We Are SUNK - Any Advice?

[JB2K]

Maybe Momxx5 can chime in here with some advice. I know she's had a rough time lately as well and has received some great support from the peeps on the Dis.

Please tell me you're kidding...

In all honesty, momxx5 hasn't been around in a couple of months - maybe she's doing what's necessary to get on her feet (rather than trolling the "angels" on The DIS).

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Please tell me you're kidding...

In all honesty, momxx5 hasn't been around in a couple of months - maybe she's doing what's necessary to get on her feet (rather than trolling the "angels" on The DIS).

Maybe I missed something, but I agree that using the search function to track down threads about others who are also facing a tough financial situation is a great way to compile lessons learned from others who have been there/done that as well as a great variety of ideas and advice. Take what applies to you and ignore the rest. Statistically, it just makes sense.

 

[crashbb]

Please tell me you're kidding...

In all honesty, momxx5 hasn't been around in a couple of months - maybe she's doing what's necessary to get on her feet (rather than trolling the "angels" on The DIS).

???

She's been on today (and started at least two threads within the past couple of weeks).

 

[JB2K]

???

She's been on today (and started at least two threads within the past couple of weeks).

I stand corrected -- she's currently discussing getting spammed as a result of a Craigslist ad...

 

[MoonpieMomma]

Please tell me you're kidding...

In all honesty, momxx5 hasn't been around in a couple of months - maybe she's doing what's necessary to get on her feet (rather than trolling the "angels" on The DIS).

I'm sorry. Did I miss something? I'm not asking for anything from anyone but some advice. Why do people feel the need to chime in if they have nothing productive to say? I've done nothing to you.

 

[undertheradar]

I'm sorry. Did I miss something? I'm not asking for anything from anyone but some advice. Why do people feel the need to chime in if they have nothing productive to say? I've done nothing to you.

There have been many tips listed on this thread and others are suggesting that some posters have had hard times like this and might be able to share how they got back on track.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

OK. I was thinking a PP was suggesting that I was on here scamming for something. I can assure you, I want nothing more than your kind helpful advice.

 

[BBandDisney]

 

[disykat]

OK. I was thinking a PP was suggesting that I was on here scamming for something. I can assure you, I want nothing more than your kind helpful advice.

No, PP was suggesting that following another poster who has been thought to do so wasn't a good idea. it wasn't about you, OP.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not.

Do you have a land line phone you can cancel while you still have your cell phone contract? Then cancel the cells when they are up and convert to tracfones.

 

[Judique]

Okay....home sick today.

And on the disboards...

OP....are you at your job today?

 

[albertamommyof4]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I am a mom of 4 kids ranging from 5 to 14. I am single right now but when me and hubby were togrther and i just had my 3rd we we struggling majorly. we did not own our own home but owned a car( to small i may add but it was a car) we had so much debt and he worked 2 jobs, not steady and went through work ( different jobs a lot) but thats a story for another day lol. We claimed bankruptcy as we thought that was are only option. Now it was good at the time for us but we still had to make payments and we had to have a budget and keep reciepts for a year. Then it took another 6 to get it off our names. I did learn a lot through this but going back i dont think i would ever do it again. I would of started doing some work at home( as daycare was more then a paycheck i would of earned) but doing babysitting or daycare or even cleaning houses or office buildings on the side , something. It takes a lot of work to get your credit back. You have to out weigh every asspect of bankruptcy. If it is definatly your last resort then do it and start fresh
I would definatly look into local churches and food stamps/food bank. I would look into a side job for you and or hubby. There are a lot of people ot there that either have gone through this or are going to and there will be a lot that will end up in the future i hope you realize you are not alone in this. good luck with your decisions i know they are tough

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

OK. I was thinking a PP was suggesting that I was on here scamming for something. I can assure you, I want nothing more than your kind helpful advice.

OP: Please do not take this personal, I am just trying to explain to you why you will get some answers that seem strange to you. Also, with your situation, what we have been talking about may help you keep money or items you may have donated that were not really on the up/up. We wan't all posters to be safe from scams.

We have a thread (well had) re: scams that can happen at Christmas time on the Disboards. It was to remind everyone that the best place to go if you are having a hard time during the holidays or ANYTIME, is your local agencies, food banks, and churches etc. While we are not calling you out to be doing this, you will get posts referring to it. I don't know what to call it, but sometimes the posters before you have jaded the readers that are here now. I hope that makes some sense. We all look out for "signs" like poor little johnny, no Christmas for him, how heartbreaking it is for you as a parent. While all that is very legitimate to the posts (I am not talking about this thread, just in general terms), we all have to look out for each other. While this thread is not really like that, you can use a lot of the suggestions we all have come up with. And as always, we should always remember that we don't know who is on the other side of an internet board, please give locally to charities in your neighborhood.

You have received some excellent idea's here and on the Community Board. I hope that your family gets out of it's current situation. I would have your DS16 doing work around the neighborhood to get his permit, then practice on days when you would already be using the car. Once he gets his license he really does not have to be put on your insurance. Our DD19 has had hers since 17 but since she in college with no need for a vehicle, she just doesn't drive. She is fine with that. Kids are usually great, they adjust!

 

[marie1203]

I didn't read through the last 6 pages but have you or your DH thought about getting second jobs? Maybe retail? I know many places are hiring for the holidays. When my step-dad had to be out of work for his cancer treatment he couldn't run his business anymore so he stop making income. My mom picked up a second job at the Gap to help. It might not be a huge amount but between you and DH you can make extra money. Also sell everything you don't need on craiglist and ebay.
As other said I would consider selling the tuck. You already are only using one car and seem to be doing fine. Take that money repair the van and put the extra money somewhere else. Or fix the van sell both cars and buy a cheaper car that has less miles and better gas milage. Then put the extra money to other payments. That will reduce your insurance costs too.

 

[sightcrr]

Some Craftsman (Sears) radial arm saws (RAS) have a recall on them that makes them worth $100. Search radial arm saw recall for more info. The ones with a round knob on the front is a sure sign of $100 saw but there is other recalled models also as well as some that are not worth the $100. 3.7 million RAS made from 1958-1995 were recalled. If you can find them on CL or somewhere else for $50 (or talk them down to $50) or less plus gas it is a good deal. You don’t care if it runs or not. You need to make sure only to buy the $100 recalled saws. Then call the toll free number and they send you a box and free Fedex shipping tags to ship motor to St. Louis. You get a $100 check per motor about the 5-6 day of month after they get the motors. Make sure it is unplugged before doing anything to the RAS. By removing the motor (remove cord and one allen screw) it makes it 40 lbs lighter and easier to load into pickup. They are heavy. Base can be sold or given to scrap yard. Keep records of how much each saw costs including gas as if you send in more than 6 RAS you will get a W-2 with amount you got. Last month I sent in saw number 100 since 2009 but it does take some time fiddling with CL. I look at it as saving fingers and making money. I wish you the best of everything for your family.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Sorry to hear about your situation.

My advice would be to have the kids (or any other family members) find some kind of very local job - as in something they can WALK to - or maybe ride a bike.
The oldest could offer to do any odd jobs for neighbors. I know kids in my neighborhood do babysitting, lawn care, and even act as homework helpers/tutors. At a minimum, they could set a goal of paying for their activity.

Maybe they and or DH can find something they are good at? If you have a sewing machine, perhaps someone could offer to do minor sewing work - like shortening pants. Have the family brainstorm ideas. Maybe there is even something one of you could make. You don't want to pick somethignthat requires a huge investment, but maybe tehre's somethiing one of you could do.

I recently met a guy who sells dried herb mixes at fairs and has quite the sucessful business. I read about an urban mom who started selling fresh salsa door to door. (She eventually got cited for not making it in a professional kitchen, then a local restaurant offered her time in theirs) I thought both were brilliant ideas.

I recently talked to another mom who lost her job and started work cleaning houses. She is able to do the work on weekends. You neighbors might not need a total house cleaning, but even if you rake leaves once - that's gonna be some $ in our pocket.

Does the oldest own a bike? Perhaps if the oldest is able to find a job in town come spring, he could bike to work part of the time until you can afford to have the car repaired, something like that?

 

[Zim]

I would have suggested Craigslist, eBay (for more valuable items, you'd be amazed what collectibles and such you might have hidden away if you're a packrat like me), and holiday-time jobs (although by this point most are taken and in training now).

The one that has helped me stay above water is sharing my house with someone. May not be viable for you with three kids though. But ever since I got divorced I've had someone else living with me. But ALWAYS only family, or I might have trusted very good friends also in financial trouble.

I had one woman with her toddler come over to check the place out and while she was touring the townhouse I watched in horror as she let her toddler topple head over foot down my stairs!! All I saw was a lawsuit. That made me swear off strangers (not to mention the potential danger to your kids). But a young niece or nephew looking to make it on their own who could pay a nominal amount a month to rent a "room"? Something to that effect if it's an option could be helpful.

 

[vek239]

I haven't read all the pages in this thread but if it hasn't already been mentioned, go to your library and check out Dave Ramsey's book, Total Money Makeover. Best common sense advice out there IMO.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you have any books, cds or dvd's there are places online where you enter the upc codes and they will give you an estimate of how much they will pay you for them, then you mail them in to them. If you google it you will come up with alot of them, I've used cash4books.net with good results.

I loved using secondspin.com and abundatrade.com for our CDs. You wouldln't believe what some things can be worth! Sure, lots are worth 5 cents...but, for example, DH's CD of the Three Men and a Little Lady soundtrack was worth almost $20!

Oh and it's too late for you, OP, but if anyone else runs into this situation- don't put dental work or medical expenses on a credit card. Usually the provider will work out a no interest payment plan for medical expenses.

Dentists won't...not any I know of, at least.

also, enough with the tears. Buck up little camper. All those credit cards co are going to do is call you. They aren't going to take your children or your house or even your car. They can't harass you unless you stay on the phone with them.

You have a house that you can make payments on, benefits and a strong family. You can do this. Its only paper and a rough patch. You'll get through it.

(And FTR, I call bull-pucky on the idea that it isn't right to ask kids to help out with household bills; they are part of the family, and the family is in trouble; they should help if they can. The time for trying to spare them the worry is long past.)

I totally agree. It's one thing to not want to worry a 5 year old. But teens? This will be a great thing for them to learn from.


I love the handyman ideas, just all the ideas for things for everyone to do!

I haven't read all the pages in this thread but if it hasn't already been mentioned, go to your library and check out Dave Ramsey's book, Total Money Makeover. Best common sense advice out there IMO.

Yes.

Also, check out llnoe.com. It's sort of a "fan" site for Ramsey, but you can hear from REAL people and see what they have done. Ways of focusing on one debt to get it done with, then focusing on the next debt, etc etc (not ignoring the others, just putting anything extra towards one while doing minimums on the others). Good stuff. Motivating.

 

[bearzabout]

Ever hear of USDA home loans? These are the new government backed loans that are supposed to help keep people in their houses. They used to just be for farmers, but they are helping with all kinds of rural purchases. I called one firm and was told they do refinancing even if the original loan was not a USDA loan.

Please do a search and see if this will help get you out of your current bind. Hopefully, refinancing will work out so you can then work on a future of living below your means until you are back on your feet.

It sounds like it is time to put in a garden, do some extreme couponing, get the kids working and earning their own money doing odd jobs helping neighbors (if at all possible) and possibly get a second job yourself. Any chance you can carpool, even for just some of your ride to work?

Let us know what you find out about USDA loans and whether they worked for you.