Right when things were going so well...(LONG)

[Molly Meow]

DH and I have been majorly struggling for the last 2 years. I couldn't work because I was in school 30 hours a week and had another 20 hours in homework. He's been working at Wal-Mart. We've been barely getting by.

I graduated! I'm now officially a paralegal! Unfortunately, no one is hiring. I figure, that's fine. I'll just get any job I can for some income and keep looking. My parents were EXTREMELY nice and gifted us $5,000 since we had no savings.

I got hired at the Disney store. The boss is telling me she's so excited since I have a lot of retail experience. She told me that they're remodeling the first of the year, and if I did well, she'd keep me on permanent.

DH decides to quit his job. YAY! He needs to do it. He's worked there 5 years this Saturday, and it's sucking the life out of him. We don't have any kids, and we don't own a home. We have savings. He has time to find a better job.

Plus, after two freezing winters, our landlord finally decides to fix the heat!

Oh, it's so great! We both feel better than we have in years.

Then, the bomb drops. The landlord is going to sell the place. Our side of the duplex needs some MAJOR repairs, so we have to move. Great. DH has to stay at his job. There goes our savings.

The problem is, we've been living here as a favor. Our landlord is DH's grandfather's best friend. He charges us minimal rent.

We can't nearly afford another place to live, even with me working now. The deposit will wipe out at least half of our savings. My credit is excellent, but DH's stinks. All the places to live around here cost in rent about equal to what DH makes monthly. My minimal part-time minimum wage income won't even come close to paying for utilities, gas, and food.

Ah, well. We've already accepted that we're going to have bad luck the rest of our lives.

We're both seriously depressed. We have been for the last 2 years. We have no insurance and make too much money to qualify for ANY government assistance.

We're talking about having DH transfer and moving in with my parents in their tiny 1 bedroom home.

What can you do?

Thanks for listening. I really feel better having gotten that out. I don't mean to whine. I just don't want to do it to DH. He's stressed out enough as it is without me unloading on him. Living in California stinks.

 

[belleandthebeast]

Just wanted to throw some and a your way.

 

[hugsquared]

Maybe now is the time to look for work elsewhere. If you have to move anyway, job market sucks there, cost of living is so high...why not look in other states and make a fresh start? Just a thought and good luck.

 

[RobynK]

Been in your exact situation so many times I can't count that high!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Good luck to you, two. I don't have advice, but I do have a cyber

 

[MoniqueU]

Here's hoping things start working out for you. I know the cost of living here is insane.

 

[Lyn5]

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[ladycollector]

Sorry you're going through this. If it were me, I would do some online job hunting in other states, specifically Texas because they have a great cost-of-living.

Good luck!

 

[Mimi Q]

 

[mommaU4]

Living in California stinks.

I know. I used to live there. DH grew up there and still has family there. Actaually I loved living in CA and miss it terribly but with a family of 6 we would never of been able to afford a house. So we moved to MI where my family is and my grandparents gave us two and a half acres to put a house on. If not for their generousity we would still be in a 2 bedroom apt. for almost a $1000 a month.

Maybe you should think about moving elsewhere. Just be sure there are jobs though. The employment around here stinks. DH was lucky, he works in a hospital pharmacy.

I know it's tough. These days you have to be either very wealthy to survive on your own. Or dirt poor to recieve assistance. If you fall anywhere in the middle of those two extremes you are outta luck. I hope things work out for you. We are here to listen.

 

[ElizK]

Maybe now is the time to look for work elsewhere. If you have to move anyway, job market sucks there, cost of living is so high...why not look in other states and make a fresh start? Just a thought and good luck.

My thoughts, too. There are so many wonderful places you could check out. You kind of sound stuck out there. Best wishes to you!

 

[minniecarousel]

Yeah - it's tough to find a job around here. My younger DS is finding that out too. As others have asked - is staying in California a MUST for you? The cost of living is so high here - not so high in the less populated areas, but if you're not in one of the major metropolitan areas, jobs are really scarce! I guess you two need to consider all your options - go from there.

Hang in there.

 

[nwdisgal]

The only other option is to move way out (where cost of living is much less) and commute in to your job. That is an expense though in time and in money.

Hmmm. I tend to agree with others that moving to another state might be a better option.

 

[wdwmom2]

How about public housing??? You know, government subsidized(sp?), income based. I know that some of the housing around here that is subsidized is pretty darn nice!!!! Much better than alot of privately owned rentals. You may want to check on that. Hope everything works out for you .

 

[Cinderella94]

 

[Mysteria]

Ah, well. We've already accepted that we're going to have bad luck the rest of our lives.

I know it's a difficult time but try not to think like this. The way you think about things has a lot to do with the way they turn out. You made it through school right! Something will come of that. Keep your chins up and like some others have said maybe this is a time for a fresh start for you in a new city or town that is more affordable. Good luck and a little for you.

Myst