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| Tue, 12-23-2008 - 12:56pm |
Last Friday was the last day before an extended one month shutdown at my job. As a former auto engineer I am accustomed to the annual year-end shutdown for retooling. It occurred every year, usually twice a year. We knew it was coming and we still got paid during that period. Since being laid off from Chrysler two years ago and working as a IT professional outside the auto industry I never experienced nor heard of a shutdown until now. Without any warning we were told last Friday during our Christmas party that we would not be able to return to work until Jan. 28, 2009!
As a contractor I will only have enough paid-time-off and holiday pay to cover 2 weeks. The remaining three weeks I will not get paid. Since last Friday I have been frantically searching the Internet, newspapers, etc. looking for "anything" that I can do to earn money over that three week period. I have even applied at White Castles, McDonald's and Burger King without any success.
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,

Brian,
Norma
"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus
Goal #1:
I have no advise other than what is offered. Just want to say "good-luck".
Tara
I know that people on the board get tired of hearing me say this. Think seniors. Seniors needs so many little things done for them. I would make a flyer and go around town and put it up in all the senior apartment complexes around town. Offer services like going to the market for them. The drug store. Places like Walgreens and CVS do not deliver. With winter coming many seniors are afraid to go out to the supermarket.
Brian,
So sorry to hear this.
I would apply for unemployment ASAP. At least you have an end-date in sight and some money to cover a portion of that time. That alone is very lucky for you.
Other than that, I agree with the other posters: check Craig's list and local ads for odd jobs. People often need help with their new computers and electronics, etc. that they receive as gifts. You could post something on Craig's list as well, offering various services.
When I've been in a pinch in the past, I've taken care of animals, done yard work, and did a lot of interior painting. It's amazing what people have a hard time doing for themselves.
Good luck,
Dee
I got to thinking about my reply yesterday, it was kind of dumb.
Norma
"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus
Hi, Brian. just got back from midwest. Cold weather. Snow. And, my hometown is like a ghost of it's former self. Two friends with possible job layoffs--one due to state budget cuts, another worked in some warehouse type of dept.with no foot traffic for months.