Dammit, I hate asking for help.
I've had a panic attack and a good cry (in the sense that that's what people say, not that there was actually anything good about it at all) since publishing my last post, and talked to a friend who is way less prone to giving up on Things In General than I am, and pretty much asked her to tell me what to do, and she has spoken.
"You will take the early bus in the morning, and you will cab it home SPARINGLY until payday, and you will find one of those 'we don't check your credit' asshole care dealers that'll rape you on your interest rate and bend over, because you don't have a choice, and you will get a crappy car that can handle thirty miles a day and use it to get to work and earn the payments" said Erin, and well, The Queen Has Spoken. And she's right, there's really nothing else for it and I am somehow going to have to make this all happen, because losing my main job, which provides me and Hotter with health insurance, is NOT AN OPTION. I can't function without my meds and Hotter would hit the gap in January and...no. Just no.
The one part of this that isn't in line yet is money. This is my bank account right now:
Figure One: This is better than the $3 I originally had after paying for the repairs to the MFA Minivan (Rest In Pieces, bitch) thanks to some tips from work, but still not good.
Cabs here are $2.50/mile, and I live fifteen miles and some change from where I work. I figure I can walk a few miles to save money, but I typically get off work around 11 p.m. and I work in a sketchy part of town. My current plan is to walk the last four miles wearing a reflective vest (four miles twice a day is probably the absolute most I can do without crippling myself) (I have to walk four miles to the bus stop in the mornings, which will still leave me five or six hours early to work, but it is what it is).
The bike arrives Wednesday, and I'm going to see if I can ride both ways (weather permitting) until payday at least, since I'll need paystubs to show to the "no credit, no problem" ass-rapist car dealers.
So the main obstacle right now is money for bus- and cab-fare, and I hate asking y'all for help but I don't really have anyone else to ask. If Stalky wants to raise hell, she is more than welcome to use the Google machine to look up bus service to my house and she'll see the public notice about the bus route closest to me, so she can't say I'm lying. She can say I'm a loser who is panhandling on the innernet if she wants to, which I guess is true, but...well. My family needs me to be able to earn a living and if the worst I have to do is give Stalky a thrill in her no-no place by admitting that I'm totally desperate, I can live with that. Go ahead and rub one out on me, S.
As for the rest of you, if there is any way you can chip in and help me out with this without putting yourself in a place of hardship, I'd really appreciate it. It's a shot in the dark, and I feel like a loser, but it's the only shot I've got right now. Thanks.
ETA: MFA Mechanic has a little beater he's willing to sell me for super-cheap, and I only need to scrape up another $300 to be able to swing it! It's old, but low-mileage/single owner, and it's a stick so it'd be better gas mileage...oh man, I hope this works out! I would REALLY like to avoid picking up a monthly payment. I have until Wednesday to figure this out.
Ah lovey, I'm so sorry times are this bloody hard. Every time you get your head above the floodwater it rains a bit harder. I wish I could wave my fairy wand and make this whole situation bugger right off, coz it's massively unfair; you've worked so hard. Big hugs!
Posted by: Hairyfarmer | October 21, 2012 at 11:45 PM
You've been on my mind a lot this weekend. xo
Posted by: K | October 22, 2012 at 09:17 AM
Well, crappity crap. I too would dearly love to be in possession of a fairy-wand. Ah well.
Posted by: Jessica | October 22, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Love you lots Mama!! Sending happy thoughts and a wish for a magic wand your way. <3
Posted by: Kali | October 22, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Is this a new job? If not, they should be able to print a copy of your last few paystubs, if you've misplaced the originals.
Maybe there is someone who carpool/give you a ride for a little gas money? Would be less than cab fare at any rate. Best of luck.
Posted by: thepsychobabble | October 22, 2012 at 07:21 PM
Just paypaled you the first of the Avon purchases. Keep 'em coming people!
Posted by: Michele | October 22, 2012 at 08:05 PM