Have a ReallyPoor New Year!

This year, somehow, since I am being forced offline, I am going to start a "ReallyPoor" church. I am already forming a million ideas on how to make this work. Partly in reaction to the 'BigMoney' ministries, who require millions or even hundreds of millions to operate, I am proposing a way to manage funds or lack of them, so that any one can have a "reallypoor" church or even synagogue. This does not mean that it will always stay "ReallyPoor", nor does it mean that the Word of God will not be preached in power and sincerity: one suspects the opposite is true. Over the years though, of real belief, one discovers that most of what is required for 'church' can be done very simply. It is the power and work of God that matters more than anything else.

1. Starting the Church

After the decision is made, the first thing to do is to pray about it. In some ways one should never just 'start' a church for the heck of it, because "unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it". The key ingredients are 1)the will of God, and 2) the believers. Since Christ is the head of the Church, and the 'Church' (Ikklesia) is literally an 'assembly', it is 'not built with human hands'. In other words, one does not need a stone or even timber building. I truly believe it may be far better not to have one, since most churches that I have seen which start as small groups in homes or other settings, seem to parallel the structure when they move to stone buildings. Hearts harden like the walls of the place of worship. This is partly because


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Holiday Ideas: Jesus was "ReallyPoor"

NOTICE: There is a default error on this site indicating a location of NYC. This is incorrect: I am still in Manitowoc WI, for now, and this blog is by a lone author, not a group. "ReallyPoor" will be moving shortly.

I don't much celebrate Christmas any more because I figured out a long time ago that there was no way Jesus was born on December 25th, around the day of Saturnalia, or the Winter Solstice. Nonetheless, I know there are many who still do, and for a few of us whether we celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or not at all, it is still a time to be aware of our faith and the great and good Lord and Savior.

God did not send his Son, a king to be born in a palace; we hear this every year. He was born to a couple who had very little, on a trip that did not even afford a room for the night. God did it to make a point. His kind of king does not require earthly attendants and accoutrement, but the mark of heaven instead. Made em real mad. Jesus though, one with his Father, God, chose to be "ReallyPoor".

Phl 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Phl 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

He also had rather a great sense of humor about the rich, noting that it was harder for the wealthy to enter heaven:

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The wealthy explain that as 'surrender' or as a gate in Jerusalem called the eye of a needle, but the ReallyPoor understand that an eye of a needle is an eye of a needle. The apostles must have chuckled at those cumbersome large spitting camels trying to figure out how to get through.

More to follow.

Have a ReallyPoor Thanksgiving!

Frost is on the pumpkin and it is Thanksgiving once again. Only the REALLYPOOR understand Thanksgiving: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7557124988498879303 to everyone else it is a Roman Feast of the last days, with everything but vomitoriums. To the prosperous middle and upper middle class and the well to do, it is the great meal preceding Black Friday: gorge, feast, digest, sleep, and wake up at 4a.m. or earlier, dressed in matching snowmen sweaters and head to the lines at Shopko, Wal-Mart or the Mall. For the ReallyPoor, Thanksgiving offers a day off from work (if it's not your shift), sleeping late, watching the parades or actually going to a local one, and possibly coming home to anything but holiday fare. For the ReallyReallyPoor, such as the homeless and starving, it is a sad day, in which the best one can hope for is a Salvation Army dinner, or other community feed. For many, suffering the loss of a loved one, it may be the first Thanksgiving or two in which there is a very sad empty chair.

Thanksgiving Day is not a religious or Christian holiday but many use the holiday to give thanks to the Lord and Redeemer for all the good things they have enjoyed over the past year(s) and year to come. The origins of the holiday go back at least by report to the times of Jamestown when New World settlers sat down to eat with the native American, sharing their wisdom and farming and hunting techniques, and thanking God for freedom. The Pilgrims, the separatists of England, had just come from an oppressive environment in which England, divided from Rome, allowed freedom of worship openly for the Anglican Church, unless they stepped on Royal toes, and often beheaded or burned at stake dissenters, including Pilgrims. It was around the same time of the Hampton Court Conference of 1604 pleading with the Crown to provide a legal English Bible and freedom to worship, with the earliest thanksgiving services (of which there were many and not only one day a year) in 1607 with the famous Jamestown celebration of 1610 which lasted 3 days. (Wikipedia)

They were ReallyPoor. And Really (very) hardworking, building a liveable city from tree lumber and garden plots, and a great deal of thanksgiving to God for absolutely everything. Those who think that the ReallyPoor are lazy or do not know how to handle money, do not understand the concept of poverty or the circumstances which may keep people there for awhile. While sometimes poverty is a curse and a natural consequence of laziness or 'issues' such as drug use, misspending or other maladies, quite often it is a result of unalterable circumstances: e.g. a young mother's husband abandons them or goes to jail and she has few job skills, or a hardworking middle aged father loses a limb in an accident, or a widow at 60 with no job history is cast on to an unfriendly world with a non-existent job market for persons in her category. ReallyPoor can happen over years or overnight, but it is not a character flaw.

The ReallyPoor, though, more than the wealthy or even middle class, are more apt to have faith in God, working faith in God, and more apt to be grateful for things most take for granted. In that way, Thanksgiving is a more sincere holiday for the reallypoor than for others. I can suggest a variety of ways to make the day cost less, or put a little panache on paltry offerings, and a lack of money is no reason not to celebrate, but the core of the day is finding ways to be grateful for what you do have that many do not.

I do not count that task as simple nor immediately easy: it is human nature to grumble and even feel despondent about what we do not have when others around us have so much. I have lived though with a fair amount among the upper middle class and I have lived so poor that it is inconceivable in a society which automatically defaults to welfare, which we would not take. How then are we to be thankful to God for next-to-nothing? The first thing, is to recognize, that gratitude and thankfulness are heart conditions which open the gates of heaven. Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch holocaust survivor whose family hid Jews during WWII, and most of whom lost their lives, tells of a story when she was taken to Ravensbruck, inside Germany, and modest, aging women were forced to strip for showers and delousing. Humiliated, cold, and despairing, they had to put their clothing into a pile and move along to the showers. The place was covered with roaches and bugs, but her older sister admonished her with a bible passage, "In all things, give thanks". Corrie was not as obedient as her older sister and horrified was reluctant to thank God for anything at the moment. In resignation, though, she began to thank God for the roaches, crawling all over the clothing she left there, with the small portion of the scriptures she had in her pocket. After the showers, given back her clothing, she was able to keep that part of the Bible with her, a highly illegal contraband in the camp. Were it not for the roaches, making it too horrid for camp guards to touch, she would have been left without the Word in the camp, the one comfort that kept her going. (The Hiding Place)

One can be grateful that your children are alive and healthy, that there is a roof over one's head even if it is not yours. One can be grateful for hot tea on a cold morning, for little graces. One can be grateful for even the things that make one despair: Roman 8:28 is a favorite verse of those of us who have been 'ReallyPoor'--we know that ALL things work for the good, to them who love God, who are called according to His Purpose"---even the sad and bad. ReallyPoor is an attitude: find it a creative opportunity when there is so little. Do not become overwhelmed with how horrible everything around you turns out, and do not become obsessed with comparisons. The truth? Some of those perfect households with fine linen tablecloths, brass candlesticks, and catered dinners at Thanksgiving are sharing it without children who refuse to come home. Many of those homes have little or no faith in God, trusting only in themselves, a most despairing condition. The things do not define our attitudes or emotions, but our faith and choices to be thankful and creative do.

So let's start with a few ways the day can be materially better, with next to nothing, and then look back at the day, and really count what thanksgiving to God means:
1. Attend a church or community worship service to set the day right.
2. Attend or watch a fun parade with your children: little money? Then poptarts or french toast all around: its as cheap as toast and an egg. No syrup? Try cinnamon sugar over melted butter. No cocoa? Hot tea with sugar or sweetner. Try one of the ReallyPoor breakfast ideas.
3. No turkey? Several suggestions: first, most communities hand out free turkeys and dinners somewhere, not only in community feeds but to individuals and families, for either signing up or showing up. If you are not comfortable with receiving a dinner in this manner, there are low cost alternatives. Turkeys can be expensive, and I do not know of many ReallyPoor people who can affort 16-25 dollars for a dinner, even when counting leftovers. One can do unusual things though that delight children and husbands who were counting on nothing more than grilled cheese. Baked chickens are smaller but feed a whole family and can be purchased for under $5.00! One year, poor as dirt, we found a ridiculous sale on cornish game hens, usually priced too high, and I bought myself and two children each one: they didn't have alot of meat on them but they were tickled at the idea of a whole little chicken to themselves. It isn't the entree itself, it is the care and attitude and presentation of the meal. What about a Spam Thanksgiving? (Spam's gotten a little high). Put it on a Turkey Platter with garnishes from a garden or wild flowers! Make it a funny meal if you have to: you will find children joining in and you will have what many wealthy families do not: love and laughter. Cost: priceless. (stole that for real).

One way you can end up with a full course great meal and teach your children an invaluable lesson, is to volunteer at a homeless shelter or community feed to serve others who have no where to go on Thanksgiving. Your children will see it as a cool thing to do, with lots of nice people around, setting large tables, helping with cooking or serving, and often seeing others with even less, giving them a new appreciation for a place to live and food to eat. The newly taught benevolence then comes with a great turkey dinner, as volunteers often eat with those who attend and help, and once again, a gracious network of fine friends may be established, usually of a healthier sort, a great boost especially to poor and single parents. One should do this benevolently though, and not just for the meal to create a clean heart.
4. Plan an at home activity for children: set up family traditions. Take out a dish with a cover and drop in notes on what each child is grateful for. Cost:free. Buy if necessary at a thrift store or garage sale a beautiful tablecloth to be used only on special days. Go each year to a community activity. Have a legal outside bonfire and roast marshmallows. Hot cocoa can be as cheap as 1.19 a box. One day, mom, come on. You can dig in the sofa to find change. Make popcorn for the parade.
5. Make a creative centerpiece: dry out autumn leaves, gather branches, make little paper objects. Use construction paper and paste to make pilgrims and turkeys. Use old giveaway clothes and cut them into matching squares and hem them for matching cloth napkins, and make matching napkin rings or holders. Teach proper place settings for silverware even if it is old, mismatched and/or plastic: you can still train high-class manners. The dollar Store has dollar stemware: I bought one for each of my children and we drank diet cola out of them. Too classy for words. Make woven placemats, or find some in church thrift sales. Church rummage sales are great places to get everything you could ever need for holidays because a lot of people give away quality items for these sales rarely used. Wait till the last day of the sale when they do dollar a bag, and then think ahead. These sales are often in September. You can create beautiful real holiday tables completely for a dollar or maybe two, by thinking about what you will need and making a mad grab for it: placemats, silver, serving dishes, cookers, stemware, decorations etc. throw em all in.
5. Read the Bible: never leave it out: have each child choose a favorite passage.
6. Got a guitar or piano? Sing out loud, all you want, its your house nobody can stop you. No instrument? Save shoeboxes and string rubber bands or use combs with wax paper for a "ReallyPoor" kazoo.
7. Thanksgiving is about thanks to God first, and the people in your life. Use the day to mend relations, to see aging aunts or mothers, or grandparents.
8. Spend just pennies and buy one sweet dessert you normally cannot afford, or make one. Jello and cool whip if nothing else. Make the day special. Dress up for dinner. Fix your little girl's hair in a special way; make your little boy a newspaper hat: anything to liven up the mood.

Now take a look at the above: what will you possibly miss on Thanksgiving? You've got the meal, the dressings, the special times and events, parades, love and laughter, and terrific memories. You spend almost nothing. You save as much as $200.00, and if you think this is an overestimate, go price 22lb turkeys, all the ingredients for side dishes, specially made floral centerpieces, dinnerware etc and with a little ingenuity, you've created a memory at least as good. In all things give thanks. Nothing is impossible with God. Gotta go check the turkey.
ekb-reallypoor.

Really Poor Pest Control

Once in awhile, even the best of homes in most parts of the country and world experience at least minor pest control problems. For the double-income-no-kids set, this is no problem, they just call the Pest Control Company and they take care of it. For "Really Poor" people though, it can be a big problem when money in the budget is not even enough to meet essentials. About two times a year, where it is cold outside for a number of months, with snow on the ground, for a few weeks, one may encounter an attack of mice running inside to get warm. Down south, in the sweltering summers, even the best of homes may have to fight tiny little roaches.

Most people trying to fight the problem on their own, using commercial chemically based products such as sprays and traps. These often do little more than curb the problem until either some one is called in, or until it self corrects with the season. There are a few very low cost methods of reducing or ridding the average home of problems.

Roaches

I utterly hate roaches. They are the only creatures on earth I cannot fathom a purpose for except to 'uglify' or horrify. They are nasty little know-nothing cretins who skitter around keeping the word 'gross' alive. I hail from Florida, where they are a perennial problem: they are in the best and worst of homes. They used to say that the cleanliness issue was only marginal, but most people who have had to fight them or get rid of them from prior tenants, etc, know that it pays to throw out trash, products with glue, food crumbs, etc. and keep food and other products in tightly closed containers. They have to feed on something. When I lived in Family housing at University of Florida many years ago, we lived in an old post WWII apartment complex which had constant problems with them. Our neighbor was working on his doctorate in Entomology, and he came over and took our countertop off, and cleaned out the fiberglass from around the under-counter water heater, laid down boric acid, and we never had the problem again. He also told us that he was doing their apartment at the same time and advising the rest of the people in the quad, because unless all neighboring units are cleansed from them, they merely shift apartments! Boric acid worked successfully for years, although after awhile, the little buggers become resistant to almost anything. It works because they get the powder on their wings, and in 'kicking' it off, often ingest in and it is deadly to them, and they carry it back to their nests as well. Pays to have a doctoral candidate in Entomology living next door.

Boric acid is the main ingredient in a lot of more expensive commercial pest control compounds. If you buy it at a drug store just as boric acid, it is much cheaper than commercial products though both are inexpensive, starting as low as two dollars. The powder can be dispersed in the corners of cabinets, under the sink, and along baseboards. It should be kept dry, and one does not want to place it where crawling infants could get a hold of it.

A pastor friend of mine once recommended a preparation called 'Tiger', but I do not readily see it on the open market. One should also regularly plastic bag trash and keep trash out of the house as soon as possible, with counters and sinks clear. It really does make a difference.

Mice

I also hate mice: little boys may think they are cute, but I cannot abide the varmints. I have learned one thing though that radically aids both mouse and roach and other pest problems: lime. When I first heard lime worked, I thought it was just another home remedy, and the reviews on the internet were mixed. Last year though, just before winter, (we live in snowy Wisconsin) I placed barn lime down around the base of our small house right at the foundation. We were mouse free almost the whole year, until the stuff sort of wore away. I've heard it also works under parked Recreational Vehicles to keep field mice out, and it is recommended for underneath the skirting of mobile homes or manufactured housing. Try it! Locally, I found Barn Lime (Hurlbutt brand) for as low as $2.29 a 50 lb. bag, ranging up to around 3.48. Usually the stuff is used in horse stables to keep down odor and soak up urine, but my first year of using the stuff as rodent control worked. I don't have controlled research, but it seems to be a godsend. I once bought the wrong kind, though, a garden product that had concentrated lime additive and it did not seem to work, so you may want to ask an expert.

Some experts also recommend fox urine. I found that odd until I discovered that it is a concentrate of the odor, which humans barely detect, but which sends up fear and loathing to mice and rats, since fox are a natural predator to the mice. It's more of a preventative measure, but also works to drive away what is troubling you. We all know the more conventional methods, like glue traps, mouse traps etc. Cheese is a joke unless it is pungent: professional pest control people use peanut butter on traps. Traps though mostly work only on visible problems: if a rodent problem is severe and in an apartment building, the whole building needs to be treated or the best one may do is drive them away for awhile.

Remember the disease factor: the little mice and others are not a small thing to very young children, for whom a bite can be deadly if it leads to an infection. Its better to skimp on a meal or two and lay down the very inexpensive lime than to risk the health of your family.

These are just a few little suggestions, a bit out of the ordinary, but which work better than the ordinary. Pest control services are great if you can afford them, or if they come with your rental contract, but if not, the above methods are very effective for pennies on the dollar. Even though you may have to live "ReallyPoor", it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice certain 'quality of life' aspects of living.

More next time.ekb

Really Poor Lawn Care for the Fall

Most REALLYPOOR people do not have lawns. They have apartments, RV's , 15 year old cars they live in, and so on, but you can have a house and still be REALLYPOOR. Things happen. We're ReallyPoor but we have a lawn, and we are very grateful for the lawn, more than most, becau se we could be ReallyPoor without a lawn. The only times we are not as grateful as we should be is when we have to rake up thousands of beautiful leaves, at least twice because of the big old oaks and maples and other leaf trees in our older neighborhood. Still, price a lawncare service and you'll know why you are just going to have to do it yourself!

I've learned a few things though over the years from real lawn care experts that make the job easier. Leaf blowers are great if you inherited one in a Will, but REALLY POOR people who have lawns and are grateful, usually do not have leaf blowers. Give me a break: $150.00 buys food and rent not Black and Decker if you are REALLYPOOR. So, a hearty rake and muscle power are all one can rely on if top of the line equipment or even bottom of the line equipment is outside one's price range.

RAKING BY HAND

If you are raking by hand, get as many hands as possible to help: it makes the job possible and short-lived: comraderie helps also, and hot cocoa or tea at the end makes it in to a partially social event. A helpful hint I learned after years of doing it the old fashioned way of raking leaves into piles and then bagging them, was to get large plastic tarps, used for covering floors in painting, and spread them on the lawn and rake the leaves directly on them. In this way you can work faster and easier and take care of large portions of the lawn at one time. The tarps are as cheap as 50 cents but the sturdier ones are better so that the weight of many leaves do not break the tarp. They can then be pulled down to the curb or bagged more easily.

RAKING DOWN TO THE CURB

Some cities a few times a year allow all leaves to be raked loosely down to the curb or city owned berm: they do not have to be bagged. A leaf vacuuming truck comes along and then vacuums the leaves off the berm. Check to see if your city has this possibility as it also may save hours of time and extra labor.

MULCHING WITH A MOWER

If you have a choice to buy a lawn mower with or without mulching capability, buy one WITH. My mower buzzes over leaves, mulching them easily, although occasionally I have to go over them once or twice extra. Still, this is as easy as mowing your yard. Side attachments are a luxury, but if you have them , you can bag the mulch easily and do as you please with the leaf mulch. A tip: wait till later in the morning or afternoon because of dew and frost: make sure the leaves are dry or you may gunk up your lawnmower.

BURNING LEAVES
Burning leaves is not the safest thing to do, but if your community allows burning leaves, get a tin barrel or other burning container, make sure leaves are dry and that the container is out in wide open spaces where sparks will not light on any dry material and start a fire. This takes longer than other options because you can only burn so many leaves at a time in a normal yard, and it may be illegal. Its not the safest thing if children are around, as well.

These are just a few modest tips which may make the process go easier this year: Just remember, better to have a lawn to rake than no lawn at all! ekbest

Cheap Vacations: Wild Camping, Hostels and Free RV Parking

The end of summer is soon upon us, and as many are getting ready for the school year, others would like to think about a vacation with that whole week or two a year a "ReallyPoor" job allows. (If at all). Nonetheless, even vacations do not have to be just for the well to do, who budget yearly and visit someplace exciting each new year. Really Poor people though as with the other things in their lives have to be creative, and some of the information to follow should aid in that 'creativity'. Most of these suggestion hold in mind the largest constituency of 'Really Poor' people, single moms and kids. Even among homeless populations they are 'over-represented'.

The reason many people without money do not take vacations is because they are too tired if they only get a week off till next year, and too poor. I have recently travelled a little in the Midwest, and any safe hotel, even with super discounts and deals, are these days still going to run with discounts over $50.00 a night, and even many middle class but decent family hotels are getting into the $100.00 a night range. Motel 6 may leave the light on , but in too many cases, they have to. A mother with children, travelling alone, is additionally burdened not only with cost factors but with safety issues.

Further, rising gas prices are so significant, that most of us cannot even take a leisurely Sunday drive. A two hour round trip drive in a car with pretty good mileage recently cost around fifty dollars just in gas over two days, which doesn't sound bad, but it is a local trip without much sightseeing, and is an added cost to the meals, hotels etc, making vacations for poor people mostly impossible, when the money is necessary to pay bills and eat.


GAS
Still, there are ways to use about the same money you would use at home for the week on a creative outing. To begin with, the gas, if one has a car, is going to be somewhat of a problem, as mentioned. During a week of driving to work though, you would use depending on distance, one might use as little as $10-$20 , or as in Wisconsin where a lot of people live in small cities outside of big cities, weekly gas costs can be as much as $50 or more for a small family. That is $200.00 a month! Unless you save for gas, that will limit your trip to a point not too far from home. The cheapest gas prices in your region can be found by going to gasbuddy.com. They have folks report their local gas prices statewide and show the rates and locations. Of course it doesn't make sense to drive 50 miles to save a dollar and a half, so consider that in your decision. Another way to reduce gas costs is to make sure your tires are properly inflated and that you drive smoothly and safely, without using air conditioning more than you have to, if you have it. If your car will take it, I85 ethanol can be up to a dollar a gallon cheaper. Another idea, is if you are during regular weeks under a severe budget, for about 4 or 5 weeks, drive only when necessary so that you can use what you save towards gas for your trip.

Where to Go

Free and 'Wild Camping'

If you have a mind to do it, you can spend an entire week camping for no camping fees, sometimes in some great places, but you have to be very careful. FreeCampsites.net is one of many sites online that lists free or close to free campgrounds, even in nice State or National Forest Campgrounds. Some have facilities, and some do not, so consider your level of camping skills and style especially with children. You will need a tent if you do not have some kind of camper or old RV, and even if you think you might sleep in your car, don't try as a lot of 'free' sites require at least tent camping. The sites online usually tell what is at the site, how long you can stay for free, and what facilities are nearby, as well as information about local touristy stuff. Be careful though, because while the call of hiking, and marshmallows over a fire, and telling stories at night is appealing, the free sites run in two basic categories: safe, and not safe. The most likely to be safe are those that are in National Parks and which are patrolled regularly.

Wild Camping (some make the distinction between this and 'free') is camping freely apart from designated or 'allowed' areas: many single people with an outdoors spirit like to do this. However, the US is not too friendly to wild camping, and may consider any wild camping the same way they consider homeless camping, so this is not the best option for a family. Europe varies by nation but some nations allow free 'wild' camping on the edge of even private property as long as one is gone by early morning (6am or 7am). Israel has some very inexpensive camping and in more wilderness areas 'free' camping, but little by little many European nations are outlawing wild camping.

HOSTELS

Another option is Hostels which used to be for wandering youths finding themselves the year after college, but now there are many hostels that while costing a bit, are far cheaper than hotels, and the family ones are as safe or safer. A caution though: hostels are often age or type limited, and single person hostels will not often take families in part for family safety and the 'flavor' of young single persons' lives. Again, online searches will even show pictures of hostels including many in the US which are clean and acceptable, and many offer a free breakfast in dining areas. If one is traveling with children though, they can get a little pricey because they often charge by the bed not the room. The cheapest prices are also 'dorm style' which many parents or couples do not care for. HostelUsa.com is an example of many of the online sites leading to lodging at a discount.

Church Campgrounds and Revivals

When my children were young we went through some tough years when there was no money at all for anything but survival. However, once or twice a year, churches in the area affiliated with the ones we attended, had camp meetings, like the old fashion kind, which are great for families, and often provide lodging or free camping. They usually also provide potluck meals, and lots of preaching and singing. They really are fun and wholesome and if there is little or no budget, can get you away to a nice place for a week or so, hearing the greatest story ever told.

Family Visits
One of the least expensive vacations for a single parent family if family is not too far away is a visit home. They will usually love to see you for about a week until grandmom starts rocking her chair a little too hard. You can take your children to free events in the area, and take them to see the places you grew up, go through photo albums etc. It helps with the budget and gives them a sense of belonging. Be reasonable though, if it is just your parent(s) not used to kids around all day, be courteous and loving, and keep them out of the house part of the day. Nice for about a week.

Free RV Parking

There are a number of places that allow one night, free overnight parking for RVs. Some even really poor people have an old camper, that can be cleaned out and turned into a cheery vacation. A little paint can be bought from the RESTORE, a habitat for humanity recycling store, or if you are a little wicked you can go to Lowe's and buy samples for your remodeling project for a little over two dollars, which will be enough for repainting the cabinets in an old RV. A handy mom can sew new slipcovers for the cushions in those old 1970's RVs, and as long as everything works and they run, what's the difference? Stop at a rest stop and have a picnic: that's what my mother and father used to do en route to Baltimore once a year for no less than 8 children: it's cheaper than McDonalds and healthier. Show kids the large maps showing where they are and teach them to read maps on the way.

Wal Mart Stores, at least many, allow free overnight parking for RVs as long as it is only one night, and they would like people to make a purchase while there. That's not usually too hard, since there's always something needed like a box of cereal, or paper towels. Leave the designated spaces clean and be a good guest though, so they don't shut down the practice. Some restaurants like Hickory Farms will allow overnight parking of RVs after the restaurant closes, but you have to ask the manager, so its hard to plan unless you know they do. Some of the free camping sites have information on which do and don't. Truck stops on highways also will allow some overnight RV parking, but consider safety if traveling alone or with children. There are also city parks which allow overnight RV parking in some states, for a few spaces. Gas stations may or may not, but again exercise caution: while most of these sites are safe for all, some may be the site of criminal activity such as prostitution, and you don't want to even park in the vicinty.

The Really Poor, more often than not do not even think about vacations, quite understandably: there just isn't any money, even for the few things mentioned above that are not free. Getting out though for a week with someplace to go, away from the grind, can be very refreshing, and give you some renewed vigor in creative approaches to hard situations. A vacation doesn't have to cost very much at all with some thought and planning. Happy Camping, campers!

ekb

Free Places to Go Do Stuff

One of the limits of poverty is that there is very little money to just go "do stuff". For most people this would translate "entertainment budget", but those who have been REALLY POOR do not have budgets, and entertainment may mean a rousing afternoon of notebook paper football. In any city though, there are a plethora of things one can do for free, alone, with kids, or in a group. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Free Museums- Not all museums have an admission fee, especially if they are sponsored by the state or municipality where you live. Leisurely strolls around museums can be be a great learning tool as well. When my oldest was very small, I was still a graduate student putting myself through school. Campus had a number of free events and places to go. One was a natural history museum, with talking and moving exhibits, a replica of a Florida cave one could walk through, and at the end of the exhibits was a 'library' full of drawers of fossils, insect and bird specimens, etc, that were glass covered, but that even children could pull out and examine. On college campuses as well as in many cities are Art Museums or Planetariums. Some may charge a fee, so check in advance. If one can't afford nearby Museums though, an afternoon out looking at local land formations or monuments and other noteworthy places in town may be amusing. If your local 'exploratorium' or planetarium is too costly to take a group of kids to, then try with or without a telescope, taking them out in the night sky a little way from the city, and show them the visible constellations, using the time for a bit of learning, and talking about how big God is.

2. Public Computer Labs- In Chattanooga, there was an ELL or Environmental Learning Lab with a number of free computers for public use. They had in-house check out software for kids of all ages, with games, lessons etc, and attendants that would teach children how to use the software. My son when much younger learned to make rudimentary 'movies' close to 15 years ago!. Public Universities also have free, open to the public computer bays, some of which allow free time unless there are too many people waiting. One might have to pay for printouts, but the use of the net and Office apps are usually free, along with help desk information.

3. Free Musical Events- When times get tough and you are piecing together enough money for a 1.58 dinner, there simply is no money for the Symphony Season. This does not mean though that you cannot introduce your family to the arts of all kinds, for free, with a little ingenuity. One way is to contact local school, university or conservatory campuses, and get a list of their recitals. While many of their events throughout the year are costly, student and faculty recitals are often free, and some are remarkable, with information about the performer, the composer, the piece, and music in general. At the beginning of semesters, many schools have free concerts ranging from Rock and Roll(usually tame) all the way to the more highbrow. Churches often sponsor Gospel Music Fests or other more classical performances, all for free. Some cities sponsor free outdoor events such as folk music in the park, or during lunch downtown, and these also can be edifying. Check local papers for an 'events' or even 'lifestyles' sections as these often contain lists of free musical events as well as other opportunities.

4. Gardens- Walking in a morning in a cool and beautiful city garden, is a quiet and beautiful, and usually free way to start the day. Green Bay Wisconsin has an 'Arboretum'/botanical garden which is gorgeous, and several other cities we have lived have also including Chattanooga, Columbus and others. The Green Bay Botanical garden charges, but is free on Wednesday with a bag lunch, and most evenings. (Check your local gardens for similar exceptions.) The Orlando area has garden-lakes, such as Lake Eola, free for strolling or walking, and if you have a small amount of money, they have swan boats. Almost all local communities have areas like this, and only a few charge. Federal State Parks often have free guided hiking tours, with education signs and pamphlets, and sometimes even 'mini zoos' on the walk. Gainesville Florida had a local place called the "Devil's Millhopper", a former dried out sinkhole overgrown with lush vegetation and cool trees, with a constructed wooden staircase with rails allowing easy walking down to the base. Take a picnic and make a day of it. Teach young people about flora, fauna, eco-systems and the care of God's earth. Gardens are a fantastic place to talk about the Garden of Eden and what it must have been like. Even paid events and places, often have a free portion of exhibits for those who cannot afford the whole event.

5. Air Shows or Radio-flyer Shows. Did you know that while you may have to pay to be in close, many air shows can be viewed for free almost as well as buying a ticket? We live close to Lake Michigan and every year, there is a remarkable Air Show of old and new planes: some air shows have 'The Blue Angels'. While private beaches and restaurants on the beach offer luxuries, one can go a little way down the beach and often find free picnic benches and parking with at least marginal restroom facilities, and watch the show from down the way. Private groups who do model airplane flying, remote-control/radio guided planes usually meet once or twice a year for meets and this can also be a treat even for some adults: rocketry clubs also may have similar meets.

6. Public Libraries.- Everyone knows this one: the great, almighty, irreplaceable Public Library: a haven for booklovers, children and a myriad of events all free, all year. Our local library is currently offering the following: "The Weird Science Show", The Japanese Art of Fish Printing", and the "Okoto Dance Troupe" along with Children's Story hours, Computer Classes (e.g. How to use a USB flash drive), Film Pics (this month, "The King's Speech"), and Book Discussions.homework help, 'Mother's Morning Out', and a variety of other classes as well as books for all ages, computers, check out videos, cds and films, listening stations for records and CDs and our library also occasionally hosts recitals and performances. All Free or at least most free. Two universities I once taught at also had sheet music lending libraries and some have art lending libraries: worth the time checking it out.

7. Church- Local Churches, any more do not just sponsor Pipe Organ and Piano Recitals outside of their regular services! These days, one may find the Soweto Choir from South Africa singing, or the performance of a Christian band or singer. While I would not ever call it 'entertainment' because that is not the purpose, nonetheless, it is good clean fun to go to a potluck supper and Gospel sing, or sleepover for teens, with trusted adults, and usually, free. Some churches, for members also have free gyms, and other resources one might not think to look for. Call churches or synagogues you feel comfortable calling and ask if they could send you information on resources and upcoming events.

We will continue next time, with even more suggestions. For now, remember, "REALLY POOR" has nothing to do with a quality life, "REALLYPOOR" only represents creative challenges and opportunities to trust the Lord. ekb

Here we go again: Cheap School Supplies

It is July 19th, so where we are and in most places, the wondrous and deeply beloved School Year starts again in about 1 month and a couple weeks. My children are now 28 and 34 and I do not know where the time went. Still, I love the sweet scent of an approaching Fall season, the first cool wind after a hot summer and all the little hackers traipsing back to the hallowed brick halls with new book bags. A sudden and mysterious quiet lights lightly on the newly mown and unlittered grass one morning around 7:00am, and peace returns for the first part of the day until 3:00pm.

We live right across the street from a school and while traffic jams for fifteen minutes in the morning and one has to drive 15 mph to avoid hitting the little hackers, but the mere thought of kids in school and at least part of my computer time free, sends joy and delight. Alas though for the languid and oppressive summer, in which one may only hone their sycophant verbiage in maudlin remnants of writing. (blogging)

In any event, here are a few things i learned over the years to save a whole lot of money on school supplies.

Watch Out for Falling Prices

Beyond a doubt, even now, my favorite sale of the year is spiral ring notebooks at Walmart. I can practically feel it in the air, when the stacks of multicolored college ruled notebooks go on sale for a week or two for .10 a piece, and I rush to the car and buy up to 20 unless there is a limit. (In our local store, at least this has not happened yet, they are still .47!!!) I am then set for the year or even more. Most of the year, I limit my shopping at Wal Mart feeling responsible for their practice of hiring Indian laborers at 2 dollars a day to stitch jeans, but in the Fall I go for their loss leaders: spiral ring notebooks, pencils in a 12 pack for 50 cents, and packs of bic or bic like pens for .25 to .50. At this time of the year, their Elmer's glue or similar glue goes on sale for around .25 to .50, and they have other great deals on cheap binders, cheap 2 pocket folders, erasers, crayons---big and small, pencil sharpeners and plastic 'cigar' boxes' as well as other less super-cheap items, but still very good prices on other related supplies. Our Wal Mart has lists in the aisles of public and private schools supply lists as well. I've shopped a few other stores with very cheap prices around the start of the school year too, such as Shopko and Family Dollar, but the cheapest prices overall for the best quality supplies are their, unless you can find them for free.

Alternative Savings

There are some other ideas: many cities have used office warehouses with used desks, office furniture and file cabinets, and frequently large quantities of leftover presentation binders which work just fine as loose leaf school binders. One can sometime pick up dozens for a few dollars, or even get your student a desk.

Another thing to watch is state or county auctions: in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State Surplus auction often offers items on bid such as office supplies and furniture, computers for as low as 25 dollars, printers, file cabinets, notebooks and even student work stations for pennies on the dollar. Homeschoolers outfitting a room in their house for lessons can pick up some real bargains, but one needs to keep vigilance over a few months on the auctions. (You can get a feed into your email to alert you of new offerings.) Some of their items are junk, so you have to sift through, and all sales are final so you must be careful, but you can obtain very expensive durable items by careful bidding.

Classics in Literature

Many teachers require the purchase of classic novels and works for reading throughout the school year. The cheapest solution is to make good use of public libraries. Another solution though, is to shop thrift stores book sections, for one almost always finds a proliferation of classic novels. (When they are .10 to .50 a piece, if you have a few dollars, always buy classics, because at some point your children will find them required or at least edifying reading. It sure beats up to 9.95 a paperback which will never yield back its cost. Encourage reading by talking about what your children are reading: listen intently to them tell the plot to you, then ask their feelings about the book: was it interesting, or too slow? Did the main character do the right thing? What would you have done? Get them to think critically early, in addition to loving learning. Classics are classics for a reason: they are almost always interesting reading to someone. I wouldn't start a 5th grader with Pride and Prejudice, though.

Book Bags and Lunch Boxes

Thrift stores are also good places to look for cool low cost book bags or lunch boxes, some almost new, and in many cases for less than 3 to 5 dollars, you can obtain a very expensive book bag with very little wear (rich kids get tired of the style and want a new one every year.) Let your son or daughter see if there is one he or she would like. Even old 'campy' lunchboxes can be cool-o neat-o. Its just that your child might have to explain what "Happy Days" or "The Beatles" were. Really Poor does not mean that your child can not fit in with other kids, it just means finding viable and creative ways of shopping. Avoid things though that are too 'homespun', like a floral print self sewn bag with a string instead of a book bag. We know it is made with love, but kids today can have a cruel streak for any who are too different.

Some of the best deals for new shoes, are clearance sales at places like Payless or end of the season Wal Mart stores. Family Dollar or Dollar General sometimes have acceptable sneakers/running shoes for ten dollars or under instead of the very expensive name brands. It's best if possible not to buy used running shoes or shoes in general, since there is no guarantees of hygiene or other issues, and worn shoes are usually molded to someone else's foot. Keeping shoes dry prolongs their wear.

All of the above should hold for now: O, and rulers, mechanical pencils, and compasses and protractors are great deals around the next few weeks.

More from "Really Poor" next time. ekb

The Perfect Homeless Shelter

I have been thinking for years about what would constitute the perfect homeless shelter. Most people who contemplate this have never really had need of one. In the past 20 or so years though, design contests and creative thinking have come up with everything from tent cities to moveable personal shelters, but regular shelters leave alot to be desired even when they are safe and well funded. Persons who run the shelters think they understand the needs of the homeless but they really have only preset solutions they think will work: in too many cases, the homeless become a 'product' of a new industry, and the bottom line is fundraising, not the care of human beings facing desperation.

Poignant advertisements appear every day portraying sad looking children and mothers clinging to one another, or old grisled men holding tight to a can, imploring the plight of the homeless in an effort to raise monies for the housing and feeding of the homeless. Most shelters though fall into two categories: those that house the single homeless and those that house families: neither really meet the need, although without them the situation would be intolerable.

The general public holds to stereotypes of the homeless which do not aid in solving the problem. Most think that all homeless people are unemployed, on drugs or mentally ill, and most ascribe them to a criminal element. Many see homeless families as people who did not work or try hard enough to make a living. The truth is quite different: up to half of the single homeless are employed full time, often at back breaking work that few others would want. They sleep and eat at shelters until they can save up enough money to secure housing or other circumstances. Some to be fair fit the stereotype: years of mental issues and family problems have broken their spirit and they no longer make plans, but rather survive day to day by any means possible. These days there is a new echelon of the homeless, as previously successful couples, often double incomed, and mortgages with kids, soccer, ballet, and PTA find themselves jobless with no solution, foreclosed, and packing everything into an RV or SUV they were able to keep, initially for a stay with relatives, and later on the street like everyone else. Persons with graduate degrees in medicine, education, business etc, find that welfare or unemployment will not even meet the mortgage much less utilities, food and necessities, and horrified at the events of their lives, have to sell or leave most behind. I have wondered lately if our recent surge in creative solutions for the homeless have come in part from the tragic fall of many into the homeless population who should never have encountered even the thought.

Creative solutions though are beginning to abound, and those who care for the homeless have started mini apartments for homeless families, homeless churches, tent and RV cities etc as well as creative architectural designs for overnight structures for the unsheltered. All these creative ideas though are not often practical: collapsible structures are no good if the police destroy them when placed even on public property. Some cities have ordinances that do not allow an individual to even sit on a park bench or stand in an area for more than 2 hours without being charged with loitering. Some cities are so hard on the homeless that their aim can only be seen driving them into some other city. While some shelters have become almost showplaces others are oppressive and have limited or forced solutions. They either sign everyone up for welfare and give them a joblist, or try to institutionalize them.

The most horrible problem exists in family shelters: up until at least 10 years ago, most family shelters had an age limit for boys: since a preponderance of homeless families are single parent families, this is a devastating cruelty: no one wants their ten year old child sent three blocks over to sleep in a room of homeless men because a family shelter only allows boy children up to 8. That is, if one can get a space at all, and so many mothers try to live out of their car until finding a solution. This horrifying situation is compounded by a 'social work' mentality, in which some staffers at family shelters are far from interested in keeping families together, and going to a shelter may create an even worse scenario of the a child being removed into foster care. In this new clime of educated hard working homeless, the extra stress leads many to despair. Further, there is little privacy in the shelters, further assaulting the well-being of stressed families, and mothers with very young children and no daycare are handicapped beyond words!

On this 'landscape' though, it seems that there are some very functional changes which can be made and really meet the need of getting families and individuals stabilized and back to work. Just thought I'd throw out a few ideas: feel free to post others:

1. More shelters, especially more family shelters. In northern CA, there are 20 homeless people for every shelter bed. This is unacceptable in a civilized society. If everyone making over 30,000 a year would even contribute a buck or two a month, and/or volunteer, the need could be met.

2. Designate portions of a city for 'wild camping'. One cannot camp on private property. One cannot camp free on city, state or federal property after dark. One cannot camp out on the street. When some camp under bridges, police come and destroy the tents. These tent cities though take the temporary burden of overcrowding off of existing shelters. Ideally, an acre or two in every city could meet the problem: for a smaller amount of money than building a new shelter, the property could be kept and even guarded to avoid criminal activity, and kept by residents. Extended lengths of time are necessary for some to get back to work. Rules can be instituted for peaceful living. At least family, and women could be kept together, with some leeway. Many many homeless people only need a place to stay and a few basic provisions, for they already have the skills necessary to locate and land work. They do not need to be thrown to social work systems with patronizing attitudes that throw salt on the wound. They need a place to stay, not a diagnosis and treatment plan.

3. Family Shelters with liberty and keen planning. Many family shelters are nicely decorated and have bright red and blue bedspreads, but they require group meetings, assessments, treatment plans, and they want to make parenting decisions that are not theirs to make. They are patently unfriendly to homeschooling or to those who will not accept government entitlements as their only solution. Parents need a very safe, small, clean place to stay, with a lock, and flexibility. They need a safe place to leave their possessions so they can go look for solutions. They need a 'judgment free' zone, where one does not have to answer to models of family mental health. They need ready access to phones, an address that doesn't scream 'homeless shelter' and privacy. Even a talented parent, with a great background and work history will lose a job if their employer calls a number to give them an interview and the person answering says, "Valleydale Homeless Shelter, how may I help you?". The job more often than not is lost before the interview. Women who have skills but have not worked in an office for awhile may need office clothing to get started: some thrift stores and churches have specialized programs to meet the need but they only offer one or two outfits which will not get the mother to the first paycheck. Some of the recent homeless in the news have included a CEO of a large tech firm, a former Miss America, and a former advertising executive: there is a very vicious process out there when some people of advanced degrees and specialization end up in disfavor, which leads to blackballing and the loss of everything at a very high level: they were never lazy a day in their lives.

When all resources are accounted for though, what is most needed in a shelter is quiet, privacy, unconditional regard (love and care without judgment), separate living, a place to work, and an ability to turn down other people's ideas. The condemnation in some shelters is horrible: one either toes their line, e.g. staying out of the shelter between 8 and 5, forced personal interviews, and other nonessential restrictions, or one lives with the fear of being tossed back to the streets, an cruel and unnecessary extra stress.

Functional, simple and comfortable shelters need to be built and funded, preferably by churches before governmental agencies. Private sector shelters can be the best or worst. Easy to clean floors and surfaces, places to sit and sleep, and the ability to at least heat up small amounts of food or drink in each unit.

The length of time should be at least 3 months at the outset, which allows time to look for work and save money: for some it will require some time more. One very effective program in Jacksonville Fla, had a full apartment complex which charged 1/3 of a person's income: at first it was 'o' up to a certain limit. They allowed 2 years per family to stabilize, save money and look for more permanent housing: this allowed families who were not opposed to government housing to apply and wait. This was a very fine solution but I have seen it only in a couple of cities, and it meets the needs of only a few families. I think the more liberal time of 6 months is more realistic, though some would shudder as they rely for funding on turnover.

Rather than just postings, it would behoove shelters to work actively with employers in the area who will receive a few persons into their employ on a regular basis. This would help those who have a hard time finding employment because of lack of skills or conversely too advanced skills, or who may not have worked in a while or who do not have the ever critical references. It gives them a chance to build up those gaps and apply for housing. FEMA did something like this in the wake of Katrina, doing a sort of 'speed-job application' bringing in employers from around the country.

The ideal shelter needs to provide for free hygiene products and medical/dental care as possible: the total reliance on government resources has never fully worked. Daycare, likewise is an essential service for mothers and fathers applying for work, with a drop off capability. Some day-cares around town may agree to meet the need for a few parents. One shelter in South Carolina has an onsite daycare as do many, allowing parents to apply for, find and keep work, until other arrangements can be made. Most shelters know how essential bus passes or other transportation is for parents in trouble. The more independent one keeps families, the better, with the helps so essential to the process.

In the near future, FEMA and other organizations know, we are going to have to meet massive numbers of displaced persons. Now is the time to explore what can be done in a hurry: empty shipping containers translate into simple temporary housing. Tiny pallet houses translate into simple housing. Refurbished outdated mobile homes translate into ready housing as do the multiple designs proffered by architectural contests around the world.

The greatest element apart from inexpensive temporary shelter that is necessary to put homeless families back on tract is freedom, and the support of family cohesion, not the destruction of it. Where are shelters which teach budgeting and alternatives to work a day jobs to earn money? How about teaching simple low risk investments? Who offers courses on regular banking and how not to lose money?

Occasionally over the next year, I will include in this column practical suggestions and feature the ideas some have designed which meet the need.

More next time, ekb at Really Poor.

Learning to Shop Thrift Stores and Garage Sales

You have probably seen the bumper sticker "I brake for garage sales'.   I raised my children as a single parent, and after leaving a well paying career, we went through a number of years of real hard times.   I did not though want my children to dress in rags or be too out of place with other kids.   I have learned as many others, the fine art of shopping Thrift Stores and Rummage or Garage Sales.   The key is to develop a keen eye, and to know what , how and when to look.

Shopping just thrift stores and rummage sales,  I found quality clothing.  (Sometimes even brand new.) One of the advantage of children's clothes is that children grow quickly, so quality used clothing can be purchased with little wear or tear.  Really poor folks cannot afford to wince at used clothing, and if one is discreet, no one knows where very wearable items were purchased anyhow.   Every town has private and well known thrift stores and garage sales.   Some have consignment stores and flea markets:  the best source for what's available locally is your classified section of your newspaper (ours lists weekly garage and rummage sales and locates them on a map for efficient shopping).  I was able to dress my children in name brands such as bugle boys, Oshkosh, Old Navy and other solidly constructed nice fitting clothing.   Once we found a high quality brand new Eva Picone suit for my daughter in a thrift store.

There are several tips that help not just reduce costs but buy dirt cheap.

1. Go on 'value' days:  some have Tuesdays half off sales,  or at the end of a church rummage sale in the last hours they may have stuff a bag for a dollar sales.   I used to go in and get house items such as hot plates, place mats,  shower curtains, rugs, tablecloths and sometimes even antique items: all at the end of the sale for the extraordinary price of one dollar.  You really can have a nice looking house or apartment for very little money:  buy color coordinated items and items in a suit instead of mismatched dishes etc.  There is an edifying element to even if poor, put a few finishing touches on the house.

2.  Never buy items that need too much repair:  unless it is an expensive super deal that just needs a zipper, and you are a seamstress,  chances are you will buy it and never repair or wear it.  You will end up giving it away.   Never buy stained or soiled items:  even really poor people deserve better.   Avoid personal care items that might carry bacteria:  e.g. combs or brushes,  undergarments, etc.  Alot of these can be purchased for very little money at 'dollar stores'.   Be careful of pots and pans used:  if teflon, no stick pans are scratched more than a tiny bit,  it was the end of the pan with the last user:  no sense burning valuable food or ending up with teflon bits in your children's lunch.  Be cautious about things like tea kettles: I bought one once and it was rusted inside.  Some stores and sales sell shoes that are practically new: this is  a bargain, but beware of worn shoes, conformed to someone else's feet, who may have had disease or other problems:  you don't want to pay .50 for a wearable pair of shoes and the 100 dollars for a doctor and medications.  Use the principle across the board.

3.  Garage and rummage sales usually allow some bartering and have an 'as is' policy.  I would not personally advise buying certain items such as computers at garage sales:  some have malware so bad that it will either ruin everything you do, or allow someone at a remote location to see it.   Some are dirt cheap for a reason:  they may be so old they have next to no storage, or usb outlets may be corrupted, or there may be no way to save a file on an external disc.   The best items are found at the beginning of a tag sale, but the end has the best bargains.   Some people especially in moving sales will even let you haul away whatever you want at the end just to get rid of it.   A word of caution:  don't think you can return an item, and be wary of the circumstances:  occasionally someone will sell an item and then use it as an excuse to case your house and break it:  always get a signed receipt from a garage sale or pay with a traceable means.    Make sure items you purchase are functional:  a beautiful queen anne chair for 20 dollars is not a good deal if the legs are broken and hard to repair or if the fabric has burns in it.  Plug in electric appliances before you buy them: make sure there are no sparks.  Don't buy things like used coffee makers as over time they become difficult to clean and can carry bacteria impossible to remove.

4. Scout out special programs related to thrift stores:  some have ministries or programs that will give vouchers to families under a certain income limit for one or two outfits each.  Some have programs to aid women returning to the workforce who have nothing to wear,  and they set aside 'office' clothing as a charity. Some thrift stores as an added benefit, once a week get donations of free day old bread and bakery items:  you can shave sometimes 30 dollars off a grocery bill, by being willing to sort through very edible day old items:  freeze those you will not use within a few days.

more later

The Really Poor Big Bang Theory: Money from Nothingness

Where does money come from? There is an old saying that it takes money to make money, and there is a truth to that indeed. Well meaning friends can say 'start your own business' or 'I know what you can do' but for those who have had to start over from scratch, this advice is useless. Starting a business involves filing and registration fees and licenses, product, investments, etc and even when you offer a service such as cleaning, phone answering or editing, the filing fees can be prohibitive if every penny you have goes into survival.

In dealing with today's reality, really poor is different than legally poor. You can make almost 19,000 a year and be legally poor. That really is 'poor', make no mistake, but a steady income, even if low is a hardship, but a base to grow in substance. 'Really poor' though includes the homeless, those consigned to an under 500/month income, or those starting over from scratch, without a job. In today's economy, even formerly well to do couples are finding themselves losing expensive mortgages, double incomes, and loading everything they have remaining and getting into an RV with the kids and driving away. Stuff happens. Even welfare isn't going to pay for an RV park registration for a month which at 30-40 dollars a night can be up to 1200 dollars a month! Some may visit relatives for awhile, but all in all the situation is extreme. One cannot get a job, unemployment benefits, welfare, or other benefits without a permanent address. It becomes a deadly cycle, mixed in with despair, crying children, fear and stress. The streets are no place for anyone much less families, as homelessness in our cruel society has become a field day for victimization and violence and even criminal enslavement. A home can mean every thing in the world to starting over, no matter how 'insufficient', but waiting lists on government apartments can be 2 years, even section 8, if one is willing to go that route. (I would not take government entitlements, because of my faith, but that is a personal decision). Even expedited lists in shelters can be 6-8 weeks, and shelters are filled with voracious social workers hungry to break up families, a tough reality. The 'newly homeless' dropping from very comfortable soccer and ballet neighborhoods to living in an RV or worse sees those 'realities' as an eternity.

Here are some base line ideas in the 'Really Poor Big Bang theory":

1. Many Walmarts allow overnight parking of RV's and so do some other restaurants, truck stops, and stopping at a library and using a computer can show you places where 'wild camping' or free campsites are available in every state for up to 2 weeks. That gives you time to think.

2. Register for day labor through such companies as Labor Ready, Volt, or local day labor places. Nothing is beneath your dignity when its that or nothing. Even women and children of a certain age can sign up, and while the pay is very low, often minimum wage, they pay at the end of the day. One parent can do that while the other may look for a 'cash flow' job such as waitressing or retail that will pay within a couple weeks. This should not be counted as something as a last resort, for some of these jobs can lead to work. Be cautious of temporary agencies, though, some are reputable and can get you back to work immediately, and others will use you to fill quotas and then end promising employment overnight. Grit your teeth: a few weeks, as horrible as it is, and you may be able to find at least an apartment with a low down payment, often through a private renter. Keep your circumstances quiet though, as many are hardly sympathetic.



There a couple of ways to get an address and phone # that will allay this but they cost money: one is to buy a post office box which at the USPO costs about 20/6months. Some will not allow P.O. Box addresses though in applications. Far more expensive is paying about that amount or more per month at a UPS Store (formerly mailboxes etc) which gives a street address most will not identify. Online you can set up a free fax line to receive on free fax a day: email addresses are also invaluable. I would never suggest lying because it always comes back to haunt, but one does not have to let employers or others know about how dire the circumstances are: the less information given another person the better.

3. Cash from nothing: A meal when there is no food and no money? Not impossible. Many states have aluminum recycling centers which pay as much as .05 a can which is why one sees so many collecting cans: 20 cans is a dollar. School yards after hours are a great place to pick up discarded aluminum. Trash bins near bus stops yield many, and using low cost recipes, at least it means you do not miss a meal. Some people have learned to hunt for coins, in places where coins are often used: bus stops, arcades, vending machine areas, pay phones etc. Construction sites may be willing to give several hours of random labor to general laborers such as clean up work, or non-skilled work. One can for small amounts of money pawn items you can easily replace or may never need again: these days there are reputable 'family oriented' pawn shops that will give fair prices but one cannot expect 'high' prices on used items.

4. At home options.
Those with homes can likewise hold garage sales or list for sale items on such free listings as Craigslist.com---sales will probably go more quickly if a photo is included of the item. This is not a permanent solution but can be a temporary fix, as can food banks, or even 'throw away' items at some grocery stores that discard bulk items even a day or two expiration dates (the food is usually safe for at least six weeks.)

Some bus lines will offer charity fares if you do not own or have access to a car. This may limit some job opportunities, but often, certain lower level jobs will meet you at, for example a cleaning service and take crews of persons by vans to the cleaning site. This is beneficial since a lot of those type of jobs are located outside city limits in corporate parks. While there, you can also take a look at jobs posted on bulletin boards that show entry level jobs, or even above that may suit your background and experience.

5. At home services and business startups

Beware the 'work at home' calls that lure from your newspaper or phone book: these seldom lead to real work. There are a few 'work at home' opportunities though that pay looking into. If you have a masters degree or above in an Educational field, you can make some money during the year (not full time) scoring SATs, ACTs or Proficiency exams online. They pay well, but the work is tedious and grueling, and you have to qualify for each project. Pearson Educational, and the ACT people hire for this real but limited income: for most it is in the fall or spring for a few weeks, although if you stay with them and become proficient, it can lead to more 'windows' or short periods of time when tests are scored. They pay from 12 to 17 dollars an hour, although one must have a secure computer, and mostly only online time scoring is counted.

There are other work at home opportunities that are real as well: companies that send out mailings, will pay piece work to stick labels on, and they pay by the box or quantity. When I homeschooled my children and could not find full time work, I was able to find some 'creative' sources of income: one was answering a phone for a pay phone company's error reporting---not too sophisticated but it was at home paid work. Another was writing postcards to first time visitors and community members for a church hoping to build up its membership. The important thing is to be an honest and efficient worker so that you are trusted and hired again. If you have a reasonable level of writing skills, you can prepare resumes, take orders and contract with printers or office copy stores to provide quality paper and product. For those who cannot afford a legal incorporation in the beginning, one can obtain in most places a DBA or 'doing business as' and report income as personal income until incorporation.

Women at home can garner an income by babysitting: you may have to have your house inspected and register with the county or state, including a background check, but high quality babysitting is at a premium: even 20 years ago, I paid between 250 and 400 a month per child, and ran into some real losers, and when I found quality persons to care for my children when I worked, I stayed with them. People are happy to find safe, clean, creative people who feed wholesome meals and provide more than TV watching and naps to children these days. Four children kept during business hours by a kind and disciplined mother is a win-win situation. One does have to love children though, so if runny noses and whining drive you to insanity, find another means.

School bus driving gives a small income with a lot of the day off. School systems will train you for your certification and driving, and the hours are usually around 6-8 in the morning and 2-4 in the evening with opportunities for other stints. Likewise, though low paying, you may find work through a school system for supervising free breakfasts, or being a crossing guard in the morning and afternoon.

One can get started with a 'skill' business by buying a DBA and advertising in the paper, unless there are union or licensure issues: e.g. a handyman can buy a $20 DBA and pay $12 to run an ad in the paper. One can put up signs in laundromats, schools, and make business cards at home and leave them with real estate agents. Lawn care is a similar idea, which can start with a lawn mower and trimmer, and add as the business grows. Those with a B.S. or above can tutor. Even when I was a teenager, I used to give guitar lessons, and some if proficient can train beginning piano or Suzuki.


These are a few ideas, though certainly not all. From time to time more will be included in this blog. The greatest thing to recall is not to give way to despair, and have faith in God. Mat 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

HOMESCHOOLING ON LESS THAN $50.00 a YEAR PER CHILD: leading to Dean's List Students

Most poor people like myself, never consider that they could homeschool.   They are constantly focused on earning a living, or bringing in more money part time,  so the kids go to public school, signed up for government breakfasts and lunches and maybe free afterschool care.   For Christian parents this option is becoming less and less attractive,  and for all parents who want safe and educated and moral kids,   the alternatives are being sought more and more.

Now, if you want, you really can spend over 2000/year for state of the art homeschool curricula:  ABEKA, BJU, Christian Light/Alpha Omega and now Liberty offer very fine 'total approach' curricula with pre-made records, testing, report cards and even daily video teaching by experts in their area.   Some feel though that non stop videos stifle creativity and lead to the same drone of the modern classroom, even with quality materials: there is a very good side of teaching children 'discovery' and a delight in knowledge from even very early self-research. To the very, very poor though, whose focus is on making enough for dinner and to keep the lights on, here are a few tips to allow you to homeschool your children, without the large once a year bills of $500-$2500 a child.

1. Check the laws in your state. HSLD (Homeschool legal Defense) founded by Michael Farris and others ,who went on to found Patrick Henry College, (he also rose to Lt. Governor of Va) is a christian hero in my book for fighting hard for the freedom for quality homeschooling in all states.  Most states no longer require registration with a school system, quite rightly for public schools have no jurisdiction over private schools including homeschools.  (This is constitution law, confirmed over and over).  HSLD will send you a free list of laws in the various states. (You can for $10 or more dollars a month 'hire' them on retainer) That way if you are worried, you can rest assured that an attorney is a phone call away if there is an issue.

2. Materials: This is how we managed on so little money:
a. We bought used curriculum and books at the plethora of homeschool exchanges which occur in most average size cities twice or more a year. Some have consignment book stores in a homeschool mom's home!  If you are not too picky about getting shiny covers and pristine unmarked pages, you can pick up $35 texts for as low as $1! Used books are a god send.

b. Look for people quitting homeschooling: one lady quit 1.5 years after buying several years of curriculum: she donated two years of Christian Light materials to us. It was excellent material, and the only thing we had to do was erase some fill-ins, and smile at the Amish/Mennonite bonnets in the drawings. Those two years one of my children cost me $0 to buy curricula. God provides in mysterious ways.

c. Your local library is your universe. Can't afford globes, videos, documentaries,  reading books, etc? Your local library has all this and more and is the 'fun' point of a homeschool week: you will develop biceps bringing home 'all the books you can carry' unless there is a limit. Today's libraries have computer labs, audio books, checkout records and videos, and sometimes even odd resources like rocks, fossils, and other artifacts that can be checked out for free and taken home. Keep a record of your children's reading list: introduce them to the classics in Children's literature, and build up. A little healthy competition and love for reading kept my children going.

d. Make use of free community resources: museums, botanical gardens, natural resources, 'old house' museums, ; historical museums etc.

e:  Free home economics lab surrounds you in the home:  teaching cooking, measuring, sewing and clothing construction,  etc.  My daughter taught herself crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch and a variety of 'textile arts' at home with books from the library and ladies at church.  My son learned to fix a light socket, and do simple repairs:  one can apply food chemistry etc to showing why some 'substitutes' for recipes work.  All free, all helpful, all apart of the home you have anyway.

f. Take advantage of scholarships in your community for things like music or art training.  My son at 11 or 12 started on his own studying music theory and orchestration:  by 14 he obtained a one semester scholarship to a local university conservatory:  it was needs based,  but they trained where I could not.

g. Join a homeschool group.   The myth that homeschoolers do not get social interaction is patently absurd:  they get quality interaction.   Our groups provided free group physical education a couple times a week, science fairs, spelling bees and in high school, now, some provide football teams and band.   Nothing is loss, all is gain.

h. Church and for some, synagogue.   My children attended church three times a week, and for missions conferences, pot lucks,  'sings' etc:  often times church provides a lot of people with skills you don't have who might not mind teaching a little.  My daughter and I once hit a Saxon math problem neither of us could solve (I teach math so that shows it was a little tough)---and a fellow at church who used that kind of math all the time, solved it in an instant.   Churches also have choirs,  activities, outings, etc Just be sure of the church you choose.

i. The Computer.   My personal advice for the very young is to block chat rooms, unless it is a private chat room of children you know and trust:   predators prey on innocent and moral young people, and it is the one thing I wish I had been more restrictive on.   But with proper family blocks,  the computer can become an invaluable learning tool: just be careful.  YouTube.com can occasionally be either gross or lewd,  but if you put proper filters on your computer, it can also offer how to video clips on EVERYTHING.  There are clips on most geographical features and nations:  studying geography?   At the end of reading and evaluation, send them to find a video clip of the place or event they were studying:  it's fun, increases a love of learning and is so cool to visualize what you've been studying.   Godtube is another.  Poetry.com now under another name, used to have daily poetry writing contests etc, etc, etc.   The net is not the safest place to be, but it can be with supervision.   Can't afford a computer?   There are many donation programs,  and sometimes super deals.  For example,  in Wisconsin there is a central surplus bidding site for auctioning surplus from state buildings and universities or municipal or country excess.   You can pick up laptops from anywhere from 5$ up to 150.  If you can't afford even that, there is always the library computer bank for about an hour at a time.  Many universities allow non-university citizens to use their student labs.  Some have free workshops.  Some computer repair places will work with you on deals on old computers that no one picked up after a repair, and garage sales sometimes have at least useable computers, for typing lessons etc.

h. I laugh when I hear school systems clamouring for 8900.00 per pupil expenditures, because with all that money,  they can often not guarantee above an average of 25th percentile rankings on nationally normed tests.  8900 x 12 years=$106,800 ! excluding fees and transportation and special purchases.  I had two children, and next to no money when they were homeschooled:  I learned the issue was not money hardly at all, but the inspiration, direction and skill training to love to learn.   Now, if I had had $17,800 a year for the two just to spend on education, we could have had the university of homeschool!   New microscopes, periscopes, telescopes, and anti-Scopes. (a little homeschool humor).   We learned to bend with the breezes---at times it was a little too tight but we got by.

The result? Both children graduated high school one and two years early. Both were in the 95th and above percentile on testing, poor as church mice. Both were dean's list throughout college, winning scholarships, awards, and taking leadership roles. Sure, there was some innate ability, and I hold an advanced degree, but wisdom and cleverness compensates for a lot. We were consistent: we had a staid routine. It helped them know who they were. They were immersed in faith in God, and stayed daily in the Word of God. I cannot promise that your children will turn out exactly right or as you expect, because the world cruelly targets kids who succeed, but I do know that that impenetrable foundation always resurfaces, even if later some university tries to undo your work.

Got other ideas for 'free' homeschooling? Post comments.

This Week's Book (always check the used price):

Welcome to "Really Poor"

Welcome to Really Poor:  I wanted to call it 'Very Poor' but that was already taken.   This blog will have one main objective:  the survival of the very poor.   Over the years, many of us have lived in various stages of poverty at some point in our lives.   Suggestions, tips, saving money,  defending oneself without status or money, recipes under $2,  cost-free or low cost house repairs, etc will be offered in this blog: feel free to share ideas by posting them at the bottom of each entry.

Poor does not mean 'ignorant' nor incompetent.   Many people live simply and poor out of choice, because they choose to do right, or for their faith, for environmental reasons, etc.  Whether one lives poor by choice or by circumstances,  this blog will provide non-governmental ways both to tolerate dire times,  and to get out of poverty  without wild-eyed scheming and illegal means.

Many things in life that people for which some pay a great deal of money, can be compensated for or found very inexpensively with the correct know-how.   We recently received an estimate for bathroom remodeling of 3-4000 dollars, far beyond our budget on a tiny home.  We did an acceptable job for under $200.   There was a time though, when we lived in even more oppressive circumstances:  we did not save money for remodeling,  we pinched pennies for dinner.   Though I hold an advanced degree, trying circumstances can often place people at unexpected places in life.  I first learned how to cope with advice from some old-timers who had been raised in the hills of Ohio who were neighbors who taught me how to make ultra-scratch biscuits,  hunt wild onions and garlic, and use substitutes for everything in recipes and still have edible filling food.   We learned how to homeschool for under $50 a YEAR-my children now grown were dean's list all through college.   I used sewing skills from school days to make and repair garments and learned the art of perusing thrift stores for perfect shape and even new name brand clothing.

Faith was the substance unseen:   the meadow with reverie.   Emily Dickinson once wrote:

To make a meadow it takes a bee
A bee, and reverie
Reverie alone will do when bees are few.

Little by little I will teach about bees, reverie, and getting by in 21st century life,  with almost nothing, so that one can live a righteous life and sing no one's song but their own.