What is an "emergency?" - Page 2

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

While it sounds like its a good move for you, I'd be concerned about taking savings to zero. If you do freelance work, I would work to save up the money via freelance and then take the course. That way you don't put yourself in jeopardy by having no savings.

The reason I hesitate to wait is b/c I only make $800 in 4-6 months, but that's only when I get lucky. Normally it's much less/month and takes even longer to add up to that. The freelance work I do doesn't pay much and isn't worht my time. I do it to keep money in my PayPal account, b/c PP gets more interest than my bank act.

[mrskennedy]

Just read a bit about subsidized loans, and it says you have to fill out the FAFSA. And it's still federal funding, so a go no. (I don't want a loan anyway, and I've said it before.)

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I'd be really hesitant to take savings down to zero without a *guarantee* that you'll be able to get a job at the end. It would suck to pay all that money for the training and then not be able to get work afterwards. a lot of those medical transcription training centers really don't offer any job placement assistance and they make it look so easy - but it takes a lot of gruntwork to find the doctors and companies that outsource their transcription.

[LEAW]

Are you living on SSi or SSDI income?

Because you and your partner both have documented disabilities, I wouldn't hesitate to check out any county programs that can provide funding.

Call your local bureau of vocational rehabilitation - they just provided my friend with technical college tuition. Call the county mr/dd (mental retardation and developmental disabilities) and ask for intake, see if you qualify for services, or if they can refer you to other agencies.

Call your local sight center and ask for suggestions and ideas and referrals.

Call the state school for the blind and ask for their transition specialist at the high school. They have one (by law) and that person can at least steer you toward other agencies that can help.

I'd exhaust all public options before spending my only savings.