Frugal Tags

I’ve never asked for any kind of help before, and certainly not from people that I have never met! But my situation has become so desperate that I really do need help.
I have, for the last 15 years, struggled to make ends meet, following periods of ill-health, bad luck and catastrophic decision making. My circumstances are now very desperate indeed, and have even considered suicide.
In 1997 I suffered from a period of depression, that became so severe that I was forced to give up my job, and borrowed money to cover my mortgage and keep my house. Unfortunately the repayments on this ever increasing debt snowballed, and I found myself unable to meet my mortgage and household bills. I had ploughed my life savings into the home, and lost it all.
In 2006 I was approached by a friend, who was concerned for my financial circumstances, and suggested that we buy an old property, renovate it and sell it for a profit. I was desperate to make some money, and trusted my friend. I would refer you to full details of this in my Beg, as the project ended in complete failure having been ripped off by an unscrupulous builder. Work that should have taken 3 months took in excess of 9, and I ended up carrying out all the work myself. I regularly worked at the house from the early hours until well past midnight. The long hours left me exhausted, and in October 2008 I had a breakdown. I simply couldn’t carry on, and collapsed at work. My employer at the time was an unforgiving and vindictive man, and he said that I would be suspended if my work didn’t improve. I was afraid that I would lose my job, and under considerable psychological pressure from my employer I was forced to resign.
Following the failed business venture, which had plunged me into further debt, my breakdown and subsequent loss of my job, I simply couldn’t cope and pushed me into a long period of depression that became so severe that I planned to take my life. At the time I was so ill that I was unable to hold down a job, and this simply added to my woes - whilst out of work and undergoing intensive counselling I borrowed further. By the end of 2009 I was £15,000 ($23,250) in debt. I desperately want to rebuild my life now, but it is difficult to do so when I am saddled with a debt that is crippling me. Between 2009 and December 2010 my debt increased - there is no answer to it, and I will never ever me able to clear the £18,000 ($27,900) that I now owe. It is a debt that cripples me and prevents me from having a normal, happy life. I am 50 in February 2012, but have no future. I am tired of being worried, stressed, unable to sleep, and being depressed. Please, please help me start my life all over again. Please read my full story, and contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

I am a disabled mother of 2 girls. My work comp has been cut off and I need some temporary help to get my bills caught back up. I found a job I can do and am getting paid every two weeks but I just can't get caught up. I am very frugal and did not get in this position from shopping or gambling. I have always been a hard worker til I got hurt. Because work comp is messing with me and not sending my checks I have gotten seriously behind and just need a little help getting back on my feet. Even a dollar or two will help! Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

I am a 20 year old college student who has gotten himself into some financial debt. I have a low-paying part-time job but I am not able to get more than eight hours a week. This is not enough to pay for rent, utilities, food, and school. I am in the process of getting a new job where I can get more hours, but I could really use some help financially. I do not have enough money to pay this month (December's) rent. My landlord is trying to be understanding, but if I do not come up with the money by the 23rd I will be forced to evict my apartment. My family is both very small and very poor, and unable to help. I am blessed to be able to go to school via loans, but if I do not have a place to live I will have to drop out. I have been very frugal, eating mainly Ramen for months. If I could just get this months' rent ($415) I could buy enough time to get a better (or a second) job. Please help. I am in the middle of taking my finals and I can barely handle the stress in my life right now. I greatly appreciate any amount of money you can donate. Thanks for taking the time to listen to my troubles.

I am submitting this request because we are in serious need of help. I know my story is long. I pray you will have the patience to read it through & consider my request.

I am a single mom of 2 sons; 1 grown & doing wonderfully in the world & the other just entering his teen years. I've raised both boys on my own, survived despite chronic poverty & worked very hard for the past 25 years to do so. I am an unusually-talented & tenaceous woman, having changed careers several times in order to assure that my boys were always properly taken care of. Since 1995, I've worked in positions where I was unsupervised & done well ethically in that type of independent environment. As a subcontracted cab driver for the past 5 years, I've worked 60+ hours a week consistently, without vacation or any other benefits. I've missed only 8 workdays in all that time: 3 days for illness & 5 days straight this past August to care for my mother while she died. I'll be happy to provide direct contact with the cab company owner, should you wish to verify this information.

Several things have changed for me in the past few weeks. I came across an opportunity to start my own business. I crave the day when my earnings are no longer confined to poverty levels & the majority of my waking hours dictated by the terms of a subcontracted position. At 49, I'm still young enough to start fresh again, during these last few years before my youngest son flies the coup. I'm already well-practiced at working on my own. It's finally time for me to do that & reap the rewards as well.

In the meantime, my demanding schedule caused me to be lax in filing tax papers for 2008 & 2009. So, the last week of October, I filed the 2008 returns through a local tax preparer. I've just completed the 2009 books & submitted those to the tax preparer 2 days ago. The importance of the tax filings is that I have a refund of $2000 coming to me from 2008. The tax preparer told me it would take 2 to 4 weeks to receive those funds. So I began preparations to become this region's very first fully-trained SmartPhone & Tablet Repair Tech. Being a frugal woman, I formulated a plan to use the tax refund to pay $395 for the 10 days training & startup business tools. My son & I can easily live off of the remaining money while I launch my business. And with the additional refund from 2009 pending in another 6 to 8 weeks, I will be well-set to get my business rolling.

With the business plan & pending refund in mind; & following a serious disagreement on matters of proper customer service; I gave the cab company 30 days written notice & finished my last day on November 6th. I left on good terms with an option to return. But the owner has since filled my position, so even if I returned immediately, the hours would be sparse. Plus, I could no longer be happy there, having to repeatedly apologize to my customers because the company owner habitually re-contracts drivers of poor character. Swearing at, name-calling & being generally rude to customers & co-workers is unacceptable behavior, in my code of ethics.

However, my tax refund has yet to materialize. I called the IRS just today & finally got some information on my refund status. I already phoned them just 2 weeks ago to correct a major error by the tax preparer. The kind young woman I spoke with today informed me of yet another major error by the tax preparer; & because of that error, it will now be another month before they send a refund to me!

So here I am, trying to keep the faith & maintain my patience, but stressing over unpaid bills. The first of the month has passed. I live in HUD subsidized housing, & my rent is only $110, but it was due by the 5th. I have never been late with my rent, but this month I had to practically beg for the apartment managers to be patient in getting the rent paid. There are also utility bills of nearly $200 due, & my prepaid phone was shut off for several days last week until a good friend paid that bill for me. I had faith in my tax preparer & was counting on having my refund by now to pay those bills. Needless to say, I am very unhappy with his service at this point.

I spent 2 weeks trying to get a 'payday' or personal loan. But because I was a subcontractor & now I'm unemployed, no one is willing to make such a loan. I even dedicated a full day last week to 14 fruitless hours straight online, just trying to click enough surveys to pay the $50 phone bill. I receive no child support or welfare benefits. Sadly for my son, Santa will not be arriving until well after Christmas. At this point, my income is 0.

So what I am asking for is just enough money to get us by until the tax refund arrives. I can reasonably make $750 stretch through to mid-January.

I am proud. It is hard for me to ask for this. But it is even harder to grovel to my landlords & the utility companies. And it was never my intent to risk us losing our home. I am deeply concerned that this may happen. The timing is simply bad for us not to have our refund yet. I wish my tax preparer had done a better job for me.

I have been blessed with great health & an optimistic outlook, despite all my life's trials. Others are not nearly so lucky & I am truly grateful for my blessings. I am also grateful to you for your consideration in this matter. Giving to others to help them improve their lives is indeed a noble endeavor. Bless you

Hi everyone. If you're reading this, thank you. Let me say upfront, I'm not asking specifically for money. I'm just going to spill my guts about this hand I was dealt.

I've had a hard life. My mother passed away when I was 12, and my father passed away at 20. He left me a lot of debt and a house to maintain.

The stress of all this has given me problems. I started having panic attacks and was hospitalized for a cardiac arrhythmia. Recently, I developed optic neuritis. I'm working on getting Medicaid to cover some of my costs but right now I'm in debt about #1000.

There is one blessing in my life, a relative who pays my internet and utilities. He also helps me with food. But that's all he can do. He goes without to provide me with that. Otherwise I'd be homeless, hungry, and who knows where.

So I'm blessed to have the basics in life. But there's so many things that I need that I have to beg other people for. My family is...not so supportive. All I have left are aunts and uncles, all except one on my mom's side. My mom's side of the family pretty much abandoned me when she died. They put me though shame and humiliation when I ask for help.

I want a job, but I live in a very rural area. I've applied s o many places up to an hour away but I don't hear anything back. Recently I applied for some state jobs which I'm hoping might come through.

These are the things I need and things I want, so you know what my intentions are.

Need:
Toilet paper.... :( The way I've been getting it now is to go into public restrooms and putting some in my purse. I feel wrong about this. But what can I say, it's a necessity?

Personal items...I won't go into detail but I'm talking about um, feminine ones. I get the Dollar Store brand kind, but even then it's too much. I've had to go without it which is very hard.

Hygiene items...I stopped using soap and shampoo conditioner. I would love to...I feel dirty honestly. But I can't afford anything. I only use deodorant every few days because the bottle is running low and I'm trying to make it last.

House items...I need dish washing soap. I can't afford paper plates and am just washing dishes with hot water now. Sometimes I cant' clean it all the way through that way, but I just have to forget it. I also need laundry detergent. I'm almost out of a huge bottle that I have made last over a year. It was Sun brand from the dollar store, and I loved it. I'm all about generic.

Gas money...My car is an old SUV, and it takes a fair amount of gas. I try to limit when I drive. But it's a necessity since I live alone and in a rural area. I have to drive to run errands, go see the doctor, go to job interviews. I usually beg for this the most cause this is one of the things I can't do without.

Medication...I'm on two heart medications because of my arrhythmia. It's important I take them. I tried taking them twice per day instead of three, and I had horrible palpitations. So this is kind of my priority. As I'm still uninsured, both medications cost about 12 dollars a month.

Okay those are all things that I feel I need. Now, what I "want".

Clothes...I haven't bought new clothes since 2007. That's when my dad got diagnosed with cancer. My shirts have holes in them, so do my jeans. I got them from Goodwill originally most likely, I like to be frugal. The only person I have is made of linen and has a hole so things fall out of it! I've lost weight and I have had my jeans fall down in public. It's bad. I only have one bra and it's way past it's prime. I would love a little money to buy some basic things. Jeans that fit, some cotton T-shirts, a purse. Maybe even something for job interviews? I think part of the reason I get denied is because I show up in jeans and a T and flip flips. But that's all I have.

Beauty stuff...Okay, this stuff is totally not worth your money, I get it. But I just thought I'd list everything. It sucks being a young woman who can't feel pretty. I'm unwashed, my clothes make me feel like a hobo. I see other girls my age in class (I attend college part time thanks to financial aid) looking and smelling beautiful. I mean...

I just want a hair cut. Recently, I hacked about 6 inches off myself with scissors. It's not pretty. I just want a little powder and some lip gloss to not feel so plain. I just want a spritz of perfume so that there's something beautiful in my senses. I daydream about when I used to wear cute clothes, go to a salon. Wear mascara and paint my names. Ahh...But this is just a dream. I don't expect anyone to help me with things like that.

A new laptop/tablet...The one I have now is really old and really slow. Don't expect anyone to get me one. If it happened, I would probably assume I'm dead and in some sort of heavenly afterlife. Then I might pass out from shock.

So this my friends, is my general beg for help. I'm a 23 year old girl without much family. My basics are covered, but that leaves a lot for someone who is broke. I'm actively searching for employment. I've applied from Dr.'s offices to bars. I'm part time in college, and I'm not sure what I want to study yet.

I don't drink, if I had the money for beer I'd buy TP instead. I don't smoke or do any illegal drugs. I'm not a criminal.

I am not someone who wants to just take money. If you are down on your luck too, please don't send me anything. Put it in savings. Give it to some of these people who are about to lose their homes if you must. They're deserving.

If you're apprehensive about giving money but still want to help, you totally can. A package filled with toilet paper, tampons, shampoo...that would be like Christmas morning to me, I swear.

I'm not sure what I'm going to get out of this. Writing this was therapeutic though. If you're on this site, you're already a nice person. I bet 90 percent of the traffic is people who want something, like me. People who go on here to help someone is probably such a rare thing.

Thanks for reading.

Im not the one to ask for handouts, but im so desperate that im at my ends wit. I had been in a relationship for 3 yrs with my ex. This was the first man i had ever lived with. I cooked, cleaned, gave plenty of love, completed all that was asked of me, yet was never good enough for him. He threw me out and threatened to call the cops at 9pm. I suspected he had sumone on the side. All i had known in my town was his fam, no friends he was real jealous. I didnt beg or want to fight and packed my stuff. There was no one or no where to go so i stayed in a motel that night. With the money i saved during the relationship, i bought a 78 travel trailer and made it my home. Im now trying to make life for me and be successful. I work, go to school fulltime and after paying mthly bills, im lucky to have a few dollars to buy groceries or gas. I dnt party, drink or do drugs. I dnt date either, my heart is still dealing with me being thrown out for no reason. I save every penny, and am very frugal. Every so many weeks i have enough change saved and buy gas to see my fam who lives two hrs away. I never question God, hes made me stronger. Just wish i could buy a candy or icecream now and then. And not worry and stress so much over lack of money. Any donation would help me, prayers too would be appreciated too.

$30 would be an amazing gift so that we can have a dinner for Thanksgiving. We are frugal. We are not addicts or mean people. It is very tough times and we are really struggling hard. We cannot afford to get a Thanksgiving dinner. It would be very very appreciated. It would really make our whole holiday. It will be used for what we say it will, a dinner. If there are other donations (which I don't really expect), we will use it for coat and boots for my husband. He will be working out in the cold, and has serious health problems. Thank you, we will remember you, and God Bless you.

Hello to all the kind-hearted, generous Begslist Donors. I am here asking for help with my family crisis. I have been out of work for just over a year, with many, many unsuccessful applications. I am a single mother of a beautiful son. I am a visual artist with a Fine Arts degree. I hope to pursue post-graduate studies in the near future. I am a hard worker and am determined to find work. 4 weeks ago I broke my ankle and had to have surgery. I am recovering well, though it has been difficult. As a consequence of not working for a year, my financial situation is utterly dire. I am seriously behind in all my amenities bills with disconnection pending notices, and every 2nd week this past year, there is virtually no food in my fridge or pantry, which causes much distress and anxiety for my son and I. My washing machine is dying and I have no means to replace it. We are so worn down by this and my broken ankle was like the last straw! I would be forever grateful to anyone who assists me by donating. I am an honest, responsible, resourceful and frugal person. Many thanks.

Since being unemployed, I have gained a few extra pounds. I could use some new clothes to help present myself for employment and new shoes too. I am not a real trendy person, I am very frugal with my spending and tend to shop Clearance items, at thrift stores, Walmart, and Ross.

a few very bad things happened this year
my father lost his leg and so
i lost my job then a few weeks later
my ex husband dies and was only 38 and did not have finances in order.
i then default on all my credit cards and have a few leans on my home i am desperate and have sold all that i have of value please help whatever you can i am very frugal and can streatch a dollar

last year my son father passed away. my son was 14 at the time and his dad was 38 and had a sudden hear attack. it was horrible and we will keep him in our hearts always. it was at the same time however that my dad who i have worked for 20 years for lost his leg and therefor my job was in trouble and i went with out payroll for months and now i am collecting unemployment and not able to make ends meet. i cut corners and do not go out , i use coupons and dive a small car that gets good gas mileage. i sold all my gold and everything of value in my home. i was able find a par time job to supplement my unemployment and its just not enough i am officially 4 days away from 60 past due on my mortgage.i will use the money wisely as i am frugal to the bone

My fiance of 5 years and I are in the middle of planning our wedding. We have some stuff already bought, and my parents were going to pay for the whole thing but have been struck with hard times as my dad had to have a major surgery right away and can't work a lot (he's in construction). I'm not a bridezilla or anything, and I am trying to be very frugal with this, but I can't turn back now since the hall has been booked and the best man got time off from the Navy for that specific date. We have 4 months to try to make enough money for it, but of course some things need to be paid upfront. Anything helps and is much appreciated. Thank you.

My wife and I have two wonderful children. Their ages are 16 and 12. As of late we are getting farther and farther behind in our basic bills. Rent utilities and just basic needs. We both work but and live very frugal. This month we will have trouble paying our rent and utilities.Our children do very well in school and we want that to continue. The stress of not having enough money for just the basics is getting to be overwelming If anyone out there reading this can help it would be a prayer being answered. Thank you and God bless

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and my family is facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Iv recently got out of the army,and facing eviction.
my husband is working hard but its not enough and iv been having trouble finding work.
were behind on everybill we have and anything helps. were facing eviction if we cant
get our rent cuaght up by the end of december, our electricity is about to be shut off,
and we dont know where to turn. we have a girl that is 2 and we really dont want to be
homeless. we dont waste money, we dont go out, and dont go on lavish vacations or
spending sprees. were frugal but times are hard!

Hello world,
I do not have any other options. I am determined not to give up. But, I need help. I am and have worked all my life. I got swindled in a small business proposition and I'm still in debt. I tried an online loan company a few weeks ago. They took my entire paycheck out of my bank account and now I don't have money for food, gas, or my rent. I'm still looking for answers since I don't have a loan. The local BAR association was helpful but this company keep giving me the run around. I'm over 50 years old and single. I live a very frugal life. I paid all my credit card bills on time all my life until I became prey of an scammer's offer of financial freedom. I have paid for my errors everyday of my life since then. I have no one. Please, if you can send anything,I can be reached at: simplygeeme@gmail.com