MAJOR family issue, can u help?

Question

dad opened a shop about 1-2 years ago. it's doing TERRIBLE and he owes a lot of ppl money. not only that, but he & my mom are fallin' behind in every 1 of the bills. my mom is currently working, but she obviously can't pay every bill. i mean, this is a family of 6, including my parents! i'm lookin' for a job now 2 try & help them out. my dad refuses 2 put the shop on real estate or put up a For Sale sign. i think his pride is getting in the way. but the shop is putting us all in jeapordy. we might even lose our house! not only that, but i'm gonna be a senior next year, which means they won't be able to pay for college. even worse, my mom's been in the hospital a few times because of all the pressure. she currently takes medicine for her heart. i'm afraid that 1 day something will happen 2 her! any advice? PLZ HELP!!!

Answer 1

I hope everything goes well.

I think it is awesome that you are going to help out. Is there any way you can help the shop improve? If there is a lack of customers, you might be able to help market the shop. If there is a lot of bad debt, you might be able to help chase up the money.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry you are going through this at your age. This should be the happiest time of your life, and although your dad means well, he doesn't realize what his decisions are doing to your entire family. DON'T TAKE THIS ON YOURSELF.
This is your parents responsibility to work out.
What you can do is work to help pay for your personal needs to lift the burden from your parents. Also apply for grants and scholarships for school. And stay positive about what things YOU have control over and make the best of that.
Have you tried to have a FAMILY meeting where everyone makes comments/questions about what they are feeling and each person has to listen to the other.
Not the cure all, but maybe its a way to help your father see what everyone else is feeling
TRUST AND BELIEVE THIS...
You dad is not oblivious to what is going on, it has to be hard to accept defeat. and maybe he thinks if he tries harder that things will turn around. He probably knows what you and your mom are feeling but maybe doesn't know how to change.
Try searching for articles on this type of thing and posting them in a place where he can see them without feeling attacked.
My prayers are with you. I most definitely know what its like b/c I am the "dad" in your question, except I am a single mother with a business of my own that wont get off the ground no matter what I try.

Answer 3

I wish I could help, but as long as your father refuses to admit that the business is a failure, there is little hope. You are taking on a lot for someone your age, and I am sorry. Somehow, you need to talk to your dad and tell him what you have told us...in fact, you may want to print out your question and all the answers here. IF you are telling the whole story, he needs to realize that a business going under is NOT the end of the world. Everyone, including myself, have opened business(es) that didn't work out. I cut my losses and got on with life. But I didn't give up...I now am doing very well, just in a different business that I started. You can still go to college, you just may have to take 3-5 hours per term and work...others do it all the time, it just takes 8 years instead of 4...but in the total scope of things, that really isn't so bad. It sounds as if the only thing your father has to sell in this business is the real estate itself...IF he owns the real estate. Otherwise, it is time to walk away and do something different. He may not feel good about it, but...he will feel a lot worse if he loses everything. As it is, he can repay what he owes over time, save the house, and get on with life. But if he stays in LaLa land of wishing and hoping, it is not going to happen. Good luck

Answer 4

I recommend you join what is called out here "Co Op". It is a marketing program, that allowsy ou to be in school and go to work during school hours. This all depends if you have enough credits. The more credits you have under your belt, the earlier you can leave school to work. The more hours your available to work, the more chances of making money.

There are some exceptions, for example..one exception might be that you can not work more then a certain number of hours during the week day.

Another suggestion is, your family might qualify for food stamps. Also, might be able to qualify for assistance with the heating bill. These two suggestions "might" help save around 400 to 500 a month. (Assuming in the US)

In terms of the store.....maybe making suggestions to your dad on what to be selling might help. For example, if he is selling subs, next to a subway shop....might not be a smart idea to do.....change in what the store sells, is what I am getting at. Another suggestion for your dad to consider is "Sub" leasing the store to someone else. They pay the bill for the store , while your dad goes back to work.

Hope I been of some help!

Answer 5

businesses come and go everyday.... its part of the risk when you start up on your own. if all else fails....file for bancruptcy.

however, if you sit around and "pray" you might as well just throw in the towel. "praying" isnt going to do anybody any good. actions are going to get you moving in the right direction. if there actually was such a thing as god.... he would have stopped listening to this whining planet years ago!

its good that you are trying to find a job because you shouldnt expect your parents to be paying for your education.

you said that this was a family of 6..... make sure that whoever is old enough to get a job, gets off their butt and gets one.

tell your dad to bite the bullet and sell the place, or your mom is going to die and everyone will be homeless and sick!

your dads "pride" is going to flush evreyone down the toilet.

"even if youre on the right track, if you just sit there you will eventually get hit by the train"

Answer 6

pray that your father sees the light. tell your mother to do something before you get sick with her. you are taking on the adult issues of your family and that isn't fair or right. you can still go to college. don't give up hope. most small businesses fail in the first 3 years. even big chain stores don't do well everywhere. you won't loose your house if your parents claim bankruptcy if their finances are as bad as you say. Suggest to your parents to meet with an attorney and get advise from him on how to handle this situation. the courts will help if there are children living at home and your mother is trying to do her best. bankruptcy will allow them to start with a clean slate and hopefully better judgments on your dad's part. you always have to have money in reserve (saved) when you start your own business. just to cover for the lean times. looks like dad was never advised. they can get out of this with proper legal counsel and an open mind and mouth to their landlord. better to have a slow paying tenant then no tenant at all.

Answer 7

I am sure you are under terrible pressure. Why don't you ask your dad if you can do anything to help? He may need help or this may make him realize that how bad things are.

I don't blame you for being worried about everything. I sure hope your mom will be OK. In my opinion your dad is wrong for putting everything else into jeopardy for this shop.

Answer 8

first, i am sorry to hear about your problems. hope thigns are getting better. try to save money for the family. like shop for sales at the market. take surveys online and try to find a part-time job maybe babysitting or helping neighbors. your mom does not hav eto pay all her hospitals bill sin one LUmp sum she can pay five bucks a month until they ar epaid off due to finincial hardship

Answer 9

You should have a serious discussion with your father. Bring to light all the things happening around you guys. Tell him how this is affecting you, and the rest of the family. Sometimes people are soo hard headed, and will only listen with a good talk. Good luck!

Answer 10

The only thing you can do is pray and continue to help your parents out as much as possible, I am so sorry you are going through this. I truly pray it gets better.