Hi everyone. I am new to the forums. I stumbled upon this site while looking for ways to cut costs. I feel like were drowing in debt right now. It isn't so much credit card debt, we only have one and its a very low amount, but its  medical bills, taxes, just normal monthly bills etc. We are a month and 1/2 behind on our house payment, the electric bill is about to kill us and soon it will be time to start buying propane again for heat. Hubby is making about $15 less at this new job after being laid off a year or so ago. I just feel like everytime we catch our breath something else happens. Were both driving older cars that are falling apart so I know at some point were going to have to get something but at this point we couldn't make a car payment. I feel like we are living paycheck to paycheck and its not enough to cover all the medical bills we owe. Hubby has a second job but the last two months they haven't needed him to work. We have a child with disibilities and once school starts my hours will be cut from having to pick him up from school. Any suggestions would be great. Anyone else feel this way?

 Hi and welcome to the forums.

You're certainly not alone in feeling overwhelmed with money problems. There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions.  Basically, there are two ways to approach it: increase income or decrease outgo. From what you said, increasing income would be difficult at this point, so your choice is to decrease outgo. 

Read through these forums and read the Dollar Stretcher and you'll find thousands of ways to cut costs. Some of them are small, like pennies per week, and others will help shave dollars or tens of dollars off. 

Since you mentioned your electric bill, here are some threads that might help: 

Electric bills going up

My April Electric Bill!

My Electric Bill went up $60!!

and from Dollar Stretcher:

Is "Phantom" Stealing Your Electricity?

Off the Grid Electric Lessons

Of course there are many different ways to save and not all of them will apply, but if you keep reading, you'll find a lot that you can apply to your own situation.

Welcome misschanda!! You'll find a lot of people on here who have walked in your shoes are have a similiar situation on here.

 Welcome to the forums Misschanda. 

 Is there any after school programs you could sign your child up for? Something that can handle his/her needs? Or school provided trasportation? Are there any programs in your area that could help out with your bills? It would be worth checking out, mostly you have to fill out some paperwork but a little breathing room is worth it. Have you look into any goverenment programs you could take advantage of? ie medicade, medicare, food stamps.. Does your church have after school care, food pantry, clothes pantry, or can help you with a bill? Do you have a salvation army near you, they are very good at helping when you need it. 

Just take it one day at a time.

cyn

In regards to your medical bills - If your bills are from a hospital, contact the hospital Social Worker (they all have one) and tell them your situation. They are in the position of working on these types of situations. We had a thread going awhile back where somebody did this and was successful in getting their bills and or payments reduced. And you should also contact your county Social Services to see if there are other programs out there to help folks like you.

Welcome to the forums. I'll say that I'm glad that you are here but sad to hear that you are going through a tough time. But I KNOW that you will find tons of support here, encouragement and an endless supply of tips, advice, etc. You DEFINITELY aren't the only one that feels like you are "drowning"...

Could ya'll rent out a room? Like, perhaps to a student? It's just an idea... It would mean a little extra cash...

There are tons of posts here about cutting down your electric bill. My tips are: learn to live with the AC a notch or two higher and when it gets cooler, go as long as you can without the heater by bundling up, using blankets, pulling in heat from the sun and using bubble wrap/blankets/draft dodgets on the windows and doors. Also, stop using the dryer and start hanging up your clothes. This has made a world of a difference on my electric bill. I'll admit, it's a lot more work (especially if you work during the day, outside the home) but at least it's something you can do...

For food, try the local food pantry. Also, look into programs like Angel Food Ministries. There are NUMEROUS posts on this board about this ministry and it's open to everyone. We also have threads going each month about the items that are included that money so you can work with other board members to get recipes and stuff.

Also, sit down with hubby and do a budget. Really analyze where your money is going. Cut out ANYTHING that's "extra".. cut out the home phone & just use cell phones or vice versa (i.e. both aren't always needed). If you have the internet at home and can go without it, then cut it off and use the service at the library. If you keep the internet, cut out the cable/satalite and watch shows online (i.e. check out Hulu.com and pretty much all the networks have shows online now). For entertainment, do more cost-free things as a family... look into things like free movie check-out from the library. RedBox (search online) gives out a free movie rental code each money if you sign up for their alerts.

There are so many areas where we just don't have much control. In those areas we just have to give it to God. But on this board you will find so many tips and suggestions for becoming more frugal in the areas where you do have some direct control. The key is, in my opinion, is to change your way of thinking... you HAVE to realize that the little things add up. I think people get more overwhelmed when they search for a quick fix and realize that there are none. Saving $10 here or there may not seem like a lot when you have so many financial struggles, but all the little things add up and make a difference.

Keep us posted and, again, welcome!

Have a blessed day,

Julie

welcome,  people on here have a lot of good advice.  glad your' here

 Generally speaking, the billing people for hospitals and doctors have lots of good ideas and know resources.  I have been on a "card" program at a hospital when we had private medical insurance that waived the copays, due to income level.  Once a year, I filled out a form.  I recently asked a eye doctor at the mall, a pretty nice mall, about whether they would reduce a remaining bill due to financial hardship, and he cut it in half.  I think you could spend a few hours on the phone and composing letters, and get your medical debt more under control.  Medical debt is the number one reason for bankrupcy, I think, these people want to work with you and collect part of their bill, regardless of whether it is slow or maybe even partial. 

 I think you will find good ideas on here about reducing lots of household bills, people here are very practical and creative when it comes to living on less.  The dollar stretcher page has tons of articles.  Time spent reading and thinking about little ways to save will help your paychecks stretch a lot further.  When you save your dh is making $15 less, is that per day, or paycheck?  A better idea of how big a bite this was to previous income would help you look at the resources on ds more effectively, there are areas for starting out, and in critical condition, etc. One good thread on here is under self sufficiency, juju started that on things she is doing with her family that are, I think, saving her significant funds.  Even just adopting a few things will put some of your currently budgeted dollars back in your pocket, like the homemade laundry soap, one bill reduced by 90%.  She works ft and has two young kids, I am impressed with her money saving ways. 

Good luck, looking forward to hearing about some ideas you have.  

misschanda, welcome and know you aren't alone in this.  Although I must sound like a shill for Dave Ramsey at times, I really think you would benefit from his Baby Steps plan.  (http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/index.cfm?intContentID=2926)  You can listen to his radio show online and check out the archives to listen at leisure.  Just listening to some of his callers helped me realize I wasn't alone and gave me hope to continue on my debt-free journey.  Check out your local library to see if they have any of his books.  The library might be agood place to find resources for your child as well.

It's important to know where you are and have a plan to get out of it.  You especially need to get caught up on your house payments- you don't need to lose your home right now too.  Call your creditors and ask about hardship plans- you may be able to have them stop accruing interest or lower your interest rate or lower your payments or all of those.  (And don't give up if the customer service rep says "no".  Ask to speak to their supervisor.  Make sure they know that you will not be able to make any more payments without some sort of vconcession from them,)  And credit card companies are the last to get paid- you need to take care of your food, lights, house, etc. first. 

Write down all your expenses and start looking at where you can cut.  Phone bill, cable bill, food, take out... whatever.  Cut ruthlessly.  Stop using credit cards.  Even though you are short on cash try to put away a small amount of cash in a high interest savings account- $10 a week or whatever- to build up a small emergency fund of $500 to $1000.  That way if one of the cars dies you can buy another beater if you have to.

For medical bills, I would sit down with the hospital administrator and tell them how grateful you are for the care but that you cannot afford to pay the bill.  Ask if they can reduce it and agree to a payment plan that you can manage.

Check with your local utilities if they have any aid programs- some places have assistance for low-income families to pay their utilities.

I know it can be overwhelming but you can get through this!  Good lucj and keep us posted!

 

Thank you guys for all the great suggestions. We have sat down looked at pay days and figured out what to pay when. The hospital knocked $200 off the bill but that was all we were able to get them to do. We are close to having some things paid off so that will help. I just love these boards I have been reading a lot and learning from all you guys.