I need SERIOUS HELP
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| Fri, 01-14-2005 - 7:47pm |
i dont even know what to do anymore. im in debt. im goin to lose my health insurance in a few months from my divorce. my daughter is getting ready to have spine surgery and im going to be off work a while taking care of her without pay.
i dont get paid unless i work. i work at home.
i dont know where to begin.
ive bounced my check book 4 times in the last 5 weeks. im not doing well. This has been an ongoing problem for me, accumulating debt.
I have GOT to do something before I lose all of the equity in my house. I just refinanced in october, took out 15,000.00 from the equity of the house, paid off some credit cards and now im back in debt even higher.
is there any hope for me, as a single parent on one income, when i make too much for help from SS and i dont make enough sometimes and i have to charge groceries and bills?

Sorry it's been so difficult for you. Also sorry to hear that your DD needs spine surgery. I hope everything turns out great regarding the surgery. I'm sure after your divorce, your dd will still have medical insurance through your ex. As for yourself, have you tried applying for Medicaid or some sort of government medical insurance for low income families?
Make a budget. Cut anything out that you can. For instance, cable, extra perks on your home phone, etc. Write down who you owe, how much, interest you pay, and when bill is due. Keep track of that each month. Cut up all your credit cards.
We have a great group of people on this board. I'm sure others will post with more suggestions. You may also what to check out other boards: single parenting, one income family, and I think there's one called divorce and money.
Good luck to you.
MYM
im in more debt to credit card companies right now than i make per year.
my phones and electric are getting cutting off, etc.
my check book is bounced right now into -700 and i dont have any way to fix it right
now, no paycheck for 10 more days, and shes having surgery tuesday. i dont
even have gas to get the hospital right now.
i cant dare ask my mother, she has bailed me out before.
i dont know waht to do
It's none of my business, and you don't have to answer it. However, where's your ex involved in your DD's surgery? Get him to take you and your DD to the hospital. Is he paying for child support? If not, get that process going.
Right now...concentrate on your DD's surgery. She needs for you to be strong for her. I know that's stressful enough. I have twins (boy/girl). They are three years old. My DD received a liver transplant when she was 4 months old. We were getting bills from the hospital, while she was still recovering. I focused all my strength on taking care of my baby.
My husband has excellent medical insurance. However, there were things they didn't pay while she was in the hospital. She was in the hospital for 2 1/2 months. I took those bills to the medicaid office and applied. I was told by a social woker. If someone is in the hospital longer than 30 days, they can apply for medicaid to cover what your insurance doesn't.
I'm sorry for rambling. I just want to let you know. Try not to worry about your debt right now. Concentrate on your DD's recovery. However, we are hear for you.
MYM
P.S. There are programs that help people with their electric bill, especially if you have a turn-off notice. You may want to look into. While your DD is in the hospital, you may want to speak with a social worker. She/He may know of other programs.
Edited 1/14/2005 8:19 pm ET ET by mymartes
thankyou for your reply.
i strongly feel that providing a home with good food in it for her, etc., which is related to my being BROKE, is part of her recovery. I am feeling worthless like I
can provide for her right.
the EX? I used to live on the dealing with domestic abuse abuse on i village. i get
child support but the next one isnt until february 1st, that also ends june 1st. she will
be 18.
yes, she is very scared, very depressed and seeing me stressed isnt helping.
i just feel like our world, me and hers, is falling apart, just like EX said it would.
my checking account is bounced and i dont get paid for 10 days. my cards are
to the limit, i cant get any more increases, i have totaly hit rock bottom this time
and its all my fault. i just couldnt do it by myself.
Please don't be hard on yourself. I admire you for walking away from an abusive relationship. Not too many women do.
Just a thought.....have you spoken to your DD's doctors/nurses about maybe they providing transportation for you and her to the hospital? Let them know, you have no way of getting there. (You mentioned you didn't have gas to get to the hospital. Don't let them know that.)
After all this is done, perhaps looking for a better paying job with better benefits.
Sorry....I'm just thinking of ways to help. You probably thought of all this.
Keep posting.
MYM
I don't have any real suggestions. I admire you for leaving an abusive relationship...that sets a very good example for your daughter.
Is there any way you can ask your mom for a bit of help? Maybe not the money thing, if she can't, but maybe she can give you a ride to the hospital? Maybe she, or another relative, can help take care of your daughter so you can work a bit.
Wishing you luck and strength,
Kim
I can well understand your plight. Here is some helpful info*
First - don't panic. Breathe! You are useless to everyone in a panic state.
Contact your power company. Tell them it is an emergency and you need an extension. This has to be done BEFORE shut-off. Most of them will work out a payment plan.
I see you are in Maryland. For energy assistance with the government:
Maryland:
Office of Home Energy Programs
Department of Human Resources
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
WEBSITE:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/meap
Public Information Number: 1-800-352-1446
You can also go to your local religious group. Again, tell them of your emergency and situation, Most of them have money to offer for emergencies. The Red Cross, The United Way and The Salvation Army also offer emergency assistance. Contact them. The Red Cross can even provide rides to medical appointments, thus can help you get to the hospital.
For government financial aid:
Maryland:
Agency: Maryland Department of Human Resources
WEBSITE: http://www.dhr.state.md.us
Public Information Number: 410-767-7109
Contact your mortgage company. Most of them will defer one month's payment to the end of the loan. Thus, you skip a month now and pay an extra month longer than the term of the loan.
When you get your money, pay your priorities first, i.e., mortgage, utilities, etc. Don't pay a credit card first and ignore your mortgage or electric payments.
There are many food pantries that can help you. Check them out: http://www.mdfoodbank.org/site/pp.asp?c=ahKKI2PKIsE&b=218171.
I hope this helps. I wish you the best.
*Info provided from "Surviving the Tough Times"
http://survivingbook.com
thank you so kindly for these links.
thank you all for your posts.