debt and current bills

[a.baker]

what do you all think? If I have debt, not because of my choosing (minus my immature past) talking about current; why can't I pay it? I want nothing more than to pay the people I owe so I can be right with God. How does God view this? God knows as well as I, that we have no money and how hard we work and try. Our current bills are always on the line of being hundreds behind and about shut off and maybe even shut off. We seriously and truthfully live as cheap as we can only to get by on our needs. Stuff we need is still not even taken care of. I have prayed so much to ask for financial security so we can pay those that we back owe but we have to get current fist.

So one bill is taxes. We still have an extension on them because we can't even pay the guy who done them for us to mail them in. Scripture talks specifically about taxes. Honestly I feel the guy really stole from us on this. First he told us one price and after he done them he told us another. I wish my husband would properly take care of this issue in terms of whats just and put his foot down.

I mean I can't imagine God really wants me and my family to live in a car so we can pay our bills and than have our daughter taken away because we cannot provide. And I cannot imagine He wants us to live with my in laws again. In fact thats out of the question.

My husband works around 12 hours or so a day and on the weekends too often.

So this frustrates me because; Why won't God let me pay the people I owe? This has nothing to do with the burden of bills but the burden of feeling like I stole without choosing to. I know I didn't steal but it sure feels that way.

What does God think? Any scripture?

[kay-gee]

financial counselling may be in order. With husband working so much, there must be some cash flow.

all the best...

[kay-gee]

First of a.baker...try to pay against the ones that carry the highest interest rates. More than any other thing, interest buries people.

Destoy all credit cards...just for now...dont add to the debt load...credit cards can encourage friviolity particularly in the lean times

Pay yourself first...everytime a get a bit of money, pinch off a little tithe for yourself. I know it hurts but it works. Put it into a GIC or something like that they will pay better than bank account. Dont touch this money...Call it daughters future fund or something.

Try to increase your family income somehow. There must be extra curricular things you can do to create a little cash. Why not do the day-care or something. Deliver pizzas. Be extra nice and courteous. Tips baby Tips tips! Get that special drivers license you need to drive commercially. I'm sure there are many things you can do.

Elect a manager...you or him but someone has to take the responsibility...The cash flows via the elected spouse and they are held to account

Develop an eye for savings...esp. in the area of utilities (does that light always have to be on? laundry size...etc...) gasoline...consolidate as much as you can. mooch rides when possible.

I wish I lived near you cause I could really help you on this. This is my specialty. I've paddled against the current myself and have discovered some "tricks" In 2 years I could have you not only not poor, but kinda comfortable.

You want more tips, I gladly send you a letter. Hope these can help.

all the best...

[a.baker]

Kaygee a lot of that stuff is already done or considered. I manage all the money so I know personally where everything goes. I am not sure if you quite understand where we are coming from. My husband has direct deposit. We just paid 4 bills over the phone last night before we even withdrew money for anything else. We have 3 more we have to pay out of this money plus we need money for gas and groceries for the next 2 weeks. One bill that is huge is just going to have to wait until the next check.

Skim by... we already are. Wouldn't you say $40 a week on groceries for a family of 3 is skimming by for example? I would. We don't drive the car except my husband to go to work. If I leave the house I walk every where. I carry my trash bags of laundry to the laundry mat which is 2 to 3 blocks each way plus have my daughter with me who walks slow and cries about having to walk and fill up my 5 gallons of water at the laundry mat. Back and forth; thats usually 6 to 8 trips depending how much there is to carry. Our bills plain ol' are more than what my husband makes. Look for a job... I don't believe you know how much I have tried and keep trying.

I just want some scripture on this topic to see what God has to say. If I owe money to people (nope not credit cards; try hospital bills or money loaned so we could get through the week with gas and taxes) than why doesn't God open a door for me to pay them? Too much time awaited. Patience I have that. Face it, beyond my control of what we can do. Comfortable... I am with a roof over my head and work for my husband and food on the table. Sorry but I am kinda frustrated.

Take it at face value with what I say. We don't have $10 to spare or save. Don't get me started on how much I want to help people financially and can't; now this really frustrates me. Or the long awaited car repairs my husband needs to make for example wheel baring $120 each and we need 2 of them. Or our roof that literally has moss grow on it and pieces of shingles falling off. We are lucky for no roof leaks yet. Or all the stuff on the house we need to get it up to code so a bank will finance us. Balloon interest is here and will start blowing up in a year if we can't get all this stuff taken care of.

On and on and on.

I really do appreciate your concern Kaygee and I am sorry I seem frustrated, but you don't SEE us working everyday and the effort we put in and up close how we live. We wouldn't have internet if my husband didn't have to have it for his job. That would get rid of a bill right there. So you just have to take it at face value for what I say. I need some words from God on this. Do you know of any scripture? Thank x for your time and concern, it is grealy appreciated :)

[InTheWind]

Your the only one doing the praying if i remember right hubby isn`t a Christian, maybe times being tough is the nudge God is giving to bring him to Christ.
Just a thought and i`m not trying to read Gods mind or anything, times are tough and may get tougher. I know how it feels at one time the only thing i owed was a Harley, traveled around looking for a place to eat and get some money.
I don`t have an answer for ya a.baker other than keeping strong faith for your whole family and look for openings that may arise.
We will be praying extra hard for you and yours. :hug::pray::pray:

[InTheWind]

111 John 2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Psalms 37:25
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.



Deuteronomy 28:2-8
2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.



Mathew 6:31-33
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

[a.baker]

Thank x for the scripture ITW! :hug: You know what you said about my husband, I have thought too. Maybe God is giving me and my family just enough but is trying to nudge my husband towards Him. My husband sure does feel low and frustrated after all he does. My husband wants so much stuff for our future. I just want my needs and anything extra can go to someone else whose needs are not met. Thats how differently we view things.

I know if my husband knew God he would view things so differently. I am willing to go through whatever God has planned in hopes of my husband finding Jesus.

You wouldn't believe how much encouragement that brought my way with you saying maybe this is God getting my husbands attention. I never know what will get his attention but God does. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

I really don't think if we were financially stable 100% that my husband would really seek Him. He would be full and happy with his things and take credit for everything. I think he needs to be brought low with helplessness and pain before he will consider giving Jesus a chance.

I myself do my best in giving an example of how God tells us to be. Mostly for God but of course for my husband too which I feel in times of testing is an audience. My daughters watching too. I know I can't be perfect nor is anyone expecting me to be, but I try my hardest and do the best with what God gives me. Thank x so much for the encouragement ITW!

I just wish none of this has to effect anyone else.

[InTheWind]

I was afraid i may have offended you and am happy that i didn`t.
I don`t think anyone has directions for our lives, we have to play the cards as we see them and pray that we do the right thing. I know something has changed in my life since i started giving God thanks in prayer for the what we think is bad stuff as well as the good. We all are living like kings compared to many and have pretty good health so we need to be thankful for everything God has already given us. Pray as i`m sure you do that God brings your husband to Christ and tell him that you need to pray together as a family even if it`s by himself as some people as myself have a hard time praying in front of people.
God knows everything that`s going on and every thought we have so we can`t hide anything from Him and i think that is why we need to be open and honest and thank Him for the troubles in our lives too because He knows if we are being selfish and only thanking Him for the good things.
Praying. :hug::pray::pray:

[a.baker]

LOL I can't pray in front of anyone myself either. I have a hard time in front of my daughter but I know I must to show her an example of how we talk to God. I agree on the thankfulness we need to tell God. In fact some of the worst times turn out to be the best. Your right. We never know what He has in store for us. Your right ! We are living like royalty compared to others! These little things most take for granted are the biggest. God doesn't have to do anything for us and He does so much and without us asking half the time.

And thank you for the prayers :nod: !

[Jessie]

I have often had the same question.

ITW, I will try to be thankful for the good and the bad...
boy its sure a hard thing!

I understand a.baker cutting everything back to the bare minimums and still not having enough to pay what needs to be payed.

when my sons where little, I could'nt make enough to
pay a sitter, it would have cost me more than I'd make.

and then I had those who just would say eat oatmeal for a month,
well did'nt have much to eat to begin with.

and I wondered and felt so guilty about bills bills bills, that I just could'nt pay. still do.

wonderful question! I still love to hear more answers

[kay-gee]

Not so sure that the Bible is a book on financial planning and management. But there are some helpful adages within its pages. For instance, it is a requirement for Christians to repay money that they owe. Not only to the government but anyone. It also says to give to others without expectation of repayment. Check out the Book of proverbs for helpful tid-bits.

all the best...

[Chrystalwuzhere]

Boy, does this ever sound like my current circumstances.

Because of all of my health and medical problems, I owe doctor bills. I currently owe a bill from where I had surgery, and until I get paid at the end of the month, I can't pay it. The bills are mounting up, and I am conscious of the fact that I owe them, and they need to be paid.

Currently, my bank account is looking mighty slim. Gas prices are continuing to go up, and sometimes I feel like I'm working just to buy gas to go to work. Then add to that the fact that I have to buy some medicine tomorrow, and my co-pay is $30. Normally, that wouldn't break the bank, but this month it could. Then we have to consider the price of food that is going up. I also have two doctor appointments coming up, and the co-pay on those are $20 each. I can't afford to be sick!

Still, I know I owe these bills, and it comes down to the fact that I'll be happy to just get them all paid off and out of the way.

[CoreIssue]

This is a complex one. I will not repeat many good things said here. But I will deal with a bit of reality check.

We are in an economy where working 12 hours a day in many jobs will not even begin to bring in enough money for a family of 3. Just a plain and simple fact.

Creative ways some are working around it is, if there is room, doing some day care, renting out a room, if any extra exist, taking in laundry, ironing and such or other tasks that are not the most fun, but they actually kick in a buck or two.

If I come up with anything else I will tell you, as the others will as well. But we are in a major economic crunch that is going to get worse. Time to be as creative as possible.