Weathering the Financial Storm
My wife and I recently went to the local food bank, since we were between paychecks and needed food. This is the first time we have had to do that, but we really needed the help. We are learning that it is okay to ask for help. Both of us are helper types, and find it hard to give to ourselves.
We are both working full time, and yet we are still struggling to earn a living. It is very frustrating to be behind in the rent, owe money to utilities, have a car break down, and wonder where all the money to take care of these things is going to come from.
Most of the problem started over the summer, when I wasn't driving the school bus, and my web design business was dead. Then there are the clients who don't pay you for work you did, but expect you to do things right away. Like it's an emergency that their super ugly site (not my design) be updated.
All this combined created the situation we found ourselves in this week. We had no money, no food, and a car that was broken down and hit while it was parked, waiting for the tow truck to come. Oh yeah, someone rear ended my wife's car while it was parked and couldn't move, then they took off. It really makes it obvious why we like to spend more time with dogs than people. Anyway, the good news is that there were witnesses. The bad news is that the car that hit my wife's car had out of state plates, so they can't track it locally. If anyone knows how to find the owner of that car (we have the license number) please let me know.
So, life has been really rough lately, but rather than just give up we have been very resourceful and we are learning a lot. If there was an easier way to learn these things I think I would prefer that. But we have learned that we are very smart and can find help when needed. Plus, we are no longer afraid to ask. You know all those cans of food that you donate every year? They go to help people, like us, who need food once in a while. There are also local churches and other groups that exist just to provide people in need with gas vouchers, cash and food.
If you are in need of any kind of financial or other help, don't hesitate to ask. I suspect that there are quite a few people in the same situation, especially since the economy is so horrible. In fact, the food bank people told us that they are getting 10 or 11 new sign-ups a day now, compared to 10 or 11 per week not too long ago. Contact your local United Way or similar service for temporary help. In the meantime, here is a link to famous people that have been homeless. It helps me to know that things will get better. homeless celebrities
How many of you know of someone in a similar situation? Are you that person? What resources have you found that really helped you? Let me know.
Technorati Tags: food banks, helpful resources, failing economy
We are both working full time, and yet we are still struggling to earn a living. It is very frustrating to be behind in the rent, owe money to utilities, have a car break down, and wonder where all the money to take care of these things is going to come from.
Most of the problem started over the summer, when I wasn't driving the school bus, and my web design business was dead. Then there are the clients who don't pay you for work you did, but expect you to do things right away. Like it's an emergency that their super ugly site (not my design) be updated.
All this combined created the situation we found ourselves in this week. We had no money, no food, and a car that was broken down and hit while it was parked, waiting for the tow truck to come. Oh yeah, someone rear ended my wife's car while it was parked and couldn't move, then they took off. It really makes it obvious why we like to spend more time with dogs than people. Anyway, the good news is that there were witnesses. The bad news is that the car that hit my wife's car had out of state plates, so they can't track it locally. If anyone knows how to find the owner of that car (we have the license number) please let me know.
So, life has been really rough lately, but rather than just give up we have been very resourceful and we are learning a lot. If there was an easier way to learn these things I think I would prefer that. But we have learned that we are very smart and can find help when needed. Plus, we are no longer afraid to ask. You know all those cans of food that you donate every year? They go to help people, like us, who need food once in a while. There are also local churches and other groups that exist just to provide people in need with gas vouchers, cash and food.
If you are in need of any kind of financial or other help, don't hesitate to ask. I suspect that there are quite a few people in the same situation, especially since the economy is so horrible. In fact, the food bank people told us that they are getting 10 or 11 new sign-ups a day now, compared to 10 or 11 per week not too long ago. Contact your local United Way or similar service for temporary help. In the meantime, here is a link to famous people that have been homeless. It helps me to know that things will get better. homeless celebrities
How many of you know of someone in a similar situation? Are you that person? What resources have you found that really helped you? Let me know.
Technorati Tags: food banks, helpful resources, failing economy
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3 comments:
I hope your situation soon improves. I can say "been there, done that" but it was a long time ago and I've been fortunate since then.
I've seen poverty first-hand with the families of the children I sponsor in the Dominican Republic. In that country, it seems to me that more people are willing to help others and to share what they have. A lot of times we in Canada or the US have too much "pride" and won't accept the fact that in hard times it isn't necessarily our fault for finding ourselves in need and as a result are afraid to seek help.
the beginning of this year was real rough~ for months. you do get the chance to let others help for a change, and when you come through it you get to look back and say, "I had no idea I could get through something like that"
I hope there are some casual and temporary jobs around that you can use as stepping stones for the job you really want.
My 10 hours a week giving coffee demos, lugging the 7kg machine to the bus stop enabled the rent to get covered. Now I have time to work with my blog, and business has picked up.
I too once had student's not pay. Now there is a deposit made before work starts.
take care
www.psipsychologytutor.org
you have a Spirit of determination. You will pull out of this, I can tell.
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