I firmly believe that the good things we receive in life, we receive to help others; we just don’t always know how or who. After long-term unemployment, my hubbin was fortunate to find a nice job about three weeks ago. It has meant so much to us. It was great for his confidence, I was able to take a sick day without worrying about paying the bills, and we were able to help out a real emergency.
About two weeks after Mr. MT got his job, our friends shared with us that they were in dire need. Our friends are not in a great financial position, and they never will be because they won’t use “the system” unless they’re desperate and they are completely honest people which usually means you don’t get ahead easily. The husband was in an accident and got laid off because he couldn’t do his job, she is a student who is chronically-ill, and so they finally had to apply for food stamps; they really don’t know how they’re going to survive, but they are a fine example of a couple who has faith in each other and in the universe to provide.
Did you know that you cannot buy paper goods, personal care products or prepared food (like the rotisserie chicken outside the deli) with food stamps? So you can eat, but you can’t buy soap or toilet paper. It just seems a little odd. But according to the rules you can give someone non-cash gifts without disturbing their benefits, so we sent a box. We sent rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, anything non-perishable we could think of, anything we knew they couldn’t buy themselves, like a first aid kit.
Our hope is that they’ll be able to buy a little bit of meat or something similar, take a breath, and at least know that they are cared for.
The irony was when we were taking the box to the post office, my hubbin looked at me and said, “We couldn’t have done this if I wasn’t working.” And he is right. What a difference a couple weeks makes. The universe works in mysterious ways.
I will tell any Modern Tightwad. This is why you clip coupons, shop for deals, and try to get out, and stay out, of debt. So that when someone you love is in dire straits, you can be there with open arms, and help with what is needed.
