I need HELP fast!

[alarosalpn]

Hi all,
Let me give you some background since I am fairly new to Frugal Village.
I work full time, my DH stays home with our son- this decision was partly due to the fact that I make more money than he can and that what money he would make working full time would all go to paying for someone else to raise our son anyway. We bought our house a little less than 2 years ago.
In June-Sept I was out of work for 3 months. This hurt us financially. I had to make a repayment plan with the mortgage and had payment plans with everyone else.. I retured to work in Sept then our only vehicle died in Oct. We were forced to get another vehicle.
Currently, we are behind on all the monthly bills, we have to pay $120 a week for the car, full coverage car insurance, I had to set up a payment arrangement to pay the water and sewer taxes, I have received shut off notices for all the monthly bills-paid the phone/internet and am going to make a payment arrangement for the lights. The gas is only for heat so thankfully we haven't had to use it much and will be able to pay it down before next fall.
The problem is that I haven't paid the mortgage yet this month, I still have to pay for the car, and set up the payment plan with the light company. I'm worried that I won't be able to pay the mortgage this month and then have to pay double next month- if I can. If I make another repayment plan my monthly payment goes up higher so I don't want to do that.
My company hit front page news and is now being sold- our census dropped so they cut all overtime. This hurt us. Without the overtime I can't do it. My husband is having a hard time finding a part time job that revolves around my schedule (again, we only have the one car and noone to watch our son) to help make up the difference.
I'm sure that I can make it through this month but I'm worried about next month and so on.
We don't shop anymore, stopped eating out, my freezer is stocked, I have a fairly decent stockpile to eat from, we've unplugged everything we can, we have no savings, no credit cards, bad credit because of the previous repayment plan with our mortgage(even though you are paying it drops your score because it is still recorded as late), I started making my own laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, hanging out clothes instead of using the dryer, make my own cat litter,and will start making a no shampoo-shampoo.
What more can I do? My phone/internet is connected and is fairly cheap. I have a long distance package that is a great deal for us since everyone we know is long distance,even my job is.
What more can I do?
Please, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Tips,ideas,quick income... We are going to have a tag sale this weekend so that will give us some money but lately everyone I know has done horrible with tag sales.. It's almost not even worth it!
We've started a change jar but don't have cash often so it doesn't grow that fast.
My anxiety is killing me!
I plan to start making my own bread so that is a small savings also, when my store bought cleaners are finished I will start to make those also. We don't have cable-haven't had it in years, stopped using paper towels and paper plates. I just don't see what else I can do.
Any 'work from home' job I find it seems there's an upfront cost.
Again, Any suggestions would be great.
Oh yeah, I don't qualify for any type of assistance because 'I make too much money'
I know this is all our own fault for living above our means for so long but I'm awake now and am doing everything I can to change our ways. I also know that over time things will get better-they always do, but I'm petrified to lose my house, I worked too hard to get it!
ok, sorry I'm rambling and repeating myself. I'm sorry. I'm just worried and I know you guys will have great suggestions/tips for me. Feel free to ask questions if you need more information to give me suggestions.
Thank you
Amy

[hippytreehugger4ever]

Wow-ok-where to start.

Do you have things of decent value to sell on E-Bay? Pinecone research survey panel also pays $3 per survey with free products to try. Honestly, it sounds like if you've been in this predictament before, then you just plain can't afford the house your in. Can your husband work nights somewhere? Either that, or you may have to take on a 2nd part time job, even a seasonal one if necessary. Can you carpool with someone to work? If your really, really in a hole you could recycle cans for a bit of extra money. Can't think of anything else since it sounds like your doing a great job on everything else!

[tbs727]

I agree that you and hubby need to find jobs working opposite shifts. How about having your husband deliver papers early in the morning or pizzas at night?

[LuvMyHubby]

Are you in a position with your car loan to be able to sell the car you have and still pay off the loan and purchase a less expensive car?

[hippytreehugger4ever]

I agree that you and hubby need to find jobs working opposite shifts. How about having your husband deliver papers early in the morning or pizzas at night?

Yep, that's how it is with us. DH works nights Saturday-Tuesday and I usually work 4-6 hours Monday-Friday(I'm not on any set schedule) He also rototills during the day when he gets off work, before he goes to bed and I mow yards when I get the chance.

[bleakoutlook]

My only suggestion for you is to go to CashCrate. Google it as one word, as I dont have enough posts to post links.

You get paid to do surveys, and I've received multiple checks from them and they've all been legit and there is absolutely no up front costs whatsoever.

[dolphin]

Hi. I'm so sorry you are going through such a rough time. We are in a similar situation so I know the stress of dealing with just trying to survive.

Have you or your husband considered becoming Merchandiser's? In case you aren't familiar with this profession, it is the people who stock shelves and put up displays for different companies that was contracted to do so throughout grocery, convenience, an department stores. (like the person who puts out the new greeting cards and the ones who stock the new magazines)

Two years ago I worked for a distributor that stocked game/baseball/football cards in Walmart. I pretty much worked my own hours and it was partime. The days sometimes were dictated by the company since when new stock arrived at Walmart on certain days I was required to arrive the next day to put the new stock out. It was an easy job and I didn't have any prior experience. I found the company online and applied. I actually applied at lots of companies and this company called me at home. I recieved a training manual in the mail and did training over the phone and online. There was no upfront costs. I worked about 3 to 4 hours a week and got paid $75.00 every 2 weeks for it. I could have worked a lot more but I didn't have good transportation and my city is small plus I was not in good medical health.

I know lots of people who stock convenience stores and put up displays in places like Walmart and grocery stores and they all make atleast $10.00 an hour, some much more. Just type in Merchandising in search and it will give you lots of links. If they ask for money or require your SS# prior to being hired, just don't reply or sign up with them. It's safer that way.

I'll try and think of some more things but it sounds like you're doing all you can.

Oh, I'm also on a repayment plan with our mortgage company. If I am "1" day late, my plan is canceled and I immediately go into foreclosure. This happend to us at Christmas when my Dad died and I wasn't here to make the payment. When we made the payment, we were 1 day late but since it was Christmas it wasn't posted for 4 days, thus, we went into foreclosure. I called and got back on another repayment plan and yes, it is much higher and for a much longer time because this time, they are making me pay attorney fees even though the foreclosure was stopped. Just trying to say, be VERY careful about not paying your mortgage on time unless you are ready to sell or lose your home.

[alarosalpn]

I am not willing to give up our house. I will do without ANYTHING but our house. He did try to get a job delivering pizza but they aren't hiring. He's trying to find something else but can only work 5p-11p due to my schedule.
I am going to check out Cashcrate now.
I have to do something. I need to get back on track.
The good news is that my work called and they are going to let me pick back up the 4 morning hours on my weekend off-that gives me 40 hours! That is a good difference with my paycheck.

Merchandising? IS there an upfront cost with that?

I did think about getting a paper route in the morning before I go to work. DH won't do it though. I guess that's the only thing I can do.
Thank you all for your help. I wish there was a quick fix.

We have struggled before but not as bad as now.

[Susanscraps]

Can you sell your plasma nearby (seriously)? Can your DH watch another little one during the day or provide after school care to older kids?
Why couldn't DH do a paper route? Would he be willing to cut grass after you get home? I know it's stressful to be in that situation! I would check out EVERY fast food place for any limited hours they could give DH, BEFORE the college/high school kids grab those jobs!

[dolphin]

That's great that you are getting more hours at work! See things get better!

Merchandising? IS there an upfront cost with that?

There is absolutely no up front cost. It's a REAL job just like a factory or an office job is. For example, the people who stock the Ice Cream and Potato Chips at grocery stores are usually Merchandisers that are not paid by the store but actually work for another company. If any company tries to give you up-front costs, they are a scam. The company I worked for was wonderful and very understanding of my health issues which affected the time that I was able to stock the shelves but then my health got worse, I had to take 3 weeks off, so I quit so that the company would not lose their shelves/contract to the store.

A few years ago I also worked for a mystery shopping company who did Customer Service checkups. All I had to do was go into our local pawn shop, shop around, (didn't have to buy anything), fill out a report online about my shopping experience online and I got paid $20.00 for 10 to 15 minutes of just 'browseing'. I did this once a month for a year. It was great but the Pawn shop closed so I lost that job. Mystery Shopping companies can also be found online. Some pay you for a 'visit', some pay for a meal, and you won't believe it but in Las Vegas, Mystery Shoppers are paid to stay overnight in Hotels and eat at those fancy resturants for free!. Unfortunately, I'm too far away to be able to do those 'shops'. But if you live in a big city, you wouldn't believe the 'free' meals and accomodations that are available to Mystery Shoppers.

Lots of good thoughts coming your way.

[ladykemma2]

can your hubby do day care in the home?

[Frugal Nurse]

Get that husband of yours to get a part time job. Weekends. ANYTHING. McDonalds!
REALLY!! you can not hold this
responsibility on your own.
Or, if you want to be the sole breadwinner- YOU go get another job. And never 'count' on overtime as income.

You know you need to cut expenses to BELOW the income. You can not finance your life. But is it too late? we don't know.

If you really can't afford the home. You may have to sell it. You just may be in over your head.

I know you said 'anything BUT the home'... so.. you need to decide. Do you want to cut more expenses? Or do you want to lose the home?

Read around the forum.
Learn Frugal techiques. No wait.. get your husband on. If he's the one at home- he's the one who needs to learn.

And.. one more thing. $120/week for a car? Ba-bye car! Hellooooooooo clunker! Cheap transportation. Cheap insurance. Even cheaper? public transportation- a bicycle if you HAD to- walk. Savings: $6240 per year.
That's extreme- but you might be at the extreme level.


Something to think about. Anything that you spend your money on... be thinking of a way to eliminate it. You buy diapers? use cloth. (or potty train- don't know how old the baby is).

It's temporary until you dig yourself out of the hole.

[Michelle68]

I agree that you and hubby need to find jobs working opposite shifts. How about having your husband deliver papers early in the morning or pizzas at night?

I also agree with Tiffany. I'm a home health nurse and work during the day. My Dh works evenings four nights a week, after I get home, delivering pizzas. My DH's employer (a large pizza chain) was flexible enough that he could tell them what time he was available to work and now they schedule him at that time every day he works. (many people work pizza delivery around their full time jobs.) We've been doing this since our DD, who is now 20, was very young and it's worked very well for us. Good luck!


--Michelle

[carlitasway]

Can he work graveyard somewhere? He may be sleep deprived for a bit but you gotta do what you gotta do. Tell him to go to an employment agency to get a 3rd shift job, or if you know anyone who will take your little one for a few hours a day a 2nd shift job. I'm curious to know why he won't deliver papers too.

[alarosalpn]

1) I don't have any money in the bank to buy a clunker, the car will be paid off in Oct. I wish I could pay it off sooner. I did figure out though that if I can pay $150wk it will be paid off in Sept (1 month early)
2) Can't ride a bike-it takes me 35 minutes to get to work driving. hmmm, on second thought. There is noone in my area that works there to car pool with.
3)Where would I go to sell Plasma? I tried to do a search online but came up with only donation sites...
4) I am going to try to dig up a few things to sell online. Every little bit helps.
My husbands friend is here now and they are brain storming for where to apply. His friend is drilling him that HE should get a job, not me get a 2nd job. Yeah for his friend!!