Frugal Living

[Guest guest]

Hi Bela,

 

Thanks for this posting.

 

Recently, I have been doing some reading on "retiring young";

frankly, I am tired of the day-to-day living and want to be able to

live so that I can spend more time doing spiritual practices and

volunteer work (maybe with Amma's organization or elsewhere, it does

not matter so long as it is charity of self to the world).

 

My research there led me to some of these sites, and initiate some

(not all yet!) of these activities you mentioned here.

 

Frugal living - what a concept!

 

Definitely, as a spiritual aspirant, frugal living is worth a try!

 

It may be the first step towards total renunciation.

 

It still does not address Robin's immediate problem (or Iswari's for

that matter), but it is definitely useful to think along those lines

on a long-term basis.

 

May their problems subside is my sincere prayer.

 

Jai Ma!

 

Ammachi, "..::Bela::.." <icypoetess@c...>

wrote:

> Namaste Robin and everyone.

>

> I've not posted any to this list before, but I felt compelled to

reply to this e-mail. I know your pain, Robin. I've been there,

done that, and I am just as stubborn and proud as you are. It's

rough...but you can and you will get through it.

>

> If I might offer a few small suggestions...and these are things

that I had to examine when I was in your situation, along with ideas

that other people threw at me.

>

> In regards to money...do every little bit that you can to be

frugal. Any expenses that are not necessary or requirements, try to

do away with. Internet, cable TV, fast food, brand name grocery

items, etc. (Some of this you may already be doing, I realize...but

I am just stating anything that I can think of, in the hopes that

maybe at least one option could be doable for you.)

>

> Have you tried to get on WIC? If not, call your local Health

Dept. and inquire about this program. Their income guidelines tend

to not be as strict as guidelines for qualifying for food stamps.

(I had the same happen to me before - they said I made too much

money, yet I qualified for WIC vouchers.) It won't cover

everything, but it gives you a break from some of the basics needed

for you and your children. (I believe the cut-off age is 6. My son

is 4 and I am still able to get WIC for him.)

>

> If you have trouble with groceries, find out if any of the

churches or soup kitchens/food kitchens in the area offer any kind

of assistance. (Even though Human Services has turned you down for

food stamps, I would still give them a call and ask them about any

of the local resources available.) Another option is to speak with

the Red Cross. I knew a couple who went through a very hard time,

and at one point, they had no money for groceries. The Red Cross

spoke with them, and provided them with a few boxes of canned and

boxed foods, to help them out.

>

> In regards to rent, have you tried to get onto the Section 8

program? You can find out more about it through your local Housing

Authority office. Usually the waiting list is rather long, in some

areas, but still...put your name on it ASAP. You never know when

you might need that type of assistance in the future.

>

> You spoke of your mother...does she know of your situation? Will

she (or anyone else) help you financially? Will they be able to

provide a home for you and your children if you are evicted? If so,

then at this point, with money being so tight, it might be a good

idea to simply move out and live with them until you can get back up

on your feet and carry on.

>

> If that's not an option, and there is absolutely nowhere for you

to turn to...try looking into some of the income-based apartments in

your area. If you are unaware of if there are any, again...call

Social Services, Human Services, Housing Authority, etc. and they

will be able to tell you. Some of them don't require deposits, or

only require the first month up front.

>

> Talk to your landlord....explain to them what is going on. Try

not to give them a sob-story, but just explain to them truthfully,

your situation, and find out if there is a way that they can work

something out with you.

>

> In regards to your daughter and schooling...love, that's the least

of your problems right now. Try not to focus on that, she may end

up sensing it, and ultimately feel like the problems that are going

on right now are related to her, or have the feeling of being a

failure. I am in no way trying to say that you are imposing these

feelings on her. But, when we feel despair and like there is no way

out...when we are depressed, worried, and scared for our family and

our quality of life - children sense this. They are much keener

than we sometimes give them credit for. Right now...hold those two

beautiful angels tightly to your chest every chance you get, and be

thankful that were blessed with such beings in your life, and be

thankful that they are healthy and that they are yours.

>

> Is there anyone (family or friend) that could watch your children

for you? Even if part-time, so that you could cut down or eliminate

altogether, your child care costs? Also, look into state-sponsored

childcare and assistance for childcare tuition. I'm not sure what

agency would handle this in your area, but you can contact Children

or Human Services, and they should have more information on this.

Also inquire within the YMCA about day care scholarship programs, or

hardship assistance. The Y does offer scholarships for memberships,

but maybe since you have been a member of the daycare program

already, they will be willing to work with you. Offer your services

as a volunteer there, as well.

>

> For help with purchasing clothing, try hitting up yard sales and

rummage sales. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are also good

sources...flea markets, as well.

>

> Here are some links that you may want to check into:

> Childcare/DayCare Resources-

http://singleparents.about.com/od/childcaredaycare/

> Resources for Low Income Families -

>

http://singleparents.about.com/od/familyservicessupport/a/lowincomehe

lp.htm

> Frugal Household -

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalhousehold/

> A Poor Man's Ways - Rich or Poor, You Have to Make Your Choices -

http://frugalliving.about.com/cs/specialreading/a/090203a.htm

> How To Save on Food -

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/howtosaveonfood/

>

> I hope I haven't overloaded you here...I just wanted to be able to

give you as much information as I could, to arm you with, and so

that you could possibly make some changes in your life, and with

your situation. Brightest of blessings to you, and may Amma always

be with you.

>

> **hugs**

>

> Bela