A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

I'm so broke... - sm

Posted: Sep 18, 2010

I will probably make 21k this year, and that is depressing me! This is my first full year doing just VR. I made 32k 2 years ago and I was happy with that. I don't need to make tons of money, just need to pay my bills. I now qualify for Medicaid because I make so little. I just can't seem to get a lot of lines doing VR and I have tried everything. I feel that if I go too fast I will make a lot of errors. I really feel like a failure now and that I am going backwards. How can I get more lines without producing sloppy reports? Maybe it's time I go back to school and leave MT behind.

"How broke are you?" "Im SO broke that...." - s/m - Rocky Raccoon

[ In Reply To ..]
... last night I walked to the store to buy whatever I could get for $5, because the cupboards & fridge are nearly empty, and payday is almost a week away. I got the smallest size of milk, a small box of generic-brand brown rice, and thought I had enough to buy a small box of cookies. But no - I had to take the cookies back. :(

That I cant afford to buy glue. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I am behind in my mortgage, that's how broke I am. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Me too. Scary times. And my mtg is less than rent on the cheapest apartment. - (nm)

[ In Reply To ..]
dd

Frugal eating over here too! - Hayseed

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In trying to look at the bright side of things, I've learned to cook...like stuff I'd never consider cooking a year ago. I can now brag that I make my own bread and it's so incredibly easy and cheap (thank you You-Tube for the free teaching lessons!).

I also make my own pies, meat and fruit with crusts I make myself, also on the wicked cheap. The only downside is this sorta stuff is time consuming but if there's no work it can be a godsend as far as getting the mind off of the fact there is no work. Nothing to drink in the house except for water flavored with fake crystal light. Man, I do miss my wine!!

I've stopped buying milk and cream, but I do keep powdered milk on hand to mix it up if I need it for cooking and use fake creamer for coffee...which is my main foodgroup these days.

I've lost over 30 pounds in the past year and have kept it off because no more dairy, snackie snacks (unless I make them myself and then I cherish every bite), and of course no more wine. If I ever come into money again, I'll probably balloon right up because I'd gorge myself on eating out as much as humanly possible, a never-ending supply of wine, and refill my candy bowl which has been stashed somewhere in the nether regions of my kitchen.

:-D

Discount store bread here is cheaper than self made, but - granted doesnt feed the soul as self made does. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Congratulations! I bet you are now much healthier than before. - good for you

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You would have not been able to lose all that unhealthy weight on your own. Recession has also its good sides; I mean well!

Surviiving, but not what I call living - RLee

[ In Reply To ..]
I have learned to shop at the Dollar Store. I buy all my cleaning supplies there, which in some cases are brand names. I also buy candy there and the peanut butter cups are actually better than the Reese's. Other savings include buying condiments, paper plates, candles, etc. I have also learned to make meals that we can get more than one meal from such as chowders, stews, chop suey, etc. It is amazing how you can save and cut back if you put your mind to it. I also use coupons, which I found at one point to be too much of a hassle, but every little bit adds up. I fortunately do not have a family to worry about, just me and my husband.

I'm so broke - s/m

[ In Reply To ..]
that I had to bargain with the pharmacy today for a few BP pills because I can't afford them until payday, a week away. Even bargaining, I had to borrow $20 from my daughter because I only had $20 to my name and the meds were $37.

No clue what I'll do about food but I did buy 2 cans of soup. Fresh vegetables? Fuggedabout it!

I'm now on more indigent-lists, payment plans/agreements, etc than at any other time in my life.

If I work 7 days a week for 2 weeks, that whole pay goes to rent, which means the pay I'm eagerly awaiting will net me a whopping $40 after rent, enough to get the rest of the BP meds. Can't not take the BP meds because the stress and anxiety are raising my BP.

Can't go to the doctor for cheaper meds, cause I can't afford the doctor.

Dogs are now on a diet because their food has to last a month and I'm looking for homes for them because I'm not sure how long I can hold out feeding them.

What a fun way to live at 52.

Help With Dog/Cat Food/Veterinary Help - JMe

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi. I read your post about dog food. This is a link to a pet site that lists by state groups that help with pet food (dogs and cats) and veterinary help for people who need financial help.

It is organized by State. So find your state and click on the name of your state. I hope you can find a group near you that has free food for your dogs. You might also try calling your local shelters or veterinarians to see if they can tell you where you might be able to get dog food. A lot of people are in the same boat, believe me. {{hugs}}

http://itchmoforums.com/help-for-pets-in-need-b91.0/

I'm known at my corner grocery for this. - Not enough $

[ In Reply To ..]
How many times has this happened to me? Ohhh...about 10 so far. But the gals/guys who work at the cash register give me coupons when I end up with having to put things back. Very humiliating (especially in a line with other people waiting). And this is just for basics. 27,000 a year here in California.

I'd be HAPPY with 21k, mine is more like 15k!! - SassyPants

[ In Reply To ..]
If I'm lucky...I maybe made 21k if you add the 2 years I've been doing MT/VR...That's why I'm getting out the first chance I get!

Left MT behind already. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I got tired of the dwindling income and having to beg for work several years ago. Learned coding and have been doing that since. My income is now just fine and I am treated with respect and appreciation. I recommend it.

Left MT behind - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you coding out of home or in office? Where did you learn coding?

Wow I love this site. Just when you think you are the only one - going broke, there are others out there like you

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I cook a pot of vegetable soup on Sundays or maybe Saturday, I put serving size in plastic containers or freezer bags, and I have a meal 5 days out of the week. Most of the time there is no meet in it, but it is delicious.

so broke that I had to move in with my mother - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
and put everything I own in storage :-(
im miserable and broke and I very much DISLIKE VR

you are lucky that your mother let you move back - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
with her. My mother wouldn't.

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