#financial insecurity

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

The Homeless Post

Hey, guys. I've been working up the nerve to post this for a while. I'm putting most of it under a cut but I'll give the TLDR up here:

We are going to be homeless for an unspecified amount of time due to some legal issues - whole separate post. We will be living out of the car and a tent, so essentially long-term camping. We need some gear and other assorted items. Here is our wishlist.

Signal boosting is appreciated for obvious reasons.

I have a Paypal.me and a Ko-Fi; the Ko-Fi has a store that will soon have stuff available on it, and a subscription model. I also have Chime, Paypal, and Cashapp, all with the cashtag NovasPrime. At a later date I may set up a gofundme but I don't really want to right now, because guilt and self-internalized ableism is a helluva drug.

On to the story.

So, we were told (mid-December) that we needed to be out by the end of February, from the place we were living in, or eviction would be filed. I don't want an eviction on my record, so I started the process of working towards that goal.

I quickly realized that there was an Issue, and the Issue was that we simply cannot get into any of the low-income housing because… Raven has a felony "failure to comply" warrant in Oregon.

We were surprised, because we thought they were in compliance, but it turns out… No. No, they were not. The records of their attending therapy and anger management were not being sent to the place. On top of that, I discovered that they had ordered Raven to do community service, and even though they were helping with lots of causes and orgs down here, it doesn't count.

Why, you may ask? Well, for one, it wasn't being documented. Not a huge issue, it can be. But also…. They wanted Raven to do THEIR community service.

Which they wanted to charge $40 a day for.

Raven is a disabled veteran. They are limited in the type of volunteer work they can do, but also? They can't afford $40 a day for 30 days. Who the hell can? Why would that be a thing?

After a couple of phone calls, I realized we just needed to go to Oregon. So I began planning for THAT. Our roomie was still adamant about the end of February, so I started planning. We got a storage unit and started sorting shit, and packing it, and slowly transferring it to the storage unit.

And then Shit happened, as it does. The car started overheating. It has also come due for an oil change. It needs a transmission flush, too. And new brakes. Some of this I can do myself, but some of it I can't. I have a friend who could help me do most or all of it, but he's on house arrest until March 25th (he is in recovery now, but drunk driving is a bad thing, guys. Don't do it). He said he'll help after he gets off, which is awesome of him, but like. That's still about a week away (as of right now, because he works) before I can even get the overheating taken care of, let alone the rest.

In the midst of all of this, I was also trying to figure out a timeline... and realized I couldn't, because we had no idea how long we were going to be in Oregon. I have a few friends scattered throughout the state, but I wasn't counting on being able to stay with anyone. We have three cats and two people. What to do?

A friend of mine agreed to watch two of the cats for me for as long as it takes. She has her own house and cats of her own. So, until the car started overheating, we brought the two girl cats over once a week to get used to the place and meet her cats.

But we weren't packing fast enough. Winter is a rough time for both of us because of our disabilities; the weather makes it painful to move. We also had to sort through 20 years of assorted shit; at one point I had a life that hadn't fallen fully apart, so I kept everything. Plus, I had all of my dad's shit that I inherited. I've finally accepted that I can part with most of the useless stuff, but some of it I can't bear to. TLDR: our stuff is mostly still at the old place.

I was able to work out a deal with the friend who's taking care of our cats, to crash at her house for a month. WE and the CATS were out of the old place by March 1, but our shit wasn't, and we've had issues packing it up and moving it. Luckily, old roomie has agreed to just tack an extra month of rent onto what I owe him (to be paid back when we get back from the debacle in Oregon) so we're slowly moving things to storage. I'm just constantly filling the car with water to keep it from overheating and praying that the engine can take it.

However, here's the thing. The Big Thing.

We're technically homeless now, and we'll be Real Homeless as of April 1. The car cannot currently make it to Oregon (honestly? I'd rather buy a cheap minivan or SUV, and leave the car here with my kid, but I simply don't have the money, even though there's a ton of them for sale around here in good shape).

We're going to have to rough it for a while. Raven can get a pass to camp for free at all Nevada State Parks for $30 a year, so we're getting that on payday, and we have a decent tent and sleeping bag (singular, but it'll do). I have some assorted camping gear, even. But there's a lot we do need to just….fix our shit and be able to get to Oregon. Oregon has one of these as well, and it allows 10 days of camping per month. It's free and we've already applied for it. California has one too, but you have to apply in-person if you're not a CA resident. So that'll happen in a bit.

But we are gonna need… help. Raven gets VA disability. $2200ish a month. Sounds like a lot right? It's not. It's really not.

Between car insurance, gas, fixing the car, general car maintenance, phone bills, food (we qualify for a whopping $26 a month in SNAP benefits), things we have to buy to fulfill our end of bargains here, and the camping gear we DON'T have, next month is looking pretty awful.

While Raven is in jail, they get no benefits. I'm also disabled, but juuuust disabled enough on paper that I can't get disability (as you can guess, this is going to be even harder now in the Trump administration, so I'm just working on geting documentation of my disabilities so that when he's gone I can apply). I can't hold down more than really really part-time work because of pain and mental health issues, even though I have been desperately trying to find one. So I'm going to have to survive off of doordash, most likely.

If Raven's jail time isn't going to be that long, it's not that big a deal.

They could be in jail for up to six months.

So, why this post?

One, to explain that my posting will be very sporadic and frenzied when I do. More than usual, anyway.

Two, because I'm going to need your help. There are several ways to help.

Encouraging notes! Currently we have a PO Box, listed above. When we go to Oregon, if we're going to be there for more than a week or so, I'm getting another PO Box and getting mail forwarded from that one to the Oregon one. Digital notes are nice too. I just really like postcards, little cards, letters, etc. Pictures of cool shit where you live. Whatever. Something to keep my spirits up. Anything.

I have set up a wishlist, as seen above. I know, we don't like Amazon, but I don't know where else to do a wishlist that doesn't like. Give out a home address. Since I'm having this stuff shipped to a friend's house, I really don't want to do that. Once I'm in OR, I'll find out where I can have things shipped. PO Boxes are hit-and-miss with Amazon.

As noted above, I am accepting donations and I have a Ko-Fi store and subscriptions. I am working on getting things put onto the Ko-Fi store on a pay-what-you-can model; anything from short fiction to Am Adult instruction sheets to 3D designs, whatever I can manage at any given time. Raven will also be doing drawings and such. I'm also working on making things available to anyone who chooses to subscribe!

Signal boosting this post. I need as many people to see it as possible, not just for monetary benefit, but so I can find people in Oregon maybe willing to let me and my one cat crash on their couch or pitch the tent in their back yard. I'm also going to be documenting all of this and getting documentation on the case in the first place, because Raven shouldn't have even been arrested. So I need people to see this so that word gets out about this kind of thing. Oregon needs to change some shit.

Thanks for reading. I'll have updates as I can.

[suitelif3]

steddie idea I would totally write if I could:

imagine Eddie being insecure about being poor bc Steve has always had nice things so Eddie gets insecure that he won’t be able to provide/gift Steve things to that level.

so he gets insecure about it, and then Steve doesn’t want to come out to the party yet (bc he’s not ready yet, and that’s okay!) but Eddie gets in his head about it, and thinks it’s bc he’s “trailer trash” and can’t afford nice things/dates.

Eddie starts to pull away bc what is Steve doing with him, Steve starts panicking a little bit but acts normal around Eddie, who then realizes he wants to fight for Steve, and starts working long hours to save up for something Steve has been wanting for a while.

Steve thinks Eddie is preparing to break up with him so he tries to talk to Eddie, Eddie gives Steve the gift, and Steve is like I didn’t need this, I just needed you or something cheesy since they spent so much apart bc of Eddie working nonstop.

then they kiss and makeup and it’s all resolved and super fluffy with them working it out and Eddie realizing he’s allowed to want nice things and Steve is a nice thing.

[pleaseshootthejester]

Surviving poverty, a UK masterlist

The COL crisis is ongoing, but our government is no longer offering easily accessible blanket financial support to those in need. Here is a masterlist of all the help available

(Please note that this post is a wip, more links are being added on a semi regular basis. Regional information coming soon)

NATIONWIDE INFO

Food

Trussell Trust foodbank list

TAWS Food provision database

IFAN map

Food Not Bombs map (worldwide, zoom on map for UK, some chapters no longer active)

Citizens advice page on food banks

BHF Eating healthy on a budget

Energy bills/keeping warm

Citizens advice page on grants for energy bills

Citizens advice page on cost effective heating

Electric blanket scheme (only for octopus customers)

Red Cross, keeping warm in winter

Financial

Citizens advice page on help with paying bills

Citizens advice page on benefit entitlement

Turn2Us, charity providing advice and support for people facing financial hardship

Housing

Shelter, advice on housing issues and homlessness

Acorn Union, union action for issues including housing, membership required and does cost as with all unions

Homeless link, database of help for people struggling with homelessness

Warm Welcome, not totally housing related but a scheme offering warm spaces for people in need, often friendly and social, usually do cheap tea/coffee. Use the map to find your local space

Centerpoint is a charity offering support to young people facing homelessness

[xavierkhalil]

"Financially Insecure, Okay?!"

Ain't shit worse than experiencing financial frustration. Sure, money doesn't bring happiness, but it sure does help solve problems. I think what's most annoying is the fact that I am making more money than I ever have before, but I barely get to see it last long OR save any of it. Whatever is saved usually is shelled out to pay bills. Gotta love being paid semi-monthly...

Lately, my mood has been influenced by my finances, and that is an unpeaceful feeling. Like I am only at ease when the check hits, and then immediately on edge once I have to pay bills or look at how much I will have left over, which is not a lot. It's also upsetting when you keep having to spend money that you don't have. I just am in a constant mode of anxiety. It's an irritating feeling because I did not want my life to end up like this. I've seen this too many times growing up, and now I feel like I am repeating the same cycle.

That is what is most upsetting. To feel like you're failing your inner-child. That i...I can't even finish the thought. I try to be positive, but how can I be. I have a degree and I feel like my income does not show that. My lifestyle gives the illusion, and I am sick of living in that! And I feel like jobs that incorporate where I can show my skills are far and few between. Don't even get me started on searching for a part time job! It's like I'm too qualified, they don't need the help, or my availability becomes an issue for whatever reason.

I am just tired of being broke. I am tired of feeling like I'm poor. I am tired of having to make my money stretch or patiently wait until pay day. I'm not tryna be out here ballin' but I am trying to experience some level of comfort, and I am sick of feeling like that's a luxury for rich white people or niggas with some generational wealth. I am sick of this. It sincerely breaks my heart. And, don't even get me started on the motherfuckers well-off enough, whether they had humble beginnings or not, who don't understand and barely respect your financial situation. It's when I am around these people I begin to feel even smaller.

I know my worth is not determined by how much I make. This is not what this is about. It's about feeling stuck no matter how much you achieve or whatever the income is. It's about having responsibilities and only being able to support the responsibilities and less of the dreams and aspirations that your heart desperately desires. God didn't put humans on this Earth just to pay bills, taxes and then go on to Glory. That is not the plan!! At least not for me.

Right now I am surviving. Just surviving. I am not experiencing. I barely feel like I'm thriving. I am hardly living. But survival? Oh, I am that bitch's best friend, but she is not mine. Survival mode is a constant state of anxiety and depression. It's a constant reminder that you are in an uncomfortable situation, and that no matter how much you want a break, that luxury is an unaffordable one. And, don't try to rush it, because it always seems farther than closer when I do that. I have learned to enjoy the journey, but this part here is miserable. The only silver lining I can find is that this is a temporary situation that feels like will last my whole life. I am not trying to rush anything, but in the words of Issa from Insecure...

[leafmealoooone]

love how there's a website that will tell an american living in poverty that they're richer than like 85% of the world's population and they'd still be richer than 85% of the world's population if they donated 20% of their income. like, girl, i'm trying to get on food stamps. i can't pay rent.

[ebenelephant]

What I will say is that living on my own and having to make my own meals is really making me reevaluate my relationship with food when I was a kid in terms of what was picky eating and what was actually baby me feeling the pressure of financial insecurity and not realising it.

[a-hearts-a-heavy-burden]

Severe weather warning for my area

Is there any way y'all can help me get a room tonight so I can be out of the heavy rain?

It's about $90 to $100 for a night

Even if a few ppl help I should be okay

I forgot to add my PayPal link

[lacisplace24]

"And we'll try anything, just to be a kid once again" - I'd Rather Sleep by Kero Kero Bonito.

When it's quiet I often find my mind wandering into a familiar place. It's a world where i'm a kid again, but instead of just playing with cheap McDonald's toys and 25 cent capsule machine stickers,I could get soft and fluffy stuffed animals like every other kid. I was so envious as a child of those who had fancier toys and trinkets, I desperately wanted some. I wish there were more inexpensive toys for my inner child, and for kids today. Many kids around the globe struggle with financial insecurity, causing a lack of toys for kids. 70% of Americans in April of 2023 struggling reported the CNBC Your Money Financial Confidence Survey. Just think, just for a fleeting moment, that more kids could get the toys they deserve. It's one of the weaknesses in most toy industries today, and especially at Unique Toys of Amarillo. They have a wide variety, but I would argue their prices are shooing people away from purchasing items more frequently.

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

Raising money for youth bowling league

Hey guys! My... Stepson? God, I have stepsons. That's weird to think about. Anyway.

My oldest stepson, Logan (15), is in a youth bowling league. He's trying to raise his registration and membership fees. It's $270, but we were only able to send $40 of that. We're in the process of moving out of our place (and becoming officially homeless...) and it's taking a toll on our finances.

If you're able to help Logan out, please send some cash to @loganwestin on PayPal (link goes to PayPal.me), or $loganwestin0789 on Cashapp. If you do, please send me a screenshot at therealnovaprime at gmail dot com! I'll write you a lil' oneshot of your choosing once I'm moved in return!

Or, if you're not interested in a one-shot, my daughter does resin jewelry (pendants and earrings, hair clips, etc.) - with or without cremated remains in it. She can do the first five people who donate to Logan and want one. You can memorialize a beloved deceased family member or pet. If you donate, send me the screencap of the donation and note that you'd like resin jewelry from Enduring Embrace. I'll hook you up with her at that point. (This offer is for US residents only, because of restrictions on handling human cremains via overseas mail.)

If none of that appeals to you, we can talk! Raven draws and paints models. I do 3D design and makeup restoration. Once I fix my 3D printer, I can 3D print stuff. Y'all know I'm versatile like that. Give the gift of youth bowling and get a neat thing in return!

Thank you for reading. If you can help, you have my eternal gratitude, and Raven's as well! If you can't, please consider signal boosting!

[superjerrbear-81]

I also want to feel fine treating myself, not guilty. It's been hard shedding that behavior from myself.

Money need to stop spending me

[littlebellesmama]

How Money Dysmorphia is Quietly Shaping a Generation

It’s hard to scroll through Instagram or TikTok without seeing someone boarding a private jet, unboxing luxury bags, eating at some five-star restaurant, or casually talking about investing in properties like it’s as easy as ordering takeout. And somewhere between the third video of a 22-year-old buying their “dream car” and the eighth “day in the life” vlog of a 19-year-old influencer lounging…

[chiikwezens]

My creativity scares me

Well

Not really

Its more like me wanting to be creative but having too many options but not all the resources for all the options but also not having all the resources for the options i do have.

Its like how you know you have something great in you, you know your talent and you know your capability to grow and learn but your stunted out of the fear of what comes after the success and you know its coming so you self sabotage by not growing or learning.

So ig its actually just imposter syndrome with a mix of financial insecurity with yknow that whole paycheck to paycheck thing.

So yeah im a writer painter entrepreneur singer designer media marketer extraordinair. Lol

[reapingbennefits]

“Money shouldn’t make you happy, money doesn’t buy happiness.”

my family is financially insecure, I’m going to be happy when I see 20 bucks.

[astrayan]

Yells helplessly at my credit card

[ketchup-cat-sub]

Re: last reblog

What's your "really nice mug", your avocado toast, your fancy coffee?

What's something actually just normal and non-luxurious that you wish you could have without it being remarkable or having to think if you can afford it this month?

I want to hear. For one because it is sweet but also because it shows just how mundane things people dream about when they are made unaffordable.

[disease-danger-darkness-silence]

SELLING THINGS, NEED CAR INSURANCE

Hey y'all!

I really need to get my car insurance reinstated. I can't finish moving without it. I don't drive without insurance.

Obviously, I'd love to pay $558 and not have to worry about it for six months, but that's not an option, I don't think.

We're currently crashing at a friend's house but that is over as of the 1st. We have to be fully moved out of the old place by then. The car also needs to be insured and running.

More info below the cut, but TLDR: I am accepting gifts/donations, I am selling things, and I am selling services.

I have a Ko-Fi, where I can accept most forms of payment, and a PayPal.me. I also use the username/tag NovasPrime on PayPal, Cashapp, and Chime. Ko-Fi also has monthly donation options. I set up tiers starting at $1/month, and I'm hoping to add things to them as actual perks some time soon. Just like. Downloads of things I make and shit.

I also have a PO Box where you can send me physical items: PO Box 20422, Carson City, NV, 89721. I love getting postcards and notes and stuff! And like. Uh. If you have any physical gift cards to car parts/repair places that you're not gonna use, I wouldn't say no to them. 🙃

Please consider sharing! Thank you!

I have most of the things I need to fix the car. Most. I still need a few things, most of which I'll need to get next payday. But the major things I have. I just need to let the weather allow me to do so.

So here's where you come in, lovelies!

I need money.

I have things! I can ship to the US and Canada, possibly other places, but my God, would it be worth it for you? Maybe for books. I have a ton of those in a ton of subjects. I used to work at a college library and when they downsized the collection because they got a big digital collection, we got to take lots of it home - and I did. Ask me a subject and I can tell you what I have. I'll make a list tomorrow.

I have a non-cartridge printer I'm willing to sell - still has ink and works well. I'd drain it and ship the bottles with it. I'd sell it for $90 plus shipping.

I have one of those manual standing desktops that you set on a desk and use a lever to maneuver. It's heavy so probably best for local pickup. $25 takes it.

I have several old phones and tablets I'm willing to sell for a few bucks here and there. They're all fairly old, 4G or wifi only, so like $5 apiece plus a dollar or two for shipping.

I have various shoes and clothing - most will be unisex or women's in EITHER large/size 10-12 pants/skirts, or 3x/size 20 pants/skirts. The shoes run from 8.5 women's through 14 women's (7 through 11 men's). Let me know your style and color preferences, size and body type, and I can send you pics of what I have that may work for you. I'll work on a post of clothing stuff.

I have like no gaming stuff because most of my gaming stuff is digital these days (I DO have a PS5 but I'm not giving that up, it's the crappiest model so it's not worth a lot anyway). I lost my Switch to pawn forever ago, but I have some assorted Switch accessories, like wireless controllers and stuff. If you're interested in that stuff hit me up and we'll talk. I also have a few PS4 controllers of various stages of working, both on- and off-brand. Those, those I'll give up cheap, like 5 bucks each, cuz I'm not sure which ones need work.

I have assorted computer components. I'm not sure what all I can give up because I'm Frankensteining a computer tower for Adrienne, but I'll know shortly! I have at least a few hard drives and some RAM, but they're all like 10 years old. If you're trying to build a crappy desktop for a kid or something, hit me up, I have cheap prices.

I have a pistol, an IWI Masada. I'd rather not sell it, but needs must - if nothing else goes, it will. It comes with two 17+1 magazines, wrist braces, a bunch of 9mm ammo, and a cheap padded waterproof case with a handle. You can put a padlock on the case. It was $500 new, and it's in great shape, so I'd want $300. You'd have to pay for transfer and background shit.

NOW ON TO SERVICES!

I can do a lot of things, as you may well know. I pride myself on being a jack of all trades, master of like two. Here are some services I can perform, as a small independent contractor (all jobs will involve a small one-page boilerplate contract outlining the job, with a few exceptions).

In-person, locally, if you're in Carson City, Reno, or surrounding Nevada/California areas:

Cleaning. Think maid service. I will provide my own materials if you want but it costs more that way. I can deep-clean or unfuck, too, but that's more expensive. Rate is Nevada minimum wage: $12 an hour. Deep-cleaning and unfucking is more specialized and harder on my body, so that's $18 an hour.

Organizing/filing paperwork and mail. Got a bunch of shit you don't even know if you need to keep? This bitch knows. I'm great at filing and organizing by any organizational system you'd like. Hourly rate is Nevada minimum wage: $12/hr.

Personal assistant/driver. I'm a pretty good driver, with 24 years of fairly clean driving. I don't drink or smoke weed. I am great at shopping, running errands, taking directions, taking notes, etc. I also have some minor medical training, experience writing copy and press releases, and experience doing minor graphic design and photo editing. Need a personal assistant for a few days? Hit me up. Prices start at $15 an hour, but you have to provide the vehicle (or pay my insurance up-front as part of the wages).

Simple taxes. I am not a CPA! I am, however, better and more honest than H&R Block and places like that. I will not DO the taxes. I will GUIDE YOU ON HOW TO DO THEM, so that you never have to have someone else do it for you ever again. I can do this online too, but I'm not thrilled with the idea. Nevada doesn't have state taxes so it's easier. Price depends on complexity of taxes and how much your refund winds up being.

Personal shopping/delivery pickup. Once again, you'd have to provide the car, or pay my insurance as part of the fee. Price depends on where and what.

Very minor car repair. I can't do anything major but brake pads, tune-ups, oil changes, starters and alternators, batteries, etc. You pay for parts. Price depends on complexity of job, starting at NV Minimum wage.

Minor clothing repair or alterations. I can do bigger stuff too, but I don't really want any big sewing commissions right now. But if you need pants or a skirt taken in, or hemmed up, or patched/repaired, or some patches sewn onto a battle vest, or anything like that? I have a sewing machine and knowledge.

Minor handyman-type work. $12 an hour. This is like. Putting flat-packed furniture together, fixing minor plumbing issues, patching wall holes, building a table or bench from old pallets, etc. I can physically fix a lot of electronics as well, although I avoid working on phones and tablets like the plague. But I won't work on electricity. Exceptions are installing a new plug or light switch - shit is easy enough.

Scrapping things. Got a bunch of shit you want scrapped down to components. Hit me up!

Things I can do in-person OR online:

Ghostwriting papers. Doesn't matter how esoteric the subject, I'm great at writing papers. Price depends on complexity of topic and research needed, as well as length and how much I need to adapt my writing style, but it starts at $25 for a basic 5-page term paper, excluding cover, index, and citations. If you want nice formatting (a cover, index, and complex citations section) that's an additional $10. Price goes up from there. So...average is roughly $5 to $10 per page.

Ghostwriting articles. I won't write on certain topics but I can write on almost anything. Cost varies based on what is needed.

Resume and cover letter writing. I usually only charge $20 for this.

Resume and cover letter editing. Again, usually $20. I'm not out to gouge people looking for a job.

Proofreading and line-editing, with a heavy emphasis on proofreading erotica. I have done this professionally several times. The price for this depends on the task and the length of whatever I'm reading. I'm willing to work within a budget, within reason. I read very fast - I can proofread and line-edit 50k in a few hours.

Sensitivity reading on the following topics: gender nonconformity, SA victim, invisible disability, autism, ADHD, perceived privilege, bi/pansexual, aromantic, polyamorous, chronic pain, drug use, dyscalculia, dysphoria, dysmorphia, blindness with correction, nonconformity to beauty standards, visible queer-ness, WLW, t4t. Price for this is much like the proofreading and line-editing thing: I prefer to work with you directly.

Page layout and design. I won't print the stuff for you, but I'll design it so you can print it out. I do everything from calendars to coloring books (you provide the art, I just do page layout and formatting and conversion) to ebooks to journals to planners.

Muse. I know this sounds hilarious but just hear me out. You want to write but can't think of an idea. I have ideas but can't write fiction right now. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? 30 minutes of bouncing ideas off me in chat or via zoom or something an helping you outline your latest project? Letting you get inspired by my fan theories or whatever? Send me what you can afford, no specific price in mind.