We Are SUNK - Any Advice?

[MoonpieMomma]

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.

Nope, no land line. That went more than a year ago. Will definitely be canceling cell phone as soon as our contract is up. Called yesterday and to change our plan we would have to start the contract all over again. Cancellation fees at this point are more than if we just hold onto the phones till July.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

Okay....home sick today.

And on the disboards...

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

Yep, at work. No internet at home. I have a fantastic understanding employer.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

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.

I put that on my list to look into tonight as we will be at my parent's house. Thanks for letting me know about this!

 

[MoonpieMomma]

OP - could you please explain how "one" payment is going to fix all of the issues you are currently having? I'm very confused by what you have posted here and what you have posted on the CB..

I think you said there is you, your DH, 2 teens, & an 11 year old - right? So let's say 4 of you are capable of doing some of the tons of suggestions here and on the CB - which seems very doable to me.. Couldn't 4 people come up with that one payment you need to set everything straight? Or am I missing something important that indicates none of you can do anything at all - in addition to what you're doing now?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

ETA: Someone just explained to me on your thread on the CB that it's not a one time payment - but rather consolidating debt so you will have only one payment a month.. Now it finally makes sense to me..

However, you still seem very resistant to make any of the necessary changes suggested here; get your teens involved in earning money; having your DH take odd jobs on the side; or bringing in additional income on your end, so I'm not sure how you're hoping to solve this problem..

Whatever the case may be, I hope you can find a way to work out your financial issues..

I'm not resistant at all. I don't know where that came from. The only thing up to this point that I said I couldn't do was to cancel the cell phones. I would be paying more in termination charges than if I just kept them. When the contract is up....the phone will go.

My DH is always looking for side work and that is what has kept us afloat up until now. It's just becoming harder and harder with the depressed area. He is ALWAYS willing to work on the side.

I have started looking for PT job for nights and weekends. Again....it has to be something that will cover the gas money required to get there. Fiscally it makes no sense to take a job at the mall 20 miles away for a 4 hour shift.

I'm really only trying to do the right thing and not create a bigger hole. Thanks for your advice.

I never said I wouldn't get my teens involved. Working is an option for them. I just have to find something that will make financial sense. Going to a job for 4 hours at night making $8 per hour makes no sense when it will cost me at least $20 in gas. I'm very willing to have him work to help out on his part. I just don't want to make the wrong moves, so I'm being cautious and thinking all this through.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

Some do, I just had a root canal and crown and my dentist let me make payments without interest.

I wish that had been an option for us. The pediatric dentist in the area would only do payment day of service. Since we didn't have the cash, credit was the only option. The work had to be done over 4 visits and we couldn't schedule another visit if the previous one hadn't been paid in full. None of the regular dentists would touch him, so that was our only option. Not a good one, but it had to be done.

 

[C.Ann]

I put that on my list to look into tonight as we will be at my parent's house. Thanks for letting me know about this!

I'm hoping that works out for you - but whether it does or it doesn't, you need to find a way to bring more income into your household (to help you ASAP - or to keep you ahead of the game after a re-fi)..

It's time to get serious about the many, many suggestions made here on how to bring that extra income in..

What will you be doing about Christmas?

Good luck!

 

[bellebud]

If you and your teen(s) all go to the mall 20 miles away together, and you each work a 4 hour shift, that makes it worth it financially for the gas. Yes, it may be hard to find the same (or close to the same) shifts normally, but now during the holiday season, maybe not.

good luck! I feel for you.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

Also check out his radio show, I'm sure it is on in your area on some radio station. I love listening to the callers and the advice he gives.

Calling the library today to see if his book is there and available. Going to try to get there on my way home from work today to see if I can do some heavy reading over the weekend. W

We also plan to sit the kids down this weekend and explain the situation a little better to them. Find ways we can work together to make this situation better. This will, of course, involve them getting some kind of work whether it be an actual job or just working around the neighborhood.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm not resistant at all. I don't know where that came from. The only thing up to this point that I said I couldn't do was to cancel the cell phones. I would be paying more in termination charges than if I just kept them. When the contract is up....the phone will go.

My DH is always looking for side work and that is what has kept us afloat up until now. It's just becoming harder and harder with the depressed area. He is ALWAYS willing to work on the side.

I have started looking for PT job for nights and weekends. Again....it has to be something that will cover the gas money required to get there. Fiscally it makes no sense to take a job at the mall 20 miles away for a 4 hour shift.

I'm really only trying to do the right thing and not create a bigger hole. Thanks for your advice.

I never said I wouldn't get my teens involved. Working is an option for them. I just have to find something that will make financial sense. Going to a job for 4 hours at night making $8 per hour makes no sense when it will cost me at least $20 in gas. I'm very willing to have him work to help out on his part. I just don't want to make the wrong moves, so I'm being cautious and thinking all this through.

Sorry - we must have been typing at the same time..

I wouldn't focus so much on jobs that have to be driven to - consider some of the other options that would be right within your own neighborhood (places that your teens could walk to - or that your DH would only have to drive 5 or 10 minutes to in order to do handyman type jobs).. You're right that it wouldn't make sense to spend the money in gas to go further away..

And don't forget the Craigslist.. Many, many people are buying "used" now.. Look around for outgrown clothes; coats; toys; games the teens don't play anymore; books; DVD's; CD's; etc.. That stuff will go FAST right now and you will have cash in your hand immediately.. If your parents have internet (and you can also check for the emails in work since your co-workers don't mind you using the computer) you could do it in either place and have at least some cash in hand in less than a week!

 

[C.Ann]

If you and your teen(s) all go to the mall 20 miles away together, and you each work a 4 hour shift, that makes it worth it financially for the gas. Yes, it may be hard to find the same (or close to the same) shifts normally, but now during the holiday season, maybe not.

The above is a good idea - one I didn't think of..

We also plan to sit the kids down this weekend and explain the situation a little better to them. Find ways we can work together to make this situation better. This will, of course, involve them getting some kind of work whether it be an actual job or just working around the neighborhood.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

If you and your teen(s) all go to the mall 20 miles away together, and you each work a 4 hour shift, that makes it worth it financially for the gas. Yes, it may be hard to find the same (or close to the same) shifts normally, but now during the holiday season, maybe not.

good luck! I feel for you.

That's a fantastic idea. Will look into it this weekend.

 

[nancytoby]

Going to a job for 4 hours at night making $8 per hour makes no sense when it will cost me at least $20 in gas.

4 hours * $8 = $32.00

40 miles at 10 mpg = 4 gallons * $3.38 (national average) = $13.52

Looks to me like the math says someone doing that could make $18.48 each shift. More if the pay rate was higher or the gas was split with errands you would make anyway or carpooling with someone.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

Sorry - we must have been typing at the same time..

I wouldn't focus so much on jobs that have to be driven to - consider some of the other options that would be right within your own neighborhood (places that your teens could walk to - or that your DH would only have to drive 5 or 10 minutes to in order to do handyman type jobs).. You're right that it wouldn't make sense to spend the money in gas to go further away..

And don't forget the Craigslist.. Many, many people are buying "used" now.. Look around for outgrown clothes; coats; toys; games the teens don't play anymore; books; DVD's; CD's; etc.. That stuff will go FAST right now and you will have cash in your hand immediately.. If your parents have internet (and you can also check for the emails in work since your co-workers don't mind you using the computer) you could do it in either place and have at least some cash in hand in less than a week!

Any suggestions for someone who has never used craigslist before? My DH and I went through the house and found a couple "bigger" things to start with. I have an old cook-stove (one like my great-grandma would have used) that we could post. Also, I have two framed limited edition prints that were wedding gifts. They are by a local artist, but sold for a couple hundred for the both. Thinking maybe we could find someone who would like them. I also have an antique trunk that was just sitting in the attic that I forgot about. The combination of those might get us a car fixed. Will also be going through the house looking for smaller things this weekend. We decided this weekend will be solely dedicated to making a plan and implementing it to begin to get out of this.
Called CCCS last night and they are sending me info. Made an appointment with them for the first week in Dec. Their office is only open 2 days a week and their appointments are full for the one day next week they are open (closed the other day for Thanksgiving.).
Christmas is a serious unknown at our house right now. We need to talk to the kids this weekend and explain the situation. Even if we are only able to give them something small, they do have grandparents who will see that they are happy.

 

[mrsklamc]

There's also some legit work at home as a phone operator options..I may be mangling the names but I think LiveOps, Alpine Access, and ....a flower thing that was only available in certain states? 800 flowers or proflowers or something?

 

[nancytoby]

Called CCCS last night and they are sending me info. Made an appointment with them for the first week in Dec. Their office is only open 2 days a week and their appointments are full for the one day next week they are open (closed the other day for Thanksgiving.).

I think you will find CCCS extremely helpful. They will negotiate with companies on your behalf and put an end to any creditor harassment.

Start now by assembling copies of ALL bills and financial obligations and ALL credit cards that you have. Prepare yourself to switch over to cash/check-only way of doing your family finances.

Good luck!

 

[JB2K]

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, I wasn't trying to derail your conversation -- it's just that the poster we referenced a few posts back tends to be something of a polarizing figure on the BB.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

We also plan to sit the kids down this weekend and explain the situation a little better to them. Find ways we can work together to make this situation better. This will, of course, involve them getting some kind of work whether it be an actual job or just working around the neighborhood.

When I was 11, my father lost his job. We spent 2 years in extreme poverty in a shack in the country. Truly, we were one step from homeless and my parents did not even have debt. We survived it and I don't have everlasting scars from the experience. Instead, I learned so much that helped me in adulthood that it seems strange for me to say I am thankful for the experience. Sit your children down and show them the bills. SHow them your take home pay. Do the subtraction and show them what is left for food, clothing, and their extra curricular activities. If they are still clueless, show them the cost of the monthly groceries, then show them what is left. Subtract gas cost. Just keep subtracting. They will understand it eventually, even your youngest. Now is not the time to say "Yeah, but they are just children and they deserve to keep this and this." Explain to them the $20 it takes to do the activity is $20 that can be spent keeping the temperature warmer in the house. It is going to be a tough adjustment, but you will survive it. Things will get better.

 

[MoonpieMomma]

No, I wasn't trying to derail your conversation -- it's just that the poster we referenced a few posts back tends to be something of a polarizing figure on the BB.

Thank you. I'm grateful to everyone on here for being so helpful. It is truly a great group of people. Just having moral support can be the biggest blessing. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[C.Ann]

Any suggestions for someone who has never used craigslist before? My DH and I went through the house and found a couple "bigger" things to start with. I have an old cook-stove (one like my great-grandma would have used) that we could post. Also, I have two framed limited edition prints that were wedding gifts. They are by a local artist, but sold for a couple hundred for the both. Thinking maybe we could find someone who would like them. I also have an antique trunk that was just sitting in the attic that I forgot about. The combination of those might get us a car fixed. Will also be going through the house looking for smaller things this weekend. We decided this weekend will be solely dedicated to making a plan and implementing it to begin to get out of this.
Called CCCS last night and they are sending me info. Made an appointment with them for the first week in Dec. Their office is only open 2 days a week and their appointments are full for the one day next week they are open (closed the other day for Thanksgiving.).
Christmas is a serious unknown at our house right now. We need to talk to the kids this weekend and explain the situation. Even if we are only able to give them something small, they do have grandparents who will see that they are happy.

The portion I bolded? Do NOT put them on CL just yet.. They sound too valuable.. Call around and have several antique dealers come to your home and look at them.. (If possible, do a search online to see what they're worth first..) If they come close to the numbers you find - or offer a significant amount of money that you feel would be sufficient for those particular items - I would sell to the one who offers you the most.. For those items, CL would not be my first choice - they could be worth quite a bit (especially the stove and trunk)..

Good luck!

 

[MoonpieMomma]

The portion I bolded? Do NOT put them on CL just yet.. They sound too valuable.. Call around and have several antique dealers come to your home and look at them.. (If possible, do a search online to see what they're worth first..) If they come close to the numbers you find - or offer a significant amount of money that you feel would be sufficient for those particular items - I would sell to the one who offers you the most.. For those items, CL would not be my first choice - they could be worth quite a bit (especially the stove and trunk)..

Good luck!

Ok. Will think a little more about what to do with them. They are truly the final holdouts on stuff we have. Cant do without my furniture, kitchen pieces or our clothing