It has come to an end...

[Nana2two]

You must live in a very small town.I live in a small town of less then 1500 and not much hiring going on here. But we can drive 20 minutes to 1 city and 40 minutes to another larger city.They are always hiring for fast food.Hope you find something soon.

[AnW819]

Hmmm....mystery shopping? What does this entail? (okay, I tried to look smart and use a 'big' word...lets hope it means what I think it means, LOL!)

[miss_cas]

I'm so sorry. I understand things can be so bad sometimes. Keep the relationship with your boyfriend's family and your own solid, in case you need to move back in. If they have a phone you can use, you don't need the cell. If you live in a place with public transport that runs late, you can probably get by with just one car or no vehicle at all.

I would definitely file for food stamps as suggested earlier.

Only go out in slacks/skirt and a blouse and have an index card with all your employment,educational and personal information on it with you in case you see a help wanted sign. Get creative using the internet for job search: small newspapers, university/college career services, craiglist**, city govt websites, careerbuilder and all the other boards are good sources. **Regarding craigslist, I put a cover letter with my skills and email address listed but no personal information and waited for emails. If I was provided a physical address and phone for the company, I would forward by resume. If you apply for any ads on there, you will get a lot of login and fill out this form and credit check requests. Never do either asking for a social security or driver's license number.

Two others thoughts:
1. 6 months of cashier or retail experience can get you a bank teller job starting at $10 an hour if you have worked on your 10-key a little.
2. Office work pays decently. The library has MS Office study books, you can download the program from the Microsoft website for free for 60 days and you can get a typing tutor (does 10-key too) for $10 from Best Buy or Target. A lot of office jobs start at $9 or more.
3. Dress for Success can get you a suit for free.
4. The unemployment office has computer classes and resume preparation help.
5. The church clothing closets have free clothes to get you started on your new job. You can also call the thrift stores and see which days are discount days and shop accordingly.

[Natalia]

wow, what a struggle. I hope things turn around for you soon.

The only thing I wante to add is that if you dislike children, you should do both yourself and them a favour by crossing that off your potentials list.

what about someone who helps old people get to appointments and help them with shopping?

maybe dh can put an ad on kijiji as a handyman ? A lot of people are willing to pay just to finish the job their dh was supposed to finish 2 years ago.

If the responding to ads isn't panning out right now, you may want to focus on creating your own opportunity as outlines by the above posters by: special skill, tutoring, teaching dance or musical instrument, dog walker, senior sitter, house sitter, meal provider, housekeeper, gardener, delivery person , etc. The Domino's near me is paying $650 a week plus tips and a delivery vehicle, and I live in small town NB so thats not bad.

[roxygirl]

My first post and I just want to say good luck in your search, I hope you find something quickly!

I would also echo the sentiment of nixing the childcare route off your list. If someone is willing to hire a complete stranger with no previous childcare experience at minimal cost, it is because they too are in a desperate situation. Their kids are probably having a hard enough time with the family situation, they don't need to be watched by someone who can barely stand to be around them. You would be pretty unhappy as well.

Definately look into FAFSA and the Pell Grant program. Sign up at your local community college (very cheap tuition and your credits will transfer to other schools) and I can almost guarantee you will be able to go to school for free on the Pell Grant alone. I'm a nursing student and my pell grant pays for my tuition and books, plus a tiny bit left over for general living expenses. Depending how cheap the tuition is, you can actually get paid to go to school. Just make sure to pick a good degree!!! I have too many friends who picked "fun" or easy degrees that have done little for them