*~*~*2012 Low Income Support Group*~*~* - Page 2

[cat13]

Hi all, I'd love to join this group. Right now I work full time while DH is finishing school and caring for our 4 month old son while I'm working. For the last few months we have been doing well with our bills... no new debt... but his school and financial aid end soon and then who knows what we will do.

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles, but at least we are all in the same boat for now to keep each other company.

[Paigekitten]

Our food stamps got bumped from $200 a month to $600!  I totally stocked the freezer.   Unfortunately a check hit the bank before DH's paycheck did, I'm hoping DH can sweet talk them into waving the fee.

[averysmomma05]

Yay! I am glad your fs was upped! I am praying mine gets upped I sent in paperwork showing the changes but we only get $58.00 worth a month right now. Sigh.
 

Originally Posted by Paigekitten 

Our food stamps got bumped from $200 a month to $600!  I totally stocked the freezer.   Unfortunately a check hit the bank before DH's paycheck did, I'm hoping DH can sweet talk them into waving the fee.

[averysmomma05]

thanks guys!
 

Originally Posted by kay4 

Congrats emi!

Originally Posted by mylilmonkeys 

Congratulations!!

[zebra15]

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1338496/december-pantry-challenge#post_16782290

There is a pantry challenge going on.... its' boring over there... who wants to join us?

[Paigekitten]

Well, I called the hospital to find out about financial assistance, we qualify but they transferred me to some other office and then I had to leave a message. Hopefully I actually get called back.  I've been trying to apply for LIHEAP for a month now and I always seem to call when someone is closed, but it's this huge long phone chain where you call one place and they give you the number for another place who gives you the number for another.  I finally got through to the right number to apply, but they aren't accepting new applications right now.  I guess I'll just keep calling back.  Usually we heat with wood, not the furnace, but I'm not able to get out and chop/carry wood with the baby.  Maybe when she's big enough to go on my back.

[inkedmamajama]

I am so tired of my financial situation. Here is it, another holiday season and I am still plagued by bank fees, and shutoff notices. Behind on rent and stressed just about the normal monthly bills-not even taking into account the 'holiday' stuff, like a present for our kids.

I am still making things at home for sale-trying to earn what money I can. Thinking of selling my daughter's violin (she switched instruments and no longer uses it)

We are in a better position than last year, as we actually have two vehicles and they are both legal, insured, and running-that is just so huge for us. 

I have remind myself how rich I am in love and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

[inkedmamajama]

I almost forgot-

How do you handle things when a debt collector calls you on the phone? Say, you know you cannot afford to pay them (they always want a payment plan as soon as they talk to you in person, and they usually take hefty fees-some even saying half of your payment goes towards their collection fees!)

instead of not answering the phone-how do you answer the phone, explain your situation and get them to stop calling (which does not mean you are shirking the debt-just that they don't call you five times a day or whatever.)

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by inkedmamajama 

I almost forgot-

How do you handle things when a debt collector calls you on the phone? Say, you know you cannot afford to pay them (they always want a payment plan as soon as they talk to you in person, and they usually take hefty fees-some even saying half of your payment goes towards their collection fees!)

instead of not answering the phone-how do you answer the phone, explain your situation and get them to stop calling (which does not mean you are shirking the debt-just that they don't call you five times a day or whatever.)

It is actually illegal for them to call more than once a day or to be harrassing. You have the right to request in writting that they contact you by mail only and they have to honor that. If they give you problems tell them you will contact the Federal Trade Commission to report them for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act just knowing those phrases usually shuts them up pretty quickly. Sadly I used to work for a loan company and did more than my fair share of collections.

 

[Thystle]

Originally Posted by averysmomma05 

We just found out I am pregnant with baby #3. Totally unexpected and random but am thrilled! Food stamps was upped hopefully with me not working and hubbys pay going down.

  Congrats!!!!!!!!

[Thystle]

Do any of you ever watch "Til Debt Do Us Part"? The lady that is the host has an awesome and easy fill in the blanks budget online here:  http://www.gailvazoxlade.com/resources/interactive_budget_worksheet.html

She uses jars instead of envelopes. But the MOST interesting thing that I have NEVER seen on any other budget form is that there is a space for gov assistance income. Granted they film in Canada with different gov income items... but it was cool. And it shows you all the percentages of everything.

Eye opening even though I budget all the time!!!

[Thystle]

You need to go check out creditboards.com   ;)

You will have to send the "Cease and Desist" letter certified.

Originally Posted by inkedmamajama 

I almost forgot-

How do you handle things when a debt collector calls you on the phone? Say, you know you cannot afford to pay them (they always want a payment plan as soon as they talk to you in person, and they usually take hefty fees-some even saying half of your payment goes towards their collection fees!)

instead of not answering the phone-how do you answer the phone, explain your situation and get them to stop calling (which does not mean you are shirking the debt-just that they don't call you five times a day or whatever.)

[PoetryLover]

*

Edited by PoetryLover - 12/18/11 at 3:12pm

[maciascl]

DH just got a job!!! It is full time but at minimum wage plus commission so it won't be enough to support us completely, but it is something. I am so freaking excited! He will still be able to sell real estate on the side as well. I also am waiting to hear on a part time job too. Between the 2 we should be ok, but of course mine is not set in stone yet.

[Paigekitten]

Originally Posted by maciascl 

DH just got a job!!! It is full time but at minimum wage plus commission so it won't be enough to support us completely, but it is something. I am so freaking excited! He will still be able to sell real estate on the side as well. I also am waiting to hear on a part time job too. Between the 2 we should be ok, but of course mine is not set in stone yet.

[mylilmonkeys]

Originally Posted by maciascl 

DH just got a job!!! It is full time but at minimum wage plus commission so it won't be enough to support us completely, but it is something. I am so freaking excited! He will still be able to sell real estate on the side as well. I also am waiting to hear on a part time job too. Between the 2 we should be ok, but of course mine is not set in stone yet.

Good news!

[Wolfcat]

Originally Posted by maciascl 

DH just got a job!!! It is full time but at minimum wage plus commission so it won't be enough to support us completely, but it is something. I am so freaking excited! He will still be able to sell real estate on the side as well. I also am waiting to hear on a part time job too. Between the 2 we should be ok, but of course mine is not set in stone yet.

Awesome news! It's sooo stressful when finances get cut. It's much nicer to get MORE than to get LESS.

Speaking of which, I got a promotion... and a raise (a small one, but still). DH got the other job, which pays a bit more and is closer (double-money savings).

I'm feeling so much better about life and money.

[averysmomma05]

I really hate to talk about this but. next month we are calling the car company and having them come and pick our car up. We bought it on a whim when our other car messed up and we had no other options. It  cost 340.00 a month on top of our other car that is 305 a month (which will be paid off next month YAY!).We plan to buy a beater car and will be saving 645.00 a month we didn't really have to begin with. Is going to kill our credit but hey who cares about credit when you can barely eat.Vent over.

[zebra15]

Averysmomma- hugs.

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by averysmomma05 

I really hate to talk about this but. next month we are calling the car company and having them come and pick our car up. We bought it on a whim when our other car messed up and we had no other options. It  cost 340.00 a month on top of our other car that is 305 a month (which will be paid off next month YAY!).We plan to buy a beater car and will be saving 645.00 a month we didn't really have to begin with. Is going to kill our credit but hey who cares about credit when you can barely eat.Vent over.

 It actually doesn't do as much damage as you might think to your credit. A voluntary surrender is concidered better than a typical repo. It still sucks though. Sorry.