because I can not pay it. Since chris lost his job and is having a hard time finding another one we can't pay our electric bill or our car payment. Everything else is secondary and we can live without but we need power and a car. I have no clue what we are gonna do. Please send prayers our way. TIA

By Kym on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 09:53 am:

Taht is scarry, can one of you take a job waiting tables or delivering pizzas? That is a job you ca start today and make tips right away!

Good luck

By Karen~admin on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 09:58 am:

Sorry to hear you are going through rough times. I agree with Kym, if you can work, ANY kind of income is a help. I'd suggest contacting both the power company and your lender for your car, and ask for a payment plan, explain the situation to them. If you do nothing, they are more likely to cut you off, etc., If they are aware you are having difficulties right now, they may well be willing to work with you. Good luck!

By Vicki on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:12 am:

Wow, that was fast. Didn't he just loose his job at the end of June? I didn't realize they cut people off that fast, that is insane! I agree with contacting them and working something out. From what I hear, if you contact them and explain things to them, they are often times willing to work something out with you. Can't hurt to try.

By Brandy on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:26 am:

I think with you having kids they can't do that?Get ahold of a united way or something i think they help with these kinds of things? I hope things work out well for you all...

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 11:06 am:

Call all the churches in your phone book.. They usually have emergency funds that they use to help out nonmembers of their churches.. Salvation Army, Salvation Army churches have emergency funds.. Good Will has emergency assistance funds too.. Call you local welfare office and tell them they are shutting off your electric they will know who to contact for help and sometimes they have a voucher program with in their own services to cover emergencies. We have a place called Community Action that is set up to help in these situations. There has to be a way to get help in your community. In the town we use to live in they had PIN< people in need, which was their Community Action type place.. There is assistance out there you just have to look for it.. VFW's, Moose Lodges and places like that also have emergency funds to help out in their comunities... You need to get on the phone and start making phone calls..... Don't let them shut you off with out a fight.. Call and tell them about DH loosing his job, that you are seeking assistance and ask them to delay the shut off.. Then get out the phone book and start looking for help... You have children and someone will help to keep it on..

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 11:12 am:

When children are involved, pride has to take the back seat...

Call the Welfare first, they should have a list of places that offer assistance.. Call churches, call anyone you think of that might help but don't just let it happen.. There is help out there you just need to ask for it..

By Reds9298 on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 11:23 am:

I also thought that if you contacted the people that you can't pay that it's better for you and that they won't cut you off. Even if you can pay *something* toward your bill, that looks better for you. Honestly, kids will keep your utilities and your car going because they will not cut you off when you have children, especially if it's only been a month.

Ditto the others on everything...take ANY job at this point. I'm sorry you are going through this.

By Rayelle on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 12:33 pm:

I've been there. Calling the power company did me no good other than they told me who to talk to.I went to social services and they paid the electric bill. They were allowed to pay each utility, electric, gas and water for your household once a year. It probably depends on your state. I think the Salvation Army does this as well. That does seem like an awful fast shut off , but if he lost his job in June I guess you could be at the 2 month mark now, that's what it is for us. I hated going to social services, but I needed to. I wondered how that happened to me. It can happen to anyone and that is what they are there for. Good luck. I hope you're able to find something soon.

By Tarable on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 02:49 pm:

I don't know about in other states but I know it has to be hotter than or colder than a certain temp for it to matter at all for with the actual electric company. I know that man social services places will pay electric and man other groups like salvation army. I have btdt and you just have to swallow your pride and do it.

Good luck and {{{{HUGS}}}}

By Debbie on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 08:08 pm:

My dad used to work for an electic company, call them, and they can either offer assistance, or direct you to where you can get it. And yes, Tarable is correct, if it is hotter then a certain temp, they can not shut off your electricity. They must work with you. I would also call your car lender, and explain the situation.

Ditto others about taking whatever job your dh or you can find for the time being.

{{{{hugs}}}} I hope things get better for you soon.

By Latonya on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 09:12 pm:

Well we figures out how to pay the electric and car payment. Chris' mom is loaning us $600 and he got a credit card today in the mail with a $300 limit so that helps. He went to job fair today and goes to take a drug test on thursday. Believe me we have both been looking for a job and he has been doing any little thing he can to make an extra dime. We are going to be ok I think. Thanks for all your help. I called the social services for 3 weeks. They kept telling me to call back next monday and then today they said they are out of funds. we are getting food stamps and all the kids are on medicaid so that is another big help. Jobs are just very hard to get here lately. Please pary that he gets this job. Thanks!!

By Conni on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:11 pm:

Prayers going up right now! I am sorry you are having such a rough patch. Things can only get better!!! Keep looking up.

By Jelygu on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 11:10 pm:

I am so sorry that you are having such a rough time. I will pray for you and your family.

By Nicki on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 11:53 pm:

Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

By Rayelle on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 08:35 am:

Another quick job idea, my dh drove a cab between jobs. It wasn't much, but something and he came home with a few bucks everyday. It's probably even worse pay now with the gas since drivers pay for the gas, but maybe they've changed the rules or something. Just an idea and I doubt it'd be enough to lose the food or medicaid.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 10:40 am:

LaTonya, I suggest you call your state representative (in your state legislature) and senator's offices, and your U.S. congressman/woman's office. Most elected officials do a lot of what they call constituent service and should (a) have lists of agencies that help and (b) contacts/connections at both goverment and non-profit agencies. This kind of thing - a hard working family suddenly out of work, looking for work but needing help, should be right up their alley.

By Tonya on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:01 pm:

My first thought if you are broke is shut off the cable and the internet that will say you money. Turn the phone to basis without all of the bells and whistles. Good luck I was there and I know what you are going through.

By Tonya on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 12:01 pm:

My first thought if you are broke is shut off the cable and the internet that will say you money. Turn the phone to basis without all of the bells and whistles. Good luck I was there and I know what you are going through.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:43 pm:

I know a man who picks up soda cans on the side of the road. He makes about $25 a day (I don't how long he works a day). He says it helps to pay some of the needs. Better than nothing.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 10:19 pm:

((((LaTonya))))

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:00 pm:

oh so many hugs and lots of prayers...
Ame

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:00 pm:

oh so many hugs and lots of prayers...
Ame

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:59 pm:

BTDT. (((((((((HUGS))))))))

I agree. Shut off anything you don't need. Really you don't need cable. Or, reduce it to *basic* basic cable. When we trimmed our fat about 5 years ago we got a 30-channel basic package for $13/mo (mostly local broadcast and local access stations.) You probably really don't need cell phones. Really, what did people do before cell phones? They lived without them then, we can live without them now. Check to see if you can find a cheaper waste company and a cheaper phone company. Get the basics- you really don't need call forwarding and voice mail- they do still make answering machines for that.

Cook at home more. Going out to eat really eats away at your budget (pun intended!) I go to the store every Sunday to pick up the paper for the coupons and ads (and something to read.) If something is on sale and you have a coupon for it, you are saving big. Recycle as much as you can. I don't buy the disposable Glad plastic containers anymore. I use old butter and Cool Whip bowls to store leftovers in. The containers are free and reusable. (Remember to eat the leftovers within 3-5 days.)

I dilute liquid dish detergent, laundry detergent and fabric softener. They are usually concentrated anyway. I also don't buy a separate cleaner for every surface in my home. Vinegar and diluted bleach (NOT mixed together) go a long way.

If I think of anything else, I'll be back.

My church also helped with about $50 for gas and access to the food pantry. It helped in our worst time of need.

By Latonya on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 11:20 am:

Thanks everyone. I am not concerned with the satellite and phone bills. If we have to live without them for awhile then so be it. BUT he got a JOB!!! He started this morning. it doesn't pay great but it is close to home which will save alot in gas. His last job was an hour away and we were paying about $50 a week in gas. I think we will be ok.

By Rayelle on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 02:34 pm:

That is GREAT news Latonya! I'm glad things are looking up.

By Nicki on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 02:47 pm:

Very good news! It's great that it's closer to home.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 03:02 pm:

Congratulations!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 03:56 pm:

That is such great news. McDonalds (a job with less pay is what I am refering to) is better than no job.. I have found in life that it is easier to get a job when you are working a job, seems ironic but it is the way it usually goes for us.. Many more prayers for you and your family for a quick turn around. Proud of your DH for stepping up....

By Ilovetom on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 05:37 pm:

I am very happy for you.

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 01:08 am:

Thats great, I'm glad things are working out for you.

By Debbie on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:12 am:

Great news! I'm glad everything is working out for you.

By Brandy on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:27 am:

I'm so happy to hear this wonderful news = )