Financially frustrated

[Sweetpea56]

Hi, I have stage 4 kidney disease, and have been on disability through my employer for almost 2 years. I work part time hours as an RN. This disability only pays 60% of my income. I’m really struggling financially to make ends meet and I’m a single mom with two older children. What’s a person supposed to do when they can’t work full time, and part time hours along with disability at 60% of my income, doesn’t meet my living expenses

[Citygirl76]

I'm sending love and all the good vibes. These facts and dynamics are the ones left out of when speaking about chronic illness. Thinking of you

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Sorry to hear of your problem. If you are living in U.S. check to see if you qualify for SSI.

[Sweetpea56 in reply to orangecity41]

Yes, I live in Sioux Falls, SD, and just recently applied for SSID. Thanks for your input! Orange City, IA? I used to live in Rock Valley, IA.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to Sweetpea56]

Know you will be relieved when you get the SSID arranged. I live in FL.

[jodaer]

I used to live in Council Bluffs IA... sorry about your predicament. It's a sad state of affairs here in the US.

[RonZone]

I know this is not what you want to hear, but until SSDI processes, you are just joining a lot of us who had to go on part time once Covid hit and figure out ways to reduce expenses. Dave Ramsey is my new best friend through all of this! Get to know him if you haven't already, and let your kids get to know him as well. Nobody tells us when our kids are born that they actually get MORE expensive as older teens than when they are in daycare. Hey, someone should invent a daycare for teens at a reasonable cost so they can explain to the teens why they don't have to have an iPhone 13 super max or whatever the latest version is with a gig of data each month. Heck when I was a teen, we had a phone, but that was used to call to see if someone was home before you went to see em I know, we all want our kids to live like other kids and have all the things we want to give em, but they're actually more responsible and reasonable than we think if we give them the chance. And ask Dave Ramsey's kids what it was like growing up in his house (his daughter made a great video about the experience if you can find it). So do we feel for you and your kids. Sure, but I'm telling you, from personal experience, you and your kids can be very happy on that 60%. You will just need to get creative! Ask others on here for some ideas on how to have a full life, on less. I'm sure we're not the only ones who have had to do so these past couple of years. See what you can do in that dept for your kids and for yourself, while advocating for your SSDI so you can support yourself through medical expenses and all that comes with all of this. And for sure, get to know Dave and his family. Find a source that offers his course for free or reduced cost, like a church or somewhere. Keep us posted!

[Sweetpea56]

Yes, thank you. I know Dave and his daughter very well!