Survival debt

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
Survival debt
11
Tue, 10-11-2005 - 5:09pm
I found this site today and found it very interesting as I read the article posted last week about the white collar job search. I'm experiencing being over-educated and constantly in transition. I moved to a new city just over 2 years ago. At that time, my debt was mainly student loans. Now, after 2 years of "taking what I could get" (the GREAT advice people give you when they aren't the ones going through it)...I have credit cards totalling nearly $20,000. In fact, the balance of my 3 remaining student loans plus my car is now lower than my credit card debt. All because I've attempted to live on dead-end nowhere temp jobs while looking for a position comparable to what I left behind in broadcasting. The credit cards used to be only for emergencies like unexpected car repairs, but now I've needed them to survive because my jobs don't pay me enough to pay my rent, student loans, car payment, utilities and buy food and gas. I have not run them up by going on expensive vacations or buying clothes. The only time I leave this town is when I go to see my family in another state (which because of the distance is usually only once or twice a year). I wear clothes and shoes until they can no longer be worn because they're so outdated or have holes in them. The last couple of months, I've had to pay one credit card bill with checks from the other credit card and vice versa because the payments are now more than I can come up with, and I've had some very slow weeks as far as work goes. This is all very upsetting, but until I can find a job that pays me enough to live on, I don't know how I'll get ahead.
Sorry this is so long, but I really don't have anyone I can talk to about this.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-16-2004
In reply to: lilpinknose
Tue, 10-11-2005 - 7:03pm

It sounds to me that the one thing you really need is steady income.

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Avatar for aerandel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: lilpinknose
Tue, 10-11-2005 - 8:53pm
Hi there! I was wondering if you might be able to find another job, so that you are working two jobs to help meet the bills. One idea is that you might be able to be a substitute teacher. Many districts will hire substitutes who are not necessarily certified in education as long as they have a degree (bachelors, etc.). This is a way to make extra money. Most districts pay anywhere from 70-100 dollars a day and usually the lesson plans are laid out for you so you just do what is written there. It is a thought. It still leaves your evenings and weekends free for another job. That is the setup I am working with now and it seems to be helping to get me financially in order. I don't know what your family situation is or if that is even feasable for you, but it might be something to look into. Good luck!

                          

             

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
In reply to: lilpinknose
Tue, 10-11-2005 - 8:53pm
Hi, I agree with others. I did the FT/PT gig for awhile. Didnt get ahead. Really didnt make competitive salary in PT job. Of course, everyone told me this, but I had to find out for myself. l) With your broadcasting credentials, can you get a gig at radio station at local college? Independent station? Public television? Sign up for internship? Get credentials to teach broadcasting (or certificate?) Have friend who was not a teacher, who got teaching credentials recently, so she has something else to fall back on. 2) If it is too competitive in your area, what about a another town? I went thru the jobs of hard knocks---underpaid, etc. Finally found a FT gig, but DH job is uncertain. Hope you can get a FT gig soon. Maybe you need to look outside of broadcasting jobs to other jobs that use your skills--marketing, public speaking, teaching, etc. Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
In reply to: lilpinknose
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 9:18am
Yes, as a matter of fact, I've substituted and have applied for other jobs to do at night and one weekends. It's still not enough. I need one job with a decent income so I can focus on getting out of debt and having some kind of life.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
In reply to: lilpinknose
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 9:23am
Thank you for the suggestion....in fact, I've already been looking for jobs outside of broadcasting that would use similar skills, including those you mentioned. No luck, so far. I really don't have the money to move anywhere else now, and like I said, I had moved here only 2 years ago.
Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: lilpinknose
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 11:25am

I am familiar with your story!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
In reply to: lilpinknose
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 7:23pm

I just wanted to let you know I understand. I have been there, still there. I am educated and a great worker - companies have either gone under or been dead end. Its not what it used to be out there. Working hard and having a degree doesn't get you anywhere sometimes! Some people luck out and get great jobs and have parents with money to pay their survival expenses. For some, they have a partner to combine an income with. Then theres the rest of us! I have moved to 4 states since graduating college. I know some in the older generation (aka my aunts and uncles) think I am crazy, yet I don't want to stay at a dead end job and hope the doors don't close. Because on a few of my past jobs, they have! I've taken second jobs waitressing. It doesn't always help. I exhaust myself working and still not enough. I get frustrated sometimes because I am not splurging - shopping, vacations, shoes. I don't even buy coffee - I drink it free at work! I think there is a stigma that people in debt have poor spending habits. For some of us, it is that we are grossly under employed. If I was spending on a credit card for new shoes, I would not expect people to support me on that. But when I am buying gas, groceries and paying the bills and people think i am "financially irresponsible" I get really frustrated. I am right there with you. Someday it will get better for both of us!!

Take care.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
In reply to: lilpinknose
Wed, 10-12-2005 - 8:17pm

I understand exactly the position you're in. My dh was laid off 8 months ago and has been doing all sorts of little jobs 7 days a week to keep us afloat. He's in IT, so jobs are few and far between, and competition for them is fierce. He was the lead candidate for a great job last week, but the company had offered the person leaving more money to stay and he stayed (the interviews they did were "insurance" in case he decided to follow through with leaving). :( This is the 2nd time this has happened since his layoff.

I really feel for you but unfortunately have no good advice -- I just thought it might help a bit to know that you're not alone in your situation and that others empathize completely! I hope you're able to find a great job very, very soon!

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
In reply to: lilpinknose
Fri, 10-14-2005 - 1:59pm
Thank you, Amy...I know things are tough out there and everyone's got something they have do deal with. I've read more and more lately about people being displaced from their jobs and it actually turns out to be a good thing because they find what they really want to do. One website I go to regularly and get a free weekly newsletter is very inspiring called www.48days.com. Your husband might find some good ideas there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
In reply to: lilpinknose
Fri, 10-14-2005 - 2:03pm
Thank you...I KNOW things will get better for us. Maybe we can't change the fact that people look at everyone who's in debt as irresponsible. But, as long as we know the truth, that's all that matters.

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