Well HI!!

[HelenaHandBasket]

I stumbled across this site looking for advice on managing my dismal finances as a single mama. I've been looking for a place to call "home" so let's see what happens.

On other forums I've been asked if I like David Hasselhoff (no). Whether I've ever watched snail porn (ick..no). If I have a criminal history (no). If I've ever left my children in the care of my big fluffy dog while I had sex behind the shed. (Erm, can I get a hellz no?)

I have 5 children. 2 failed marriages under my belt. I am a nurse. I have a fabulous job. I make great money and I think I live mostly within my means. Yet, as of today, I've had to ask my brother to wire me money to cover my rent until my paycheck comes on Friday. I have my change jar in the car so I can hit a CoinStar tomorrow to get money for gas. I'm rationing my propane because it's getting low and I already have a carried balance with them. I'm not sure if they will accept a small payment this time. I have a car with 108k miles on it and I still owe what I paid on it. Damn interest! I didn't have a credit card for the longest time (like 10 years!) and before I left my husband in July 2010, I got one with a $300 limit which I have maxed and exceeded and I've made one payment on (the other payment bounced) it's simply last on the priority list.

My STBX pays me child support weekly. Not sure if it's what he'd owe me but we haven't gotten a court date yet (I filed in December).

The winter protection plan on my electric ended last week and they shut off the power. Instead of the budgeted amount I had to pay the whole past due balance which was twice what was budgeted. Of course that put me that much behind. It seems when I try and get a budget going or payment plans set they shut me off and I have to come up with a whole bunch at once which puts me behind again on everything else. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Gah.

Anyway, my goal is to get caught up on everything once and for all, keep the money I lose from bounced checks (at least $100/month) and put it in savings and chug along. I've never wanted an extravagent lifestyle, just want to pay my bills and get by. Hopefully I'll find some good ideas here!

I look forward to getting to know you!

[monni]

Hello Welcome,
As a single mom myself I have found that through social contacts I have found local assistance programs. I do have to tell you that it was embarrassing asking for help and even asking people that I knew if they knew anyone programs that provided help. Sometimes you just have to shallow your pride. Which I know is a hard thing to do, trust me.
I have found that there are church groups within my community that have helped me. The church has given me vouchers for groceries, provided winter coats for my children, and even helped with my utility payments.
You may also want to check into small clubs (like your local Jaycee Chapter) they have helped me out a lot. There are many organizations that recognize certain needs in their communities and raise funds to meet the needs of people outside of their membership. The best advice I can give you is to go out there and look, search, make phone calls, and ask your co-works about any programs they know of. These organizations are not going to come to you. Wish you much luck and look forward to chatting with you on this forum.

[Barb]

If you haven't tried the
department of Human Resources they can help with just about everything that you might need. Food, medical needs, utilities, housing and a lot more. Also check with the local housing authority in the town where you live. Monni is right about trying to visit the churches and local groups like the Kiwanis. Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

[HelenaHandBasket]

Thanks! I have already swallowed my pride and went to the SS office to apply for whatever I might qualify for. I tried to apply for fuel assistance, I make about $1000/year too much to qualify for ANYTHING. I can't even get reduced lunch for the kids at school. I assure you nothing is worse than choking on that humble pie, asking for help only to be told you don't qualify anyway. Soooo..I can barely say I'm even making ends meet but I still make "too much" to get help. It's awesome. I'm on my own guys. No one is going to help me. If I could stay ON my budget, I'd squeak by, the main issue is that I grossly underestimated my propane usage for heat this year and was needing a $300 fill (100 gal tank) every 2 weeks! That was WITH running two wood stoves!!! *faint* I had budgeted $250/month for propane. I guess I need help figuring out how to get caught up and still stay current without taking money from other budgeted areas. I suppose I could add an extra $100 to whatever bill is squeaking the loudest until it's current and then start on another one I'm behind on. If somehow I could win a cool $2000 I'd be able to pay everyone current and start my envelope system. Erm. That's really unikely to happen though!! LOL

[angie828]

Hello it is nice to meet you. It is very hard these days to be a single parent but this site is helping many. I look forward to seeing you around!

[Barb]

Helenahadbasket;
When I read your story I was some what set back and the past few days have bothered me. I have been looking for a solution to your problems. I fond this site and thought that you might be able to take advantage of it. WWW.SPAOA.org. It is a site for single parents that are in need of assistance. SPAOA stands for Single Parents Alliance of America. It is a free single parent association that offers financial resources, help and aid. Their aims is to empower single parents and their families, to increase household income, receive benefits for children and provide knowledge of available resources for single parents. The only eligibility requirements are you must be a resident of the United States and a single parent. I hope this will help.