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Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 9:01:23 PM
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ckhair
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/13/2008
Status: offline
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Okay, I have to admit I'm in serious trouble. I don't know where to start.
First off; I haven't paid any bills except the necessities eg. rent, utilities, car payment etc., for a year. I was out of work due to back surgery and living on my husbands variable income so there has been nothing left over for other bills.
Second: variable income; I can be feast or famine! One pay day can be 1200.00 and the next only 200.00 and we can't pay the rent. Advisors tell me to budget with the lowest amount, well, you cannot budget with a 200.00 pay check every 2 weeks when our monthly survival bills come to over 2000.00 Third; we have no savings, 401K, investments, nothing toward our retirement as of yet, and we're going to be 50 next year! We've tried credit counseling services (consolitating bills and making one payment) but that's another bill be can't always pay!
I've been looking for Free financial advice because I absolutely cannot afford to pay for it. I have recently started back to work, but it is only part time right now and it is a variable income as well.
Sometimes the paychecks are so little that I feel like why bother doing anything with them at all, they'll do no good. Creditors are calling me day and night and I'm at my wits end as to what to do.
I feel like I have really made a mess of things by not learning and applying good financial principals earlier in life and now it's biting me in the rear end and I'm afraid I'll never get out of this mess and be able to plan for a future. Most people my age have their futures secured and are vacationing and taking it easy, but I'll never be able to do that. Please help if you can.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 9:20:47 PM
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creationtalk
Posts: 615
Joined: 6/9/2005
Status: offline
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contact crown financial ministries crown
They may have a free budget counselor (called a "money map coach") in your area and if not they can give you some help online or over the phone.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 10:28:04 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4136
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: offline
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anything extra needs to be put aside as a buffer - you want to get one month's worth of expenses - its especially important when you have variable income.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 10:33:02 PM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1084
Joined: 4/29/2005
Status: offline
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First: what bills other than the necessities do you want to pay and why, if they are unnecessary?
Second: use your feasts to pay for your famines. Set a real survival level budget (I'm unclear where you could possibly live that it cost $2000 per month at survival-level!) In my opinion, a car is not necessary for survival (bus or bike are both cheap and effective) and most households can go so far as to do without electricity at least for the summer. Try to redefine basic living before you go any further above your means.
Third: there is no point in saving (beyond a fund to cover something unexpected) when you are in debt, so don't feel bad about that. Long term savings will yield much less that simply paying off your debt. Once you have a more reasonable household expense scenario, you should consolidate your debt and have a real plan to attain that payment level.
All money that comes in is worthwhile. You get into trouble spending money $20 at a time, and it's amazing how it adds up. You get out of it by earning the same way. It's amazing how both economizing and earning add up to a big difference too.
Follow >>this link<< to the hard core advice I gave another person with a similar situation. Although that person appeared to live in the countryside. In the city, you can make even greater sacrifices... Try to remember that it is your (both of you) job to pay for what you want. If you don't have the money, exactly who is supporting the things you are taking home but not paying for? If you have limited cash, the only upright thing to do is to limit your life to within what you can afford.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 10:36:46 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4136
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: offline
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quote:
Third: there is no point in saving (beyond a fund to cover something unexpected) when you are in debt, so don't feel bad about that. Long term savings will yield much less that simply paying off your debt. Once you have a more reasonable household expense scenario, you should consolidate your debt and have a real plan to attain that payment level.
I don't agree with this. When you are in debt and an emergency comes up without any savings then you end going further into debt.
You don't need a lot of savings but at least a paycheck or two will get you through some minor emergencies (car deductibles, etc) without going more into debt.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 10:45:24 PM
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GregandJenny
Posts: 547
Joined: 2/16/2006
From: Near Seattle Washington
Status: online
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i think that's what she said
G
_____________________________
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/13/2008 10:53:13 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4136
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
Status: offline
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Yeah I think so too
But some people need a car, esp if they are in a rural area. And going without electricity, well that wouldn't be practical.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 8:32:49 AM
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victorburek
Posts: 7
Joined: 7/7/2008
Status: offline
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First thing you should do is cut any and all expenses you can. You mentioned you are getting phone calls from creditors. Well, an easy thing you can do to stop that is cancel your phone service if you have a cell phone. Don't pay for both. Analyze all bills to see if you can cut back. if you have a cell phone, make sure you are not paying for minutes you Don't use. If you Don't have a cell phone, get a prepaid one. Get rid of cable, and do all you can around your home to save money like move your thermostat higher.
Secondly, get an emergency fund established of a month or so of living expenses.
You might want to listen to Dave Ramsey. he has a radio program on everyday. he gives pretty good advice.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 11:26:56 AM
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seagullplayer
Posts: 127
Joined: 9/18/2007
Status: offline
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If you have not already, dump any TV your paying for. Start watching free TV.
You can surf the net at your local puplic library.
Open the windows at night and shut off the AC.
Get a full time job, or two.
When not at work or Church, stay at home.
Cut up your credit cards, now.
You need to decide you really what to change a life time of wrong money handling. If not you will be right back here again.
_____________________________
The world has only one problem, sin.
There is only one solution, Jesus.
THE WAY.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 1:13:43 PM
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Apparition
Posts: 27
Joined: 4/14/2008
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Sounds like you are living beyond your means.
Everyone here has given sound advice already... cut your unnecessary expenses and just scrap scrap scrap and pray pray pray. The Holy Spirit can guide you through your hard times. =)
I also agree that Dave Ramsey is a guy that you might want to listen to.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 1:37:51 PM
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Ps103
Posts: 11537
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Here, now
Status: offline
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If your expenses are 2k/month, then the very first thing the two of you need to do is to get reliable jobs--any jobs--that will ensure that income. You do not say what the variable-income jobs are, but they clearly are not meeting your expenses, even during the feast times.
There is no one on earth I know of that can magically make $400 pay $2000 worth of bills.
I do not think anyone, anywhere, free or for pay, is going to be able to give you much help until you actually have a steady income, as two $200 checks are not enough to budget for the famines, unless you have savings, which you say you do not.
Find steady jobs--even if it is a couple of part-time jobs each. Then someone can help you.
_____________________________
Fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be a bumpy night.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 3:41:59 PM
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BlueAdept
Posts: 96
Joined: 4/18/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ckhair
Okay, I have to admit I'm in serious trouble. I don't know where to start.
First off; I haven't paid any bills except the necessities eg. rent, utilities, car payment etc., for a year. I was out of work due to back surgery and living on my husbands variable income so there has been nothing left over for other bills.
Second: variable income; I can be feast or famine! One pay day can be 1200.00 and the next only 200.00 and we can't pay the rent. Advisors tell me to budget with the lowest amount, well, you cannot budget with a 200.00 pay check every 2 weeks when our monthly survival bills come to over 2000.00
Third; we have no savings, 401K, investments, nothing toward our retirement as of yet, and we're going to be 50 next year! We've tried credit counseling services (consolitating bills and making one payment) but that's another bill be can't always pay!
I've been looking for Free financial advice because I absolutely cannot afford to pay for it. I have recently started back to work, but it is only part time right now and it is a variable income as well.
Sometimes the paychecks are so little that I feel like why bother doing anything with them at all, they'll do no good. Creditors are calling me day and night and I'm at my wits end as to what to do.
I feel like I have really made a mess of things by not learning and applying good financial principals earlier in life and now it's biting me in the rear end and I'm afraid I'll never get out of this mess and be able to plan for a future. Most people my age have their futures secured and are vacationing and taking it easy, but I'll never be able to do that. Please help if you can.
First - You are paying the "most" important bills. However, for the car payment is that something you could sell and then purchase a less expensive used car as a replacement? Are you in too much car for your income?
Second - Unless you are on a straight commission job (it sounds like you are) you should have some idea what is coming in. If you have 2K in fixed expenses each month, then you have to find some way of making 2K. Working a 2nd job, running a lawn mowing service, delivering pizzas. Something that will help make up the short fall.
Third - Start saving 10 a week, or even 20 a week. That is your emergency fund until you have about 1000.00. So what if it takes 100 weeks, you will still be better off than you are today. You can't hit a grand slam with the bases empty, so start hitting singles first.
Debt consolidation - I like what Dave Ramsey says about that. "You can not borrow your way out of debt." If you have been making no payments for the past year, the people will be EAGER to settle the debt. Find some way to pull together something, 100-200 and make an offer to settle the debt. Just make sure that whatever the debt collector tells you is IN WRITTING. They will tell you anything, and then call back later and say they never said it. If an offer is not written, it is not enforcable. Additionally you have rights as a debtor, learn your rights. You can tell the collectors to stop calling, and they have to stop. However, that could also cause them to shift to attempting to get a judgement. If you get a judgement against you, they will garnish wages, attach bank accounts.... whatever they can to get those funds. Again know your rights, and make sure you understand what you should/shouldn't do.
Lastly, don't compare yourself to others. Does it matter where they are? Why does it? It is one way to get down about a situation and feel guilty about what you didn't do. You can not change the past, but you sure can learn from it.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/14/2008 3:55:19 PM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1084
Joined: 4/29/2005
Status: offline
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I'm not clear what everybody uses electricity for in the summer.
Cooking - Use a camp stove or BBQ.
Light - Use a flashlight, oil lamp or candle - or just go to bed.
Refrigeration - use ice packs in a small cooler (or your turned-off freezer) just for milk & meat for a few days. Ask your friends to let you freeze them and swap them out.
Hot Water - you can get clean in cold water, it's just not as pleasant... or you can heat some on your stove.
Laundry - the sink works, and uses less detergent... but a laundromat is an option too.
Cooling - Not a necessity.
TV, computer etc - Not a necessity.
Telephone - Not a necessity... not even a cell. Use pay phones.
Alarm clock - Use your watch or get one that winds up at a thrift store.
If you can't pay for the electricity that you "need" it is both possible and practical to go without it, given that your climate is not life threatening. People go camping all the time. It works fine. You might also think about using a wagon to get your water from a public source, rather than paying for it to be delivered right to your faucet.
I agree that a car is important in a very rural situation, if the person is employed just too far away. But even most rural people live within an hour (or maybe 2 hours) bike ride of a town of some kind. Going without a vehicle should be considered, at least short term.
When people say "necessity" or "need" it is important (and empowering) to remind them that they are capable of doing without a lot of things.
"Survival" means, "Without it I die." You start by paying for those things. Then you ask what else you are paying for and why. If utilities are worth the cost and you are capable of paying for them, of course you keep them... but I don't get the mindset that people should get them anyways, even if they can't afford them. Most people will not have to cut to that point, but it is a powerful position to be prepared to do so if necessary.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/15/2008 6:47:15 AM
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car2ner
Posts: 2771
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: just north of Florida
Status: offline
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quote:
Use pay phones.
these are becoming rare.
I lived without a car for years. Spent a year walking 7 miles to and from work. Not always fun. It can be done. I agree with the above poster to find work with steady pay so that you can make plans and arrangements.
_____________________________
http://www.car2ner.2ya.com
"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/15/2008 8:38:36 AM
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Row1
Posts: 217
Joined: 12/2/2005
Status: offline
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ckhair has left the building.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/15/2008 5:20:07 PM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1084
Joined: 4/29/2005
Status: offline
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Or maybe she was smart enough to cancel her internet service as per our advice.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/16/2008 4:19:50 PM
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ckhair
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/13/2008
Status: offline
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Thank you all for taking the time to listen and try to help! Most of it is sound advice and I will truely take it to heart. I would like to address some issues that were mentioned:
1) Contact Crown Ministries - I have! A lady called in my area, but was leaving the country and did not give me another contact before doing to. I should call again and talk to someone else.
2) Putting something extra aside - There is NEVER anything extra!
3) Use your feasts to pay for your famines - sound advice! However, even then it's not always enough but I do try!
4) Savings - I see both sides of the savings issue. Saving $10 a week is better than nothing and it all adds up - but will it be enough for retirement? I know retirement should be the least of my worries right now but I can't help it. I'm so afraid of living on social security alone (if there's even SSI to get when I retire!). It would also be nice to have money for emergencies. However, there are times that I just cannot save anything, and if I do, sometimes I've pushed the account to the limit and the bank takes it to cover something that might have not cleared! I feel like a catch 22 with the savings. Saving a paycheck or two? That would be so nice, but not practicle or possible with me right now! 
5) Variable incomes - For those wondering what our variable incomes are; my husband is a truck driver and is paid by the mile with lots of expenses taken out and paid back eventually, but not necessarily on this next check. Myself: I do on-site drug/alcohol testing. I'm paid by the test and by the hour if I have to wait. Most peopleget excited about pay day - I get sick tomy stomach - litterallt. I never know what to expect.
6) Finding second jobs - This is something I have been working on. (which is what took so long to respond to your posts - thank you for the one who stood up for me!) I've sent resume's to almost every on-site drug testing company in the country, literally! My husband knows he needs to get a local regular paying job (hourly or salary, not varable). Something that can be used for a budget. He needs the time to go and apply. He's gone a month at a time and only home for about 3 days which includes a weekend, so time has not cooperated with him there. He had vacation time coming, but we were forced to cash it in because we needed the money so bad because his two week check was only $200 and our rent is $625. I used the previous check for our other expenses counting on that last one to cover the rent - but it didn't. 
7) Cutting expenses - well, I've cut almost everything there is to cut. I need phone, fax and internet due to my job - that is how my work is communicated. I wish I could do without it, but not with my job. I can't do without a car. I drive to my work locations and most of them are not on the bus route and way to far out to walk. I have considered getting a cheaper car, but ours is not really a fancy one, it's only a Dodge Neon and it gets good milage which is a big deal these days!
8) Dave Ramsey - where do I find his station at?
9) Creditors calling - I wish it were as easy as telling them to stop calling! You block the call and they figure ways around it! You're right about judgements - it's a matter of time, I'm sure. I'll have to cross that bridge if/when that happens. Also: My rights - how/where do I find this out at?
10) Our debt - believe it or not - unlike most people, we do not own a credit card! Most of our debt is medical bills. We owe doctors up the------! from my back surgery and all the pre-visits to various doctors, specialists, exrays, mri's etc...,  we also have a personal loan we pay every month. Our "must have's" are rent, storage, utilities, phone, car payment, insurance, water and loan. We have one of the highest utility rates in the country, we pay $300 + a month and we freeze in the winter and bake in the summer (no AC). It's redicolous! I was on the budget plan with the elect. company, but I was late one month, so they took us off the program.
Thank you all for your time and concern. I welcome any new ideas. It may take me a few days to get back here, so be patient! You may write me an e-mail if you'd like! 
God bless!
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/16/2008 4:22:26 PM
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ckhair
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/13/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
Thank you all for taking the time to listen and try to help! Most of it is sound advice and I will truely take it to heart. I would like to address some issues that were mentioned:
1) Contact Crown Ministries - I have! A lady called in my area, but was leaving the country and did not give me another contact before doing to. I should call again and talk to someone else.
2) Putting something extra aside - There is NEVER anything extra!
3) Use your feasts to pay for your famines - sound advice! However, even then it's not always enough but I do try!
4) Savings - I see both sides of the savings issue. Saving $10 a week is better than nothing and it all adds up - but will it be enough for retirement? I know retirement should be the least of my worries right now but I can't help it. I'm so afraid of living on social security alone (if there's even SSI to get when I retire!). It would also be nice to have money for emergencies. However, there are times that I just cannot save anything, and if I do, sometimes I've pushed the account to the limit and the bank takes it to cover something that might have not cleared! I feel like a catch 22 with the savings. Saving a paycheck or two? That would be so nice, but not practicle or possible with me right now!
5) Variable incomes - For those wondering what our variable incomes are; my husband is a truck driver and is paid by the mile with lots of expenses taken out and paid back eventually, but not necessarily on this next check. Myself: I do on-site drug/alcohol testing. I'm paid by the test and by the hour if I have to wait. Most peopleget excited about pay day - I get sick tomy stomach - litterallt. I never know what to expect.
6) Finding second jobs - This is something I have been working on. (which is what took so long to respond to your posts - thank you for the one who stood up for me!) I've sent resume's to almost every on-site drug testing company in the country, literally! My husband knows he needs to get a local regular paying job (hourly or salary, not varable). Something that can be used for a budget. He needs the time to go and apply. He's gone a month at a time and only home for about 3 days which includes a weekend, so time has not cooperated with him there. He had vacation time coming, but we were forced to cash it in because we needed the money so bad because his two week check was only $200 and our rent is $625. I used the previous check for our other expenses counting on that last one to cover the rent - but it didn't.
7) Cutting expenses - well, I've cut almost everything there is to cut. I need phone, fax and internet due to my job - that is how my work is communicated. I wish I could do without it, but not with my job. I can't do without a car. I drive to my work locations and most of them are not on the bus route and way to far out to walk. I have considered getting a cheaper car, but ours is not really a fancy one, it's only a Dodge Neon and it gets good milage which is a big deal these days!
8) Dave Ramsey - where do I find his station at?
9) Creditors calling - I wish it were as easy as telling them to stop calling! You block the call and they figure ways around it! You're right about judgements - it's a matter of time, I'm sure. I'll have to cross that bridge if/when that happens. Also: My rights - how/where do I find this out at?
10) Our debt - believe it or not - unlike most people, we do not own a credit card! Most of our debt is medical bills. We owe doctors up the------! from my back surgery and all the pre-visits to various doctors, specialists, exrays, mri's etc..., we also have a personal loan we pay every month. Our "must have's" are rent, storage, utilities, phone, car payment, insurance, water and loan. We have one of the highest utility rates in the country, we pay $300 + a month and we freeze in the winter and bake in the summer (no AC). It's redicolous! I was on the budget plan with the elect. company, but I was late one month, so they took us off the program.
Thank you all for your time and concern. I welcome any new ideas. It may take me a few days to get back here, so be patient! You may write me an e-mail if you'd like!
God bless!
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/17/2008 9:42:17 AM
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Row1
Posts: 217
Joined: 12/2/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
car payment
another dramatic change would be to get someone to help you figure this out: get out of the financed car, and into a paid-for car. i say you need someone's help because usually (not always, but usually - let's be honest here people) men know more about looking over a used car and negotiating - as long as a guy does not get caught up in the car = ego thing, this can work well.
plus, you would need to figure out the transition - you can't sell your car, then spend a few days shopping, and once you find a decent used car, you need to be able to act quickly, cuz it will sell quickly to someone.
so, maybe at your church, or a friend, or family member, there may be some one who could either help you bridge the gap financially (help you by a decent used car, then you pay them back when you sell the financed car), or they could loan you a car for a couple of weeks. plus maybe be willing to be ready to loan up to $1000 for any repairs that might spring up.
if you can figure out how to juggle that challenge, and you have no car note, that will be 1. a couple hundred bucks per month to go somewhere else, and 2. one less debt to worry about.
** i posted my note about you 'left the building' because there are many posters who sign up with crosswalk, post one note about looking for help, then we never hear from them again. in the meantime, all of us well-intentioned, and possibly helpful, people keep posting great notes about how we have handled things, cuz we are real people with real debts, also, who have ourselves gotten out of some of these difficult circumstances.**
keep workin' it!!
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/17/2008 9:44:52 AM
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Row1
Posts: 217
Joined: 12/2/2005
Status: offline
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are you in a small town?
many strategies and options are much more difficult in a small town. i am in a big town. i could find a complementary 2nd job tomorrow with hardly any trouble.
are kids involved? it doesn't sound like it so far.
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/17/2008 4:40:58 PM
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ckhair
Posts: 4
Joined: 7/13/2008
Status: offline
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Thank you for your recent responses! It's nice to know that there are people out there with the same kind of problems. I know that I'm soooo not alone in this, but it sure feels like it sometimes, and this is a nice way to feel heard and not so alone!
The car thing...yes I have considered selling my car and reducing that debt. It may come to that. I'M GOING TO HANG ON AS LONG AS POSSIBLE on that one though just because that's one thing I don't worry about is car repairs! With buying a used one, you get used and/or someone else's problems. I might have to go that route, and yes I could sure use that money for something else, but for now.....
I live in a large city (to answer another question) I am currently looking for additional work. I will take 2,3,4,5 jobs if necessary. Coinsedentally this morning I got called for an interview next week on a resume I sent out! So prayers would be appreciated here. If it's in Gods plan for my life, a window of opportunity will open with it!
Talk soon...........feel free to e-mail me. I don't always check this site as regularly as my e-mail!
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RE: Big Trouble - Need serious FREE Help! - 7/21/2008 8:37:37 PM
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gentlefriend
Posts: 23
Joined: 11/25/2006
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline
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I like what Row1 said about contacting your church. My friend, Cheryl's, husband left her years ago right before Christmas. She was unemployed and had 2 small toddlers. She did not have the money for rent never mind Christmas celebration. She went to her Pastor and was just pouring her heart out to him. Well her church gave her two months rent, Christimas dinner and gifts for the kids. It was just the boost she needed to assist her.
I am sorry that you are going thru such a difficult time. My husband is recently unemployed and we are on a very tight budget but nothing compared to what you are going thru. My heart goes out to you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. If He can walk on water and conquor sin and death, your financial issues are a minor fix for Him. And He can & will walk you thru this. I will keep you in prayer. It does not sound like you have been reckless with your money, just that you are having a difficult time. My friend, Sue, says when God challenges us with trials as the one you are facing that He is equiping us for a new level or something neat He has planned for us.
God bless you and remember, He is Jehovah Jirah-the God who provides!
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