I need to know something

[boojagirl]

ok this has nothing to do with detecting but I have no one else to ask, because of curcumstances I could not pay my electric bill this month and it is going to be shut off this Thursday the 13th until I get paid on the 30th, as far as food I don't have anything in the fridge but condements, we mostly eat boxed or canned food so that is covered and I can get water in those gallon containers from the store for washing ourselves and dishes, we don't have a dishwasher (we never drink it, we don't like the taste) so we are covered there, today and tommorow I am washing all their cloths, they have enough for a month, so we are ok there.Before you ask yes I did go talk to the electric company and they won't budge, and I have called places to ask for help but it is a bad time of year, they have nothing left, the girls are in school from 8am to 4pm then play outside until 7:30-8:00 then are in bed at 9pm, I have flashlights and new batteries for night time and a battery opperated radio/alarm clock to get me up in the mornings (that also gets tv channels 2-11), I just need to know how not having electricity affects things like the hot water heater, do I need to shut it off? and flushing the toilet and if the electricity is off do I have to shut off the regular heater, it is the kind without a pilot light.

[BuckleBoy]

I would imagine that with no electricity you'd have no heat either. Although I don't like to give advice like this, I would advocate turning off the furnace and heaters if you're certain you're going through with this...I don't know what the weather is like where you're at.

Flushing will be fine, as long as water is paid. Water heater will still have water in it, but the element won't be heating it. I'd say it would be fine. There will be no hot water though! And make sure the fridge is clean and left open so it doesn't mold or mildew. Be careful of condiments that spoil like mayo or even ketchup that is left at room temperature for a long time. But I would urge you not to go this route if at all possible. Perhaps stay with family or friends?

When I was growing up I had to live in a house that had no fuel oil or electricity for a while due to circumstances in my family. It was one of the most depressing and difficult times of my life, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. If you can stay with someone, please try to.

Regards,

Buckleboy

[boojagirl]

The only people that might help me are my parents but I just cannot go to them, this happened a few years ago, my parents payed it but then spent the next 2 years treating me like a little kid that could'nt do anything right, after they paid it my dad said "from now on we will come over every month and take you around to pay your bills since you are not responsible enough to do it on your own" (I am 34), I made 1 mistake after paying my bills on my own for years, they have enough money to pay the whole amount on every bill every month, they do not understand that people on a fixed income like me (I am on social security disability) sometimes have to forgo paying a bill to pay for something else, the taking me around was not so bad, especially in the winter it was that my dad would look at every bill and yell at me if they were not caught up. Oh I think I forgot to ask how not having electricity affects the stove, it is gas?

[Montana Jim]

Where do you use a computer?

[stoney56]

Here's how I see it. If the city shuts you off, the water will most likely be shut off as well. Most cities run water on the electric bill. It's important for you to be able to flush the toilet not only for smell but safety reasons, the same with sinks. Having a little water in the sink traps below keeps sewage gases from coming up into the house or apt. Fill the bathtub with water and have a bucket available to pour water directly into the toilet bowl. It needs to be able to hold several gal of water so as to force everything down so dump the bucket all at once. During the day, the kids can use the bathroom at school and you all can also take advantage of bathrooms in public places such as convenience stores, local library, some grocery stores, etc.

Any appliance that might use a pilot light should be ok such as furnaces, stoves, hot water tanks as they are gas. If you have a central unit, it should also be ok however there will be no AC or heat as the blower motor to force hot or cold air depends on electricity. The stove will be ok since it's gas. You can put a big pot on the stove to heat up water for bathing, cooking, and washing dishes.

It can be a very humbling experience to do this but it may boil down to having your parents help. I know, I know...that's the last thing you want to do but this time asking your dad to help and say you also want to set up an acct with the utility co. whereas they do an income averaging and automatic pay---the bill stays the same every month and it's automatically taken out of the account so you don't have to worry might show him you are trying to be responsible. Yes sometimes unexpected emergencies happen that can foul up your budget but fortunately it's not very often.

If you still intend on going through with this, make sure you don't get carried away and decide to use a bunch of candles as they are usually more trouble than they're worth. Live flame tipping over tends to light up more than you expect. One other important thing, make sure you have a manual can opener.

[EDDE]

get off the computer (there is one bill)
get rid of cable(there is another)
get rid of phone service(there is another)
by law you are able to dial 911 from a disconnected phone service
then square it away in 2 weeks

[warsawdaddy]

You can be 50 yrs old and still be a 'kid' to your parents.Swallow your pride and ask for their help once again.You have their grandbabies and they will help.They would rather help you than see you jeopardise your and the kids well-being.Sure,you will probably have to listen to words you've heard before and don't want to hear again,but that's part of the price to pay to get back on stride.Goodluck and don't sell your parents short,they love you.Take care of the kids!

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

You will be fine, just tough it out.

Think warsawdaddy is right, ASK.

Not a good situation for the kids to
be in.

Please take a look at where your spending
your money. Second time this has happened.

have a good un.........
SHERMANVILLE

[Gypsy Heart]

http://www.minnesotaenergyresources....nce.aspx#lieap

Fuel Assistance Help In Minnesota

or Heat Share
http://www.lswebdesign.net/heatshare-mn/

[G.I.B.]

Along the same lines as Gypsyheart...

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcp...Name=Home_Page

[Mental Granny]

I agree with WSD, be humble go talk to your folks its for the kids anyway not just yourself!
Look for the asst. links advised above too.
Around here when the elec. shut off you still have water for a month at least, they know people are comming in to pay so they at first leave it alone.
Do get rid of services you dont need. Cable, Internet, Phone long distance service, Ect.
but get it done , if the school knows they will call DHS. So go talk to your parents.

[bomber]

uh,maybe stop dropping cash at the casino if you can't afford it

[boojagirl]

If you still intend on going through with this, make sure you don't get carried away and decide to use a bunch of candles as they are usually more trouble than they're worth. Live flame tipping over tends to light up more than you expect. One other important thing, make sure you have a manual can opener.

I don't trust candles either, I have small flashlights and new batteries for each of us to get to our rooms, which we will only have to use at night till we go to bed.

[boojagirl]

Where do you use a computer?

in my home.

[G.I.B.]

Where do you work?

[boojagirl]

uh,maybe stop dropping cash at the casino if you can't afford it

I only go to the casino maybe 1-2 times a year when my parents take me and my dad gives me money to spend, I have never spent my own money there.

[boojagirl]

Where do you work?

I don't work, like I said I am on Social Security Disability.

[boojagirl]

In most states, if the dwelling does not have all the utilities hooked up it cannot maintain a CO (certificate of occupancy). You may be evicted from a dwelling without a CO.

My dad is my lanlord, I don't think he is going to evict us.

[diggummup]

get off the computer (there is one bill)
get rid of cable(there is another)
get rid of phone service(there is another)
by law you are able to dial 911 from a disconnected phone service
then square it away in 2 weeks

Who says she has cable?
Who says she has a phone?
I had dial-up for several years and never paid a dime for service. Thanks AOL and Net Zero.

Give in and ask for help from your folks. You will always be a child in their eyes. This isn't about you, it's about your girls. Your children/their grandchildren deserve electricity. It's starting to get a little chilly up there in Minnesota ya?

[sparkymaster]

I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE WITH MY FORWARD, TO THE POINT WAYS AND I KNOW YOUR AN ADULT BUT:

My hell, when it comes to the children you need to do what ever it takes with your feelings and needs set aside. If nothing else, let the little ones stay with your parents until the bills are caught up. I couldn't imagine they would turn you down, it's only for a few weeks. At least the kids would have the resources they need on a daily basis. You said you get paid on the 30th, that's on a Sunday this month so maybe you'll get it Friday the 28th, at the worst Monday the 1st. There should be a food bank or red cross you could get some emergency stuff from if need be. Instead of buying water at the store, save the money and get it from a neighbor or your parents as needed. If your dad will spend money on you at the casino, I'm sure he'll help with real things, especially where the kids are involved.

With out saying as much, are you asking for help from the members here on TNet?

sparkymaster