I'm so bummed

[countrygirl12]

Don't overlook donating Plasma for an extra quick $50. Another option I will pass on (just in case it might work), I met a guy at the Bottle Drop (we have 10 cent deposits in Oregon) that had a route of sorts. He went to farmers barns where the guys all hung out after work for a few beers and cleaned up for them to keep the bottles. Hard to believe, but he was making $13,000 a year and that was before the deposits doubled. I saw him last week and he said business is just as good at the higher deposit rate. Those guys just don't want to mess with it. Bottom Line: Think outside the box.

Niether of those options are available in my area. Bottle and can refunds are not available in the whole state, which is a shame. Hubby takes aluminum cans to the local metal recyclable center and gets a few cents per lb. but that depends on supply and demand for recyclables. It take a few months to get a good supply of aluminum cans together but it helps with car registration or taxes.

As for budgeting....I've been on a strict budget since 2010. I'm can't cut out anything else except life insurance and I definitely don't want to go that route. Cant't cut my prescriptions or  medical insurance either. Those items are important and do take half my check, while utilities (like cable and electric)  take the rest. To break even, I would need an extra $100 a month but to breathe easy, I would need  $500 a month which includes groceries.

You seem to be confused.  CABLE is not a necessity!

[plennis]

I do secret shopper jobs with a lot of different companies.  I do a lot of phone calls, from home, grocery shops (I do not pay for groceries most months!) I only eat out if it is for a shop.  Some of the companies pay weekly (if you have made enough) up to a couple that pay every 60 days.   They are easy to do, and most have hours that are pretty flexible.  I have also done jobs where you put flyers on cars in parking lots.

[countrygirl12]

I do secret shopper jobs with a lot of different companies.  I do a lot of phone calls, from home, grocery shops (I do not pay for groceries most months!) I only eat out if it is for a shop.  Some of the companies pay weekly (if you have made enough) up to a couple that pay every 60 days.   They are easy to do, and most have hours that are pretty flexible.  I have also done jobs where you put flyers on cars in parking lots.

This is going to depend on where you live.  In my area there are NO jobs available.  If you live in a big city this would be a better option.  But you need to tell people it costs you money to do this.  If your jobs is to go out and eat then YOU pay for your meal and get reimbursed for a certain amount.  If you spend more than that amount then you pay for that yourself.  If a person is already strapped for cash they are not going to be able to do that.

If you have found companies where they send you the money before hand to do the shopping with I would be interested in knowing which ones they are.  I have talked to about every one that is readily available online and they all work the same way.  And then like you said it can take 2-3 months to get your money back.  And most reviews say if you miss a period in your review or anything else they can nitpick about to reject your answers (like the surveys) they will deny payment.

And there is no way I would put flyers on cars.  People get really angry when you mess with their car.  I get angry when people leave crap on my windshield.  I also do not even look at it.  I yank it off and throw it in the parking lot.  As do most other people.  And a lot of places, like Walmart where I live, if they see you doing that in their parking lost they will come out and stop you.

[autumnsparklemom]

Hope things work out for you soon.

[debidoo]

Oh my gosh I am so sorry you are going through this - it has been some time but I have had that happen more than once I don't know what all to suggest it is a shame your bank wouldn't help you out but they are like that now.  Darn I know I'm not being much help but I hope and pray that things will get resolved for you financially.

[fillfran82]

I have a checking account and a couple months ago, one of my automatic payments came in the day before my SS check did...the bank paid it but charged me overdraft charges. Now it's been a downhill spiral ever since. i can't get out of that hole...and because of it, I can't even pay my normal bills anymore. I'm all tapped out with my savings and my IRA and I have nothing else to back me up.

I don't know how to stop the downward spiral. Cable cut off my internet sometime during the night for "nonpayment,"  but the nonpayment was for "late charges" of  whopping $30.

Anyone have any ideas how to get back on track? I'm trying to sell my vintage "stuff" but no one is buying.

Hello!

First of all I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Time is hard for a lot of people after all all the technologies aren't cheap. I can definitely relate as I too am going through a rough situation. I'm working on my business by which I'm taking a big pay cut. I certainly wish we both get back on track and earn our life.

[countrygirl12]

I have a checking account and a couple months ago, one of my automatic payments came in the day before my SS check did...the bank paid it but charged me overdraft charges. Now it's been a downhill spiral ever since. i can't get out of that hole...and because of it, I can't even pay my normal bills anymore. I'm all tapped out with my savings and my IRA and I have nothing else to back me up.

I don't know how to stop the downward spiral. Cable cut off my internet sometime during the night for "nonpayment,"  but the nonpayment was for "late charges" of  whopping $30.

Anyone have any ideas how to get back on track? I'm trying to sell my vintage "stuff" but no one is buying.

Hello!

First of all I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. Time is hard for a lot of people after all all the technologies aren't cheap. I can definitely relate as I too am going through a rough situation. I'm working on my business by which I'm taking a big pay cut. I certainly wish we both get back on track and earn our life.

Taking a pay cut can not be that bad of a thing if you are doing something where you can work from home and you will be happier.  I would love to work from home.  But have never figured out anything I can do from home where I don't still have to deal with people.  I don't want to sell products because people are too quick to return stuff for no reason and too quick to try to ruin you on social media.  Good luck with your business.  I have been trying to find ways to make money from home for quite some time.  I do stuff like this site but I certainly cannot pay all my bills with surveys.  And that is not reliable income either. haha  Sometimes I do really well and sometimes I struggle to make the cash out amount.

[JaniceSW]

I, too, don't understand how a one time overdraft charge started such a downward spiral.  You didn't keep everything on auto payment afterward and keep getting monthly overdrafts, did you?

I am so sorry when I read about situations like you are in, but I have to admit that it makes me feel blessed that I am not as tight as that.  Just when you feel like you are barely making it, someone comes along in much worse shape.  Maybe you could go to one of the charitable organizations in your area such as Salvation Army or Catholic Charities and see what help you can receive.  Also, don't forget your local churches.  Sometimes organizations can't provide actual money, but they can help with food and clothing.  This might allow some of this money to go to paying off what you have to.  Get on the phone and start asking what organizations help with food, clothes, and utilities.  There are some!!