Long story:

Before he left, my husband suggested we get rid of the house phone to cut down costs. We did this, and went to using our cellphones. We owe $290 on our land-line, and were planning on paying that off with the money we'd save on not having both monthly bills.

He took off this month, and I got a $300 bill in the mail for our cell phones; apparently he was calling his buddies for places to stay and such when I was calling my family for support.

Is there any place I can go to get assistance with bills? I don't have a job right now, but I'm looking over-time. I'm not sure how to get this bill paid off quickly, so that I can retain use of the phone. (My husband no longer has his phone, so he can't make any more calls to wrack up more charges.)

Without a phone, no prospective employers can call me and I'm without the ability to call 911 or other emergency services. Let's face it, in this day and age, not having a phone is a bad idea.

I'm really stumped here. I did call my husband and leave a message on his work phone about the situation, but I haven't heard from him in over a week and it's doubtful he's going to call me.

I did call the land line service, but until that amount is paid off, I can't even have a house phone service set up again.

If anyone knows of any place I can go and request temporary assistance with bills, please, please let me know.

I'm terrified here. <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

<small>[ October 30, 2003, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Aeryn ]</small>

Your cell phone, when charged, should always be able to dial 911. I think you should call your cell phone provider, explain your situation and ask them to work with you on the bill. Most companies will work with you if they are getting payment.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by *Takola*:
<strong> Your cell phone, when charged, should always be able to dial 911. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You're the second person to tell me that in the same amount of minutes, thank you so much. I wasn't aware that 911 is accesable even if you have no service, so that's a load off.

I'm just worried about applying to all these places and not having a phone for call backs, as well as to get in touch with family when needed.

Honestly, I don't use the phone a ton, except in times of crisis like this, or when something urgent comes up. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Dear Aeryn,

I have a beeper with a voice mail for my son. It is $18.00 a month. The voice-mail messages are saved for 3 days. Arch Wireless, South Carolina.

There may be other voice mail services, that will allow you to create your own answering message, and record a message from the caller. You can just put down the phone number of teh voice mail, as if it was your home number.

My wife used to run up $400.00 a month phone bills. Some phone companies now offer free long distance, with their package for some $40.00 per month.

I pay $15.00 per month with Verizon Prepaid, cell phone. I bought the phone, and pay for the time in advance. As the time runs out, the minutes are reduced. Each time I make a call, the minutes remaining is announced. It is $30.00 for 60 days.

There is an answering service with that Verizon prepaid also.

I tested out the 911 feature on an expired cell phone one time. The operator was not happy that I was testing my cell phone. It used to be, may still be, that 911 does not receive the phone number from the cell phone.

The Salvation Army does try to help people who are down on their luck, particularly if they arfe trying to help themselves.

Thans for the sensible posts about errotic immages. It is nice to hear from a woman who is reasonable.

What is up with your dumb husband? This is your thread, so I see you have posted elsewhere, but I will just ask you on your own thread.

Quipper

<small>[ October 31, 2003, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: Quipper ]</small>

If you have children sometimes Social Services will arrange for basic service at your home.

my suggesting is to get rid of your cell phone and get an alternative home phone service that has all of the calling restrictions in place. this way you will know exactly what to expect on your phone bill each month. if you need to call long distance, you can always buy a calling card. in my opinion, if you don't have a job, you don't need a cell phone.

<small>[ November 06, 2003, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: dean790 ]</small>

Dean,

Did you somehow miss the part where she says she can't get home service because of outstanding debt?

Dear Ayren,

I am praying for you. I am praying that your husband sees your fine qualities.

Thanks again for your posting to encourage wives to be less prudish about watching errotic videos with their husbands. I posted your replies on another thread about wives struggling with male sex drive and visualization issues. Hope that was OK with you.

Blessings,

Quipper
Husband of 28 years, raised 2 challenging kids, still struggling