[Alyssa Autopsy]

Originally Posted by Daimere

I just thought have you looked at any of kaplod's posts or shoestring meals forum? Kaplod's has had to work with very low budget and successfully have lost weight.

And good luck getting disability. My sister in law has had to re-apply like four times (bipolar, ADHD, mass issues in body, and a ankle that can't bear weight for more than 30 minutes at a time).

bipolar with psychotic tendencies, borderline personality disorder, ptsd, and anxiety. i also have scoliosis and fallen arches and something wrong with my heart but i have no medical coverage so i can't afford to get the exams i need to confirm it. Binder & Binder took my case though, i just have to get some information sorted out and see them again. if they want to take my case, i'm pretty sure i'll get it. it just takes time. but the more time it takes, the more backpay i get. and if i can get enough backpay to get a car, pay the insurance and gas, i'll be able to go to school and drive myself to and see doctors etc.

[punkrocksong]

Well, in Iowa to deter college students from just getting food stamps to avoid using their "spending" money on food they make it so you have to work 25 hrs a week in order to qualify. If I was only working the 20 hrs a week and my husband was just on unemployment we would have probably qualified. At the time I was taking 20 credit hours and only working about 20 hrs a week.

I was lucky enough to have friends and family help us out during that rough patch. When my husband and I were down to our last pack of ramen and a half a jar of pickle juice, and when I was honestly not sure where my next meal was going to come from, my best friend stopped by with $200 dollars worth of groceries. I think that was probably the first time I cried over food. Even though we were only in that boat for six or seven months, it took me a long time to get over that mentality of not being sure where my next meal would come from.

Unfortunately, once we were a little bit more financially stable, I still tended to eat like it was going to be my last meal ever...and even though it's been years since I wasn't able to afford food on a weekly basis - I'm just now learning how not to eat like it will be my last meal ever.

Alyssa - I'm not sure what the solution to your problem is. I only have to worry about feeding myself as I work 1st shift and my husband works 2nd. We don't have any kids or other relatives living with us. I will say that I finally had to confront my husband this past weekend about how serious I am about losing weight and him wanting me to "cheat" all weekend with him every weekend can't keep happening. I have to start putting myself first, as selfish as that sounds.