Embarrassed But Really Need The Help!
 

Embarrassed But Really Need The Help!

Hi everyone, I wonder if I can get some suggestions form you all. I hope this is not taken the wrong way or that I am not doing something not allowed, but here goes. My Gizmo is 5 yrs old and the joy in my life, my whole world revolves around him. I am from Detroit Mi. but have lived in Texas over 20 yrs now. Every year my wonderful sister sends me a ticket to come home to Michigan for Christmas as I have no family here. And every year I pack up my Gizmo and we fly out.

Well this past year has been needless to say one of the hardest financial time in my life as I cannot find a job and really struggle keeping things a-float. Don't worry this is not a complaint at all I am truly blessed and keep a smile on my face regardless of the hard times.



:)My problem this year is that, I do not have the money to take my baby to Michigan with me. It is really stressing me out because I must have him with me some way some how. So my question to you all is this. How would I go about trying to raise the money to fly my Gizmo to Michigan. I have simply got to find a way, other wise I will not be going, as there is no one I would leave him with and most of all I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE HIM.

So that’s my question, I need to raise money for an airline ticket and soft side shoulder carrier for my baby.

Any ideas are welcome and thank you all for reading my long post….lol….sorry about that…lol

Thanks guys!:thankyou2

How much is it going to cost?
What airline are you using because I'm seeing that if you use a soft sided carry on bag (that is airline approved) it's about $40.

It's usually $100 - $150 each way depending on the airline you fly.

I'd get a part-time job to cover the cost. Many places are needing extra holiday help. Or work for cash...babysitting, dog walking/sitting, etc.

My concern is if you don't have enough put by to fly your pup, do you have any put by should a medical emergency arise that needs treatment? Either way it sounds like you need to start a savings account for your pup.

Well OP is not alone my dog fund was completely depleted due to medical things-with three it adds up fast.

my current dog fund is to charge it on a credit card.

Many of us are feeling the lag in the economy and experiencing the full brunt of the recession right now...

I was under the impression though airlines were offering significant discounts to encourage people flying (yes with their pets too) because many people have canceled holiday vacations due to personal economic crisis.

No at this time I do not have an emergency fund as I 've said it has been tough money wise, savings and all were gone long ago.

This is probably a dumb question (notice I will ask anyway), but what did you use to fly Gizmo the past years you've flown to MI (carrier-wise)?

Are there any stores in your area? I know our retail stores are advertisingi for seasonal part-time work around here. I know it won't last and probably won't be much $ to speak of, but it might give you enough to pay for a plane ticket.

Sorry forgot to mention in terms of a part I would be happy with any job. I cannot find a job been looking now for 3 years, mcdonald, Jack in the Box, the grocery store, gas station, feed store, Family Dollar, Dollar General, you name it I have applied and I am still applying. I would work any where any time and I do mean any where doing what ever. I really don't want to get into my troubles here, trying to keep positive in spite of, and not looking for a hand out, simply some suggestion.

Girl no question is dumb if you ask me, they are just questions, on all my other trips with Gizzy he had a soft side carrier, which he still has but the zipper now has a little rip in it and I would not want to have an issue with the airline, as for seasonal work, girl let me tell you I am serious, even today I have been applying for jobs, walmart, k-mart, target, Kroger etc etc, trust me I have plenty of family members making all those same suggestions in terms of a job, please beleive me I WANT TO WORK, I NEED TO WORK...I just am not getting any calls at all for a job. Not gonna quit trying, I just can't give in to dispair.

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Thank you for this, you know sometimes people a quick to judge and not know the entire situation. Though I do not have an emergency fund right now I do live in an area where my Vet would see my baby with or with out money so that gives me some comfort. And trust me no matter how herd it is for me right now my baby has everything he needs, he is health and happy and eats plenty.

You bring up a good thought though I may call the airline that I am traveling and see if maybe they can help, hey it can't hurt right. See....thats why I posted here to get things I may not even think of trying....lol

Thank you so much

Thanks for this I appreciate it!

I hear UPS, Amazon and many other places are looking very hard for holiday help right now. There are a ton out there at this moment. They wont last but it would be worth a looksie.

I did a real quick google search for holiday jobs in Texas and a bunch came up. Not sure if you're in real rural area though, that would be tough but I bet UPS or FedEx is in the area?

I know it may sound bad but, I see a lot of people asking for money out in the streets. A friend of mine did this last year and scored almost 1500 bucks in 2 weeks! She was standing out in the city for 2 hours a day...crazy,.

Maybe a dry cleaner could do a reasonable repair to your bag, or post pics and if I can I'd repair it free of charge for you.

Maybe someone has some frequent flyer miles they're not going to use? (I don't fly enough to have any! Lol!)

See, my mind is all over the place, thats why I need other minds...lol....had not thought to go to my local cleaners to see if they can stitch the bag. I shall take it and see. It is so very nice of you to offer to make the repair, I shall let you know once I had had the cleaners look at it. THank you so very much

I was told I couldn't use my frequent flyer miles to fly my pup in cabin, as it is classified as a baggage fee not a ticket fee. If you find out differently, I'd be interested to know.

I, too, am in a bind in terms of finances. While I do have insurance for Teddy and a credit card for emergencies. It's buying christmas presents that has got me feeling the crunch. My husband gives me money monthly, but this past month I spent everything on Teddy. I don't have kids, so I spoil Teddy. Unfortunately we're spending the holidays with my family out of state and it would be silly to not bring them gifts.

Well, I love designer handbags so I put them on ebay when im running low on funds.

Currently i'm selling my 3DS, a dog car seat, and a LV bag to make ends meet. Sometimes you gotta part with material things, so I would suggest selling stuff you don't use on ebay. Especially things that would be in demand for christmas. You can always get new stuff, but your trip is more important.

You can also try to bake stuff, have a garage sale, sell preserves, etc. Little things like that can help you reach your goal.

Good luck :)

I got my bag at Goodwill for 5 bucks :) It's a Sherpa Delta Carrier.
You may get lucky if you check it out.

If your a girly girl type you can do that arbon/avon stuff where you work from home selling makeup! Just trying to help here:).... You can be home with your yorkie and still work and make cash. Or that fox thing that you see commercials for. It's like working from home for them. Or working for amazon!

Shoe repair shops and upholstry shops and car restoration shops all have the heavy duty sewing machines that could sew that up in a jiffy.

Here is what I would do. I would ask my vet, people I meet at the dog park, church members, friends, neighbors, others you know, if they would baby sit my Yorkie in return for some kind of manual labor when I return. Baby sit their kids or doggies, help cleaning their house, help put away their Christmas decorations, etc. There must be something you can do to trade with them. Always Smile.

Look around the house for things to sell.

I recently cleaned out the kiddos closet and got rid of things they no longer wear/use and made $70 in one night.

Look for electronics, I sold a couple of old phones and cameras and made a couple of hundred dollars a few months ago using Sell and Recycle Used Electronics - Gazelle

Turn off cable/internet for a month or two.

I'm one of those people that I hate to use my credit card. I do not use it unless it is a HUGE emergency. I just hate owing money on my credit card for some reason. I have 2 car loans with my husband and that is enough in itself right there. So what I do when I need a little extra cash is try to do some work on the side. I am a scrapbooker and make scrapbooking pages, cards, and altered art for people. But you could also babysit. Or it is the holiday season...many places are looking for temporary help. Could you go somewhere just to work a bit to raise some money? Or what about a job staffing agency? Or sell old collectibles, unused furniture, etc. you might have and are not using on Craigslist. I sold an old bedroom set, 2 presidential formal living chairs, and a window air conditioning unit on there this past September and made over $500. It was all stuff I had in storage and wasn't using anymore. So I sold it and freed up the room in my storage space and made money.


Good luck to you hon! I hope you can raise the money to make it home with your baby!

Omg that is insane, I knew it! That's why I NEVER give money to panhandlers. At least I see people during the summer selling ice cold bottled water for $1 on the street corner, that's not a bad idea.

Thank you so much for this, ebay is a good idea for sure, maybe I will see what I have left around here that I can sell. I mean I have parted with several things over the past months just to make ends meet no shame there at all, I am certanly not too proud or materialistic.

Hi there, well my credit card went along time ago...lol but I bet there is something out in the barn collecting dust that might bring in a few dollars. I tell you what I sure do appreciate the feed back here it helps to get some ideas that under normal times I would have thought of myself if I was not stressing ...lol.

I beleive in prayer as well so I know that some way this will work itself out, gotta keep the faith right!

The economy is tough on some many people. You are very forunate to have a vet that will work with you. My vet is very reasonably priced also. I feel forunate for that also. I am very thankful because times are so tight. The holidays are tough for so many people. It's a good time to think of the true meaning of the holidays and not put a price tag on it. When you go visit, I wouldn't feel compelled to take expensive gifts. Small meaning gifts should be appreciated by anyone. So many people are now without jobs. When someone loses a job, its easy to go through your savings just to make ends meet. Dont feel bad if you can't take big expensive gifts. You will need your funds for more important things. Life goes on after Christmas.

I would def go the doggy sitting route. I pay my dog nanny $40/night for my 2 boys and when it was just Snickers I paid $25/night. At that rate you can make enough for the ticket in a few days and your Gizmo can have a playmate!! I found my precious nanny on care.com or you could try advertising on craigslist.

Good luck!
Viv

You guys are so awesome, I thank you all so much for the ideas and responses, just what I needed a little push....lol Things are gonna get better around here I just know it so very glad I have a place to come and speak freely and get support.


Cynthia & Gizzy

Girl I have learned to be a thrift store queen, as a matter of fact Gizmo's halloween costume came fro ma thrift store , paid $1.50 for it...lol. Been keeping my eyes open for a carrier, I'm sure one will come thru there in the next week or so. I am going to my local cleaners today to see if they can fix the rip in his current bag