financial problems

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2A: I pay 140 USD per month to mow weekly nearly an acre of land. The time and capital investment it would take to mow myself results in a net loss compared to the money I make my working on my side business in the time I save by paying to have the lawn mowed.
2B: I have always lived alone and done it myself.
2C: I never go out, don't pay for any cable tv, and only have internet connection. I never watch TV, and I don't pay for any "entertainment" services or renting movies, etc.
2D: My firm pays for my cell phone, and I don't have a land line. I actually dug up the line to my house and sold the cable as scrap copper.

3A: I don't travel.
3B: I buy the cheapest stuff I can find that won't kill me as quickly as fast food, and I do not eat out.
3C: Good idea, especially considering the economy. I will call up and see what I can do.
3D: I have never paid for land line or cell phone service OR cable or satellite service.
3E: Long distance calls are not an issue; I use the firm's PBX.
3F: I'm considering recycling it for scrap copper for the copper around the yoke of the CRT.
3G: I do as much as I can, but I often have to hire out for complex projects.
3H: I do, but because I am salaried, it is simply only unpaid overtime.
3I: I've donated only about 1,000 USD in the past year to charity, and I have receipts to make it a deduction at the end of this year. Last year I donated much more.
3J: I pay 50 USD per year to listen to di.fm channels without advertisements. That's it. Other than that, I only use local radio, eg www.wmnf.org

4: Internet advertising often leads to malware infections that lead to me getting lots of clients, so while I avoid it, I inevitably deal with the consequences

1: The budget looks nasty and varies from month to month based on what's going on. Using averages, I can compute that I have about a negative cash flow of 300-600 USD. It's a wide variance because of several complicated factors, but you get the idea.. I still think I need to supplement my income instead of cutting already "cut clean" expenses. Any ideas on supplementing income... legally ?

Then concentrate on the mortgage idea. Explain to the bank how restructuring the payment or writing off 20-30% of the mortgage would actually benefit them. I'm sure, given the economy the way it is, the last thing the bank wants is a foreclosed home so use that as leverage. If they do it you'll probably turn your negative cash flow into a positive.

All the other suggestions... I was just throwing them out there off-hand. But I did notice one thing. You could temporarily suspend lawn care at least until after the new year. Which is fine because grass tends to grow slower during the colder months. You can let the lawncare company know you'll bring them back next year. OR if you can try and get them to decrease their service costs down to $100. It's either that or you let them go.

If you are able to obtain projects for wholesale prices or free (legally!) think about selling on eBay. Now a word of caution about eBay. If you're not careful you can rack up a HUGE bill from all the auctions. There was a time when you could post auctions for free. Now it's like .50 for the auction, plus $2.50 for a photo, $1 for bolding. If you sell the item you also have a final auction value fee which is a percentage of the final sell price. But besides all that there are folks that make a sizable income off eBay.

I'll probably be doing the mortgage thing Monday morning to see what I can get away with. I've been playing out the situation in my head. I would do it now, but I don't like to make important calls over my cell phone or in front of other people. Monday is good because I should be alone in my office and can use the office land line. I'm big on clear communication channels without noise and distractions.

I am currently selling on eBay and have been for a while. I typically resell laptops that I buy broken and repair and sell junk that I accumulate. It seems that you make the best money by selling information drop-shipping, or acquiring some sort of cheap/worthless product that can be easily shipped and marketed effectively. I'm bad at the marketing part, but at least I can manage to sell some junk computer parts every now and then.

I appreciate all the feedback and will continue to let you all know how this goes...

Cross reference with current job seeking and room mate seeking post: http://www.wrongplanet.net/postp2067926.html#2067926

I'm still working with a state agency sponsored job coach to help me find employment. For each application I make, I have about a 5% rate of return by call back or email for a questionnaire or phone interview. However, there has yet to be a followup thereafter. I'm trying to figure out a way to get an advantage by being able to demonstrate my technical learning talents and experience, thereby standing far above other candidates, but I get stuck in the paper pile like the rest. That's my biggest problem, and I frankly suck at the "game" of getting a job.

Plus, I haven't had running water since 01/10/10 at 4am due to agricultural abuse of a finite water resource. Local infrastructure has been crippled by sinkholes, which continue to appear, and I lack the funds to fix my well pump problem myself. The water management district is so underfunded and overwhelmed by the hundreds of dry well complaints that they're completely unable to respond, in an effective manner, to help residents. I can't last much longer, need repairs asap, but need written proof of coverage from the agency before any contractor will help me. This makes me want a cigarette

Perhaps it might be useful to focus on what you want rather than what you don't want (or what is currently worrying you).

I would also suggest that you pick up a copy of Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki and perhaps his latest book too.

He presents a VERY different view of the world, in remarkably simple terms.

Good luck

That's a very good book, and I actually remember a lot of the core concepts of it. Right now, the exceptionally high costs of living in Florida are killing me, and my mortgage hasn't been paid in quite a long time because of unemployment since February 2009. I have state resources helping me with my job search that will continue to assist me in coping skills etc once I am hired. If I cannot get a job and file for chapter 13 bankruptcy before the mortgage is foreclosed, then I will have to have an "emergency moving sale" and hope to scavenge enough money to be able to move somewhere with more jobs and a lower cost of living. Since my well went dry 01/10/10 at 4am local time and since countless sinkholes have damaged houses, vehicles, roads, and places of business at an unprecedented level, this relocation option is gaining popularity.

I've even sent my info to the Navy, in desperation, but I cannot afford, emotionally, to be away from my fiance for extended tours on boats and submarines. There are still instructor opportunities, but I need to figure out how to get a recruitment waiver due to my recent shoulder surgery and Asperger's Syndrome, IF I go that route, IF they would accept me. I have about six years of experience in the IT world and a classic "interest" in nuclear technology, so the Navy seems like a perfect fit. When I left, I'd have instant credentials at any nuclear facility in the United States or, probably, even in other countries that lack uninformed anti-nuclear protesters in the concentrations we have. I still say it beats burning coal by far.

Between my serious handicaps in selling/marketing/advertising, social interaction, and "playing the game" of finding a job, I think the formal structure of the DoD/military could be good, especially with a highly specialized role in a field that is one of my core fascinations. I've run an "outside perspectives" check on my potential benefits in a position versus the risks and negatives, and my talent appears to far outweigh the cons. Who is better in a highly-specialized technical field with obscure resources than Aspies/HFA ?

There's no reply from the Navy, but I kind of expected that. I still have no job leads, but I will be applying for Social Security Disability. I have a very convincing letter from my Voc Rehab counselor, who is state government employee, which is who originally sent me for the evaluation that revealed the extent of right hemisphere impairment in my disorder, so that should help to expedite the process. I will still continue to look for a job if/when I get on disability because the level of income would be definitely worth it. Otherwise, I cannot meet basic needs.

I still haven't gotten running water since 01/10/2010 at 4am because of farmers nearby overpumping the aquifer. I can't get it fixed until I get a 2000-6000 dollar loan, which is going to be hell with my credit. I've been practicing my ability to cry on queue, and I think I have it down well, in addition to the strong verbal arguments. I will try my credit union tomorrow, and if they cannot help, I will have to try family members, which is most likely not going to yield sufficient funds.

Does anyone know how long it takes for disability to start kicking in when you have all your paperwork and documentation in order? I figure it would be based on my income from the past 2-3 years working in enterprise IT, until I was fired because of the disability. Save the legal advice; I already waived rights to sue in exchange for 5,000 USD in a separation agreement. I hear it's hardly any income, but it's gotta beat nothing, which is what I'm facing. Detailed explanations are appreciated.