I honestly don't know where to start. My family of three was down graded to two, two years ago. And ever since then things have just gone down hill...

I believe everything happens for a reason but what happens when that hope you believe in is running out? When everything you once trusted in is wearing thin?

Like everyone out there, we're going through a really hard time. We're in the process of being evicted, my mother can't seem to find a stable job (she'll get interviews, receive great feedback, but there's always someone out there more qualified than she is), bills are stacking up (our means of communication have been disconnected). But the positive side of things are: we're living under a roof, have reliable transportation, I have a part-time job, some food in our kitchen, and loving pets and friends..

Right now it's hard to hold on to any hope. We thought we were doing things right and turning our lives around.. but I guess not. What's even harder is that we don't have family to turn too.

My mother and I know there's people out there that were in our situation and overcame it. That there's people who are in far worse situations now than they were in a year ago and managed to turn their lives around for the better...

What we're asking is for any types of advice/tips from people who have gone through something similar. That when all of your hope was dying, what did you do in order to keep going? How did you keep going when it seemed like your whole world was falling apart?

Any response is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Your phone is disconnected but you have Internet access? Was there a death in your family or a divorce?

I always try to remember that things could be worse, be grateful for what I have. Faith also helps a lot of people through hard times.

I think you just keep chipping away, whether it's at the job market or something else, and never give up.

It sounds like you have a good attitude about things and appreciate what you do have. I also always hope that time will change things for the better.

Thank you.

We're using a neighbors wifi but the connection isn't that great, but it is something. And there was a death in the family.

Thank you again for your words.

Hope comes from within, being thankful for what you have is the first step, food on the table and the people you love with you. It may not seem like much but for now it can be enough.

Your mother still needs to keep going for the interviews, eventually she will get a yes.

I know what its like when every penny coming into the house is accounted for, but if you can put away 2 or 3 dollars/ euro a week and save up for something, a nice takeaway and a film, a treat, something you don't normally do or have.

If there is a money advice budgeting service in your area get on to them, they can help with bills, in so far as talk to the companys on your behalf and perhaps reduce your households bills.

I'm a success story, single mother 4 children living in a house that was falling down around our ears, living on very little money, my youngest daughter had a genetic disease and died, but we pulled together and got through.

I eventually got retrained, got work and bought my own house, my eldest two are in college and my other daughter is healthy and happy.

It was hard work, and sometimes it seemed like there was no way end in sight, but if you work hard and stick together you both can achieve what you want.

If there was one thing I learned looking back at that time is.. dont accept your lot in life, fight for a better life, some days you'll lose and some days you'll win, see the future goal and find a way to get to it, there's no easy route, but stay focused and you'll get there.

I used to plan my house even before I had the means to buy, and talk about what we would do and see.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

( I think that's a bumper sticker!) but its so true.

Your learning great lessons in all of this, lessons that you will never forget and will see you through a lifetime, your also making great memories and will have many stories to tell.

Some eloquent words above.
I'll just add one little practical bit of advice to keep out of the shelter: share housing when money is tight. Find roommates, even another mother and daughter just like you, and it really saves a lot on not just the rent but all the utilities and other expenses. You could even ask churches if there are any elderly who need help in exchange for free rent, or put notices up on boards around town.