finances help: I write this both very embarassed and very scared. - Help.com

Afew places that you might try.

The mormon church.
Has a scheme going in most countries that can help with food and clothing.

The salvation army.
Much the same.

Other churches in your area.

I am not religious myself, nor do you have to be. Any help you get to look after this part of the needs of your family, will release some money for other things. Some or all of the above might and will sometimes help with payments for electric and gas.

Sadly, there are many, many people in your situation - I am one of them :( I don’t know what country you are from but if you are in the UK I suggest you look at moneysavingexpert.com for help and advice. Even if you are not in the UK they have fantastic advice with regards to dealing with debt. Right now it sounds like you need to talk to someone about your worries and find a practical, methodical way of dealing with this - look for debt advice. Make a list of your outgoings and see if there are any ways you could cut down the money you need to stay afloat each month - by cutting down on grocery bills or reducing “luxury” expenses like clothes and mobile phones etc. Join a recruitment agency in your area so they will look for jobs for you and your husband. Talk to the people you owe money to and be truthful about your situation - doubtless they will have dealt with other people in the same situation many, many times before and should be able to work out a more manageable way to settle what you owe. All you can do is concentrate on dealing with this as logically and methodically as possible. At least then you will feel like you are doing *something* to help your situation, and will feel less useless.

Trust me, there are SO many people out there who can help you - both directly with your financial situation, and indirectly by helping you with your worries. You will be doing yourself no favours if you try to struggle through on your own with nobody to talk to.

I wish you the best of best luck through this. Try to stay strong and don’t lose hope.

Like so many have already posted - this is a real situation people are feeling around the world. I sat up last night evaluating my next steps as things seem to keep falling. Here is something to focus on - This IS only temporary. Things will improve. Surviving until then will be difficult. I too wake up at night in anxiety, but each day I tell myself to remain positive.

This is the time your family needs one another. For love and comfort. So, you are valuable and they do need you. I dont know where you are either, but I do know that some churches have food pantries - here we have something called Good Samaritan - where you can buy clothing for as little as 1.00. Everyone that has something to donate is taking good stuff there to help out. So, you can get nice things for the whole family inexpensively. Like salvation army, goodwill….

People are aware of the need, but may not fully know your need- as hard as it is - you have to ask. Check out what is available in your community and go ask. The school nurse can help, food stamps, cahtolic charities, churches can help, civic organizations can help, make sure your banks and credit card companies know you are trying - call them to ask for temporary reduced payments - get them to work with you.

As far as finding a job - the department of labor in the US will help with free consulting, job training, job searches… Local chambers of commerces are getting involved, maybe place some calls to your area chambers and let them know you are ready to work if they know of any members hiring… … Sometimes it takes more than one part time job. Remember, this is temporary. I talked to one man who lost his job - he too was the sole provider and he looked at the opportunity as a way to change careers. He was a heavy equipment mechanic now taking nursing classes!

Personally, I lost my job fall of 2007, decided to open my own business and was doing pretty good. Though the start up used up most of my residual cash. Now things are caving as people are spending less, so if things keep up i will face some decisions. I have cut down my living expenses to the bare minimum. Lowered the thermostat on the house, plan my meals better, dont drive anywhere, and try to be as thrify as I can be.

It is so hard, but you have to apply for jobs every day and keep trying - think out of the box and try something different and remember to follow up - do your follow up. Go back and ask if they reviewed your application (or your husband) Ask everyone you know if they know of someone hiring…. ask the check out girl, ask the banker, ask everyone…

My suggestion is to find some little thing to do at home like playing a game, a puzzle, fammily story time, movies… enjoy the little things in life, get through this together… and you will get through… and grow stronger as a family.

Is their room to take in a tennant?

it is scarey, but it is absolutely not anything to be embarrassed about…

Never ever think of suicide there is a God-hell is real and eternity is long. God will help you turn to him in prayer and ask for direction-find a bible believing church and ask for help!

Dear Shaw,

It is amazing how many people deal with situations and how others can tell you what you should do. I would like to share my story with you. On Dec 8th 2008 my husband was complaining of a headache and feeling real achy, so I took him to the ER, my husband never complains, never sick so this was out of character for him. We arrived at a Texas hosptial at 11:00am and at that point they were treating him for phneumonia, later on my husband starting having more complications and was life flighted to an Austin, Texas hospital with Spinal Menengities, he was on life support for 9 days and the day after the doctors called in the family due to his grave condition my husband starting responding by showing two thumbs up, squeezing hands, and nodding his head up and down and side to side. He was released into Rehab care on the 19th and we were home by the 22nd, he is parailized on the right side, unable to use his facial extremities (eye, jaw to chew, etc) however it could have been much worse. The doctors continue to give no hope, however everyday we see improvement.

I am not a holy roller, however I believe in Jesus Christ, I do not pressure others to however, my faith is what carried me through all of this, and while driving back and forth 78 miles one way to the hospital I was also caring for our 6 children ages 2,4,7,9,12, 17, and my mother whom was also in the hospital with pheunomia at the age of 81, plus taking care of my family and myself, which at times seems very hard to do.

These are the steps I have taken and continue to take:

Contact The Department of Human Services (Get Food Stamps, Insurance for your kids, TANF provides a $1000.00 one time assitance program)

I did not have much luck with larger churches such as Lakewood Church, Kenneth Copeland Ministries and many area churches stated that they do not provide assistance to Non-Members (Thank God for the situation otherwise I would have kept giving tithings to these people, and reading their inspirations that make them rich). Amazing how a church can provide tv praises and not help everyone in a time of need. (Just remember it is not the amount that is important it is the kindness and the effort given by one that is a blessing) people can bless you with a prayer, gift cards to help with diapers, food, gas, etc or a few dollars to pay toward rent, electric etc., and some have no problem paying it all. When people work together and try to help others, the outcome is much more enjoyable as well as the feeling you were able to do something.

When my husband returned home, we were on our way back home from rehab, my landlord was in my driveway when I returned to give us an eviction notice because I did not have Jan. rent on the 10th of the month, so trust me, at this time, this is too big for me to handle, I have given it to the Lord and called all churches near and far for help, because I have chosen to set my pride aside to deal with the possibilties of 9 members of my family being homeless due to “A situation that I could not control”. There are some really awesome people in this world, however there are also alot of greedy ones, you have to experience these times to appreciate yourself and how you would respond if you could help someone you seen in need.

Everyday is a new challenge, live out of the situation, do not consume your time in it, make a difference to get out of it, there are many options you can do, and together you and your husband can make a future that is secured and stable through all situations because you both have each other and your family.

All of you are in my prayers, and always remember there is someone out there in a much more serious situation that you, so make good out of what you have and always remember that negative will result in more negative so turn all negative to positive, speak positive and build up your self esteem and then your family will be so positive that only positive things can come your way.

God Bless and Protect,

Christina
Your Friend from Texas