There have been a lot of commercials on TV directed at Medicare recipients. Our open enrollment is going on right now. This is the first time ever I can remember commercials from insurance companies as well as Medicare itself inviting people to call and get assistance figuring out which program is best for them. The insurance companies, of course, are pitching themselves. One that intrigued me is a company called Highmark, which claimed to have vision and dental coverage.
I looked all over for information about Highmark and looked through the Medicare book we were sent. There's nothing about Highmark so I called Medicare. The first thing I wanted to know was how they could claim to have vision and dental when my company claimed no one could offer it. Well, it turns out there are categories of insurance. It's all very confusing and you really do need someone helping you figure it all out.
I told the lady we needed dental and vision and she found two companies in our area that can give us that coverage. Highmark, unfortunately, is not in our area. Anyway, she is sending out all the information so we can decide whether we want to switch or not. It's going to depend on the premium, co-pays, and what doctors participate with the plans. I'm so hoping that one of these plans will fit our needs!
A very nice thing happened just now. TB was interested in participating in a craft show at his mother's senior development complex. He wanted to bring his projects over and get exposure and possibly some orders. Well, unfortunately, this was when his tooth needed to be taken care of and we just did not have the $25 fee for a table. The lady running the event just called because someone else had to bow out and instead of getting a refund, just said to keep the fee. The lady thought of TB and called to ask if he'd be interested in that table. Boy howdy! Now he is going to get busy making holiday items. The craft show is Nov. 12.
From checking around, I found out the college Kristin goes to has a health services office that treats all kinds of issues. There's a nurse practitioner there that can prescribe medications for illnesses and other issues. That would be a big help for Kristin, whose college health insurance policy covers up to $5,000. That can go real quick in some cases.
As for other forms of assistance, we don't qualify because our income is just over the limit. The programs (like heat assistance) are there for the very needy and it's a good thing they are. It's tough for us because we sure could use the help but don't qualify. So we try to find programs and places like Angel Food Ministries (which is now closed) or food pantries. There is such a demand and need for food pantries!
I have a feeling we'll have to turn the heat on this weekend. It's supposed to snow on Saturday! Snow before Halloween!
Showing posts with label People in Need. Show all posts
Showing posts with label People in Need. Show all posts
Friday, October 28
Monday, October 24
More Miscellaneous Stuff
This little town I live in has been around since the Revolutionary War. TB found a website once that told him this town has had its share of good times and bad. I think it hit a height in the 1920s if I remember correctly. It was almost like a resort town. The natural lake reflects trees, sky, and any buildings like a mirror. Wikipedia says the median income for a family is around $45,000. I can tell you, with the cost of things these days that income isn't so great.
When we moved here almost 10 years ago, it didn't seem so run down. It was a middle class town with a barber, beauty parlor, library, grocery store, a few clothes stores, a shoe store, an ice cream parlor, a couple of fast food joints and too many auto parts stores.
There are two shopping centers not far from each other. One is the place everyone goes and the other is an eyesore. The owner of the eyesore gets some kind of tax breaks or something on the losses from the place and so he has no interest in improving things. At one point everyone wanted the place condemned including the town government. Somehow it didn't happen. The derelict lot is still there, bleak and ugly as ever.
We have a homeless population that has grown over the years. Many of them live in the woods. There's a hotel in town that provides shelter for the lucky ones.
There's supposed to be a couple of drug nests in town. I know where these places are and don't go there. I've never seen drugs bought or dealt anywhere I've been.
There's nothing for young people to do around here except go to the library. The nearest movie theater is about 20 miles away; same with the nearest mall. Luckily, we do have doctors and a couple of dentists here. Otherwise, we'd have to travel about 20 miles to find one.
I was ranting about the lack of public transportation around here. You really need a car to get anywhere, including the grocery store. Not everyone (including us) is lucky enough to live in walking distance of places we need.
Like I said, it just seemed like a middle class town when we moved here. Now, though, it's gotten older, sadder and poorer...like us.
I thought about boycotting Walmart and grocery stores but I don't think I'd be able to. With all the money those places make, they could treat their employees better. Part-timers get no benefits and these places like to schedule their employees up to an hour below full time just so they don't have to give them benefits. Walmart's benefits for full time employees will be going up as much as 60%. People don't make that much in those places. They'd have to decide between eating or paying bills or the health insurance. The other thing they do is suddenly cut the hours of their employees and hire a whole bunch of new ones. Employees can't be sure from week to week how long they'll be working.
If there was a Boycott Walmart day or week, I'd do it. I don't think I'd do it on my own because it would hurt me and my family and I don't want that. I can save a lot of money on groceries getting things at Walmart. That savings goes into our account for emergencies and things we need. It's about $5 or so here and there but it adds up!
As for boycotting the grocery stores...they all engage in this practice with their employees. I can shop less at grocery stores but there are still some things they carry I can't get elsewhere.
I wonder if there's another effective way of letting the grocery stores know I'm not pleased with them?
TB's recovering from his tooth extraction and hernia operation. He's very sore and hasn't much appetite and is sleeping a lot, but I guess that's to be expected. He sees his surgeon tomorrow. He has another tooth that is on its way out and it would be nice to save it but I doubt we can afford the root canal. So it goes.
When we moved here almost 10 years ago, it didn't seem so run down. It was a middle class town with a barber, beauty parlor, library, grocery store, a few clothes stores, a shoe store, an ice cream parlor, a couple of fast food joints and too many auto parts stores.
There are two shopping centers not far from each other. One is the place everyone goes and the other is an eyesore. The owner of the eyesore gets some kind of tax breaks or something on the losses from the place and so he has no interest in improving things. At one point everyone wanted the place condemned including the town government. Somehow it didn't happen. The derelict lot is still there, bleak and ugly as ever.
We have a homeless population that has grown over the years. Many of them live in the woods. There's a hotel in town that provides shelter for the lucky ones.
There's supposed to be a couple of drug nests in town. I know where these places are and don't go there. I've never seen drugs bought or dealt anywhere I've been.
There's nothing for young people to do around here except go to the library. The nearest movie theater is about 20 miles away; same with the nearest mall. Luckily, we do have doctors and a couple of dentists here. Otherwise, we'd have to travel about 20 miles to find one.
I was ranting about the lack of public transportation around here. You really need a car to get anywhere, including the grocery store. Not everyone (including us) is lucky enough to live in walking distance of places we need.
Like I said, it just seemed like a middle class town when we moved here. Now, though, it's gotten older, sadder and poorer...like us.
I thought about boycotting Walmart and grocery stores but I don't think I'd be able to. With all the money those places make, they could treat their employees better. Part-timers get no benefits and these places like to schedule their employees up to an hour below full time just so they don't have to give them benefits. Walmart's benefits for full time employees will be going up as much as 60%. People don't make that much in those places. They'd have to decide between eating or paying bills or the health insurance. The other thing they do is suddenly cut the hours of their employees and hire a whole bunch of new ones. Employees can't be sure from week to week how long they'll be working.
If there was a Boycott Walmart day or week, I'd do it. I don't think I'd do it on my own because it would hurt me and my family and I don't want that. I can save a lot of money on groceries getting things at Walmart. That savings goes into our account for emergencies and things we need. It's about $5 or so here and there but it adds up!
As for boycotting the grocery stores...they all engage in this practice with their employees. I can shop less at grocery stores but there are still some things they carry I can't get elsewhere.
I wonder if there's another effective way of letting the grocery stores know I'm not pleased with them?
TB's recovering from his tooth extraction and hernia operation. He's very sore and hasn't much appetite and is sleeping a lot, but I guess that's to be expected. He sees his surgeon tomorrow. He has another tooth that is on its way out and it would be nice to save it but I doubt we can afford the root canal. So it goes.
Saturday, October 22
The state (lack thereof) of public transportation around here
We're not a well-to-do community by any means. Not everyone (gasp!) can afford a car. The trouble is, around here, there's little to no access to any alternate means of transportation.
When I first moved here almost 10 years ago, I was shocked to learn that there's absolutely no taxi service. I'd moved from Long Island where there seems to be hundreds of cabbies going anywhere you needed them to go. I asked why no cabs would come to our town and I got two answers. One was because there are some areas with high drug usage (yeah? I bet there's lots of places like that in New York too! What, New York cabbies are braver or something?) and the other was because this is a poor area. Ahem. Not a lot of money to be made here. It seems unreasonable and outrageous to me. My son and I have both been approached by people we barely know, asking for a ride here there or home because there was no other way to get there. We both gave rides to those elderly or frail women but come on! They deserve better than to have to beg rides!
Having a cab available sure would have been helpful for us today. TB was having his tooth pulled at 8 and Kristin needed to be in her class 40 minutes away by 9. That was okay but ... how would TB get home? The class would go until 11:30. Bill was available to bring TB home if it could be done by 9:45. Then Bill would have to go to work. Heidi was already at work. Luckily, TB's tooth pulled without complications and so Bill was able to bring him home. If it had gone the other way, TB would have had a long uncomfortable wait. Either that, or I would have had to go in and pull Kristin from her class. Meanwhile, if we had taxi service, then all TB need do is call a cab if his appointment ran late. Good thing it didn't!
And the buses! They run once every two hours if you're lucky and then you have to have transportation to the bus stop. If we had no car, first we'd have to walk a mile for the little bus that runs around town and take it to the grocery store where Kristin works, hoping the arrival time will more or less coincide with the big bus that runs up the main drag. The schedule usually doesn't match and so you end up having to wait somewhere for a couple of hours coming or going.
To save gas and wear and tear on her old car, Heidi drives to the bus stop and then catches the big bus to the grocery store where she works. If she works from 8 to 3, she has to catch the 7 a.m. bus (which is fine) but then there's no bus in the afternoon until almost 5.
Kristin is one of the few kids around who has no car (can't afford one and we can't afford to get one for her) and can't drive (can't afford the insurance and neither can we) so I take her to her ASL class at the campus located 20 or 25 miles from home. With the cost of gas, there's no way I'd drop her off and go home like I do when she has classes at the local campus.
I called the bus company which was a total waste of time. I called the township and wasted more of my time. That kind of response is just one of the reasons I am so mad and fed up.
When I first moved here almost 10 years ago, I was shocked to learn that there's absolutely no taxi service. I'd moved from Long Island where there seems to be hundreds of cabbies going anywhere you needed them to go. I asked why no cabs would come to our town and I got two answers. One was because there are some areas with high drug usage (yeah? I bet there's lots of places like that in New York too! What, New York cabbies are braver or something?) and the other was because this is a poor area. Ahem. Not a lot of money to be made here. It seems unreasonable and outrageous to me. My son and I have both been approached by people we barely know, asking for a ride here there or home because there was no other way to get there. We both gave rides to those elderly or frail women but come on! They deserve better than to have to beg rides!
Having a cab available sure would have been helpful for us today. TB was having his tooth pulled at 8 and Kristin needed to be in her class 40 minutes away by 9. That was okay but ... how would TB get home? The class would go until 11:30. Bill was available to bring TB home if it could be done by 9:45. Then Bill would have to go to work. Heidi was already at work. Luckily, TB's tooth pulled without complications and so Bill was able to bring him home. If it had gone the other way, TB would have had a long uncomfortable wait. Either that, or I would have had to go in and pull Kristin from her class. Meanwhile, if we had taxi service, then all TB need do is call a cab if his appointment ran late. Good thing it didn't!
And the buses! They run once every two hours if you're lucky and then you have to have transportation to the bus stop. If we had no car, first we'd have to walk a mile for the little bus that runs around town and take it to the grocery store where Kristin works, hoping the arrival time will more or less coincide with the big bus that runs up the main drag. The schedule usually doesn't match and so you end up having to wait somewhere for a couple of hours coming or going.
To save gas and wear and tear on her old car, Heidi drives to the bus stop and then catches the big bus to the grocery store where she works. If she works from 8 to 3, she has to catch the 7 a.m. bus (which is fine) but then there's no bus in the afternoon until almost 5.
Kristin is one of the few kids around who has no car (can't afford one and we can't afford to get one for her) and can't drive (can't afford the insurance and neither can we) so I take her to her ASL class at the campus located 20 or 25 miles from home. With the cost of gas, there's no way I'd drop her off and go home like I do when she has classes at the local campus.
I called the bus company which was a total waste of time. I called the township and wasted more of my time. That kind of response is just one of the reasons I am so mad and fed up.
Wednesday, October 19
Miscellaneous Stuff
Today TB is having hernia surgery. He's not allowed to eat or drink anything, not since midnight last night, and so he's pretty out of it. Originally we were supposed to go to the hospital at 9. TB was supposed to see his orthopedic doctor and had to cancel that appointment. Then around 7:30 the hospital called and changed the admission time to 11. It was really annoying because TB needed a refill of his pain medications.
It's so hard to watch him suffer. I'm helpless because there's nothing I can do. His tooth is especially causing a lot of agony and he'll chew a percocet and put it into the broken area. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain but not always. Then there is the chronic pain he has from busting his hump for an ungrateful employer all those years. Funny...you think you're doing the right thing by working hard but then you learn quick what a mistake it was when you get kicked to the curb after becoming disabled. I wish surgery would help the pain in TB's back but the doctors say it won't.
I think Occupy Philadelphia at least is becoming more organized and trying to set goals. I gave feedback about which issues I felt were most important and what I thought protestors ought to do about it. I hope they hear back from a lot of people. I really want to see this movement take off. One thing I would like to see is lobbying for healthcare for everyone. Poor people should be able to buy into a policy they can afford. I'd also like to see that fair trade act repealed--the one that gives credits to businesses allowing them to outsource. Even if we can't bring back the jobs already lost, let's save future jobs from going overseas. I've heard about another company laying off all their workers and setting up in the far East.
I heard the tail end of a story about a possible COLA for social security recipients--the first one in years--of about 3%. For a person now receiving about $1,000 a month it would mean an extra $30. Wow! With it, I can order a monthly supply of the bariatric vitamins TB and I need. Or we could get one half tank of gas. Something is better than nothing, which is what we've been having.
Speaking of bariatric surgery, TB and I had our annual visits with the surgeon and we're both doing great! I've lost 87% of my excess weight and TB 76%. My calcium was a little low so my PTH (thyroid) level was high. I need to take more calcium, no biggie. We both were low on Vitamin D so we need to boost the levels we take. No biggie, just means the vitamins will be a little more expensive.
Kristin decided to carry a double major. She met with an advisor to talk about what she needs to take to fulfill all the requirements. Kristin already had a schedule for herself mapped out for the near future and had questions written down so she wouldn't forget what to ask. I was really impressed with her organization!
Munchkin may be a bit of a bully but we still love her. One of the things I love most is when I nap or sleep. She will go under the covers and snuggle with me. I fall asleep stroking her fur. It's very soothing. The cats like to hang out on our bed. Many times we have five of them lounging around and it seems to be the one time they all get along!
Time to get ready to go to the hospital!
It's so hard to watch him suffer. I'm helpless because there's nothing I can do. His tooth is especially causing a lot of agony and he'll chew a percocet and put it into the broken area. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain but not always. Then there is the chronic pain he has from busting his hump for an ungrateful employer all those years. Funny...you think you're doing the right thing by working hard but then you learn quick what a mistake it was when you get kicked to the curb after becoming disabled. I wish surgery would help the pain in TB's back but the doctors say it won't.
I think Occupy Philadelphia at least is becoming more organized and trying to set goals. I gave feedback about which issues I felt were most important and what I thought protestors ought to do about it. I hope they hear back from a lot of people. I really want to see this movement take off. One thing I would like to see is lobbying for healthcare for everyone. Poor people should be able to buy into a policy they can afford. I'd also like to see that fair trade act repealed--the one that gives credits to businesses allowing them to outsource. Even if we can't bring back the jobs already lost, let's save future jobs from going overseas. I've heard about another company laying off all their workers and setting up in the far East.
I heard the tail end of a story about a possible COLA for social security recipients--the first one in years--of about 3%. For a person now receiving about $1,000 a month it would mean an extra $30. Wow! With it, I can order a monthly supply of the bariatric vitamins TB and I need. Or we could get one half tank of gas. Something is better than nothing, which is what we've been having.
Speaking of bariatric surgery, TB and I had our annual visits with the surgeon and we're both doing great! I've lost 87% of my excess weight and TB 76%. My calcium was a little low so my PTH (thyroid) level was high. I need to take more calcium, no biggie. We both were low on Vitamin D so we need to boost the levels we take. No biggie, just means the vitamins will be a little more expensive.
Kristin decided to carry a double major. She met with an advisor to talk about what she needs to take to fulfill all the requirements. Kristin already had a schedule for herself mapped out for the near future and had questions written down so she wouldn't forget what to ask. I was really impressed with her organization!
Munchkin may be a bit of a bully but we still love her. One of the things I love most is when I nap or sleep. She will go under the covers and snuggle with me. I fall asleep stroking her fur. It's very soothing. The cats like to hang out on our bed. Many times we have five of them lounging around and it seems to be the one time they all get along!
Time to get ready to go to the hospital!
Friday, October 7
If I Wasn't Disabled...
...I'd get myself a tent and sleeping bag and go join the Take Over Philadelphia protestors. I am fed up and disgusted with government and big business too. As it is, I don't think I could handle being out in the elements with everything I've got going on.
I am so mad about what happened to TB yesterday. I blogged that he had a cracked tooth that he'd kept to himself for about a year because he knew we didn't have the insurance or finances to fix it. He told me about it when his jaw began to hurt relentlessly. I called the clinic in town--the one that serves those on a fixed income and who have little or no insurance--and got an appointment. I told them he'd probably need his tooth pulled because it's broken. TB went to the regular doctor meantime and got a script for an antibiotic. Tooth infections can cause all kinds of problems for the heart.
So we go for the appointment yesterday and wait for an hour before he's finally called. They took an Xray of the broken tooth and then the doctor tells him sorry, he's got to go elsewhere for either an extraction or root canal. The doctor says the clinic has stopped doing extractions and root canals. I wish someone had bothered to tell me that when I called 2 weeks ago to make the appointment! I would have called one of the recommended dental schools right off the bat.
That's where we have to go ... to a dental school in Philly or in Newark.
That's why I would join the protestors if I could. TB and I haven't had a COLA in three years but our expenses for everything keeps going up. It gets harder and harder to manage and if there's an emergency, we're screwed. The people who are protesting are basically in the same boat. They're under-employed or unemployed. Maybe they have benefits but I bet many do not. They can't meet expenses.
Meanwhile, the wealthiest Americans continue to get tax breaks. The Republicans claim if we tax the wealthy and big business, it'll kill the jobs market. What a laugh and a half. These rich businessmen have been enjoying all these tax breaks and their wealth for years--since President Bush--and they haven't generated decent jobs for anyone! Instead, they take advantage of tax breaks to send what could be decent jobs overseas.
I don't think there's any middle class anymore. I think there is getting by, skirting the line of disaster, and poor.
I also think this protest is going to continue growing. People have really had it. I know I have!
I am so mad about what happened to TB yesterday. I blogged that he had a cracked tooth that he'd kept to himself for about a year because he knew we didn't have the insurance or finances to fix it. He told me about it when his jaw began to hurt relentlessly. I called the clinic in town--the one that serves those on a fixed income and who have little or no insurance--and got an appointment. I told them he'd probably need his tooth pulled because it's broken. TB went to the regular doctor meantime and got a script for an antibiotic. Tooth infections can cause all kinds of problems for the heart.
So we go for the appointment yesterday and wait for an hour before he's finally called. They took an Xray of the broken tooth and then the doctor tells him sorry, he's got to go elsewhere for either an extraction or root canal. The doctor says the clinic has stopped doing extractions and root canals. I wish someone had bothered to tell me that when I called 2 weeks ago to make the appointment! I would have called one of the recommended dental schools right off the bat.
That's where we have to go ... to a dental school in Philly or in Newark.
That's why I would join the protestors if I could. TB and I haven't had a COLA in three years but our expenses for everything keeps going up. It gets harder and harder to manage and if there's an emergency, we're screwed. The people who are protesting are basically in the same boat. They're under-employed or unemployed. Maybe they have benefits but I bet many do not. They can't meet expenses.
Meanwhile, the wealthiest Americans continue to get tax breaks. The Republicans claim if we tax the wealthy and big business, it'll kill the jobs market. What a laugh and a half. These rich businessmen have been enjoying all these tax breaks and their wealth for years--since President Bush--and they haven't generated decent jobs for anyone! Instead, they take advantage of tax breaks to send what could be decent jobs overseas.
I don't think there's any middle class anymore. I think there is getting by, skirting the line of disaster, and poor.
I also think this protest is going to continue growing. People have really had it. I know I have!
Thursday, July 17
Busy Busy
Little active four year olds don't want to know from "It's too hot" when they want to go outside and blow bubbles. They don't want to be distracted with coloring or any sort of quiet crafts because their little bodies want to be in motion non stop. Whew! I really felt my age today! We spent the afternoon with our Little T and he is just a little whirlwind. I hadn't really noticed it so much on nice pleasant days when we can go out and let him play to his heart's content.
What else? Yesterday we stood on line for an hour in the blazing sun waiting to get a bag full of free fresh vegetables and fruit. I felt like I was going to pass out so I sat in the car for about ten minutes while TB braved the line. There were so many people there I couldn't guess a count and everyone was as nice and patient as could be in spite of the horrible heat. We were near the front of the line and I hope everyone got something. There just seemed so many people for the amount of food that was set out. We got lettuce, bananas, grapes, a bag of vegetables and a watermelon and I'm grateful for it.
Yesterday I also went to see my nurse practitioner about my sugar levels. The evening numbers are good but the mornings are still too high so Lydia's changed what I'm taking. I'm now taking Actos and Lantus. Lydia read about latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) and thought of me but I'm not sure why. It seems that LADA affects people who are not obese and have no history of diabetes 2. That sure as heck doesn't fit my profile...but maybe LADA fits me because of the way I'm responding--or not responding--to my medications. It would just figure, wouldn't it? If I read the article correctly, there is blood work I can get to see if I have LADA.
Other stuff has happened this week but my brain is too fried right now to recollect it. So it goes.
What else? Yesterday we stood on line for an hour in the blazing sun waiting to get a bag full of free fresh vegetables and fruit. I felt like I was going to pass out so I sat in the car for about ten minutes while TB braved the line. There were so many people there I couldn't guess a count and everyone was as nice and patient as could be in spite of the horrible heat. We were near the front of the line and I hope everyone got something. There just seemed so many people for the amount of food that was set out. We got lettuce, bananas, grapes, a bag of vegetables and a watermelon and I'm grateful for it.
Yesterday I also went to see my nurse practitioner about my sugar levels. The evening numbers are good but the mornings are still too high so Lydia's changed what I'm taking. I'm now taking Actos and Lantus. Lydia read about latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) and thought of me but I'm not sure why. It seems that LADA affects people who are not obese and have no history of diabetes 2. That sure as heck doesn't fit my profile...but maybe LADA fits me because of the way I'm responding--or not responding--to my medications. It would just figure, wouldn't it? If I read the article correctly, there is blood work I can get to see if I have LADA.
Other stuff has happened this week but my brain is too fried right now to recollect it. So it goes.
Monday, June 23
How We Messed Up With Money
I'm reading two books about getting out of debt: Live Well On Less Than You Think by Fred Brock and The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I wish we'd had these books before we got into this mess. I don't know if we'll be able to dig ourselves out of such a deep hole but we're going to try.
I started Live Well first and here's what I learned about it so far: I am a member of the spoiled brat baby boomer generation that finds it so hard to save and so easy to spend. The author breaks people into several generations. Those who came before the boomers are the cash and carry folk; they don't trust credit cards and always pay with cash. The generation after us, the Gen-Xs, apparently do use credit cards but wisely. They're the ones who don't anticipate anyone taking care of them (like social security) and so they are a lot more careful with their money. Ours apparently is the generation that can't say no to ourselves; when we want something we want it NOW and that's why we've gone overboard with credit cards.
Not that this was any surprise to me, but credit card debt is "bad" because most of the time we use it for stuff that is eaten or used up in a short period of time and we can't remember where the money went. "Bad" debt is also new cars because they start depreciating right away. A lot of people who go bankrupt say it's because they accummulated too much credit card debt, a disaster occurred and then they were unable to pay it. Some people take out a new mortgage or get a line of credit to pay off their debt. It's a bad idea--and I can tell you this is true--because usually within two years the credit cards are maxed out again. There is good debt and one example of that would be a mortgage.
From there, the book then talks about places to live that are less expensive than others. TB and I were encouraged to see that Delaware is one of the least expensive places to live. Expenses were broken down by cost-of-living, property tax, childcare expenses, and prescription costs to name a few.
Then there are the little things we can do to save money. The areas where it's easiest to cut back include food, clothing, home decorating and furnishings, family activities and holiday spending. I think we're at the point where we really need to stop spending a lot on food and start visiting food banks. Otherwise, the suggestions are pretty common sense: pack a lunch instead of buying out, clip coupons, buy on sale, buy name brand and so on. We haven't bought any clothes for ourselves in months. Home decorating and furnishings? NOpe, putting that off too. Our family activities are eating dinner together--no movies, no parks, no nothing that cost money. Holiday spending? This year, everyone might just get a card.
I slowed down with this book when it started talking about which kind of insurance policies we should have. I may skip over it because at this point in our lives, it may no longer be relevant. I have term life policies, which was recommended, and we know TB wouldn't be able to get a policy because of his diabetes. Of course, New Jersey is one of those states that don't allow exclusion of pre-existing conditions but it would be ever so much nicer if we could get disability policies--which we've had no luck with so far. And we now don't have the money for any of this anyway.
So that's what I've learned so far from the first book.
I started Live Well first and here's what I learned about it so far: I am a member of the spoiled brat baby boomer generation that finds it so hard to save and so easy to spend. The author breaks people into several generations. Those who came before the boomers are the cash and carry folk; they don't trust credit cards and always pay with cash. The generation after us, the Gen-Xs, apparently do use credit cards but wisely. They're the ones who don't anticipate anyone taking care of them (like social security) and so they are a lot more careful with their money. Ours apparently is the generation that can't say no to ourselves; when we want something we want it NOW and that's why we've gone overboard with credit cards.
Not that this was any surprise to me, but credit card debt is "bad" because most of the time we use it for stuff that is eaten or used up in a short period of time and we can't remember where the money went. "Bad" debt is also new cars because they start depreciating right away. A lot of people who go bankrupt say it's because they accummulated too much credit card debt, a disaster occurred and then they were unable to pay it. Some people take out a new mortgage or get a line of credit to pay off their debt. It's a bad idea--and I can tell you this is true--because usually within two years the credit cards are maxed out again. There is good debt and one example of that would be a mortgage.
From there, the book then talks about places to live that are less expensive than others. TB and I were encouraged to see that Delaware is one of the least expensive places to live. Expenses were broken down by cost-of-living, property tax, childcare expenses, and prescription costs to name a few.
Then there are the little things we can do to save money. The areas where it's easiest to cut back include food, clothing, home decorating and furnishings, family activities and holiday spending. I think we're at the point where we really need to stop spending a lot on food and start visiting food banks. Otherwise, the suggestions are pretty common sense: pack a lunch instead of buying out, clip coupons, buy on sale, buy name brand and so on. We haven't bought any clothes for ourselves in months. Home decorating and furnishings? NOpe, putting that off too. Our family activities are eating dinner together--no movies, no parks, no nothing that cost money. Holiday spending? This year, everyone might just get a card.
I slowed down with this book when it started talking about which kind of insurance policies we should have. I may skip over it because at this point in our lives, it may no longer be relevant. I have term life policies, which was recommended, and we know TB wouldn't be able to get a policy because of his diabetes. Of course, New Jersey is one of those states that don't allow exclusion of pre-existing conditions but it would be ever so much nicer if we could get disability policies--which we've had no luck with so far. And we now don't have the money for any of this anyway.
So that's what I've learned so far from the first book.
Friday, June 20
Sometimes it feels like a curse
Some days are truly overwhelming. Today we got a letter from the township declaring that we were in violation because we hadn't gotten a permit for electrical improvements we had done to the house around 2 years ago. The letter stated we were being fined $2000 and for every week we didn't pay, another $2000 would be added to the fine. The letter also said they could force us out of the home.
TB and I nearly had heart failure.
He called the electric company and within a half hour we found out that there is a permit but that we probably needed to have an inspection done of the work. The secretary reassured us not to worry; we'd done nothing wrong and they would handle it.
I am a quivering mess of nerves. I don't know how much more stress we can take. Even though it turns out this is all right there is still the enormous burden of the other problems we're carrying.
My mother said once that there was a curse on our family because my father is an atheist. A part of me knows that that is silly but another primitive superstitious part of me wonders if it's true.
I know we are not the only ones to face hard times but there is such an overwhelming amount of hard times here. It's not just the health it's also the finances and the possibility of losing our home and our car.
I woke up today and have been walking around with such a feeling of dread and doom. I hate feeling this way. I don't feel like doing anything because of this pervasive what's the use? emotional thing I have going on.
We saw another specialist for TB--this time at the Rothman Institute which is supposed to be renown for orthopedic care. Well, we were basically blown off there, too. The doctor said TB isn't a candidate for surgery in his opinion not only because of his weight but also because back surgery benefits the legs more than anything else and TB doesn't have a lot of leg involvement. The doctor told TB back surgery doesn't help all that much with back pain; often patients still have the same pain--sometimes it's worse! He also said that he felt TB had a 25% chance or less of going back to work.
Nice and encouraging, eh?
No wonder I feel so bad.
TB and I nearly had heart failure.
He called the electric company and within a half hour we found out that there is a permit but that we probably needed to have an inspection done of the work. The secretary reassured us not to worry; we'd done nothing wrong and they would handle it.
I am a quivering mess of nerves. I don't know how much more stress we can take. Even though it turns out this is all right there is still the enormous burden of the other problems we're carrying.
My mother said once that there was a curse on our family because my father is an atheist. A part of me knows that that is silly but another primitive superstitious part of me wonders if it's true.
I know we are not the only ones to face hard times but there is such an overwhelming amount of hard times here. It's not just the health it's also the finances and the possibility of losing our home and our car.
I woke up today and have been walking around with such a feeling of dread and doom. I hate feeling this way. I don't feel like doing anything because of this pervasive what's the use? emotional thing I have going on.
We saw another specialist for TB--this time at the Rothman Institute which is supposed to be renown for orthopedic care. Well, we were basically blown off there, too. The doctor said TB isn't a candidate for surgery in his opinion not only because of his weight but also because back surgery benefits the legs more than anything else and TB doesn't have a lot of leg involvement. The doctor told TB back surgery doesn't help all that much with back pain; often patients still have the same pain--sometimes it's worse! He also said that he felt TB had a 25% chance or less of going back to work.
Nice and encouraging, eh?
No wonder I feel so bad.
Wednesday, June 11
Roller coaster ride
If there is any one small consolation it's that TB and I are not alone on this roller coaster ride of financial disaster. We go up, we go down. We were up on Monday and Tuesday after meeting with JCHD, Jersey Counseling & Housing Development. The lady there looked at our ridiculous budget and still worked with us, talking to the mortgage company. We got a disability forbearance until the end of September, time for us to regroup and redo our finances. We have to show that we can afford our mortgage and our bills and still have money left over. A daunting task but we figured we could do it.
Now we are rocketing back down, after talking with someone at Consumer Credit. We'd hoped to enroll in their program but as soon as our expenses put us in the red, she told us we wouldn't qualify for the program. The alternatives would be selling the house or filing for bankruptcy, although the latter might not help us that much.
We need for TB's social security disability to be approved. Then he'll be able to collect his disability pension and then we can start approaching Consumer Credit Counseling again. We have to show that we can meet all our basic expenses first and then have money left over for bills.
This whole process is so scary. I felt hopeful up until I hung up with this woman from the CCC. Now I am feeling despair again. What if SSA doesn't come through by the end of September? I had to take an Ativan to calm myself down.
On top of it all, TB is suffering terribly. He couldn't sleep at all last night between the pain in his back and in his legs. We had to get our partial deposit back from the bariatric surgeon to help us meet expenses during this forbearance period. He really needs that surgery desperately by the practice will not accept just the insurance company's payment of $7000. They want their whole fee of $8000 odd dollars and it doesn't matter the circumstances. Thanks a lot, NJ Bariatrics. :P
TB is confused about what to do next and so am I. We can wait for the disability to kick in and then we could put the deposit down again so he can get the surgery. We could try a different doctor and start over again. The rollercoaster plunges down even further. When will it go up again?
Now we are rocketing back down, after talking with someone at Consumer Credit. We'd hoped to enroll in their program but as soon as our expenses put us in the red, she told us we wouldn't qualify for the program. The alternatives would be selling the house or filing for bankruptcy, although the latter might not help us that much.
We need for TB's social security disability to be approved. Then he'll be able to collect his disability pension and then we can start approaching Consumer Credit Counseling again. We have to show that we can meet all our basic expenses first and then have money left over for bills.
This whole process is so scary. I felt hopeful up until I hung up with this woman from the CCC. Now I am feeling despair again. What if SSA doesn't come through by the end of September? I had to take an Ativan to calm myself down.
On top of it all, TB is suffering terribly. He couldn't sleep at all last night between the pain in his back and in his legs. We had to get our partial deposit back from the bariatric surgeon to help us meet expenses during this forbearance period. He really needs that surgery desperately by the practice will not accept just the insurance company's payment of $7000. They want their whole fee of $8000 odd dollars and it doesn't matter the circumstances. Thanks a lot, NJ Bariatrics. :P
TB is confused about what to do next and so am I. We can wait for the disability to kick in and then we could put the deposit down again so he can get the surgery. We could try a different doctor and start over again. The rollercoaster plunges down even further. When will it go up again?
Tuesday, April 1
Teaching Kindness
The title of the teaser in my Emotional Health e-zine emailed to me is "Can Love and Kindness Be Taught"? And it can! Oooh oooh, I thought, the world needs more of this and so does my family, so I rushed right over to find out the how of it. Do we set examples to follow? Is there a less offensive way to preach it? I read the article and discovered it's a self-taught method, by meditation.
Oh.
Not that I have anything against meditation but if you need to learn love and kindness would you necessarily know that? And would you focus specifically on those two things while you meditate?
You can meditate to reduce your physical pain, studies have shown that. I believe that you can meditate to become kinder. As one doctor put it, though, how much do you practice until it becomes effective? I guess that part of it needs more study.
Now I need to figure out a way to convince members of my family to put this into practice. There was no useful advice there. Read the whole article here.
I was deeply affected by this song in 1971. I'm so glad that it's on youtube.
Oh.
Not that I have anything against meditation but if you need to learn love and kindness would you necessarily know that? And would you focus specifically on those two things while you meditate?
Imaging technology shows that people who practice meditation that focuses on kindness and compassion actually undergo changes in areas of the brain that make them more in tune to what others are feeling.
"Potentially one can train oneself to behave in a way which is more benevolent and altruistic," said study co-author Antoine Lutz, an associate scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
You can meditate to reduce your physical pain, studies have shown that. I believe that you can meditate to become kinder. As one doctor put it, though, how much do you practice until it becomes effective? I guess that part of it needs more study.
Now I need to figure out a way to convince members of my family to put this into practice. There was no useful advice there. Read the whole article here.
I was deeply affected by this song in 1971. I'm so glad that it's on youtube.
Saturday, March 1
Saturday Stuff
Do you need a good laugh? Check out my husband's blog, The Man's Side, for a hilarious look at colonoscopies--his own. If the idea grosses you out, skip it...but if you have a sense of humor about these things I think you will laugh your head off.
Today is Michele's birthday. She is 32. Happy birthday, Michele! I remember when I was 32. That was over 20 years ago!!!! It doesn't seem possible it was 20 years ago but I have the adult son strolling around to prove it!
Linda's birthday is Monday but if things keep going they way they are now, we probably won't see her until Tuesday. She doesn't like to tell us where she's going or where she's staying because it's none of our business. She's going to be 27. When I was 27, I had my own place and didn't have to worry about keeping anyone informed of my whereabouts or what to do with my child if I was away...well, I didn't have any kids at 27.
This morning, we went to pick up our monthly purchase of food from Angel Food Ministries. This is a non-profit blessing from wonderful volunteers and programs like this are a godsend to those of us who are struggling but don't qualify (yet) for food stamps. We learned about the program in December. Little T's school sent home a letter to families participating in the reduced lunch program about Angel Food coming to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Pemberton.
We were struggling then. The Christmas holidays were approaching fast and TB and I had just about run through our savings. The kids were helping but we were just barely making it. Getting on board with the program has cut our entire food bill by at least a third and possibly more. We just need to buy vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, dairy and other essentials to supplement Angel Food.
The first month we picked up food, there was no line. We were in and out in just a few moments. The second month was just about the same although there were a half dozen other people there. This month, here is what we saw:
Here's the end of the line! One of the volunteers told us that there were almost 200 families participating this month, by far the largest number ever!
The line looks long but actually the volunteers did a great job of moving us right along. Some logistical problems remain. There's just one main door in and out and it's pretty clear that it's better to have an entrance and an exit for the people. I'm sure the program will continue to grow and grow. There really is a crying need for it in our area.
For $118, this is what we bought for the month:
2.5 lbs sirloin strip steaks
4 lbs Salisbury Steak dinner entrees
4 lbs split chicken breasts
4 lbs breaded chicken breast filets
3 lbs meaty beef ribs
3 lbs pork chops
24 oz. Philly steak portions
24 oz. jar of peanut butter
8 oz. chicken noodle soup
18 oz. frosted corn flakes
2-16 oz. frozen corn
2-16 oz. frozen carrots
4 lbs onions
4 lbs potatoes
pumpkin pie
2 lbs black eyed peas
blueberry muffin mix
3 lbs rib eye steaks
3 lbs New York strip steaks
4 lbs hamburger
3 lbs mild Italian sausage
4 lbs frying chicken
4 lbs chicken tenders
4 lbs chicken wings
4 lbs chicken breasts--quick frozen, grilled
4 chicken breast chunks
Not too shabby! This will feed the 7 of us all this month. All I will need to buy extra is corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day!
I enjoyed volunteering at the restaurant for the homeless in Laurel, Maryland, called Elizabeth House so it's no surprise that I was calling up the director of the Angel Food program at St. Mark's. I want to give back to the community. I strongly believe in that concept. Tony (the gentleman in charge) was happy to hear from me...and he invited me (and TB if he wants to) to attend church. I'm going.
Today is Michele's birthday. She is 32. Happy birthday, Michele! I remember when I was 32. That was over 20 years ago!!!! It doesn't seem possible it was 20 years ago but I have the adult son strolling around to prove it!
Linda's birthday is Monday but if things keep going they way they are now, we probably won't see her until Tuesday. She doesn't like to tell us where she's going or where she's staying because it's none of our business. She's going to be 27. When I was 27, I had my own place and didn't have to worry about keeping anyone informed of my whereabouts or what to do with my child if I was away...well, I didn't have any kids at 27.
This morning, we went to pick up our monthly purchase of food from Angel Food Ministries. This is a non-profit blessing from wonderful volunteers and programs like this are a godsend to those of us who are struggling but don't qualify (yet) for food stamps. We learned about the program in December. Little T's school sent home a letter to families participating in the reduced lunch program about Angel Food coming to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Pemberton.
We were struggling then. The Christmas holidays were approaching fast and TB and I had just about run through our savings. The kids were helping but we were just barely making it. Getting on board with the program has cut our entire food bill by at least a third and possibly more. We just need to buy vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, dairy and other essentials to supplement Angel Food.
The first month we picked up food, there was no line. We were in and out in just a few moments. The second month was just about the same although there were a half dozen other people there. This month, here is what we saw:
Here's the end of the line! One of the volunteers told us that there were almost 200 families participating this month, by far the largest number ever!
The line looks long but actually the volunteers did a great job of moving us right along. Some logistical problems remain. There's just one main door in and out and it's pretty clear that it's better to have an entrance and an exit for the people. I'm sure the program will continue to grow and grow. There really is a crying need for it in our area.
For $118, this is what we bought for the month:
2.5 lbs sirloin strip steaks
4 lbs Salisbury Steak dinner entrees
4 lbs split chicken breasts
4 lbs breaded chicken breast filets
3 lbs meaty beef ribs
3 lbs pork chops
24 oz. Philly steak portions
24 oz. jar of peanut butter
8 oz. chicken noodle soup
18 oz. frosted corn flakes
2-16 oz. frozen corn
2-16 oz. frozen carrots
4 lbs onions
4 lbs potatoes
pumpkin pie
2 lbs black eyed peas
blueberry muffin mix
3 lbs rib eye steaks
3 lbs New York strip steaks
4 lbs hamburger
3 lbs mild Italian sausage
4 lbs frying chicken
4 lbs chicken tenders
4 lbs chicken wings
4 lbs chicken breasts--quick frozen, grilled
4 chicken breast chunks
Not too shabby! This will feed the 7 of us all this month. All I will need to buy extra is corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day!
I enjoyed volunteering at the restaurant for the homeless in Laurel, Maryland, called Elizabeth House so it's no surprise that I was calling up the director of the Angel Food program at St. Mark's. I want to give back to the community. I strongly believe in that concept. Tony (the gentleman in charge) was happy to hear from me...and he invited me (and TB if he wants to) to attend church. I'm going.
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