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| Need to Vent Group |
| Public online group |
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this year has been hectic. my fiance gets laid off in september (along with 45 others) and hasnt been able to find work. i cant find work. he gets unemployment. our 2yr old has disabilities. we have had money issues with ex's in the past which screwed up our credit.
anyway, toys r us has a 90-day bill me later option. we did it last year through our friends. we paid the bill at tax time when it was due. thank god they did that, or else our girls wouldnt have had a christmas. this year we, more than ever, need to do that. the friends who helped us last year said they thankfuly wont need to use that option so they wont let us do it. all our other friends have excuses for not helping us. we are asking for money, just for them to use their credit so we can get our girls a few gifts this year. how hard will it be to explain to a ten yr old that santa is not coming, and how hard will it be for my 2yr old to not have anyting to open?
these 'friends' of ours have asked for help with things in the past and we helped them. i remember once our friend needed gas money till a friday (it was wednesday) and we gave her our last 20 and she took 3 extra days to pay it back. but yet, we ask for alittle help and everyone has an excuse.
we had credit problems in the past and have een together 4 years and since becoming a couple we pay our bills in full on time and we dont buy what we dont need. so its not as if we wouldnt pay te bill, hell we did last year. i am so sick of helping people if no one is going to help me give my kids a christmas. we checked out toys for tots and stuff and we dont qualify. |
| Posted by ERIN on 11/16/2008 12:24 PM
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Hi Erin!!! The economy must be really bad if you and your fiance cannot find work. Ouch!!! Forty-five people have been laid off from his work.
Anyway, my husband and I are in the same predicament as you are financially. This year we will be going to Walmart and buying each of our boys one toy. Of course, a few family members will be giving them gifts also. Therefore, everything will work out.
Do you have any family members that will be seeing your girls and contributing gifts this Christmas? If not, I would love to help you. But, it would have to be around tax season because that is when we have a little extra money. |
| posted by Monica on 11/16/2008 03:02 PM
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| Have you tried lay-way at k-mart? Just pick what toys you want, pay a little of it off each pay check until it is paid off. You wont be able to pick it up until it is paid off, but if are conservative with how much you get and the prices you will at least have a Christmas. |
| posted by Alisa on 11/16/2008 05:17 PM
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| Erin. I am a strong believer in paying bills on time but I am a bigger believer that my kids come first(not saying that you dont put your kids first). This year we are facing not being able to give our kids a christmas as well. Luckily we do have lots of family that will be giveing our kids a christmas but it is not the same to me anyways. So I have decided that I am not going to pay a bill or two so that I can give my kids a christmas. Then come Jan I will try to catch up and if I have to just wait until tax season to catch up and pay off everything that I can. So if you can do it maybe you can put something off until the next month just so you can get your kids a little something even if it is from the dollar store. That is where I get a lot of my gifts and everyone loves it. |
| posted by Becky on 11/16/2008 10:54 PM
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Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to throw a suggestion out there. EBAY!
My family is living off one income, I'm a stay at home mom of a 2 .5 yr. old and a 1yr old and the only way I am able to afford toys, jackets and other needs is to sell what we have lying around the house. Once you start looking you'd be amazed at what you can find to help clear your home AND put money towards christmas. All you need is a web connection, a digital camera and sometime to take pictures and upload to ebay. In the past 30 days (I've kicked it into high gear) and sold my pre & post pregnancy jeans (my sizes ranged from 2 to 12!) I also sold all our outgrown baby clothes and toys and made within the past 30 days $220! Which I believe all but $15 remains in my account. I purchased a new toddler digital camera, two holiday outfits, new jeans for me, the set of diecast CARS from Disney, a peg rack for our coats and a new comforter for my bed. YOU'RE ALSO HELPING THE ENVIROMENT by recycling toys and clothes. If you're someone who isnt into buying or wearing used clothing (you can tell yourself that it came from your girlfriends closet or buy new) Ebay sells all! New & Used shipped directly to your door without sales tax which is a bonus because the last thing I want to be doing is shopping with two toddlers waisting gas, being frustrated and stressed out (thats what holiday shopping on a limited budget does to me) and my kids not having a good time either. This way all my purchases come to my door and if I dont like what I've bought, I'll sell it on ebay! Please consider it! It's not worth this issue coming between you and your friends. Everyone is closing their wallets this year. Even my former boss whos a multi millionare is cutting back on the company party. Dont take it personally, there are other ways out there! Good Luck! |
| posted by Yoni on 11/17/2008 08:13 PM
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| Hi erin.i dont think u should take it personal.if a good friend came to me and asked to use my credit to buy toys.i would feel uncomfortable.even though i trusted her and loved her very much.i would say no.as u can see theres many moms in this same spot all over the country.u arent alone.but dont be upset with your friends.credit is a very serious and personal issue. |
| posted by amanda on 11/17/2008 09:54 PM
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| Hi, Erin. I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties right now. I'm sure that they will be temporary. "And this too shall pass". Just an idea off the top of my head- KMart has layaway. It's a great way to start shopping so you know you have some things put aside in case you get the money you need before Christmas. It will give you hope and make you get creative about how to make some money. How about making flyers to babysit other people's kids for "Date Night" for some of your friends and family. Each time you can take that money and go make another payment towards your layaway. What about getting all clothes and old toys and even dishes, pots and pans you don't use often, and selling them at a local garage sale. Even if you say on your garage sale sign: RAISING $ FOR KIDS' CHRISTMAS PRESENTS- I bet they'll stop and buy something. My husband's family owns a couple of Italian restaurants and we have been known to put out a can for collection to help people in our community for chemo treatments. Do you have a local family oriented pizza place that could do that for you? Also, every Catholic Church has an organization called St. Vincent de Paul's. You don't have to be Catholic or a member of the parish to go there and ask for help. They do everything from provide food for you at no cost, or donate Christmas presents. 15 years ago they fed me while I was pregnant and provided me and my baby's dad with Christmas gifts that were donated. They're a beautiful or'ganization. Have you tried getting on the receiving end of Toys-for-Tots? Someone has to get all those donations. Why can't it be you and your family? How about getting on the lists of local radio stations that are trying to provide Christmas for families in need. The internet is accessible at the library if you don't have it at home and you can search all your local radio stations, churches, toys for tots and other sites. But I hope you do that "Date Night" thing. Tell them it's for your family's Christmas. I bet you'll drum up some business. Let us know how you made out. I will be praying for you and your family. I have been there and it is heart wrenching. God will provide if you ask Him. |
| posted by Lori on 11/18/2008 08:04 AM
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| I can tell you what I just did. I'm selling things on Craiglist. I cleaned out my kids closets this weekend and posting toys they no longer play with and a few baby items like a high chair. I made $150 last week. That is where my Christmas money is coming from. |
| posted by Jessica on 11/18/2008 08:34 AM
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