M.P.
I recommend that you NOT sell your wedding dress. The small amount that you will get for it will only help your family for this month. then what do you do? You'll have lost something important to you and gained very little in return. You will mourn that loss many times over.
Now is the time to deal with the money situation while thinking of long term results. You may have to be delinquent on bills. Will that be more painful than losing your wedding dress?
My parents were almost always delinquent on one or more of their bills; sometimes all of them. Crediters hounded them. They were always able to eventually work it out. My Dad also had his own business. After slow times, business improved. It seemed to me that we were always up and down.
I have always had difficulty with that insecurity. Now at 65 I realize that this is life unless we make and work at long range goals. This crisis for you will eventually pass as it did for my parents. Don't sacrifice your wedding dress that means so much to you.
Focus on doing the things that will help you in the long run. Call the people you are unable to pay this month. Talk with them in a calm way. Express your desire to pay but your inability to do so at this time. Perhaps arrange a payment schedule. Look for ways to economize in other ways. I rarely had new clothes but I had clothes.
Work on keeping a positive outlook. It seems to me that positive attracts positive and negative negative. That's related to karma. My father was always sure that his business would make it. My mother was sure he was wrong and they fought a lot. He did make it! We always had enough healthy food to eat, clothes to wear, and a home for years at a time. It was the stress of being fearful that caused the most pain for me.
If you don't have food, call for help. The Sunshine Division as well as other places will give you a box of food. Don't be ashamed. Many families have to do this. Yes, some are deadbeats but not all of them. In my experience (I delivered Sunshine boxes once in awhile) most were good people having a difficult time. Perhaps your situation isn't that sort. What I'm trying to say is that there are ways to get the things you need, emphasis on need, without selling your wedding dress.
A comment on having sons and no one to pass on the dress on to. One of your sons or both may have a fiance' who would like to have your dress. Lots of people are still sentimental even tho society is emphasizing disposable.
Be comfortable with whatever decision you make. I vote for keeping the dress.
