[Determined]

What would you do if you are constantly struggling financially, I just made up my mind I wouldn't panic that everything will work out like they did last year. However, this is the story of my life. I just get my dentist bill paid off and now my crown on my tooth feel off. New dentist bill to pay. It seems endless and my daughter is graduating this year with tons of expenses that come with graduation, (sr. pictures, sr. projects, etc.) Last year I felt overwelmed but this year it seems I am faced with more and don't know what to do. Gas prices seem to be hitting me hard since I drive 20 miles to and from work as well as my house is heated by gas. Tell me it will all work out just like it did last year. I know it will but I wonder if it ever gets easier?

Hi Determined,.
I know EXACTLY what you're going through. It seems to be the story of my life, also. As soon as I get a little nest egg going to save for emergencies or just to save-something happens that's very expensive or I lose clients.
It's extremely aggravating.
The good new is, Determined, I always pull through it just like you probably always pull through it so don't panic.
I think you're going to be fine. You'll figure something out for everything. You can get some electrical space heaters (be careful) which is what I did last year.
You'll put out what you can afford as far as your daughters graduation is concerned-when the time comes (isn't graduation in June?) and you can pay off the dentist bill in small increments until your other finances get paid off.
As for the car and gas-I've learned to use my car for going to work only. Maybe you can cut down on other traveling you do in your car and if possible take a walk, bike ride or public transportation instead?
It's going to be okay. ((((((Determined)))))))

I don't have to wonder what I would do Im there and have been for years. I live on SSDI and before that on welfare and working the money off at job sites they sent me to.

How do I manage? very carefully. I don't get everything I want and that sometimes irritates me but when you have $603.00 to pay for rent , phone, electric, cable, household, cat food and cat litter. sometimes that means I have to do with out cable some months of the year, and it helps that my cat also uses the toilet besides a litter pan because I don't have to buy so much litter,. Especially now that I only get $50.00 in food stanps a month so now I have to use some of my cash towards food. Some months like in the winter when the electric is higher I use one of the local food shelves. I also sign up for the seasonal food baskets. My clothing usually comes from st vincent du paul or good will stores or sales from the local department stores. I also make full use of things for example when my towels are developing holes I pull out the scizzors and thread and cut them down into wash cloths and dish towels. so instead of full sets all I have to buy is the bath towels and those I can get on sale through out the year. This past year my credit was finally all settled from having someone steal my identity back in 2000 so I was able to get a couple credit cards which has made things a little bit easier. Instead of driving places and paying an arm and a leg for gas, insurance and so on I use the city bus system that cost me about $10.00 a month or $17.00 for a monthly bus pass if Im going to be riding the bus alot. otherwise I bike it or walk. I pretty much have learned how to live on a small budget and still have the necessities and an occasional splurge.

I believe it gets easier. hang in there.

[Determined]

You are all right. It takes alot of will power to just do what you have to do to make it through. The towel idea is funny. I just got 4 new towels at JC Penny using a $10.00 off cupon. They were originally $8.00 but on sale for 3.99 then with 2.50 off each towel I was able to pay 1.49 for each towel. Grand total of 5.96 for 4 new towels that could have costed 32.00. I had so many strings on my old ones it was becoming a menace in the wash. Especially when they got twisted in my underclothes. I should be thankful, I have an okay job, a roof over my head, food on the table sometimes(groceries run out before appetites do), a car to drive that isn't completely a wreck, but I compare myself to everyone who seems to have it all. I can't take public transportation there is none where I live. I would like to move closer to my work but my kids are in school here and it just seems too much to move them. They are teenagers and their friends are their life. Until they graduate I am sure I am stuck here. Your right graduation is a year off but I hate to be the parent who always scrimps while other kids parents splurge on their kids last year at home. I have to quit comparing but I am guilt ridden when it comes to my kids. I feel guilty they live with a single low income parent. Oh well. Life goes on. Thanks for the advice. I will cut my old towels into wash cloths. I have been using my credit card on gas and I just today decided to start paying cash. I get a discount for cash. Now I will just use credit if it is an emergency. I just have to make myself. Wish me luck. Oh yeah, I will work on the winter issue when it comes. Maybe the heater thing could work. We'll see. Keep me posted on funny ways to save. It makes me feel better.

[Determined]

Hey how did you get your cat to do it in the toilet. That would be interesting as well as economical.

You're welcome

Oh it was very interesting.

One morning my child woke me up and told me the neighbors cat was crying and he wanted to let it in and feed it but he couldnt reach the deadbolt on the door. So I got up opened the door expecting a full grown orange cat and found a kitten not yet weaned from the momma cat. we ended up keeping it and I had just enough money for kitten food but not enough for litter. My child wasn't totally potty trained so we made frequent bathroom runs and from the minute I opened the door kitten and child were inseprateable. I had shreaded newspapers in a plastic bag lined box but the kitter would not use it. and I could not figure out why until I happened to be passing the bathroom and found my child holding kitten on the toilet. My child would go pee and then hold the kitten up to show it because the kitten had gone on the floor.

My child had nver used the bathroom so much as he did that day. LOL So I figured why not go with this if anything comes out of it my child will be totally potty trained in just a few days. and doing it on his own.

I with baggie in hand I went next door to a neighbor who had a cat and borrowed some used litter. I tied it securely in the bag and poked holes in it and tied it to the underside of the toilet seat.

the next time my child went potty and he put kitten upon the seat kitten attempted to dig potty hole on the seat and turned around and went.

After that it was just a matter of lining the seat with a piece of fabric for gripping and balancing while we taught him to turn around so it went into the toilet not on the seat.

some pet stores now do carry cat toilet training kits. For anyone who wants to have a toilet trained cat.

[Rhapsody]

I personally try to BREATHE and to always be GLAD that I have what I have been given.... for there is always some one else worse off than I am. Try and see how blessed you are to have a job of which to be pay these bills & expenses with, and that they are at least coming one at a time.... and not two or three needs at a time.
I try to start each day that I wake up with THANKSGIVING.... just to be able to see the sun light coming through my curtains but once again - to be given another day to live and to love with in, that of which was not yet promised.

LoVe,
Rhapsody - (((( hugs ))))