So, I am getting laid off what's the first thing I do?

**Josephhgoins** · 08-29-2010, 05:41 PM

As many of you know from my other threads I may or may not have a job in the next few weeks. My pay has been cut to 32 hrs per week (but duties stayed the same).

First thing I did was reevaluate my budget and eliminate anything not absolutely necessary i.e. cable and debt monitoring services. I have also cut out all discretionary spending at least for now. Bye Bye McDonalds sweet tea and fries. I can just pay the new monthly bills with my new pay, but at least I can pay them.

I then called the Employment Commission to find out if I was eligible for benefits, what they are and how much money I could get weekly. Although I am not eligible for financial benefits until I am laid off, I can start using their web site to apply for jobs and take interview and resume classes they offer as well.

I then started looking for jobs. First, through Craigslist, then Monster, Career Builder and the Employment Commissions website.

so.......what did I forget?

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-29-2010, 05:44 PM

Think about what you will need in the next couple months and shop at home. Do you have light bulbs.lawn fertilizer,things that are little like that hide and you can easily double buy. Not needed right now KWIM.

**3tomboys** · 08-29-2010, 06:08 PM

How about selling things that you don't need or want. My DH was laid off in June and we have been able to sell a couple of things on Craigslist as well as having a yard sale. Also, see if Angel Food Ministries is available in your area. We started buying there Signature box, after school box and vegie box, it has helped the grocery budget a lot.

**ladytoysdream** · 08-29-2010, 06:51 PM

Hi. Sorry about your situation.

I think you mentioned in one of your posts that you have a cookbook collection. You may be able to list some of them on ebay right now in their listing promotion. 100 at any price...so start them higher...and then do 100 at .99 start price monthly promotion. If you start with the .99 ones, you waste the 100 free at any price.

Stop spending. Only neccessities. Hopefully you have sometime kind of a EF and a stocked pantry. If not , look for sales on food.
There are food pantries to use, till you get some money moving again. You should be able to get some UE. You will have a week waiting period.

One thing I do when I need a few extra dollars is to go to thrift shops and garage sales, looking for things for resale on ebay and craigslist. I am very selective in what I drag home. If not sure about something, don't buy it. People are looking for bargains, and things to use around the house. Canning items are very good to pick up for the season we are now in.

When I knew my UE was running out, I basically saved as much of it as I could. I only had part time UE so it was not a lot but it did help out.

If you don't have your bills listed in a chart or a book, by the month, do so, and then you can see, what is coming up. I can look back a year for the current month and see what will be due. September is one of the rough months for us. But we have it under control, thank goodness.

It's called controlling the situation, and not letting it control you.

**Momto5RN** · 08-29-2010, 06:56 PM

are any of the bills you pay something you can barter or swap for
IE a little yard work in exchange for haircut

**Russ** · 08-29-2010, 06:59 PM

Your new job is looking for a job everyday.

My wife looked on everyone of those sites you mention and then some everyday until she landed a job.

another thing...
create an email with your name in it.. for example :JohnQPublic@...com not Happygirlhaveingfun1234 @..com

keep it professional.

Is you resume up to date with the times?.. research this.

**NikoSan999** · 08-29-2010, 08:15 PM

I can't think of anything else but I'm hoping for the best for you. Is there ANY chance that it won't go beyond the cutting back hours? Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

**fairydana** · 08-29-2010, 08:22 PM

I will definatly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Everyone here has such great ideas and think of everything. Its so nice to be involved with this great group of people!!

**Siebrie** · 08-30-2010, 06:21 AM

Will the HR department help you look for a new job? Will they let you follow a skills-course (e.g. Microsoft Office)?

**nuisance26** · 08-30-2010, 08:28 AM

~Have you let the people in your life know you're going to be out of work? Oftentimes a family member, friend or acquaintance will know of an opening and "get you in" somewhere before the job is even listed.~

**Judi Dial** · 08-30-2010, 08:43 AM

This has been sort of said, but aside from what you've done, when DH gets laid off (happened twice now) what I do after we talk to unemployment and figure a budget for the new "income" is to do a complete pantry/bath/stockpile inventory.

I want to know EXACTLY what I have to use now (shop at home as above) that will not require us to spend a dime This is one of the times that the stockpile pays for the time and effort you put into it.

We go through the bills and do a complete list & some hard figuring: like the haircut swap above. We also sold stuff on Ebay, though these days I might use Craig's List, Freecycle, or Etsy instead.

We have a backup plan, which at the moment needs badly to be updated. One piece is that I have a business too, although I'm cutting it way back. If need be, we can use my business to try and generate some cash. It doesn't always work, but it gives us another avenue we wouldn't have otherwise.

If you have a partner, assign duties. When DH is laid off, HIS job is get a new job.. MY job is to find ways to save us $$ or make a few bucks on the side.

I hope something in here helps!

Judi

**shoiji** · 08-30-2010, 01:50 PM

Have you taken into account any bills that might come up like car insurance? I would try to sell what ever you can.

Another option is to look into volunteering. Doesn't have to be full-time. Just something you would like and a potential employer would take notice of you more. Keep an eye and ear out for any job fairs that may be in your area.

Do you have skills you could use to barter with or get paid for? Even just saying you can housesit or watch someone house, water plants, take in mail, care for animals, etc. Any little bit will help.

Now is a good time to really get the stockpile built up.

I does sound like you are staying on top of things.

**many houseapes** · 08-31-2010, 11:15 AM

Sometimes our FreeCycle group members offer toiletries & food and other things.....I would look into your local group & if there are things being ofered that you could add to your stockpile, I'd ask for them.

**Telephus44** · 09-01-2010, 04:34 PM

Don't forget to take full advantage of any benefits you have at work before you leave. Spend down any FSA's. Have vision insurance? Get that new pair of glasses while you do. Stock up on prescriptions if you have them and your employers offers that as a benefit. Does your employer match charitable giving? Write that donation out now. Seriously - go over whatever benefits you have and make sure that you max them out now.

Just wanted to get that in.

**Josephhgoins** · 09-08-2010, 08:12 AM

So, oddly enough, I am back on full time starting last week. The check I get this week will be for full pay. My understanding was there was a meeting and all of the managers said it would be foolish to get rid of me and that I was invaluable. I will never know the truth, but for now I am still at the same company making more than I will at someplace new. If I am let go, I can easily make it off of unemployment until I either get my company running or start someplace new.

I was able to get my accrued vacation paid out and I used that to pay off some smaller debts and put the balance in the bank.

I have decided to redouble my efforts to get debt free and have slashed all of my soft items in my budget to get there. I am also listing stuff on Ebay. So, far I was able to cut nearly $100 a month out of my expenses and I thought I was living pretty lean before!

I did realize that Christmas time is going to suck, but I may be able to do something about that. As of right now with my vacation paid out there will be about 2 weeks with no income. If I sell enough on Ebay and Craigslist I may be able to help that though.

There is a plasma here that pays $35 for your first visit and $25 for every visit thereafter. I am thinking about trying this, has anyone else done this?

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers. We are so busy now we are all working overtime!