I feel like I could cry. Granted I just started my period, so I'm really emotional and feel like crap already, but I got notification in the mail yesterday saying that a $175 medical bill I've been paying on has gone to collections. That's on top of the notice I got last week for a $20 bill going to collections (and I had just sent them a payment too). I tallied up our medical debts and it's about $500. Money we DON'T HAVE. I called to set up payment plans but I can't even make those amounts (I don't have $25 per bill per month). I told them that and they said that if I don't make at least $25 per month, it will go to collections b'c that's their minimum payment to avoid it being turned over to a collection agency. It's not that I don't want to pay them off. It's that there is NO INCOME that I can give for it. I'm trying. I'm sending $5 to each bill, but it's not helping. And I've tried to send $25 to one, but it screws me over with all of them.. so no matter what, I get screwed over. I figured that sending $5 to each per month shows I'm wanting to pay them off, even if I'm just whittling away, instead of it seeming like I ignore the bill for 6 months (in taking turns paying $25 to one bill per month). I have worked and reworked the budget. I can't get an extra job b'c of my husband's crappy work schedule. I looked into nanny jobs b'c I thought I could take DS with me and there are a few in the area, but I don't have a car and DH's work schedule is so all over the place that I can't guarantee I'll be able to use the car when needed. I can't pick up sales with the direct sales company I sold for b'c I don't have the needed supplies to do the shows (they got given away - a whole other story). We have $300 left of space to use on our credit card that I'm praying will cover the repairs and new tires we have to get on our car. We had the car in the shop in August, with a $350 bill, and left the garage, only to have continued problems. I don't even know if the $300 we have on our credit card will cover the car repairs. DH says to just do the best we can. But I pay the bills. I see the numbers. in bright red. I see that we don't have enough money to cover our debts and that there is no where to pull any more from. I try not to stress over it b'c I know that DH works really hard and he feels bad that he can't provide enough finances to cover our expenses. It isn't his fault, you know? It's just how the cookie crumbles. I try to trust God, knowing that I'm trying as hard as I can, and have faith that it will work out. But I get collection notices in the mail and.. I know that part of this breakdown is me being PMSy and all, but I'm on the verge of tears, my stomach is in knots and I'm sick over it. I can't squeeze the budget anymore. We're living by the skin of our teeth, and there is NO ONE we can borrow money from (my parents and in-laws are in the same boat). The only thing I can figure to do is to take some clothing to a consignment shop for a little extra money to put towards the medical debts. I'm going to call two local shops today to see what I can get for what I have to offer. Maybe they'll think my clothes are gold-laden and give me $500 for them. Problem solved!

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Do you have a resale shop for children's items? Here we do and they pay you instantly and good money (like 50% value). You could take items that your kids have out grown or aren't using?

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Maggie - Nanny to Nephew - Mom to Caitlyn Marie!!

i'm sorry this is happening i know how you feel. i have had many medical bills turned over to collections and i simply have paid a little to each one and i pay it to the original debtor i don't pay the collection agency and i have told them that. most of them understand and say ok i will just check back in with you in six month. all you can do is do the best you can. don't get down in the dumps you are trying and there are alot of others that don't even try. i always put whatever extra i can if money pops up on those items. keep your chin up.

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

So sorry you are having to go through this stress ! Could you look into taking children in to your home to babysit? You wouldn't need a car for that.

I hope things work out for you.

I have been in the same boat before. It is sickening. We are slowly but surely getting ourselves in a good place again. As far as the medical bills. If it is not paid in three months, they usually send it to collections. Even if you have made monthly payments to them. They are jerks. Especially, because each little thing is billed separately. If they could lump your bill, it would be easier. I would call them and explain your situation. Tell them you are doing the best you can. Tell them, you want that conversation documented in your file. If they keep calling you, tell them you will report them for harrassment. Living pay check to pay check is hard. Especially when the unexpecteds come up, like car repair, doctor visits, and etc. It just puts you farther in the whole, and it makes it that much harder to dig yourself out. We lost our house and moved into a rental. We entered our credit cards in a debt negotiations program. We had a garage sale, and made a lot of money. We still find things that we try to sell. We have utilized many ideas from mommysavers to cut our costs. We striped back a lot. I have taken on a few odd and end jobs cleaning house and mowing lawns. If you get the word out with all your friends and family, you may be able to find something you can do to make a little extra money. Like online research, making crafts, and gift baskets. The hardest part is you are at home to wallow in the problems. I did the same thing. Work around the house does not require thinking, so your mind wanders and worries.

I will be thinking about you. I know things will get better, it just does not seem like it right now. Keep your chin up. You are trying and that is all that matters.

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My mother used to work for a collections agency, granted, that was over 20 years ago, but I recall her saying that as long as something was paid, even just $5 a month then the creditor couldnt hassle you, by law, because you were paying something.

Also keep a paper trail of every bit paid, so you can have the proof to show to whomever you need to. sometimes it takes multiple times of proving you have been making payments before people understand that.

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"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

I thought abaou babysitting in your home as well. That's what I do and it took a few weeks to get adjusted to having other people's kids in yoru house all day I am very thankful for the opportunity to be home with my child and make needed income. In my state you are allowed to keep 2 without being licensed. That could be some nice extra cash for you.

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All I can tell you is, I know how you feel. I've had medical bills in collections (a lot) before and its stressful. Just know you're doing the best you can and you can't do any more than that. Don't get stressed over what you can't change. I agree w/ the others on the babysitting, however I have found it hard to do so as no one has replied to my own babysitting flyer. Just hang in there and don't let it get you down. Good luck.

I agree, my mother told me this same thing. They cannot hassle you as long as you are showing that you are making an effort to pay.

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"Go on, get outside, get the stink blown off ya!!"

whenever i get to the point of where paying the bills seems hopeless i go through the house and sell whatever we don't use anymore. i list everything on a local website for free, and i get more for my items than i do on ebay. and its pretty quick as well. i sold a lot of girls clothes for 50.00 and it was a good size lot, but i only would have gotten maybe 10-20 on ebay.thats one way i try to cover some bills. i have even sold movies on the local website some dvds that i haven't watched in awhile. it helps us out some. not a whole lot, but enough to make me feel better about the finances. what about babysitting in your home for a while to make some extra cash? you don't need a vehicle that way, they bring the kids to you.

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Kimberley

"there is nothing to worry about, just plenty to think about" from an episode of Extreme Makeover House edition

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