Help! We can't pay our bills! Need some serious advice!

**LeeLeeVT94** · 01-31-2005, 11:47 AM

I need help. My husband and I do not know how we are going to pay our bills this month. I have not been able to work part-time because all of my part-time work has fallen through. I just had surgery last Wed and I can't even do my 5 hour a week job with the church until I finish recovering.
Does anyone have any advice for us? My DH has paid as many bills as he can with his paycheck but we are looking at about needing an additional $1600 to make ends meet this month. Is there some credit counseling company or anything out there that you all know about? We have no savings left, no emergency fund and no profit sharing to borrow from.
We are planning on listing our house on the market as soon as I begin feeling better and can feasibly show the house.
I know you guys have resources out there so please share some tips with me.
The alternative would be writing checks from our credit card to pay our second mortgage which is just going to get us deeper in debt. Please tell me someone has been there!

**guest2** · 01-31-2005, 11:56 AM

Lisa,
First of all

. I think quite a few of us have found ourselves in the position that you find yourself in now. My advice would be to call your creditors and let them know what is going on. Most of them should be willing to work with you. In our case, we only had 1 company that was a stinker with us and we ended up closing that account right after we got it paid off. Next, can you sell some things at a yard sale or online auction to raise some extra cash? If you are thinking about selling your home, you are going to want to clean things out anyway. Do you have family you can borrow the money from this month to get through?

Next, how are you set up for food in your home? Do you have enough to get you through until you have some cash coming in again? If not then you need to look into applying for food stamps or even going to a food pantry. We have done both of these in the past also. Do you have a SHARE food program in your area? If you do, please sign up with them. If you post what kinds of food items you have in your pantry, fridge and freezer I'm sure the wonderful people here can help you with a menu to stretch what you have on hand.
Hang in there, I'm sure you will find lots of support here! Praying for you and your family!

**Darlene** · 01-31-2005, 12:03 PM

First thing I would do is to call those you owe money to and let them know what is up. They will work with you more if you are up front with them instead of ignoring them.
Take out a temporary loan? Sell something?
The other ladies can prob come up with better ideas. I just want to wish you the best and hope that you are feeling better soon.

**nodmicks** · 01-31-2005, 12:11 PM

In dec of 2003 Dh was laid up with no income (I work pt and make 500-700 a month). I was also off a week with the flu. I promptly called every person we owed a bill too and explained the situation (power co, car loan, mortgage, credit cards, phone etc). All of them were very nice about letting us skip a payment or set up a payment plan. Please call them Asap. Most places have hardship programs.
We were set for food since we stockpile. However if we werent we would have visited a foodbank if need be.
Hugs!!!! Please feel free to vent. I very clearly remember being terrified, overwhelmed and feeling hopeless. Talking helps greatly.

**Mamawolf** · 01-31-2005, 02:19 PM

From past experience DEFINITELY call the second mortgage place and make arrangements. Sometimes they can defer this months payment, or split it up over a period of time to make it easier.

As far as the rest of the bills go... The rule of thumb if you can't pay ALL your bills is:

1) Shelter (1st mortgage)
2) Electric/Gas and Water
3) Food
4) Any bills you can pay

Now, you should pay any medical bills last, because generally those do not incur late charges or interest. If you have to pay credit cards late, hate to say it, but do it. BTDT!

If you need to go to a credit counselor, I reccomend genus.org They were very good with us! Just make sure it is a last resort, because nowadays CC is just as bad as a bankruptcy on credit reports. If you will be able to bring in more money soon, I would go with just trying to get your creditors to work with you, most will. If you have trouble with food, find a food pantry! If you need help with utilities find the Salvation Army. My local Salvation Army and Community Resource Center took care of my utilities for one month when I was recovering from a premature birth. We almost lost everything.

**LeeLeeVT94** · 01-31-2005, 02:26 PM

Thanks for the advice. We have sold things in the past because this is not a new problem. I did call our 2nd mortgage after I got your message. I called to get an extension and they said we had until the 15th before we would get charges! Praise the Lord! (It was due tomorrow). That was great advice because my husband should have another paycheck by then and then we will only have to worry about the end of the month. Now I need to call the others when I get some strength back. Those kinda phone calls take a lot out of me!
You mentioned food stamps. I don't think we would qualify because we own our house and because my husband makes about $38,000 gross/year. I dunno! Maybe you know something we don't know.
The Lord has really provided our meals lately. I mentioned that I had surgery on Wednesday. Well friends, neighbors and church members have been brining meals daily since last Tuesday which is such a blessing! My Mom is coming tomorrow to help with meals as well as I am still not really able to keep up the house or with chores
or my 3 year old (hyper) daughter!

My husband sold his golf clubs last month to make ends meet. Do you know of any good online auctions besides ebay? I have some things listed now that are not doing too well on ebay so I need an alternative.
Thanks again and keep the advice coming if you think of anything else!

**brokemom** · 01-31-2005, 02:39 PM

Hi! Had to respond since I live only about 20 minutes from Huntersville!

I agree with everyone on calling in regards to your bills. The worst they can do is say no so why not try. Someone mentioned selling items...consignment stores would be fast money. There's a chidrens one in Cornelius (catawba ave.) that gives you a check if they take anything, no waiting for stuff to sell before they pay like some. In Huntersville there is a home items consignment store (I've never been so not sure of their policys). Aldi is usually cheapest for grocery items....there is one in Mooresville and one on Prosperity Church Road. Then the usual lowering the cost of bills that you can like turning the heat down, driving the car less, etc. Every little bit helps. Check back posts...these ladies are genius!! Good luck and hope you have a quick recovery.

**LeeLeeVT94** · 01-31-2005, 02:54 PM

Hi. Thanks for the resources. What's the name of the Home items consignment store? I think I have been to the one on Gilead. Its funny that you would mention Aldi's. A friend told me to check it out. That is how I have stocked my pantry before my surgery. It was great! I spent $7.81 for my weekly groceries. My DH was shocked! I will definitely go back there again! I have been to the Growing Child but never consigned and actually have some items at Boomerangers in Huntersville. A few items have sold but I wont get my check until the end of next month. I will let you know what happens!
Keep the ideas coming..I am very grateful!

**brokemom** · 01-31-2005, 03:02 PM

Can't think of the name of the home consignment store...it's on the corner of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd. and 115. There is a hair salon right next to it in the same building. Sounds like you're already doing great in that dept. though!!

**QuilterMom** · 01-31-2005, 03:35 PM

Does your church or a local church have a food pantry and/or a benevolence ministry available? Some of the large churches may also have a financial counseling service available to you and could give you some good tips on credit counseling companies to deal with.

**PrairieRose** · 01-31-2005, 03:49 PM

Lisa I think the ladies have pretty much covered the jest of the advice here but I would add be very careful NOT to use those credit cards to pay bills with. You mentioned you know that this is not the answer...and you are so right. If you will let you needs be known and have faith, most of them will be provided for. My best advice is to take pen to paper and write down (I'm not joking and you don't have to believe it will be so, just write it down) "All of our bills are easily paid. We have more than enough money to cover our expenses and all of our needs are met". Then you can get more specific but always use present term language (as if it's already happened I mean) and always positive (never negative....like say "my pantry is fully stocked, I paid very low prices for all of our food". Don't say "I don't have enough food to feed my family". ) . I use this method often and it's amazing how it works. (Seems to be the "ask and ye shall receive" theory) It can't hurt anything for you to do it.
Hang in there, things will get better as long as you take control.

I hope you recover from your surgery soon.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-31-2005, 06:29 PM

You may very well qualify for food stamps! Check with your local office. Owning your home doesn't necessarily stop you from getting them. My sister owns her home (outirght) and still gets food stamps. It's worth looking into!

Also, check into getting energy assistance for you gas or electric bill(s). Sis got about 300.00 over the winter for their home.

This is going to sound kind of funny, but look at everything you spend. Cut out ALL "wants". What are "wants'" rather than "needs"? Here's a partial list:

cigs
soda
coffee
tea
chocolate (this is a REALLY hard one for me!)
disposable diapers (cloth is fine!)
any meals bought out
convenience foods (frozen dinners, etc.)

If you can eliminate these, it will save you a ton of money!

**Mamawolf** · 01-31-2005, 06:36 PM

Check this site to see if you might qualify:
http://www.foodstamps.org/

**daddys3chicks** · 01-31-2005, 07:21 PM

The Home consignment place at the corner of 115 and Mt. Holly Huntersville is called Second Showing - Lisa it is across from Dale's garage in the Old Ford Place. There is another one at the traffic light in Huntersville where the old Ace Hardware used to be, but it is pretty much all furniture. There is also another one in Davidson across from Carolina cones. I have never been in there but Kay W. from church works there. Call me!

**i.m.cheap** · 02-01-2005, 11:05 PM

I would check into Consumer Credit Counseling Service. They are non-profit. They will help you see a way out of debt, and can get your interest rates lowered (usually). This next bit of advice is going to be a bit harsh, but CUT UP THOSE CREDIT CARDS!!!! Pay cash for everything. Shop at Aldi, buy clothes at garage sales/thrift shops, don't buy convenience food, do not eat out, etc.

Is your home larger than you need, or can afford? If it is, then yes, I would sell it and try to pay off some debt. Buy a smaller home. You did ask for advice, right?