She is soon to be made redundant

Well, sad to say this but she may have to sell her house. She wouldn't be the first one to have to do that and she won't be the last. Everyone is having some money problems and job problems and we all do what we have to do to survive. It is sad but it is reality. My daughter and I live in a two bedroom basement suite and we are paying $1500 a month for it and our business is hurting a bit right now and we are barely able to pay our rent as well as all of our other expenses. So we are looking for a cheaper place and living in Calgary, there isn't much that is going to be cheaper unless it is a dump. But we may have to lower our standards and live in a dump till things get better for us. We all have to do what we have to do to survive. Good luck to your friend and good luck to you and hoepfully you and your family won't be affected by all of this.

I don't know which country you live in but here in the UK there is a lot of people in your friend's situation. I can't advise about other countries but for anyone in the UK who finds themselves in such circumstances, I would advise the following:- (a) if you have children then you will get Children's Tax Credits (b) if you have a mortgage, then you will get assistance in the form of Housing Benefit which will pay the interest on your mortgage (c) speak to your JobCentre Plus - they have a number of schemes to get people back into work such as work trials etc (d) register with as many employment agencies as you can - they can usually match up people with employers better than the JobCentre (e) if you take a lower paid job that pays minimum wage then you may be able to top up your earnings with Working Tax Credits and if you have children and you need to use the services of a registered childminder or nursery, you can get up to 80% of your childcare costs back in the form of Childcare Tax Credits (f) if you take a lower paid job and you rent from a private landlord, then you can get assistance in the form of a Local Housing Allowance from your local authority (g) go to the government's website "Directgov" which will tell you what help is available to you. I am sure that other countries have similar forms of help. Regardless of which country you live in, there are certainly things that you can do to make sure that you get back into work. Firstly, your CV or resume is important. It needs to make you stand out, be comprehensive yet not too long (three single sided A4 sheets is about right). Secondly, don't think you can't get a job just because you've never done it before. As long you can transfer your skills you will be able to apply for most jobs although if you're training is in selling workwear then don't think you can get a job as a brain surgeon that just isn't going to happen! Finally, be positive. When you go for an interview don't depress the interviewer by telling them your woes in a sad way; put a positive spin on everything. If you lost your job through redundancy for example don't tell an interviewer that you're depressed about it, even if you are, rather tell them that you see it an opportunity to expand your working horizons. It is always sad to see people in unfortunate circumstances and due to the current economic situation it seems that many more will be in that situation. Keep smiling though - in the words of a song "Things Can Only Get Better".

I am pretty much in the same boat myself. Last year my boyfriend and I, with the help of his family opened a little store here. It is a gret store. We sell closeout items and low prices. It is a great kinda store to have now and to shop at with this kind of economy. Unfortunately business is BAD. We went from have $1,000 sales days when we first opened to having $20 days! We are all looking for other jobs now. MY car is getting repossessed TODAY because I can no longer afford the $223 payments, and I am literally sick from all of this. I told my uncles yesterday that I am thinking I will have to move to another country to just find a simple job. There is NOTHING here where I live. I am putting in applications left and right and no luck. How are people surviving? How am I gonna survive?

Since I work in a public school as a teacher,I dont worry much about my job.Im sorry to hear that your friend is in such difficult situation.I think she should have faith first.I hope she believes that the future will always be brighter.She should learn to look at the bright side.Good luck to your friend.

sorry to hear that. maybe she could create a job herself. it's difficult to be employed but still there are many trades around us, like transfering restaurant.she has only to rent one.if she has no such amount of money, she can begin a lower-cost self-made business. god bless her.

One of my friend who worked in a sino-america joint venture company was made redundant at the end of 2008. Fortunately,he got extra 6months salary. Now he has already find a good job. I hope ur friend can find new job soon.

That is so sad... i feel sorry for your friend... losing her job and not finding one immediately... the tension and stress must be overbearing on her part because of her responsibilities... i hope she would be able to recover soon... In my country... companies are trying their best not to let go of any employees... even if it means cutting days or hours... just like what my brother's company did... they no longer work 6 days a week but one 5 days now... and no more overtime... that means less earning... but that is a lot better than nothing at all...

no. i don't have friend in that situation. all of person around me have their jobs and their salary athough not too much. but they all can feed themselves. i can't take more attention to them. and you can choose a hard busy work for themseves. although for some not have ability person such as old and disease or less than some salary monthly person , the goverment will give them a little subsidy every moth. my country if you take your labor, you will never be in hungry.

Hi maximax8, It is a difficult time these days but she will have to go on job seekers allowance and she will get help. Tamara