I may be deleting these stores on Monday, if you want anything let us know

[MarilynR]

https://www.zazzle.com/mbr/238390644877301751/stores

[jophb]

why would you delete all of the work you have done rather than just stop working, and letting whatever money come in for the rest of your life or zazzle's existance?

[MarilynR]

It is because of this. It is only affecting my Social Security since April. Elizabeth gets hers direct deposited to PayPal. I posted what I intended as a warning to other Zazzlers but I couldn't make it Zazzle related any more than to say is any other Zazzler dealing with this.  

https://www.google.com/search?q=government+sues+direct+Express+&client=tablet-android-deejoy&sca_esv=caaaec4e7ece04a6&sxsrf=AE3TifPaWcCQqyrOGU4uSsR5fnwLDrTFaw%3A1749266301927&ei=fa9DaNavOKmU5OMPp92AiQc&oq=government+sues+direct+Express+&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwGgIYAiIfZ292ZXJubWVudCBzdWVzIGRpcmVjdCBFeHByZXNzIDIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKsCMgUQIRifBTIFECEYnwUyBRAhGJ8FSPeZAVDHAViwjgFwAngAkAEEmAG-DqAB5W2qAREwLjYuNS4yLjAuMy4xLjEuNLgBA8gBAPgBAZgCFKAC6T2oAh7CAgcQIxgnGOoCwgITEAAYAxi0AhjqAhiLAxiPAdgBAcICGRAuGAMYowMYtAIYqAMY6gIYiwMYjwHYAQHCAhkQLhgDGLQCGKgDGJkDGOoCGIsDGI8B2AEBwgIEECMYJ8ICChAjGIAEGCcYigXCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIREC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYgwEYxwHCAhYQLhiABBixAxjRAxhDGIMBGMcBGIoFwgIQEAAYgAQYsQMYQxiDARiKBcICChAAGIAEGEMYigXCAgoQLhiABBhDGIoFwgIEEAAYA8ICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgINEAAYgAQYsQMYQxiKBcICBRAAGIAEwgIIEAAYgAQYyQPCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICCBAAGKIEGIkFmAOWA_EFU8YBh1-_5p26BgQIARgKkgcPMS4yLjcuMy40LjEuMS4xoAfjpAGyBw8wLjIuNy4zLjMuMS4xLjG4B546wgcMMy0xLjEwLjcuMS4xyAftCA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serpç 

https://www.google.com/search?q=social+security+access+issue+direct+express&client=tablet-android-de...

It is like the time when I took a cab to a neighborhood bank to use the ATM to withdraw money from our credit union. Our credit union was offline. There was 10 to 15 minutes of chaos and confusion. Then, I tried the ATM again and it worked and I was able to pay the cab driver including for the 15 minutes. 

The first of April, Direct Express told me I was going to have to withdraw or send $100 to PayPal wait four hours and do it again. That worked but then in May I had to pay for two weekend days at the daily rate because I could withdraw enough in time to pay for a week fast enough. So at the end of May, I was $135 short of paying for a week so I started paying the daily rate. We were helped by two people but we ended up paying for 6 days at the daily which is $100 more than the weekly rate. I paid those people back  the 23rd of May when Elizabeth's Social Security was deposited. Then in June, I had to pay four days at the daily rate.  So we can't get through this month. I have tried to find some place to go and reached out to my high school classmates to no avail. So we are cleaning up what we have online.

[jophb]

While I can understand there is a problem accessing SS funds, I'm still not sure how it benefits you to delete what I assume is years of work here on Zazzle.  If for some reason you don't want money coming in from Zazzle, you can choose to hold payments while still accruing money. It's just a setting in your account payments.  Or you can hide your products temporarily and not accrue anything.  

[CrazyMermaid]

I agree. Just leave them and go on to other things. 

[carolineg]

To cut cost, you can go to public library for free internet.

[Deb1]

I feel the same way. I thought about doing the same thing myself. I decided to leave it for now I have nothing to lose. I just moved on to my other sites putting more effort into them and just letting this sit. Since 10 percent is hardly worth my time. I decided to let this sit and see if Zazzle changes for the better so far not, but I did the work I have nothing to lose by letting it sit and just check every now and then to see if it gets any better heaven knows they need too.  What every you decide best of luck. You will live on forever on your products anyway if Zazzle or someone else posted them why not just see what happens. again, best of luck.

[Deb1]

Hi Marilyn, I do not mean to worry you but maybe you should contact Zazzle and Social Security and see what they say this just does not sound right. 

[MarilynR]

It is not right but last December the government sued the bank handling the Direct Express cards. The Direct Express cards are issued by US Treasury to people receiving federal benefits who don't have a bank account.. So instead of the government suing, why not move the management of the cards to another bank. What I have to do as soon as Elizabeth's Social Security is deposited is to take a cab to get my state ID and then go to Social Security and change my direct deposit. That was my plan in May but the financial issue compounded so last week I sent a message to CNN and MSNBC. I will refuse an interview if I can but a lot of senior are being hurt and I'm guessing on the demographics of most of those without a bank account.

We have been hurt by our fellow classmates. The "are you coming to the reunion" and "the oh please join us the ladies who lunch group, " ugh. We said we are going up and sit in the middle of town looking as vagrant as possible and speak to all of them. I'm sure the police won't let us sit there for two weeks.

[Deb1]

So sorry best of luck

[MarilynR]

We even offered the buy now pay later plan on Elizabeth's website that PayPal offers. We suggested it 12 month plan because we would play the loan plus interest back in 2 or 3 installments on June 25th, July 28th, and August 25th. We have two people who could verify that we paid them back in full on May 23rd as promised. That way the payments may not start until after we start paying it back so no money may even come out of the loaners pocket.

Here's how PayPal explains it.

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"Pay Monthly

Enjoy the flexibility of 3, 6, 12, or 24-month payment plans with $0 down.

Purchases from $49 to $10,000

Monthly installments

No sign-up or late fees"

We also asked if anyone needed to rent a room to help with their expenses or could put us up for two weeks. We started a GoFundMe and a Ko-fi page. We found someone on roommates.com  but she lives 20 miles south of Columbus and we don't have a car. So she needs to meet us first. 

So, we have given up for ourselves and each other. We do have several projects that could generate income at any time -- our writing packages, our new downloadables on Elizabeth's website and Ko-fi, and Benable but that hasn't happened, We have an unusual $60 coming from Zazzle on the 15th but that's too late. So speak up if you want something.

[MarilynR]

At the moment, I may start deleting stores tomorrow,  so if you want something, let us know.

[Jadendreamer13]

Deleting your stores will only cause self harm. Instead, allow your stores to accumulate sales while you step away and focus on the immediate issue of securing a stable and affordable place to live.

You and your sister may benefit from some financial education to help you get out of emergency, short-term financial solutions. As you can see, that strategy is keeping you stuck — and it is resulting in you two making knee-jerk, emotionally charged decisions. You need to find solutions that will help you make level-headed, long-term decisions.

Consider contacting Adult Protective Services — which is the adult version of Child Protective Services.

They can hook you up with affordable housing, food assistance, healthcare assistance, financial education services, and even job opportunities where you can make a more stable income.

Take a deep breath and start working on a new plan. This plan is not working for you.

Best of luck to you both, and I know that you can do this.

[KimJ]

This is really great advice!   I wasn't intending to put my name out there, but I can confirm that I sent Marilyn money last month, and she indeed paid me back on the date exactly as promised.   I am saddened to hear that she is experiencing more hardship this month.   It's a bigger issue than just a short-term loan at this point.   Marilyn, please reach out to professional resources as Jadendream13 has suggested.   You need experts who can establish a plan to get you and your sister back on track with stable housing and peace of mind.   You deserve the guidance of those who are specialized in that area; and the sooner you reach out, the sooner they can help you get to where you need to be.   I wish you well!     

[MarilynR]

Okay the issue in April and this month we're not based on financial mismanagement. It is based on not being able to access my Social Security. It won't matter. Has anybody read the links that I posted how this issue with accessing Social Security has been happening for others before April. We had finally gotten where we were going to establish an emergency fund and savings account. We have consulted with the Central Ohio Agency on Aging. They are ready to pay the first months rent and deposit, move what we have here, and bring furniture. We just had to have the money to pay application fees and qualify over everyone else or waste the application fee. Since we are apparently going to be out on the streets on Tuesday, I am going to take the stores now. Two days is not enough to do all that you are suggesting even though we already have a lot of it lined up. Besides this thread was written by someone who decided that being on the street was going to be the ultimate outcome I was offering to give things away rather than just tear them down. Fine it is fault and we deserve to be on the street.

[Connie]

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@MarilynR wrote:

 I was offering to give things away rather than just tear them down. 

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Those are not the only two options. Even if you did end up on the street, there's no reason to take your stores down. Let them work passively for you while you concentrate on getting back on your feet! 

[ElizabethR]

We don't expect to make two weeks on the street without a car and they are already half down.

[Deb1]

very true

[Jadendreamer13]

Financial management means having emergency funds available at all times to weather storms, such as the social security issue you’re dealing with now. Even if you can only set aside $100.00 per month on your current income (or whatever amount you can), focus on continuously and consistently building that buffer. Taking out short-term loans from friends, family, or in this case strangers means that you are pulling from next month’s social security payment — which once again leaves you short for the current month.

As Connie suggested, there are other options available to you. And maybe they are all painful and lousy. So choose the least painful and least lousy option.

[Deb1]

You never deserve to be on the streets. You are a beautiful person. Take a deep breath and think the solution will come to you. It is hard to do that sometimes, but it is the best thing you can do just rethink how to get what you need. Again, no one ever deserves to be on the streets. Best of luck you are in my prayers. 

[MarilynR]

Thank you. I did post just to give away designs. I thought that maybe somebody else might do better with them or an adaption of them. If another Zazzler could make a little more money using at that time, I thought that would be great. However, that has changed, we have another use for them all we have to do is make it through Tuesday at noon. We have received $200 from someone so all we need is $155 by noon on Tuesday and despite what has been suggested about us not knowing how to financially plan, we have adjusted our plans to deal with all the issues involved in moving to a cheaper place including the availability of rental units, the price which has been yoyoing, whether we can afford to apply, the likelihood of wasting money on applications because of the number and quality of the people we would be competing with, etc.  Of course, some would say that is an incompetent way to handle financial decisions if ...  

Now, as to how, we are chosing to make money. Unlike many here, we aren't dedicating ourselves to Zazzle or PODs. We left our stores virtually abandoned for seven years to make better money writing. That has been wiped out by ChatGPT. I came over here while El

Spoiler

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Spoiler

[MarilynR]

I'm falling asleep I'll finish tomorrow but since this thread was pushed in another direction.  We need $155 by noon on Tuesday the 10th. Then you can wait for the potential announcement of a new address and new endeavors. Check out ko-fi.com/homeartscontentandcopywriting

Go ahead and bet on us  by noon on Tuesday 

[MarilynR]

As I said I really came to the forum because we had given up. We were preparing to just go out on the street and lose. We decided to take the stores down so they weren’t just sitting here abandoned. Giving up has not been what we have been about, but people’s negative reactions have been so overwhelming that I did call someplace yesterday morning and they will call back tomorrow. We are pretty much strong enough to deal with it because we realize that they are saying things to excuse themselves from helping and it is a reflection on them not us. Unfortunately, it’s like seeing someone drowning and deciding you don’t want to be bothered so you yell, “Hey, it’s your fault for getting too close to the water, not wearing a life jacket, and not learning to swim.”

Some will repeat that we are just not taking responsibility for our “financial mismanagement.” Will here’s the truth behind there “assumptions.”

1. We had just gotten to the point the first of April where we could start both an emergency fund and a savings account.

2. We were trying to get a cheaper shelter. Issues that we faced: no apartments in our price range available, no money for application fees, spending money on application fees when we would be competing with too many other applicants and possibly wasting the money spent on the application fees.

3. We were doing some things incl7dh. Ph. We have put in an application for one of forty cottages opening some time soon for low income seniors. We have got acquainted with several people from several organizations who pay first months rent and deposit. So when we get something, we can figure who will pay the fastest at that moment. One of the organizations will also provide used furniture, move our stuff out of here, and deliver the furniture. The question is how fast will they be able to do it when we find a place.

4. At this moment, there is a woman 20 miles south of Columbus with a room in her home available. Our income could be more stable than other’s but meeting is an issue and apparently the URLs from the sites we work on plus a possible phone conversation isn’t enough for her.

5. We have multiple income-producing activities that could produce decent income at any given moment. We have each created a promotional content writing package to attract businesses in currently trending fields that is well worth the low price we are charging . Many of us are experimenting with Benable. We all just have to wait and see what the results are. Some might see some good money. We are setting up a download books and images site at Ko-fi.com/homeartscontentandcopywriting. All of that would be immediate cash if we make a sale.

Now, as I said, this was a thread intended only to give away our designs before we tore them down. However, others have made it about asking for financial help. Since we have already torn our stores down and have nothing to lose, could someone let us be free of the worry and stress and at least send the $155 we need Tuesday, June 10th by noon. We would like to be secure with the $355 needed by Tuesday, June 17th. However, we could have moved into a new place by then or have earned some money from one of our endeavors.

We have figured out a way to use the PayPal Buy Now Pay Later plan to possibly keep any money from coming out of anybody’s pocket except ours. We will pay back the $155 in one payment of $155 on June 25th around 1:30 pm when Elizabeth’s Social Security is deposited. If somebody pays the whole $510, we could make 2 payments of $255 on June 25th and July 28th. This is making us sick and we could be working on some income-producing activities.

We can’t understand how those who could help can walk away when we are talking about two human lives. We have never helped in an individual shelter situations, but we would give money, put them up, or help them find a shelter. No leaving them go on the street. We have helped in individual food situations. In 2008, we also handed a pharmacist $20 when a female college student was about to make a potentially big mistake when she wasn’t going to buy an EpiPen that had just been prescribed for her because she wanted to keep her money for spring break. Obviously, no repayment her but she was somebody’s daughter and somebody’s granddaughter.

If somebody will please help, they can use this PayPal account marilynr311 @msn.com or they can send an email to that address and say they want to us the buy now pay later option and Elizabeth will send them an invoice from Home Arts Content and Copywritinng.

[MarilynR]

Deleted.

[Deb1]

so sad for you