C R A P

[nebe]

I'm being laid off.

I have two weeks to find another job that I can bring home $1800+ a month with no degree. I'm still in school, living on my own and I have no savings to speak of.

I've never been so scared in my life.

I hate to ask FH for anything because I'm worried he'll resent it (he's not laid back about money, we split everything 50/50 for bills). My parents are divorcing, I don't speak to my mother, and my father already put $1100 into my car last month; not to mention he's paying all my sister's bills because she got fired. I'm going to go to a temp agency after I get out of class tomorrow. This is just un-freaking-believeable. Grr.

Woe.

 

[kellybelly]

awful!

i''m not sure what line of work you are in, but i would say register with a temp agency. they can usually place you pretty quickly and the pay is totally decent. are you in the ny/nj area? i could give you a few names.

 

[Kaleigh]

Definitely check out the Temp agencies in your area. I hope you find another job soon.

 

[Independent Gal]

Oh, that SUCKS! So sorry to hear it. And yup. Temp agency is your best interim bet.

But honey, as soon as you start earning again, promise me you'll start SAVING! You should have at LEAST 3 months expenses in the bank for emergencies like this, before you save for anything else. And YES that includes diamonds.

In fact, especially before diamonds! Not that that rock on your paw that you bought yourself isn't yummy and not that it doesn't bring you lots of pleasure. But first make sure you can pay your bills in case of an emergency, only after necessities are looked after should you be dropping wads of cash on luxury items.

I hope you get on your feet again quickly! Keep us posted! We'll be rooting for you!

 

[isaku5]

I''m so so sorry! That''s a sad predicament to be in

I hope the Temp agency is able to find you something very quickly.

Sending lots of great job- finding vibes your way. Keep us posted.

 

[nebe]

Date: 10/11/2007 4:15:47 PM
Author: kellybelly
awful!

i''m not sure what line of work you are in, but i would say register with a temp agency. they can usually place you pretty quickly and the pay is totally decent. are you in the ny/nj area? i could give you a few names.

I work in the marine aquarium industry (which is totally random, it just happened) and I''ve been at my job 3 years. I live in Western MA and it''s a dying hobby because of the net. So... my boss deicided I''ve got to go. I''m going to try a temp, but I''m worried about my hours (I have classes from 9-12:30 M-F)

I think I''ve used all the sad smiley things.

 

[mirre]

What a horrible situation!

Good luck with the Temp Agency!

Since you said you''d hate to ask your FH to help you out because you split things 50/50, if you don''t find something and you need his help and have to ask him, do you think you''d feel better about it if you offered to make up for it once you do get back up on your feet? Sort of pay him back or pick up a couple extra bills once you find something? If you''re worried about him resenting you for asking maybe by you offering to make up for it he''ll see that you aren''t just wanting to take advantage (not that he would see it that way but you get the idea). And who knows he may just suprise you and tell you he''ll help you out and not to pay him back.

Hope it all works out REALLY SOON!!!

 

[nebe]

Date: 10/11/2007 4:25:35 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Oh, that SUCKS! So sorry to hear it. And yup. Temp agency is your best interim bet.

But honey, as soon as you start earning again, promise me you''ll start SAVING! You should have at LEAST 3 months expenses in the bank for emergencies like this, before you save for anything else. And YES that includes diamonds.

In fact, especially before diamonds! Not that that rock on your paw that you bought yourself isn''t yummy and not that it doesn''t bring you lots of pleasure. But first make sure you can pay your bills in case of an emergency, only after necessities are looked after should you be dropping wads of cash on luxury items.

I hope you get on your feet again quickly! Keep us posted! We''ll be rooting for you!

I bought my RHR when I still lived with my parents, and since I moved out, I burned through what I did have and haven''t made enough to resupply. I feel like an idiot but I really don''t have anything left. FH is supposed to pay for the diamond and I the setting, but at this rate if he has to help me until I''m back on my feet, there may BE no diamond.

Is there a violently sobbing smiley icon?

 

[Independent Gal]

If that''s the case, it will be a sad thing since you love diamonds as much as I do. But you''ll live Honey! And when you DO get your diamond, it will be all the sweeter. My mom was married to my step-dad 24 years before she got her diamond. They paid off the house. Put enough aside for retirement, helped my entrepreneur brother through his lean broke years, and then... when all the other important things were in place and taken care of... she got 2.67 carats of compressed carbon goodness.

I would NEVER have let FI buy me my Bulgari bling if we didn''t already have stacked retirement funds, emergency savings (which recently evaporated due to the special assessment on my condo

), and a chunk of equity in my condo. Because, as you say, being broke is seriously scary. Now we''re putting rebuilding the emergency savings FIRST, then wedding stuff second. Another emergency could come at any time, after all!

The trick with money is to arrange it so that you are never up at night worrying about it.

I guess I sound like an old SHOE lecturing you like this! But seriously! Seriously! You''re young! Acquire good money habits NOW and you''ll be oh so glad later.

You seem like a bright go-getter. So I have high hopes you''ll find something soon!

Here''s a trick: go into places and ASK if they need someone. When I was younger, I twice got jobs that way. Just went into a store I liked and said ''Don''t suppose you need any help around here?'' and dropped off a CV. Sometimes people don''t think about it till you ask and then they go ''Come to think of it, it WOULD be nice to have my Sundays covered'' or something like that.

 

[musey]

Don''t worry! If you push yourself to get out and find a job, you''ll find something quickly. I worked through a temp agency for a short time a couple of years ago, and it was relatively easy to find jobs that paid $15+/hour. You''ll be okay! Just don''t waste time sobbing on PS about it (though we love to have you hear and will do what we can to help)... go out and find that job!!!

 

[mirre]

If you are in school until 12:30 everyday that''s acutally not a bad schedule. They should have no problem placing you with someone! It''ll all be ok!!!

 

[nebe]

Date: 10/11/2007 4:52:13 PM
Author: Independent Gal

I guess I sound like an old SHOE lecturing you like this! But seriously! Seriously! You''re young! Acquire good money habits NOW and you''ll be oh so glad later.

You seem like a bright go-getter. So I have high hopes you''ll find something soon!

Here''s a trick: go into places and ASK if they need someone. When I was younger, I twice got jobs that way. Just went into a store I liked and said ''Don''t suppose you need any help around here?'' and dropped off a CV. Sometimes people don''t think about it till you ask and then they go ''Come to think of it, it WOULD be nice to have my Sundays covered'' or something like that.

Deep breaths.

I got THIS job through asking and dropping off a resume (which he''d never seen before, lol) So I''m okay with interview skills and all that junk, I''m just worried. I''m going to try and collect unemployment (my boss is shady, he doesn''t pay it) and maybe work for a temp agency if I can find something.

My mother works for a hospital and if I crawl back to her she might be able to get me a clerical job, which would pay higher than what I do now;

BUT I''d have to swallow my pride AND morals... and I don''t think I''m that desperate yet.

I''ve been TRYING to develop good money habits, but I take after my mother which means I''m an emotionally compulsive spender, eater and cleaner. I''m working on it though. I''ll do better next time.

...where are my want ads?

 

[Independent Gal]

Emotionally compulsive cleaner?! That''s great! Want to come live with us till you''re back on your feet?

Don''t ask your mom for a job. I''m sure you''ll find something on your own! I have faith in you!

 

[nebe]

Oh, GOOD, faith is good.

And yes, cleaner. Especially when FH goes out and I''m left to my own devices all night. I''m seriously cleaned behind the toilet with a toothbrush (not his

). It''s bad.

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, I once cleaned the grout between my bathroom tiles with a toothbrush. Not sure what got in to me. It was kinda fun, actually, and grout looked way better!

 

[nebe]

I spoke to FH, and before I even asked he said "we'll get your bills paid, don't stress."

He's going to take care of me! I feel so much better. I still don't have a job but... better.

 

[isaku5]

YAY !!! A big round of applause for FH

I was worried that he might not come through for you after the "Tahoe" incident.

Be sure that you understand exactly what the arrangements will be before getting too excited, but it sounds promising.

 

[nebe]

Date: 10/11/2007 7:46:55 PM
Author: isaku5
YAY !!! A big round of applause for FH

I was worried that he might not come through for you after the ''Tahoe'' incident.

No no, I spoke to him about it and he''s going to pay for groceries, my car insurance, rent, CC''s minimum, and phone bill for next month if I can''t make it. I have one more full-time check and two half-time checks coming. I''m going to ask my boss if I can apply for unemployment, if he says no (because he''s never paid into it, I was always labelled as PT), I''ll find a temp until I can find a new permanent full time position.

We''ve got it. We''re such a good team.

I love him so much.

 

[laine]

Good luck finding a job! Waitressing might be a reasonable option with your hours. Not exactly ideal, but it usually pays pretty well. (Just until something better comes along)

 

[DMBsGirl]

OMG (**hugs**) so sorry to hear this. I second the temp agency thing, even if its not a job related to your field.

 

[sera]

Temp agencies are great... and if you do a great job, you may find something permanent.

I''m not sure when UPS hires on a bunch of people for holiday help, but they are always hiring people anyway. It''s NOT a job for everyone- it''s difficult and tiring, but it pays well and they have ppl working all hours. It also can be difficult for women (teamster attitudes n all). But... it''s there for something temp.

What about looking for work with businesses that do aquarium maintenance? Fish "sitters" for when ppl are on vacation? What about something temp at school? Most also have job listings for students looking for employees, and they are willing to give you a flexible schedule cuz of classes.

Good luck! I hope you find something quickly that pays well and you enjoy!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Nesse,
Were you in sales or did you do more like install tanks etc? I ask because sales is sales. It doesn''t matter if it''s fish and aquarium or cars, the same basic principles are used. I think you could probably transfer the skills you developed to another sales position.

Best of luck

 

[honey22]

That''s bad news nebe! This might sound totally cliche and airy fairy but I really believe that things happen for a reason. This door closing may mean another opens up, and who knows, in a few weeks/months you will be in a much better place. There have been hard times in my life where I have tried to keep telling myself and I can honestly look back and see the positives. Good luck and hopefully things will turn out even bettern than before!! hugs!!

 

[wolftress]

That''s horrible! I know how scary it must be to lose your financial independence, but good on your FH for helping you out! You''ll be back on your feet in no time. You have working experience - I''m sure a temp agency will find something for you.

Good luck, and I agree with Indy Gal, don''t ask your mum for a job. You''ll regret it.

 

[Delster]

Aw nebe I''m sorry to hear about your job. Wishing you lots of luck on the hunt for a new and hopefully better one!

 

[MoonWater]

First, I highly recommend temp/placement agencies. They have saved me twice before and I actually ended up with one decent permanent job that paid pretty well, and currently a great job that I love and plan to move up and retire from. On another note, if you can do clerical work and have good phone skills (or at least able to sell yourself), I would highly recommend being a receptionist at a law firm, or a receptionist in general. They tend to pay reasonably well and if you're lucky you will get to study at work. Also a lot of places have evening hours so your school schedule wouldn't be a problem.

ETA: I'm not sure why you need to ask your boss about unemployment. That should have nothing to do with his choice, it should be a matter of law. I suggest researching unemployement benefits in your state to see what the deal is. I had a job that decided to drastically cut my hours with no warning and I was forced to quit. They tried to contest paying unemployment. We had to meet at the unemployment office with a lawyer, tell each side of the story, and I won. A layoff is not voluntary and it's not being fired due to your own behavior, you should be entitled. But again, check the laws in your state. I'm not sure if it's different state to state.

 

[surfgirl]

I wouldn''t ask your boss about unemployment. He laid you off, you didn''t quit, and therefore you should be entitled to something. Just go sign up. Your boss not paying into unemployment is illegal and depending on whether or not you qualify (only the unemployment office can tell you that), you will probably be entitled to something.

 

[crown1]

your part time status will not qualify you in some states for unemployment benefits. a google search will help you with some requirements. i think finding a new job will be of the most use to you. good luck!

 

[Independent Gal]

Glad to hear your guy will be your ''back-up plan!'' Good luck with the job search and keep us posted.

I had another idea (which you probably already thought of!): maybe your college has jobs for students? Like in the library or something?

 

[nebe]

I called the UEO today and the woman I spoke to told me that since he cut my hours in half and refuses to completely lay me off (I asked him today if I could file and he said if I don''t work the half time and leave, he''s going to say I quit!!) but I may be entitled to UE to make up the difference while I look for another job. She said she wasn''t positive though, so I have to call back Monday (when I effectively lose hours, I am working Sunday) and file, see what they say. I hate it being so up in the air but... grr.

I now have Fridays and Saturdays off all day for the remainder of the time I spent here so I''m going to look for under the table work like house cleaning to help. I dislike my boss greatly, he''s a shady individual with no regard for ANY of his employees. I feel like an idiot for staying here so long and being taken advantage of.