Hello from Western Canada

**thespinnychick** · 12-13-2007, 08:26 AM

Hi everyone. I'm here because through a bad divorce, a big move, and 16 months of car trouble I am flat busted. We have no credit left, no savings left, no emergency fund left and I spent 4 hours on the side of the highway yesterday in sub-zero temperatures. Now we will have another 1000$ repair bill.

I was supposed to start school in January and now I don't know that I ever will. Thing seem pretty bleak and pretty disappointing right now. I'm 37 years old and I feel like I'm running out of time. One of my greatest fears has always been to be old and poor. It looks like that is where I'm headed and I don't know how to stop this.

I've applied for a couple jobs that pay a little more, have a few more hours than my current position, I've taken extra work (cleaning, pet care). We dont' live extravagently. We live almost like we're on welfare. All our money is going to bills and we both work hard. We don't even make bad wages...sub-middle class, but not too bad. It seems like we are working so hard and getting further and further behind.

I'm a frugal girl by nature. I make all our bread, I mend our clothes, I can and freeze and do oamc. I can't tell you the last time I've owned a new peice of clothing (except underwear - but I've made most of that too!!)

I'm at the end of my rope. I am absolutely hating the christmas season and finding no joy in it... just more obligations that I can't meet. I haven't paid my bills in 2 months now. They are going to start yelling soon.

We have two pets, one of them is a cockatoo. I cross my fingers all the time that nothing happens to him because I can't afford avian vet care right now.

I'm walking around feeling like I'm going throw up most of the time.

I'm here because I no longer know what to do.

**MarshHen** · 12-13-2007, 08:55 AM

First, let me welcome you to the village

and give you a big

We have all been where you are at one time or the other, so don't feel like you are alone in this. We are all here for you, and want you to know that we do understand exactly what you are going through so don't ever feel like any question is silly or nobody here cares, because we do.

I would suggest starting here: [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65045"]First thing to getting rid of DEBT - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

There are some wonderful suggestions all over the board on all things frugal which you may or may not have thought of before that could help you. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and like I said, we have all been there, so we all have learned some darn good ways to make it through.

Again, welcome to the village, and I so look forward to reading your posts and sharing this frugal journey with you. You are gonna be O.K., and you will be able to look back and see just how strong and amazing you are. I promise!

**MarshHen** · 12-13-2007, 09:19 AM

Here's another link [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65045"]First thing to getting rid of DEBT - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

And another: [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65443"]Your next step to paying down debt - focus on one bill only - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

These and other's are posted under the Frugal Challanges thread in the Village Intrests section located right under the General Chat section where you posted this.

Hope this helps you get started of your frugal journey here at the village, but feel free to jump right in and we are all glad you found us.

**monkeymia** · 12-13-2007, 09:24 AM

Welcome to the Village, I left you a message in the other thread too.

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-13-2007, 11:18 AM

to Frugal Village! Yes, we've all been where you are now and on the bright side things will certainly get better. Also have you tried getting help from htp://www.modestneeds.org they might be able to help you get your bills up to date.

Ggood luck!

**thespinnychick** · 12-13-2007, 12:46 PM

Wow. modestneeds.com seems like such a great organization. I think it's only for u.s. residents though. I'm going to see if there is something like that in Canada. lucky break that would be.

**KJayEsq** · 12-13-2007, 01:05 PM

Hello and welcome. Keep working at it...things WILL get better. I'm 37 too and have NO intention on being old and poor. LOL! You will find support and inspiration here.

**Mom23boys** · 12-13-2007, 09:30 PM

Hello and welcome to the Village.

**nuisance26** · 12-14-2007, 02:19 PM

~Just start with baby-steps. If you haven't already read "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey, I highly recommend it. I just wanna give you a (((hug))) and let you know you're in the right place! Frugality, as a lifestyle choice, isn't just a means to an end, it's a way to prioritize everything in your life so you have the funds for the things that matter most to you. Welcome to FV!~

**Royal** · 12-14-2007, 02:52 PM

Hello and

to FV!!

**cottageliving** · 12-14-2007, 03:16 PM

Welcome to FV! We are here to support you in your walk - we'll be shoulders to lean on when you need

and we'll cheer you at each small step toward your goals!

A couple of things:
1: Even if you don't start school in January, you can always start next term. Use this time to get back on your feet so you can better focus on your studies in the summer or fall... You'll be glad you did. I'm 47 and just getting ready to finish up my degree..... it's all good.

2: Growing old is a gift, and if you continue to live as frugally as you have, you'll have all you need in your old age. So many people never get the opportunity to grow old (I'm writing this not to make you feel badly, but to help you see it in a different light -- you are in a bad place right now, but your life is not a long, bleak experience. You are so much more than what you are going through for these few months!).

Stay strong, and stay connected to this group -- I have learned so much from these ladies, and am in awe of their generosity toward one another.