Tracy, happy to hear your news. I am thankful that G"d has given you His peace taht passes all understaning. Babs

Dear Tracy, Although I very very much regret the car's breakdown being the cause of yoru cashing the IRA (& using most of it to retire debt), I am truly SO GLAD that, so to speak, G-d has made it clear that you are to apply for & use the Food Stamps.  Please do post in this Forum (under the month in question) how you are blessing your family with the groceries you now can buy.  Plese let us know when you can expect the first date of use.

BTW, a helpful hint.  My EBT card long ago was demagnetized.  This was a new card, due to the 1st one's having been demagnitized!  All you have to do is to try swiping the card 2 or 3 times, & then asking the clerk to please key int he numbers.  Out of perhaps 100 times of use with the keying in, I've only had one exerience of the clerk's getting surly ....

Yours in Him, Deb

Tracy,

Is there any chance of putting in a weeping willow away from the house but in line with it, along this creekbed?  They are a messy tree but really suck up the water.  The limbs can also be used to make twig furniture, which sells at fairly high prices, which might be a new avenue of hobby income?  (Who approved building anything on a creekbed anyway?  Is this a problem for the whole subdivision?)

It seems you open your home quite a bit for family and friends.  Hopefully you are making some of these gatherings pot luck now, where everyone contributes?

You seem to be a wizard in thinking of all the ways to provide for your family and share so much with all of us here.  Good luck with your decision.  Can you get Angel Food? 

Tracy,  I'm sorry to hear about the car.  I'm glad though, that you have peace of mind.  That in itself is the most important thing when you're struggling.  God will provide a way, he may not "micromanage" but he won't give you more than you can handle.  The Food Stamps will be a blessing for your family.  You're working hard to provide for them, and this will definitely give you some well-deserved help until things turn-around financially.

If you are applying for food stamps, also apply for Low Income Energy Assistance Program with enrollment in January - March.  They will pay your heating bills.  Don't forget about the Salvation Army.  In August, they will buy you back to school clothes and school supplies, in November they have a coat giveaway, in December they have Angel Tree enrollment where your children could be sponsored and receive free christmas gifts.  If you are in need of utility assistance, the SA will pay your utility bills once in your lifetime.  They will also give you food 4 times a year.  While you are talking to their social worker, ask for information on other soup kitchens and food pantries.  The local churches provide lunch to local people free.  Also, the local soup kitchen provides dinner free of charge, no questions asked.  I live in the burbs so I don't go, by the time I've driven down there, I could have prepared dinner at home cheaper.  When I worked downtown, I used to stop at the soup kitchen and eat dinner before going home.  (I'm disabled, it was a volunteer job.)  During the summer, the local school district serves free breakfasts and lunches for anyone 18 or under at the neighborhood schools.  Check with your local school district.  If you're within walking distance, definitely take advantage.

 Your state must have different rules.  Here (KS) if you have assets over $2k, you are disqualified.  House/older car don't count.  A 401k here would definitely disqualify you.  I would spend that IRA money ASAP by stocking the pantry, stop at the Goodwill and get the kids the next size up and buying a small freezer.  Make sure you have tax money withheld so you don't have to keep a cushion for your taxes this year or this may disqualify you from receiving food stamps.   

Thank you so much for help.  If dh gets his job here, we will restart training income, and will need all the resources we can get during that time.   Hopefully by this time next year I can be donating again, on the other side.

Hello,

 I would say definitely yes, get them and bless them.  You've thought this out so well, planning for the future, and you sound as if you have so many responsibilities.  Difficult to handle your husband's situation, I know.

 It sounds as though gettting assistance for a while has no drawbacks for you.  Especially if getting them is all positive, go for it.  I hope you find some ease and financial safety.

Seaturtle

 Hi latenight leader..... wondering where in mn do you live...... i am from the saint cloud area.... and we just move to langford sd.... what a move.... but i beleave it is right to do..... but not to get off subject.... i was wondering whereyou are ... that i know everything you can get help fron in central mn  with the holidays comming   up tweetygirl

 Tweety girl- we live in Bloomington.  Do you like SD?  It was difficult to contemplate a move with the house and kids for us, although we did consider lowering our costs by selling the house, but then where would we be?  I am glad the move worked well for you, it is always twice the work you think it is!

LatenightLeader:  I'm thankful that you made the decision you did.  I'm also happy to hear that your little one will be able to get the full nourishment that she needs, not just supplemental.

I know the damage that undue stress can do to a family.  I'm happy to hear that you and your DH made the decision that you did. 

I am sorry to hear about the car, though.  Thankfully there was a way available to you to get the car fixed.

If you honestly, can look into the mirror, and think that you're taking money away from others, there are more ways to contribute than monetarily.  Maybe you could find a service project that needs people donating time? 

To echo a statement made from another, you don't have to tell family, that could include your children, unless you want to make them aware.  This isn't a dirty little secret, but it's a grown up decision that two grown ups made for themselves and their family.  Don't allow others to burden you with their guilt.  If the situation were reversed, the family would do what was in the best interest of their own family.