Jumbo-
It's hard to find help or agencies when you have no city or state listed. I would say start with your benefits office for economic support. You should qualify for foodstamps, etc if you're wife is also not working. If she is working then it will be based upon her income, and that can make things difficult-I know. (We do not currently qualify for public aid because my husband's income is over the poverty amount cut off, and yet we are in the same boat).
Being that your daughter is in school, go to her school and ask about putting her on Free and Reduuced Breakfast and Lunch. I bet she'll qualify for free (as they have a bit more leway in their poverty amounts). She will then get two good meals per day five days a week! That will be a huge load off your plate.
I'd check into low-income housing, you may have to let the house be foreclosed and do apartment life for a time if you cannot get out of the foreclosure via bankruptcy. Hopefully though, your attorney will work it so that you can keep your house! I know you're allowed to keep so much when filing, but I'm not sure just how much a house can be worth before they make you sign it over in terms of bankruptcy.
Garage sales are a great way to not only earn a bit of gas cash, but also a way to cleanse the soul. A lot of Americans have simply too much "stuff". They have things they never use, and yet we insist on keeping. So keep this in mind when having your sales. You're making room for new blessings, and doing a much needed clutter cleanse.
Once I know a city and state I'll try to find local organizations and see if there is anything else in your area. I'm guessing you need help in all areas. (Food, bill assistance, etc).
You could also try to focus on your quality time together to help you through this period. Not everything has to be in the form of something "bought" or "spent". Just going to the park for the day, or something like that can be very rewarding and help ease the stress. Find free things to do in your area, and try to find things that you can walk to or bike to. (At least for the warmer days).
In terms of cutting back, make use of your electric company's guide to saving electric. Cost efficient bulbs, for example, can cut back on your electric bill! Using appliances on low settings or the just needed can help cut down. Turning down your water heater, etc.
You can also think about shopping at warehouse stores such as Aldi's. This can help you cut your food bill down tremendously. I can feed our family of four on 100 dollars for a month. We also have a local butcher up here so when we buy their package meats we can eat meats for three months on 70 dollars.
And try not to think of it as "giving up". Think of it as being frugal so you can save and enjoy those other things in life. For us we cut back and use our extras to enjoy the Ren Fest up here each year. It's our vacation, and because we buy season passes at the end of each year when they're on sale we save even more.
Good luck! Namaste-Anora
