How can I help my sister financially?

Question

My sister is 57 and in very bad health. She's now on social security disability. She left her home to move south where it is warmer, but her much older husband can't stand the heat so they moved to PA. But, she has now lost her house due to financial troubles and can't afford to rent an apartment. She has also lost her car, which needed $900.00 worth of work and so she junked it. She is flat broke and has nothing to speak of. Plus she owes a ton of money in back medical bills. Now, I realize that much of this is due to the choices she has made in her life, but I feel I must try to help out somehow. I have no financial problems, but also don’t have enough money to take care of her myself. My question: How can I raise some money to get her a car and an apartment and medical assistance not covered by Medicaid? Is there any other way you think I can help her out.

I basically need fundraising ideas!!!

Answer 1

Sound like your relatives made and make a lot of bad choices. The problem is there is no way out of these problem unless they want out. They are like those $1million lottery winners who are broke after one year. You can't help them, they can only help themselves.

I say this from experience. My brother got into a lot of debt and kept asking me for money. I make 5 times the money he does. Every time I helped him out he got further in debt. I drive a 9 year old car and he just decided he 'needed to spend $24k for a new truck. It doesn't matter that he can't afford it or that one little problem and he'll go bankrupt. He had to have that truck.

What ever you do for your family do it without expecting repayment. So if you give her money just give it and forget about it. If you go in expecting she'll straighten up her life and find money to repay you you will destroy your family.

1. Speak to a lawyer about her filing bankruptcy.

2. If you looking for a good used vehicle at a reasonable price try the GSA auto auction below. They have auctions in NJ, PA, VA and MD. The cars are 5-6 year old fleet vehicles with some with low mileage 15-40K and the prices $3-6K for a car. http://www.autoauctions.gsa.gov/

3. For an apartment put an add in Craig's List for the area she wants to live. Is there something she can barter? Care taking, babysitting, yard work? Many people on Craig's list are not always after money. Maybe she and her husband can rent a room or a trailer for a time till they get things straightened out. If they are unwilling to cut these corners then they probably need to work things out themselves. Craigs list also has a barter page and a free item page where your sister and brother in law can trade services for furniture or what have you.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/about/cities.html

4. As for you raising money. Maybe somebody will help you. But the lord helps those who help themselves.

Answer 2

Your sister can simplest blackmail you for so long as you desire to hold the name of the game. If I had been you I could both a). inform persons first (what number of persons is everyone besides?) or b). Tell your sister to head forward. It's now not like she is going to pop out watching well if she blabs, and what is mistaken with serving to a household member financially besides??..

Answer 3

You could research to find what organizations are available in her area that could help her out. I think the lottery in PA funds senior citizen things (I could be wrong on that). There should be some state assistance programs.

Answer 4

Your creating a dependent relationship for her.
Let her ask for help, then do for her what you can within your resources.