Will Be Homeless Soon

[DRAGONFLY6984]

our income droped to 1028 per month,that is my husbands unemployment.i have no income i worked seasonal jobs so when they are done you can not collect.im still looking for a job. here is my bills for the month.

1] rent-922
2]lights-85
3]cap one credit card-65{1,536.00 we oue}
4]hooters-30-{519.00 we oue}
5]gas for car-80.00
6]laundry-80.00{i have to go to a laundrymat}
7]car ins.-97.00
8]union dues-32.00

we are getting 187 a month in food stamps so we can eat,we have no health insurance{lost it when his job ended}i've signed up for health insurance but they told me it can take 90+ days. . thank god i did research on my husbands medication he has gone with out it for 3 months cant aford it.pifzer is the maker of it and if your unemployed and have no insurance they will give you the meds for free for 1 year or till you get insurance. have enough to pay the bills for march then our savings is gone.im scared about april may,june,ect.as you can see we do not live above our means,im just surviving, thank god we did have some savings.i dont have cable with fancy channels ect.i go to dunkin donuts to get my free internet.


HELP WHAT CAN I DO????

[PaydayLoner]

Here's a site. I'm not connected with it, can't vouch for all the ideas on it, but it has a bunch of possibilities:

NeedHelpPayingBills.com

It's a list of all kinds of resources for getting help paying bills, from charities to government programs to ways to renegotiate things. Needless to say, check out anything thoroughly and be skeptical of anything that sounds too good to be true. But there might be something there that could help.

[bjl584]

Three things jump out at me. One, why does it cost so much to do laundry for the month? I've seen used washers and driers in the paper for around $50 a piece. You would be better off investing in the machines as opposed to going to the laundry mat. Also, why are you paying Union Dues if you aren't working? I'm not in a union, so I don't know all of the rules, but I would assume that you wouldn't have to pay if you aren't working. Last, I was unaware that Hooter's had their own credit card. I can only assume that the interest rate is outrageous. You should look into balance transferring that one.

[disneysteve]

What is your living situation? Is it possible to move to a less costly apartment or move in with family temporarily? If not, do you have the space to take in a roommate?

I'm also wondering about the laundry. I haven't been in a laundromat for a long time but I''m guessing washing a load of laundry is about $2 (unless I'm really out of touch). That would be 40 loads per month. Even at $3/load, that's 26 loads/month. Is it just the 2 of you? If so, that's a lot of laundry. Being a renter, buying a washer and dryer probably isn't possible (though I wonder why there is no laundry room - even a coin-op one).

[creditcardfree]

Wear your clothes more often before washing, or wash in your bathtub and hang to dry. The credit card it the last thing you want to pay in your current situation. If you can then do, but food, shelter, lights are your first priorities. I also think your living situation needs to be revisted...soon!

[zetta]

Rent is your biggest expense. I agree your otions seem to be find a cheaper place, take in a renter, or move in with family or friends. Have you looked in to whether you qualify for housing assistance?

Do you rent in a complex or from a private owner? It's very rare, but if you've been good tenets for a number of years and have developed a friendship with the landlord, they might be willing to cut you a break for a few months...

[Ima saver]

I am wondering about your car insurance, it is costing you $1164 a year. What kind of car do you have?

[DRAGONFLY6984]

i can not have a washer and a dryer where i live. my landlord has one in the basement its coin operated. 2.50 for wash & 2.00 to dry ,laundromats are just as bad.i live in a small 2 bedroom i have a disable child so there is 3 of us.i:ve been living here for 3 years i never missed a payment on rent. he is a business man and he will not give us a break. we tried he said no its business.i will move if i can figure out a way with out coming up with first,last,security-which can add up to thousands.we have no family to move in with. and housing assistants has a 5-10 year waiting list. his union dues are for his union book he needs it to get a union job. i can not get ssi for my son they denied him 2 times and we been waiting for over a year.i live in a state where rent is outragous. believe it or not my rent is cheap. ive been trying to come up with ways to cut back.

[creditcardfree]

Maybe a church or other organization could front you the first and last months rent to help with the move...or just give some money to cover a portion or rent or food. Where have you inquired?

Do you have family/friends that could help with some cash to get you through this tight spot?

[Ima saver]

You mentioned in another post that you have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. Can you live with an adult child for a while?

[disneysteve]

I am wondering about your car insurance, it is costing you $1164 a year. What kind of car do you have?

Julie, as we've discussed before, auto insurance premiums are a very regional matter. I can only dream of paying only $1,100/year. We pay more than that every 6 months.

my landlord has one in the basement its coin operated. 2.50 for wash & 2.00 to dry

So that's right about what I estimated. $2.50/wash is 32 loads/month for $80. You don't need a dryer. You can hang clothes to dry. I'm guessing that you could get by with less than 32 loads of wash each month.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Do you have any things you could sell to come up with one more month's rent? TV? Games? Furniture? Bicycle? Computer? Car? Music collection? Movie collection?

Have you and husband registered for work with temporary and day-labor agencies?

Has your husband put his name on lists for support services the union may offer?

Do you belong to a worship community that helps take care of each other in times of emergency?

Any chance you could ask each of your grown children for a little help? How about brothers an sisters? (I would not let my parents nor any of my brothers or sisters go homeless.)

[terces]

Can I ask what state you live in?

Have you tried contacting your local center for independent living? They are non-profits that assist those with disabilities get the benefits they deserve. I worked at one in San Diego many years ago. If your son is disabled he should be getting some benefits from the state. Sadly sometimes you have to really fight for them.

Here's a link to a directory of them. ILRU Directory They can also assist you with affordable housing and many other services. Definitely check them out for your son.

[DRAGONFLY6984]

i live in massachusettes and my daughter is married with 2 boys in a small 2 bedrooms my other daughter lives with her boyfriends parents and my other daughter has a baby in a 1 bedroom. i have 3 beautiful grandsons now and my son lives with me.i have no other family. we got my son a lawyer to help fight for his rights-i dont pay for her she is free. i wish i did have a washer and dryer it probaly be cheaper.if it comes down to it the credit cards will not be paid---thats sad because we have good credit. we have a 2001 ford station wagon.

i just want to say thanks to all of you who posted.
i dont feel so alone,i did what i was suppose to not living above your means
and saving money. the scarriest part is it can happen to all of us.

[mommyof4]

I don't know where in MA you live, but I've got a link that may help you. It's the St. Vincent DePaul website, located in Boston, but if you don't live in Boston, they should be able to direct you to someone who can help you, depending on your location. SVDP is a charitable organization of the Catholic Church, but you do NOT need to be Catholic, or even Christian to receive help from them.

Saint Vincent de Paul - Boston - Serving Those In Need

Good luck and God Bless!