Foo - I'm in a bad situation

Long story short, due to my own stupidity I have to save every penny I earn outside of rent and bills and dog food until school starts. I mean no buying groceries. I'm using the food I had stored at my boyfriend's place when I was living with him. I have flour, sugar, a bit of rice, canned goods etc. I can't buy fruit or veg which isn't good, I pick whatever berries I find near my work.

Anyway, soon I will start having to hit the local food bank for the first time. Worrying about where my next meal is going to come from is very depressing. I'm actually figuring out how to cut down on how much I need to eat. I'm a vegetarian so at least I don't need expensive meat to eat.

My mother and i live together right now, she's NOT getting what I'm telling her. She seems to think we are going to share food costs. I've told her a few times I can't do that. I have to start going to the local food bank.

I pay my half the rent, i do housework, laundry etc, I also work FT. I'm not lazy or a mooch, don't even think that.

I might even have to start finding the local soup kitchens. I can't believe this is happening. I might sell my Miyata that I was planning on using along with my hybrid to get to school.

My mother isn't the type to feed me without me having to pay her back every cent. I can't afford to have further debt going into school.

I feel like a freaking loser.

well, scratch that last sentence. you may have hit a rough stretch, but that doesn't make you a loser.

when does school start? sept? that's only 6 weeks away.

I'd keep the miyata if you can - it's utility transportation, and good to have a backup if your other bike needs work.

Sept 8th.

I went hungry a few times in my early 20s. I will never forget that feeling of desperation. Sometimes I get free lunch at work, every second Friday. Free tea and hot chocolate.

I can't believe I'm 35 years old and I can't freaking feed myself. At least I don't have children. Also, I will go hungry but my dog will NOT.

There are options that are inexpensive. When I was in college, I lived off of a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. Hang in there.

Yeah, even better when you bake the bread yourself. I can also bake desserts with peanut butter. I just need the ingredients in the first place. I did buy a jar of PB with my own money, stashed in the cupboard. Thank the gods for Costco and 10 kg bags of flour, sugar, oats. I have enough oats to choke a scotsman. I don't think I can eat nothing but oats though, if I wasn't working I could live on 1 cup of cooked rice a day with maybe a can of black beans.

Your BF won't help you out some...or is that part of the long story short

He is a student, too, it wouldn't be right for me to expect him to feed me. Sometimes he takes me out to dinner which is real nice of him. I explained to him that I'm dead broke so no more going to the movies etc. He understands, he sometimes lives on PB sandwiches, too. His parents help him out a little so that's why sometimes we can get a cheap dinner out.

When I'm in college I will try to make a little extra cash dog walking and such, but I don't want to interfere with my studies, I'm taking school deadly serious, I'm going to work my @$$ off studying.

I might actually make an appt with the college counselling dept, I am allowed to access those services for free.

First of, you are far from being a loser. However, if your austarity measures are caused by your desire to save every penny, then, perhaps you should consider spending just a few of those pennies on yourself in the form of modest but healthy food. Add some beans to that diet of yours, a couple pieces of fresh fruit, etc. and you'll be fine. It really sounds like you're doing this, putting yourself in such a tight fiscal situation, out of choice as much as necessity. Every penny may be need in the future, but, some of them are also needed now. Best of luck at finding the perfect balance.

Are you going to work FT as well?

Nope. School FT. Student loans...

I have learning disabilities so I need to be very focused on one thing at a time, I am amazed at people who work and go to school FT. How can they divide their focus like that and nothing suffers?

oh trust me, I went to grad school and worked full time...something suffers....so on a positive note, good for you going back to school. What is your area of focus and are you going to UBC or Simon Frazier?

UBC, after undergrad. I'm not willing to sacrifice my education in order to not eat ramen and pb sandwiches. lol.

The problem is more immediate. I'm saving the cash so I don't have to deal with as much money stress while I'm IN school. I have about 6 weeks to get through, when I think of it in terms of weeks it doesn't seem so bad. I need to go through the cupboards tomorrow and catalogue my canned goods. I'm a seasoned "prepper" and always have food supplies on hand. Just do not have enough for 6 weeks.

Ok, that makes more sense, I was beginning to think that you were truly going to be a starving student...You can do a lot with flour, beans and rice...and you are right, 6 weeks isn't really that far off...so what is your intended major

Nope. School FT. Student loans...

I have learning disabilities so I need to be very focused on one thing at a time, I am amazed at people who work and go to school FT. How can they divide their focus like that and nothing suffers?

Oh believe me, your sanity suffers. There are plenty of days when I wake up and have no idea what time/day it is, where I'm supposed to go or what the heck it is I'm doing. I also only sleep a few hours a night and only get to hang out with my friends once every other week or so.

Yes I'm sacrificing now but hopefully it's worth it in the future :)

Anthropology.

kidonabike, are you the crazy dude that sleeps like 4 hrs a night and goes to school/work FT? You are one crazy hombre. I admire your drive.

Anthropology.

kidonabike, are you the crazy dude that sleeps like 4 hrs a night and goes to school/work FT? You are one crazy hombre. I admire your drive.

Nice major! And yes thats me haha:p Well Im still young (only 20yo) so I figure I may as well do it while I can...

I just finished compressed biochem, 15 chapters of the gnarliest chemistry on the planet in 4 weeks and work full time too. During the regular school year I usually take 9 credits, work full time, and tutor a couple classes to keep fresh with the material. It's not easy but it's manageable. I know what you mean about forgetting what time it is or where you are supposed to be kid.

Does your school have work study programs Luddite? They are a great way to make a bit of extra money and they usually try to get you a job in your field of study.

Do you need the miyata to get to/from school? No? Sell it. The reduction in stress about money for the next 6 weeks will be worth it.

You have my admiration for sticking to your education.
I am a runner and I'm surprised at how much food is left at local races like 5K's and longer races. I've worked at organizing races and when food is left it comes down to who wants to take it home and actually thinks that they will use it.
Might be worth the effort to search for local running races on the net and just show up looking like a runner when the race is over and hitting the food table. Usually there's healthy food and because a lot of runners pay attention to what they eat there is always unused food.
At the University I went to when there was a weekly seminar at the Bio dept. they used to have coffee and donuts. The grad students would show up long enough to act interested and walk away with a meal.

It's just a suggestion.

All I can say is, Luddite, I admire your dedication. You go girl.

Luddite, something tells me you're going to kick more ass than you think. Right now may suck, but soon you're gonna be rockin'.

oh trust me, I went to grad school and worked full time...something suffers....

yep. but it's temporary. keep pushing towards the light at the end of the tunnel. and try to enjoy the ride if you can:)


Do you need the miyata to get to/from school? No? Sell it. The reduction in stress about money for the next 6 weeks will be worth it.

Yours is in nice shape. So why not put it on CL - highball the price (within reason). If someone wants it, great. But don't panic and sell it for pennies. It's transportation, and you just invested $ in it.


All I can say is, Luddite, I admire your dedication. You go girl.
Yes:thumb:


Luddite, something tells me you're going to kick more ass than you think. Right now may suck, but soon you're gonna be rockin'.

Yes:thumb:

Dumpster dive...

Bread... fruit... produce... free.

Luddite, have you looked for a food shelf near you?

There are several around here- that have pretty much a "don't ask" policy- I could head over there and do my weekly grocery shopping, I suppose.

Doesn't Vancouver have a good public transit system? Sell your car. Then start selling blood.

Long story short, due to my own stupidity I have to save every penny I earn outside of rent and bills and dog food until school starts. I mean no buying groceries. I'm using the food I had stored at my boyfriend's place when I was living with him. I have flour, sugar, a bit of rice, canned goods etc. I can't buy fruit or veg which isn't good, I pick whatever berries I find near my work.

Anyway, soon I will start having to hit the local food bank for the first time. Worrying about where my next meal is going to come from is very depressing. I'm actually figuring out how to cut down on how much I need to eat. I'm a vegetarian so at least I don't need expensive meat to eat.

My mother and i live together right now, she's NOT getting what I'm telling her. She seems to think we are going to share food costs. I've told her a few times I can't do that. I have to start going to the local food bank.

I pay my half the rent, i do housework, laundry etc, I also work FT. I'm not lazy or a mooch, don't even think that.

I might even have to start finding the local soup kitchens. I can't believe this is happening. I might sell my Miyata that I was planning on using along with my hybrid to get to school.

My mother isn't the type to feed me without me having to pay her back every cent. I can't afford to have further debt going into school.

I feel like a freaking loser.

You have 2 cars but you can't seem to be able to buy food? Hmmmm? Something doesn't seem right? but hey! Be strong!

A poor man owns a dog, a really poor man has two or more.

A poor man owns a dog, a really poor man has two or more.

Thats 'cause misery loves company. ;)
Or maybe their male and female? before long he'll have a pack.....which means meat on the table! "Give a man a dog and he will eat for a day. teach a man to breed dogs and he will eat for a lifetime." :twitchy:

I sold most of my musical equipment and lots of other stuff to get through school. It hurt, but I lived.

You have 2 cars but you can't seem to be able to buy food? Hmmmm? Something doesn't seem right? but hey! Be strong!

She has two bikes - neither of them new, multi-thousand dollar machines.

I sold most of my musical equipment and lots of other stuff to get through school. It hurt, but I lived.

Yup, I remember one year things got so bad for us I sold our TV, vcr (yeah, it was that long ago! :lol: ) stereo equipment, and both cars, and I wasn't even in college! but we survived, and we slowly got it all back + some. :thumb:

Yup, I remember one year things got so bad for us I sold our vcr (yeah, it was that long ago! :lol: )

I'm still in VHS land.

I was wondering where this two car stuff came from, I thought it was two bikes as well.

Hence my saying keep both - if your bike is your main source of transit you want reliability. If Bike 1 has a flat in the AM and you need to make it to class on time, you just hop on Bike 2 (which you have kept in perfect working order, of course) and deal with Bike 1's flat that evening or asap. If she could get, say, $1000 or even $500 for one, I'd reckon might be worth selling it. Otherwise, unless the $200-300 keeps starvation at bay, why not keep good reliable transportation? Between two bikes and mass transit getting around a city is very doable.

We'll be in NYC ten years this Dec. Sold my car a few weeks after moving here and pretty much stopped taking the subway to work about a year ago. I have a beater commuter and a old road bike similar to Luddite's Miyata which can double as a fast commuter or be used for long slow rides. It's been pressed into utility service at times when something goes south on the daily beater.

I'm still in VHS land.

I was wondering where this two car stuff came from, I thought it was two bikes as well.

Hence my saying keep both - if your bike is your main source of transit you want reliability. If Bike 1 has a flat in the AM and you need to make it to class on time, you just hop on Bike 2 (which you have kept in perfect working order, of course) and deal with Bike 1's flat that evening or asap. If she could get, say, $1000 or even $500 for one, I'd reckon might be worth selling it. Otherwise, unless the $200-300 keeps starvation at bay, why not keep good reliable transportation? Between two bikes and mass transit getting around a city is very doable.

We'll be in NYC ten years this Dec. Sold my car a few weeks after moving here and pretty much stopped taking the subway to work about a year ago. I have a beater commuter and a old road bike similar to Luddite's Miyata which can double as a fast commuter or be used for long slow rides. It's been pressed into utility service at times when something goes south on the daily beater.

My apologies to the OP, I read "Miyata and Hybrid" but in my mind I saw "Mazda and Toyota." :o

I don't mean to be rude, and I seriously hope you climb out of whatever hole you dug yourself in, but are you paying for Internet? If so, and if your situation is serious enough, that's possibly the first thing you need to give up. Dial-up internet might be free in your parts. It's slow, but it'll get you through school no probs.

Internet is free. I don't have a car or savings.

Internet is free. I don't have a car or savings.

I figured.

Out of curiosity, why don't you have any savings accounts if you're trying to save?

If you have the time - dry beans (soak & cook) and rice can carry the day. Good luck.

I'm cleaning out my room and the garage and holding a garage sale to get me through the summer. You are not alone in money troubles...although I'm glad that my parents don't expect me to pay for food and rent so I won't go hungry or homeless (I handle most of the utilities though).

I made a big mistake while reading! As someone else wrongly assumed, when you said you were selling the Miyata, I thought you spelled 'Miata,' as in Mazda Miata, wrong. I totally forgot about the bike manufacturer. :-(

In that case, I really, really hope that you pull through. Do you want us to donate food? I really don't mind buying a few odd and ends, and I'm sure many people here wouldn't mind either.

Oh believe me, your sanity suffers. There are plenty of days when I wake up and have no idea what time/day it is, where I'm supposed to go or what the heck it is I'm doing. I also only sleep a few hours a night and only get to hang out with my friends once every other week or so.

http://capriogroup.com/WebStuff/Images/MiscPictures/DilbertMorningAmnesia.jpg

try ING for savings- great interest rates.

No no I don't want donations...the money I'm earning for 6 weeks is what I'm saving up for school, does that make sense?

I'm having anxiety attacks today, more than usual I mean.

No no I don't want donations...the money I'm earning for 6 weeks is what I'm saving up for school, does that make sense?

I'm having anxiety attacks today, more than usual I mean.

Yes, it does. I just thought that donations might help your food situation, but I can totally understand if you don't need it.

I'm having anxiety attacks today, more than usual I mean.

deep breaths. You'll be okay.

I am willing to bet once you start classes and see that you can handle the coursework and that you can survive as a student you will relax considerably. Not that everything will be easy or perfect, but Much of your current stress is probably just worry about the what the future holds, which is natural as you enter a new life phase, especially one with the temporary financial constraints you mentioned.

Try to be patient, and have faith in yourself - everyone here seems to think you can do this, maybe we're on to something:)

There are options that are inexpensive. When I was in college, I lived off of a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. Hang in there.

Yup. PB&J for lunch and beans and rice for dinner got me through some tough patches in college.

Have a look around when you're riding. I know of quite a few mulberry trees on the bike paths, and we spotted a cherry tree yesterday. Those mixed with some of those oats will make it more interesting. You can also get plantains and dandelions (leaves for salad, roots like carrot/potato, or you can roast them and grind them for coffee substitute) to add to your "fresh veggies". Nasturtiums are another one that people tend to plant as flowers but that make a good salad leaf.

Loads more here Edible Wild Plants (http://www.herbvideos.com/ewpindex.htm)

You have flour and it isn't the season for them yet, but acorns can be made into flour - labour intensive, but it tasted quite good.

Awesome... I know sorrel is edi ble and high in vit c, also red clover flowers are edible. I know what wild berries in these parts are safe to eat, too. Ill do what I can to forage for berries, greens etc.

You have 2 cars but you can't seem to be able to buy food? Hmmmm? Something doesn't seem right? but hey! Be strong!

I think by "Miyata" and "Hybrid" she meant bicycles.

Sept 8th.

I went hungry a few times in my early 20s. I will never forget that feeling of desperation. Sometimes I get free lunch at work, every second Friday. Free tea and hot chocolate.

I can't believe I'm 35 years old and I can't freaking feed myself. At least I don't have children. Also, I will go hungry but my dog will NOT.

i am in for a 100

where do i send the check to?

i went to school again in my 30's, best and worst times

I think by "Miyata" and "Hybrid" she meant bicycles.

Yup, and thats why I posted this:
"My apologies to the OP, I read "Miyata and Hybrid" but in my mind I saw "Mazda and Toyota."

:p ;)