Falling Apart

I am right in the middle of this myself and you are so correct. It is embarrassing and you just want to keep it a secret, which is very hard to do. I've only told two people who are very close to me and my husband informed his son also. We're on social security disability and they didn't increase the cost of living this year enough to offset the increase in our contribution for medical, so now we're getting less than we did two years ago. We both work home-based businesses part time but the economy really put a hurting on us. It's really devastating and nerve-wracking to think how hard you worked to get somewhere only to have it taken away little by little. I go on craigslist every day at least twice looking for typing and transcription gigs and just about anything else (LEGAL LOL) I can do to get some cash in. Plus this weekend we're having a yard sale and we're both looking for more things we can actually make ourselves at zero cost with stuff we have around the house that we can turn around and sell. If you have the time on weekends, I would suggest having yard sales; you never know what people will buy. And go on craigslist.com, hit every major city in the US list then go to Gigs and look every day. It may just be something simple like "type my resume for $15" or "create a spreadsheet from my business cards;" eventually it will all add up. Another thing you could try to do is set up a free blog then ask for Donations using PayPal. Some people may actually drop a few bucks in a PayPal donation "bucket" for you. I just added a Donation bucket to my websites' directories too and hopefully some people will start adding some money into it. LOL The important thing is that you're trying to do something about it! You're still working and in today's economy, that's fantastic. Now do what you can for some part time revenue streams and eventually it'll all work out. At least that's what my husband and I keep telling each other. :-) Ideas for Low Budget Wedding Planning and Affordable Favors http://tinyurl/lowbudgetfairytaleweddings http://tinyurl/bookmark-favors

You are still lucky since both you and your husband still have your jobs and income. What you can consider is are your income enough to apply for credit? BUT AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT you have to be a very clever calculative person before you do this. The reason is simple, credit card has a time span where you can use the money without paying the interest but if you do not return the money by then, then you're going deeper into your debts. Okay, you have the extra $$ for a little time, what's next? Skim a lot on your expenses and pay what's most impportant that's going to incur taxes or snowball. Remember to return the amount used (you have your job and income still coming in to do it)before the grace period's up. Use it again the next month and return again before grace period's up. DO NOT USE MORE WHEN YOU HAVE CREDIT OR ELSE YOU ARE DIGGING YOUR OWN GRAVE. REMEMBER TO TIGHTEN YOUR EXPENSES SO THAT YOU CAN BE RID OF DEBTS AFTER SOME MONTHS. NEVER DO THIS IF YOU CANNOT CALCULATE.

I know how you feel because my husband and I are in the same boat. My husband works parttime and I cannot find work at all. I am a college grad with a degree in Elementary Edication, but with the bad economy there are no teaching positions available. I only have the necessary bills and we are struggling with those as well. It is embarassing and it also makes it harder when certain family members think they know your whole situation and try to tell you what to do. My husband's cousin is trying to tell us to pay all of our other bills and ignore our mortgage because if we end up losing the house we can get another one. I feel that this is bad advice because it is not a sellers market right now and besides that is the only bill we manage to keep up to date without missing any payments. I have been looking for ways to make money and I am seriously thinking about going back to school to get a Masters in Educational Psychology. At least that will bring in some money. I am also looking into selling some items online as well as some of my crafts. I know we do not live near each other, but please know that you are not alone and you have my support. If I can think of ways for you to make money I will definately let you know. Take care.

Hi dear i know the feeling and worst i'm not working and the bills they keep climbing. Life is so unfair at times but i pray that things will work out soon and very soon.

I got a lot of colleagues having this problem. They putted into their minds that there were ways to find money always, it was during the recent recession that they were trapped in a lot of debts. I was not able to give help to them but to give some advices and to comfort them at all. I told them to sincerely seek assistance from their families and be transparent. I challenged them to tell the truth because their families could help them solving financial difficulties. I think you have to be also challenged to divert some of your attention to other things like internet money making, slowly but for sure you could make it to finding solutions to your problems, or other small business you could possibly make just to earn money. Plus, the basic needs of ourselves... the prayers. We need to get time always talking with God to reach out and confide Him our situation, we ask His help and guidance to be brave and face the day to day trials and consequences. Otherwise, you should move to cope up these things and get rid out of that deep debt.

I feel for you. I have been working for so long and still not able to save enough. Been looking for extra income but to no avail. I'm still looking though. if I get lucky, I'll inform you right away. But don't quit yet :)

I know how you feel, my husband and I are in debt as well. My husband is working parttime and each week his boss has been finding ways to cheat my husband out of pay. This has happened the last three paychecks, but the sad thing is, is that because this is only happening to him we are afraid to report it in fear that his boss will find out then he would get fired. On the plus side, my husband is attending college online and I have been looking into going to graduate school online, so maybe this will help our financial situation. I have also been looking for some work from home job to make a little extra money. I want to wish you the best of luck and please know that you are not alone.

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. A lot of people I know are in the same boat. Where I live the unemployment rate is 14% so it seems like more and more couples and singles are finding themselves in this position. I have been earning online for many years so I could stay at home with my children. I wish I had a program that would make this all go away, but I don't. It takes time to earn well online. I would be happy to answer your questions though. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel. I am a stay at home Mum, and my partner just lost his job temporarily, due to the company car catching on fire and literally burning out. We have had to sign on to the dole temporarily, as embarrassing as it is. But hopefully he will be back to work in the next couple of weeks. I really wish that there was a way on the internet which you could make money quick... but obviously if it was that easy then everyone would be staying at home and doing it. I wish that I could go out and work full time, but the cost of child care is so high that it would just not be worth my while. So at the moment, until our dole money comes through, which wont be for another couple of weeks, we have no money, and direct debits going out of our bank that we have no money to pay with. So all in all pretty bad times, since the bank will charge us for each failed direct debit, even though we have spoken to them and explained the situation. It is just a nightmare, and because of the cost of living these days, we have no savings, to help us out. So basically we are living out of the freezer so to speak. I feel your pain and frustration.

I was in shoes 7 years ago.. there are lots of steps to take to get you out of your situation that it would take a whole book to discuss.. please grab a copy of this book.. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.. it has turned or world around 180 degrees.. I hope it will help you too.

Don't know if this have been mentioned, but, instead of increasing your income you could if possibe try to decrease your expenses, buy only whats nessesary. I guess you're already doing that but i reminder never hurts :)

Why don't seek help to your closed friends, what makes you feel embarrassed about it. Since the economy fall most people have been in great debt unable to pay their mortgage and other loans some face the worst that they have even sold all their appliances and properties. What do you fear about if some one's know it?

Many of us find ourselves wedged into this corner at some point in our lives, and not always through our own fault.You are certainly not alone. Just by sharing this, you should feel a little better.