Robbing Peter to pay paul...

[divagirl]

I am in such financial distress. I lost my job last march...couldn't get a job by the time unemployment ran out. Got a job at Macy's which last until the 1st week of January. I am in serious debt. I am paying bills off my line of credit at the bank. I have been on 4 interviews in the last 2 weeks. I am praying to God that I get one of them soon. I am soooo stressed out over the amount of debt I have built and the fact that I only have so much line of credit left to pay bills without falling behind. Has anyone been in such a bad situation and got themselves out of it. I am freaking out!

Tina

 

[Fit_mommy]

I've never been in such dire straights and I'm so sorry that you are going through this. However, I DO know what it's like to worry about how you are going to pay your next bill, etc. I am very crazed about paying my bills and when I even think for one moment that I won't have enough money I worry so much that it makes me feel sick and keeps me up at night. I hope that you get a job soon and that it all works out for you.

Have you considered trying one of those debt consolidation services? Just be careful because not every bank, etc. is willing to work with them...I personally worked for a bank that did not. If you think you might want to give them a shot though, you might want to call up your debtors anonimously and find out if they work with those services or not....Just a thought.

Best of luck! I feel for you!

 

[smoogy]

Sorry to hear that Tina. Have you tried a temp service? Wish I could help more. Good luck.

 

[Fit_mommy]

Great idea Marla! Temping is a great way to get work short term and there are also many companies who are ultimately looking to hire on a permanent employee and go the temp route to "try before they buy"!! Give it a shot! I got a permanent f/t position that way many years ago.!

 

[40something]

I too sympathize with your situation. This is the very reason that DH and I have always lived BELOW our means and saved/invested as much money as we could every month, and still do. In this day and age, you never know what is going to happen to your job situation next week...let alone next month. My advice to you is get out tomorrow and start applying for jobs...ANY JOB. If I lost my income tomorrow I would not be too proud to go back to working in restaurant kitchens or other such minimum wage jobs because I would rather keep my head above water than start living on a line of credit. Two part time jobs at minimum wage will keep you afloat for awhile and you won't be going to the bank for more money and more money that you will have to pay back once you do get a better paying job. I hope you aren't also running up your credit card.

The big box stores are always hiring. Restaurants are always hiring. Waitresses make good money in tips if you're good at it. Factories are always hiring and in this day they only want to keep you for 90 days anyway and then they won't hire you permanently. That gives you 90 days to find another job. Also consider the delivery companies if you have one close to you. I know UPS pays a decent wage for the night shifts that sort all the packages. And yes, these aren't jobs you want for the rest of your life but you know what, in your situation you need to get money coming in. You can't afford to be picky about your place of employment or even the hours. Instead of sitting around waiting for a job call, get out there and find one to hold you over until a more desireable job comes along.

It's up to you to take control of your life at this point. But I would certainly rather work the night shift somewhere, anywhere, than continue to borrow money that you have no means to repay at this point. What if your car breaks down and needs $500 in repairs? What if you break a bone falling off a curb and run up doctor bills? See my point? ANY INCOME is better than none.

Good luck and I hope you get that dream job call soon.

 

[sparrow]

Hi Tina!

So sorry you are going through this. I've been there and I know how nervewracking it is. Temping is definitely a good option. Start calling them today and line up appointments with them! Once they approve you as a client you can be out on a two or three week assignment tomorrow or the next day! I also agree with 40something about getting any job right now. Nobody really wants to work a minimum wage job - especially if you haven't in the past - but that will slow the halt into Debtor's Hell. I'm no financial planner but I think the most important things are 1) keep the roof over your head and 2) stop using that line of credit ASAP! Once those are under control you can start thinking about paying off your bills (put some aside every single paycheck, no exceptions!) and looking for a better job.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

HUGS!

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage

 

[ldy_solana]

hi tina, i think the temp thing or getting whatever job you can now is a good idea. we were lucky b/c when we were in debt he still had a steady job. so once you can get a paycheck see if you can deal with them for payments as much as you think you can handle. we were paying off several things a month and it was a killer but when tax time came about we only owed about $1500 total and was able to pay it off. you might also want to see what debt consalidators offer. we didn't do it b/c they were getting a bad rap around this area for not making the payments on time even though ppl would send them the money early. they are like the middle man for negotiating your debt payments. we just did it on our own but we pulled through and i am sure you will too.

keep your chin up and i am sending you good prayers,thoughts, and wishes. there is only one way to go now UP!!!

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey

 

[SRP]

Hi Tina -
I sure am sorry to hear about this. I've lost my job a couple times, and it is always very, very stressful. I really freak out. I don't know what to tell you about getting out of debt - that will be hard. But once when I lost my job, I took up house cleaning. I had several houses, and that kept my head above water until I found a job more to my liking. Things were tight, but like the others have said, it was a source of income to keep me from going into debt.

Once you do find a job, stop all charges to your credit line, no matter how hard it is to make ends meet. Don't charge anything anywhere. I've seen debt force people who were making good salaries into bankruptcy. There are lots of ways to live frugally and still be fairly comfortable.

I wish you the best of luck. Please take care.