Unemployed and can't make payments?

[noahj]

Hello all,

I find myself quickly approaching a sticky situation. I left my job 4 months ago, I'm currently unemployed (without benefits), and I'm running out of savings. I've been trying very hard to find a new job but thus far... no dice. I will run out of my emergency savings in 2 months. I have a mortgage, about $10,000 in student loans, and about $1000 in overdue medical bills.

I will be unable to pay my mortgage in 2 months. I don't know what to do. I only see 3 options.

1. Tap into my retirement savings (which will buy me 4-5 more months) Hopefully I'll get a job by then.

2. Sell my house. I'll likely lose several thousand dollars in this as I just purchased it 3 years ago and have very little equity. (My interest rate is fixed at 5.75% BTW) If I choose this option I'll have to do it soon.

3. Default on my mortgage.

Thoughts?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[jIM_Ohio]

new choice- get a part time job until you find full time in your chosen line of work

[disneysteve]

I agree with Jim. Take ANY work you can find while you continue to look for a permanent position.

Also, have you put your student loans on deferral for now? That would help buy you some time if you haven't already done so.

[tripods68]

Have you consider your options: "walking away", "short sale", or asking your lender for "loan modification" until you find a permanent job in the next several months? Not that I recommend it, but it is an option.

[noahj]

Thanks for the responses.

I have been looking, and taking free-lance work, as I can. I have also been applying for part time work.

I have considered that my mortgage company might do a loan modification if needed. I'm not sure what "walking away" or a "short sale" refers too. I'll look into it.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by noahj

Thanks for the responses.

I have been looking, and taking free-lance work, as I can. I have also been applying for part time work.

I have considered that my mortgage company might do a loan modification if needed. I'm not sure what "walking away" or a "short sale" refers too. I'll look into it.

Walking away means a deed-in-lieu of forclosure(you hand them the keys). Short sale is to find a buyer for any price(less than owed)and offer it to the mortgage holder. They may accept and except the difference through one payment or arranged payments.

Your best option is a deed-in-lieu of forclosure(if you intent to vacate without satisfying the loan) without recourse. Without recourse will free you of liability but will still damage your credit.

Short Sales and Deeds in Lieu of Foreclosure - Free Legal Information - Nolo

[darrendrage]

did you have to leave your job ?

[noahj]

I didn't have to leave me job. I injured myself and was not able to go back. The work environment was pretty hostile and at the time I thought it would be best to resign instead of asking for accommodation (which I was certain would have resulted in finding a reason to fire me). I had some good prospects lined up but none of them materialized. I didn't think I would have such a hard time finding something. I'm a nurse, (supposedly there's a shortage), I have a good work record and am highly experienced.

[wincrasher]

If you were injured on the job, you can get disability or at least workman's comp benefits. You'd have had other recourse as well if they fired you for being injured. Voluntarily quitting was not a wise move. Go talk to a lawyer and see if he can do anything for you - if it truly was a hostile work environment, you may have a harassment claim.

Think long and hard about just walking away from your house. You'll still have to pay to live somewhere - so that doesn't really solve your money problem. Worst case, if you don't pay and they foreclose, it will take at least 6 months or more to go thru the process to throw you out. At least you'd have a place to stay until you can figure this out.

Good luck!

[Staceyy]

If I were a nurse, I would sign up with agencies that use nurses on a contract basis. They generally make twice the salary of regular nurses. This might involve some travel (which is paid). My niece does this type of work. There are agencies like this all over the country. Provided you can do the work with your disability.

[tripods68]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

If you were injured on the job, you can get disability or at least workman's comp benefits. You'd have had other recourse as well if they fired you for being injured. Voluntarily quitting was not a wise move. Go talk to a lawyer and see if he can do anything for you - if it truly was a hostile work environment, you may have a harassment claim.

I agree with filing disability claim would have his best option while keeping his job. But since he voluntarily quit his job nor mentioned filing harrassment case prior him leaving could be difficult. But then I'm no legal scholar. But hiring a lawyer at this point would add additional burden. He's unemployed and running out of money. He needs a job.

[scfr]

Could you take in a roommate to help you meet your mortgage payments?

[cjscully]

I have a few suggestions.
1. As has been suggested, take any job you can - including seasonal retail work if that's all you can find.
2. Communicate with your mortgage company and ask about their options, particularly the "Making Home Affordable Program". The fact that you currently can not provide any proof of income will make it more difficult, but not impossible, to get a modification done on your loan.
3. If you want to keep your house, ignore all of your other creditors. If you're not going to be able to make your mortgage payments in two months, bite the bullet on the unsecured debt today and try to extend the life of your savings.

Bottom line - Unless you can sell your house and get a job before you exhaust your savings your credit is going to go into the toilet. Might as well confront that today and align your actions to whatever is most important to you.

[Tree0164]

You have some good advice on here. You really need to focus on finding any job now. There are many part time jobs out there-take 2 or 3 of them until you get back on your feet.

Good luck!

[cypher1]

I would definitely agree with finding another job, anything, just to stay focused and on track for goals. As others suggested, finding a renter would be the next option, would give a little more breathing room.

[Kris Jarczyk]

Look at all your options and the outcomes and make the best choice. Good Luck!