Here we are in a new month. How is everyone doing?
I'm having a hard time because we have to move by the 19th, as our house is being sold. I tried to negotiate to the end of October, but they don't want to negotiate. I've feeling so overwhelmed with this move, and still haven't found a home to move to yet. Also, the fear of having not saved enough money to put down some money for the deposit. Also, my son is having a terrible time, and has gone from being dx with NOS to Bipolar Disorder. It's not a surprise, but still it is hard to accept. I'm unable to work because of him, and he could not attend school when he did. I still do take on birth clients, but that has been just a few this year. Not enough at all.
As we fast approach the winter of colder days, and the holidays, I'm worried.
We have several food pantries around here at local churches, do you have anything like that in your area? Do you qualify for food stamps?
Thank you, Nataliachick. I don't feel comfortable going to a food pantry, as we have food in OUR pantry, you know? Like, we may not eat what we WANT to eat, but we will eat. It may be a bizarre meal of mishmashed stuff, but we won't starve.
I have no idea if we qualify for foodstamps. Probably, I just don't feel we are quite to that point yet.
ok, In the middle of writing this post it occurred to me to tap a resource and find out about any new in town nursing companies and turns out one does staff peds in my tiny town! There checking right now to see if they can do it
it works out!
They called back, they are willing to staff my area for peds!
We just have to get the process started which is a PITA, need new Dr's orders, deniles from the HMO so they can bill Medicaid which makes no sense since Medicaid already approved her for full time care at a nursing facility and said we could transfer it to home care. Either way, in theory I should have childcare for at least the 3 yr old come Spring term! Now I just don't know what to do about the 9 yr old bubble child...
her SSI gets approved and I can use that money to pay for a sitter for her.
Originally Posted by PenelopeJune
Thank you, Nataliachick. I don't feel comfortable going to a food pantry, as we have food in OUR pantry, you know? Like, we may not eat what we WANT to eat, but we will eat. It may be a bizarre meal of mishmashed stuff, but we won't starve.
I have no idea if we qualify for foodstamps. Probably, I just don't feel we are quite to that point yet.
Yes but they could give you stuff to help round out the meals or be able to make other stuff you might like more, say eggs so you could make pancakes or flour so you can make bread. When its gets to be slim pickings around here its often because I'm out of key ingredients like eggs or herbs/spices that give the main flavor of a meal. Sometimes that little bit extra really helps get us though because we were suddenly able to make all the other stuff that we need.
*note to self, when buying critical part to fix kitchen aid mixer so we can make all kinds of yummy baked goods and make our food really stretch contact seller first to make sure there not shipping it the slowest possible way which is FedEx/UPS when 1st class USPS would be fine and get here a lot sooner.
in other topics-does anyone ever feel guilty about the material things you own? we have some nice things-like a GPS, a Wii, iPods, etc...(but they were all gifts, or in the case of one of the ipods we found in a muddy field, and one we got for 15$ at a garage sale) and the GPS was something my mil bought for my husband so he can do his limo job.
but ive had people give me looks like we should sell these things-like why dont we pawn them? well its not like we would get very much money for them-and then we would be without some of the only 'nice things' we have. its almost as if when youre poor, people expect you to have nothing...like we dont deserve it. sigh...does anyone else feel this way?
if i talk about having a wii-i feel like i always have to qualify myself and say, it was a gift, etc...
YES i totally feel this way. We have some nice things, because DH's mom died of cancer and we got a lump sum settlement amount from the malpractice suit.
Wonderful way to get money, right...
We were able to pay cash for our new-ish van, bought furniture (where before, we had no couch and no bed--just the kids' mattresses), and yes we have some nice things in addition to these more "sensible" purchases. We still cry about the fact that we didn't just buy a small, modest home with that money when we had it--gods, do we cry about it. But when you've had nothing for so long, you are paralyzed when given the opportunity to have things. If we'd bought a home, we wouldn't have had the money to buy ANYthing else, and I was scared to make that leap. I thought we'd wait, buy some of the things we were desperately in need of, and then finance a home...but obviously things didn't work out that way.
For ten years, I never had anything nice that I expected to keep, because I ALWAYS knew I'd be forced to sell it sooner or later.
I am now crazy about keeping our things nice, because I KNOW if our dining room table gets gouged, or our couch gets ruined, there's no way we'll be able to replace it with anything of remotely similar quality--maybe not anything at all. I am so glad that I bought my kids quality furniture and nice mattresses when i had the chance--they had the most lousy, hand-me-down cr@p before...
It's a weird place to be in, having a paid-off van but no gas money to drive it some days...having a nice tv, but no money to rent a movie to watch on it
Originally Posted by inkedmamajama
in other topics-does anyone ever feel guilty about the material things you own?
I do sometimes, although almost every nice thing we own was a gift or purchased cheaply and used. We have some really nice musical instruments but there is no way we could ever replace them if we did pawn them, and music is one of the few things we do for fun.
Although I do find myself sometimes judging people because of the nice things they have. DH was trying to do some temp labor work and everyone waiting for jobs had cell phones and ipods, and it kind of bothered him, because one of the first things we did was cancel the cell phone and get a skype phone number instead.
Originally Posted by PenelopeJune
To the PP who's store didn't want to allow her to make a charge on her debit for under $5...they aren't allowed to do that. If you contacted your debit card company and told them that, the store could lose their agreement and their card readers. Soooooo not allowed.
That is so fantastic to know! I needed toilet paper (only bought one roll remember?) and had money to get an actual pack today
. I avoided going there though because I didn't want to deal with the ornry woman again. I ended up going to our overpriced grocery store. I'll have to remember this though for next time. I have no problem telling her that!
Originally Posted by inkedmamajama
in other topics-does anyone ever feel guilty about the material things you own?
Yes and no. Yes, because we do have some really frivolous things (a Wii, digital camera, camcorder, DVRs) but most of those things were gifts. But also no, because we mostly have really crappy and/or super old things (a 30 year old mattress on our bed, 40 year old pots and pans, broken hand mixer, old or hand me down furniture) and we don't have most of the things that a lot of people have.
I try to take REALLY good care of all of our stuff, and have taught the kids to do the same. Someone commented on one of DS's toys that is almost 3 years old, because it looks brand new, even though it's one of his favorites. I see kids with a trillion toys and all their toys look like broken junk, all dirty and missing pieces, and I feel like they don't appreciate any of them because they have so many.
I have no idea if we qualify for foodstamps. Probably, I just don't feel we are quite to that point yet.
You are this point. Go get some help. It's not easy but we had to do it last year for the first time. The 2 years prior, we were barely making it. Food stamps have helped us breathe. We still don't have any money because we even have less now than when we applied for the FS BUT we can eat! I also signed up for WIC a couple of months ago. And that was hard because we prefer rice milk or organic milk. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do... Jmho
hi guys, i thought id join you here.... im a newly single mama, who just got a crappy paying job at a daycare.... but its a job, so thats good
im about done with my savings that got me moved, etc. we moved to san antonio at the beginning of september. just signed up for foodstamps, and all i actually have to do now is go pick up my card. need to do wic too, but they were being pains, so i need to make another appointment.
anyway, i needed to share my good news that happened today with people who will understand. im broke right now. like $5 in my account broke, and i need to pay daycare on monday. my first paycheck is on thursday. when i signed up for internet, there was a rebate program going on. i got my check oh, a week or 2 ago. it was less than i thought it would be, but i figured maybe i remembered wrong. anyway, i went to check my mail this morning, and there was a letter from att saying sorry, we screwed up your rebate, heres the rest, and a check for $150!!!!!
that'll pay my 77.50 for daycare (1/2 price since i work there thank goodness, otherwise id be screwed) and put gas in the car and generally tide me over til i get paid
Originally Posted by ashleyhaugh
we screwed up your rebate, heres the rest, and a check for $150!!!!!
that'll pay my 77.50 for daycare (1/2 price since i work there thank goodness, otherwise id be screwed) and put gas in the car and generally tide me over til i get paid
got a big plan to go to the mall today......edie got some gc's for her birthday:heart it will be nice to let her get what she WANTS for a change instead of me telling her what she CAN have
It's the end of the month {and money}, and I've got $7 left to last a week. Yesterday I went to a health expo with vendors {Free to go & free bus there and back} and picked up wonderful samples of fresh fruit, yogurt, etc that were a real treat. Dd got coloring books & a few toy-like items, and in general it was a ton of fun.
But the real treat was that at the end of the expo, they gave away all the food they had left. I got a gallon of apple cider {the really good kind}, a loaf of expensive bread, VitaminWater, and a few other things. I missed out on the pies & cakes, but oh well.
And I have a bunch of free item coupons I got while there for milk, olive oil, pasta and more so I get to go freebie shopping today even though I'm so broke. So now our meals for the rest of the month will be much better until our food stamps come in on the first.
Now I'm just hoping our WIC appointment on Monday goes as good - we are getting DD back on WIC since money is so tight. I am hoping it doesn't rain as we have to walk about 3 blocks to get to the clinic.
Originally Posted by frugalmama
I just wanted to share this with you all.
It's the end of the month {and money}, and I've got $7 left to last a week. Yesterday I went to a health expo with vendors {Free to go & free bus there and back} and picked up wonderful samples of fresh fruit, yogurt, etc that were a real treat. Dd got coloring books & a few toy-like items, and in general it was a ton of fun.
But the real treat was that at the end of the expo, they gave away all the food they had left. I got a gallon of apple cider {the really good kind}, a loaf of expensive bread, VitaminWater, and a few other things. I missed out on the pies & cakes, but oh well.
And I have a bunch of free item coupons I got while there for milk, olive oil, pasta and more so I get to go freebie shopping today even though I'm so broke. So now our meals for the rest of the month will be much better until our food stamps come in on the first.
Now I'm just hoping our WIC appointment on Monday goes as good - we are getting DD back on WIC since money is so tight. I am hoping it doesn't rain as we have to walk about 3 blocks to get to the clinic.
thats wonderful
i'm so glad you went!
edie picked out three books, and a new outfit....and still has money (gc's) left over. she was so pleased that i couln't dictate price and limits
i wanted a book so bad
i wrote it down and will get it from the library when they get it
Ediesmom, can you do interlibrary loan? Our library will borrow absolutely any book you want from other libraries in the state for patrons, if they don't have it. I'm constantly interlibrary loaning books and movies that our library doesn't have. And, of course, it's free.
Just thought maybe that way you wouldn't have to wait to read the book you wanted!
Originally Posted by Goddess3_2005
So how does one do it exactly? Just go up to the dumpster and jump in? I'm being serious I have never done this before! Can you get in trouble?
Originally Posted by Goddess3_2005
So how does one do it exactly? Just go up to the dumpster and jump in? I'm being serious I have never done this before! Can you get in trouble?
The legality of it depends on your county/state codes. If you dig around via Google, you can usually find out from other DDers what your laws are.
Originally Posted by PenelopeJune
Ediesmom, can you do interlibrary loan? Our library will borrow absolutely any book you want from other libraries in the state for patrons, if they don't have it. I'm constantly interlibrary loaning books and movies that our library doesn't have. And, of course, it's free.
Just thought maybe that way you wouldn't have to wait to read the book you wanted!
yea, i do do that
i
my library! this book is brand new, tho.....so it might be a bit.
to do today....tack up wool blankets in my bedroom. its freezing in there
I'm a SAHM to two little boys, with a third one coming in a month and a half. DP works full time at a butcher shop. I was going to school part-time until we found out about this little bean - at which point I decided to just finish up the spring semester and give up until the kids are older. We're really hurting even more now without that extra financial aid money!
I just found out Saturday that our gas will be shut off any day. Apparently our account has been in shutoff mode since the 8th - meaning they could have shut off service at any point after that - so I'm hoping and praying they give us a few more days. On Thursday I can get down to their offices and set up a payment arrangement, and next week HEAP starts -
- even if they do shut it off, at least it's not snowing here yet.
I just reapplied for WIC, and my first appointment is this afternoon. That will help us so much, especially with the new food packages. We're about $40 over the limit for food stamps but we'll be eligible after the baby's born, and then it'll be tax-refund time . . . so there's a light at the end of the tunnel! Just gotta get through the rest of the year.
Thought I would post an update on me. Things are going well DH has been working a couple days a week and seems to be healing!! It is amazing how long it can take muscle to repair itself and to see someone struggle with even basic lifting
Food is very low and we are praying for the first to come soon. I am thinking that this next month I am going to try and do a meal plan or menu for the entire month and see how that works out.
Hoping things keep looking up of course with the cold weather here Dh will be out of work again and we will be living on $70 a week. We do not qualify for assisstance because Dh is self employed but they told us when he isn't working he could do community service every day from 8-5 and then we might be able to get something. So that doesn't sound likely.
Hope everyone is enjoying this last week of the month and that November brings more joy and happiness!
Sorry again mamas, but another reminder of what was posted by MDC's Assistant Administrator --
Quote:
Originally Posted by abimommy
Further HH discussion in here will be removed.
Thanks!
She would prefer you message her privately if you have questions, concerns or other commentary rather than posting here on the boards. Thanks for understanding!
just got back from WIC - rained pretty hard but we made it there and back thankfully. Thank G-d for the rain coat I found at the thrift for $1 a while back - DD managed to stay pretty dry walking home except for her feet {note to self find rain boots at the thrift}.
And as soon as it stops raining and the flooding goes down we can go pick up our WIC food and have a feast.
Any ideas for using up WIC foods? We're drowning in milk already since I got vouchers for a gallon free at that expo, and now I'm getting another gallon an a half tomorrow, and 3 more on Sunday. Everything else we're pretty good at using, but the milk I'm stumped with since we don't really drink it.
And if anyone knows how to use Rice Noodles {Asian style} in something that doesn't have peanuts I'd really appreciate it - we got a box free at the expo but I've no idea how to cook or use them as I've never had them before. Both the ideas on the both have peanut butter in them, and DD is allergic.
And if anyone knows how to use Rice Noodles {Asian style} in something that doesn't have peanuts I'd really appreciate it - we got a box free at the expo but I've no idea how to cook or use them as I've never had them before. Both the ideas on the both have peanut butter in them, and DD is allergic.
Just sub another butter you can use, soy, sunflower, ect
Originally Posted by frugalmama
Any ideas for using up WIC foods? We're drowning in milk already since I got vouchers for a gallon free at that expo, and now I'm getting another gallon an a half tomorrow, and 3 more on Sunday. Everything else we're pretty good at using, but the milk I'm stumped with since we don't really drink it.
And if anyone knows how to use Rice Noodles {Asian style} in something that doesn't have peanuts I'd really appreciate it - we got a box free at the expo but I've no idea how to cook or use them as I've never had them before. Both the ideas on the both have peanut butter in them, and DD is allergic.
Some people make cheese with their WIC milk. One almost 100% wic dinner that I do is bean tacos- chickpeas or lentils for the meat (black and pinto would work too), spiced up, tomatoes, lettuce and avocado with the veggie voucher, and corn or ww tortillas for the whole grain (we do corn, there's less "stuff" in them).. oh and you could do cheese on yours with wic too (we're vegan at home so I never get the cheese).
You can freeze your milk too. Thats what we do so that we have milk when we run out.
Heres other things we make with our milk that use large amounts of milk
Mottzerella Cheese
Yogurt
Pudding
Pancakes
Clam and corn chowder
Milkshakes
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