My only income about to be gone
By emarie
@emarie (5442)
United States
February 6, 2009 11:33am CST
Like most American's, my husband is getting laid off and he is our family's only source of income. The store he worked for since it opened 5 years ago is filing for bankruptcy and the buyer they had lined up had decided to not purchase the store.
It's going to be hard for us, there's no one hiring in his field and he just started going back to school for graphic design but jobs in that field need 2yrs experience minimum. while he was working (making $18/hr) we barley made it from paycheck to paycheck with over $1000 rent on a 1bedroom with 4 people in the house. its hard and i'm even away from my family, both of us are.
it's so stressful and i worry because i don't know what i can do and if there is anything i can do. i only have a HS diploma with little job experiences. i also watch my children and my nephews (total 4 boys) during the week and i can only get minimum wadge anyway which isn't much.
i don't know what to do..i'm sure there's someone out there going through the same thing. any suggestions. our main luxury is the Cable and my kids SOOO want that. I don't even have long distance and my husband needs his cell. my sister pays for mine so its not that bad. our main problem is the bills we have to pay. i make a little online through some designing stuff but it's not enough to pay the bills and buy the things we need. we haven't been able to get government support yet because they always said my husband made too much for the amount of people in the family. but by the end of the month we won't have any medical insurance (and my husband is diabetic and needs medication) and we don't even know if he'll have a job next week. so everything is very tight right now. my kids barely got things to eat, well, they don't get the proper foods since most of the things i buy is from the 99cent store. and even worse ...here in calfifornia we aren't getting a refund check because everything is on an IOU since they can't decide on a budget. so i'm praying that a stimulus package will come through...that will do help since even if my husband finds a job it will be far less then what he made.
3 people like this
15 responses
@010878 (303)
• Indonesia
8 Feb 09
well i know maybe this isn't going to help much but have you considered an online job hunting? recently i just joined a website called Odesk where you can find an online job suitable with your skilled. There are many buyer/job employer who's looking for a provider/employee and there are many different kind of jobs from virtual personal assistant to web application programming or in your husband case graphic design. I know it's probably farfetched but i found out there's actually people who already got more than 4000 hours of worked and he's charging 35$/ hour and he just do the worked on his free time so it can be a freelancer job and without leaving home. So i guess if someone actually got paid as virtual personal assistant i'm there's someone would like to hire your husband as graphic designer work especially if he's good. It's just a suggestion perhaps you can look it up and see for yourself. Just hang tight and have faith, I know it's been a very difficult situation for you and your family but I know every clouds have a silver lining. Don't lose hope and believe in the end everything will be allright.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
10 Feb 09
thanks, i'll take a look at those. i done some graphic design work but i have no official training (like a college degree), i'm more self-taught. my husband is still in school for his graphic design/web design degree. he won't be done for about 2 1/2 years. he's no monster.com looking for jobs and i hope he finds something in that field because i don't really want him doing any more manual labor because he's already been diagnosed with arthritis in his shoulder because of his current job. i know graphic designers make A LOT and my charges for my work are rather low according to my husband, hardly charged more then $100 for my services but i do that because i'm so inexperienced. but the economy is hitting me hard to because people just don't want to pay anymore. but thanks for the help and thank you for taking the time to post.
1 person likes this
@010878 (303)
• Indonesia
10 Feb 09
well you might be inexperienced but if your work is good then you should charge more. don't underestimate yourself and I know some people who actually are winners because the situations are difficult for them so they have to struggle and won and in this case it might be you. maybe now would be a good time to raise your hourly rate for your work.
@sweetpeasmom (1325)
• United States
7 Feb 09
My hubby got laid off 2 weeks ago and he was our only income . I am freaking. WE have bills that are late , car insurance, rent, etc and we still need food. So we are pretty much screwed. I do not know what we are going to do. He has been having trouble getting unemployment. because the trucking compoany he drove for is in a nother state.
@busyB4 (874)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Im so sorry sweetpeasmom! Times are harder for SO many people in our lives and those we meet right now it is horrible! And it seems to be happening more and more everyday. WIth so many businesses closing down, I am sure no ones job sems very secure anymore!!
Be sure and call the people you owe money to and explain your situation, sometimes they can help make arrangements that will buy you some time.
I hope he can find something again soon !
@emarie (5442)
• United States
10 Feb 09
wow, well, you can see we all are feeling your pain right now. i can defiantly feel it but its still good to have hope in yourself and your family. no matter how much i freak out my husband looks at me and tells me everything will be alright. although my mother is trying to use this time to try to get me to move back home with her.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
11 Feb 09
its just terrible for everyone, hon. to bad you live there to because i've heard its about the highest place to live financial. my friends son has minimum wage here in AZ and his wifes parents have been living with them. he has 2 babies also. his mom in law just got a minimum wage job at goodwill to help out. they live in one bedroom apt. also
no cable, no phone. but they get food stamps, and medical help from social services. also, the church has helped and his dad a little. maybe you can get that from welfare if he looses the job.
no cable, no phone. but they get food stamps, and medical help from social services. also, the church has helped and his dad a little. maybe you can get that from welfare if he looses the job. 
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
6 Feb 09
I know things are really hard right now but we must have faith. There are many ways to make money online. I have found that you need to search the best that you are able to. If you live the US I have some GPT programs that might help bring in a little income every month, and to me every little but helps. I would do as much reasearch online as you are able to see what kind of money you can make. I know there are people that make over 1,000 a month from being online. I guess you have to learn as much as you can and weed out the scams. I am sorry to hear about your problems but they will get better, good luck and happy mylotting.
@emarie (5442)
• United States
10 Feb 09
i've been looking online for years (since we got a computer) to find legitimate ways for me to make money and most have failed to this point. if you know of anything please message them to me and i'll take a look at them. the most is trying to find something that works, won't take my money, and can fit into my time schedule of taking care of all my kids.
@kratos1010 (21)
• United States
7 Feb 09
I know how you feel, because I almost lost my job (i didnt, but my pay was cut in half)
I now use this site:
http://mainpoints2shopcom.tk/
To get those extra things I want.
You fill out free surveys for points, then order prizes from amazon.com
It works, and is really helping me out through this depression!
@Dorrdavy (275)
• Jamaica
12 Feb 09
oh my god! i was petrified by your story,and i must say i'm very sorry to hear what happen to your family,i would love to know the site you do designs on and i know a sit called Alamy.com that deals with graphics and pics so check it out for youself and husband, i will be praying for you,you can also have my lotters know that you need finacial help so they can offer you some advice. all the best to you and your family.
@plasma (673)
• India
7 Feb 09
Kindly check http://walletboosters.com/. This is a genuine site offering exhaustive list of companies providing work at home jobs. Try and apply to as many as you can and I'm sure something good will materialize very soon.
@the_dutchess (2610)
• Philippines
7 Feb 09
I'm sorry to hear that, Emarie. Times are really tough these days but don't lose hope. I'm sure you and your husband will find a way to have an income somehow. Just pray and God won't let you down. I wish I could help so much but we're still a little tight on our budget. I just wish that we all could get through during these times and hope the recession will end soon and people can come back to their jobs. Stay safe and good luck.
@annjilena (5618)
• United States
6 Feb 09
iam so sorry your husband is losing his job i can,t say i know how you feel but i sure can imagine how you feel.espeacially he is the head of the family.i will be praying for you and your family and i hope he find some work some where god will provide for you and your family don,t worry it,s oing to be alright.i know this can add stress on you worrying how you will pay your bills it,s going to be ok.
@grammasnook (1871)
• United States
6 Feb 09
Hi Emarie,
Our family also lost all our income as well, we have been waiting 3 weeks for unemployment. I would suggest for you to go down to the welfare department and get food stamps to help you maintain food for your children. I understand you saying you only have a high school diploma you might want to think about getting into being a cna or working with the mentally challenged. My husband and I for years worked opposite shifts so we would not have to pay for a babysitter, this might help you as well. I see many poster telling you about paid surveys but that doesnt keep food on the table or pay the electric bill, it is really just pennies. Take every day a day at a time and think with your mind and not with your heart. I understand you watch your sisters children but that should be no reason for you to sacrifice your family to help her out. Sounds mean but if yours need you have to do what you have to do. Do not count on a stimulous package as it is only a temporary thing. Plus what we would get is a tax cut not an actual check. I wish you much luck with being able to cope with such a financial time in your life. I would also suggest reaching out to church groups that can help you pay for your electric and other bills. Food pantries are great as well.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
7 Feb 09
Honestly, I feel sad hearing that from you and reading other respondents here who are also in same tight financial situation. I've been praying for America and for its people. I know you will be able to to survive that crisis. Just hold on to God and be resourceful. For as long as you are not bedridden there surely are ways by which you could earn. I am from a third world country named Philippines and feel quite blessed I don't get affected by the financial crisis. I am thankful to God! Trust that I will keep on praying for America its people.
@Masmasika (1921)
• Philippines
7 Feb 09
Hi, emarie I'm sorry to hear that you are affected by the recession going on around the world. That's tough and I do hope that you will get by. You can try some good writing sites online. If you are a writer you can try Helium.com that has many offers to writers. Although by just writing it gives you only cents a day, there are other opportunities for good writers like contests and having your work published in writer's market for a better pay. Since you are from the US, you are luckier when it comes to online making money sites, there are paidsurvey sites which are only offered for US based people. You can try also associated content which is a writing site. This site pays upfront pay for US citizens.
I hope your husband gets better and find a good job soon. Good luck.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
6 Feb 09
Hi emarie, I am so very sorry to read about what is happening with you and your family. There have been so many tragedies that have taken place because of the recession and all our heart goes out every body who has to face such difficulties in life. I sincerely hope that this bad phase ends and better days come in our lives...there are a few people in my family circle too who have been badly hit by the recession, where their business has failed etc;
I am so very sorry to read about what is happening with you and your family. There have been so many tragedies that have taken place because of the recession and all our heart goes out every body who has to face such difficulties in life. I sincerely hope that this bad phase ends and better days come in our lives...there are a few people in my family circle too who have been badly hit by the recession, where their business has failed etc; @scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
7 Feb 09
Dear Emarine, sorry about yr financial plight. I've jobless for 3 months and still unemployed. Enjoy my free time though. Sleep till 9 plus, read newspaper while sipping coffee, check email, chat with friends online, read books, go for long evening walk.
Meanwhile, trying to:
a. cultivate positive attitude (quite successful, since maxing out personal loan and still happy-go-lucky)
b. learning to think like investors (reading Warren Buffet, Fisher and other investment books)
c. learning to think like businessmen (reading Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Sam Walton and others).
By the way, Donald Trump used to be US$980 million in debt. So dont worry too much, you are much better off than him! If he can pull through, so can you!
@conbill (369)
• United States
6 Feb 09
I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I myself am out of work and my only income right now is what I make doing paid surveys and such. Luckily my boyfriend and kids have filled in the gaps so I am able to live. Unfortunately, like you I only have a high school diploma and in the area I live there doesn't even seem to be that available. Being as your husband has training, I would make him a resume and register with Monster.com and every other job site on the internet.
Start now to try to get government help. I wish you all the best of luck, I really hope everything works out for you. You and your family will be in my prayers.
