I am extremely depressed today... I can never get a head...what am I to do?

Question

Oh, Lord.. please provide me with strength, understanding and contentment.. for today, I am the devils target. I have not now nor ever disgraced or disserned you. I pray for your forgiveness and blessings.
I am really, really struggling today.... I am a single mother of 2 children, work 40hrs a wk, M-F, $12.00/hr. & I still cannot get ahead. I just don't know what do forreal. I am so discouraged right now. . . . I have to choose between paying my phone bill & buying food for my kids, choose between paying daycare (so I can work) or paying my carpymt (so I can get to work)..

Can someone PLEASE....tell me how to work this out? How to stay positive, how not to get discourged and go off the deep end.

2paychecks per mo, $652ea.... totaling $1304 income coming in. Rent $464, daycare $270, car pymt $286, light/gas $68avg, phone $55.. then I have $161 to put gas in my car and food on my table for me, my 2 children.. for a month!

Please help me.

they say I make to much to receive daycare assistance, food stamps or anything like that... i am pretty much on my own...

As far as my car goes... i can let them repo it, but I am still going to be without a car.... and will still have to pay off any balance that is due!

I don't have a cell phone, no cable (haven't for years), I do'nt get my hair done, I do it myself, my brother cuts my sons hair.. unfortunaltey.. i didn't make good decisions when I was younger... both of my childrens fathers.. aren't work a fukkin quarter. and I dont have a boyfriend, I have too... TOO much going on right now, and no man wants a woman with baggage!

Answer 1

Take in a boarder, hire a person as a livein babysiter in exchange for room and board, ask a family member to watch your kids, offer babysitting in your home on your days off.....it's hard i know. That is why so many people get on welfare. It's so much easier to let the government take care of us. But again some of us have pride yet our pride is giving us ulcers. Do you attend a church. Maybe talking to your minister will help. Good luck hun

Answer 2

Put your resume together darlin...you are finding a new job. A couple more bucks an hour and you will get some breathing room.

It may not come immediately but if you keep trying and keep praying and have a good attitude then you will see.

You have a computer. When the little ones are sleeping sign up for some courses to develop additional skills. You should be able to qualify for grants no problem. Visit your local community college for info. That is what it is there for. You can take classes at home so don't worry about leaving the little ones alone.

You are going to have to work a little harder for the next couple years but then you will reap the rewards of your labor.

Set weekly goals for yourself. Start modest and as you accomplish them you will gain confidence and motivation.

Read each night motivational books. you will find an endless amount of them at the library you can check out for free. Get a couple good books for the little ones while you are at it.

Bottom line is the status quo is not cutting it. You are going to have to work harder even though I know you are already busting your butt.

2 year goal: double your income. It is very possible. You can do it. you will do it.

P.S. Do not let your bills go late ever. You will need to rely on decent credit to qualify for things that will help you in life.

Good Luck and Kick some butt!

Answer 3

Bless your heart! I understand your situation. Have faith in yourself, and in God. Check out the local section of your white pages, there should be some kind of child care assistance program listed. They will subsidize your daycare fee. This is based on your income, so you are not paying out your ***. Also, as mentioned try downgrading your car. Maybe put an ad at your local supermarket for babysitting,to pick up some extra cash. File for child support, as mentioned. Does your car payment have like a little "grace period" where if its a week or two late, you won't have to pay a late fee? Something to look into. How old are your kids? If one is about 11 or older, perhaps he/she can keep an eye on the younger one for half a day, and a babysitter for the other half. If so, only you know if they are responsible enough to do so. Maybe you can shop around for a cheaper phone service. There are plenty of progams out there to help single parents out. WIC: women infant children. If you qualify, you can receive valuable vouchers for formula, and food. Try section 8, for help in rent. Again, your rent will be based on your income. Also, churches sometimes have clothing giveaways. It sounds like you are ahead of the game. Keep focused, and your eye on the prize. Hey, there is nothing wrong with monetary help. Don't feel degraded, you a working single parent making the best of a bad situation. Making a honest living. Be proud of all that you have accomplished. Keep your head held up high. Big hug for you!

Answer 4

You will be a stronger person after all of this. Pretty soon your kids will be in school and there might be a free (or cheaper) after school program. Maybe you can find somebody to watch your kids instead of a service? Don't use the car all the time, take the bus or a city trolley to save gas money. Do you get food stamps or charity food? Look into getting an internet phone (vonage) it might be cheaper...i'm not sure on the rates.

Other than that I really don't know what to say. Everything always gets better with prayer for me. Read the book of Job. His entire life went to shreads

Answer 5

Hello.
I hope this helps somewhat.
First of all I'd check out my local Craisglist: www.craigslist.org and check the etc. jobs section.
I've found small things paying like $65.00 to do surveys.
I know this isn't a lot, but every bit helps.
Also, see if you can hire your own baby sitter...maybe a family member (if possible...'cause I know that sometimes it's just not). Or maybe focus on how to cut down on that if you can.
Check out local food banks (if that's not too much for you). Sometimes they can help with food and in some cases referrals for child care for your income.
Potatoes and grains such as beans and rice are usually cheap and you can add tomato sauce and season for some meals..etc.
Clip coupons from your local store paper. My husband and I have saved TONS of $$ money doing this where they double coupons too.
I don't know where you live, but check subsidized programs. The utility companies usually have special programs for people who are within certain income guidelines.
Don't be shy...do what you need for your family.
I certainly wish you the best.
Blessings and Peace.

Answer 6

I'm in a huge financial rutt myself and there seems to be no way out. It's difficult everyday and I questioned my faith and why until my Son was diagnosed as a Chronic Anemic and he was literally a pinch away from death. Knowing that and watching him knowing there was nothing I could do I made a pat with God. I told him that I believe everything happens for a reason and even though times are incredibly rough in time they will get better -- even if it takes most of my life to get there. The most important thing to me is my children and that if he would keep them in good health and see them safely through life then I would stop questioning him. My Son is still anemic but he lived and got better. And that was the day I stopped asking and instead started thanking him for what I do have in my life -- especially my babies.

Answer 7

First of all you need to remember that your kids come first, not the bills. You can get a pre paid cell phone and disconnect the home phone. Then get with neighbors tell them you situation and that you need cheaper day care, and ask if they could watch the kids for 100 a week. Your car payment, would be the next thing to work on. Personally I would lose the car and get a runable thing to get me from point A to B and not have a payment.

Answer 8

The first thing you need to do is formulate a plan to get yourself back on track. Cut all unnecessary costs. Yes, cable is nice to have, but it is expensive. CUT IT. The kids will live through it. . It may even get them out side to play (if old enough). A person can live with out a phone, until you can get back on track you may have to loose it. That will save you $55.00 a month right there. The things we have that we think are necessities are not. They are luxuries. Get your life in order and find what it is to happy. Hard choices but it can be done. It is time to woman up.

Answer 9

I appreciate your problems, but i think there are a few things you could do, get a part time job, seek help like welfare, your religious leaders, and community help programs, there are many programs designed for single parents, your phone bill seems expensive, buy a cricket cell phone, 29.00 monthly. buy a cheaper car, you do what you have to. Dont beat up on yourself, it will eventually get better. Life can be a real ***** at times. But it could always be worse!

Answer 10

$270 for day care seems high, must be where you live. Mine is $150/wk for two kids. You can try what I did when my wife took off. I eliminated nearly everything that was unnecessary, I have no phone at home & no internet at home. I always look for the bargin when shopping, usually stick to Wal-Mart or Kroger (especially when their pork loin is on sale for $187/lb)