OK...I guess I need some advice...

**JENROY** · 10-18-2008, 01:19 PM

I have been laid off since Nov 2007. I haven't been able to find work (and not from lack of trying!) my unemployment has run out and I am a single mom. I receive only $276/month CS, $323/month in food stamps and Medicaid for DS.
DCF said I was not eligible for any more benefits b/c of the CS being enough to live on (?!?! are you kidding me?!?!)
I have shaved down to the bare necessities and am actually down $70/month on electric than what I was paying 2 years ago. The food stamps are fine for the food (but what about tp, hba, etc.)
The only thing I really have left to "get rid of" is the internet, but I really need that for the job searches as I rarely see any in the newspaper and the library isn't convenient for applying for jobs because it takes too much time. I could "get rid of" the cell phone, but then would have no means of being contacted for jobs other than email.
I guess I just need to know if anyone has any ideas where I can pare down even more. thanks.

**Wendy99** · 10-18-2008, 02:06 PM

Just curious if your holding out for a specific type of job or if you have applied everywhere?? Eleven months is a long time to have no leads. If you feel you have tried everything job search wise, what about working for a temp agency, or going to an employment office and building resume and interview skills? I mean you can only cut back so far .. to me it sounds as though you just need more coming in??

**MoonMommy** · 10-18-2008, 02:09 PM

What about working in retail during the holiday season for some extra money? They often hire extra people for this time of year.

**JENROY** · 10-18-2008, 02:36 PM

There are just no jot enough jobs to be had. In the past 2 weeks alone I have applied for 27 jobs. 19 were in my field ( I'm a Florida state certified CNA) and the rest were seasonal or entry level for customer service, sales, etc.
I have been told by WalMart, Target and Super Walmart that I am overqualified.

I go daily to the county workforce office, and even there they say there just aren't enough jobs to go around.

**shadowfax** · 10-18-2008, 03:15 PM

Have you tried the restaurant industry? That's what I do and most of the people I work with are "over qulaified" Hard to believe an employer would turn someone down just because they were too skilled.
Shame your way down there. We are badly hurting for help up here. I think even your field has a need for workers here. Perhaps you should consider relocating? Look for jobs in other states?

**Thrifty Mom** · 10-18-2008, 03:35 PM

Maybe you could bake bread or cookies & sell them. Or baby sit. Or clean? My DD # 2 is a SAHM, but she baby sits & takes cleaning jobs. She has one regular she sits for & then she is back-up for several families so she almost always has two in addition to her two. Then she cleans, also as a back-up to the regular cleaning service for a local funeral home. It may sound creepy, but as she says, nobody has bothered her yet!! She has been making around $500.00 a month lately. Her hubby is self employed seasonally, so her extra income in the cold months really helps out. Also, my daughter in law does ironing for a woman. She makes enough for her personal spending money.

**FrugalMomof3** · 10-18-2008, 04:28 PM

Why not try working at even a min. wage job just for the money or even delivery newspapers for your local area?

I wish you the best of luck in your job search.

**MoonMommy** · 10-18-2008, 05:19 PM

Well, I would tell those people who claim the "overqualified" bit, that you don't care about that, you need a job. I have worked in all kinds of service jobs, even after I got my Masters degree. Keep trying. If you have a mall near you, check out places like Bath and Body works or Victoria Secrets. I know at our BBW, they are always interested in people who can work days.

**alch** · 10-18-2008, 05:54 PM

How about subing in the school system?

**rainbowgc** · 10-18-2008, 07:06 PM

I am in FL too. Here is a link for health care jobs, free to list free to answer posted jobs. http://www.assistantpages.com/index.php
Hopes this helps

**Terri S** · 10-18-2008, 08:09 PM

Have you thought about going back to school to be a nurse? I'm not kidding. It really doesn't matter how smart you are, the ones who finish college are the ones who are most determined. Between Pell Grants, student loans, fs, subsidized child care and other benefits it is possible. Not easy, but it is possible. As a single mom I chucked my dead end job and went to school. Nurses are in short supply everywhere.

Terri S.

**PennyWise** · 10-18-2008, 08:33 PM

You can put your own ads in papers in your county and surrounding counties for private in-home care....then you can decide what job you want...you will get calls....you can work for a few part-time, or someone who needs fulll time/40 hr. week, care.

This is what I did before I started my cleaning business.

**Mom23boys** · 10-18-2008, 08:41 PM

You have received some great advice already, but I wanted to wish you the best of luck on your job search. :goodluck:

**perSue** · 10-18-2008, 08:50 PM

here's the caveat that many ppl don't realize...

lots of jobs that ARE available won't pay as much as what she's getting on assistance (ie, min wage or a little higher).

So, if she gets a job, some or all of the assistance may be gone (depending on state laws)... so finding a job that pays equal or more than the assistance is the priority... not just finding a 'seasonal' job.

it's more important to be fed (guaranteed assistance) than 3 min. wage jobs and barely enough to keep the electric on.

keep looking... something will be there.
just look at all types of job sites... check out some local places you'd like to work and have some skills for and just call them... see if they have any openings available. you never know... i've gotten jobs that way, by just calling and saying "who i am".

what about taking one more than one job? or is that inconvenient (ie, kids, schedules, etc.)

I'm holding out for ya... hope something comes along soon!

**Patty A** · 10-19-2008, 07:02 AM

You have plenty of advice, and I can only add one idea along with just wanting to let you know your in my thoughts and prayers that something comes along SOON. I know how hard it is to try and make it on nothing. Hang in there and check out your local Vocational Re-hab. They will offen help you find new work or get you help to go back to school. They often pay for school, books, and even gas to go back and forth. Please see if they have one in your area. Between them and grants you may get by better than you have been. Its worth looking in to.