Chronic Pain and Family

Financial Hardships

Chronic pain and family finances can be a challenge. It is now time to learn to budget and I will show you my technique of doing it.

Don't despair...it isn't that difficult.

You can do it!

But...where do you start.

Buy yourself a spiral notebook and make a list of everything that needs to be paid. Draw lines down the page beside the list about one inch apart.

You will have a space beside each entry to put the check number or a note about that particular payment. At the top of each line put the month beginning with the month you start.

This is an inexpensive way to keep a log of what has and what needs to be paid. With this you won't wonder, if you have or have not paid something for that particular month with just a glance. This is how I kept our household running. I couldn't always pay everything but I knew what needed to be paid. If it had been paid. And how far behind I was.

I know getting behind if frustrating. If you have never called the electric company, to get an extension on your bill, you can. Just don't wait until they cut your power off.

This will cost you a reconnect fee and that will be even more money for you to have to allow for. Most utilities will work with you if you call them before cutoff. This is available for most utilities you have. Our family was in need of groceries and I didn't know where to go. I had to do something.

If you are low on groceries, you can't always rely on the food stamp process. We were told we made too much money.

Humiliation, anger, and mistrust went a long way that day. I wasn't asking for a lifelong commitment but I felt as though I was. It was humiliating enough to have to ask but to be told you made too much money, crushed me.

Oh, yes we were only receiving less that five hundred dollars a month for four people. Too much money.

Needless to say, I spoke my mind that day. It didn't do any good but, it made me feel better.

You see, my husband is retired military, put himself in harms way for his country, and this is how he is treated. Not that I think we deserve special treatment but I thought this was for everyone in need.

I was wrong.

Now, here are some other things you can try. Food pantries are a God send. You might be familiar with them but if not, you can get food right away. They don't require the red tape that the food stamp program does.

At least, if you don't have any food, it's a start.

Maybe we weren't entitled to the help but the truck next to ours,that was barely running, was new and they qualified.

I did not understand and I still don't.

A family in need, is a family in need. It doesn't matter who they are. You can also go to the Salvation Army, United Way, or your local charities to find help. There you can ask for help to pay your electric, water or gas bill.

Remember they are charities, and not to abuse them. But, each of these are an entity of their own and you can use several of them.

Yes, it is hard enough coping with chronic pain, guilt and finances, but that is one of those hardships we face.

Sometimes, we just have to put our pride aside and remember our family comes first.

If you have anything to add here please use my contact page.

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