I have no money....What to do?

[mom-from-missouri]

I am sure almost everyone is eligible for food stamps.

I was turned down for food stamps. Family Services told me to sell my vehicle (it was too new-3 years old) or go back to work.
I had a daughter who was life threatening ill. She had been sent to the city to the childrens hospital and in ICU. Dr told me 6-12 week recovery time. I took a 6 week leave from work, as non paid FMLA (my vacation time had already been used). I had to pay for my insurance at full rate, out of pocket to keep her covered.
Gas was even higher than, then it is now. I tried to come back every couple days from the hospital to see my other children. I was a single parent then-that was after their dad left us.

I paid the house payment, health insurance, electric bill, water & sewer. That left me with enough cash left to get to and from the hospital 2 more times.

I went to DFS. The told me sell my vehicle -it was 3 years old-and get an old clunker. I told them no, I had an ill child, and it was reliable. Then she said, go back to work. I told her I couldn't as she was still in ICU. She then said they couldn't help me.

All I needed was a temp boost till I went back and got a good paycheck again.

I had around $4000 in my emerg fund when she first got sick, but it was gone in a week. I had to pay for part of her med, because the insurance considered it 'expermential"

I finally ended up getting food from the social worker at the hospital who heard me on the phone calling various agencies--and she also noticed that some days I had my other kids with me as I had no child care on some days. Later, a cousin sent me $1000 out of the blue.

I am proud to say, that since that time, I have been able to pass $1000 on to another cousin after they went thru some very rough times.

[th_tan]

I am sure almost everyone is eligible for food stamps.

This is absolutely NOT true. We hit near rock bottom last month, with almost almost no income, we were denied food stamps.

Thanksfully we're back on track, and I'm making more money again.

[fairy74]

get a job, any job, it doesn't have to be forever. Holdng out for dream job is only wise if and when you have the finances to do so. Get a paper route, deliver pizzas, have a yard sale, donate plasma, offer to do jobs for family, friends, neighbors. Go to the food bank and free church/community feeding programs....

[cschin4]

Do you really want to hold out for food stamps? Is that what how you envision your life? If you go down this path, you may never get out.

[catlinye_maker]

Do you really want to hold out for food stamps? Is that what how you envision your life? If you go down this path, you may never get out.

The OP does not want to "hold out for food stamps." He/She actually says: "I also do not want to rely on the government to pay for my food via foodstamps."

Other posters have suggested, not without reason, that foodstamps might provide a temporary boost in a bad situation.

[lgslgs]

So recently I had the unfortunate event of losing my job. I've been searching for a new one but i dont have much experience and I dont want to be stuck back into the food industry.

Right now, you can't afford "don't want to". Your boyfriend can't afford that either.

Unfortunately, in order to get by at all you often have to grow up and deal with the fact that you are going to have to do a lot of things you "don't want to".

This won't be the last time you'll have to deal with this, so might as well get used to it now.

Lynda

PS - I know this sounds harsh, but one of my biggest mistakes was waiting a bit too long for a "want to" job when I should have taken the lousy job. Sometimes you just need to grab any job and get some money in your pocket fast.

[PetMom]

I have a book on literally survival titled: How to Live on Practically Nothing
by Edward H. Romney. He has a lot of advice but under the one of
"Occupations If You Are Desperate For Money Right Now" he has (and
another poster mentioned) McDonalds. They are always hiring and
will train you. Plus they are so prevalent they are on most public
transportation routes.

My sister knows a woman who works at Wal Mart and they actually
pay a little bit better than she thought, and they are everywhere.

Also, collect aluminum cans (I have seen a guy get at the park on
Sunday and Monday very early and he goes through the trash near
the picnic tables - wear some gloves though).

Churches are good for getting food.

I am sure you have thought of it but what about relatives or friends.

Now is not the time to be career hunting, you are trying to just
survive.

Get a job and then look into other options, school, training, etc.

This woman my sister met has worked her way up at Wal Mart
and has been there several years and does not want to leave.

[nicole14142]

If I was in that situation (which I have been before) I would take the food service job until something better comes along. Most churches have food banks to help you out in times of need too. I think I would also consider giving up internet service and go to the grocery store.

Well I'm not paying for the internet service. I'm using a wireless connection from one of the other ppl living in my apartment for the time being...which I kinda feel bad about. Also to the person who asked how I eat. I am usaully only fortunate to eat once a day if I get lucky. I do have pancake batter so I have been eating that also but trying to stretch it out. But I should be getting a check tomorrow so YAY!

[nicole14142]

What is wrong with the food service industry? I think our society needs to respect people no matter what job they have. Every job is valuable otherwise they wouldn't need to pay someone to do it. Personally, I have more respect for someone who works for a living cleaning toilets, etc than for someone who has figured out how to glom off the "system". We need to restore the value and appreciation for the work of others.
I am sure that working in food industry can be a stressful, busy job. But, all jobs have their moments. You may not want to be there, but in order to get ahead, one has to take the opportunities they have. Get a job, do your best, and by all means look for another job in whatever you are interested in doing.

I've already worked in the food industry five years. It's really not all its cracked up to be. I have alot of respect for the people that do work in the food industry. I have had interviews and I have alot of customer service experience. I am just waiting to hear back from the companies.

[disneysteve]

Well I'm not paying for the internet service. I'm using a wireless connection from one of the other ppl living in my apartment for the time being...which I kinda feel bad about.

That's called theft. Yes, it is unlikely that you would ever get caught, but that doesn't make it right.

I've already worked in the food industry five years. It's really not all its cracked up to be.

I don't doubt that working at a fast food restaurant isn't the greatest job in the world, but it is a job and it helps pay the bills. Better to be working there than not working at all. I think that's the point a bunch of us were trying to make.

[Ima saver]

I am sorry, I did no mean to make anyone mad. I don't know anything about food stamps. I do know about being hungry. I just assumed that anyone down on their luck could get food stamps. I was certainly wrong. I do think that no one in this country should go hungry. If I had known you at that time, I certainly would have helped you.(I am talking to mom from missouri and th tan, I didn't mean to upset you)

[mom-from-missouri]

You wouldn't belive what I found out this morning about working in the food industry around here...... I got info from the local farmers market, as this summer I plan on going on Saturdays to sell produce. In this county, they have to come and "inspect my garden spot" and water supply. Also, I can't sell baked goods unless I cook them in a commercial kitchen which is inspected monthly. But, I can sell eggs without a problem. (I thought the eggs would be the hardest part of all..) Anyway, while talking to the local health department, she said I would also have to take "food handlers" classes. A total of 3. I thought maybe she misunderstood me, thought I was a cafe or catering so I told her this was just to sell cookies and bread at the farmers market. She said it is the same thing....THEN SHE TELLS ME THIS: In this county, and the neighboring counties, you can not even work at McDonalds or any resturant until AFTER you take the food handlers classes--all 3 of them. They cost $30 each, and each are offered about every 6 weeks. Then you have to take the exam and have a health exam (TB test and such) She then said most resturants will then reimburse you if you work for them for 6 months.....
So, if I hit rock bottom today, I couldn't run to McDonalds tomorrow and get a job. At least not one in my county.
TB test I understand. To me the rest is hogwash. Hostess are exempt unless they handle food or dirty dishes. Managers and shift supervisors have to take an additional class as well, after taking the first 3.
Then, McDonalds only pays $6.15 an hour....

[disneysteve]

You wouldn't belive what I found out this morning about working in the food industry around here...... I got info from the local farmers market, as this summer I plan on going on Saturdays to sell produce. In this county, they have to come and "inspect my garden spot" and water supply. Also, I can't sell baked goods unless I cook them in a commercial kitchen which is inspected monthly.

This all sounds great to me. I would hope that all areas have similar laws.

[mom-from-missouri]

No, thats big brother going too far in my opinion. Farmers can not sell produce unless some pipsqueak from the health department comes and inspects my garden and water supply? They don't test for anything! They just look it over! Said that animals need to be 200 feet away so that the dirt is not contaminated with "animal waste products" Excuse me!! We fertilize with manure from our cows, horses and rabbits!!! Hello! Thats a animial waste product! I asked him about fertilizer and he said that was ok to use?? I then ask him what they would be looking for, and he couldn't really tell me--just said they have to look. And, he is the guy who does the looking. I then asked him what his degree was in. He has none--he is the county health inspector, 20 years old, no degree. I think it is just a way for the county to collect a $20 fee.

[disneysteve]

Ok. That's different. If they were actually coming out and doing water testing and other sensible inspecting, that would make sense. Just coming out for the sake of coming out, I agree with you.