MATERNITY LEAVE MEANS NO PAY FOR ME – DONATIONS WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED
PREFACE: It pains me to have to write this post, but I have to put my pride aside because my children come first. I have never done this before so I hope that you all will be respectful of the situation that I am in and not judge me. We all hit lows at different points in our lives and right now I am at one of mine.
Since having Baby Girl on July 7th I have been on maternity leave. My job doesn’t offer pay during maternity leave as a benefit to most of its employees, so I am faced with August’s bills and no way of paying them. This includes my rent ($750), electricity ($250), and my website hosting service ($7). (Internet, cable, and cell phone bills are considered “luxury” bills to me and I am willing to have those be disconnected until September because they are not a priority.) Because of couponing and catching other items on sale, I am able to meet my family’s other needs by living off of our stockpile.
I’m not set to return to work until August 23rd, but by that time an eviction notice will have been put into affect as well as a disconnection of service notice. I have been taking a few freelance writing and graphic design jobs, but those are few and far between.
I am asking that anyone who has it in there heart to help my family and I in this time of need to make any donation that they can. Every little bit helps. If this website has helped your family in any way, or you have taken joy from reading my personal stories, and you are financially able to donate anything I would be beyond appreciative.
Please believe me that this was hard for me to do, but I am by no means any better than any one else who needs any type of help or assistance. I try to be as open and as truthful as possible about my life, my family, and my struggles on my website. I thank you in advance to those that choose to donate. I am also thankful to those of you who has been continually keeping me and my family in your prayers. I know that through God all things are possible.
25 Comments
Leave a Comment
PRINTABLE COUPONS
DAILY EMAIL UPDATES
Sign up for my daily newsletter to get updated once a day whenever I update my website.
ADS FOR MOMS
GRAB MY BUTTON
<div align="center"><a href="http://pennypinchingdiva.com" title="Penny Pinching Diva" target="_blank"><img src="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk10/entirepackage/Sidebar%20Photos/PPDLinkButton.png" alt="Penny Pinching Diva" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
I’M ON TWITTER
There are lots of resources out there for families that hit a tough spot. Talk to the Salvation Army. They often help with utility bills and rent. You can also contact HEAP for your utility bill. They will usually cover most, if not all, of your utility bill. Churches are also a wondeful resource. Ask your WIC Clinic if they know of any other resources. Ours has several places they work with.
We’ve had to rely on these services a few times. It’s always humbling to ask for help, but better than being on the street.
Dear Shaun,
Thank you SO much. You have given me somewhere to start because I am lost. I have no problem with being humble. There are months where I can help someone else, and then there are months like this. I will definitely check out these resources on Monday.
Take care,
Shynea
You should also be able to qualify for WIC and Food Stamps since you’re not currently making any money. Your landlord and power company should have numbers for people you can call as well. I really hope you are able to find some answers today.
I don’t know what resources are available to you there, but I think the first commenter gave you some solid places to start. I have you guys in my prayer, Shy. It will work itself out. Don’t let this obstacle break you. Event though it may feel like you’ve hit rock bottom, there are definitely worse things that could happen. Hold fast to God’s unfailing Love and know that no matter what happens, He will bring you through this. I’ve been where you are and it makes my heart bleed to not be able to do more
This is exactly why I wanted so badly for the American Idol “thing” to work out. I hate seeing someone with a need when I don’t have any way to be a blessing. I have faith that God will come through for your family; don’t worry – it’s normally always at the 11th hour… but keep trusting Him. Something will happen right at the moment when you think you’re all alone! That’s God’s way of assuring you that it’s Him. *hugs*
Kat,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I have prayed about it and I know that God will provide for my family. I am learning to turn all of my problems and worries over to Him. He has always provided for me when I needed him and I have no reason to doubt him now. You have taught me that.
Take care,
Shynea
hey girl,
I know exactly how you are feeling. I am in the exact situation as you. The statement thats rolls continuolsy in my mind is “a set back is a set up for a comeback”.This is only temporary and you WILL get through this.Trying calling this info Line 211. i dont know if Florida has it, but it is a resource line to help find assistance when needed.
Dear Kenesha,
I like that quote “A set back is a set up for a comeback.” I am going to write that out and put it on my refrigerator. I know that this current situation is not a permanent situation and that September will be much better for me.
Take care,
Shynea
i’m not exactly sure if you have a community action in your area but we have one in brevard and they also help with rent, and lights. if you do have one, take your last tax return, birth certificates, social security cards, cut off notices, lease with you. and try to get there as early as possible because the line is usually really long around the first of the motnh. to get rent assistance i believe that you have to have the eviction notice already but i’m not positive.
Dear divamom07,
I will definitely look into that on Monday and see if there is a Community Action program in this area. Thank you so much for this tip. Everyone who has left a comment has been so helpful in pointing me in the right direction.
Take care,
Shynea
For those of you who don’t have the resources to donate $$, don’t forget to utilize Shynea’s ads! She benefits if you print coupons through that widget. Need baby supplies? Think about using her diapers.com link. There are little things we can do to help her out. It may not be much, but it’s something.
Shynea, I can’t even imagine the immense burden this is for you, but God will always provide. As long as you and your little ones have your health, that is all that really matters. I hope you get the help you need, and I will be keeping you in my prayers.
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for pointing this out. I try to keep my sidebar as ad-free as possible (only choosing a few companies to work with). The ones I do have on my sidebar help out so much during the month.
God has always been a great provider for me and I already know that He won’t let me down. Thank you for your prayers. They are appreciated SO much on my end.
Take care,
Shynea
Shynea, you and your family are in my prayers. Kat said it so well. God always makes a way. It might not be the way we envision it, but it’s His way. Was it T.D. Jakes that said, “Sometimes life has to turn you upside down so you can learn to live right side up.” The hard times always bring us closer to God. I saw this quote not too long ago that said, “When you’re down to nothing, God’s up to something.” He’s still working for you, so keep trusting Him, and we’ll be out here praying for you
K.O.,
Thank you for putting me and my family in your prayers. I appreciate it SO much. We have never talked on the phone or in person but I feel like you are truly one of my closest friends. I have told you some of the closest things about me. (Is it selfish to say that I want to kidnap you and that too cutie daughter of yours and move y’all down to Florida?) I love that quote “When you’re down to nothing, God’s up to something.”
Take care,
Shynea
Shynea
I don’t comment much on your site but please know that I am lifting your family up in prayer as I am in this same position now. I think my main problem is worrying and not having faith that God will provide. We really need to realize that If we’re going to pray then there is no need to worry. God is an on time god and I trust that he will take care of your family and well as mine and the rest of the commenters. Keep the faith and Hold on, because your blessing is on the way!!!
Dear April,
Thank you so much for lifting my family up in prayers. I really appreciate it and prayers are much appreciated. I have learned my lesson with letting all of my problems go and releasing them into God’s hands. He always gives me what I need. It may not be in the way that I’m asking for, but my prayers are always answered.
Take care,
Shynea
There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Your love for your children is nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve been humble enough to do lots of things for the benefit of my son.
What people think of me matters very little compared to making sure he’s taken care of. Chin up! Hope you get the resources and assistance you need.
Just said a prayer for you. Just continue to ask questions and God will lead you to the right people and places to visit. I rely on food pantries; check it out.
Michelle,
Thank you for your prayers. I really appreciate them. God is already working miracles in my life right now. I have complete faith in Him and I know that He will provide for me in the end. All of my readers have been giving me some wonderful resources and I have been checking them out. I have found a wonderful church that helped me a little bit.
Take care,
Shynea
Hi, I first want to take my hat off to you. I know it take a lot to do this. I love to read your blog and will keep you and your family lifted in prayer.
You are not alone. I lost my job last December and I have 4 kids that live with me and I have custdy of. I have trusted in God during this time and my family and friends helped me make it. I’d he can get me through 6 months. He can get u through 1. My new favorite saying is “walk by faith and not by sight “. Even though it seems like all is going wrong….stay faithful and know God will provide.
Belive it and it will happen. Do not let this get u down.
Take care,
Fran
Oh Shy, I haven’t had many chances to get online lately and I just read this post. I am so sorry that you have the weight of this on your shoulders. I have been praying for you daily because I knew that this time period was going to be rough for you.
I will be taking a look at my finances and making a donation this week.
Your kindness and support for me have not gone unnoticed in the short time that we have been friends. I want to help you as much as I can.
Hang in there and I love the advice and resources that others have suggested.
Priscilla,
It’s only for the month of August. I tried to plan for maternity leave, but I just could never build up a savings. Thank you SO much for your prayers. I really appreciate them. Your friendship means a lot to me and I am very grateful that we met each other online. (Now if I could just get y’all to move to Florida. lol You and K.O.) Girl, I’m hanging in here and praying too.
Take care,
Shynea
I’m sorry I can’t help out financially, but I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I am just seeing this post tonight and my heart is there with you and your children. I will certainly pray for your assistance and in the meantime I too will be looking over my finances to help in anyway I can.
A mother does what she has to, to provide for her family. Hold on honey.
sorry to hear about that but i’ve been in your situation and i know how it feels, everything will get better just be patient. you can apply for emergency foodstamps, tanf and i’ve seen a program on tv that if you are on food stamps or your kids have medicaid you can get a cell phone with 200 minutes totally free, doesn’t hurt to try cause a phone is necessary for emergencies. i’ll keep you in my prayers and don’t worry everything will get better GOD never lets us down he always watches after us. have a blessed day =)
This is my first time to your site and I can’t help but to sympathize with you as I’ve been in this type of situation a few days ago–wondering what to do about rent, how I was going to fill my tank up, etc. I stressed about it, but I kept my faith in God and he pulled me through.
Those who have previously commented before me have made some awesome suggestions. HEAP helps, your local Social Services program, churches, etc. Also, I’d talk to the landlord. See if you can get them to hold the eviction from being processed. Try to get a loan from your bank. If you can’t get a loan, try getting a payday loan (you’ll need a checking account, bank statements, ID, check stubs). Ask a family member, seek help from a church, etc. Do what you have to do.
I’ll keep you in my prayers. I know exactly how it feels and I wish I was in a position to donate. How many days do you have remaining?