by Hope
I am now entering our fourth month of unemployment. It is only by the grace and generosity of others that I have not accumulated any additional debt and am not too far behind on bills. (I was so grateful that so many took my post What I have Learned being Poor to heart. One reader even graciously reached out and offered to pay a bill for us. I didn’t want to make a big deal of it, but I did want to acknowledge the gift and generosity. So thank you for the generous gift of paying our electric bill last month!)
I am continuing to job search and interview, but as of today am no closer to a full time job. I am happy to report that I’ve picked up three small website projects for the month of February, so I have high hopes of catching up with monthly bills and being in a better place going to March.
I’m sorry I haven’t gotten around to replying to everyone on my post regarding the lower paying position I interview for (Is it Worth It?), taking the job or not did not become a question as it was no offered, but I reached the same conclusion as many of you that it just didn’t make sense financially any way I looked at it. I am interviewing for another part time job tomorrow, but hopefully the pay rate will be more in line with what I need…I hope. I don’t mind piece-mealing together a paycheck with a variety of part time jobs and projects, but I am hoping to at least have steady income of some sort while I continue to search for a full time position.
I can’t remember if I have mentioned here that with certainty we will be moving in April. I will write a whole post on this part of our lives. But essentially, because my initial plan when I signed this lease back in August/September was that we would for certain move to better housing at the end of April (our school year end) even if it meant moving away from here. So when I signed the lease, I signed the move out notice at the same time. Fast forward to the first week in December, and I was notified by the complex office that our apartment has been rented out, so staying put is not an option. So we will be moving…but without a job, what kind of housing can we move too? This has been a constant prayer request for me, but an answer/option has come. I will share that plan in another post soon.
Another status update is regarding our pets…we are down to two from the original four. (You can read about this plan: Re-homing Pets.) I’m continuing to only solicit homes from people we know, and while there are currently no placements, with 2.5 more months, I am hopeful. Although it is getting tougher and tougher to think about.
Other than that, we are moving right along…basketball season is coming to an end for Princess, robotics season ended this past weekend for the twins and gymnast is approaching the end of his season.
One side note: I am going to mention this because it is financially related, but I do not and will not revisit the discussion of my ex or child support….My ex, the youngest two children’s dad has gotten a job. He has 6 weeks or so of training to do at a minimal rate, but then he assures me he will begin providing regular support for the kids….woohoo! And even better…health insurance. So I will keep you posted, but many will remember that it was a year ago this past October that he let me know he could not provide any support for the kids due to job issues. So this will be greatly appreciated and quite timely due to my job situation.
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.
It’s good to hear you may be receiving some child support soon, in times like these every little bit counts. With all that you’ve grown over the last few years when you do get a full time position you are going to be so much better off in many aspects of your life.
I can’t remember if you have said before that you have any specific plans for your summer yet. But I often hear of people doing a long term mission in an area of need through either their own church or a larger religious organization. It’s something that I wish had the chance to do.
I’m sure your answer will come to you when it’s supposed to.
With our whole lives in limbo as far as where we will be this summer, not to mention lack of money…I am holding off on any definite summer plans. All though it irks me to do so as I am missing out on all the “sign up early discounts” but not really anything I can do about it.
About ten years ago, I’d just been employed as the manager of a community based business at the age of 22 and I often felt entirely out of my depth. In the first two months, my partner and father to my daughter left me. It was a really challenging time. I was broke, over my head and alone raising a one year old and working full time.
The previous manager had left a card pinned above my desk, the card said “Where God guides, he provides”. It bought me comfort in those times when I had no faith in myself. It is what I think of when I read your posts – something better must be in store for you. Best of luck with your interview.
Hope. Have you considered substitute teaching at local public schools in your area to add some flexible income. In our area if you have a degree you can be paid $100 per day. You also have the option to accept or decline each assignment. Not a long term option but could help in the meantime.
Hope – I have no advice, just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you and cheering you on – you are amazing!