I have my own story about food stamps going back to the early 70's. I don't know when the program started, but it sure was handled differently back then. I was newly divorced with two small kids and had just started a job at the minimum wage of $2 an hr. I'd been a SAHM mom during my marriage and sure wasn't prepared for this dramatic change. I was so scared and worried about feeding us and I did qualify for food stamps which were in paper form. At the scheduled time, I had to go to our Main Post Office and pay cash for the stamps I could afford. Only once did I have enough cash to buy my full amount; the rest was kept and no longer available to me. Gosh, I didn't like shopping with those darn things. I was only able to buy these stamps 2 or 3 times before I realized I could shop better on my own with my own little budget. FYI: Sadly, at that time, I only received $100 a month in child support for my 10 yr. old DD and my infant son. It took that amount to pay for child care for the baby so I could work. I wouldn't wish that kind of life for anyone. :( I just can't imagine people would prefer living that way, but I know it happens.

You have my sympathy, but being honest I doubt you will get much satisfaction from your insurance or the power co. Usually you get the run around for a period and then are told such would not have happed had you had a whole house surge protector installed, therefore it,s not their fault. I had a similair occurance. The power went off due to a storm, when it was restored. 3 cordless phones, the modem in my web tv, and the furnace control panel were fried, The surge protector I had on my fridge was also fried.however, it saved the fridge. I got no satisfaction from either the power or insurance company neither. Since I am in the hvac field I was able to replace the furnace panel for cost. I paid for for everything. Several other neighborhood residents had the same problems. and so far as I know none have been able to collecet a dime from anyone. I truly hope you have better luck. Iggie

In most areas qualified homeowners are allowed to do electrical work within their own residences, however the particulars vary from locale to locale. In some locations it can be as simple as obtaining an electrical permit, while others may limit the scope of work that can be performed or even require aptitude testing before a permit can be issued. Ultimately it is the sole responsibility of the homeowner to learn about and comply with all ordinances relating to DIY work and permits. Some good sources of information would include the local building department, electrical inspector, and, in some cases, the local power company's customer service department. However, obtaining a permit does not automatically make someone qualified to do electrical work. The National Electrical Code defines a "qualified person" as one who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training on the hazards involved. Jurisdictions are free to use this definition or any other and it is the responsibility of the person doing the work to learn and comply with any requirements in their local jurisdiction. Using the Electrical Wiring Forum alone is not enough to make someone qualified to perform electrical work, however it can be used by novices and beginners as a first step in gaining a better understanding of how electrical systems work. For those with more experience, it is a great tool for furthering their knowledge but still is no substitute for real world training and experience. Performing DIY work around the house is a satisfying and rewarding experience but one should always be aware of their limitations and call in a professional licensed electrician if the scope of work exceeds their abilities. You can browse the main FAQ page for more information on permits, codes, and inspections. Thanks to Sangan, Mizzou_KX, Normel, DavidR and Tom_O for their help on this topic.

Have you plugged the electric grill in to see if it works? Electric grills provide no smoke and thus no flavor. The previous owner may have liked the flavor that charcoal imparts, so they turned it into a charcoal grill, which seems dumb (and might fry the electrical components). I'd just get a charcoal grill. We have a propane grill and the only way it smokes is if we put soaked wood chips in it. We also have a propane fire pit that is 50,000 BTU's, puts out a lot of heat but no smoke or sparks. It seems to me that your neighbors like smoke in all it's forms. Maybe just keep your windows shut and turn on the AC?