Thread: Family And Money?

No my sister can't afford to help with the bills because she works at Kirby and only makes like $150 a week and that's with working 13 hours days. They don't get paid by the hour. And my niece can't help because she's 2....

I agree this is a hard one as it is your Mom. But I agree that you should not Loan them money, if you chose to give them a Gift that is a choice you make.

Now there are options for your mom & sister. They can go to their Local DSHS office, and apply for Food Stamps. It is Very rare to be turned down for them, Unless you lie about your income and bills. or have defrauded the FS system before.

The FS system, ( at least in my state ) gives you about $125 a month per person, if they eat separately and a little less if it's a Family , So with 4 in the household they would get about $475-$525 a month. If your Sister & Baby claim to eat and cook Separately, she would receive about $250 a month, the Parents would also get about that amount. If the income goes up, the FS amount goes down almost dollar for Dollar. If the Income goes down they adjust that to a maximum " limit ".

Even the Homeless ( in our State ) get FS. What and how they use it is the Issue.

This is One thing about Our Country that I can say I am proud of. We do not have Famines here, we do not ( Usually, not Always ) have Starving people. There are Churches and places that help with food, food kitchens and food banks and of course the Food Stamp program.

So suggest they apply, tell them to be 100% Honest and they should get FS.

Then they must learn use them wisely, the Good old Steak & Lobster and all the Junk Food will hopefully be turned into Hamburger helper or home made dinners and even treats like Cake Mixes or Cookies ( that only take , eggs, milk, oil, flour, salt ).
They, none of them should " Not Eat ". It just may be their Choices of what they Eat. Look how many College Students live off of Top Ramen or Cup o Noodles ?

On a Second Note...
Even in Turkey, you should be able to purchase a Pre Paid Visa or Master Card. that can be sent by Mail to them. It costs a couple of extra Dollars to put money on it. But I would only send them $25-$50 maximum, if you can afford that. Then you can always get more cards or possibly add to the existing card. $300 is just not what I would Dole out in one lump sum.

If the " Food " isn't the real issue and Bills are, like a Utility Bill. You can always contact the Light Company & Pay on that bill with your Visa or Master Card. You will have to have the account #'s and have parents permission to pay on it. It can be done, with a little collaboration with your Mom. This will also let you understand their real needs and be able to help if you can .

Thus avoiding the " I sent $300, what did they really use it on " ?

I'm one of those that if they have a Car Payment or House payment, that can be downsized, I would never pay on it. They can learn to live less Grandiose. Drive a Beater to work, play monopoly or card games instead of having Big HDTV's and Movie Channels and Super Speed Internet.

But I also believe all people should have the Basics of Survival, Food,Clothing,Heating, Water and a Means ( Adults ) to work and earn a living. Kids deserve those above and an education in order to Survive in the Future.

Good Luck, I know it's a hard decision, but look where you are , you are in Turkey, Studying or a Job ?
But you can help them help themselves . By having a little Information and less Guilt or Obligation.