frugal job hunting/moving

**kita** · 04-20-2008, 02:18 PM

I've just found out that my school won't be hiring me next year. I'm new so until I have three years in one school, it is a year to year thing.
So does anyone have any ideas on how to look for a job frugally? I live in the NYC metro area and have realized that I really, really, really, really, really want a place with a lawn and garden, so I am looking to move either 50+ miles away or even out of state.
I have been fussing in my head about the cost of the move. Trying to plan ways to do it cheaper. I have a friend who owes me money and I think I will ask him for his van instead of some of the money. It would be a good trade since he is probably never going to pay me and he wants to sell the van.
I am thinking that I can cull my books as much as possible and ship some of them media mail. Gas prices suck and the thought of driving a van and trailer a thousand miles or more is scary.
I should be getting unemployment and I do have some money saved for the summer. Also since we have been working without a contract I should be getting some money when that comes through. And my tax rebate. I just need to quiet the fussing and light panic in my head...
I just keep trying to remember that there are atvantages to this situation:
I know five months in advance
I should have unemployment
I have some money saved
I have some support in areas where I might be able to get a job. (Florida)

**mmy2grls** · 04-20-2008, 03:34 PM

See if the areas you are interested have newspapers/classifieds online

Do you need to stay in the one area to go to school?

**Buc-O-Mama** · 04-20-2008, 03:44 PM

As far as the cost of moving your belongings goes, I guess that you have to weigh your attachment to your stuff agains the cost of moving it all. It is a hard decision for anyone. You might want to de junk as much as you can and move only what really matters to you. Florida is always hiring teachers, btw. Good luck to you!

**FrugalMomof3** · 04-20-2008, 03:57 PM

Do you have any particular places you wish to move to? As far as the cost I agree with Buc-O-Mama, maybe selling off some of your stuff and starting fresh but having the money to do so would help.

**midwestgal** · 04-20-2008, 04:00 PM

I'm so sorry about your job loss. I too am a teacher but am only working a part-time job here in California. The state of teaching is gloomy here. They expect to lay off 14,000 teachers throughout California. However, I read an article that said the Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, and Atlanta school districts are trying to woo teachers from California. Perhaps you could google those school districts and give it a try? Much of this could be accomplished using the internet for starters. Fill out the online applications to get started, but after that, I think I would try to take it to more of a personal level. Use the internet to get a list of different schools in the areas, find the name of the principal and write to that person directly. You may even want to attach your resume with your letter of interest. From what I read, these areas have openings for teachers. I know that my nephew teaches in a smallish town in Georgia. On the plus side, housing can be quite reasonable in Georgia, and you could even land your little dream home. Good luck to you and let us know what develops!

PS When moving, try to trim your belongings down to the bare necessities. These days, it does not pay to haul a bunch of old junk and furniture around the country. Everything can be replaced very cheaply from craigslist. This will slash moving costs.

**kita** · 04-20-2008, 04:45 PM

I am thinking of New Jersey (current state), Florida (good friend there), and Oregon(family). Since midwestgal mentioned California was laying off teachers, I guess I won't worry about applying there. (My mom had suggested that.)
I'll look into Georgia and Las Vegas. I have a niece in CA near the Nevada border (well it's not really near anything but it would be less than four hours I think). Parts of Georgia would be close enough to my friend in CA for weekend jaunts I think. Man, I must bone up on my southern geography.

Yes, I am already mentally slashing my possessions. I think that is one thing that is making me stressed. It makes me feel poor. I can't even afford a couch or maybe even my dining room table. I know that in someways I am better off than I have been many times in my life, but I have bills to pay and am saddled with an apartment I can't afford. I was planning to move out during spring break, but ended up having a lot of medical tests and was unwilling to sign a lease when I didn't know anything about the results etc.

Maybe I need to make a list of what I need when I move, rather than walking around the house thinking...would I take the stereo? Can I leave the large bulky speakers and replace them there?

I am al liitle calmer. Reading about your concern and cookies helps

**kita** · 04-20-2008, 05:13 PM

Parts of Georgia would be close enough to my friend in CA for weekend jaunts I think. Man, I must bone up on my southern geography.

Okay, my geography isn't as bad as my mental state at the moment. Georgia is, of course, next to Florida not California. Even I know that.

**forHISglory** · 04-20-2008, 06:33 PM

I would look for the job first, and then worry about the move. Do the states you are interested in have state internet listings for teachers? You could start scouting that way. Also your college or university may keep listings for teachers.

**Hannahs mom** · 04-20-2008, 07:13 PM

Google REAP. It's an online database of school districts needing employees. A lot of states across the county use it. Hope that helps.

**happimommi** · 04-20-2008, 07:17 PM

A few years ago when my DH and I were looking to move to a more affordable place, we found that the Richmond area in Virginia were actually paying bonuses and moving expenses to bring in more teachers. Don't know if they still are...but its worth it to check it out. Good luck!

**kita** · 04-20-2008, 09:28 PM

I just checked out REAP and while the number of states is small...I think there is actually about six or seven (at least at this time) two of them are neighboring states with more garden space..CT and PA. Since they are so close, hopefully interviews will be easier to do.

I did write down what I "absolutely" need when I move and now that I have five or six more places to look I am feeling a bit more relaxed. Now I just need to finish umm....grading for the cycle, homework for the class I am taking , and my lesson plans for the week. Of course teachers only work 6 hours a day...
Thanks again for all the pointers and I will be using them.

**foxxyroxie** · 04-20-2008, 11:10 PM

For what it's worth... I know kind of what you're going through. Here's my story....

BF and I decided last summer that Michigan no longer had anything to offer except low-paying jobs and a horrible econonic outlook. BF had lived in Alabama 10 years ago, so we decided to make the 700+ mile move. Basically, we sold everything (garage sales, craigslist) and gave away the rest to friends, family and freecycle. What didn't fit into a mini van and 4x8 U-Haul trailer got left behind with his sister. We kept our clothes, our family photos and momentos (since he has them from his late mother and I have them from both of my late mother, father and brother), the kitchen stuff (dishes, etc.), linens, electronics (TV, DVD player, computer, stereo) and a bit of miscellaneous. Not one stick of furniture was moved! We had hoped to settle into one of the furnished mobile homes that BF lived in previously. However, those were no longer available and what was available I personally wouldn't expect a dog to live in. So we settled temporarily in an efficiency motel (with microwave and mini frig) and put the rest of our stuff into storage.

There are good and bad things with the move. Within a week of getting here our van died, leaving us without transportation. Luckily BF's dad and stepmom live here too and they took us to where we HAD to go and we either walked to or took a cab to the other places if finances allowed.

Financially we are much better off here. We left with income tax refund and our savings -- totalling about $1500. Out of that we had a trailer hitch installed on van for $150, wired the van to haul the trailer $30, trailer rental $265, new tires for $100, oil change/misc ($50). We had originally planned on staying with his dad and stepmom for a few weeks till BF got his job, but unfortunately that didn't work out. The motel did take more of our funds that we had anticipated paying ($155/week). The employer he had previously worked for wasn't hiring, but another factory here that he had briefly worked for was hiring. Within 4 weeks he had the job making $1.50 more per hour than he did in Michigan. After 60 days at the job he will get another $ .75 an hour raise and full benefits -- medical, dental, vision, life, etc., although they will cost $20 a week. Considering he had horrible insurance that rarely covered anything, it's definitely worth the money. After all is said and done, he will be making $2.50 more an hour with almost guaranteed 40 hours and possible overtime. Back in Michigan he started out as an 'on-call' employee -- no guaranteed hours, no benefits. He was misled by the company that he would become an employee, but never was and he was lucky to get 30 hours a week.

We've found a local church and they have been very supportive and helpful. They helped us move. When they found out we didn't have furniture and would have to wait till we saved up a few paychecks, they told us to go to Salvation Army and pick out a bedroom suite and couch and chair and they paid for it. They're even looking into a table and chairs for the kitchen, but one way or another, that will come in time.

So, now we're all settled into our apartment. It's close to downtown and three blocks to the 'main drag' through town. We're walking distance to a few shops and restaurants. We're slowly unpacking the boxes (unfortunately too much 'misc.' moved with us) and everything is finding it's 'home' in the apartment. We haven't found a vehicle yet, but a cheap used one is in the cards when Uncle Sam sends out the 'economic stimulus' checks next month. All in all, we've been really blessed

I guess the decision is yours. My only advice is, having learned the hard way, do your homework. We 'ignorantly' went down blind, without first securing employment and housing. We searched the internet for costs, but didn't plan that food costs would be so much higher on some things (no discount bread store, milk at $4 a gallon vs. the $3 we were paying in Michigan, beef prices at least $ .50 more a lb, eggs almost $2 a dozen). Enlist family/friends from areas you choose to relocate near to send you Sunday newspaper classified ads. They will be very helpful.

And quickly sweep the feeling of 'being poor' out of your mind. Starting over isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're really attached to something and can't move it, pay to have it stored, either in a storage unit or at a friends/relatives, and come back for it later. Otherwise, sell them and put that money aside for replacement items when you relocate. You can always use it for emergency funds if it's deemed necessary. While our 'new' furniture is nothing fancy, it serves it purpose till we chose (and can afford) something different. I'm sure with a little time, patience and frugal shopping, you'll find things you like better than you have right now.

Good luck!!

**kita** · 04-22-2008, 05:36 PM

foxxyroxie...

Iread your reply yesterday and it has made me think. You are right of course about starting fresh in not always a bad thing. I also thought "I could live in a room in a house or an efficency if I knew it was just temp and my stuff was in storage. And then I realized that is the solution. Come the end of June, I will move into the city where my job is or I'll just move my stuff into storage and then into a much, much smaller place. Unemployment is fairly high for me because my salary is good now. If I am in that cheap of a place, I can live on less than my unemployment. (of course as a teacher I am told we only get two months) But with my savings and unemployment, even with the cost of storage, I could make it for maybe five months. This is a big city and in five months, I would be doing something, even if it is temp work. This is a plan I can work. Job applications now, smaller place later if I have to. It will work...

**midwestgal** · 04-25-2008, 01:56 PM

Kita,

I sent you a private email. Hope it is going well!

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 04-25-2008, 08:52 PM

We moved from CO to OH for a teaching position. Ohio pays very well. NC pays great bonuses upfront, but longterm, not as much as OHio. Good luck! I think you have time to research. Put feelers out to all the places you are interested in going and see what comes up. What is meant to be, is meant to be!