The Brit: Surviving Tough Times

It's been a month.  

A long, awful, penniless month.  

I have applied just about everywhere that I possibly can, and you know how many people have called me back?

Two.  Two businesses.  

This economy is balls.  My boyfriend works at Pasta Incorporated, where I had my first interview last week (it looks good but they haven't called for a second interview yet.  Ugh) and he's up for his yearly review today.  His hours have dwindled lately, and it's gotten to the point where he can either afford rent or food - not both.  He's been trying to get a second job but finds himself in the same boat as I.  He's had one call back, from a grocery store located too far away from the house to get to.  

I don't qualify for unemployment benefits in this state, and I'm sinking fast.  Does anyone have any advice about what I can do?  

Love, kisses, and a moth-eaten wallet,

--TheBrit

Comments

[Trippetta]

Yup. Everybody is in that particular boat. And the same advice applies to them as to you: Keep trying, explore alternatives, and worse comes to worst, move back in with the parentals or become a hobo. -_-

[TechChewToy]

Oh hon, I'm sorry. I'm in a terrible position myself right now, struggling at a job that's far away paying me too little and treating me like shite.

I have to ask though- what happened to the last place? Did the crazy chick end up messing things up for you??

[photoslave]

I'm in the same boat, kid. Broke and depending on my parents. If I can't find a new job in the next couple of weeks, I'll have to apply for food stamps just to help with groceries. Luckily my area of Michigan (just moved a couple weeks ago) isn't as hard hit as the Detroit area. Lots of hugs and luck sent your way.

[QueryQueen]

File for unemployment your old state. If you've been in the US for at least 2 years, you might have enough wages to file. I know from personal experience, you don't need to live in the state you are filing in. After I was laid off, I moved out west, but all my wages were in NY, so that is where I filed. I just had to register to look for work out here.

Worth checking out...

[Ashy-Boy]

I'm trying to get a second job myself, Brit. Hairy Dickson's putting up new hours come the end of the month, and it's cutting me back about two hours a week...it doesn't seem like much when I type it, but that's a nice 36$ out of my paycheck every two weeks. My brother and his girlfriend have also been applying everywhere for jobs, and they've had no luck.

Worse comes to worse, move here to Bumblefuck, DE, and we'll all get a dinky apartment together. I clean and I do some cooking!

[TheBrit]

Ashy-Boy, if RHU posters all got an apartment together and lived in the same place, I think that that city would be a better place for it :D

QueryQueen, that's fantastic advice. I never thought about applying back in New York. I'm definitely going to try that until something pulls through.

And as for Pizza Pit...I'm going to write a post on what happened after I left very soon. It's all too funny, and Rude really screwed himself over after firing me.

[hurk]

You could try calling back Pasta Inc under the premise of wanting to thank them for giving you an interview. Or just straight out ask about what's going on on their end.

If you haven't tried yet, go from store to store to get paper applications if they have any. I got my last two jobs because the stores needed help and I got the application from the asst. manager in each place. One said she put in a good word for me and the other I think he might have as well.

Good luck!

[Sara]

Brit, a lot of michigan best buys are hiring, also bed bath and beyonds and target. In early spring, home depot will be hiring seasonal for garden center.

[Spritzy]

You may want to see if there are any local food banks/food pantrys that would provide you with some canned goods and maybe household supplies (soap, toilet paper, toothpaste) ask local churches for info on that.
You could also try to see if you could work at a temp agency...the jobs may be short lived, but it'd be something till a steady income arrives.
Maybe post an ad in grocery stores and whatnot for a dog-walking/pet sitting service, make a little money and play with animals at the same time!
Also, back at asking at the local churches, also maybe ask if they have any members who are looking for a housecleaner or odd jobs like that. I did a bit of that a few years ago.

[Kelly Szentgyorgyi]

Register with employment agencies - ManPower, Kelly Services, etc. Some (like ManPower) offer FREE computer training to upgrade your skills. Once you've registered, call them EVERY day (as soon as they open), to let them know you're available.

Also, if you're interested in clerical/administrative assistant/secretarial positions, check with your local Adult Education and Parks and Recreation departments for their computer classes. Usually, their fees are very reasonable (example: $50 for an 8 week course). Some classed are one night a week for 3 hrs. You get a certificate when you complete the class.

Employers LIKE to see that their applicants have taken their own time to further their job skills with classes.

Register with your state's Unemployment Dept. See if they have training available.

Check online for local newspaper employment ads.

Register online with Monster and similar sites.

Post ads in local businesses that have community bulletin boards (grocery stores, laundromats, etc.).

Good luck!

[Buddy the Elf...What's your favorite colour?]

I agree with Kelly - start with temp agencies and go from there. You might also stop by any schools in the area and see if they need help, check their websites. I know there was a place called the Workforce Alliance (WIA was what they called themselves for short) where I used to live and they gave free training as well (might be the state's unemployment department Kelly was talking about). They really helped me get some things in order.

Some job sites other than monster are:
www.indeed.com
www.snagajob.com
www.careerbuilder.com

Good luck and keep us in the loop!

[Fedora]

Same boat, same story. Definitely ask around for church handouts. Even if you don't believe, you'd be surprised. Find alternative things to do. Watch a neighbors house over night for a few bucks. If you can find a close flea market, ask the vendors if they need help with anything. Good luck.

[Bingo Worker]

In addition to all the other things said, if you have a bachelor's degree you may be able to substitute teach, depending on the requirements in your state. It's not steady, and you get told whether you have work at ass-early in the morning, but it's something. I know that in my state, most districts require you to have a sub license (some papers and about $100 :( ) but a bunch of the private schools don't care about that, they need the subs too badly.

[grmrsan]

You can also do some mystery shopping, for a little extra. It doesn't pay the bills, but you can usually get grocery shops that reimburse you for $15-20 a trip plus $5-10 pay I can do several a week, nd occasionally you can score a really good paying one. I got about $300 fake house hunting about six sites once.

[lk]

Ask around as much as you can. Let everyone (friends, family, people you see at the shops) know that you are looking for work. They may be able to refer you to something or give you a recommendation. I got a job at a dollar store because I chatted up the cashier on a slow day and told her I was hunting for work. She called the manager up, he interviewed me right there. I brought him my resume the next day and had a job by the end of the week. If you are a good customer that the employees like, they may just want you for a co-worker. It's worth a shot. :)

[Music Girl]

Like someone else mentioned, see if there's a food bank/meals on wheels type thing in your area. They're normally pretty good at helping people out, even working people who just don't make enough to make ends meet.

Other than that... It sucks, but it is possible to live off of Ramen and tuna (or other cheap food). Just pretend you're a broke college student :P

[Patricia]

Good go to's are dog walking, or babysitting/house sitting. Even house cleaning. Good luck!