The Official Modest Needs Blog

Application of the Day: New Baby Set Us Back, Need Rent Help

The birth of a child should be a joyous occasion. For many couples, however, it means time away from work, lost income and new expenses.

Such is the case for today's Application of the Day. This couple's finances took a hit when maternity leave halved their monthly income. Instead of spending the allotted time off bonding with her new daughter, this mother had to return work after just 7 weeks to avoid financial disaster. During that seven weeks of reduced income, however, this family feel behind on their bills and rent. Now they're facing eviction. Scroll on to read this family's plight in their own words, and to lean how you can help them stay afloat:

"I am part of a family of four. My significant other works two part-time jobs in the evening hours and spends his days at home with our two children, a son who will be five, and a daughter who is just four months old. He takes whatever hours work can give him to support his family. I work as a food service team member working day time hours. We don't get to see each other much, but we do what we can to support our family, even if that means working opposite shifts.

Just recently I took a short term disability leave from work due to the birth of my daughter. I took seven weeks leave with only six of the seven weeks being fifty percent paid. Even though I was allowed to take up to thirteen weeks leave so I could have bonding time with my child, I chose to go back after seven so I could start making income again. Going on leave took a big toll on my income, leaving me short half of what I could have been bringing in. I need Modest Needs' help to catch up on our monthly rent after a short term disability.

I'm worried that one of these days we will be so far behind that we will be evicted and have no where to live. With the winter months just around the corner, I want to make sure I can keep a roof over my family's head. I worry I won't have the money to provide the daily essentials to care for my infant, who is just four months old. I am worried and stressed out. I already have anxiety and having to worry about this every day is causing me a lot of stress. As a mother of two, I would love to spend my days stress free and enjoy my days with my children, without worrying about rent.

If Modest Needs donors funds our application we will be stress free, and we will finally be caught up financially and finally go back to the way things were before our daughter was born and I had to take the leave. We will be so thankful, and hope one day we can return the favor to someone else in need. Knowing that complete strangers all over helped us out means so much to me. There's no words to express how I would feel." 

Click here to help this family directly.

Application of the Day: Surgery Put This Chef's Livelihood at Stake

For many Americans a single health calamity is all it takes to spell disaster. Medical bills frequently add up to sums higher than rent, utility and gas bills combined. Such is the case for today's Application of the Day, which comes from a hardworking chef in Austin, Texas. An uninsured worker, she was forced to cover the complete cost of necessary surgery after breaking her leg, depleting her bank account until she could barely make rent. She's paid her own way through the medical bills, rent and household necessities, but now needs help covering her car payment for the month. Without help, she could find herself without transportation and out of a job.

She's worked hard to stay afloat alone--now she needs a little extra help getting over this hump. Read on to hear her story in her own words, and for a link to help her get caught up and back to work:

"I am a 43-year-old, single professional chef. I recently broke my leg and had to have surgery. I am uninsured, so I had to pay for the surgery upfront out of pocket. The surgery drained my savings and all my money for rent and bills.

I need Modest Needs' help making my car payment this month. I did not expect to have to pay for all my medical expenses up front and did not have enough savings to cover it all. I barely made rent this month. Now there is nothing left over for my other bills.

I am trying to keep a positive attitude but it is really hard when you are worried about bills, especially when you are trying to recover from a serious injury. I am already having problems getting around due to the surgery. If I lose my car I'll have no way to get to and from doctor appointments, my job or even the store for groceries. My livelihood is at stake.

I am currently working hard to make ends meet without help. I run a catering company but have been temporarily sidelined by this injury. While I heal, I have been taking on freelance web design clients in order to supplement my income. I also sold my TV and Blue Ray player to make last months rent. If I can hold on just a bit longer, I will be back to work full-time and am sure everything will be ok.

If I could get help now, I will have what I need to make it through recovering from my surgery and to not fall into a hole that I will not be able to crawl out of. It would mean the world to me to not have my life ripped from under me. I have been through a lot lately and when you are all alone it feels like there is no one who cares. I realize that there are others with worse problems than mine and I am generally a strong person, which is why it kills me to have to ask for help. I am asking anyway, only because I truly need it. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help."

Click here to get this chef back in the kitchen.

Application of the Day: Breast Cancer Survivor Needs Mortgage Help

Today's Application of the Day comes from a single mother of two living in Arkansas. A breast cancer survivor, she has fought hard for her health and independence. Both have recently been threatened, however, by another medical expense that has left her unable to pay this month's mortgage. Without help she and her family will be at risk of eviction.

Scroll down to read this mother's story in her own words, and to make a donation that will help this family get back on their feet in the new year:

"I am a 42-year-old breast cancer survivor and single mother with two children still at home. Over the past four years I have been through numerous treatments (chemo, radiation) and surgeries (bilateral mastectomies and a complete hysterectomy). Both of my parents passed away (my mother died of ovarian cancer when she was 48) and I have no other familial support to count on. I am a bookkeeper and I just signed up to go back to college in the Spring to finish my associate's accounting degree.

I need help with paying December's mortgage. Last week, I had a surgery to repair a hernia. My recovery has been excruciating. I worked all throughout my chemo and radiation treatments and only took a couple days off for all of my other surgeries, so I thought this time would be like all the rest. When I checked out of the hospital, they told me I should take two weeks off, doctor excused. I just figured I could take it slow and still work, but the pain is really bad. I'm going to have to take it slower than I thought I would have. I still plan on working, but I'm not going to be able to work as many hours, which will make getting the mortgage paid on time impossible. Please help. I am a hard worker and I am far from being lazy by any means.

If my family doesn't receive help with our mortgage this month our electricity and gas heat will be shut off for non-payment. (I will have to use the money for those bills to pay the mortgage.) I won't even have gas money to get to work to make what little money I can. We will be squatters in our own home.

After finishing all of my treatments for breast cancer I've finally gotten to the point where I'm trying to plan for the future instead of my imminent demise. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, a light that wasn't there for so long. I plan on finishing up my degree and getting a good job with health benefits and sick leave--simple luxeries that so many others take for granted. One day, I will make enough money to be able to save and hopefully give back to others less fortunate than I.

Funding my application through Modest Needs will give me and my family an excellent start to a new year filled with promise and a bright future. As a cancer survivor I am starting my life over, fresh, and I am looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. I can't wait until the day that I can afford to 'pay it forward' and do something life-changing for someone else. Thank you for helping us if you are able.

Click here to donate to this family directly.

Application of the Day: Single Grandmother Needs Help With Car Payment to Prevent Homelessness

"I can't afford to be homeless with so many people depending on me to take care of them."

Today's application of the day comes from a single mother and grandmother who has worked hard all her life to provide for her family. She holds two jobs to help support a household that includes three of her four children (the fourth is a Marine stationed away from from home), and helps give back to her community by working with developmentally disabled adults. Things were going okay for the family until their car, an absolute necessity, broke down. Now this mother is faced with an impossible decision: use what money she has in the bank to fix the car--her only mode of transportation to get to work--or pay the rent. Her choice is between joblessness and homelessness. Read on to learn more about this mother in her own words, and to discover how you can help save this family:

"Hi, my name is Susan and I have four children and a granddaughter, all who live with me. My oldest son is a Marine so he is not living with me right now, but comes home occasionally on leave. I work with developmentally disabled adults. I also have a second job filing at an insurance company. I have been a single mother for 18 years and have always worked hard to provide for my children.

I am asking for help with a repair bill for my car. As a single mom the biggest stresser to me has always been my car! I have never had a new one and I seem to have the worst luck with any car I have owned. This car just shut off last week while I was driving with my son. My car is my only means of transportation for so many important places--my children's doctors appointments, getting to and from two jobs, etc. I also need it to be safe for my children and granddaughter. It would help me so much if you would consider my request for help with my car repair.

At this point the money I have in my bank account is to pay my rent. If I used that money to pay the car I would not be able to pay my rent. I always try to put my rent first because I can't afford to be homeless with so many people depending on me to take care of them. We absolutely need this car to survive.

I already work a part time job. At this point I have no time to work any more jobs because I help with my granddaughter, my daughter is trying to go to school at night, and I need to be at home to take care of my 8-year-old son. I am, however, going to try and save a few dollars a month for unexpected expenses such as this.

We would so appreciate it if you could fund our request. I try to be a good person and always have a smile on my face! It is just a wonderful thing when people reach out and help other people...it is something I am trying to teach to my family. I try and teach them how important it is to be a good person. It would be so wonderful to show them what happens when good people come together to help those in need. Thank you for considering this request."

Click here to help this family directly.

 

Application of the Day: Elderly Couple Needs Gas to Beat Winter Cold

The safety net for hard-working individuals is shrinking. While costs of living--rents, food prices, utility bills--have risen significantly over the past three years, government funding has not, leaving aging or disabled Americans in the untenable position of having to make ends meet on small assistance checks.

Today's Application of the Day comes from an elderly couple in the exact situation mentioned above. Married for 50 years, the couple lives off modest Social Security payments. As costs of living have increased, their Social Security check amounts have not, forcing them to borrow money from their son in order to stay afloat. Even with assistance, however, they are unable to pay their gas bill this month, leaving them vulnerable to the cold this winter. Read on to learn more about this couple in their own words, then click the link below to help keep them warm this winter:

"My husband is 72 and I am 70. We have been married over 50 years and have spent all of our life in this community. We are living on Social Security retirement with modest help from our eldest son as a short term loan.

We need help with our gas bill. The cost to heat our home has increased each year, but retirement benefits have not kept up with inflation. This most recent fill will not last until spring. If we do not receive help, we will not be able to heat our home properly. This will impact our heath.

It's hard not to worry how we will make ends meet. Medicine and doctor visits are expensive. The price of everything goes up except our benefit check.

This summer my husband and I gardened our land for vegetables to eat during the winter in order to save money. We also provided some to others in our community. We try to live inexpensively.

It would mean a lot to receive help from Modest Needs to pay this expense. At our age we are doing everything possible to make ends meet and truly need this help with a basic necessity. We are limited due to our age as to what we can and cannot do. You are kind to consider our request. Thank you."

Click here to help fund this modest need directly.

Application of the Day: Our Children Need a Place to go to the Bathroom

Today's modest need is practically the definition of neccessity: a place for a family of five to go to the bathroom.

Previously self-sufficient, this family fell on hard times when their only vehicle and household septic system both gave out within weeks of one another. While they were able to obtain a loan to cover the cost of a new car, they've been unable to find the funds to fix their broken septic system, ultimately rendering their bathroom unusable. They've been relying on friends, neighbors and public restrooms when nature calls ever since. Today, their request is simple: help them raise the money to fix their septic system so they can use their own toilet again.

Read on to learn more about this family's modest need in their own words, then click the link below to help:

"I am a homeschooling mother of three. Our children are 13, 9, and 7. My husband and I have been married for 17 years and he works at a hospital doing I.T. work. We are very blessed that our family is healthy, but we are in a real pinch with our septic system.

We need Modest Needs help to afford a septic system repair bill that happened completely out of the blue right before winter set in. We are unable to use any water or the toilet until the problem is resolved.

This is a completely unexpected expense. We have lived in our starter home for 11 years now and things have been working up till the last few months. A few weeks ago we had plumbing problems that needed to be fixed. Now, suddenly, the old leach system that was in place stopped working and everything is backed up. We budget very well, but this is a sudden expense that we just do not have the money for. Our van died a couple months ago and we had to buy a very modest used vehicle which the bank was generous to give us a loan for. That expense has made it impossible to cover the cost of this new problem. My husband has been trying to carpool to work and we changed our cell phone plans to limited calling to save money. We are trying our best to stay afloat.

Times are stressful as we have been taking the family to the neighbors, friends, and public places to use the facilities. We have been determined not to let the children know how concerned we are about this dire situation.

This funding would really help us out of a hole. We have been married for 17 years and I can't remember a more difficult financial time. It would mean a great deal to myself and our family. Please consider our modest need if you can."

Click here to help this family get back on their feet.

Application of the Day: Single Mom w/ MS Needs to Keep the Lights On

Today's applicant, Rebecca, escaped an abusive relationship only to be sidelined by Multiple Sclerosis. She's battled the illness bravely for eight years, continuing to work and to raise her daughter in a safe, loving environment. In February 2011, Rebecca was laid off, forcing her to exhaust her savings in order to make rent, cover living expenses and pay for medical treatments. She continues to look for work in a difficult economy. After seven months of unemployment, Rebecca has fallen behind on a single bill--her most recent utility bill. Help with this payment could be the difference between Rebecca and her daughter staying on top of their expenses and beginning the cycle of poverty by losing her electricity. 

We've got a weekend goal: to get this single mother fully funded by the end of the weekend. We're already 80% there--can you help put us over the edge? Scroll down to read Rebecca's story in her own words:

"My name is Rebecca. I am divorced after years in an abusive relationship. My daughter is 13 and the joy of my life! I have been on a roller coaster ride since 2003, when I was diagnosed with MS. The typical MS medications do not work for me. I have had many side effects to various treatments, including losing my hair. But I am a fighter and will keep pushing so my illness doesn't sideline me.

2011 has been difficult for my daughter and myself. I lost my job in February and have been looking for a new one ever since. I also had to start paying for part of my health insurance and covering my significant medical expenses. This has effected my monthly budget negatively. With all this new stress, my MS symptoms and fatigue have gotten worse.

I am asking for help with a utility bill because I missed my payment this month due to lack of funds. I also lost the payment arrangements that were set up because I could not make my minimum payment in time. I fear that I will become so behind on this bill that it could cause disconnection and additional fees/interest to my account.

I am worried all the time about my bills. I feel stressed out on top of dealing with a constant medical condition. Physically I feel very badly. I also feel sad about my ability to provide for my daughter.

In order to save money I plan to move to a cheaper duplex when my lease is up. I switched the cable TV to a cheaper plan. We do not have a home phone. We eat at home as much as possible in lieu of going out to eat. My daughter is such a helper if I'm not feeling up to cooking.

Funding this application will take at least one worry away and give me a break before the next payment is due. It also will allow me to focus on getting my rent caught up. It would bring me peace and humble me, and help me continue to fight this illness and my family's current hardships. I would be forever grateful and thankful. Thank you for considering my daughter and I."

Click here to donate to this family directly.

Single Mother of Three Needs New Shower for Family

Mold isn't just a slimy inconvenience. For those with certain health conditions, it can be a dangerous, even life-threatening, presense in the home. This single mother of three was rushed to the hospital after a colony of dark mold in her shower triggered a severe asthma attack. Doctors have explained that if she does not have the shower redone and the mold erradicated, she (and her asthmatic son) will be at high risk for future attacks...or worse. Though she works full-time, the expense of redoing her shower is one she cannot handle on her own. She's reaching out for help to make her home a safe, sanitary space for her children and herself. Read on to learn more about this applicant in her own words:

"I am a single mom of three wonderful children. I have a 19-year-old boy, 17-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl. I work full time in a medical billing office and will be starting school again in January to continue my education.

My middle son and I both have severe asthma. It is exacerbated by the mold and mildew that is continually growing worse in our old home, and has started to effect our breathing more in recent months. I have recently been hospitalized for my asthma, and was informed that the mold is what is triggering our attacks. We need get this fixed immediately to stay healthy and safe.

I desperately need help with the repair bill to have shower walls, which are full of mold and mildew, replaced. My hourly wages and child support checks barely cover the usual expenses for the house and car, and food for my children. I do not have any extra to set aside for emergency expenses. My parents try to help when we are in need, but this time the expense is too large for our family to handle.

I am afraid that if the situation is not resolved my asthma will become life-threatening, and that my son's condition will worsen. It is very scary to know something must be done when you do not have the ability or finances to fix it. I am currently seeking weekend employment so help with expenses, but have not been able to find one yet and worry about what will happen in the meantime.

Funding this application will correct the awful problem in our home and keep it from spreading into other rooms in the house. This will in turn will help my breathing and my son's too. We truly need your help. Thank you and God Bless."

You can help fund this application by clicking here.

Application of the Day: Lost Everything to Bed Bugs, Need New Bed to Sleep On

When it rains it pours. This adult brother and sister live on a fixed income. After a bed bug infestation took nearly all their possessions, the pair worked hard to recover. Just as they were coming close to replacing their most neccessary household items, an emergency dental bill came in to the tune of $5000. Now they are without the funds to replace one of their beds. This 52-year-old woman has a simple, modest request: a clean bed to sleep on. With your help, they've already reached 85% of their goal. You can help get them the rest of the way.

Read on to learn more about this modest need in the words of the applicant herself: 

"I am 52 years old and live with my brother, who is 51. We suffer from severe agoraphobia and receive social security and disability payments. It is just the two of us and a cat. We rarely go out of our apartment. We do regularly go to our doctor appointments and pick up our medications.

We had bed bugs for a year and several items in our home needed to be thrown out, including a couch, a bookcase and my brother's bed. We have no couch in the living room because we can't afford to replace it. My mattress is still covered with bed bug feces and is quite unsanitary. It cannot be cleaned; it must be thrown out. I cannot throw it out yet because I cannot replace it, and without it I'll have no place to sleep. I really need my rent paid for one month so I can finally buy a new bed.

The reason we need help is because we have recently been shocked by a number of unexpected bills. In July 2011, I began experiencing severe mouth pain and was forced to see a dentist. One root canal, one crown, several cavity fillings and a special deep cleaning were all necessary to stop the pain and decay. None of it was cosmetic dentistry. The total bill for all the work was over $5100 (which comes out to be 34% of my annual income). This was a huge expense for someone who only receives $1263 a month in disability. I have no dental insurance and we don't make enough on social security to save up for catastrophic medical bills like these. Also, I pay about $200 a month for prescription drugs. The bills are stacking up. It all seems to be happening at once.

I am afraid of getting sick from sleeping on such an unsanitary old bed. The exterminator told me 'you must get rid of this bed.' Under our financial circumstances, having to pay out of pocket for oral surgery has forced us to go without many things. We go without new clothes, though need basics like socks, bras and underwear (obviously we are not going to buy used undergarments from a thrift store). We were at least able to replace my brother's bed last before all the dental expenses, but now it seems I have no hope of ever being able to afford a new bed.

I am very depressed about the situation. I suffer from major depression to begin with, and sleeping on this dirty bed just adds to it. I look around our apartment—-no couch, no bookcase, my dirty bed—-I feel like I live in a slum and it is very discouraging to me.

Getting the rental fee paid for one month will allow me to buy a new, clean bed. A decent bed should last at least 25 years, so having a clean mattress for that long of a time will definitely improve the quality of my life in the long-term. I think your donors are wonderful people. I pray that God will use you to provide help to me, as I try to pay it forward by doing good deeds to others. I am involved in a community outreach program where we go to people's homes and study the Bible with them free of charge. This allows people to make dramatic changes for the better in their lives. I am doing what I can to help my fellow man. Thank you so much for considering my application.

Click here to donate to this applicant directly.

Application of the Day: Teacher Mugged While Walking Home, Needs Your Help

It was an inconvenience and financial strain when this math teacher's car broke down, but things went from bad to worse when she was mugged while walking home from work when her car was in the shop. She thankfully escaped being held up with a deadly weapon unscathed, but her attacker got away with her laptop and glasses. Her assailant is still at large.

After paying for auto repairs, a new computer and new glasses--all neccessities to continue working--this high school teacher is now unable to make her monthly utility payment. Read on to hear her story in her own words, and to learn how you can help her get back on her feet.

"I live by myself, and teach high school math in an after school program. I am currently applying to graduate school. I need Modest Needs' help to afford an electric bill.

I need this help financially because I recently had to replace the alternator on my car. While walking home one night (because the car was in the shop) I was the victim of an aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. My laptop glasses were stolen during the robbery, both of which I will have to replace. I do not make enough money to handle the expense of the car repairs, laptop, the glasses and my bills all at once. I am asking for just enough help to keep the lights on.

I'm very frustrated, and feeling very distracted because I'm running out of options financially. It seems like a million things are happening at once. I'm trying to apply to graduate school, which is expensive as it is; then my car broke down, and then someone mugged me when I was walking home. I feel so unsafe lately.

Without a car I will not be able to get to work. Without a computer I will not be able to apply for graduate school and begin working toward a more stable future. Without electricity I will be in dire straights. It is a difficult situation with only so much money to go around.

Funding will keep my lights on. It will also help me be able to afford to apply to graduate school, which will change my entire future, both financially and personally. Most importantly, it will turn this streak of bad luck around and make moving forward possible. Thank you and god bless for considering me."

  To help this teacher get back on her feet, donate directly here.