my family and I are all sick. 5 of us. 4 dx with lyme and other tick diseases.
I get so down.
we are totally lyme-poor. and we have no money for anything fun. barely for food, none for clothes, shoes, etc. and our house is falling apart.
what can we do?
How do people sick make ends meet?
We get some help from church for med bills and sometimes food, but I am tired of begging.
we cannot move, we are stuck- for many complicated reasons. wish we could move. our mortgage is too much for us plus this house is too big.
it is hard to feel good and happy and joyful when you can;t afford food you need to get better or supplements or meds or clothes you feel good in.
is this just how it's gonna be?????
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
The not letting it get to me and paralyse me is the tough part for me too.
Hang in there. As far as clothes, I have learned to purchase preowned clothes via ebay.
I use to go to the thrift shops but ehealt is usually not doing well enough to do that now.
It does sound like you are looking for a way to lower your housing costs but have yet to figure it out.
I can't imagine have 4 out of 5 in your household sick.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
thanks Kam
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
I would just run away if I were you.
Just kidding.
I try and run away in my mind for a mini vacation.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
yes, thought of that, haha.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
hey lisa I leave saturday for 9 days so will be una vailable. will contact you when I get back.
right now kind of hectic getting ready.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yep... just run away!
You never know when your ship will come in, so keep holding onto the anchor!!
I hear ya, though. Been there, done that. We moved a few months ago and spent every last dime to do it. Still trying to get all of our ducks in a row.
I guess the main thing is to be thankful for what you have. Some days I remind myself that at least I have a roof over my head!
I found a great consignment shop here. I love their clothes because they only take name brands, so most of it is pretty good stuff at reasonable prices.
I took a bunch of things there when we moved and I made $50+ on it.. so then I bought "new" clothes. It was fun! I have some Chico's jeans and a few really nice Chico's cotton T's and other comfy clothes. I don't like to spend big $$$ on clothes anymore.
Also, I found some local Facebook groups where you can buy and sell. I found some really awesome purses for $7 to $15 each. I really really like them! I was able to sell a leather jacket my husband outgrew, so that was nice too!
I hope you can find something to brighten your day, Lisa! Keep looking! Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Lisa, Just keep reminding yourself, things could be worst; believe ME. Think happy thoughts!!!
Steve
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
Lisa, it is hard and it can be really discouraging. I'd been feeling a lot like you, and someone suggested I do a gratitude list.
So every day, I make a list of 3 things I'm grateful for. It helped put me in touch with things I'd taken for granted and just overlooked.
I'm not sure it's completely changed my thinking, but it has helped. That, and meditation and prayer.
Andie
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Lisa can you empty mailbox? I have long pm ready to send and its full
Posted by jlcd1 (Member # 18138) on :
This was us last yr. We pretty much were asked to move out (or be evicted), so we moved into my mother in laws empty house that was on the market until my husband could find a job.
Sold everything i could on craigslist or ebay...even my wedding band and engagement ring. And yup im still married. I figured ill get another one some day.
So sorry your going through this now. Its depressing but I hope it will get better for you soon. I too shop and sell at consignment shops now.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Lisa-sorry you guys are struggling. I am glad your church is there to help.
Are there any food banks nearby that can help?
Also, what about foreign exchange students in a spare room?
Some of my neighbours have ESL students and each pays $800/mo.
One student would probably love to live with a big American family, and would make the difference in The finances.
Just brainstorming here.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
greta, I think of exchange student periodically. my husband doesn't go for that. and the person would probably go insane living with us. we are ..... disfunctional with a capital D. house full of sick crazy peopel? haha. they would go back to thier country and never come back.
I have sold a lot of things. I started doing that when hubby lost job a few years ago. it helps, but all the big $$ stuff is gone.
I guess is sounds like we do pretty much what everyone here suggests, so I guess we are doing the best we can.
I just wish I could work.. I applied to a couple places for temp Christmas help in retail, but they all do credit checks now and I failed of course.
why does it matter about your credit history to work now????????? I will never get a job, and this is why I NEED one!!!! ugh
Posted by DarrenY (Member # 44767) on :
If you check garage/yard sales in your area, at the end of the day, many of them start letting you fill a shopping bag with clothes for 2 or 3 dollars. Also many yard sales will have a bowl or tray of cheap jewelry that they are selling for less than a dollar a piece. If you learn to recognize the 14 karat gold stamp on jewelry, you will often find real gold pieces for less than a dollar that can be sold to local jewelers.
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
Let set a time for all of us on lymenet to pray or meditate a positive intention for lisa and her family. We just have to agree on the intention and see if we can influence something positive. We should plan on an hour. kind of like remote hands on healing.
what do you say BBers ?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good ideas, Darren and Lymie!
Lisa.. I think they assume (you know what that really means!) that someone with poor credit can't be trusted. That is what I read once.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Im in...let me know when
Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
22 -- can u organize the time, there's now 3 of us. I'm really lousy at it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I will include Lisa in my daily prayers. I'm not good at praying at any specific hour. I pray in the mornings and when I go to bed.
I really thought she had found a part time job. Though I realize that doesn't cover all needs! I know that very very well!
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Ditto. And I will keep the rest of us in my prayers as well.
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
There is a lot of government help out there,you just have to apply for it.
Food stamps which is a credit card now.
Food banks.
Electrical and heating help.
Medicaid
You just have to go to the correct agency and fill out the paperwork.
MADDOG
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
Well said, Maddog! I bet there is someone affiliated with church that will help guide you to what is available for you. I hope so.
Government help is for all of us and all of us pay taxes for it. It is not a hand-out.
Ann - OH
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Why can't we just hit "LIKE?" Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
LIKE!!!
Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on :
Lisa, have you thought applying for food stamps and welfare?
Since all of you are sick, it's very difficult to have an sort of steady income.
You could also go to some food banks.
We have them all over the state I live in.
Consignment stores are great but if your sick, it does take time to dig through every thing.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
I was reveiwing old posts I started and found this one....
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
people , you were praying fo rme? that is so nice.
I really am feeling so warm about your responses here...
sorry I didn't see them until NOW!
but they have lifted me up for sure.
to answer some questions: no, we cannot get food stamps or other assistance fromthe government because my husband makes just above the lone of cut off.
we can't really live on his salary though, because of past giant hole from yrs of unemplyment, plus bills, especially MEDICAL bills
and our mortgage is high. we have a house and we cannot sell it (tried) because through no fault of our own a tax lien has been placed on our house which we found out about only when we tried to get a mortgage for new house! trust me on this one. it is impossible for us to move and we did not know aobut taxes nor are they from our actions, but someone tricked us here.
I got a job but it was only one day I lasted because my brain couldn't handle the information- overload, too fast, etc...
I do shop at thrift stores
I have sold just about every possession , even my grandmothers heirlooms and all my gold jewelry.
I do use food banks sometimes, and our church is generous, but they don't pay for mortgage and other things, only food and medical bills at times for me, but I really hate asking them constantly. it is just not right.
I am sure I am forgettin g something, but you get the jist of it.
we just keep on keeping on and it seems God lets us have just enough to get by with. if that is what He has planned for now , so be it.
I guess if we all can pray for each other here then that is great. thanks again
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)