What to do?

[Temporaryname]

Forget the prepaid credit card. That's not a credit card in the truest sense. It's a glorified debit card for people with bad credit. You need to fund it before you can use it. And for someone who is maxed out on her other credit cards, you absolutely do not need the headache of another card!
!

Ooops, I mistyped if I said "prepaid card". It's not prepaid it's preapproved.

As I said above, I don't have a lot of credit card debt, I only have one card wit $750 on it.

 

[Kellydelly]

Quoting myself because I wanted to be clear this is a typo. I am NOT comfortable going to churches and lying about my faith. Don't want anyone to think I'm this unethical!!!

I'll go back and edit.

You don't have to be a Christian or a church member to get help from a church or mission.

 

[jmunutt]

Check the local churchs anyway for a food pantry. Ours has one and you don't have to be a member or even a Christian to get food. Feeding your daughter is important and they may have something to get you by until the end of the month. Also, some communities have an emergency fund (ours is a few churchs together) who can help in the short term. It doesn't hurt to ask around, and you shouldn't have to lie to get food from a food pantry.
Good luck, I'll be thinking about you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm going to go Dave Ramsey on you...FOUR WALLS....

Food
Shelter
Transportation
Utilities

Come up with a frugal shopping list that feeds you and your family and budget money.

Call landlord and BE HONEST! They can't float you forever, but many landlords could and should be helpful when you are in a bind, especially after a record of good payments. Let them know how much you do have and when you will have the balance and be caught up. Pay 50-75%.

With the remaining cash, budget for your transportation costs--INCLUDING THAT INSURANCE!!!! Lack of insurance could cost you dearly. Pay it!

The trak phone is dead last. It is a temporary inconvenience. If your dd hasn't been calling you, you should be fine temporarily. But as long as your landlord is understanding and you have a budget and plan to get caught up, then you should have some money to spare for the phone. I assume you have no landline.

Increasing your debt isn't going to solve your problems. It is going to compound them. It will just be a temporary bandaid. Try to fix what is happening with what you have. You can't pay rent with a credit card anyway and the interest rate on a cash advance is killer.

I'm not sure where the root of your troubles are, so after this crisis is taken care of, you may wish to look into increasing your income and in the meantime check eligibility for assistance programs.

Also--do you have renter's insurance? Typically it is very inexpensive. I have no idea if it covers food spoilage. I know our homeowner's did--as long as the power outage was due to some type of covered event such as fire/hurricane, etc. I don't think they covered it for a routine outage, or something like someone crashing into a power pole.

We have had several hundred dollars worth of food replaced 3x in our last home. So if renter's covers it, it may be something to consider! Renter's is also good b/c if something happens and all your furniture/clothing items are gone, you will be able to replace them without hardship.

You should not feel bad if you have a temporary hardship that requires hardship assistance. Try not to let pride get in your way. Sure there are families that might be worse off...but you have no food and can't pay your rent. Even if it is only temporary, you do have a hardship.


I hope things do improve for you and wish you well. I know my mother had those months that made her wonder how she would make it to the next. We never really knew what was going on. It is just something that we learned about later when she felt to explain why things were the way they were.

Just do what you can! Just figure out exactyl what is needed between now and next payday....NEEDED and then you will know how much you have for your landlord.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I am sorry you are in this situation.

Since this is your ex's fault, is there any way HE could help feed his daughter? I am assuming no, but I am sorry the headache is all on you.

As far as feeling bad about asking for handouts - don't. Services are there because people need them. Visit a food bank, take what you need about feeling guilty - then donate when you are back on your feet.

 

[gigi1313]

i volunteered at our church's food pantry for years and there was never any requirement of attending or even pretending to be interested in our church or any church... we, the church, were fulfilling our obligation of feeding the hungry... nothing more... so, call around, ask around, and visit a food pantry... we have had many clients who donated to the pantry when they were back on their feet...

also, for the future, check out www.angelfoodministries.com to see if their food is available in your area... it's decent "survival food" (as my husband calls it) at a less expensive price than anywhere else...

as far as the rent is concerned, i agree that moving would be more costly and leave you less comfortable, so that's not a real option... but asking the landlord/property manager to take a partial payment with promise to pay the balance by a set date (and then do it!) is a definite option... i work in the loan dep't of a bank and we much prefer the customers who offer something rather than nothing and take our calls, explain their situation, etc over those that attempt to ignore and duck us!

last but not least, babysitting to catch up, selling on craigslist, etc are some good tactics for stowing away a bit of cash for future emergencies... even some old jewelry could bring enough to finance the phone and fill the fridge...

 

[Temporaryname]

I am sorry you are in this situation.

Since this is your ex's fault, is there any way HE could help feed his daughter? I am assuming no, but I am sorry the headache is all on you. .

You'd think, wouldn't you?

If I knew where he was I wouldn't have had the emergency expense. I'd also have child support, but that would be a whole 'nother post, and I don't want to go into it.

For now we'll have to assume he doesn't exist, as I can't imagine he'll turn up by March first.

 

[StephMK]

Find one of the cheap meal threads & buy some groceries based on those ideas. Eggs, pasta, etc. Clip some coupons if you don't already. Unless you've already gotten a late notice from your insurance co, there are grace periods. See if you will harm anything if you wait to pay until 3/1. It's only 4 days and you should still have coverage unless you are already late.

Are there any cheaper options for DD's phone? Might be worth a call to the cell co or look around online. For our pay as you go phones, we can pay cheaper prices than $25 a month.

Selling on CL is really easy. Just write the ad & post it up. Just be sure to click the "use an anonymous email address" and it will show a CL email online, then it will be forwarded to your real addy. Don't post your phone number or give an address or meeting location until you are sure the person is serious. The first time I respond to someone, I ask them to email me back with a pick up time. Then I tell them my address or where to meet. Some people flake out and if the email doesn't look legit, I don't respond.

Good luck & hang in there.

 

[Liberty Belle]

As far as credit cards, I didn't have one for all of my adult life. However, with this move (precipitated by the end of my marriage), I got one for emergencies. With no credit the limit was low, and I've used it a few times and payed it back 100%. Ths month I will only pay the minimum, but in April I should be able to pay it back 100%. Just wanted to be clear that this isn't a situation where I'm underwater due to huge credit card debt.

As far as my daughter she's 11, having skipped a grade, so doesn't have a way to earn money. I could give her an allowance, and then take it back as phone payment, which is a good idea, but won't really result in a change in my bottom line.

Is your ex-husband helping at all? Can he help?

For food, I'd do eggs, pasta, grilled cheese - all things that can be bought and prepared very cheaply.

I'd go ahead and give a partial payment for your rent. It is better than no payment and I seriously doubt they'd start eviction over one partial payment.

One time we called our car insurance (Geico) and asked for a two week extension on when our payment was due and they said it was fine. Maybe you could check into that.

ETA: sorry, scratch the ex-husband thing.

 

[Marionnette]

Quoting myself because I wanted to be clear this is a typo. I am NOT comfortable going to churches and lying about my faith. Don't want anyone to think I'm this unethical!!!

I'll go back and edit.

Christians see their mission as helping ALL people, not just believers. No one will question your degree of faith.

 

[java]

Talk to your landlord. As a former landlord, I never had an issue if someone told me up front they were going to be late. It was when they just didn't pay it that bothered me.

That rent is crazy high though- how big is your place? My sister is renting a one bedroom on Long Island for $900.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Christians see their mission as helping ALL people, not just believers. No one will question your degree of faith.

In fact, many think you are doing them the favor when you receive their help.

 

[Temporaryname]

OK,

You guys have given me some next steps. Tell me how this sounds:

1) I'll drop off a check for $1,000 at the landlord today, and call Tuesday when the office opens to see if I can wait until March 1 for the other $785.

2) I'll call the insurance company and see if I can delay payment by a few days.

3) I'll go buy some cheap groceries, looking at other threads here for ideas.

4) I'll see about listing the items on craigslist. Both are new, but one has been opened but never turned on (It's a kindle), how can I assure people that they're working well? Any ideas?

Does that sound good?

 

[Temporaryname]

To clarify on the Christian thing, the post I edited was after a suggestion that I talk to my own pastor, or if I don't have one perhaps join a church. I definitely don't think it's unethical to go to a Christian food bank or buy from Angel Ministries, even if you're athiest, agnostic (that's me), Jewish, or whatever.

I was raised Christian, and have a lot of respect for Christianity and the role the churches play in our society. But I don't happen to believe in some of the central tenants of faith, and don't want to be dishonest about that.

 

[Jax1023]

So basically you have $1865 dollars and $1885 dollars worth of bills plus the need for food for 8 days. Can you survive on that half tank of gas till your next pay?

also do you get payed every 2 weeks or monthly?

Do you literally no food? I know you lost all refrigerated food, but no pasta, cereal etc you could use.

I would pay the car insurance, as you will be worse off for not paying it. First call and ask if you can have a 2 week extension on the due date.

Pay your daughters phone so she has it. Thats 100 dollars.

Go to the grocery store and spend 50 dollars. Buy a large container of slow cook oatmeal. Cook it all this weekend with water and freeze it for microwaving during the week. Buy all store brands.

Buy a loaf of bread, and a jar of store brand peanut butter. Lunch. Boring, but cheap.

Dinner- 2 boxes of pasta, a jar of the cheapest sauce you can buy. this will give you probably 2 meals. A bag of beans, 2 cans of chicken broth, make bean soup. another 2 meals.

Do you have a dollar tree near you? Buy some groceries there, for a dollar. Drink water, no soft drink, juice whatever.

Pay all of the rent you can afford. Call the company when they open and explain. You are likely already on the hook for a late fee if you haven't payed for this month.

When your next pay comes in, keep the groceries to a minimum. No snacks, drinks, etc. Pay off the rest of the rent, utilities etc and keep socking everything away for a few months.

Do you have any giftcards hanging around you could use? Or sell on plastic jungle? take old clothes to a consigment store and sell them. Check pockets of old coats for an extra few bucks you may have misplaced.

Look for change, roll it and take it to the bank.

Its going to be a rough month or two, but do the best you can to get buy and then save some $ for a emergency account

 

[Temporaryname]

So basically you have $1865 dollars and $1885 dollars worth of bills plus the need for food for 8 days. Can you survive on that half tank of gas till your next pay?

I think so, if I can't I'll need at most $10 more. Not a huge amount.

also do you get payed every 2 weeks or monthly?

I have two jobs. One pays on the first and 15th of the month and is the vast majority of my income. The other, which is a few hundred a month, comes around the end of the month. Some months it's up to a week early, so if that happens then I'm in a good situation, but it could also be up to a week late.

Do you literally no food? I know you lost all refrigerated food, but no pasta, cereal etc you could use.

I have a dozen eggs, about a half a loaf of bread, and a little butter, some cooking oil, and a few things. I also have some frozen veggies that were in the freezer, but I think I can still eat them, right? Because frozen veggies wouldn't have spoiled like the milk/meat did right? I let them refreeze.

I would pay the car insurance, as you will be worse off for not paying it. First call and ask if you can have a 2 week extension on the due date.

I will call them, can't hurt to ask.

Pay your daughters phone so she has it. Thats 100 dollars.

Go to the grocery store and spend 50 dollars. Buy a large container of slow cook oatmeal. Cook it all this weekend with water and freeze it for microwaving during the week. Buy all store brands.

Buy a loaf of bread, and a jar of store brand peanut butter. Lunch. Boring, but cheap.

Dinner- 2 boxes of pasta, a jar of the cheapest sauce you can buy. this will give you probably 2 meals. A bag of beans, 2 cans of chicken broth, make bean soup. another 2 meals.

Do you have a dollar tree near you? Buy some groceries there, for a dollar. Drink water, no soft drink, juice whatever.

No dollar tree, but there's an Aldi about 5 miles away -- I should go there right?"


Pay all of the rent you can afford. Call the company when they open and explain. You are likely already on the hook for a late fee if you haven't payed for this month.

When your next pay comes in, keep the groceries to a minimum. No snacks, drinks, etc. Pay off the rest of the rent, utilities etc and keep socking everything away for a few months.

Do you have any giftcards hanging around you could use? Or sell on plastic jungle? take old clothes to a consigment store and sell them. Check pockets of old coats for an extra few bucks you may have misplaced.

Good ideas!

Look for change, roll it and take it to the bank.

Its going to be a rough month or two, but do the best you can to get buy and then save some $ for a emergency account

I want to say that since May, when things kind of fell apart, I have managed to save about $2000 in emergency fund, despite things like the security deposit for this apartment, paying for summer camp for my daughter, and giving her a decent Christmas, and some expenses associated with a new neighborhood. To be honest, we also weren't incredibly frugal during this time, not spendthrift but not super budget. That $2000 went to this emergency, but my salary really is enough that it should all work fine if I just get through until March

Thanks, and keep the suggestions coming.

 

[java]

Here's our go to cheapo dinner-

Ramen noodles(at 6 for $1 or 8 for $1 - these are budget pantry wonders)
Sauted chicken and broccoli- we always have soy sauce in the pantry

Mix it all together- dinner!

Aldi's has Mac and cheese for .29!

So basically you need 8 cheap dinners right? This is easy. You can do it! Pancakes is another favorite here.

Pasta- with quick tomato sauce(I got canned tomatoes on sale for .79) Sauted them with garlic and olive oil(ok not budget but I had it and it's so good) Serve over pasta.

Or bacon and tomato pasta-- just fry up bacon pieces in some olive oil- add the tomatoes and hot pepper flakes cook for 10 minutes more - dinner.

Pancakes are fun for dinner in our house.

Good luck. If I can do it with our family of 6 you can do this with the 2 of you!

 

[semo233]

Check out hillbillyhousewife.com. She has an emergency menu that is supposed to feed 4 people for a week for $75. I don't know how up to date it is with prices, but even using a few of her suggestions might help you to keep your grocery bill as low as possible to get you through the month.

 

[nboicepardee]

Aldi has great prices. Yes, definitely go there! Great for boxed and canned goods. Good prices on fruit too. You can buy your daughter a bag of bananas or apples for the week. Good luck to you!

 

[Kellydelly]

If you only need $100 or so dollars to get you by for the next 10 days or so, do you not have a friend or relative that would loan you that much?