Ghetto Shoestring Budgets

 Today is the second edition, here are things I did or found for people to save money . 

"Whatever your past was, you have a spotless future. "  Boonas Mohammed

At the bottom of the page find the links to resources. I have quite a few more editions of my blog to publish in the next months that cover food costs, housing, clothing, furniture, child care, pet care, etc...

Homeowners or Future Homeowners and Renters
 Your town and state often have help to pay your property taxes. If your wishing to buy a house and think your credit and assetts aren't enough, read my first edition blog post, it has resources on how to buy a house with a Section 8 rental voucher and other programs , Habitat for Humanity, etc.. Where there is a desire, there is a way. 

 
There are several programs. 

If  your elderly or disabled, you can ask them if they provide these resources. If your not elderly or disabled or don't think you would qualify, go on their website or call them and ask. If you dont ask you won't get the opportunity to save some much needed cash. 

1. They put a lein on your property for the amount of taxes, annually, you either sign an agreement that they are first leinholder and get paid in the event you sell your property or your heirs do. The town gets paid for the accrual of property taxes and cannot evict you from your home due to arrearages on property taxes. 

2. There are some agencies , like Community Action programs that will help you pay your property taxes you must call and ask , it is rarely advertised. 

3. Rural Programs based on your address. If you fall into a catagory that makes your address considered in rural areas, their are Federal websites to check your address, you could be able to get the following.

1. A Grant ( that means a gift , it is not a loan, you do not have to pay it back if you qualify) or a Low Income Loan to people with challenging credit issues, the interest rates are lower and affordable to repair necessary things in your home.

    a.) New Oil Heating tank, up to a cost of $10,000.00 . Call the USRD, website noted below, to find out what they can do to help you. Keep this blog saved for future reference when you get to buy your first house. These resources will make your life that much easier. 

    b.) Weatherization programs. Your local Communtiy Action has free programs to assess your home and weatherize it , windows, insulation, etc...no cost. You have to qualify by either income or age or disability. 

    c.) WIth the cost of fuel, there are programs to cover the cost of fuel oil or defray electric or gas  heat sources. Call your local Community Action, the LIHEAP program in your state or town. 

Genearal Programs

Don't assume you won't qualify, many working poor people do. 

1. Food Stamps: 70% of the working poor qualify to get food stamps . Go on your state Website and find the program in your area. You might be surprised at how much help you could receive. 

2. WIC programs for baby food, formula and other food items. Again, call and ask. 
3. Food Pantries: As a social worker and a working poor mother, I often qualified for help and sometimes I was to proud to ask or try, I learned not to let people shame me into needing help and still my pride sometimes gets in my way of getting what I need. That is foolish of me. I know this. 
I suggest you call 211 ( The United Way help line of resources.)  They list about every known resource in your area by zip code on their website and their phone # is 211 , there are trained resource people to help you find anything from food stamps, pantries in your area, rental help, medical help, mental health help and non profit charities. Call them, they will help you find what you need if it is findable for you. 

As a single parent and now having her grown and launched in life here are some strategies I learned over the years. 
Strategies 

1. Make a budget, even if it is scary as hell to see how far behind you might get montly on making ends meet. You need to know what is what to strategize what you need to offset the burden of poverty. I cried when I saw I was $3500 a month under assets to meet my monthly obligattions to keep a roof over our heads. I cried for days then I got busy solving the dilemna. 
2. Make a shopping list. Make a healthy shopping list. I know who can afford to buy healthy food but at least make the list . 

    a.) After you make your list go first to as many food pantries as you can get to. Bring some shopping bags and try to fill your food shopping list at the pantries first. If your on food stamps go for the toilet paper, cleaning products , the things you can't use food stamps to get, laundry detergent , etc... After you do as much gathering , yeah, your in hunter gatherer mode, your kids need you to do this , you then go to the market. Make sure to cross off your list what you gathered at the food pantries. Now go find what you need to finish off your list. Your also gonna have to get creative with your cooking habits, lean towards casseroles, stir fries , a Turkey when it is on sale can make lots of meals. If your kids qualify for free lunches and breakfast, make sure to let them go for those and that will help defray your food budget. 
    b.) Make ahead meals, when I plan my shopping list I plan it with meals in mind to stretch my dollar. I put aside one day to do my major cooking or pre prepped cooking so I have some time after work to spend with kids , family and friends. Your time is valuable and your energy can get in short supply, try to manage your time so you get some you time and kiddo time. 

    c.) If you don't have a pet, don't get one. Your kids will pester you to get a pet but I could bet you who will walk , play and feed that pet. You will. If you cannot afford to feed your kids without jumping through these hoops, you cannot afford to feed a pet. The next time your kids ask you for a pet, drop them off at the animal shelter and tell them to volunteer to visit, feed and take care of all the abandoned pets people could either not be bothered with or could no longer afford to care for. They can get their "pet fix" helping to sooth that animal at a shelter. 

Google Maslows Heirarchy of Needs. Read through it, it is almost impossible to reach goals and achieve when your struggling to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. Don't beat yourself up for being poor. It will take time to get beyond this obstacle and boundary to make your life as you wish it would be. One step at a time. 

The most important thing I can think to tell you today is this. Poverty is child, adult and elder abuse . It is not your fault our country values money over equity. It is not your fault. 

Options and Resources: 

https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=sfpd

https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants/vt