Getting It Done!

[Shelli_wnj]

I am finally getting things done. It's unfortunate it got to this before it started happening, but let me fill you in a little bit...

Unfortunately, my husband lost his job a little over a week ago. Unemployment isn't coming through, the employer is fighting it and in the state he was working in, that's perfectly legal - for the employer to fight unemployment. So we are without funds right now. THANK GOD for Dave Ramsey, the good people of this forum, and like-minded friends! We had our $1000 baby fund which we refused to touch for any reason. We are almost debt free (aside from the car.) That was unfortunate as well, as it was due to a bankruptcy, but that was well over 2 years ago and we haven't racked up any more debt. Anyway, so we also have about a month worth of food stores avaiable due to stockpiling and whatnot.

So now we are without income... and we are doing ok. But we needed to cut down the budget even before he lost his job, and we were hemming and hawing (I know, those aren't real words, but they are in my vocabulary) about what and where to cut back. Well, no more options available! We cut the cable (finally!), we cut back cell service and are shopping for other plans. We didn't have a house phone but were thinking about getting one, and those thoughts have stopped We cut back the internet (there are "speed packages") so it's slower (who really cares,right?)

Other things we did today are seal off the windows and doors. I hate doing it because it looks awful and makes me feel "closed in", but this house is leaky, and we need to save on heating. I sound so spoiled, don't I? I don't wanna, I don't like it, etc... Not anymore! From now on, I am a true frugalista, not just in the things I want to be frugal in. Until we have our job back, our baby fund re-funded, our car paid off, and our 6 month fund well on it's way, it's bare minimums whether I like it or not!

Thanks for letting me vent!

[mauimagic]

Shellie - it sounds as if you are doing everything you can from your end. What are the chances of your DH finiding another full time or part time job? Keep us in the loop as to what's happening in your lives. Sending prayers, hugs and aloha to all!!

[sabrelvssammy]

you know your attitude is amazing !!! while a good number of people in your position would be sitting around moaning and groaning, you jumped up...pulled up your bootstraps and said "well it is what it is...we can lay down and die or we can make the best of a bad situation..." because of that attitude and the 'we will get thru this' mantra...you will be ok !!!

hugs to you and please keep us up to date...we are all pulling for you..!

[lisaflex]

pull out the xtra blankies! wear an extra layer of clothing and turn down the thermostat a bit. drink tea to stay warm. make some beans in the crockpot. great source of protein!

best of luck to you both

[alotofgooddeals]

i knew what you meant... he he

I agree grab a jacket...dh is so bad at this... he says"I'm cold" and i look at the temperature and it is 65... i am like you are not cold and go grab a blanket and throw it at him.. he is sitting in his chair...
Now today dh took the kids to walmart because i had to write up quarterly progress reports for three kiddos and i shut the heat off completely...i am starting to get cold... but will i turn the heat back on.... nope... will sit here and freeze...

sorry about the job loss but you are going to figure it all out...

[shoiji]

Sorry to hear about the job loss. You definately have the right attitude. This website really can make you feel empowered. Spring is right around the corner so if you can plant start looking out for sales on seeds. Find out if your county offers a recycling center. Many times they also offer mulch or soil for free.

See if your state has a website that will let you plug in numbers to find out if you qualify for any state aid.

Hope you can get the unemployment benefits figured out.

[NikoSan999]

The employer can fight unemployment in any state so there is still a good chance. Laid off is laid off so it's possible.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you're doing.

[Michelle68]

Hugs to you. This is a tough situation to be in, but you'll get through it. Keep us updated on how it's going and good luck to your DH on his unemployment.

[miss_thrifty]

Im so sorry your going through this. keep us updated and let us know dear . hugsss prayers headed your way .

[Judi Dial]

Shellie,

I don't know if this is true in PA, but in NH there's a benefits calculator you can look at. That's how we found out last time DH got laid off that he was eligible for VA health insurance. It isn't much, but knowing what benefits we could get, when, helped us plan what we'd do when...if he didn't find new work. We knew exactly when we would be eligible for food stamps, etc.

Also, call your local churches and see what (if any) assistance is available locally. One church here has a huge woodpile to help people in storms or other emergencies, for example. Also there's a neighborhood program here for swapping work in areas you're proficient for other things, sometimes food or money.

Until I really looked, I had no idea there was so much I could do locally without money, and I'm not talking about freecycle!

Good luck and my prayers will be with you --

Judi

[Lora88]

Let the employer fight it he will lose unless your dh was fired "for cause ie stealing fighting harrasment " the amount of people that are turned down today is almost nil. You have a great outlook and will get thru this stronger Keep your chin up

[EarthIncentives]

Perhaps you and your husband can schedule a meeting with his ex-employer. Bring your kids with you. Explain the situation that you are all in, and maybe he will soften his heart and stop fighting the unemployment. Bosses are always hard when they don't have to see the people they are negatively affecting.
Might sound overreaching, but I would do it in a last resort situation.

[Shelli_wnj]

Thanks, guys! The support I get on this board means a lot to me. We went to the local churches and they turned us to the food banks. I had a meeting with my pastor, and he said that the church takes care of their families in any way they can, and if it's getting to the point of despair, to let him know. Right now we're still doing ok - expecting our tax return which will help us get through a month or two. It's good to know the church will help us out if the time comes.
As for the employer, I recently learned he's done this to others. Once the employees get to the point of getting close to obtaining their license, he finds "just cause" to fire them, and does so. He does have back-up proof, and it's a he-said she-said game. He has on the books that all employees are off the clock as of 5 pm, which is rarely the case. Then he has their company gas cards tracked. If it's used after 5pm, he fires them (which was planned). So my husband used the gas card "off the clock" and was fired for misuse of company funds.
I don't know if it would hold up in court, however we don't have the money to fight anyway. We are just praying for another job right now.
PA does have a state aid calculator, and I used it to apply for food stamps and the heating grant. They are trying to deny me based on proof of unemployment. I have to fax in the letters denying the unemployment checks, which I will do tomorrow. Hopefully that will satisfy them.
Other than that, there are currently no leads for employment for either of us. The market's flooded with people laid off or going back to work due to necessity.
I pray no one else here is going through this right now!

[alotofgooddeals]

I mean its up to you but i don't think it cost anything to fight the unemployment...tell them what you just told us and i can guarantee that something will happen....There also should be a record of people filing for unemployment from this employer you are talking about.....I would think that if there is enough people and it is showing a pattern again... your husband can probably win....

Good luck!

[ladytoysdream]

Keep fighting to get the unemployment.
Don't take no for a answer.