"Lower Income Moms" October 2007 Support - Page 2

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by CaraNicole

I've been putting off posting to this thread (stupid pride) I will be back later.....

[mrskennedy]

LankyLizards, so glad things are going well for you and DD!!!
I love October too. Halloween is my favorite holiday--yes, even better than Christmas--and my birthday isn't half bad either, even if I do have to make my own cake. At least DH is here to clean up this time.
I hope things keep improving for you!
And I just wanted to say, if you have trouble getting internet service, you can get, I think, 10 hours/month of dial-up free with netzero. They also have a platinum package with more hours, but I'm not sure how much it is. Or if you want DSL--something I won't compromise on--check around for promos. We're getting DSL with our phone package for $14.99/month for a year.

[mrskennedy]

serenetabbie

[serenetabbie]

Thank you Mrskennedy back at cha.

[Montana Mom]

Subscribing. We made $100 at a family yard sale. The windfall was totally for "us". We bought a marriage license and went out to dinner.

[Belleweather]

Originally Posted by Montana Mom

Subscribing. We made $100 at a family yard sale. The windfall was totally for "us". We bought a marriage license and went out to dinner.

Yay! Congratulations!

*

AngelBee: Do you need the money for attorney's fees, or court costs, or both? Sometimes the court will let low income people file and waive the fees, so call your clerk of court and find out if that's a possibility. Otherwise, sometimes there is assistance through your local Legal Aid or other legal group... your State Bar Association would know more about that, or United Way's First Call For Help (almost always 211 from any phone).

If you need legal help or advice, talk to your attorney about whether you could do any of what is needed for yourself... could you do some of the typing or research on your own? My mom does this a lot for things like real estate and landlord/tenant where there are a lot of forms to fill in and things, because she works for free and her attorney is $200/hr. If you're working with a law firm, could they use a paralegal or someone who bills at a lower rate to do any of the work? Or, worst case scenario, have you looked into law school clinics or other pro bono resources that could help with some of the work. I know it sucks to change horses in midstream, but it's better than going completely pro-se.

*

Um... I'm sticking around for another month, even though we probably don't 'qualify' anymore since I'm employed. But we're still at the point where we have month at the end of the money rather than money at the end of the month. And we're paying off back bills and worrying about keeping our heads above water when I'm off work with this baby, so I'm hanging around. Also, I would miss you guys way too much if I left. This thread is the best part about MDC for me.

Best thing to happen last month? MY NEW JOB! Yay!

On the other hand, my job just started their United Way Pledge Drive and I'm not contributing and it's totally conspicuous, especially since the other collegues at my level are contributing through paycheck withdrawals and buying things at the silent action and running the freakin' fundraiser and everything and I'm... not. Considering that I was calling United Way's first call for help hotline last month begging for help keeping us fed, I think they'd rather just have me off their assistance rolls than have my donation, but that's not something I can bring up at work. :

[serenetabbie]

Congratulations on your job Belleweather! How great!! As for the UW thing, if/when I have nothing to "give", I give my time. Really, that is one of the most valuable things you can donate. And you can tell people with a clear conscience that you did donate

I am sorry I have no advice for you Angelbee, but, as usual on MDC, there are others who have excellent ideas. I hope it all works out.

And I add my congratulations to Montana Mom!! How exciting, and IMO, not a better way to spend the yardsale money.

[mrskennedy]

Boy am I HOPPING MAD!!! DH had a bill go to collections last month but paid $20 or so on it. Unbenounced to us, they not only kept his credit card info on file, but charged the rest of the damn bill to it today! + there's a $3.50 fee per transaction... Now we're out a bunch of money and I have tuition to pay. I sure hope I don't get a late fee, b/c that's $25 more we owe and don't have. Just for that, I should take DH's next check. After all, the bill was his fault not mine. So why should I suffer? Thanks DH! Thanks collections! Does it ever frickin end???

[gradmama]

Hello all!
There were several best parts of September:
I started my graduate school career.
My kids got settled in and comfortable in a new area.
I got a budget laid out (I'm still working on implementing it and I still need a cash infusion, but at least I know whats up and what I need to do).
I started riding my bike a lot.
My home-cooking has improved alot!

That seems like kind of a dumb list......but anyway. Now to get the school to increase my budget and let me take out more loans. Yeah for debt!

I hope everyone has a good month.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by Montana Mom

Subscribing. We made $100 at a family yard sale. The windfall was totally for "us". We bought a marriage license and went out to dinner.

Congratulations!
We did that too. Our license was $30, our rings were $46 for both, and dinner was $15. Now I wish I could give the DH back b/c I don't like him. Anyone looking for someone to play with their kids? He's good at that.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by Belleweather

Also, I would miss you guys way too much if I left. This thread is the best part about MDC for me.

I know what you mean. But I hope things keep getting better for you, so you don't need us anymore!

[gradmama]

Can they do that?

I mean obviously they did, but is it legal? That seems awful shady to me. I would call the credit card company and tell them it was an unauthorized transaction.

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

Boy am I HOPPING MAD!!! DH had a bill go to collections last month but paid $20 or so on it. Unbenounced to us, they not only kept his credit card info on file, but charged the rest of the damn bill to it today! + there's a $3.50 fee per transaction... Now we're out a bunch of money and I have tuition to pay. I sure hope I don't get a late fee, b/c that's $25 more we owe and don't have. Just for that, I should take DH's next check. After all, the bill was his fault not mine. So why should I suffer? Thanks DH! Thanks collections! Does it ever frickin end???

[Aura_Kitten]

my good thing: my worker didn't cut off my welfare despite me constantly being late with paperwork.


Happy October, everyone. I love this month... pumpkins, candles, hallowe'en, and all the candy sales any mama could ask for.

[mrskennedy]

Originally Posted by gradmama

I mean obviously they did, but is it legal? That seems awful shady to me. I would call the credit card company and tell them it was an unauthorized transaction.

OOOO! I didn't think of that! I'll have DH call. Though my gut feeling is they won't do anything about it b/c he paid them last month so they'll just brush it off. I mean since he gave them money before, what proof is there that he didn't authorize it this time? But maybe we'll get lucky! Thanks!

[mrskennedy]

Ok. So yesterday it was the CC thing--which the bank says can't be reversed--and today it's twice our usual cell phone bill! All b/c DH insisted on checking his voicemail at like $4.50/time or minute or whatever the heck it is. DH is on my s***t list now! And man, it's only the 2nd!

[zersha]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

OOOO! I didn't think of that! I'll have DH call. Though my gut feeling is they won't do anything about it b/c he paid them last month so they'll just brush it off. I mean since he gave them money before, what proof is there that he didn't authorize it this time? But maybe we'll get lucky! Thanks!

OOOHHHH, that would make me mad too. I really don't think it's legal, but since he authorized it once, all they have to say is that he authorized it again and it's just his word against theirs. I would never trust a collection agency with a credit/debit card number, or even a bank account #. I needed to pay off an old college bill last year, and thought about just paying it over the phone so I wouldn't have to drive down there, but it crossed my mind that once they had my dc#, they could use it for another bill I had with them that I couldn't afford to pay at the time.

Hope things get better for you.

[Petersmamma]

Originally Posted by mum4boys

NO NO NO I read the average bank robber gets away with less then $3,500. I thought you needed $5,000?

Oh, man! (insert Swiper voice from Dora here...sorry, can't help myself!) You will just have to rob an armored truck then. Maybe we can all help! We'll wear masks and be the AP Mommy Robbers! Yow!:

Originally Posted by Montana Mom

Subscribing. We made $100 at a family yard sale. The windfall was totally for "us". We bought a marriage license and went out to dinner.

Woo-hoo! Awesome! That makes me feel all tingly!

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

Boy am I HOPPING MAD!!! DH had a bill go to collections last month but paid $20 or so on it. Unbenounced to us, they not only kept his credit card info on file, but charged the rest of the damn bill to it today! + there's a $3.50 fee per transaction... Now we're out a bunch of money and I have tuition to pay. I sure hope I don't get a late fee, b/c that's $25 more we owe and don't have. Just for that, I should take DH's next check. After all, the bill was his fault not mine. So why should I suffer? Thanks DH! Thanks collections! Does it ever frickin end???

For YOU! That makes ME mad, too! UAV bill collectors! Flippin' jerks.

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

Ok. So yesterday it was the CC thing--which the bank says can't be reversed--and today it's twice our usual cell phone bill! All b/c DH insisted on checking his voicemail at like $4.50/time or minute or whatever the heck it is. DH is on my s***t list now! And man, it's only the 2nd!

Dh gets on my sh**list easily, too.

[Petersmamma]

Dh woke me up right before he left for school (at 6:30 a.m. which was a great change from YESTERDAY when I was up with ds at around 4:30 a.m. man, that kid is gonna get it when he's a teenager and wants to sleep in! ) and I asked him if he was going to remember to go to the resume workshop at his school today. He said that he definitely has to after doing budgeting last night. He said (and this is at 6:30 a.m. mind you, before I've even gotten out of bed or had coffee....though, to his credit, dh did bring me coffee in bed) that if we don't buy gas (yeah, right....I kinda have to get to work, ds to d/c and dh to school) and spend $100 a week on groceries, we won't be bankrupt till the end of November. Otherwise, we are only good till the end of October. : Thanks, dh. Nice way to wake up.

I submitted my FAFSA to get student loans, and our grad program has emergency loans. Dh already has a FAFSA submitted (he got Pell grants) so hopefully he can get on getting loans ASAP. Plus, we can always send $5 to cc companies, so we will be labeled as slow paying, but not NOT paying. I will send a letter explaining the situation (that way WE have documentation, too, that we are paying in good faith, if not exactly how much they want). I suppose we can also ask his family for help (not mine, because I'm essentially an orphan....my dad is still alive, but I don't know where, I don't care, and I wouldn't ask him for money, anyway). I'm getting our stuff together (documentation) to submit for food stamps. I think things will be okay, but urgh. : That icky feeling in my tummy makes me unhappy.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Plus, we can always send $5 to cc companies, so we will be labeled as slow paying, but not NOT paying.

If you're not paying the minimum amount due each month, they can still send you to collections. It's in the contracts.

[CaraNicole]

Originally Posted by mrskennedy

Thanks.



Here's my intro....

I am thankful for he fact we have food, a home, health and family who is pretty much saving our behinds right now.

DH has not worked in months because every vertebra in his back is messed up. I have taken in a child to watch during the day and that is bringing in a good amount of extra income just not enough. DH has finally pretty much got the pain manged thanks to his awesome new doc. He is going to get a good job today so I know things are going to look up it's just hard.

I have decided to put DS outgrown clothes for sale (I did give away most of them when we were in 'good' financial shape), I was give way too many when pregnant and they are just taking up space, for 'the next child should we have one' I do not think it would be a good idea to have another child with finances the way they are and DS takes alot of energy! I figure it will be the extra $ we need for his b-day, x-mas and his insurance....

It feels better to get that out, I've just been so ashamed I used to could buy whatever and give to whoever and now we just don't have the cash for the stuff we need. (thanks goodness it isn't much)

I am also thankful for the fact me and DH have no debt. I think that is only because we refuse to have a CC or Bank account, It's cash or money order or we don't buy.