Feeling odd about recent decision *Update Page 7*

[Disney845]

If I could get a min wage job, I would...how sad is it when the local McDonalds is not hiring. I NEVER said a job was beneath me, or that I turned down something. A lot of the time ppl see my resume, and get worried I am gonna quit as soon as something else comes around.

As for my spending money, Trust me, $20-$30 did not go very far. But I am not gonna sit here and try and justify it to you. The day gave me the boost I needed. Not all of us live in a perfect world like you do.

Dax, I just wanted to let you know that I am in FL as well, and understand the struggle with the job market you are having. I work for a small privately held company that depends entirely on the luxury spending industry. We have reduced the size of our office staff (fortunately my position, management, is secure so long as the company as a whole is secure) and we have all taken some serious paycuts, as well as reduced days off, etc. So many of the accounts that do business with us have closed down, filed for bankruptcy. The commercial office complex we are in looks like a ghost town.

My SO works for a major home improvement store and his position seems secure.

To combat my pay cuts, and to have money for extras like vacations, and a home remodel project we have, we both work outside of our "normal" jobs too.

I am not sure what sort of industry you were previously in, but something you might consider is virtual assistants. I subcontract (means I have to do a 1099 and pay lots of taxes on it, but there are deductions to even this out if you want more info on how it works) and do freelance work for many of the people I know through the industry I am in. This means that I wear many different hats. I do things such as website development and management, copyrighting, designing corporate logos, marketing material, to more mundane things that my customers either don't have time for, or don't have the payroll budget to have full time aministrative staffs such as filling out forms, doing research, writing emails, making phone calls.

This is something that can very easily be done from home (you mentioned only having 1 vehicle, I assume your husband is taking it to work). Google virtual assistant and take a look online. I do not have a need to advertise my services, because the industry I am in and word of mouth has been enough for me (you may even have more viable contacts than you think from whatever previous position you were laid off from), but there are many many websites out there on this.

Something else to consider, I don't know what type of work your husband is doing, but do you have any neighbors who might need his assistance? Living in FL, you probably have lots of elderly neighbors like we do. They are always asking my SO to mow their lawn, or install a new mini blind, paint a room, fix the "clicker" to their garage door, etc.

Before anyone else comes along to comment, I am not advocating that anyone operate without an occupational license (or other certification) if needed in their area.

A final suggestion may be to look into ideas regarding lowering your electric bill. $200 seems somewhat high for a family of only 2? Are there any areas that this could be cut? Change the setting on your hot water heater, your air conditioner, do you have a pool pump? Unplug unnecessary appliances that look like they are turned off, but are really in stand by and are drawing power? Switch to CFL lightbulbs? Make sure you are not leaving lights or fans on in unoccupied rooms (bad habit of mine). We have the air vents totally closed in rooms of the house we don't use (like guest bedrooms), and keep their doors closed so we are not air conditioning rooms we don't need to.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

No, I am just wondering if a friend or family member could help out by keeping the animals. Food and care for that many can be expensive. Food stamps for her and DH so that her cash can go toward the animals doesn't sit right with me!

I would not complain the the OP was "dumping" animals because of the economy....making a plan is a good thing. Having some money for emergencies should be a priority.

I understand what you are saying. I love my pet too but if it comes down to taking care of myself or the people I love, I would need to look at alternatives for my pet.
Yes, it would be difficult but sometimes hard choices have to be made to take care of your family.

 

[friskykitten]

Took the words out of my mouth.

Also, a person should not be forced to become destitute before they ask for help. In fact, they should ask for help before they get so far in the hole that it's next to impossible to dig out.

BINGO! That is hitting it on the nose. If we make those who need help wait too long to get help then the only option will be to bail them out through other means that some people would not find acceptable.

 

[crusoe2]

OP, here's another way to look at it. It sounds like you've been subsisting on a less than well-balanced diet in order to get by. If you were in pretty good health to begin with, then it probably hasn't hurt anything for you to eat that way for a while. But you don't need to try to live indefinitely on noodles. Sooner or later your system is going to suffer for it and the last thing you need is to start getting sick. BTDT - I've never been as sickly as I was when money was so tight that we couldn't afford to eat right. It was never anything major but I caught everything that went around - colds, strep, stomach bugs - you name it. That would be a drain on your resources and everyone else's if you have no means to pay for healthcare. I hope things turn around for you soon. Good luck. And don't feel bad about that day at Disney - sounds like you did it very sensibly and everyone needs a mental health day now and then.

 

[tiggertabi]

Of course you did the right thing! those programs are intended so that when you, the person who has been subsidizing that program for all your paychecks, needs help, they can help you. Why else would you paying into it? surely not to just support everyone else who is using it? Do NOT feel bad for helping our your family. that food budget might be the one thing really hurting you guys, and the last thing you need is a medical bill because someone gets sick due to not eating well.. good luck to you both!

 

[Dax]

I am working on getting the electric bill down. Honestly, the house is not super when it comes to keeping the warm air out, but we are renting, and doing best we can on that. Honestly, our electric bill used to be close to $300 in our other homes, so we feel we are doing well on that front. Summer in FL is expensive.

As for my pets food, I cut out a lot of things to provide for them as well. Fast food, movies, rentals and things all gone from our life. Pet food is part of our bill budget, and what may seem like a lot, it really isnt. We made the changes to afford it

I probably wont even qualify for anything. I have no medical insurance, and I suffer from migraines. I cannot even afford the pills to help me with them. I was told by many people to at least see what I may be able to get, just to help me through.

I use what little money I have wisely, I was just looking for a little help.

 

[S. C.]

I am working on getting the electric bill down. Honestly, the house is not super when it comes to keeping the warm air out, but we are renting, and doing best we can on that. Honestly, our electric bill used to be close to $300 in our other homes, so we feel we are doing well on that front. Summer in FL is expensive.

As for my pets food, I cut out a lot of things to provide for them as well. Fast food, movies, rentals and things all gone from our life. Pet food is part of our bill budget, and what may seem like a lot, it really isnt. We made the changes to afford it

I probably wont even qualify for anything. I have no medical insurance, and I suffer from migraines. I cannot even afford the pills to help me with them. I was told by many people to at least see what I may be able to get, just to help me through.

I use what little money I have wisely, I was just looking for a little help.

 

[leahjade]

[QUOTEI wish you could walk a mile in the shoes of the people who have lost their jobs ][/QUOTE]

My husband works in a very volitile industry and has been layed off 5 times in the past 10 years. He got up in the morning at his usual work time and applied for jobs in person and on the internet all day long. He took interim jobs in between his regular jobs that didn't pay well, but got us through the tough times. We had no health insurance for months at a time, so I have been in your shoes. I did babysitting on the side, inventory work, surveying anything that brought in some extra income. Not speaking directly to the original poster, but being in the human resource business, I see way too often that people won't take minimum wage jobs or temp jobs until they get something long-term. There is just a different mind set nowadays.

 

[ReneeA]

=leahjade;32488000

My husband works in a very volitile industry and has been layed off 5 times in the past 10 years. He got up in the morning at his usual work time and applied for jobs in person and on the internet all day long. He took interim jobs in between his regular jobs that didn't pay well, but got us through the tough times. We had no health insurance for months at a time, so I have been in your shoes. I did babysitting on the side, inventory work, surveying anything that brought in some extra income. Not speaking directly to the original poster, but being in the human resource business, I see way too often that people won't take minimum wage jobs or temp jobs until they get something long-term. There is just a different mind set nowadays.

There aren't any temp jobs in certain areas of this country right now - my area (Detroit) and the OP's area. Fast food places, temp agencies, and even hospitals aren't hiring anyone right now. There are not jobs to be had. We are facing a 25% unemployment right now in our counties.

You may have done fine when faced with this situation, but not everyone is. You've said your piece, we all understand your frame of mind...now you're just browbeating her.

((((Dax)))) I understand. My DH has been collecting unemployment and working very few hours for the past 6 months. It's been super rough, and we are barely scraping by. It's no fun.

 

[Kay1]

I probably wont even qualify for anything. I have no medical insurance, and I suffer from migraines. I cannot even afford the pills to help me with them. I was told by many people to at least see what I may be able to get, just to help me through.

I use what little money I have wisely, I was just looking for a little help.

My son has migraines as well and I can tell the pain is horrible. I would shut off the air before I'd live in pain. We didn't have air when I was growing up and it wasn't so bad. I know the cost of medication is insane and I sure wish it werent so.

 

[derocas]

I just wanted to say that no one knows what life will bring us. If you are in a comfortable financial position where you don't need to consider foodstamps then good for you, I hope it always remains that way.

As far as the OP goes, this economy is kicking everyone's butts!!! Hang in there.

As far as the pets go, they are part of her family. I applaud her for not dumping off her animals. I personally feel more comfortable knowing that foodstamps is going to a person who is *trying* to get by, 9 pets and all then to a person who just dumps their pets off knowing that more than likely they will be put down.

 

[rparmfamily]

Shutting off the air isn't really possible in Florida, people die in that kind of heat, and it's been very hot down there lately. I grew up w/o air in Ohio and it was horrible in summer but it's still not Florida.

Good luck to the OP!

 

[S. C.]

There aren't any temp jobs in certain areas of this country right now - my area (Detroit) and the OP's area. Fast food places, temp agencies, and even hospitals aren't hiring anyone right now. There are not jobs to be had. We are facing a 25% unemployment right now in our counties.

You may have done fine when faced with this situation, but not everyone is. You've said your piece, we all understand your frame of mind...now you're just browbeating her.

((((Dax)))) I understand. My DH has been collecting unemployment and working very few hours for the past 6 months. It's been super rough, and we are barely scraping by. It's no fun.

Well said!

 

[marthachick]

I have no medical insurance, and I suffer from migraines. I cannot even afford the pills to help me with them.

Dax, Sorry about the situation you're in. We went through something similar last year and DH had no insurance for months. I have a cousin who suffers from migraines also and she says drinking dill pickle juice helps hers. No kidding. Yes it sounds really gross, but I think I could drink it rather than suffer from a migraine. It would certainly be worth a try. She drinks it when she first feels it coming on. A small glassful. Good luck and hope things change soon!

 

[lts862]

I agree about the Florida heat. Keep that air running for health reasons. Also, a garden could help with the fresh fruits and veggies. They are outrageously priced here so I cut some things to make sure that the kids have good produce. We do not eat every day. Beans, rice and pasta are stretching meals a little further........

 

[Kay1]

Shutting off the air isn't really possible in Florida, people die in that kind of heat, and it's been very hot down there lately. I grew up w/o air in Ohio and it was horrible in summer but it's still not Florida.

Good luck to the OP!

Sorry, but my family has lived in Florida since the 1920s and it can be done. If you think about it air hasn't been around all that long. OP is walking around in pain.

 

[Ava]

I have no medical insurance, and I suffer from migraines. I cannot even afford the pills to help me with them. I was told by many people to at least see what I may be able to get, just to help me through.

Dax, have you checked into free or low-cost health insurance in your state? I was laid off last year when my partner was 3 months pregnant, and we both lost our health insurance. She was able to qualify for insurance through our state's program for low-income families.

Good luck with the job search, and I hope you get the assistance you need.

 

[Juliet25]

If you meet the eligibility requirements, why the guilt? Since you are currently unemployed I assume you were pulling in a paycheck in the past and paying taxes on those wages. You have paid into the system and now you need to use it. I would not (and indeed have not) feel guilty for using fs if you need them.

 

[amberdansmom]

I'm not directing this at any particular poster and I don't mean to be negative at all, but sometimes relocation has to be considered.

We have relocated THREE times trying to find work. My DH will take any job he can. Right now is is at a job that is (as another poster so politely put it) beneath him. He is making enough money a month to pay the TWO bills we have left that we didn't fall upside down in. after that we are left on our backs again. We get assistance from FS. We don't have a home anymore. We don't have a car anymore. We don't have 'things' anymore. We live with family and with the job DH has we don't see the light at the end of our tunnel. I have a 13 month old dd. I can't pay for child care. I applied at THREE different Walmarts around here for night work. Nothing. I think it is wrong to assume people WON'T work just because they are on FS. Ever think that they ARE working and just can't make enough to live without it right now? I had my children in a time of financial gold for us. Not after I got on assistance.

 

[CinRell]

I understand what you are saying. I love my pet too but if it comes down to taking care of myself or the people I love, I would need to look at alternatives for my pet.
Yes, it would be difficult but sometimes hard choices have to be made to take care of your family.

As an animal rescuer I really hate this line of thinking. Responsible pet owners should think ahead for the worst case scenerio before getting a pet. KUDOS to OP for not giving up her furry family members in the face of hard times. Like another poster said, would you give up your children? OP has no children as she stated.. her pets are her family. They are a responsibility SHE took on and I'm so happy she's continuing that responsibility!

What choices would you make? Because I'll tell you right now we get 10-15 emails and calls every single day from families who want to get rid of their pet for financial reasons. ALL shelters are closed. Strays are being dumped everywhere. Craigslist is listing animals for FREE that a few years back would cost a fortune. Rescues are FULL. we are BEYOND full and trust me.. donations are NOT coming in right now!


As for the other poster talking about her husband's job always looking to hire.. that's where you live. Don't judge how other states/cities are based on yours. Right now in my area you can't find a min paying job anywhere. I have friends who'd give ANYTHING to clean under dirty seats at mcdonald's for $5 an hour if they could find it. But right now in Cleveland there are former company owners right there in line begging for those jobs... there ARE no jobs and businesses are going under daily!

As far as picking up and moving.... or looking down on people for standing in line with food stamps.. shame on you. you don't know their situation. One of my best friend has 4 children. she lost her job. Her SO left her and is nowhere to be found. She is on food stamps.... she's looking for a job.... I have no idea what she'll do for child care and I'm sure when her dad has the kids and she goes shopping, people think she's lazy and should get a job but they DO NOT KNOW!


OP... Good luck to you. You have my prayers. If I didn't have my family I'd literally be living out of my car because we just got huge pay cuts at work. It's a hard time and you do what you have to do to survive.