Question from the poor
I am sure that more than myself and my husband out there have this problem...and I was wondering how others are dealing with it.
I am a stay at home housewife who is disabled (no I do not get a check each month the reason for that is another story) My husband works in texiles and only makes 12.00 an hour.
We own a home..but we leased it out and make no profit off of it..we lease it for the amount of the mortgage because we just cant afford it.
We rent an apartment..in a bad neighborhood, because its all we can afford.
But now..we are at the point..we just cant afford it and other bills and have no idea what to do.
We owe property taxes 600.00 and dont have the money. We owe for 3 credit cards..all total on those the balance would be about 700.00....we owe for a personal loan where we had to get something at the house fixed before we leased it..thats another 8,500.00.
We may not seem that bad off to many, but to us, we are drowning and cant feel the bottom to push ourselves back up.
We have tried to get a loan for 10,000.00 to pull everything together and just have 1 interest rate and 1 payment, but the way things are..we cant get it.
We have no idea where to turn..how to get help to get back on our feet...and soon I fear, we will be homeless.
We live in western NC...and I am wondering...Does anyone have any ideas?
Getting a 2nd job is out..there are none and my husband works 45 hours a week Mon-Thurs. at his age, and with his health, any more would kill him...I have tried to get a part time job, but there are not any out there..not here. I have cut the budget and still cutting to the point that I may have to give my home phone up. I worry I cant pay the insurance...car/house....or the power bill or...the list goes on.
We have ask these places to work with us..none are interested in doing that..not in this market.
If anyone has any stories to share on how their getting by..please..let me know...I am truly interested.
PEACE
Census bureau is hiring
http://www.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php
And I heard tax preparation companies are hiring help for Jan - Apr, you might try to find out.
Thank you all
I would like to thank you all for your help..and remarks..both good and bad. And to those who offered to send money..God bless you but..I could not and will not take it...I know first hand how dear even the smallest amount is to a person..and there are those 100 times worse off than me..but still..bless you for it.
Ok...let me try and answer some of the comments:
The Lifeline thing for the phone...Cant get that..My husband makes to much according to the government...We couldnt get help from them on anything..Before taxes..he makes about 4,000 more a year over the limit.
The house: Because people in WNC are hurting so bad, we couldnt have sold the house for more than we owe..so we are leasing it for the amount of the mortgage each month. The house needed work and was leased AS IS they pay to get what ever breaks..fixed...so that takes us to Bankruptcy: We cant because we lease the house..nor can we find a lawyer willing to take small payments....50 here..100 there
The credit cards: We are paying them off..and we only used them when we had no other choice...Car needed a repair...our grandson needed something...We in no way ever used them for something just because we wanted it...it had to be a need it right then, couldnt wait, or it wasnt
bought.(And considering all 3 are a grand total of under 600.00 I think we did a damn good job)
Moving...I'd love to..but..where and how? The gas we have in the car might get us to eastern Tn.....maybe middle of SC...But add all the cost up....I have...It would take at least 1500 just to move local..out of state..jeez...think e can X's that by 5.
Jobs..He has tried and tried to get a better job...but places here are closing and being 50...not easy...I have tried too..Tried babysitting..house cleaning and any other job I could think of that I thought my health would allow..My horse shoe ran out of luck and my 4 leaf clover..died
Yes..I have a phone and the internet but both are needed...I cant go into the reason why but lets say..its another way of helping others to fight the government...
Im sure Im leaving something out but..If theys a bill I cut it down...A want I did without...A need I looked to see just how long I could do without..A corner I cut it so sharp..Geo.Washington started to cry from all the ways I squeezed the dollars.My main worry is the property tax....about 600.00...any ideas how to get the county to wait?
But there are many like us out there..Some not as bad off..others much worse...I hope those in worse need read this..so maybe they will see the ideas you put up for us...and maybe where they are..they can get help.
Now some of you may think..'Shes making up excuses..''..That I can promise you I am not...Ive done all Ive know'd to do and still trying to do more and was looking for other opinions..and ways..I could do more..And again...I truly do thank you all...And God bless
Freedom is another way to God...A corrupt government is a straight way to hell.
I believe in Hope & Change..I Hope the government will Change
Spindale-Rutherford County-North Carolina
I know you already know it
but you are in good company, youre not alone. hang in there
Live Free or Diebold
I can help
Send me your e-mail address and I will send you some info.
Send to : benjamin-franklin2008@live.com
Put "B.F." in subject line or I will not open it.
Mention Daily Pauler needs help in message so I'll know it's you.
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Tators, gravy, & beans can stick to the ribs for a long time.
Hang up blankets and close off areas of the apartment to heat 1 room.
Seal your windows with plastic, foil, or blankets
Let the electric go.
Buy a kerosene heater, candles, coleman camp stove.
Use tea bags instead of soda.
Collect cans-rinse them-smash them- save them. With inflation in the pipeline, a couple hundred pounds of aluminum cans may fetch you enough to pay off a good chunk of debt. Dumpster dive if you have to.
This may all sound crazy but after 4-6 months of this, you would be surprised at how much you could get 'ahead'. Since you live in a bad neighborhood, if the locals begin to notice that you don't have electric and that you collect cans-- they will be less likely to invade your home and rob you when things get really hairy for them.
***One important thing though. This is absolutely crucial: Make sure hubby has more than enough water heated for bathing when he gets home and feed him plenty. 'We' tend to get grumpy if we find ourselves in a world of sh%t without one lousy peanut to hold us over :-)
If its bad enough, I hope it helps. Wish I could send some $ your way. Unfortunately, we are battling our credit and med bills as well. We did meet our goal last week and broke the below 20k barrier... Yippee!
After awhile, move to new neighborhood or reclaim your home if concerned about your image.
Note: These things won't work if you have children because you run the risk of losing them. But I am serious about these options. These will become practical solutions to many people in bad situations in the future. I am both fortunate and unfortunate enough to have figured these options out 20 years ago.
Personally, I think it's fun to reduce expenses. The more I cut,
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
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the more I feel that I'm in charge of my own life.
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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I told my friend who has a very low income to be in charge of
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
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her own life and reduce her expenses to less than her income, and if she could do that she would always come ahead no matter how low her income was, and this seemed to cheer her up.
On the other hand, even if someone makes a lot of money, if his or her expenses exceed the income, he or she is losing, in my opinion.
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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I agree with the person below, its important to reduce the debt
or attempt to have most of it written off. I like the idea of having an attorney help you with that someone who could do some pro bono work.
Whatever you do pay for your rent and food first before debt and even taxes. You can make small payments to taxes eventually, but the debt is draining the life from both of you, get rid of it. Many banks are writing off credit card and bank loan debts now.
In a true free market, you and your husband would be much better off, but the Federal Reserve and the banksters have played God with our entire monetary and political system for almost 100 years now. Give the debt back to them and say, no thanks we wish to be 'free'.
If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all. -Noam Chomsky
Major railroads are hiring
Avg $28-30 per hour. Good health care and a great pension. Hours are bad until you get seniority. Nights, weekends and holidays. Most take applications on line.
Burlington Sante Fe, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Union Pacific, Canadian National...commuter trains in Chicago, NY, east & west coast. Tulsa and other cities are considering commuter trains in the future.
With Passenger rail increasing Amtrak may be worth the risk.... dependent on gov $. (last choice)
look at filing chapter 13
you could set a repayment plan on a 3 or 5 year basis and stick the credit card companies with 10 cents on the dollar. If the $8500 loan is not a second mortgage, give them the shaft as well. IMMEDIATELY quit making payments on the credit cards if you chose to do this. Consult with an attorney to see what you could put under this plan. the attorney will put his fees into the plan and you can get the filing costs put there as well if you can prove financial hardship. This is no different than what the major banks are doing.
Sell the computer and cancel
Sell the computer and cancel your internet service. Have you thought of that?
..................
"The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory is that conspiracy theorists actually believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is chaotic..." —Alan Moore
What goes around, FreeJesseVentura,
comes around.
Ignorant and scornful comments are not very helpful to a human being earnestly reaching out for guidance from what should be considered an 'enlightened' group of people, now would it?
Thoughtful
..
naw we need her here
need the interwebs to keep each other's minds sharp. : )
Live Free or Diebold
Many of my friends don't have computer or internet service. Some
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
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of them go to a library or internet cafe.
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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That may be true if you are able-bodied and can get around,
but this woman is disabled and connection with the world can be extremely important to those who cannot get around.
Well, your opinion sounds reasonable, but how was she doing
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
---
before 1995?
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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Judge ye not...she was probably still "sleeping", like me
and a great many others in here. The internet is the only remainging "free" press.
Ginny in PA
Schnecksville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
I lived without telephone for 2 years because I didn't want to
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
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waste my money on telephone. Also, I didn't like the phone company. I would do without electricity if the utility company pissed me off. In fact, I know a guy who lived without utilities including running water until recently. He got water from a park. But it was his own decision. I guess he didn't want to waste his money on utilities.
I think that the key is to make your expenses less than your income based on your own decisions. In my opinion, there should be many ways and as long as you are in charge of making the decisions, I don't think you would feel so bad. I tend to think you would enjoy being in charge.
In fact, I loved it when I didn't have a phone because I knew that I was in charge of the money that would have gone to the phone company, otherwise.
I still don't have a long distance service on my phone.
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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inexpensive long distance ~
~
I cancelled my long distance phone service and got a 99 cent store phone card at the 99 cent store! Whoa...I've even used it to call Canada...and it was especially helpful when we've had to call out-of-state senators and congressmen at critical times. ;-)
You get 99 minutes of long distance calls for 99 cents!
The best deal in town...It has saved me hundreds of dollars.
http://www.phonecards99.com/FAQs.asp.
http://www.99only.com/
Allright your dog died and your mule won`t pull a plow no more?
HYDROMAN
1 Get rid of your defeatest attitude , that won`t bring in money.
2. sell the damn house NOW and pay off the bills
3. throw away the credit cards!!!
4. eat dried beans and rice ( with a little fat back) it cost $50./ month
5 get 2 or 3 jobs and save as much as you can.
6. get out of western N.C.
7. move to an area where there will be oilfield work ( coastal Tx., La., Al.
or maybe North Dakota.)
8. whichever idiot occupies the white house he will start an agressive
drilling program and the closer you are to the action, the better you
chances of sucess. ( you don`t have to be a roughneck to make big
bucks, cooks on the offshore riggs make $75-$85k a year).
I hope this helps , if it don`t , call Dave Ramsey.
"Since 1789 the only government on Earth that has the power to crush the American people`s liberties across the board is the government of the United States"
Robert Higgs
Work on Oilfield
How about one in Brazil??
Cuba is closer!
HYDROMAN
"Since 1789 the only government on Earth that has the power to crush the American people`s liberties across the board is the government of the United States"
Robert Higgs
tough times
YOU didn'y mention heat ..Close off rooms & basicly live in one room for the winter ..IF your wiring is good enough get a small electric heater for onr room .wear sweaters & use blanket for lounging around turn electric water heater back ,INSULATE with anything non flamable & get the windows tightened but not too tight, fresh air you know...Milk keeps at 40 deg . BUY canned good for cheap storage ..Soup ....some help ...
PAY your taxes....Shut off toilets they can leak water without you knowing.useage...WEATHER strip doors windows or plastic wrap...Keep us posted on progress....ENJOY the south sun for warming heat thru windows & close curtains at nite... IF you don't live in the house you only need house insurance not homeowners insurance.
weee
Ditch North Carolina thats
Ditch North Carolina thats Your problem. Louisiana is still doing good at the moment. I just looked on MSN and they had recession proof cities and Louisiana got two of the cities out of 12. I think they were way off because Louisiana's main industry is OIL and more work can be found in Lafayette and Houma. I would recommend making a change because the country is going down the hill. You should not be afraid of change but go looking for work. Offshore is a good industry and since most people are spoiled in this country it always has a hard time finding people. The average age for people working out here is probably 35+ so its mature people because young people are lazy spoiled punks that want their cake and to eat it too. The one job that is entry level is riggers or roust abouts which starts out at 12 dollars for 12 hours a day for sometimes as long as You want to stay out. I for one make close to 400 a day and I come out sometimes 2 months at a time with only 1 or 2 weeks off. You are not the only one hurting btw because I am even hurting right now and worried so much I never ask for time off anymore. I would also look into the merchant marine also ..... Most people don't know about these industries and thats why its a good way to go ...
Ok
Fortune Favors the Bold
This probably won't be what you want to hear, but you may have to accept a reduction of your standard of living. Here's an idea. Why not look for some others who may be in the same position, and buy a forclosed house for several families? You could all help contribute to the bills. It might not be what you are used to, but it would be better then being homeless.
Fortune Favors the Bold
I don't even own a couch! But, I never thought that's bad.
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
---
government of the people, by the people, for the people
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Wanting to help!
I have heard your distress call, and want to help in any way I can. You must understand that lots of people take advantage of those who would help others, and in this I would require some physical proof of your situation. I'm sorry that your story alone is not all that I would require to send you money, which I am willing to do, but I will not support scam artist. Please understand!
I would be more than happy to contribute $100.00
Thats all I can really aford right now, but I'm sure this would help you. I have been in many situations where other have helped me, even though I was a complete stranger. I could tell you stories.
That being said, I would like you to be creative on showing some proof of your situation. And a check will be on its way.
You can email me at
WallaceDesignServices@comcast.net
I hate to sound untrusting, but I have to know that my money will go to good people, for a good cause.
I'm sure others would feel the same!
Besides,
Whats money gonna be worth soon anyway!
Give while you still can, thats what I always say.
Cheers,
Bob Wallace
You could always send the bucks directly to
the creditor, or the tax assessor, or whatever, to pay down their debt.
My first goal would be to get out of all debt, IMMEDIATELY. I'd eat bread and water for a few weeks and send every spare penny I could to the creditors, to get out from under that cloud.
Perhaps the individual could tell you enough information to make it realistic to pay directly to one of their creditors. I've actually done that for someone in need, and it worked out all around good for everyone: They get helped, the transaction is secure, and you get warm fuzzies.
- -
Get your own "Ron Paul for Treasury Secretary" or "Nothing Changes 1-20-09 / Vote Third Party" sticker, designed by AlaskaRon, today!
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RP2012!
Great answer! I've used this approach to help
family members with dependancy problems, who may otherwise spend $$ on their habits....
Schnecksville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania