About 28 years ago, after my divorce, my 2 small children and I had to move back in with my parents, because I had nothing and nowhere to else to go. The fact that I had 2 children who depended on me, motivated me to get back on my feet quickly again (within a year). Six years ago, when my second husband died of cancer, I was once again left with almost nothing and nowhere to go. This time I had a Down Syndrome daughter with very poor health to take care of. My son helped me to get a small place to stay, and gradually I got back on my feet again. The fact that I am needed by my youngest child, is once again my motivation to keep on going. I have 2 friends, and have no real contact with my family. But my 3 children are my reason for living!

I had to start over again after my divorce, he took everything, I did get my two girls, full custody. All I had was an old car, and an old mobile home. We lived on prayer and faith in the Lord. Number one pray together with your loved ones , then go sign up for public assistance. Number two go to the housing authority to ask for low income housing. Number three find income, clean houses, dig ditches, what ever it takes to make money ! We used to dumpster dive and go to the school house nearby and dig out stuff for the kids to have to play with, coloring sheets and pencils and crayons. We also went to Christian ministries and got free food and ate at the soup kitchen. I had to swallow my pride, that was hard. I also bought clothes used and second hand toys. I went driving on trash day and picked up stuff off the curb left for the trash man. This was how I got all our furniture. I went to churches and asked for help to pay power bills. I used coupons on all I had to buy. I only bought the things we absolutely had to have, no junk or wants.
I added rice or beans or pasta to meats and meals to make the food go further. I planned and made a budget for ever cent I planned hard to make it go as far as possible. ~ Best wishes to anyone starting over ~

I learned to make each day a past and future-tight compartment. I only had to deal with what was going on in one period of time, "right now". It sounds simple, but, at the stage of acquisition of this life skill, believe you me, it does extremely hard. I was 48 when everything went to **** , and I had to tunnel up from under a quarter million dollars of someone else's compulsive debting and alcoholism.

Starting over is a real wake up call. One must be strong inside to overcome this situation. Staying at a shelter, finding work, getting counseling was a big help. Volunteering was a way to meet people that were positive and helpful putting a twist on your mindset to the positive. Things are just things...The very basics are all one needs to survive, loosing home and furnishings was actually very freeing-living with less is healthy. Nutrition can be had with simple basics that can last vegetables, beans, lentils, rice, fruit, Tea/coffee/water. The Free-Clinic comes in handy for medical. There are soup kitchens at local churches along with farmers market script and local Senior Center food drives. There are other services that can be had at the Senior Centers to get back on your feet (and you don't have to be a Senior ). I wish there were a centrally located spot in every city for a information packet for those in need . It seems now that one must do research to find such information or find out from others to find the information. It seems like this would be an easy thing to do. There is help for those who want help- Hugs...