I give up, this is impossible!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
I give up, this is impossible!
7
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 5:02pm
I just checked all my balances and got all my numbers together for January, and I hate this. I have been behind for a while, and while I had no snowflakes this month, I paid all I could possibly pay towards the minimums. On several of my cards, my balance actually went up! This is because of fees, interest, etc. It's hopeless. I am paying everything I can, working two jobs, depositing change, using coupons, eating ramen noodles, and my balances go up! And I'm going to have to buy propane again within the next month, and I still owe $296 on the last propane bill. I can't get anymore until I pay the past due amount. I am beating my head against a brick wall here. This sucks so bad. I don't know what else to do. I feel like I am just stuck, and nothing will ever get better. I even advertised a couple of pieces of my furniture this morning, and have things listed on ebay. I give up....
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 5:18pm

{{Hugs}} It sounds like you're doing everything you could possibly do to get your bills paid. I'm not sure what else you could do....perhaps someone will be able to come up with something to help you.

The one thing that did come to my mind is finding a local social services group, if there is one, in your area. Our county has a group that offers help for anything from warm meals (2 per day), to a food pantry, and one of their biggest help areas is in house and heat. Meaning, that if someone calls them and tells them that they, or someone they know, is about to lose their home or cannot pay for heating for their home during the winter, they will pay the amount due for that person or family and keep them in their homes...and with needed heat. It wouldn't matter if you had an outstanding propane bill or not. They would still step in and make sure you got what you needed, never asking for repayment. They are funded from money from private donations, public donations, and the proceeds from a local thrift store.

Do you think there is anything like this near where you live?

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 5:56pm

Don't give up! You posted your problem here, which to me is a sign you aren't ready to give up. I know things look bleak for you right now, but you have the motivation to make things work. I really don't have any solutions for you. I wish I did, but I can't think of any, other than contacting your propane company and asking for help, especially if you have made a good faith effort to pay the past due balance. I know nothing about propane, my house is heated with a gas heater so I don't get deliveries.

I also suggest a good cry. You sound like you are entitled to it. Sometimes things look much better after a good cry.

Good luck and keep coming here. We are here for SUPPORT, not because we have it all figured out.

Kellie

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-30-2005 - 9:19pm
If you're not able to make ends meet working two jobs...have you considered filing for bankruptcy?

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2005
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 8:21am

I agree with Pat. I am new here so I don't have any sound financial advice but your post made me wonder if you have contacted any churches in your area. My church is constantly helping folks with their heating/gas bills in the winter when they cannot afford it. Perhaps your gas company can supply you with a list of church's or organizations that can help.

Maybe if you got that problem off your mind you would be able to concentrate more on the others.

Not much help but lots of {{{hugs}}}.

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 9:50am

HUGS!!!


You have already been given some good suggestions, so I'm just going to give you a hug!!!


Becky -

Avatar for gidgetgirl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 12:30pm

How frustrating and giant hugs to you!!!! Others had good suggestions and I have one more- have you called the cc companies and asked them to stop the fees (overlimit, late, etc) and start you on a repayment plan for 6 months or so. I know that many cc's will forgive the over the limit fees and such if you make specific payments on time, without fail, for at least 6 months. Esp. if you tell them you are considering bankruptcy!

Best wishes!!!

Gidget

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2003
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 4:51pm
I have tried to call the creditors, they are not pleasant people. My balances (except for two) are relatively small (within the $275-$1000 range). The other two cards are around $3000 each. I rent my house, and my car payment is $275 (21 more payments). It's just me and my dd (16), and we really don't do anything. I work all the hours I can. I hate to go the bankruptcy route, I really want to do this on my own, but it's so frustrating! My ex pays child support of $275 a month (for a 16 year old girl!!!!), and then only when he feels like it. DD is just good as gold, so I try to find a way to get what she needs... not everything she wants, but what she needs. I just hate that I am not getting anywhere. I try so hard.