in rent on the first anyway. (I have two friends who live there and therefore know it is a worthwhile move).

So, I'll let you know more tomorrow.

[thatgirliknew]

Oh, and I am curious. Are there any California residents in this thread that will be negatively impacted by Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts. For those of you who don't know the details here are some "highlights":

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday called for eliminating California's welfare-to-work program, one of the deep cuts he proposed to close a $19 billion budget deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Slashing the welfare program would affect 1.4 million people, two-thirds of them children. In part, the program helps single mothers find child care while they go to school to learn new skills.

He did not follow through on a similar threat to eliminate Healthy Families, which provides health care to nearly 700,000 children from low-income families, because of requirements under the new federal health care law.

Instead, Schwarzenegger proposed cutting $15 million from the program and shifting more of the costs to recipients, including raising the co-payment for emergency room visits from $15 to $50.

If this effects you, what are you going to do now?

[ediesmom]

good morning mamas!

today im waiting for good news on a job really want....so nervous!

send positive job vibes please