The only thing that has ever been shut off at my house is the TV. When it happened my dd was 4 and I was stressed out when she noticed. She told me to to fix it , I told her I couldnt and she just cried and cried. She told me to just pay the bill! It totaly broke my heart. Now if it was the electric I really would have been heart broken.

I dont have any great advice for you just to make a budget and stick to it hard core. Dont even carry the debit card. Give the debit card to your dh and you get cash only.

My husband has a couple of mental issues due to severe head injuries while in the military. Usually life is fine but there are times when he gets depressed and he acts bizarre in different ways.

One symptom of depression is excessive shopping or money spending. When we were in the thick of this behavior from him, I informed him that the problem was getting so out of control that he HAD to go back to his psychiatrist. His first response was, "We can't afford it." My attitude was we couldn't afford for him to NOT go. We certainly couldn't continue doing what we were doing.

Many therapists will charge on a sliding scale and medical insurance will cover part of the costs.

Also, there are government assistance programs out there even if you don't qualify for some of the standard TANF, etc. Call Health and Welfare and ask to be connected to a "Navigator". The navigators are apart of a special group of H&W workers who can draw support from several different programs, especially if you don't qualify otherwise. Their main role is to help high-risk families with children. Please try one more time to get just a touch of assistance that will get you over this hump.

And do call your bank to explain what happened and what you're doing to try to fix it. Look at it this way. You're working. Your husband is working. You recognize that a problem exists and you're making moves to fix it. Just be open and up-front about what you're doing and you may be surprised by the positive response you get.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Hi Sonja, I'm really sorry that you're in such a bind. You've had some great advice. Hopefully once you're past this it will never happen again. Is there some sort of temporary job you can take or something you can sell to help get back on your feet?

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Big Hugs Sonja!!!! I am so sorry you are going through this!!

Can you contact your County Human Services and see if you can qualify for some sort of emergency aide?

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~Happiness is a large family~

I am so sorry that you and your family are going through rough times now.

My only suggestion is that when you deal with the bank on this issue...go to the bank and talk to them in person. Talk to your branch manager. The customer service person on the 800 number doesn't have the authority in many cases to reverse charges/fees. But usually the branch manager does.

Good Luck!

Sandra

P.S. With the holidays coming many places will be hiring seasonal workers so maybe you could take a temp job during the holiday season?

Sandra

What I don't get is WHY the company had the bank reverse the deposit without redepositing the correct amount at the same time. DH's company has overpaid before, and that's what they did - the reversed and deposited on the same day, and I imagine it was to prevent hardship, but also because payday dates are expected.

Also, if you can, see if you can get the IRA deposited as a direct deposit to your account, rather than mailing a check. You can save a few days that way.

And yes, talk to the bank - even having one charge removed would help if you appeal to them nicely.

Good luck. Our local utility company is always begging us to fork over a couple of extra dollars to help another family in need, so they do have these programs. Ask what it takes to qualify so you are informed.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. Yes, you made a mistake, but we have all used bad judgement before- so free yourself honey. You should call your local Salvation Army and ask them for utility assitance. We attend our local SA church and I know for sure they can help you. You need to bring them your bills and your driver's license showing that you do reside at the address on the bills. They can help and I am praying for you and your family. Learn and move on. That's all any of us can do.

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Blessings, Susan

I am very sorry for what you are going through. The thing that sticks out with me the most is what a lot of people have been saying on the posts. Let this be a life lesson learn from your mistakes and move foward from here. The thing that I seem to have missed in your post is are you living in the house with no electricity and heat or are you able to stay warm at another place.