Want to get out of debt

[Devaskyla]

It's not a huge amount compared to a lot of people (about $50k in student loans between us & $8k of credit card debt) but due to medical conditions, we're living on public assistance & have been since I was pregnant with ds2. We have no savings, no car & we rent.

I am trying to save up for a car as my dh recently nearly died (literally & multiple times, he's only been home from the hospital a few weeks after being in there for 2 months) & will not be able to do things like lug home groceries or even go on long shopping trips via transit for a very, very long time, if ever. We've been getting some help shopping wise with my mom coming in to help, but she won't be able to do that in the winter, which means dragging 3 kids blocks to the store in Northern Alberta winters unless we can get a vehicle (used, obviously)

We're doing ok getting the credit card debt down, paying more than the minimum payments. The main issue right now is my loans. The federal ones are on interest relief (& have been for years). The provincial ones were as well, but Edulinx has a limit & I just hit it. Luckily, I didn't owe them much & I've been able to pay it off, but it also screws up my interest relief for my provincial loans that are still with the bank. I can probably get approved, but then I have to go through all this again in 6 months. And I am so TIRED of having these loans hanging over my head. On the other hand, I can't save for a car & pay down the loan. And only paying the minimum (couldn't manage much more than that), It'll still take over 4 years just to pay off 1/5 of the total loans.

I'd really like to find something I could do from home (I can earn $250 before they cut our benefits) so I could do both things, but that seems to be easier said than done.

I'm not really sure what I'm asking for...just opinions, I guess.

[BunnySlippers]

Are your provincial loans OSAP loans? If you go on thier website and hunt for it, you can put off payments comlpetely if you are struggling, not just pay on the intrest. After 15yrs the governement will wipe your loan slate clean.
It is a PITA to do I imagine, but worth. I had checked into this before getting my student loans because I wanted to know what would happen if I could not pay after.

I do not have any other suggestions though, sorry

[Devaskyla]

I have no idea even what an OSAP loan is. Guess I'd better google. My ones with the bank are from 1998 or earlier.

...Just checked & no, they're from Alberta.

[BunnySlippers]

Thats too bad. I take it your student loans are direct from a bank and not the government? because maybe your payments could still be defferred entirely if they are government.

[mtm]

I hope your dh is okay, that sounds so scary. You need a plan, what's priority one, cheap car or debt repayment? Will your dh be able to work again? Are there any hardship deferrals for the cc or sls given his medical needs? If you can earn 250, I'd start there. I hate to trot out babysitting, fast food/retail when your dh is home b/c I'm sure you've thought of them.

[mamaofprincesses]

Is your DH able to care for the kids, or does he need care? My SIL was recently faced with that - four kids, a home daycare business, and her husband suffered a stroke and needed round-the-clock care in home. It was VERY hard, but she managed to do it for the short time between his stroke and when he, sadly, passed away.

If your DH doesn't need you to take care of him, or if he's able to take care of the kids, that obviously gives you a lot more options.

[ChetMC]

I Wish

I wish I had more ideas for you. We're car free with four kids, and I know how long and tiring the days can be when you're out shopping and running errands.

No car saves so, so much money though. What we do is to try and have a lot of things delivered. You should look around to see if any of the grocery stores in your area will deliver, if there are any box schemes, or local farmers who take orders and do deliveries.

For kids clothes, Please Mum has good sale prices and usually does free delivery in Canada. You can also do well buying large lots of used kids clothing on ebay and kijiji/craigslist.

I would try and put off the car as long as possible.

[GuildJenn]

I agree that a car is a huge money suck - it's the payments, and gas, and insurance, and then repairs if anything breaks down, and carseats if you don't have them, and the list kind of goes on.

I think what I would do is use a taxi or delivery to do a big shop once a month instead, really plan your shopping out. A taxi ride once a month is still way cheaper.

[josybear]

i agree, taking a cab to the store 2x a month is a lot cheaper than having a car. i'm single w 2 kids in a canadian city, and i do cabs. alterately, ask around and have a friend bring you along. people are often willing to help out if you just ask.
all the best to you.

[JERENAUD]

I don't know specifically where the OP is in northern AB, but many of the suggestions here aren't widely practical there. We're now further north, but have a house there. Unless she's in Grande Prairie, or defines 'north' as just outside of Edmonton, there just aren't many cities/ towns/ etc. that *have* taxis. And I can't think of any that will deliver groceries. Obviously her options may be greater, but northern AB as a whole is made up of some seriously small towns. And that's assuming that she's *in* town. If she's on an acreage, even if it's just outside of town, there are even fewer options.

OP, when I lived there, I drove into Peace River at least once a month, to do a big shop at the Extra Foods. Many of my friends did the same thing. Do you know anyone who could pick up some extras for you, or take you along with them?

Erica

[ChetMC]

It Would Help

Originally Posted by JERENAUD

I don't know specifically where the OP is in northern AB, but many of the suggestions here aren't widely practical there. We're now further north, but have a house there. Unless she's in Grande Prairie, or defines 'north' as just outside of Edmonton, there just aren't many cities/ towns/ etc. that *have* taxis. And I can't think of any that will deliver groceries. Obviously her options may be greater, but northern AB as a whole is made up of some seriously small towns. And that's assuming that she's *in* town. If she's on an acreage, even if it's just outside of town, there are even fewer options.

It would help to know where the OP lives specifically. She mentioned using public transit though and going "blocks" to the grocery store so it doesn't sound like she's in a tiny town.

[GuildJenn]

Originally Posted by JERENAUD

I don't know specifically where the OP is in northern AB, but many of the suggestions here aren't widely practical there. We're now further north, but have a house there. Unless she's in Grande Prairie, or defines 'north' as just outside of Edmonton, there just aren't many cities/ towns/ etc. that *have* taxis. And I can't think of any that will deliver groceries. Obviously her options may be greater, but northern AB as a whole is made up of some seriously small towns. And that's assuming that she's *in* town. If she's on an acreage, even if it's just outside of town, there are even fewer options.

OP, when I lived there, I drove into Peace River at least once a month, to do a big shop at the Extra Foods. Many of my friends did the same thing. Do you know anyone who could pick up some extras for you, or take you along with them?

Erica

Well that's good to know - I've lived in small town NB, but they had two cabs.

In that case I do wonder if you have a friend or neighbour who would drive you for a similar price. It's not that I think you don't deserve a car, it's just that it can be so expensive if you're on a totally limited budget already.

[JERENAUD]

Originally Posted by ChetMC

It would help to know where the OP lives specifically. She mentioned using public transit though and going "blocks" to the grocery store so it doesn't sound like she's in a tiny town.

Yeah, I noticed the public transit reference when I re read to original post... after I posted. Sorry to take everyone down a rabbit trail that appears to be irrelevant! Public Transit likely means Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Peace River or possibly Slave Lake, as well as some of the places that are just outside of Edmonton.

OP: could your kids just stay home with Daddy while you did groceries? I've assumed that he's a) not working and b) capable of caring for them, which I understand may not be true. Are there other situations where you'd like to have the use of the car, or is it specifically for groceries?


Erica

[The Duchess]

I would encourage you to contact the St. Vincent Depaul Society (SVDP) they are a Catholic worldwide organization who help people in their local neighborhoods that are struggling in any way. They would find a creative way to help you such as finding a car they could donate to you or someone who could drive you where you need to go etc. You do not need to be Catholic or even Christian. Here is their Canadian website http://www.ssvp.ca/English if you click on "Need Help" on the right you can send an email to the council in your local region who will find people much closer to you. Please give them a try.