nothing seems to work...

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

honey, I am going to be cranky and rude.

I said pick a bill then gave the one I would pick, you pick one! picka sacrifice you are willing to make! Life is full of sacrifices...make ONE!

and if you work so much how are you home to see fox news?

The ONE I need to pay off is the cash-advance. Actually there are two. But since they are monthly deals not a payment, it's a lot harder. It's easier to add an extra couple hundred to this or that than get out of these damn things.

[DivaJen]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I know. I just think I have better odds making more by working more HERE than another job. As I said earlier one good month does it. I could easily gross $10,000 in a single month with just a couple more loans closed (I'm a mortgage loan officer) because I hit a higher "tier" in my commission.

But you're not "easily" grossing that... you've filed for bankruptcy once and are perilously close to the edge again from what I read here. You can do anything for a short period of time. Figure out where to cut expenses, create a roommate situation that isn't friends but bona fide tenants with a contract and all, find another income source, sell something - you need to do something besides hope for that good month when all will be well again. I suspect you've had those good months before, and yet here you are...

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

But you're not "easily" grossing that... you've filed for bankruptcy once and are perilously close to the edge again from what I read here. You can do anything for a short period of time. Figure out where to cut expenses, create a roommate situation that isn't friends but bona fide tenants with a contract and all, find another income source, sell something - you need to do something besides hope for that good month when all will be well again. I suspect you've had those good months before, and yet here you are...

The last really good month was a month before I filed bankruptcy. It's been a year. I couldn't save it then because my expenses were $2000 MORE than they are now.

I have sold stuff...but made about $100. I don't have anything worth that much, really.

I've been working doing COLD CALLING to get more business...staying till 9 every night. Some Saturdays too.

[34saving]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I feel like we're doing the circle thing here. If somebody came to you in your exact situaion wanting to buy a house with $35,000 equity what would you tell them to do? (Or would you tell them to go away and forego the commission?)

[34saving]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Oh, if your landlord is looking to sell several properties, try to secure her business . . . (IE, have her refer her tenants to you for financing. Give her a "referral fee" if you have to. It would be worth it for the business.)

[DivaJen]

Re: nothing seems to work...

The last really good month was a month before I filed bankruptcy. It's been a year.

Then let's rule out the "good month" scenario as your way out of this mess. If it happens, so much the better, but don't hedge your bets on it. Assume you will not have a change in income for the better and figure out another plan.

[Broken Arrow]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I just scaled back my internet. It's $25 per month now. The savings in $10 per month may not be much, but... it's mindset to keep pushing that matters here I guess.

I suppose one could argue that I can get rid of it entirely, but it's the only non-essential bill I have right now.

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I feel like we're doing the circle thing here. If somebody came to you in your exact situaion wanting to buy a house with $35,000 equity what would you tell them to do? (Or would you tell them to go away and forego the commission?)

I'd say buy it, as long as they aren't making things worse. If they can pay their rent, I'd say they can pay for the house and have enough equity to sell if need be.

It's getting her to commit that is the problem.

[scrava]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Ok, I think you should immediately cancel the house
phone and the cable. Keep your internet connection and tell everyone that for now they have to email you or talk to you on your cell when your cell is useable. I would try to eat for less. Eat really cheap things for a week or 2 to just help you thru: ramen noodles, malt-o-meal cereal, mac&cheese. No alcohol, etc. You just need to stop the payday loan cycle (i agree).

GOOD LUCK

[autoxer]

Re: nothing seems to work...

- you need to do something besides hope for that good month when all will be well again.

I agree with Jen, but you don't seem very willing to sacrifice.

But I see nowhere to cut, I mean, I could turn off the internet and cable and live on my cell phone only but that's only $100.

I can't really let anything go.

I'm a Fox News Junkie and that's why I have the cable primarily. However, it was only a few bucks more than just my high-speed internet and phone so I said why not? I'd forego the landline but can't get a signal on ANY cell phone in my house.

It's obvious that you can't cut enough out of one single month to get back on track, so you have to do a little at a time. A lot of us pointed out the most obvious luxury, but you just aren't willing to let it go. If you only look at it as a few bucks more, then there is probably quite a few more leaks in the budget. I'm sorry if I am harsh, but you will continue to struggle financially until you get a clear idea of needs vs. wants.

And $60 worth of BS added onto a cell phone bill isn't normal. My provider adds less than $10 worth of taxes & misc. charges. Are you going over your minutes?

[disneysteve]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I've read through the whole thread and wanted to add some comments. I apologize in advance if any of this sounds overly blunt. Please don't take it as a personal attack. It most certainly isn't meant that way.

You earn $60,000/year (5K/month) and can't make ends meet. Seeing as you are already well over the median income in this country (about 45K) that can only mean that your spending is out of whack relative to your income. I can see several issues with the budget you posted and other comments you've made thus far.

You bought a car you couldn't afford, but since you are upside down on the loan, not much to do about this now. Is it really worth 10K less than the 23K balance? What kind of car depreciates that dramatically?

You utilities are ridiculous. We are on a budget plan for gas and electric and pay $171/month. Your gas and electric total $290/month and you aren't even home most of the time. Where is it all going? (I know you said some of that is from past usage that you still owe). And your water is $65. We've owned our home for 12 years. I think the highest water bill we've ever had was $35 so I'd look into that also. You might want to have the utility companies come out and check your meters to be sure they are all functioning properly.

You really can't afford luxuries like cable TV and high-speed internet access. Cancel those and you'd probably save $80/month I'm guessing. Use dial-up access from home or go over to your local library to use their high-speed hook-up.

If a traditional 2nd job isn't practical, what about a work-from-home job. Selling on ebay is probably the easiest way to bring in some extra money and be able to work around your schedule.

I agree that this just isn't the time to be thinking about spending $3,000 on an engagement ring. That is a huge luxury that you just can't afford at this point.

Are you still putting 6% into your 401K? As much as I support saving for retirement, that just isn't practical if it means borrowing from loan sharks to pay your bills each month. Stop that contribution for now. That will raise your taxable income but still give you an extra couple hundred dollars/month to work with.

I wouldn't consider buying the house. Although you don't build any equity when renting, you also aren't responsible for all the expenses that come with ownership like property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs. It is most likely cheaper to continue renting.

As for gasoline, be sure you are keeping track of which local stations tend to have the lowest prices. Around here, within a one mile radius, price per gallon can vary by 25 cents or more between different stations. That can add up really fast for someone who drives as much as you do. You should be sticking with the cheapest station possible.

I wish you luck getting this straightened out. I think there is enough room in your budget to trim spending enough to get yourself out of the hole and on the road to more stable finances.

[34saving]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I'd say buy it, as long as they aren't making things worse. If they can pay their rent, I'd say they can pay for the house and have enough equity to sell if need be.

It's getting her to commit that is the problem.

So, you could qualify for a mortgage in your current situation? Or would you have to make some changes?

And, would you be "making things worse"?

I'm not saying you should buy the house necessarly, I'm just asking you to look at your situation from a different perspective . . .one that puts you outside the situation. Sometimes it's easier to find solutions that way.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Ok- advice straight from my frugal mind....

I suggest that you stop putting up roadblocks to turning the situation around.

YOU MUST be willing to cut out the wants and reduce the needs to a bare minimum before you will begin digging yourself out of debt.

Throwing more money at this problem will not fix it. You need to change your mindset.

Sometimes doing the barebone thing for a month or two can accomplish both. You end up saving money on non-essentials, and you have time to determine what you can live without and what is essential.

Instead of saying I cant do this, or that...consider saying, yes- I can do this for a month or two---and if it makes me miserable, I can go back to doing 'it'.

I have foregone many, many things that I thought were non-negotiable for the sake of bettering my circumstances financially- as I am sure many others on this site have done as well.

Sorry if this is harsh...but you're going to have to take a step back and be open to change before things can/will get better.

[boefixepa]

Re: nothing seems to work...

You've recieved alot of good advice, the hard part is doing it. You have to change what you are doing if you have any prayer of change what you get. IF you continue to do what you are doing, you will continue to get what you've got. Simple principle. Drastic situation calls for drastic measured to change the outcome quickly....which is what you need.

You can live of $50.00 a month for groceries...a few months of this would pay off one bill.
See www.hillbillhousewife.com for details...it's not easy, but don't tell it can't be done...did it.

A few months without cable and such would be hard yes...but a few months of this would pay off another bill.

I am all for not counting on the 'good' month to get to out. If it happens great, but banking on it (like you always have) is not the plan. (You will end up right back were you are....again see the fist lines of this post).

So if someone else is living off you (read sister here) and not pulling her own weight...maybe you should worry about helping yourself before helping others. Sounds like she is pulling you down with her not you pulling her up. It's hard (been there trust me), but you can't help others if you are standing in quick sand. You both just sink faster.

If you feel the best way to make more money is your current job, then work longer and harder. If you feel you are selling ice to eskimo and they are catching on, try another route. If sells is your thing, you can sell anything! Just find a product that works for the current market. It's easy to do mortages when rates are low (thus your good month a year ago), but when they go up it's harder. So find something that's hot now (sorry can't tell you what, not in sales) and sell it....just a thought.

This is hard, but it's your mind set that's going to be the hardest change...you will naturally fight it....it's human nature.....tell yourself not give up...the mental battle is the real one. Once you win that it will all fall into place. DON'T GIVE UP!

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Ok, I think you should immediately cancel the house
phone and the cable. Keep your internet connection and tell everyone that for now they have to email you or talk to you on your cell when your cell is useable. I would try to eat for less. Eat really cheap things for a week or 2 to just help you thru: ramen noodles, malt-o-meal cereal, mac&cheese. No alcohol, etc. You just need to stop the payday loan cycle (i agree).

GOOD LUCK

OK. As far as food...I already live on pasta, mac and cheese, ramen noodles, and stuff 6 days out of 7 because I can't cook.

And I don't drink. What I know costs money is even the one day a week I do go out.