*sigh* Not again. :( minor vent

[Zellie Crescent]

It always seems like whenever I don't have any money or start to get more saved up, something happens that requires just barely what I have or more than I have. Shit always seems to happen at the worst times and this time is no different. I'm currently trying like hell to help out my brother with his living situation and my car decides to break, I'm just so ready to junk it for money to give to him and just ride my bike everywhere. Anyone else seem like they have the worst luck at the worst times?

[kpzra]

Both vehicles are not running right now. One has a fist size hole in the transfer case, one needs a new transmission. While I have a bike to ride, I don't have a baby trailer. Plus it's getting to be summer in Nevada, so it's freaking hot and the swamp cooler doesn't run. We live on $1000/month, half of which goes to rent (MIL's house). There are no jobs to be found, plus no vehicle makes it hard to look for one. We hate it here and can't wait until we can get back to Alaska.

The last year has been shit and I just want something to go right. We lost our house, had to move 4000 miles, and just bleh...sorry to get so ranty.

[Food Lady]

You've described my life, except that after the money-taking event, I get some kind of blessing that helps me.

[blas]

A couple of months ago, I stupidly got brave and ordered stuff online. Someone got a hold of my debit card (there is a possibility that could have happened locally too, as I was way too trusting and used that card everywhere on just about anything, but it was too convenient that it just happened to have happened right after I made a purchase online. That person spent over $1,000 at an online mall.

I had just gotten my taxes back.

Then, a couple of days later, while I was still waiting to hear from the bank about getting my money back, I had to get my oil changed and get its quarterly inspection, and they found a trasmission fluid leak beginning, and a suspension problem, the latter they weren't sure was under my warranty or not. If not, it would be over $300 to fix.

Thankfully, they do offer rental vehicles for free while your car is in the shop, but it was just something else I DID NOT need going wrong at that time.

[Seraph]

Hi, have you met me? LOL

Totally sympathize, life always seems to wait until things start to turn around, then stabs you in the kidneys.

[KellyHabersham]

Definitely can relate - kind of short on money right now, but am needing to replace my laptop, Ipod touch, and get major dental work done. (figures this would happen right after the "no overtime" rule went into effect at work)

[Barracuda]

May be able to help with the swamp cooler issue. If you have an icemaker, simply empty your ice into a large flat container like a large cookie sheet. Place in front of a working fan and voila! Poor man's swamp cooler. If you don't have an ice maker, I suppose you decide if it's worth the cost of buying ice and run the cooler in the morning and keeping the house closed up with the blinds drawn to prevent heat from getting in.

[Der Cute]

HI! I'm here to join the Frustrated Broke Club. Shoot, when I get a chunk of change, I do the maintenance things but now I'm realizing I need another car tire rotation and oil change and probably a transmission fluid change...with pennies in my hand. *sigh*

[Pixilated]

Also applying for membership here ... I let my finances get screwed up; finally seemed to have all my ducks in a row, payments were up to date ... then OSAP [provincial student loans organization] hits me with a $700 bill because they "overpaid" me over the past year or two (I suspect it was last year because I screwed up my taxes) and they want the money back pronto, or I won't get any more student loans ... I find this more than a little irritating, not because it's wrong, but because I have to repay a significant portion of these loans (if not 100%) in the end anyway -- for crying out loud, just tack the $700 onto my final bill! But noooooo....

[Kristev]

Yes. Quite literally, if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

[auntiem]

I have a magic car - it knows exactly what my tax refund is and suddenly develops an issue that cost exactly $20 more than my refund. Every.single.year.
I didn't have a refund at all this year - guess who's car is purring like a kitten.
Oh, and if I want to get laid off - I finish paying off my credit card.

[blas]

Just like the internet thief must have known I got my tax refund and knew I spent several hundred dollars shopping.

[Food Lady]

Let's see....my car is literally falling apart--rusted out on the front end--and the repairs should cost more than it's worth. I need more dental work, which I had to put off a crown for, except I can't afford it. I need a cavity filled and then the crown on another tooth. My insurance is maxxed out for the year. I have a couple thousand in medical bills from the beginning of the year, on top of the massive amount I will forever owe on previous debts. I can't currently pay off my smaller debts, like the bank, my gas card, and the auto shop. Oh, yeah, I also need an eye exam and contacts. But I think that will be covered. I think. I feel overwhelmed at times, but very grateful to live in a country where debts can be collected, but not to the point where my very basic needs are not met. I have food, shelter, transportation in some form, clothing, and medical care--since they have to treat you in the ER, and I do have insurance. I have never, ever gone without these things involuntarily. Many people all over the world go without food because they have to. I am blessed.

[blas]

After 6 months of temporary layoffs (a week at a time), the last couple of months of the year, everyone only gets 36 hours a week. I know a lot of people will probably hit me or say "So what? I can barely get 20 where I work!", but I'm used to working 48 hours every other week, and depend on those hours.

Not only that, but I just got over being sick, 12 hours of PTO is HARD to save up, actually, and then we found out that we have to take extra time off for Thanksgiving weekend. Which may be nice to have a weekend off, but I don't think I'll have enough PTO saved to cover those mandatory off days.

[chrislb]

We have been trying to get caught up on the bills and rent for the past three months. Our van, the only transportation we have between four people who work, developed engine problems to the tune of 3 grand.
We get that patched up and tire blew out on freeway offramp. Get tire fixed. Now 3300 in the hole. Less than two weeks later the tire that was replaced started losing air, which we didn't find out until the next day when we needed to get to work and found the van with a flat tire. Another 100 plus in the hole.
One month later, my fiancee needs to see doctor for back pain and gall bladder problems which add another thousand plus to our debt. Next month her hours are cut as well as mine though hers were because they were fixing her store. Mine was because the second in command is a spiteful cunt who hates me for whatever reason.
A few weeks later I lose my job because my boss was arrested for distributing banned substances.
Not even 2 days later I have a heart attack and get hospitalized. 2000 plus more in the hole and now I don't see how we are ever going to make it.
We can't win, hell I would settle for breaking even. But the gods are against me despite my greatest efforts. I don't know what to do and frankly I am not sure that I care much any more. The only light at the end of this tunnel is an oncoming train.