Hi. I just lost my job and am very nervous about not being able to make ends meet. I have already applied for unemployment but am a bit overwhelmed. Does anyone have advice for me?

Traci, this is an issue that many face nearly everyday. My first thought is to ask you what kind of skills you acquired on your last job? If you worked in administration you can use those skills as a virtual assistant. Many business owners need assistants and can't afford to hire a full time employee. Also there are many work from home (honest)companies, most require a computer connection and phone line. This may be a perfect time of year to get a call center or customer service job.

Tracy I know a little about what you are going through. I lost my job back in July of this year. I have been floundering around, confused, depressed and lost. I live in a small town and there's just not a lot of jobs out there! Not to mention I'm disabled and a senior citizen. Not many places are too excited about hiring me. When I way laid off, I did not immediately adjust my spending habits and now I've got financial issues! Good Grief!! My advice: Hang in there!!! Budget money very carefully. Get rid of any expenses that are critical (I got rid of my land line phone and my DISH service so far). Use any contacts, friends, family, etc. to chat about jobs in your area. It's interesting what you can find out when you are just chatting with someone. Don't be embarrased to ASK for HELP! (That means going to charities for food baskets, clothes closets, food banks, soup kitchens, the government programs, etc.) Especially government help - good grief, that's what we pay taxes for!

Sandra,
That is excellent advice! Sometimes people delay in cutting off unnecessary expenses and the money goes fast.

There is some debate on unnecessary expenses. For example, some people think that the Internet/cable is neede because they need it to search for a job. The library has free Internet use, you just need to go at a time when it's not filled with others waiting to use the computer.

The land line is good to get rid of when everyone else in the house has a cell. The downside? I did a telephonic interview with a candidate using their cell phone. The problem was that during the scheduled interview time they had decided they could answer the phone while out and about running errands. Do I need to say what a disaster that was?

Traci! Good luck! More advice? Have your resume ready for tweaking. Apply for jobs quickly because everyone else is applying at the same time.

Most important? Don't give up hope because that comes through when you do get interviews.

Thank you so much for your feedback. I have not tried applying for anything virtual but have done that in the past, and got numerous scam proposals. I would love to do something online at home but don't know where to look.

Hi SandraJ, Thank you so much for your advice. I tried applying for government assistance but according to their calculations, my husband makes too much money. I was surprised we didn't qualify because we were having trouble making ends meet before, with both of us working. We don't have anything extra; we have no cable, no internet, no entertainment costs, and no credit cards. I wish you the best of luck. I hope something comes your way soon.

Hi Dianne, Thank you so much for your encouragement. I will keep at it!

Traci It certainly sounds like you have cut back a lot of "extras." I don't have entertainment costs or cable but I do have my internet connection (using it now of course). No credit cards! Wow! You are way ahead of me on that step! I have one credit card "for emergencies." That darn government --- don't know about how they calculate things! I don't qualify for any help either. You mentioned you'd like a job that you can do from home - internet stuff - well, I've seen a lot of those things advertised but seems to be scams (like you said). I do recall at one time I read something about how to find "the real thing." I'll search around and see if I can come up with a valid, reliable place to check out. Keep positive! Sandra

Hi Sandra, Thanks so much for your reply. It helps so much to hear from people like you. I can't say that I just gave up my credit card. I had one but got behind and eventually my debt on it went into collections. After that, I just never applied for another one. I had hoped to pay everything off as I went but unfortunately, I got behind the last couple months and didn't get a chance to get caught up before losing my job. I will keep staying positive. I really appreciate hearing from you.

Tracy You're welcome! I think it's very encouraging sometimes to find out we aren't alone in our issues / problems. I just thought of something else: maybe you can talk to your utility companies and see if they have a temporary plan for you to pay your monthly bills. Maybe they have one of those "flat rate" programs where you pay a set amount each month and the once a year they "balance" the books. Also, I don't know if you own your home, but sometimes mortgage / banks would rather work WITH you instead of forclosing (they really don't like to own the houses). Same thing with a landlord, maybe they will work with you...I don't know what the rental climate is like where you live, but in my town we have a lot of empty apartments & homes.

I'm new to this forum and haven't read other items, but I used to do a contract-type job and would work for months, then get laid off. Always apply for unemployment. That's the biggest helper! It shouldn't be based on what your husband makes (at least here in Michigan.)

Another thing that I do is couponing. It's not the same as extreme couponers, but you CAN save a lot and cut your grocery budget. You can also go from pre-made items to fresh - oh my, that can save a LOT! (And, it's better for your health.)

Something else I've learned... many times I would get depressed. Two things - first, get up and get dressed and open the blinds!! (Absolutely necessary!!!) Second, pray. Ask God to show you the work He has for you - sometimes it's not always a paying job. Sometimes it's time for rest, family or even personal growth. It also helps with the worry.

Kathleen, thanks so much for your input. That's great advice! I love "open the blinds" because it's so easy to want to stay in a dark depressed space.

Hi Kathleen, You mention a couple things that would be easy to take for granted but could mean the difference in getting out there and making the most of a day. Thank you for your reply. I will certainly use your suggestions. I've never been a good "couponer" so I guess it's time for me to start. I thank God every day for everything I have but sometimes it's so overwhelming because I have little compared to everyone else around me. Still, He is going to take care of me, I have to keep that in mind. Thank you again.

Glad I could help, Traci! I really have been there (heck, I'm there now, even though things are a little different being married.) Do a search on CouponMom to find a website that helps match sales to coupons so that you get the most of the deals. There are instructions how to coupon there too, I think.

Matthew 6:25-34 is the verse about not worrying. I remind myself often, because I am a PRO at worrying, that if God takes care of the birds (or other animals) He will take care of us.