Going down in flames

WarriorAngel

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Ok, so as much as I have struggled with this second hand store, and I really have, people decided to open thrift stores around me.
Now 4 more have opened. Which ok, I thought maybe more = more foot traffic.
Well, not so much.
Because I struggled so long, people must think I'm thriving. SMH.
I am closing my store during the winter months because I CANNOT afford the higher utilities. That was the final blow.
Plus my own home. I'm just so tired of being this broke... I decided maybe I can't help children get off the street with their mom or dad. Because I can't seem to get a break.
Been doing Uber East just to pay my stores costs and my own and THEN my car died.
WITHOUT hope of having money to buy another.
My taxes are due on my home, and I don't have the money so I am going to have to leave everything in the store behind because I cannot move to a more elite area with it because I don't the resources.

I couldn't afford the rent up front and who knows if I would even succeed and then finding an affordable home. :sorry:

I'm just giving up because I have prayed & prayed & prayed....and maybe it's not the direction I can succeed. It's painful to give up a life long dream. But it's either that or I'll be counted as a homeless, soon.
 
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WarriorAngel

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Could Catholic Social Services help you in any way?
One time I tried that route for utilities and I had my electric shut off and the Catholic charities will send money to this one company who screens folks and because I owned a store, they refused because nobody at all can comprehend debits and credits.
That I run in the red mystifies them.

So I have $70 to my name and haven't been able to pay water, sewage or gas for my home. I have it set on very cold. I'm grateful for the warmish November. :crossrc: So I have to say thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.
 
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Lukaris

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One time I tried that route for utilities and I had my electric shut off and the Catholic charities will send money to this one company who screens folks and because I owned a store, they refused because nobody at all can comprehend debits and credits.
That I run in the red mystifies them.

So I have $70 to my name and haven't been able to pay water, sewage or gas for my home. I have it set on very cold. I'm grateful for the warmish November. :crossrc: So I have to say thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.

Sorry to hear that. I pray that things work out for you.
 
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Michie

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One time I tried that route for utilities and I had my electric shut off and the Catholic charities will send money to this one company who screens folks and because I owned a store, they refused because nobody at all can comprehend debits and credits.
That I run in the red mystifies them.

So I have $70 to my name and haven't been able to pay water, sewage or gas for my home. I have it set on very cold. I'm grateful for the warmish November. :crossrc: So I have to say thanks be to God through Jesus Christ.
Maybe contact your parish and seek out assistance?
 
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WarriorAngel

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Maybe contact your parish and seek out assistance?
Doesn't really work that way. They send you via Catholic charities who sends you to a program that is also given funding by Salvation Army.
They do not have a hands on approach and I said in the first post... the organization they hand it over to [much like the welfare office] do not comprehend debits and credits...
and what a - <~ means. [negative]

Adding: Last time I tried to explain it they told me to wait to do my tax filings ... so they would comprehend it because pulling all my bank statements and highlighting the debits vs credits isn't helpful. Henceforth my electric was shut off for months til it could be paid.
 
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Michie

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Doesn't really work that way. They send you via Catholic charities who sends you to a program that is also given funding by Salvation Army.
They do not have a hands on approach and I said in the first post... the organization they hand it over to [much like the welfare office] do not comprehend debits and credits...
and what a - <~ means. [negative]

Adding: Last time I tried to explain it they told me to wait to do my tax filings ... so they would comprehend it because pulling all my bank statements and highlighting the debits vs credits isn't helpful. Henceforth my electric was shut off for months til it could be paid.
As far as I understand, my parish has resources for the parishioners in need. What you describe sounds very unrealistic. That’s incredibly sad. :(
 
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WarriorAngel

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As far as I understand, my parish has resources for the parishioners in need. What you describe sounds very unrealistic. That’s incredibly sad. :(
I called them twice on 2 different occasions.
Catholic charities and Salvation army give their monies to www.dollarenergy.org
Perhaps the people there are so sick of hearing stories...?
I remember having one customer who worked there... I complained to her about what happened to me.
 
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WarriorAngel

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ALSO - being considered indigent - you have to make under a certain amount that is before taxes are taken out.
Basically if you make in 'gross' earnings - $1600 a month you cannot receive.
Which after taxes is $1280.

One flippin utility bill is $300, another $200, house payments and what not $600. Taxes, insurance for car and home, food...

They never raised the bar on what indigent status is considered, but everything else is off the charts.
 
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Michie

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ALSO - being considered indigent - you have to make under a certain amount that is before taxes are taken out.
Basically if you make in 'gross' earnings - $1600 a month you cannot receive.
Which after taxes is $1280.

One flippin utility bill is $300, another $200, house payments and what not $600. Taxes, insurance for car and home, food...

They never raised the bar on what indigent status is considered, but everything else is off the charts.

Lord have mercy! :(
 
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joymercy

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*Contact 211, which should be nationwide

*Contact the Catholic St Vincent de Paul society here: SVDP

*Get Energy Assistance
For help applying for energy assistance, call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Hotline: 1-866-674-6327 or visit the website listed for your state on the State LIHEAP Contacts page.
In the District of Columbia, the Mayor’s Hotline at 311.
Home - NEADA.ORG
 
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WarriorAngel

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*Contact 211, which should be nationwide

*Contact the Catholic St Vincent de Paul society here: SVDP

*Get Energy Assistance
For help applying for energy assistance, call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Hotline: 1-866-674-6327 or visit the website listed for your state on the State LIHEAP Contacts page.
In the District of Columbia, the Mayor’s Hotline at 311.
Home - NEADA.ORG
Thank you.
LHEAP ends in Nov.
I'm in PA.
St Vincent gives to dollar energy who will not take business [self employed w2s] sign ups.
 
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