Well... we're screwed.

[dhmunoz]

I'll start somewhat at the beginning. I posted a couple months ago or so about how we were living in California and contemplating a move back to Nebraska. We were literally drowning in bills there and it wasn't looking good. So, here we are back in Nebraska.

My husband transferred back, but he is still making the low wage that he made in California. He may be getting a raise here pretty soon, so we are looking forward to that. Also, if he transfers within the store to a position at a higher level, he will get paid more. He is looking to do that as soon as something is available. I just got a job at a call center. The pay isn't the greatest, but between dh's checks and mine there is enough money to just barely squeak by and get the bills all paid. Except....I was checking my schedule the other day, and it appears that I am scheduled OFF for an entire week!! I asked a supervisor about it and I was told that it actually happens fairly often and has to do with call volume as compared to my availability. I work nights, because I go to school full time during the day.

I don't know what to do. I could find a different job, but it would most likely pay even less and be much more work--right now I sit at a computer and answer calls. I know that hours will pick up closer to Christmas time, but I don't want to be homeless by then, KWIM? Our rent is $650 a month with no utilities included (4 br duplex). No, I cannot find cheaper housing--as it is I negotiated this down from the $750 that my neighbor pays, that the landlord originally wanted. 3 br houses here are pretty much in the $800 range. Then we have electricity, gas, water, garbage, cable/internet (which I have to have for school because I have online classes as well, and I have negotiated the price for the service down too), my car payment, a storage unit in California that we had to put most everything in because we couldn't afford a U-Haul. And food. And gas for my car and dh's pickup. We have 4 kids at home. Things are tight!! By my calculations, I would have to average 25 hours a week to make sure that everything is covered. But our rent will be due the day I get paid--a check that has a week missing.

I guess I'm just venting more than anything else. I am extremely frugal. I hate having the storage unit, but right now it has things in it that are irreplaceable and I can't let it go. We will be going out in March/April to pick the stuff up, after we get our tax refund. I'm getting worried about my dwindling grocery budget and I know the kids are getting tired of beans and biscuits...and spaghetti...LOL. I tried to apply for food stamps but was denied because we had too much income, but of course they are counting the gross, and my husband's check is always low because he has wage garnishments. And they count my car because the value is over $8K but no one seems to care that I owe almost $10K on it still.

I feel a little better getting that out. I just need to figure out where to get some extra income, I guess.

[FrugalMomof3]

I am soooo sorry to hear things arent much better but just keep your head up, things will get better. Best wishes and keep us posted.

[MommyBliss]

I'm sorry to hear this too. Hugs to you! Have you thought about applying for a discount on your electricity bill? You can also get food at a food bank. I hope things look up soon.

[Katybird]

If you have always been current and never late on your car payment, you might call your finance company and ask about putting the next payment on the back of the loan and only paying the interest on the payment. Another thing to try is to call your utility companies and ask for a payment plan or an extension on your utility bills for the next month, all they can say is no and they may be willing to work with you since you called them and asked before they are due.

I hope that everything works out for you.

[dianne9106]

I am sorry things are so tough right now. I agree with a PP about going to a food bank - it would be a temporary measure until things start to improve. You probably don't have a lot to sell right now - I remember when you were living in CA and contemplating moving back. However, as long as you are healthy you can sell your plasma, most banks pay about $50-55 for every two donations, so you could make an extra $200 a month. You DH can do this too if his health is well. Sounds extreme, but so is your situation. Okay I know you owe $10K on your car, can you sell it and get something cheaper or share one car with DH? Is the internet cable or do you have cable internet plus cable tv? If you have cable, cut it off and go with broadband or DSL or even dial up - yes you can do a lot of classes online with dial up as long as you are not chatting. I am sure if you email your instructor they will understand. Both DH and I took online classes while we were stationed overseas and for the most part they are understanding. Plus too you could always go to the library if you had something large to turn in. I know you said you negotiated about the cost on it - but it's worth a shot to get down lower.
I would try to find someone you could fill in for at work - someone else may need a break in the coming week. Perhaps you could sign up for some temp work with an agency to fill in when there are down times as well. I wish I could give you some words to bring you instant relief from this situation. But I think your plasma is your best bet for instant cash. Best wishes and hugs!
PS: I meant to add to look at some work from home call center jobs - just google them or look for the threads on here.

[Michelle68]

Sending ((hugs)) your way. I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time, but I think you made the right decision moving back to Nebraska. There some good suggestions here. Good luck and keep us updated and how it's going.



--Michelle

[Luv2BeFrugal]

I'm so sorry!

I too, think you should try a food bank...goodness, try any of them you can find.

You got some good suggestions already...I hope they'll work!

What about babysitting in the evenings? Or on weekends? That can be some quick cash, too. Mow lawns? Wash cars? Run errands for someone?

Good luck to you! Keep us posted!

[missmanny]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this, hang in there.

Don't be too proud to ask for help, remember it isn't forever it is just until you can get over this hump.

Good luck and remember we are here anytime you need a shoulder to cry on or to vent

[Darlene]

I'm glad you moved back. Somehow you will be OK and things will get better. Cheering you on.

[Greebo]

Nothing to add but more encouragement to hang in there. You're getting great advice.

[nodmicks]

I just wanted to add a hug and hang in there!

[jamie79]

I hope things turn around for you

[dhmunoz]

Thanks for the advice and good thoughts

I have cable + internet. I pay $59 a month. If I were to drop down to dialup, that would require me to have phone service, which I currently DO NOT have. I haven't had home phone service since 2006, but when I did it was $47 just for basic phone, no long distance. Nebraska is one of the highest taxed states in the nation Then to add dialup service on top of that, in this area, would be another $19.99 + tax. That's almost $70 and more than I pay now. Not to mention that way back when, when I did have dialup, the average page load time was about 2 minutes. Not good when you have an online test that's timed!!!!

I have to check around and see what other food resources are available....we have Salvation Army here, but I have already utilized them shortly after we arrived in town (flat broke with no furniture or anything at that point) and they only give food every 4 months.

My husband already donates blood and platelets through the Red Cross. They don't pay him but he loves doing it. I talked to him about the possibility of selling plasma and he says that he did ask around about it awhile back, but no one knew anything about if that is even available here in town. I have an incredible needle phobia so I can tell you right now--there will be no plasma or blood coming from me.

Ah, the car. *If* I could sell it--and that's a very big IF--I wouldn't even be able to pay it off much less get a cheaper vehicle. If I was still in California I'd have a better chance of selling it than I would here....no one seems terribly interested in Toyotas here. I just checked Kelley Blue Book and the private-party value for my car is $7880. I owe almost $10K. When we bought it, we had plenty of income to pay for it DH has a pickup but right now the tags are expired. We went into DMV last week to see about getting it registered here in NE, but my SIL signed the title incorrectly and botched the title And now she is all butt-hurt and wont speak to DH because we left CA so I doubt she's going to try to fix it. So.....the pickup might just be a driveway decoration before too long.

I'm just going to keep going in and finding out if there are hours available that I can pick up. I don't really have time to do much else and if I'm scheduled normally again next week, I really can't arrange to do something else. My normal daily schedule looks like this: get up at 5:30 am, get kids and myself ready. Drop kids off at school for breakfast at 7:40 and then rush to my first class at 8 am. My last class ends at 2:30, kids get out at 3. Pick up kids, run home, try to run some laundry and pick up a little, do a little homework, and make dinner. Get the kids fed and then go to work, usually at 630 pm and I work until 1am. And so the cycle repeats.

[LexTysMommy]

(hugs) hope things turn around for you soon. I cant think of anything that wasnt already mentioned. Keep your head up!

[ritabelle]

Do your kids currently eat breakfast/lunch at school? You might see if you qualify for reduced or free lunch and if not, consider making their lunches. I know here the lunches are $2 / day, so if I can make her lunch all week, that's $10 saved. I usually send leftovers or sandwiches.