Emergency Money: 5 Steps to Survive the Financial Crisis If the Unexpected Strikes

By Kirk Shinkle

Posted: March 20, 2009

A piggy bank underneath an umbrella

A piggy bank underneath an umbrella

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Keep the kids in college. The last thing a parent wants is for a loss of income to hinder their children's education. The good news is a lost job and the recent severe decline in many investments could mean more available financial aid for tuition and other costs. Pond says it's arguably as much a tragedy to the school to lose a student as it is to the student and their family, and many colleges and universities will revisit financial aid mid-year if a parent loses a job. Also, if you decided to forgo financial aid on the assumption your income would keep you from qualifying, revisit financing options. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. If you've already done so, fill out another one updated with your new financial situation. You can't refile, but colleges can use the information when considering new aid options. Pond says many schools also offer emergency loans of $1,000 or less to students facing a sudden financial shock.

I've been a victim of all finaces' gains' and profits' and proceeds' and earned and learned money and benefits' lottery money winnings' I would like all my earned and learned money returned to me as soon as possible within 24hours' orless.

My Name for now is Miss Ernestine Greenlaw I Live at 6822 North Ashland # 3I chicago Illinois 60626. I've been working on this Internet for fiancial Gain for 21 years' all my money I've earned is still none reciept to this day. Please assit me so I can move on with my life and finish making a life for my children that didn't ask to come here to be mistreated. all monies' owed from public and private employment ect. as soon as possible protected to as soon as possible. I never been so insulted as a oneparent mother trying to provide for self and responsiblities' I would say more but it would embarrass society. Have Bless Day.

Miss Ernestine Greenlaw of NV @ Jul 14, 2009 12:26:36 PM

Victory Garden

The previous message on costs of a garden was off. There are expenses, yes. The rewards once you have it together are HUGE. There is a learning curve however, start learning now. Not waiting till when you HAVE too. Start learning all you can via books, experienced friends, visiting vegi-gardens of a type like you hope to have. Learn composting, and organic style gardening. Learn French intensive wide/deep bed gardening, cheap and productive. In a small yard if you have decent sunlight, & water you can likely grow a fine garden.

Get this book: "Four Season Harvesting" My wife and I live in zone 6, and we raise a garden all summer & ALL WINTER with unheated double row covers and cold weather crops. Yep, you heard me right All winter.

- Whether you have a garden or not, turn off the mindless TV time waisting talk shows, get up off the couch, get on your jeans, go outside and improve your soil in an area for one - NOW!

- High quality dwarf fruit trees (but do your homework up first much to think about in selecting them: cross pollination, type, zone (3-5 yrs before first fruit)

- Berry Bushes (thornless blackberries), Blueberries (we pick gallons each year and freeze) but blueberry bushes are tricky (esp starting them out - got to get it just right at the get-go), like very acidic soil (amendments) and have picky water requirements especially when young. have to do your homework on them too.

- learn to mulch your garden.

- once soils are amended, soft and in good shape, a tiller may not even be necessary anymore, turn with a garden fork. But If you start out with clay soils it may take you years to get to that point. Composted organic matter and tons of it over a long period of time can get you there.

- Plenty of work, but very, very satisfying, and if food prices go through the roof as the dollar inflates, you will likely still be proudly heaping some fine steaming nutritious dishes on the table.

Bill of MN @ May 17, 2009 09:06:41 AM

RED ALERT!! The Unexpected Already Happened!

Most of what lindilu ashbury of NH says is 100% right.

I agree that edible plants should be grown in SMALL quantities for most people. In flower pots for example. Or one of those window boxes.

Putting in even the simplest outside garden is work and is not cheap.

You need chicken wire to keep the rabbits out, something to break the soil, like a rototiller, and plenty of time. Maintaining a modest garden will take up many hours a week (That many of us may have right now!).

You will probably need fertilizer, pesticide and lots of water. Gardening is not for everyone, be careful that you don't spend too much money at first. You can buy lots of tomatoes for what it may cost you to start from scratch.

I know some people might be gardeners that might read this and I don't mean to discourage anyone. But you know how costs can add up quickly when gardening. Especially starting out.

It's easy to spend $300.00 or more on a nice size garden, just to set it up and get it running.

BTW ANY tomato plant will grow downward, so don't fall for TV ads about droopy tomato plants. Just plant them as you would a hanging basket.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2046663_plant-hanging-tomato-plants.html

Nice list lindilu ashbury of NH!

Dave H. of NC @ Mar 28, 2009 16:47:20 PM

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