Finance Discussions

first things first... everyday be out there looking for a job.  there are jobs you just have to go after them most of the time.  Sometimes you have to take a lesser pay just to make it while you look for something better.  

With your credit cards... do call them as many will work out payment arrangements with you.  Most have special programs for someone in your position.

Check out a place called angelfoodministries.com this organization does up food boxes for a discounted price.  There are no qualifications just have to meet the deadlines for payment and pickup.  $30 will get you a box of food that is worth around $75.

Outside of that there are several online money ideas.  Great that you are with mypoints as you can really rack up some rewards there.  I don't know of many big bucks internet places but when you do a little at several it adds up anyway.  here's a few I found:

-Associated Content (www.associatedcontent.com) a writing site

- Mechanical Turk (www.mturk.com) misc jobs that people do better than computers

- Survey sites: check out reviews here for ideas of which ones are legit.  I know I've narrowed my choices down to a few good ones.  Send me a private message and I can share those with you later.

I'm sure others will have more ideas but this is a start.  Good luck I know it's not easy.  My husband is a painter by trade and there have been many times that he's been without work.

Have you checked to see if you qualify for public assistance?  At least getting food stamps would take some pressure off your situation.

I have often thought of what I would do if I were in your shoes.  The only other 2 things that I can think of is #1 post flyers for baby sitting or pet sitting anywhere you think people would see them and #2 go door to door with a bunch of your resumes.  Times are very different right now and just emailing or answering an ad will not do it............you may have an advantage with a "face to face" approach at a business.  Neither of these ideas can hurt......they will just take a little time and will only cost you your printer costs.  Good luck.   OH.........another thought..............get another room mate if you have the room.  That new roommate may not require a separate room, just a cot and a bathroom.  There may be more people in the same boat that you are in and may just need to ban together for awhile.  A flyer stating that may do the trick on getting another roomie.

A new thought I had today that goes along with the babysitting idea.  I'm assuming from your initial post that you have a degree or at least a good amount of college for that amount.  One place to look into temporary employment is the school districts.  Up here someone only has to hav 60 credits of college to get on the subsitute list.  Local schools here pay around $80 per day.  May not be the best work but it's work.  to go with that though is often times there is a day care substitute list somewhere that people can utilize as well that you could get you name on. 

Everyone here has really good suggestions.

Do you still sell cosmetics? If you do, you review it and perhaps it will bring you a few more customers.

Good luck.

Wow--what a tough situation, and the above suggestions are good ones.

• You may want to check the Unemployment Security Commission for assistance with your resume and for tips regarding interviews.
• There are websites with sample questions and the thinking behind questions that might assist in job hunts. They give suggestions for how you can stand out from the crowd by doing things like writing a thank you note after the interview, etc.
• Have you tried posting your latest resume with the Monster Jobs website?
• If you take prescription drugs, here's a review on a website that can help you to determine financial aid that might help you out. (click here)
• Have you tried a "head hunter?" They tend to be pretty helpful in securing a temporary position that might lead to something more permanent.
• Perhaps you could access some sort of federal assistance. Click here to see a review on the top 10 federal review and assistance programs.
• Here's a link for an additional discussion about money-saving ideas (it's the save a buck you you mentioned but I'm posting the link in case there might be additions to it or if others might want to see it).

Hope you find something that helps!

Have you thought about attending networking events at your alma mater? I know my alma mater has opened up career fairs and networking events to alumni; they are no longer closed events to undergrads and grad students only.

Go to the one who can help you and that is not man nor woman.  If you have faith you will have eveything you need.  I no you think its bull but it works.  God knows your needs before you ask. now go put it to task and stop depending on people or you will never get anywhere and be in the same rutt as all the other sheep. good luck

Adding to the info... Contact your city's administration for assistance in food, rent, employment.  I am unemployed, a graduate, a recent widow, in my 50's and I've even changed my career (9 months in school) for a job that starts at minimum wage and...I still can't find a job.  Heavy discrimination with old folks here in CA.  However, the Lord has seen me through thus far and all I can lose is my home. Things will look up.  Can't take money with me when I die! lol!  My faith has given me leverage.  I'm calmer and I know life will get better. Hang in there and don't despair.

I had problems like that when I graduated from college. I went into Consumer Credit Counseling which helped, but most of my debt was unsecured credit cards.

Well, this probably won't be an ideal solution, or maybe it will be, I don't know. If you have $100K in student loans you must have some high-level skill. You would still be young enough to join one of the Armed Forces. Signing bonuses can be upwards of $60K, depending on your specialty. For JAG (lawyers) and doctors, you can negotiate with them. Most of the soldiers in those two specialties get their student loans paid off in full in exchange for a certain time period of enlistment. Yeah, there are wars going on, but some support staff and non-combat MOS are often on bases in Kuwait if they deploy. Combat pay is 100% tax-free. College graduates have the option of enlisting or becoming officers. There is better pay for officers and a wider array of jobs and you would have great leadership experience on your resume. The health benefits are also excellent. You can do a short stint in the military, too. You don't have to be in for 20 yrs.

That life is not for everyone, but i thought you should know that there are monetary perks that you will not find in this economy. There is also the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act which can be used to lower interest rates and arrange different payment plans. If you are single, you can live in barracks for free. I wouldn't do that at the age of 28. There are mostly young 'uns in there and it can be like a college dorm. I think officers are allowed a housing allowance when single, where enlisteds do not. You can dine at the DFAC (dining facility) for free when single. If you are married, you get the Basic Allowance for Subsistance which is for food. You can get emergency relief loans which are interest free.

They take care of you monetarily, but it's a culture that some people don't like. Just something to think about.

It look like you have done everything you can to secure a job and to cut down costs.  My advice is that you start temping with a reputable agency.  One that can keep you busy placing you at different companies to work for.  You will make money and if you land a temp job there is a possibility they may hire as a permanent employee.  I have temped for a couple of months last year and then landed a job.  I am also unemployed at this time and I am awaiting the start of a temp job that will go to permanent.

I would also like to add, while waiting on a temp job, try doing something to help pass the time like becoming active in your local church or a charity of your choice. Places like those can always use the help otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy! and you will feel better about yourself for helping others.

Definitely volunteer say for an agency that helps the homeless or for a food bank.  It helps to get outside of yourself and do something for others.  Remember, those organizations do have paying jobs also and you may make an impression via your volunteer work.

Well, it sure was interesting reading through these posts.  I am someone who has been through the unemployment haze for one year now.  Like you we had everything paid on time and were making bills.  Unfortunately, public assistance is not as easy as some people think.  It is goofy and we were $2 over the so called limit and that was projection of possible income should a job come along!!!  Never mind that there was nothing happening for weeks.

The substitute teaching suggestion is good for you IF you are good at controlling classes and not letting them override you.  It can be boring, but will work if you can do it.

Also, have you considered offering a service that others might need?  Starting your own business perhaps?

Temp agencies are good too, except that once you start working you lose unemployment, and again, why work your tail off for less money that leads nowhere when you can spend time looking for another job that does?

The charity suggestion is fantastic- does not *pay* but look at it as planting seed in a garden.  Eventually you will reap a harvest in time of what you need.  

Online writing is a good idea if you are a good writer too.  It is tricky finding places to do that.

Don't lose hope.  It can be rough.  Faith in God is a huge help through times like that.  That is the only way we have made it through one of the most difficult and trying times of our lives.  No one can relate to it unless they have been through it.

HANG IN THERE!!! Your ship will come in. Just keep busy doing what you can until it does.  :)

Indeed.com.... they list a lot of jobs from all the Hotjobs, Monster, etc websites. Best of luck.

I'm just checking in to see how you are doing since your original message.  Have you found another job yet (not an easy thing to do in this economy, that's for sure.) 

You said you have a lot of student loans -- would it be nosy of me to ask what you got a degree in?  This might be the source of inspiration for ideas you could follow up. 

As a retired person whose income has been hit hard by economic setbacks, I have been considering seeking part-time work.  I have wondered what it would be like to work at the movie theater, selling tickets to customers, etc.  Has anyone had experience with that?

At any rate, I wish you luck and hope you are okay.

I just saw this thread and want to warn never to drop life insurance if you have it and to be very careful when lowering your insurance for auto and health. You may save some now but if you get into an accident or get sick or hurt, you will end up owing way more than the premium. When my husband got very ill and was out of work years ago, I dropped our life insurance and lowered my insurances as well.

Trying to get life insurance again at an older age after my husband had a serious illness was VERY hard to do and we now pay way more than we did. And of course we paid more out of pocket for heath insurance and saved nothing.

Anyway, How are you doing? I hope things have improved. We went through the unexpmplyment thing when hubby's job was relocated to Asia. It was SO tough for a while but luckily, we made it through with lots of innovation!

I know this is a big step, but you could consider relocating somewhere with more job opportunities and lower cost of living.

On this one you listed . . .

"-I hardly ever leave the house (to avoid the temptation of purchasing even the smallest little thing, and to save on gas)"

Staying in the house all the time can be really depressing. Don't carry any money with you, so you won't be tempted. But, get out and do free things. Even a trip to the public library gets you out and around.

Getting out also means opportunities to meet people and hear about jobs. You're not likely to get leads if you're not out there.

My heart goes out to you, and I hope you find a job soon. But, be nice to yourself in the meantime and don't stay home all the time. A lot of people are dealing with the same issues now, and it helps to have moral support at least.

I can totally relate to your situation and  I wish I had some great advice for you but  all I can really say Is to check into public assistance and  keep looking! Don't ever give up because I promise you, you will come across something.It does'nt hurt to say a little prayer every now and again. Good luck!!

My fiance went a year and half without a job. Now, he works for a private contractor doing landscaping. It's not what he wants to do but it's something. We are now getting foodstamps but also, we pay taxes so it's like paying for them.