Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
I could use some family prayers for the next several days.
We are broke.
This month, I've had to bail out my parents so hard, that for the first time, I gave them more money than I get in disability for the month.
We cannot afford groceries. I had to buy them myself, penny-pinching where I could, having to swallow my pride and get the cheap-ass stuff at Aldi, which I know we're supposed to be boycotting right now.
And then we nearly ran out of gas on the way home, and I had to get them some of that too.
As of this writing, I have less than $150 in the bank, and while the next check comes in less than a week, it is extremely inconsistent on when it's sent to me. I hate being disabled.
Oh, and to top it all off...we just ran out of propane. Can't dry clothes, can't run the dishwasher, can't cook on the stove, and we're forced to take very cold showers. Until their own Social Security/retirement check comes in on Wednesday, we have no gas for heating.
Things will clear up in several days, yes. But this next few are going to be rough. God be with us.
On a side note, I also have a request for some digging:
My parents finally decided to do something about their credit cards, and asked some group called American Debt Relief to "settle" (like, out of court?) with the credit card companies and get their debt down, since that's what's really leeching us every month.
Can someone please find out if this company is good? My gut says these debt-relief companies are like loan sharks, in that they'll bite you in the long-term. But they signed on before consulting me.
UPDATE: We have propane now. They accepted a back-dated check with orders to not cash it until Wednesday, thank God.
Years ago, we were in a debt dilemma brought on by disability and custody battles. We contacted American Debt Relief, so I can say that they are legit. What they do it consolidate all your credit card debts into 1 payment by negotiating with each debtor to accept a payoff for less than your total rather than risking less or no payments if you end up in bankruptcy. If your income to debt ratio (with the new negotiated payment) is feasible, then it will get you out of this bind long term. If not, they will recommend finding a bankruptcy attorney. Any payments you would normally pay to creditors can be used to pay the attorney fee. The attorney will notify mortgage and car loan holders that you intend to pay those debts to prevent foreclosure and repossession. In Chapter 11 bankruptcy, you will not have to pay back listed debts. Any student loans don't qualify, unless things have changed in the last 10 years.
You need to search ebay for any random items in your house you do not need. All it takes is one old video game or toy you had no idea was worth that much to change directions for you
I used to re-sell homeschool books and clothes on Ebay to buy used replacements for my children, until their new policies took more of a % and they required my SSN and banking information to report all income to the IRS.
I will be praying for you my friend. There are organizations in your town/city or a much larger town near you that could most likely help. Some churches such as Salvation Army, Catholic Churchs and others in your area also have Food Banks and have a church fund for those needing to pay electric, propane, water bills or even medication. If there is a friend near you who could perhaps help you out with finding these places (The Chamber of Commerce in your town is a good start) and taking you to several of them, you should be okay. It is not 'dishonorable' to ask for something you need. The Lord himself says "Ask and ye shall receive." We all fall on hard times occasionally. I pray this helps you out. God bless.
Holy Father, make u/BetterNameUnfound sure You are loving him and give his Family and himself the ingeniosity they need to overcome this difficult ordeal.🙏🏻