Situational Help

[Jb1210a]

First and foremost, I'm a new member and I appreciate the feedback. I've got a rough situation that I need to get some help with and I'm hoping that some of you will be able to give me a workable solution that I haven't thought of yet. But first, some backstory.

About two months ago I split up with my girlfriend of four years and was basically forced to move out. We shared an account so what I had to my name when I left was $16. I lived with my sister basically free of charge for 3 weeks while I got together enough money to pay for the deposits at an apartment I'm renting (plus the deposits for the utilities). Now, during this time, two things happened, I accepted a better paying job (I used to be a server so I was used to receiving tips, now it's biweekly pay) and my car has practically fallen apart. It's in dire need of repairs, and I need to pay for the tag as that expired during that time as well. Also, since this has been happening and I needed to come up with a large sum of money just so I can get a roof over my head, I have fallen behind on some bills like my car payment, phone bill, and car insurance. I get paid this Friday, but it's only for one week and rent is due then.

Basically, I won't have money for any of this as I need to pay for daycare and daily expenses like food and gasoline. I'm extremely worried that my car will fall apart any day now, so that almost has to be my number one priority, but I have all those other bills do as well right around this time. I know that I am two weeks away from things finally settling down, but I'm deathly afraid of something terrible happening between now and then.

I'm wondering if there's anything I'm missing that I can apply for or do to make this easier on me for these next two weeks. I don't want to do a payday loan as I'd rather eat a shoe than pay those fees, and I can't get a title loan as I don't own a car. I know I can talk to all those companies and tell them the deal and ask them to deal with it until I can financial afford it, but I don't want to strain any relationships. I also know that I can't talk to my car and ask it to wait on breaking down.

So my question is, what are the possible solutions I could seek out? I've thought of an aftermarket warranty, but I'm sure that will just be a MAJOR hassle, I've thought about getting a personal loan, but I honestly don't know if that's possible, or if I even would qualify for it. I'd assume government assistance would be an acceptable alternative, however I doubt I'd qualify as I am not making bad money.

Please help me out! Also, if you have any questions that might help you understand better, let me know, I'll be happy to oblige.

[riverwed070707]

lol @ eating a shoe. I assume you don't have a credit card? They aren't always a good idea, but I think a situation like this is precisely what they can be good for. How is your credit? Can you apply for one? Two weeks isn't a lot of time to cover and as long as you can pay it at the end of the month you'll be fine.

[Jb1210a]

I have a credit card, but as a result of the move, I maxed it out (almost) I'm really trying to get back to my financial position I was in before I met my ex, and I know how to do it, but I'm just worried about really messing up my situation with these companies AND my car dying on me suddenly. Maybe I'll simply have to tell them all that I'm going to be behind and I'll do my best to catch up.

[jpg7n16]

So when did the car stop running? If it's still running, it doesn't NEED repairs yet.

Your first priority is food. You can't go 2 weeks w/o food.

You can be late on rent - they can't evict you that quickly.
You can be late on your car payment - they can't repo you that quickly.
You can be late on your daycare - they won't hold your child hostage until paid, and they'll likely be understanding of your situation.

Personal loan is better than payday loan. You have the income to support it. If you don't have a CC already, not sure it will do much good to apply for one - may take a few weeks to arrive by mail (though could be handy as a temporary fix until then).


Do you have any family members you could borrow from? Pay them back as soon as possible to restore the relationship. If it takes more than a month or two to repay them, you're taking too long.

[riverwed070707]

Well that changes my answer.

Do you have any skills? Can you pick up some side jobs for a little cash? Anything you can sell? I agree with JPG that if your car is still running, keep holding out on the repairs at least until you get paid. What are your other transportation options if it dies? Can you take the bus for a week or carpool?

Who is the other parent of the child you're paying daycare for? If it's the one whose house you just moved out of, can you insist she pay until you get back on your feet since she did keep your money? Did you have much in savings when you split?

[Jb1210a]

Luckily I am able to spend rather wise on food as one good thing I learned while being with my ex was how to use coupons to my advantage, so the price of food doesn't bother me. The only MAJOR problem is that I am now 2 months behind on my car payment and 2 months behind on my phone, I'm able to talk to verizon since I've been a customer for a long time, and they usually have decent plans in place, but the car payment worries me, I'm not afraid of being repossessed, I'm afraid of it taking a hit on my credit score which I can't afford to get worse. As for the family members, my parents are saving for retirement, one brother is in Afghanistan, and two other brothers are too young to even have a pool of cash to help with. Anyway, it looks sort of like the best solution would be a personal loan, I'm really hoping it's possible to get it and have it be dispersed fairly fast.

[Jb1210a]

Well that changes my answer.

Do you have any skills? Can you pick up some side jobs for a little cash? Anything you can sell? I agree with JPG that if your car is still running, keep holding out on the repairs at least until you get paid. What are your other transportation options if it dies? Can you take the bus for a week or carpool?

Who is the other parent of the child you're paying daycare for? If it's the one whose house you just moved out of, can you insist she pay until you get back on your feet since she did keep your money? Did you have much in savings when you split?

Carpooling is an option, but I don't know many people that work near me, I can look into the car pool program for the Atlanta area. As far as for the other parent, I can assure you that without a doubt, that she's having a harder time than I am making ends meet, she definitely isn't very responsible and is seeing the results of her terrible decisions now.

[riverwed070707]

Tough situation. Good luck -- just keep in mind that things always have a way of working out and it will get better.

[JoshuaHeckathorn]

If you're 2 month's late on your car payment, the damage to your credit scores has most likely been done already. Pull a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com to see how the auto loan is currently being reported.

If your FICO scores have recently taken a hit due to late payments, you may find it difficult to get approved for a personal loan too. Do you have any idea of where your current FICO scores stand? With a FICO score above 640, you could always check out P2P lending sites like Prosper.com.

[Jb1210a]

I missed my august payment and I just missed my september payment, technically, that's 2 months, but my august payment isn't more than a month behind. I know that I need to speak with them first and foremost, I started the line of communication today through email since I hardly have any time to talk to a representative when I'm at work.

[Frugal]

I agree that while you can make some repairs wait as long as a car is safe and driveable, you can't afford quite literally to go too long without eating. Here is an example of how I balance this: Not to be trite, but I also have work that needs done on my 20-21-year-old car, but all the absolutely essential maintenance has been done. Same thing for something like my husband's dental work. He needs a LOT more done, but we had the minimum necessary to continue his dental health, without doing the things that can come later (like crowns, that are really needed eventually, but sometimes you can get away without for a few months). Some things are necessary right now, while others are not.

The point is, when you are just married and move into a house, etc. you have major expenses, and so you cut back on the non-essentials the first year. If you moved into a new place and have a new job, those are some major life changes. Give yourself time to adjust, and try to avoid taking out any unnecessary credit card debt. In my opinion...hope that helps, and hang in there!

[Petunia 100]

I suggest you call your credit card company and ask them to raise your limit. If they agree, use it only if you absolutely have to.

Downgrade your cell phone plan if possible. Bells and whistles don't matter right now.

I also suggest you pick up a few shifts at your old job if at all possible. Going home with some tip money in your pocket would really help.

Have you spoken to the company holding the note on your car? If not, call them immediately. Let them know what is going on in your life and that you fully intend to get current as soon as you possibly can. Ask if they will accept partial payment in the meantime.

I wish you the best of luck getting your feet back under you.

[Jb1210a]

I've gotten in contact with the lienholder on my car and I need to call them back today to work out an arrangement with them. They replied in email in a positive manner so I hope that they phone call will go well as well. As for the Credit Card, I've tried in the past to raise my limit (when my credit was much better) and they mentioned that they raise limits periodically and not with a request from the customer. I actually severely dislike Capital One and the way they've treated me Chase (originally Washington Mutual CC) was much better to me.

[snafu]

As mentioned, you must sell something or find any part time work to bring in extra income...you already have a plateful of debt. Have a serous look at your skill sets and how they could be used to earn part time. Can you do fall clean-up, landscaping, pick up shifts in any nearby restaurant? Help someone pack-up and move? Cater?

[BMEPhDinCO]

Atlanta does have public transportation - not great I give you, but better than a broken car on the side of 75/85!

Go to a food bank to get something - eat lean but eat beans, rice, etc - they will get you through.

Talk to the car and daycare about accepting partial payment.

Make the rent, you just moved in and they will be unhappy with being late on the first month!

This time of year the restaurant business is slow, but try the bars, mowing lawns, etc to get something else if possible.

If your credit card is "almost" maxed out, how close are you?

Really it would help if you said how much you need and how much you have/can get and when...

either way, good luck!