I'm so sick of being poor

[nobodyspecial]

it's not even the ability to go out to a movie in a real theater, or go out to eat or have drinks with friends or mindlessly grab a treat while out. It's been so long that I don't even miss those things anymore.

It's the state of panic when something big happens and not being able to do anything about it. I'm down to my last pair of contacts and don't have a current 'script to buy any online. I found a sucky workaround for the laundry tub drain, but now it's the central air conditioner. I hardly even turn it on because I can't afford to run it. But, when it's more than 90 out for a couple of days without cooling down at night, I'll run it and set it at about 78. I was actually scared to turn it on for the first time and my fears were realized. It doesn't work.

Before starting it today, yesterday I replaced the filter and rinsed the coils. I know it's not the thermostat because the blower inside activates and starts circulating the air inside. But the fan in the unit outside won't kick on. I flipped both the circuit breaker and the HVAC unit switch hoping it would reset. Still no luck. And, no, I don't know anyone who can fix it or give me a deal. I'm also afraid that since I'm so clueless, an unscrupulous repair person will try to take me for a ride.

I guess it's a blowup mattress in the unfinished, musty basement for the next few nights. I'm going to school right now to change careers after being downsized three times in the past several years, so I'm out during weekdays, but I worry about my poor little dog. I just hope I'll be able to finally land a new job once I'm done with school. I really don't even want a lot, but it would be nice to take care of basic things instead of always finding a way to do without.

And, yes, I do realize people have it worse. That does nothing to make me feel better.

[rug]

1. This is so wrong. And this is so common.

My neighbor broke her dentures four weeks ago. Found a dentist who may replace them pro bono. But may not.

[nobodyspecial]

4. And what really bugs me is how so many people

even here, make fun of people with dental issues. It's so expensive to fix things. It's not like people want bad teeth. I hope she finds someone to help. That is definitely more serious than my AC.

[rug]

6. No, every problem is serious.

There is no hierarchy to suffering.

This system must change.

[Mosaic]

73. We tried with Occupy

And the entire government crushed us. Life sucks.

[rug]

74. Geez, it's not like the Battle of Brooklyn was lost again.

Do we need to invoke Bluto?

[sunwyn]

29. That is so true....I have been unemployed 4+ years and I

have 12 of my 32 teeth left. I do however have 13 embedded roots a few jagged edges on others. Even the so-called free clinic that gets government money want 45 bucks a tooth to pull. That's the intact teeth. They don't have an oral surgeon so they won't even touch them. They just tell me "You need these all pulled or you are gonna die". Lovely. I would love to eat a raw vegetable.

[MsPithy]

34. I overheard a conversation of 20-somethings,

they were discussing what kind of minor, non violent crime you would have to commit so you could go to jail in order to have your teeth worked on.

[Courtesy Flush]

37. I hope they weren't serious.

in jail, they don't give a damn about your health problems if they're not life threatening. I've never been arrested, but I've worked in social services enough to know.

[raccoon]

66. How about in the military?

Not that I would ordinarily recommend anyone joining for that reason.

I think it is shameful that this sort of thing occurs in the USA. And some years back, I lost two teeth because
I didn't have the money to fix them.

I hope things get better for the OP.

Thanks for your post, Courtesy, for sharing that info with us.

[Coyote_Bandit]

78. Don't count on it

I know someone who had access to dental care for the first time in their life after they joined the military. Kid had all his teeth and did not have any dental pain. But the military dentist decided that he needed extensive work. Rather than do the work, they pulled all his teeth and gave him dentures at the age of 25!

[Clames]

86. Moot point.

Be almost impossible to get in with any Class 2/3 Dental profile. Military dentists are no worse than civilian counterparts. Probably because the vast majority of them ARE civilian counterparts as well.

[Coyote_Bandit]

87. It wasn't a moot point to the guy it happened to

He grew up poor without dental care in a rural area that did not have flouridated water. He had cavities and needed some fillings. Several of them. After joining the military he sought out some dental care. Instead of making an effort for him to keep as many of his teeth as possible for as long as possible, the military pulled his fucking teeth and gave him dentures at the age of 25.

[Clames]

93. Sorry about your buddy...

...but understand that there are often cases where there is enough damage to underlying tooth structures that necessitates even pulling good teeth. Also when dealing with dental prosthetics it is often better in the long term to remove healthy teeth to make room for permanent fixtures that can support dentures. I've always had excellent dental care in the military and I know that the docs just don't pull teeth for the sake of it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

97. I suspect

that the care that is made available to military personnel might be dependent upon where they are assigned.

The guy I know was assigned to a small post in a small non-English speaking country. He didn't have access to civilian care and military medical/dental/optical care was provided at a bare minimum. He likely would have received far different care if he were posted at a large US or European base.

[xtraxritical]

40. In jail all they will do is pull teeth, nothing more.

[Honeycombe8]

68. You are changing careers to a higher paying, more secure one?

This is a good move. So you know that your poverty is not permanent, since you are taking steps to improve your situation. How much longer do you have to go? How old are you?I

I'm worried about your dog. It costs money to have pets. Medical care is as important as food, and med. care costs. I hope you've shopped around and found the cheapest vet in your area.

When you finish your education, you will have something to use to move ahead and start making more money. You're working while going to school? Are you female or male? I ask because I am a paralegal and know that legal secretaries get paid pretty well. That's because it is hard and it is a specialty. Those jobs also come with good benefits, usually. No pensions, but good insurance, 401k law firm matching often, vacation days and holidays, and the opportunity for overtime so you can earn extra money. NO SCHOOL IS NECESSARY FOR LEARNING THAT OCCUPATION. The trick is getting that first job, with no experience. I assume you know computers and MS office? If you know that, yu can get a lower level or receptionist job in a law firm....and you're in. From there you can work yourself into higher level legal secretary jobs. After secretaries have been at my firm for 10 or more years, it's not unusual for them to get paid over $60,000 a year, not counting 401k benefits and overtime. Firms also provide dental insurance, usu. for a monthly premium but sometimes they will pay for it.

Central air is very expensive, but is considered part of the cost of living expenses in my hot area. It's the same as any other utility, like water. My central air unit was blowing but not cooling recently. It turned out to be the breaker. I could flip it several times and get it to work, but ac man told me that meant the breaker was weak and old and needed to be replaced. A/C repairmen don't do that, so I had to call an electrician. I called an electrician...he replaced the old weak breaker outside (the one for the compressor), and voila, that was it, and it works.

THERE ARE WINDOW A/C UNITS, which are MUCH cheaper to run than central units. THERE ARE ALSO PORTABLE UNITS, but you would need to stick the hose thing outside or in a pail or something. You caneither of those things on sale at Sears, Home Depot....maybe even Walmart. The window a/c units need to be installed. Portable units - you just carry it around and put it in various places. They can be pricey but they pay for themselves after time, and they also don't cost much to run. You can put it in your bedroom, close the door, and you and your dog can sleep in a cool place. You can also leave it running during the day and leave your dog in that closed off room.

I have both a central and window a/c. I use the window a/c to supplement. I turn the central unit temp higher at night, close my bedroom door, turn the window unit on, and me and my dogs have a cool room to sleep in. It has helped keep my bills lower.

Good luck.

[LiberalEsto]

88. It's sometimes possible to find a small a/c unit at Goodwill

or various thrift stores.

[Honeycombe8]

90. What a good tip. Now that I think of it, if I get a larger window a/c, I probably would give my old

one to charity, which would re-sell it for very little $.

The good thing about a small window a/c is you don't need brackets propping it up on the outside. Mine is 8 btu, and I don't need brackets on the outside of the house.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

70. Spent $1300 for one crown recently

Expensive indeed. How the hell can anyone afford it?

[Worried senior]

2. The fact that this goes on

in a country like ours where so many have so much and so many more can't even have the basics of life.

We too live on limited means, so far we are managing but we are in trouble if anything big happens.

No one is looking for a free ride but even tho we've worked for our SS and small pension they make you feel like you are getting something for nothing. Things could have been much better but life happened and this is what we live with.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm so sorry, my dear nobodyspecial...

I hope your education will help get you out of that awful place...

[trueblue2007]

5. me too. although just got a little windfall. i started getting my social security.

only 740.00 a month and we don't get food stamps anymore. my health insurance takes 210.00 and 3 doctor bills take 150. prescriptions run 20.00. rest goes to paying phone, heat and i'm putting in $ for food. we don't go to movies, don't go out for dinner. i get books from library. no clothes, magazines. only fun thing is i get veggies to grow and get few flowers.

i hate being poor

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. i am really sorry for you, and just because people may have it worse, doesn't mean

that your situation is not bad.

really sorry for the tough times you are going through

[dana_b]

8. I understand

and wish that I could say something more than that. When things break, they stay broke because everything we have goes to survival. My daughter needs to go to the doctor because her foot and leg has been swelling up and are painful but she didn't tell me about it over a month because she knew that we don't have much money and the deductible for emergency COBRA plan is high. Of course I'm making her go next week but I feel terrible that she has been hiding it because of this. I just hope that it's not anything serious.

to you and just know that we care.

[nobodyspecial]

16. I have no insurance at all right now

and am terrified that something will happen to me. I'm glad no one else, but my dog, is depending on me. You should see the grooming I gave her this past week. She looks a mess but is happy as hell because she is cooler.

Your daughter really needs to get in ASAP. That could be a blood clot or blockage since it is isolated in one leg. If it dislodges, it could be life threatening. If she's suddenly having trouble breathing, dial 911 fast. I would have someone look at it first thing, especially since it has been going on for awhile.

[dana_b]

33. yes, I thought of that

and we are getting her in ASAP and I appreciate your concern. I just wish that she wasn't afraid to tell me because of money.

Thank God dogs don't care how they look and they love us no matter what! My family has done the same with our pets.
I hope your A/C problems get worked out soon and you'll be in my thoughts.

[Kaleva]

9. Some ideas about the A/C

You say the fan in the outside unit doesn't come on. How about the compressor itself? If that isn't running either, then check, by removing the access cover, to see if the contactor is in the closed position. First kill the power to the outside unit by shutting off the HVAC unit switch before removing the access cover. With the cover off and if you have identified the contactor, then turn power back on to the unit and see if it closes. The thermostat has to be set to cool and the indoor fan running while doing this check.

If the contactor does close but neither the outdoor fan or compressor runs, then most likely you have a problem wit hthe high voltage. Does the HVAC unit switch have fuses? Some do. If the contactor does not close and the thermostat is calling for cooling and the indoor fan is running, then you have may a problem with the low voltage side. The contactor itself could be bad. With the A/C shut off, check the thin wire for breaks. Sometimes when people mow or weed whack around their outdoor unit, they'll accidentally cut that thin wire.

I really can't give you any more advice unless you have the proper tools and test equipment. and be careful when checking out the outdoor unit as there is 240 volts there.

[nobodyspecial]

17. Thank you for your hands-on suggestions

Can I pick your brain later this week by PM? I might be able to get someone with tools to help me. In my state today, I'm likely to electrocute myself. I'm just being quiet now, have a icy glass of water and the fan pointed on me.

[Kaleva]

26. Feel free to PM me. OffWithTheirHeads will be very helpful too.

[Warpy]

47. There is a lot of online help

It's something I discovered during my latest several year poverty period. As long as I could keep the Antichrist (a cheap computer that liked to eat its hard drives) running, I could find out how to fix most things. I literally have WD 40 in every room of my house now, I call it "holy oil."

Anyhow, for central air, http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/heating-and-cooling/how-to-repair-central-air-conditioners1.htm is a good troubleshooting guide that will tell you if it's a problem you can fix or if you have to sell your first born to get somebody else to fix it. Do SHUT THE POWER OFF before you open the cover.

A deeper explanation and guide is at http://inspectapedia.com/aircond/aircond1123.htm

There are more sites than just those two, they're just the first I found. I was lucky, I have a swamp cooler instead of refrigerated AC and it mostly works OK because it's so arid here.

[Pat Riot]

79. low tech help

fill your bathtub with water and sit in it.

[FloridaJudy]

99. Better yet

Hang out at the Public Library as much as you can.

[femrap]

85. The same problem

happened to me. Go to the circuit breaker box and hit the 'furnace' button. Who knew that the A/C and furnace were connected??? But the furnace runs the fan. It made no sense to me, but it works.

Try and let me know if that helped.

Good luck.

[LiberalEsto]

89. You might want to post in the DIY forum too.

There are some real experts there.
Good luck!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

10. Lets see if we can fix your AC. It could be something simple.

You say the fan does not come on in the outdoor unit. Does anything come on outside?

The outside thingie is called the condensing unit and, when running properly, you should hear two things running. The compressor and the fan. If neither of these things are running, it is because they are not getting electricity. This could be as simple as a blown fuse. or even a turned off disconnect switch at the unit itself.

Do you have ANY mechanical experience at all? Any tools? Access to an ohm meter?

Even if your only mechanical experience is sharpening a pencil, we can check on a few things and maybe get lucky.

Assuming your A/C was installed properly, somewhere on or very near your condensing unit is a box that can be opened called the disconnect. It may have a lever on the side that directly turns on the power to the unit. See if you can find that but don't play with it just yet. PM me and I will try to walk you through this. I can even send you pictures so you know what to look for.

Unless you tell me you are fairly mechanically competent we will just try the simple things but they are the first things any competent A/C tech would look at and you would be surprised at how often it turns out to be something simple, especially when nothing is working at all.

[nobodyspecial]

18. I'll take you up on your offer

Can I pick your brain later this week by PM? I might be able to get someone with tools to help me. In my state today, I'm likely to electrocute myself. I'm just being quiet now, have a icy glass of water and the fan pointed on me.

[silentwarrior]

24. I dont have air-conditioning

in my house. Its awful in the summer. I have to rely on a portable fan which I carry from room to room. Cant afford anything else

[Warpy]

48. I live in the desert and often find I can cope

with a fan and a spray bottle full of water. I just spritz myself down and sit in front of the fan and it cools me fairly rapidly. I also go soak my head. Wet hair cools me down pretty quickly, too. I discovered these things one of the years when I couldn't afford to get my cooler set up. One of the reasons I live where I do is that this house has the cooler sticking out of a window so I can do the setup myself.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

51. Of course. If you live anywhere near Tucson, let me know and I'll just come over and fix it.

I retired from the industry about a year and a half ago after 43 years and have a garage full of tools. It would be fun to put some of them to work again.

[Kali]

53. I wonder if you would be interested in volunteering your skills?

I bet you could make a lot of people's lives better...of course a lot of the older homes in town just have swamp coolers and most anybody can work on those, but I bet there is still plenty of call for your skills that one of the local non-profits could use ... I might be able to find some contact info if you are interested.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

54. Actually, I tried to voleunteer for Habitat For Humanity.

One of the people who frequent Drinking liberally was, or maybe is, the girlfriend of one of the mucky mucks at Habitat. I asked her to have him give me a call as I can pretty much build a house from the ground up. From drawing the plans to doing the roof. It's what Ive done all my life. Because of the rules of my union AND the SSDI system, I can't recieve compensation for anything I might have to offer which means I could only work for free. I guess they tought I was full of shit because nobody bothered to contact me. Oh well. Maybe they hear that alot.

[Kali]

55. it does seem like the non-profit universe in Tucson is pretty cliquey

so you may have to be pushy about it until the right person sees the light, as it were

there ought to be some kind of clearing house for things like this - sort of a freecyle for services

Thanks for trying - keep talking, it will soak in somewhere - try not to get discouraged by the way things move kind of slowly, I think it is the desert heat mentality sometimes too

[OffWithTheirHeads]

56. Yeah, it's just kind of wierd.

First of all, I am very good at what I do.
When I was activlly involved in the industry, nobody batted an eyelash at paying me $1,000.00 a day to do work for them IF they were fortunate enough for me to take on their jobs. Now, I am offering my knowledge for free to help people who who are less fortunate and I get blown off. I'm discussing this with my wife right now but my ego says I shouldn't have to beg folks to let me help them for free. My wife, of course, liberal Commie Symp that she is, says just keep at it. I on the other hand, am inclined to just work on my sun tan, ride my bike and practice my guitar! Sadly, Liberal, Commie Symp that I am, I feel that I have a lot to offer and just feel that I shouldn't have to beg people for me to offer it. Not what I expected in my retirement.

[Kali]

57. trust me I know how you feel

and it involves a particular Tucson non-profit that I have an intense love-hate relationship with.

burning bridges with people who have energy, time, skills, and most important - a desire to help just because they aren't part of the in-group is destructive to not only the human relationships but to the goals of the very organizations in question. People that treat these orgs like their own private club are idiots and then they sit around wondering why the donations have dropped off or they can't get volunteers to do grunt work, much less for skilled tasks.

[coalition_unwilling]

61. I had a similar experience with literacy tutoring in Madison, WI a couple decades ago. I have an

M.A. in English and had completed the literacy program's phonetics training. I lived in a working class and working poor part of town, so I know there was a population there who could have used my help. I never got a single referral, despite contacting the MLC a couple times. Finally, I threw my hands up and figured they were just in it to get grant money and keep their paid staff getting paychecks but they didn't really help anyone at all. Really and totally bizarre. Soured me on the non-profit sector for a long time, until Occupy came along. They're the real deal.

[crunch60]

63. Kali here is a link to a national Freecycle Organization. Most states have one

http://www.freecycle.org/

[Kali]

77. yep - they actually started in Tucson!

I'm on a couple of them.

[crunch60]

62. I buy a lot of things from Habitat, they have

great deals of lots of household items and tools . I shop there a lot. I have never volunteered there, but I did offer to volunteer at a large local hospital's breast center. I did not hear from them. Don't know what goes on with some of these non profits.

I did a trade with my neighbor, he put in a new kitchen faucet for me and I made him a beautiful garden stepping stone for his wife's birthday. I gave him a second one for helping with a leak I had in my bathroom. (I do mosaic art) I pay him a little also, but certainly not the same as I would have to pay a repair man.
Trades are great.
Another friend is a great seamstress, so I will have her sew me a couple of cute new summer dresses and give her a mosaic mirror. A man I know at a local art gallery is a photographer, so I am going to give him an old vintage camera I no longer use, and ask him to photograph my mosaic art work so I can get a portfolio started.

Many people have talents they don't utilize. Think of anything you could offer, goods or services and make an effort to connect with like thinking neighbors and do some serious networking with people. Being financially strapped isn't fun, so many are suffering now, not enough money to meet their basic needs.

Membership to the Athletic Club is only $15.00 a mo., so I use that facility, taking advantage of the gym pool and great showers, especially in summer . Living in the desert is hot, hot. energy bills, very high.

Most states have a freecycle group. (see link) It's a great site to get free stuff you need. I use this group as well, and it's good to donate what you don't need for someone else.

http://www.freecycle.org/ Good luck nobody special, so many on this site willing to help.

[wildeyed]

71. They may just be disorganized.

That happens a lot with volunteer organizations. Or it could be Habitat. My husband did a volunteer day with the group here in Charlotte and mentioned that the paid workers were rude to the volunteers and inefficient to boot.

On edit: There might be other groups that help the poor in your area who would kill to have a volunteer tech on call. We have a group called Crisis Assistance here who help the working poor with emergencies and I know that heat is a huge problem for the elderly. Many are on a fixed income and if their AC conks out, won't be able to fix it.

[mysuzuki2]

83. I can't speak for your union rules but if you are receiving SSDI

you CAN work for pay. There are limits on how much you coan earn but even a small amount of earnings can often be a big help.

[backwoodsbob]

94. was going to ask if you Like Cherlston

you are just a bitter person.

I could get you a job today but after reading this I wont

[cally]

96. That is so kind

I love how folks on DU try to help others.

On a side note on the volunteer issue. I tried for years to volunteer with my local Dem party and no one ever called my back. When I finally did get involved through a meetup, I found out how disorganized they were. They just had no one check messages and return calls. I tried to fix that problem but I'm not sure it's still fixed.

[Kaleva]

23. I had one woman call me up one night saying she had no heat. Furance hadn't come on in awhile.

I get there and the thermostat was set at 70 and it was reading 72. She had been cooking in the kitchen nearby. I turned it up to 74 and she had heat. I turned it back to 70, told her why the furnace hadn't come on for awhile and left. I didn't charge for that job.

Another call was from a friend of an elderly lady who told him that her furnace was making a racket so he asked if I could go out there and work on it. I get there and go down the basement and find that the float on her sump pump was stuck and the pump was the source of the noise. I fix the float and go back upstairs to tell her what I found and did. She tells me the furnace is still making a noise (it wasn't even running at that time) and I need to fix it before I leave or she won't be able to sleep that night. So I go back down the basement and wonder what the heck I'm going to do. Then I take a wrench from my tool bucket and bang on the duct work for a bit. I then go back upstairs and ask her if she can still hear the noise. She says she can't and thanks me for fixing her furnace. I didn't charge for that job either.

[Sherman A1]

35. You are a good man

I know absolutely nothing about HVAC, but I do think your efforts to help others as in this situation are to be applauded.

[truedelphi]

42. Thank you for your kindness and

For finding some work arounds. Getting older is a B-I-T-C-H, so I hope when I'm in worser shape, people like you are around.

[Kaleva]

44. I would have felt I was ripping them off if I had charged them.

[1620rock]

11. "nobodyspecial" I don't like your user name, you are somebody special. and you are loved.

[secondwind]

12. Rec'd a thousand times. You ARE special, you are a DUer, and you are loved.

[wendylaroux]

14. Right on 1620rock

every one is special,no matter how this ''society'' makes you feel.

[nobodyspecial]

28. Thanks

Everyone has been so nice and supportive. It's making me a little misty.

[freshwest]

58. Same to you from me. And can you get the dog into some water during the day?

When I lived in the desert and it was over a 100 and dry everyday, to keep my dogs cool I filled up a small children's pool with water in the shade and it really helped them. I used a swamp cooler in the house but it was miserable anyway.

If you have a dependable supply of water (I didn't so had to conserve, this would not have worked for me there) you can run a sprinkler on those cooling coils some times if the A/C is just overloaded. Best wishes and take good care of your little furry friend.

[dana_b]

30. I thought the same thing n/t

[BlueJazz]

46. Glad you posted that. I was about to say the same...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

76. I like the user name

It seems to be in the same "spirit" as mine.

Sort of like "everyman"



Anyway, it sounds like there's some good advice in this thread on how to begin to debug this AC. The "fix" I hate is when I had to remove a dead (and mummified) squirrel from the fan. It worked fine without that obstruction.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

13. Roughing it when you're young is an adventure. Doing so middle aged is depressing. Think young.....

and be ready for that better time ahead.

[nobodyspecial]

22. Yep, I was poor before when I was younger

and then had a short taste of not struggling although I was never doing really well. I know how to survive, but I'm growing weary. Like I said, it mostly doesn't bother me as I'm not that materialistic and find joy in so many other things -- just times like this. I have so much riding on new training helping me to turn things around. I'm working my ass off so I hope it pays off.

[XanaDUer]

15. You have a perfect right to your feelings

Poverty sucks. Yes, some have it worse, but in a country as wealthy as the US, people should have decent housing, health care, and a free education. If you get laid off, you should have an entire range of things to sustain you if and when one finds another position.

As stated upthread, the system MUST change.

[riderinthestorm]

19. I have no answers. Just a hug and a hope for better days ahead when you graduate

I hate that there are so many people suffering. Not being able to sleep at night because your house is broiling hot IS a crisis (and miserable!) I hope the repair DU experts upthread can help....

[Jamaal510]

20. It's incredible that

we're in the year 2012, and yet Americans are still debating over whether we should raise taxes on millionaires and whether we should adopt universal health care. People need health care in order to live, and the rich can afford to pay higher taxes to fix our deficit. Other countries have higher taxes and universal health care, so why can't we?

[Walk away]

21. I know the feeling well. I dream about seeing a dentist.

I don't know where you live but if it's anywhere near Bergen County NJ maybe I can help with your dog. I have a doggie day care!

[nobodyspecial]

25. Not even close

But thanks. She'll be OK. And she can go in the basement with me or I'll put her there in a safe area during the day. She doesn't like it down there for some reason.

And I know what you mean about the dentist. I chipped my farthest back molar and am just hoping that it doesn't crack more or expose the nerve. I stopped eating almonds or anything else really hard because of it.

[spooky3]

27. I really hope your luck changes soon - and an idea for your dog

You may want to contact a pet rescue organization and tell the volunteers what you are struggling with and ask if there is anything that they can do to help you and keep your dog in your home. We have several (in the DC metro area) and while all have far more demands than they have resources, they may be able to help with food or medical care. Certainly if you get to the point where you are concerned you may have to give the dog up, please contact them before things get desperate.

[truedelphi]

43. that is a good idea, and I hope eople in her area

Can help. There are many lovely orgs that are trying to help with people keeping their animals.

[maria2]

31. ....

ok

[chervilant]

32. So many of us are in dire straits...

I have been un- or under-employed for close to four years. I have no health insurance--too bad I have carpal tunnel, chronic back pain, a molar missing a big filling and a bicuspid sheared off. Let's not even mention the tinitus, or the fact that I haven't had contact lenses or glasses for at least five years.

I was working part time at a community college, but had to resign because they dropped my hours by more than half, and my unemployment benefits were cut to a third of what I had been getting--so no more separate household for me.

Texas Workforce Commission now expects me to reimburse them $1380--an 'overpayment' according to them because I resigned my position with the community college before the amount of money I owed my landlady got over $5000. I asked the last person with whom I spoke where they expect me to get that money. I told her I felt like TWC is asking me to bend over and grab my ankles. She got very quiet then...

I'm getting food stamps for the first time in my life. People look at you with thinly veiled contempt when you use your EBT card.

I've applied for every teaching job or near teaching job I can find where I currently live, and no one will even condescend to respond.

I'm living with a person I've known since my early twenties, and she has become an angry, depressed person with high blood pressure and frequent bouts of inordinate rage. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells--just like when I was a kid with an alcoholic, abusive father.

I am bright, capable, and desperate to work--but, no one will hire me.

I share my story, because there are very MANY people my age (56) who are on the thin razor's edge of the Abject Poverty Abyss. While I am hopeful that the Occupy movement will result in significant economic reordering, many of us will still have to survive the ongoing economic storm (and, it's far from over, despite what our fearless leaders are saying).

If I don't get a job soon, I WILL have to exercise my Kevorkian alternative. I don't see any way around it.

[truedelphi]

45. I swear to God, if Kevorkian was running for President, he'd

Get a lot of votes from the people 49 years old and older.

I don't have many friends left after the medical bankruptcy. But of the few I do have, two are on "suicide watch." They just don't see the point any more.

We have been around long enough that we understand that most of what is happening is by design. When even the people calling as debt collectors on Student Loans are based in other countries - what does that tell us about our "wonderful' Congress people.

If the powers that be would spend half the time and money helping the people in this nation, rather than fixing it so we have drones killing people all over the globe, no one would in our country would be in trouble.

[chervilant]

49. According to another DU post,

59% of our current budget is earmarked for defense spending.

Clearly, the Corporate Megalomaniacs feel secure in their insular little Richistan world...

[truedelphi]

59. That sounds about right.

One in three hundred people now works for Homeland Security. And every day of the week, if you read the business pages, another "system" is being bought by DHS for big bucks, to help keep this nation stay free of "terrorists."

Good thing for the businesses getting that dough that the Occupy crowd is now deemed as terrorists.

[MsPithy]

36. I don't know a thing about air conditioners,

but when it is hot here, I keep the dogs wet. I take them to the tub and spray them with the hand-held, then dry them just a little so they are not dripping. My lab mix thinks this is just dandy, the little terrier mix is skeptical. I wet my hair and drape one of the damp towels over my shoulders and we all sit in front of the fan.

As a kid in the midwest, I remember using a wet towel instead of a blanket at night, with the fan blowing on me.

Thank you for sharing your story. It has inspired others to share, also. A culture that allows so many to suffer alone and in silence can not survive. People who are well off need to know how hard things really are.

[Courtesy Flush]

38. You might want to google AC repairs

There might be a part you can replace yourself. My most common AC repair is a bad capacitor. I always pay a guy to replace it, but I suspect I could do it myself with a little information.

if you're renting, get the landlord to fix it.

[GoCubsGo]

39. I know how you feel.

I never thought I"d be living like a poor grad student again. Hell, I WISH I was a poor grad student. At least I'd have an income and hope of something better.

[crim son]

41. Boy, do I feel your pain.

On Saturday morning I went to the pharmacy and picked up my meds which, because I'm uninsured, are crazy expensive. Then I went to the grocery store to buy bread for the weekend and my debit card was declined. What struck me at the time was that it didn't even surprise or embarrass me much... I'm now apparently used to that regular humiliation. What bothered me is not having bread. It's so damned strange to have a Steinway grand in my living room and diamonds in my jewelry box - all from my past life before my world collapsed - but no bread in the cupboard. Yeah, I should sell the piano the way I've been selling off my jewelry, but to me that seems like complete capitulation i.e. I'd rather die of starvation.

In short, I empathize. I do. (((hugs)))

[LiberalEsto]

91. If there is a Costco near you, get your prescriptions filled there

Costco charges a lot less on may prescriptions. You do not have to be a member to get prescriptions.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

50. Three words: "You're not alone."

I've shared some of what's happened to me over the last three years on DU, and I'm not in the mood to do a replay tonight, but suffice it to say that while the things you're describing do sting, you're not alone.

And I APPLAUD you for your HONESTY in saying "And, yes, I do realize people have it worse. That does nothing to make me feel better."

I've given my time and my often limited resources to help those less fortunate, and looking at broken lives all around me is a humbling experience.

But when I hurt, I hurt. Just like you. I feel compassion for people who are suffering but when I'm the one suffering, more often than not, all I can feel is my own pain.

Hang in there. Always keep faith in better days ahead, even when you can't see them.

[Kali]

52. wet towels and a fan will help get you through

wet a towel and lay it on the foot of your bed, place a fan on a small table at bed height near the towel. Lie down with feet on towel. aaahhhh

also wet hair, and a damp top sheet will feel good when it is really hot.

during the day sitting in front of that same fan in a damp tee shirt will do it

for the dog, if it will lay on a damp towel the same can work, if not then aim the fan to blow OUT a low window or screen door when you are gone - a fan running in a room but not on anybody's skin just heats the room more - all it really is is a motor running - and it is generating heat. Fans cool by moving the air over your skin and by evaporating moisture. If neither are there a fan is just heating a room.

you can leave ice in a bowl for the dog as well. I have a cat that practically drapes herself over her water dish because it is cooler - bathroom floors are often a cool place for pets to lay too (and you can leave a little water in the tub too.

cool bath or shower can lower your body temp a little too, but you need to stay immursed long enough to get there, otherwise a quick warm shower will actually make you feel cooler

same with beverages - most of the world drinks warmer beverages to cool off, we are addicted to ice (I confess I can't do this one very well myself - I do love my iced tea, but have experienced warm grre tea in a hot, humid climate and it does work)

choosing to live frugally is wonderful, poverty SUCKS

[CrawlingChaos]

65. Great ideas

I've thought about getting a few scratch-n-dent marble tiles to make a cool surface for my little dog to lie on - he loves to stretch his belly across a cool floor on a hot day. I heard a vet on TV say that cats do pretty well in hot weather, but dogs do not, so in the summertime I worry more about him than the kitty.

You're so right about living frugally being very satisfying as long as it's a choice. As the OP says, it's the constant fear of a sudden major expense dropping in your lap that sucks all the joy out of life.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

60. You are not alone.

I'm 'living the dream' too.

[snappyturtle]

72. Me too. The only peace I have is sleep... & that's only when I can.

[lamp_shade]

64. I'm bookmarking this thread because there's a lot of good information, links, advice.

Thanks for opening your heart and for starting this thread.

[backwoodsbob]

67. big hugs

until two months ago you could have written my life story right there.

it can get better my friend....big vibes your way

[Honeycombe8]

69. Dental care. In my city we have a dental school (Baylor).

They accept appts from the general public, although there may be a long wait. It is cheaper than regular dentists.

Some cities also have dental CLINICS. The care isn't as good (I've been to a couple), but they are cheaper than regular dentists.

I hope you are able to have your teeth tended to. The repercussions from lack of care could last a lifetime. Including for your dog. They need dental care, too.

Check out your local SPCA to see if it offers lower cost vet care. In my city, it is possible to get low cost or even free spay/neuter services, as well as annual shots for dogs and cats.

What city are you in?

[efilon]

75. air conditioner

Sure you've probably tried this but when my ac wasn't working one year I had to call in a repair guy. The plug wasn't set completely, all he had to do was push the plug in tighter and it worked! Cost me $180, a lot of money for someone to plug in your ac but the first of August in Iowa in a trailer it was worth it. The repairman felt really bad but of course had to charge for the service call since he worked for some big company in town.


I tell you this because that is exactly what my ac was doing. This may not be the answer for you but thought it might be worth a try! I've been in your position before and it is really hard. Thinking that other people have it worse doesn't help you. You can have empathy for them but you are still in a bad spot right now so you are as bad off as any.

[Coyote_Bandit]

80. .

Me too. I am one of our nation's throwaways.

You have reason to hope that things wll get better for you.



I have no suggestions about the air conditioner. But I will second the suggestion of getting some tile for the dog to lie on - or putting down a damp towel for him to lie on during the day.I've done both for an old dog that had difficulty in the heat and both helped him.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

81. I feel the same exact way

And my wife and I are both employed pretty much at the same level. Our biggest problem is that our bills keep going up whole our income has pretty much stagnant- to the point that we are struggling just to pay our bills/necessary expenditures (food, gas, etc). It sucks but we feel like there is no way out short of losing some expenses (which have been pretty much cut as far back as possible) or boosting our income somehow-though we don't know exactly how to do that except for working 24-7. Not a fun existence.

[magical thyme]

82. you are not alone

When it's too hot, I keep a bowl of cool water and a washcloth with me. Wipe myself down and then lay the cloth across the hottest part and let the fan blow through.

Make sure you get plenty of 'lytes when drinking that ice water.

I finished going to school for a new career just last year, after mine hit the skids with the high tech crash. I got a job immediately -- and just in time -- and was able to start giving myself little treats a bit at a time. Every time I've managed to save a little, one thing or another that's been on the brink goes. I went through my last winter of school with no backup heat (in Maine). Got it fixed last summer, and it stopped working the first time I tried to use it in a storm. I spent my birthday curled up on the sofa with my dogs under blankets and with glove warmers in my socks, pockets, on my knees, stomach and the back of my neck to stay warm, while the temps dropped to the mid-twenties.

I just had my brakes fixed 2 months ago, and the light started going on again last week. They're looking at it this Friday. I fear for my well pump, my septic, my furnace, and my health. And I need to get the back up heater fixed again.

But the job has turned into a disaster. It pays 25% less than what I was told by an HR rep before I started the program. And I took per diem and gave up all bennies so I could say 'no' to one thing -- night shift. And they are making me work night shift anyway. They were told a couple weeks ago by a consultant to drop one fulltime person and use less per diem. A week later, they hired another per diem, presumably to replace me.

It's killing me a piece at a time, so I'm planning to give notice today and dump this house if it's the last thing I do. My birds can go to a new avian sanctuary in NH. I'm worried about my dogs, though. Jake is a total love but 7 with bad hips and Luna is 4 but is shy and was a stray so can be mouthy and has fear-aggression towards dogs not in his pack.

[KatyaR]

84. Honey, I'm right there with you.

I'm having such a hard time, I feel like I'm totally stuck. I've cut back on pretty much everything I can, and I'm still stuck. Nothing and no one to fall back on. I need a second job so badly, but my job requires me to get permission to get another job (which I think is totally illegal, but what can you do?), and I'm pretty sure my boss will say no, but of course she's living fine, so why aren't I? Plus the fact that I'm so down and depressed from my situation that I can't possibly imagine having to be away from home any more than I already am, a second job sounds totally unappealing. And then there's the dog to think about--he needs me to be around. So here I am, stuck.

Most days I can barely drag myself out of bed. And yes, like you, I realize people have it worse--some of my neighbors, in fact. But it doesn't make me feel any better, either.

Take care, you....

[onestepforward]

92. I hear you.

For me, it's like living under water and breathing through a very small straw. Every day I wake up with a gut-wrenching fear that if anything goes wrong, my little straw will fill with water.

It's very draining and a sad way to live.

Despite my tiredness, I offer you a cyber-hug and hopes that your situation and everyone else who is struggling gets better.

[KT2000]

95. It's like a chess game

trying to keep it all going isn't it.
Adjust and compensate is all we can do.
I just hope you are not internalizing the RW crap about being poor. I know it plays in my head sometimes and it takes an effort to get rid of it.
Just remember - there is a future!

[Digit]

98. You are not alone

I am considerably older and live by myself. I have had take a job clear across town to make just under $15,000 a year, no health insurance, and no new job prospects on the horizon. Many additional things going on that are not good, but you get the idea.

I am tired and I am angry. I am tired of the day to day struggle and constant worry. I am angry that so many of us are struggling for just the basics while those in power look for ways to strip us of the remaining scraps left. Hope, health, and dignity included among them.

You are still young enough and you are taking positive steps to better your life. Hang in there. It sounds like relatively soon, things will get better for you. I hope MUCH better!

In the meantime, there have been some very good suggestions in this thread which I know you and others will benefit from.

[jtuck004]

100. Plain white cotton towels, run under cold water. Wring it out a bit then

grab it by the end and swing it around a few times, this evaporates and cools the surface.

Then twirl it tight (like you were preparing for a towel fight) and lay it around and over the back of your neck. Ice in a bowl in front of a fan helps. Ice cubes in the water bowl might help keep the dog cool. A water bottle sprayer helps them as well.

As far as the AC...

Is there a vocational school nearby? When I went to one years ago we would do calls like this for free just to learn. I wonder if Catholic Charities or one of the nonprofits that do home repair might know a maintenance person? And sometimes other churches will help.

BTW ->> I wouldn't suggest you work on it unless you know how to make it safe. There is a capacitor on there that holds electrical charge even with the unit off.

There is a relay in the condensing unit outside that comes on when the t-stat is lowered. Ants like to nest in it, also spiders, sometimes dirt blows in. It could very likely be a burnt wire at that relay - that would keep anything from starting outside while the inside comes on just fine. So if the unit makes no sound or movement when power comes on, possibly that. Not real cheap, but not a compressor. If the fan runs but no cool, the compressor didn't start. The compressor might start but the fan won't come on, and that could be a bad fan..

If the humidity is high where you live it may not work well, but a "swamp cooler" - just a box that holds water which is pumped to the top and runs down the sides with a fan to pull air through - is cheaper and does a fairly good job if you stay in front of it in the same room. They are just a motor, a pump, and a box, and I think they are too pricey for that, so look around if you decide that might be the answer. Usually mounted on the wall through an outside window, some of them are a pretty big box. They sell some for inside, but I didn't think much of their ability to cool.

Works better up North where the humidity is lower, you see them a lot in New Mexico. We grew up with one in OKC, but the humidity makes it less efficient on really hot days.

I really hope whatever you are taking in school actually has some openings.

Good luck.

[opiate69]

101. Ditto that...

43 years old, will most likely die early because I can't afford the dental care I need (though I'm insured, there's a $1,000 per year cap on benefits, and that would cover about half of one tooth.. and all of my uppers need either root canals or extractions), constantly trying to balance out which bill will get short-paid or put off so I can make sure there's groceries in the house for the wife and kids, and gas in the car so we can get to work, busting ass continually and never getting ahead, while watching scum-fucks like RMoney lounge in the lap of luxury, all by being callous, calculating, thieving, evil pricks who make their fortunes on the backs of people like me. And sitting here thinking that the only way I'm ever going to maybe have any kind of comfort or peace is if, when my 98 year old grandmother passes, there will be some money trickling it's way down to me. Even entertaining that thought for a fleeting second makes me feel like a complete shit-heel, but there it is.