I have no money....What to do?

[lgslgs]

Originally Posted by nicole14142

So recently I had the unfortunate event of losing my job. I've been searching for a new one but i dont have much experience and I dont want to be stuck back into the food industry.

Right now, you can't afford "don't want to". Your boyfriend can't afford that either.

Unfortunately, in order to get by at all you often have to grow up and deal with the fact that you are going to have to do a lot of things you "don't want to".

This won't be the last time you'll have to deal with this, so might as well get used to it now.

Lynda

PS - I know this sounds harsh, but one of my biggest mistakes was waiting a bit too long for a "want to" job when I should have taken the lousy job. Sometimes you just need to grab any job and get some money in your pocket fast.

[PetMom]

I have a book on literally survival titled: How to Live on Practically Nothing
by Edward H. Romney. He has a lot of advice but under the one of
"Occupations If You Are Desperate For Money Right Now" he has (and
another poster mentioned) McDonalds. They are always hiring and
will train you. Plus they are so prevalent they are on most public
transportation routes.

My sister knows a woman who works at Wal Mart and they actually
pay a little bit better than she thought, and they are everywhere.

Also, collect aluminum cans (I have seen a guy get at the park on
Sunday and Monday very early and he goes through the trash near
the picnic tables - wear some gloves though).

Churches are good for getting food.

I am sure you have thought of it but what about relatives or friends.

Now is not the time to be career hunting, you are trying to just
survive.

Get a job and then look into other options, school, training, etc.

This woman my sister met has worked her way up at Wal Mart
and has been there several years and does not want to leave.

[nicole14142]

Originally Posted by icantsave

If I was in that situation (which I have been before) I would take the food service job until something better comes along. Most churches have food banks to help you out in times of need too. I think I would also consider giving up internet service and go to the grocery store.

Well I'm not paying for the internet service. I'm using a wireless connection from one of the other ppl living in my apartment for the time being...which I kinda feel bad about. Also to the person who asked how I eat. I am usaully only fortunate to eat once a day if I get lucky. I do have pancake batter so I have been eating that also but trying to stretch it out. But I should be getting a check tomorrow so YAY!

[nicole14142]

Originally Posted by cschin4

What is wrong with the food service industry? I think our society needs to respect people no matter what job they have. Every job is valuable otherwise they wouldn't need to pay someone to do it. Personally, I have more respect for someone who works for a living cleaning toilets, etc than for someone who has figured out how to glom off the "system". We need to restore the value and appreciation for the work of others.
I am sure that working in food industry can be a stressful, busy job. But, all jobs have their moments. You may not want to be there, but in order to get ahead, one has to take the opportunities they have. Get a job, do your best, and by all means look for another job in whatever you are interested in doing.

I've already worked in the food industry five years. It's really not all its cracked up to be. I have alot of respect for the people that do work in the food industry. I have had interviews and I have alot of customer service experience. I am just waiting to hear back from the companies.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by nicole14142

Well I'm not paying for the internet service. I'm using a wireless connection from one of the other ppl living in my apartment for the time being...which I kinda feel bad about.

That's called theft. Yes, it is unlikely that you would ever get caught, but that doesn't make it right.

Originally Posted by nicole14142

I've already worked in the food industry five years. It's really not all its cracked up to be.

I don't doubt that working at a fast food restaurant isn't the greatest job in the world, but it is a job and it helps pay the bills. Better to be working there than not working at all. I think that's the point a bunch of us were trying to make.

[Ima saver]

I am sorry, I did no mean to make anyone mad. I don't know anything about food stamps. I do know about being hungry. I just assumed that anyone down on their luck could get food stamps. I was certainly wrong. I do think that no one in this country should go hungry. If I had known you at that time, I certainly would have helped you.(I am talking to mom from missouri and th tan, I didn't mean to upset you)

[mom-from-missouri]

You wouldn't belive what I found out this morning about working in the food industry around here...... I got info from the local farmers market, as this summer I plan on going on Saturdays to sell produce. In this county, they have to come and "inspect my garden spot" and water supply. Also, I can't sell baked goods unless I cook them in a commercial kitchen which is inspected monthly. But, I can sell eggs without a problem. (I thought the eggs would be the hardest part of all..) Anyway, while talking to the local health department, she said I would also have to take "food handlers" classes. A total of 3. I thought maybe she misunderstood me, thought I was a cafe or catering so I told her this was just to sell cookies and bread at the farmers market. She said it is the same thing....THEN SHE TELLS ME THIS: In this county, and the neighboring counties, you can not even work at McDonalds or any resturant until AFTER you take the food handlers classes--all 3 of them. They cost $30 each, and each are offered about every 6 weeks. Then you have to take the exam and have a health exam (TB test and such) She then said most resturants will then reimburse you if you work for them for 6 months.....
So, if I hit rock bottom today, I couldn't run to McDonalds tomorrow and get a job. At least not one in my county.
TB test I understand. To me the rest is hogwash. Hostess are exempt unless they handle food or dirty dishes. Managers and shift supervisors have to take an additional class as well, after taking the first 3.
Then, McDonalds only pays $6.15 an hour....

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

You wouldn't belive what I found out this morning about working in the food industry around here...... I got info from the local farmers market, as this summer I plan on going on Saturdays to sell produce. In this county, they have to come and "inspect my garden spot" and water supply. Also, I can't sell baked goods unless I cook them in a commercial kitchen which is inspected monthly.

This all sounds great to me. I would hope that all areas have similar laws.

[mom-from-missouri]

No, thats big brother going too far in my opinion. Farmers can not sell produce unless some pipsqueak from the health department comes and inspects my garden and water supply? They don't test for anything! They just look it over! Said that animals need to be 200 feet away so that the dirt is not contaminated with "animal waste products" Excuse me!! We fertilize with manure from our cows, horses and rabbits!!! Hello! Thats a animial waste product! I asked him about fertilizer and he said that was ok to use?? I then ask him what they would be looking for, and he couldn't really tell me--just said they have to look. And, he is the guy who does the looking. I then asked him what his degree was in. He has none--he is the county health inspector, 20 years old, no degree. I think it is just a way for the county to collect a $20 fee.

[disneysteve]

Ok. That's different. If they were actually coming out and doing water testing and other sensible inspecting, that would make sense. Just coming out for the sake of coming out, I agree with you.

[Ima saver]

I know how you feel. We have building inspections for the first time. The inspectors are 20 year old kids, whose last job was working on cars. He now tells my husband, who is a licensed builder, how to build a house. None of these people are qualified builders, plumbers, etc.

[mom-from-missouri]

I just ran into town to get the brochures he said he had. "Farmers are exempt from inspections if produce is sold directly to grocery stores and food warehouses". These inspections only apply if you sell from an ad in the paper or at the farmers market. I asked the kid who made up the guidelines. He did. By the way, this is an elected position-his daddy is a bigwig in town....
I also don't think it is fair that employees for resturants take these classes prior to being hired. What if you take the classes and don't get hired? Then you have lost more money! Classes are only offered every 6 weeks or so, and at weird times such as from 9-11 or 3-5. Each are 2 hours. If one is a student, you'd have to miss class to go. I could understand if it was something you read thru than took a test in front of them, such as a drivers icense.
Anyhow, back on track, one thing the orginal poster may try is to sell things at a consignment auction. Usually in the local paper you can find auctions almost daily or weekly, and most auctioneers will take additional items on consignment. Items such as furniture, auto, housewares, tools--not clothing though. You can usually get money within 3 days following the auction.

[creditcardfree]

So, what are the qualifications to get food stamps? Seems like some people could have qualified or at least had a need and were turned down. That is too sad in my opinion. Are food banks different in the terms of qualifications? Just curious.

Mom from Missouri, I hope your daughter is doing better now. What a blessing it is to be able to give back to your other cousin, too.

[cicy33]

I have a new idea. Go back to school. You can actually get a grant to go to school that pays for the education and some left over to get you through. You might even consider a student loan to help you. The loans do have to be paid back but sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to get back on track. By going back to school you are learning a new skill and gaining real possibilities in finding a great job! and if you have kids there are grants that will help with daycare.

[tabbycat31]

If you want cheap food options, pasta and rice are the way to go. Also use dried beans.

As for the job thing......... I was down on my luck last fall and went to a collection agency (NEVER AGAIN). My last day there is tomorrow. I also have a seasonal job, but that ends in a month.

I have no idea what will happen to me next...... it's frustrating. However having worked in retail for years, I feel that it's more a liability on my resume than an asset. People just assumed because I worked at a store, that that's what I want to do my entire life. They don't see by the resume dates that state that I worked retail while in school. And I HATE the fact that Career Builder sends me emails for P/t dead end jobs that are 50 miles away. If I wanted to work pt at a grocery store, I'd at least do it locally.

[fairy74]

Originally Posted by nicole14142

I've already worked in the food industry five years. It's really not all its cracked up to be. .

To be honest no industry or job is...good luck with your interviews....

[GreyhoundLoner]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I am sorry, I did no mean to make anyone mad. I don't know anything about food stamps. I do know about being hungry. I just assumed that anyone down on their luck could get food stamps. I was certainly wrong. I do think that no one in this country should go hungry. If I had known you at that time, I certainly would have helped you.(I am talking to mom from missouri and th tan, I didn't mean to upset you)

I'm new here, but I assumed that you just didn't know when you said that. I think many of us have known hungry, for sure. My story is long & I won't bore ya'll with the details, but I can affirm that it's the applying for those services that is almost often demeaning and amounts to nothing. I've had a state govt. employee show me to the door because it was quittin' time, knowing that I was hungry and broke. Another time (same poverty-stricken time period) I stood in line from 0439 to 0830 to apply for help with my winter power bill. They took the first 40 in line, and by 6am the line was around the building. The lady who took my application noted that I had a college education, I was clean and looked okay, and said that I obviously hadn't adjusted to living "this way" (meaning, on a fixed disability income)that I made 3x what most applicants made, and I should be ashamed of myself for being there. Food stamps are the same. In my state you have to be indigent or make less than the Medicaid cutoff (apporx $743/mo) to qualify. On the flip side, today at the grocery store, I was in line behind a woman who was buying 2 suitcases of beer with her little green EBT card. ::sigh:: I thought you couldn't buy that stuff with food stamps??

Back to topic: A job is a job. I waited tables to pay for my college education. It pays. I agree that internet piracy is at worst a crime and at best, on the moral lowground.

[Duchesse]

Originally Posted by GoodBuyGirl

Go give some plasma
Sell something
Collect aluminum cans
take the food service job
Don't be too proud to take assistance from the government if you need it.
Ask yourself if you would rather be too proud or too hungry.

All of the above except the job and the gov't, will get you some money TODAY.

Take advantage of the local food banks, churches, and referrals from the Dept of Social Services and you will have food for two weeks starting TODAY.

Both you and your boyfriend should take the food service jobs until you both can find better jobs that you like.

[story3girl]

Originally Posted by nicole14142

So recently I had the unfortunate event of losing my job. I've been searching for a new one but i dont have much experience and I dont want to be stuck back into the food industry. My boyfriend also does not have a job and we ran out of money and food this past week. We have exhausted all resources to get money for food. I also do not want to rely on the government to pay for my food via foodstamps. I also dont think I could get them even if I tried. Is there a way that I could get some money?

I know you said above that you are actively searching and have had several interviews this week. Is boyfriend searching too? You are both adults in the household and you both need to be working and contributing in a positive way. You should both be out knocking down doors and asking everyone in town to hire you.

Try going to temp agencies in your area and applying. My brother went through a temp agency and they had placed him in a job the next day. You need work right now to put food on the table.

Sell things. Ebay is great, but not always the best way if you need money fast. Take your books and CDs to used book/music stores and you will walk back out the door with cash. Find a consignment store that will sell some of your extra clothes for you.

See if your landlord could use someone to do some maintenance work. He might given you a break on rent.

Do you have skills? Put up signs in your apartment building or nearby offering to tutor, clean, do odd jobs. You can schedule your work hours around your interview.

Someone already said give plasma. Just do a search and you should find stuff about this. Again, you'll walk out the door with cash in your hand.

Once you have money, don't waste it! Go to the grocery store and buy rice, dry beans, and some canned vegetables. You have plenty of time to cook right now, so make things from scratch. You will feel much better with a complete protein and some greens in your system than you do eating pancake batter.

And once you have a "for now" job, don't be content with the fact that you're eating again. Keep looking for that perfect job and developing your skills so that you don't end up back in this place again.

[Ima saver]

Greyhound, what is an EBT card? I didn't think you could buy beer with food stamps. Actually, they dont use stamps anymore do they?