I finished University almost a year ago and was supposed to start paying back my student loans last November. Leading up to that time I had a job that paid fairly well and I fully intended on beginning payments. Then Murphy's Law hit and I lost my job! I was unemployed for four weeks, and then started a temp position right before Christmas. I found a new job and started two days before Christmas and then was off for 2 weeks over the holidays. Needless to say with 6 weeks of no income, things got a little crazy. I had no savings (just finished my degree), I rent and had just leased a brand new car (a requirement of the first new job). I owe $32,500 in student loans (government), another $6,700 in bank loans and my Visa is maxxed at $2800! That doesn't even start to touch rent, car payments... I haven't bought groceries in over a month! Now I'm not in any physical danger (living off pantry and well selected items). But now I've realized that the job I'm in right now has to end. I've discovered some unethical behaviour in my office that could be translated into fraud. I know the right thing to do is to leave and report this information to the governing bodies but where does that leave me? I'm barely scraping by to begin with!

I've negotiated a revision of terms for my student loans however my credit has still been affected. I've been able to maintain my payments on my other debts but I'm barely keeping my head above water. I know if I have another lapse in income that things will go south very quickly. But I'm an extremely honest and ethical person and I can't see myself working at my current job another day. Please help... is it wrong to stay in a job where I know bad things are going on while I look for alternate work? I've started looking for a new job and I plan on pumping out the resumes all weekend... I still feel like I'm doing something wrong.

Thanks,

Mel