talk help: i am a single mom and i just need someone to talk too i am drowing - Help.com

Do you have enough child support, and are you using food stamps?

ok, first things first! Take a deep breath, let it out slowwwwwwly. Now, sit down and write a list of your bills. Next, write down your income and any other money coming in (child support, etc). Figure out which bills come first, ie electric, water, gas, food, insurance, car. Anything else you can call them and explain your situation and tell them you will send them what you can every month, even if it is only $5 or $10. Now, call your utility companies and see if they have any programs for low income or single moms. Some do. I hate to say this, but unless you are getting a really good deal, phone and internet are luxuries. You could always get a go phone for emergencies. Hope some of this helps. I wasn’t a single mom, but my husband is disabled and I was the only bread winner while they were younger. If you need to talk, I can listen.

yupp…..make a list of all the spendings…all the technical difficulties r kinda solved by dragonlady…..dont worry…u aint alone……just post here ….we’re always there…think abt ur kids too…u can do it….best of times r yet to come……cheer upp!!!

thanks for the advice i really want to thank you all… i just stumbled onto this website and i sure am glad….

i know how you feel me and my family are going through the samethine we just don’t know what to do and being low income and disabled makes things worse

i will keep yall in my prayer things will get better…

Dear TXMS

I am sorry that circumstances have you feeling “up against the wall.” You are not alone; there is a national crisis: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar…

I have done some research on some avenues for you to try, in my meager attempt to offer you some help.

First let me share what I have learned:
*It is important to seek help the minute you feel concerned, not once you are about to be kicked out of the place that you live.
*Prioritize you bills: mortgage or rent ALWAYS come FIRST. All other bills can be assisted, but there are very few agencies that can step between you and an imminent foreclosure or eviction if you allow things to go too far.
* There are laws that keep you from being thrown out into inclement weather. If you are in immediate danger of losing your home, try to seek public legal assistance to see what your rights are. See your tenants rights: http://www.hud.gov/renting/tenantrigh…

HOME Agencies that will help you if you may be losing your HOME:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/ec… — this has info by state in the right hand corner
http://www.995hope.org/– has online counselors
http://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cg… — a booklet
http://www.federalreserveeducation.or… — a list of resources
http://markudall.house.gov/HoR/CO02/S… Homeowners+Avoid+Foreclosure.htm – another list of resources

UTILITIES Agencies that will help you if you cannot pay UTILITIES:
http://liheap.ncat.org/admin.htm#appl… help with energy
http://www.tenant.net/Rights/Utility/… — help with utilities
National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline (NEAR)1-866-674-6327 www.ncat.org
Also, google your state name plus the words “help paying utility bill .gov”

Ideas for saving money on heating bills:

• wear layered clothing and keep your thermostat on 68 F when you are there and 58 when you are gone—it will keep bills down
• even if you cannot afford weathering kits, you can weather your house yourself—feel around windows and doors—put rugs and towels near cracks (doors we do not use, we close the rug under the door)—push playdough or tissues into cracks around windows you do not plan to open until spring.

FOOD
If you have kids under 5, immediately go here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoappl…

You may qualify for food stamps: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10101.html

Also, contact local churches, temples, synagogues or mosques. They will know of food pantries.

Ideas for lowering your grocery list:
• always shop with a list
• staples should top the list: milk, eggs, flour, fresh fruit, protein (cans of beans- meat), juice, vegetables, bread,– do not buy outside this unless you really need a treat.
• Buy the store brand
• ask your grocery store if they have cheaper produce/meat at certain days/times and develop a relationship with people behind the counter. (Our local store always has a cheap produce shelf—and often, I can use most of it. Also, at 9 they sell all lunchmeats and roast chickens left in the deli for ½ price. Yesterday, the woman in fish whispered that something I was going to buy would be ½ off on Sat.)
Also, see http://www.off-grid.net/2007/10/20/50…

OTHER DEBTS:
Seek help from a NON-PROFIT debt counseling service, after you check them out: (they can often negotiate with creditors to at least reduce percentage charges) Here are some that are probably okay:
http://www.cccsatl.org/