This is my first post here. I hope you can give us some ideas if there is any hope for our situation. We need advice that helps with an every payday shortfall and prioritized spending that makes sense taking that shortfall into consideration. We feel like we are continually in a catch-22 situation.

We are an older couple, my husband is still working but, I can no longer work. I am trying to get on disability but for those of you who know, that is a long drawn out process and, I am currently in the Appeals process.

We would love for someone to come in and take a look at our income and outgo and tell us how to not have a shortfall every payday. The only advice we have ever been given is that we need A LOT more income. This advice was given to us by a lady at our bank who went over our finances with us.

We are renting a room and sharing the utilities but, every payday we are short. This was the cheapest rent we could find. We just feel like we're always choking. My husband comes home dead tired from his job every evening. He is gone from 9:00 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening. He just can't work anymore hours.

Any help you can give us would be sincerely appreciated.

IM sent.

Also for others, you can check out National Foundation for Credit Counseling This is a non-profit credit consoler service company that provides a lot information, services like credit budgets, credit counseling, and more, at no cost or very cheap. They are very highly recommended by many accountants, personal advisors, and finance gurus in the industry because they are one of very, very, few companies that actually do not charge for most services, do not make commissions selling you products you do not need, and actually do what they promise. Hope that helps, good luck.

Thank you for your response. We have NO credit card debt. And, I doubt that on our meager income we would ever qualify for a credit card.

Our problem is living below the survival level and trying to keep from being homeless.

So basically you need more income? Is there any way your husband could get a second job or maybe you could do some at home type work? You might also look for any extras you are spending money on like drinking soda, buying coffees out / eating out, smoking, ect. All these little things can add up fast. Also, that website I suggested for you does not just deal with credit, they maybe able to look over your finances and create a budget for you.

There are always jobs out there for people who want to work. Im not sure what your disability is but obviously you can type on a computer so what would make sence to me would be a computer internet home job. Your writting is fairly nice so you could write press releases for people. You need to make the most of your time. Work smart instead of working hard. Do you watch a lot of tv? If so, find yourself a home assembly job and assemble parts while you watch tv. Divide the things into two catagories, things you need verses things you want. Its hard to justify a home phone, cell phones, cable, HDTV, DVD's, internet, when you dont have the money to survive. Yes, cut backs hurt, but this may be your only option until you stop leaning on your husband and get a job. I suggest stop using disability as an excuse and use it to your advantage.

Thank you again for your replies.

Just to clarify, we don't have a television nor a home phone, cell phone, cable, HDTV, DVDs, or internet service. We live in a room that we are renting from some very nice people who are very patient with us as we try to pay a little bit here and there to meet the rent and utilities. They allow me to go online once in awhile but, I certainly have no intention of taking advantage of them in this regard. What we do have in the way of material things is a bed, a table, a chair, an ironing board and iron, a few changes of clothing, and a waste basket. I have Crohn's disease and, my knees are crippled such that I cannot walk or stand. My husband is gone from 9:00 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening, believe me, he's working all the hours that he can. And, as you may, or may not know, life in ministry really never stops so, sometimes he's gone even longer hours. I have to share with you folks, its not easy being in your 60s and living so close to being homeless.

Thank you again for the time and consideration you have shown in your replies but, I am discerning that this may not be the proper forum for my inquiries. I don't think anyone here has experience, or can identify with our particular situation. But, thank you very much anyway!

Im sure this is the right site, its just not the answer you want to hear.

I think everyone is being a little harsh and obviously does not know the full story or current living conditions. You seem to be doing just about all you can. Living in a tiny room w/o much of anything is hard. And being alone that long with that type of disability has to be harder. In your situation disability/SS income might be all you can do for now. You might be able to find a work at home job of some sort but that may be hard considering you do not have "real" internet availability or other means of getting around. Hopefully things turn around for you. Best of luck.

Im not sure how you can say she is clearly doing everything she can. She is not even attempting to work or find a job, in fact she is looking for an excuse and alternative not to work. My guess is her husband has been supporting her for a long time. I do agree having nothing is hard, but how is it being harsh when you dont work, how much does someone think they should have under this status? I have known several people with crohn's disease and all of them worked jobs and usually could do a better job than most normal people. Your only disabled as much as you let it disable you.

I was surprised to see the ongoing interest to this thread.

Thank you for the loving kindness in your heart dear friend. Let us pray that you never become crippled, and then, unable to find work. Please believe me, I have tried.

For the first 40 years of our marriage, I was the major breadwinner. My husband worked all throughout those years as well but, as a minister, he has always been what most of you would describe as "underemployed."

Mr. Hamilton, please make no judgments where you have no compassion.

And, "User Name" thank you for the compassion you do have!

As an aside, I just want to give an update that one of my former partners notified me over this past weekend that they recently found records indicating I was indeed included in the firm's pension plan. Accordingly, I am to receive an annuity. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!

No one is passing judgment, its just a real shame that someone with such a great writting style, tone and diction has to lean on a disability excuse. You could make big money writting press-releases. But yeah thank god you dont have to work anymore and your getting that free pension.

Congrats on the good news in regard to the pension. God bless and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Leaving Los Angeles would undoubtedly help. You could also move overseas, and buy a beautiful house and have private nurses for a FRACTION of what you must be paying there, as in a very comfortable life can be lived on $1,000 a month. I know that you probably have attachments to LA, but, it sounds like you are desperate and need to get out. Plus, it's less polluted.