Topic : Living on One Income

Hi, 

Here in my state they have a Consumer Credit Counseling. It's free, you might look it up in your phone book. They helped us a few years ago. They go over your spending habits and your income in a one year period and help you trim this way and that way. They also have suggestions of what you can do. I'm real sure but, I think it is a nation wide organization, no strings attached, it's there to help people. Check with the public library too, for a credit counseling. Sometimes you would not believe all what is available for you and it is free. 

Great idea!  I have an old Lazy Boy Sofa too!  I think I'll try that. 

Thanks! 

Hello all-  

               I didn't know if this is the proper place to post my message, but I couldn't find another category that my particular situation would fit into well.  

I am a legal assistant student, halfway through my coursework. I am considering quitting school, because the stress is high right now. I am desperately behind on my studies. The homelife is not going so well, either, at this time. I am 31 years old, and I have OCD. I live with my Mom and my step dad. Right now, we are suffering very badly from a lack of money- and although we are all intelligent people, we can't, for the life of us, figure out what the problem is. Things were not always so hard on us. There have been times in the past few years when we were prospering. For instance, two years ago, my Mom was getting a settlement from a carpal-tunnel repetitive injury. We had an additional 300 dollars per each week, and we made the fatal error of not recognizing how well we had it! But even after that extra income had ceased coming in, we still have experienced times of relative prosperity and stability. Basically, we fall into the middle-class category.  

My Mom may be quitting her job of 20 years very soon. Both she and my step dad have full-time jobs. Their pay isn't astronomically high, but combined, they received in the ballpark of 50K in gross income per year. I receive approximately 7200 per year in SSDI, due to my OCD. I had to stop working a few years ago because the OCD was so severe. I have made improvement, and so now, I am studying to become a legal assistant. But because things have been so strained, I feel like giving up.  

In the past few weeks, we have not had enough money for gasoline or food. That has never happened to us before. Two of my friends (God bless them) bought about 100 dollars worth of groceries for us last Friday.   

It is very difficult to figure out WHY we are broke. One element that has caused us trouble is the fact that my Mom has been sick a lot lately. For that matter, so have I, and my step-dad. But in particular, my Mom has been sick. She has type II diabetes, and is overweight. We all are overweight (obese)- especially me. My mom has Kaiser insurance, but medicine is very very expensive, even with the insurance.   

We don't have a computer at home (I am using the school's computer right now), nor do we even have a telephone.   

I believe that my parents have made poor decisions with regards to money. We moved out of a townhome a few months ago, because we owed thousands of dollars in property taxes, liens, etc. But we still owe money for the old gas bill from the old place, and the water bill, etc.   

We desperately need help. What can we do? I am not asking for a free hand-out- we just need guidance. It's not just always needing toilet paper, soap, water to drink, and food that makes me so depressed and upset- it's also not knowing why this is happening to us, and not knowing how to "fix" it.   

I have suggested to my parents that we see a financial advisor, but they are reluctant. They filed bankruptcy a few months ago. We don't really need someone to give us advice about credit cards- we need real world advice and a plan for regular money, bills, expenses, etc.   

None of us have any bad habits. None of us smoke, drink, or do drugs. We don't gamble. We don't spend money on ourselves, either (for unnecessary purchases). I am so sick of this situation. Can anyone help? Can anybody relate to the agony that we are enduring?  

It's great that you are going to school.  It's a way out of your situation.  If your parents are making $50 thousand a year, there should be money for food.  A good website to go to is daveramsey.com.  He has some baby steps to get out of debt and handle your money.  He says any money that comes into your household first goes to food, then shelter, then utilities and last other bills.  Dave Ramsey also has a radio program that's very enlightening.  Look on his web site and see if you can hear it in your area.  You can also email him or call him while he's on the air. 

To the more immediate problem, there are food shelters and food kitchens.  Also, since you are over 21, you should be able to get foodstamps or some other kind of assistance.  You have to ask for help...go ahead...you've made your first step already.  Go to your state employment bureau as well as your school in order to find some work.  I know it's hard to work while you're in school, but think about taking less classes each semester.    Call some attorney and ask if you can work part-time while you're in school.  If you had work, you would know where the money is going.  Dave Ramsey suggests using the envelope system.  Read up on that.  Hang in there.  It sounds as if you have some good friends.  One day when you are in a better financial situation, help someone else that's struggling. 

Do you go to church?  Many churches help people in trouble.  Also note, that many pharmacuetical (sp?) companies have toll free numbers that you call and explain the lack of money for medications and they will sell it to you at greatly reduced prices and in some cases free.  Go online to get their numbers.  The United Way may help for your more immediate problems. 

jl4ever 

I am a stay at home Mom and housewife. My daughter is almost 10 months old and I have been at home with her since January. I had a full time job when I found out I was pregnant (which was planned) and throughout the pregnancy I'd beg my husband to let me quit when she was born. It was a monthly conversation that I knew wouldn't ever result in my husband giving in. About 8 1/2 months into my pregnancy, after thinking I was going to receive my maternity leave pay, I as informed by my boss that I would not be getting ANY of my pay. This threw me into a frenzy, because we were expecting that money and depending on that money. Rather than saving part of my paycheck each week to cover the 6 weeks of bills during the time I was off with the baby, we went ahead and stocked up on everything we'd need.... we bought her bedroom suite, clothes for about a year of her life, diapers stocked up, exersaucer, walker, rocking chair, swing, etc, etc, etc. I had an absolute cow when I found this out. Well my husband and I just sat down and discussed it and decided that if a few bills didn't get paid one month so be it. We called our car payment companies and informed them that this might happen, no problem! So what happens on my maternity leave??? Wanna guess? We had MORE money in the bank than before! Imagine that... no going out for lunch everyday on my lunchbreak, no running by Walmart or Old Navy to buy myself something new! That wasn't happening! So we made a decision together that I would go back to work in October and work until the end of the year. Well now I'm home! And I guess that things like that don't happen forever. The baby gets sick, I drop down 5 sizes b/c I'm breastfeeding, of course I need new clothes, the A/C messes up, we need a new roof. Stuff happens when you own a home. I'm telling you, money's tight! I try to clip coupons and buy the cheap diapers. I buy storebrand EVERYTHING which doesn't bother me one bit. It's so difficult when I have all the time in the world on my hands. Any suggestions?