I have no money....What to do?

[story3girl]

I just had another thought. Volunteer. If you don't feel comfortable asking for assistance, or don't want to take away from people who need it more, go down to the food bank or soup kitchen and volunteer for several hours. Again, if you're not working, you have time.

Usually soup kitchens will give you a free meal while you are volunteering, and then you would not need to deplete your own supplies at home, and a food bank or pantry would probably be glad to trade your time for a basket or bag of food - and that would assuage your feelings of accepting charity.

When I have volunteered at conferences, judging events at schools, or other such events, there is usually a hospitality room or table for volunteers that has amazing food. Fruit, cheese, and muffins all day t the very least.

In addition to feeding you for the day and helping you to give back and help others, these things will give you contacts and experience which will help you get a career type job more easily.

[Duchesse]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

Greyhound, what is an EBT card? I didn't think you could buy beer with food stamps. Actually, they dont use stamps anymore do they?

An EBT card is a card issued to people who receive food stamps and medicaid. It is used like a credit card. It pays for their food, medicine, and health care visits.

When you go to the doctor you present it and it is swiped through a machine like those used for credit cards to pay for your office visit, hosiptal stay, or medications at the pharmacy.

If you are eligible for food stamps, once a month the alloted amount is added to the card and you can spend it like money on a credit/debit card.

You are only supposed to buy food items but, unscrupulous grocery store owners let people buy beer and cigarettes and other non food items, at a premium of course.

If they get caught they lose their license to accept food stamps , this cuts their business in half . LOL

[GreyhoundLoner]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

Greyhound, what is an EBT card? I didn't think you could buy beer with food stamps. Actually, they dont use stamps anymore do they?

I can't remember what EBT stands for to save my life! LOLL It will come to me(I hope). Food Stamp recipients get a little green card here in SC that looks like a credit card, with the allotted amount on it. They swipe it and pay that way. It's very distinctive, you can't miss it...thus my surprise when I saw the lady buying alcohol with it.

I feel bad saying this. I remember someone recently expressing their feelings about a person with an overflowing grocery cart paying with food stamps, while she stood there with beans and rice. I have felt that way myself. It happened a long time ago, but I remember just burning up with frustration watching all that food slide on by, while I had 5 pkgs of Ramen noodles, saltines and that nasty Potted Meat Food Product. I was in the process of being officially "disabled" and hadn't gotten paid in what felt like forever. I am happy that time has passed.

[mellie]

EBT i THINK means, Electronic Balance Transfer..but I'm not 100%. We were on temporary Food assistance once. We qualified because we both didn't have jobs and we had a baby. We lived with his mother (my husband's) and she had to fill out paper work saying she sheltered us and we didn't have the money to help with bills. We only were given about 300 bucks but at the time that was like a million dollars!

To the original poster TAKE THE FOOD SERVICE JOB! But while you are working there keep going on interviews but get that job and make the money. Don't think of it as settling think of it as survival. I worked in fast food while looking for other positions. It wasn't much but it helped a LOT. Ramen noodles are cheap and easy to make, get the essentials at dollar stores and shop for good interview clothes and a thrift store (when you get money for this) Churches help a lot like others have said. You have to do what you have to do to make it!

[Ima saver]

Thank you all for explaining that to me. I have never seen the green card, mostly cause I don't stand close to anyone in the grocery store line. I think everyone should have enough to eat.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Well, now, wait a second before we go thinking every plastic card we see is a foodstamps card. My credit card which gives a kickback to my alma mater is green.

[Duchesse]

In NYC the cards are white. Every state could be a different color.

Initially the card was given for security reasons. Maybe another reason was so that people receiving assistance didn't stick out like sore thumbs in the supermarket.

Working people can be cruel at times making derogatory statments without knowing other people's situation, especially when their money is short. LOL

[Elgin526]

To the op. McD's sucks to be sure! Do you have a Starbucks around? From what I understand, they usually pay better than McD's and you won't come home from work smelling like a french fry. Also if you wind up working for them longer term, you will eventually quailify for health benifits.

Retail is another option. I worked for Target in the mid-90's and it wasn't bad. Paid more than minimum wage and the working enviroment was better than fast food, plus I got a discount.

You can also work in a sit down restaurant instead of fast food, either as wait staff or as a hostess. I also did that (I was a hostess) and it was actually the most fun I've ever had working! There were a lot of other young people working there and we all made sure that we had a good time while getting our work done.

[cicy33]

also those ebt cards have money on them if you qualify for cash as well. it is not just for food stamps.

[crazy4deals]

Try RETAIL as opposed to fast food, most department stores and malls hire year-round. Hope you're atleast eating and amongst good company.

[cklballs]

Go to Angel Food Ministries and locate the nearest church or organization sponsoring food units. Pay only $25 for a large box of food including meats, etc, even dessert. It does not matter what kind of income you have. You can even help someone else out by purchasing for a family in need. Choose your state and then city, etc. Go and submit $25 for the food by the last day. Then don't forget to donate a large box to them.

It does work and I've been using it too. It is a blessing and many people don't know about it.

Check it out today.

[Snoopy2645]

Well I have to agree I was also turned down for FS not that big a deal though I just got a job!!! And once I was 18 single mom just had baby applied & was denied her dad was also in prison Second time I was single with 2 kids my wonderful DH had disappeared & I had been a sahm was denied yet again. But it made me stronger it just really irks me now people who pay for others food with thier EBT card I see it all the time too.

Back to the first question fast food would be the best job right now for one of you at least PT I had a friend who worked at PH & got free pizza almost every night so look at the benifts until you get paid at least with a restaurant you usually get free meals. SO I would go for it for the time being!!

[abowers]

What about food industry jobs that pay above minimum wage -- like Starbucks? They also offer benefits with only 20 hrs/week I believe.

Borders & Barnes and Noble both pay above minimum wage.

Not sure what your experience is like... Preschool teachers get paid above minimum wage and tend to have decent benefits... if you like working with kids. Preschools are always in need of teachers. People seem to work there while going to college or in between college and grad school (around here anyway), so there's a high turnover rate.

[abowers]

Like other people have said, I'd take any job I can get while you wait to hear back from the companies you've applied for.

-Sell some nice stuff you have, but don't need on Ebay.
-Are you near a University? big universities will often have paid subjects for studies in the psych department -- I was paid $60-80 for volunteering for some fMRIs back in the fall, plus I got a picture of my brain :-D. Plus, there were some surveys and questionnaires for like $10 a pop.

[alwaysbudget]

Hey, I know that food industry is not easy, and its kinda like a job that alot of people turn their nose up at, but its income...... and it can be good income!!
My husband is the only one to work right now (he is a server) and he makes ABOUT 24K a year... granted this varies all the time or whatever.. but I have food in my belly, lights on, and a warm shower. And this is just with one person working in the food industry..he is supporting 2 and a half people (i am pregnate). Imagion if I was working right now!
well I dont know your situation very well... but maybe try to find a roomate that can split some costs with ya?? Someone on here posted up a link to a great website.. and I think its fabulous... I think you should check it out... called.. Hillbilly Housewife. great site... Might help you..
well I wish you luck.

[kateochang]

I advice you not to be choosy in this situation. If you have to work in food industry, then just do it until you get a new job. Being choosy does not help you to generate money that you really need right? So go for the options that can help you to generate cash or get food for you to survive.

Nothings comes easy in this life and money doesn't fall from the sky unless you work for it.

[carsensejoe]

Trust in God do whats right dont give up.......he will provide! go get those food stamps and get back on your feet!!
i say a prayer for you and ur fam

[cptacek]

Try UPS or FedEx or DHL. My sister picked up a night shift part time job at FedEx sorting packages. The packages can be heavy, but she doesn't have any trouble sorting them.

[sjmey]

I read through these sugestions and most of them were good and well thught out.

My first place I would go is to the various churches in the area. Some towns have a main church which handles area needs. The churches go far beyond food service, they have contact people .

The next place I would go is the Salvation Army (actually a service orientated church) They truly do provide assistance.

We are in the spring of the year, and there are plenty of yards that can and need to be spruced up. Some would say it is a kids job, but actually I see many adults doing that type of work. and not only the oners. In fact if you set up contracts with some people, you can make so serious money. There is no license to be had, but if and when you make enough you will need to give what is due to the government. If you do this Keep Good Records. (By the way I did this while going through College. )

Others have said it, but most recently, carsencejoe, Trust in God, He will truly open a door. Life may seem bleek now but truly it will get better.

[RAOJazz]

This situation for you really is temporary. Food stamps is also temporary. Yes, you can get food stamps......if you tried. No job, no food.....you CAN get food stamps, but ONLY if you try. Been there, done that.....it IS temporary depending on what you do with it and how you deal with it. I see some of your ideas probably need to change such as "what would people think if they knew....." type ideas. Food stamps, bankruptcy, state help, etc., are all situations for people who really need them on a temporary basis to help them get over a hump. You are in a hump and it would be wise for you to put aside the type of thinking that makes you feel shame and move on through this temporary hump. God helps those who help themselves and so do humans. It is easier to help someone who shows the iniative to do something for themselves first before begging for it. It is the begging and not trying every option that really turns people off. Go apply for food stamps, grab every advice you can, work temporary jobs, stay away from bad drugs that pull you down.....but be willing to go to the state who is waiting to help you. Again, been there, done that and am still OK