Angel Food Mins & telecommuting lob?

[MoniqueU]

Thank you for being so honest and sharing with us. I leaned quite a lot. I think respite care might work for you. I will keep you in my thoughts.

 

[Green Tea]

I would not set the thermostat at 50'. That is too low. The kids are using all their body energy to try to stay warm. If the house is well insulated, set the temperature to a warmer level. Call your utilities to see if they will do a free appraisal of the efficiency of your home. If you have air leaks, fix them cheaply to save big money.

 

[patsal]

I see where you are coming from with the snow. Yes, last winter was very mild. Driving in it does become easier, but you are right, it takes time to unfrazzle the nerves for that task especially for someone who has no experience with it.

You were very brave to come here and share, and you have a lot of input here to hopefully help to guide you. You seem strong and willing to work hard, there are just a few bumps in your path. Good luck!

 

[Green Tea]

I believe that the moving van and a few bills were also counted as earned income as some of them were paid by his new employer.

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From the IRS website:" Moving Expense Reimbursements

Generally, if your employer pays for your moving expenses (either directly or indirectly) and the expenses would have been deductible if you paid them yourself, the value is not included in your income. See Publication 521, for more information."

If this is your scenario, you can file an amended return if you counted that as income. You did not need to. You will receive a refund for the tax paid on the amount.

 

[Daydreamer64]

You guys are so helpful. I really appreciate the moral support and the suggestions for work.

Green Tea: I'll have DH loook into this-

hambirg: we love eggs BUT our youngest is allergic to them so we get no egg based dinners. The three diabetics in the family eat them for breakfast almost every day, they're a great low carb way to keep our numbers in check.

I'll look onto "respite" work, it sounds like something that I'd like to do.

NHWX: I love to do crafts and I hadn't even thought about teaching a class for home schoolers!

EcbLovesMickey: I'll check out Opinion Outpost-do you yourself make most of your money through referrals or by completing the surveys?

I'll keep check this thread for more ideas! THANKS FRIENDS!

 

[mdinecola]

I can sympathize with you - and have been there before, just without the cold weather! Have you thought to seek out community charities? It is often a very private thing and they are very helpful because they know of other charities that can help. Here there is a Catholic Charity group - and you don't have to be Catholic - that helps with virtually any household expense, within reason. They will help pay electric bills or rent, too. Don't be afraid to ask you children's Doc or nurse what is available. There are often a lot of places that people just don't know about. I second the food pantry idea - a lot of churches have food pantries that members donate to weekly - and you don't have to be a member of than church to benefit. A lot of churches also have member who would donate clothing, etc. in a very private way. Ask a local pastor to pray for your family - if you are comfortable with that - and lots of times people will volunteer to help out in a number of different ways. Church congregations are very generous - and it can all be done anonymously between you and the pastor without any mention of your family's name. Sometimes those extra gently worn winter clothes and coats and shoes can really help. I've gotten to where I'm not afraid to ask - and when I can donate to another, I pay it back. In general, people are generous to those who are down on their luck. On the doctor bill problem, don't be afraid to ask your doc if they will accept ins. payments as payment in full and write off your copays. I worked for years at a medical clinic and we had many insurance only patients, especially the ones who were "regulars" as it seems your family may be. Medical care is so overpriced that insurance payments are often enough to cover the expenses anyway. Also, when you get a medical bill call and explain your situation and ask if they have a "forgiveness" or "assistance" program - many places do but don't advertise it. When my twins were born premature, I owed half of the city and just couldn't do it. I called each and every one of them and basically said, you can take what I have to offer or take nothing because I can't pay all of the bills in full at once. Most of the places I owed either wrote off the balance - they get a tax cut for this - or offered me a discount or payment plan with a very small monthly payment. If you can only pay $5 and month, then that's what they get.

I'll pray for your family - it will all work out! You sound like a very devoted mother and that's gotta count for something, right???? Here's to things looking up for you............

 

[Green Tea]

Once the youngest is in school, clean houses. There will ALWAYS be work for a trustworthy cleaning person. Your schedule would be able to adjust an unexpected doctor visit, within reason.

If you keep your heat set at a temperature that is 5 degrees lower than what is recommended to keep your pipes from bursting, no job should be off limits to discussing. Your kids can not stay healthy in a NE winter living in a 50 degree house.

 

[JennyKS]

I hardly ever post, and I only really just "recently" joined. I read a lot of the threads, spend many hours. This one just really touched me. Everyone just jumped in and offered so many ideas and words of encouragment. Just really touched me. You all are just really special people.

To the OP, I hope and pray things work out and get better for. I think you are an amazing woman! I am a single mother and I took a part time job. I work 7:30 to 4:30 then I work 4 or 5 days at a part time job 5:00PM to 10:00PM. The ones who really want to make ends meet and do whats best for our families, always do it. We don't just give up!

 

[nana2tots]

This Post has touched everyone, and I wish there was something i could do, i too, had to quit work in 2007 to take care of the girl's, so we have been struggling with only one paycheck, and yes it's hard, did a lot of cutting back.
You sound like an Amazing woman, and i pray things will look up for you. There are some nice people on this board, and just talking with this group helps.
Take care and will be Praying

 

[Green Tea]

http://tracker.diabetes.org/?&utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=ContentPage&utm_campaign=MFA

See if you can find some diabetes friendly foods that are made with lower cost ingredients. You have to take care of yourself to take care of the kids.