frustration

Avatar for windryderm
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
frustration
3
Fri, 05-27-2005 - 1:59pm
I am feeling overwhelmed. We are trying so hard to keep afloat and nothing seems to work. We were fine until my H lost his job back last October which is what screwed us up since he was the only one working and was out of work for two months. He worked for min. wage through several temp agencies until march when he finally found another job, but even this job is very low pay. I am trying to find work but jobs are very scarce where I live, and it is more challenging to find work when my H is going to be home so that we don't have to pay childcare costs (couldn't afford it). I quit college for the time being to save on day care costs since the financial aid wasn't even covering much else besides books. We can't get state assistance for anything since I'm not working. Right now the kids are covered under state medical but that is a headache for later discussion. Right now my H is making $1200 a month which doesn't even cover all our basic bills. House payment $760 month, $260 util (baseboard heating makes it almost double in winter months!) including electric, phone-basic and garbage, $113 month for car insurance, $300 for car payment ( we are trying to sell it but haven't found a buyer yet, and it is our only car right now. H works out in the boonies and needs a dependable vehicle to get to and from work if we do sell this one), discover car $25, $55 month window payment. We only spend about $30 a week in food for a family of four since I can alot of fruits and veggies which really helps, and we spend $20 a week in gas for my H to drive to and from work. That is it for spending. I have had several garage sales and our home is looking bare. We have only had our house for 1 1/2 years. This area is very pricey (almost double what we pay) for apartments and most have waiting lists, so if we move or lose our house, we won't have anyplace to go. Both our credits are shot, and we don't have family to help. Our house has been getting pretty bare since I have been doing lots of garage sales and selling things on-line to help but things just haven't improved enough. We don't have alot of old debt looming over our heads, only have discover card with a $2400 balance right now from us getting behind and them charging all their fees. We had cable but got rid of it, no internet, student loans are in deferment right now. we don't even go out to the movies or rent movies! We are trying to use as little electricity as possible to try to keep that low, had garbage changed to reduce that bill. I just wish I could find a job I could do at home or close by at night. H is going around tonight to apply at several pizza places in town, since he has done that before, but I don't even know if any of them are hiring. I feel helpless and I hate it. It seems that no matter what happens we wil be stuck in this hole forever. Thanks for letting me vent.
Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: windryderm
Fri, 05-27-2005 - 3:12pm

I don't have any advice. I just wanted to say sorry, you have to go through all this. I'm sending you a cyber hug.

MYM

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: windryderm
Fri, 05-27-2005 - 3:56pm

((((hugs))))


I know it feels really bad right now, but you're on the right track.

All my best,
Danni

Avatar for mahopac
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-1997
In reply to: windryderm
Fri, 05-27-2005 - 8:25pm

I'm so sorry. I have been in desperate situations as well, and I really do empathize with you. One group that helped me through the roughest times was iVillage's Parentsplace Frugal Living board, http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppfrugal. You have to go the Pregnancy & Parenting message boards and look under something like "Best Products, Shopping, and Something or Other" to find it if that link didn't take. But you will find consolation and good ideas there.

Kelly