What do you do to support yourself? [Archive]

Turino

12-01-2009, 03:49 PM

This is a thread to discuss what you do to take care of your basic needs..food, clothing, shelter and maybe a few extras

This is not just for those who work at a regular job or own a business with cash as the incentive, but it is also for those who survive on bartering services, government assistance, familial or friend assistance or any number of means of support.

Let's put it out there .

Currently, I am an underearning real estate broker and an unemployed merchant seaman. I have been banging on doors for three years now and am still hitting brick walls. I have applied to so many jobs that are beneath my skill set and not called on any of them. I am trying to keep my real estate brokerage afloat....the advertising, web and other costs are very high. I have cut it to the bare minimum. I am barely scraping by and look forward to the day that this recession is in my rear view mirror.

I believe the thing that will get me out is a good job on a ship...or back to the old world standby..a government job with benefits. Luckily I have healthcare insurance...

I trade services for chiropractic/acupuncture care. I do any number of tasks to get extra things that I need. I sell on craigslist and beginning to use ebay.

It has changed my outlook on life....that will be for another thread.

How is everyone else doing it?

Apocalipstic

12-01-2009, 04:10 PM

I work as an Executive Assistant for a Production Company. We do cruise ship shows, conventions, parties and events. Business is way slow, so I have paid up all our bills except for the house just in case I were to lose my job. All the other companies in Nashville who do what we do have had major lay offs or have closed entirely.

Cynthia took a buy out from General Motors in August after being laid off for quite a while and is back in school to finish up her requirements for going to law school. Her classes are on line which has saved in gas and clothes.

We are selling stuff of Ebay and Craig's List and have eliminated all bills except for school, house and utilities. Last January I had the house insulated which has really helped with electric bill.

We mostly eat at home and if we have to there is an apartment in the attic we can rent out.

Times are tough and I am trying to stay ahead of things. We are very lucky in that Nashville has not been hit as hard as many places and home values in our neighborhood have actually gone up.

Best to everyone trying to make it in this tough time.

Turino

12-01-2009, 04:19 PM

I wish both of you success.

Bringing up eliminating bills is a good point. I bought a cellphone with unlimited internet that can plug in or go wireless to my computer. I now use as my only internet connection at home. I can make calls while I am online. It is just as fast as broadband. I watch all my tv online, too. So I cut out about $100 in home bills.

I use my bike in the neighborhood, walk and take public transportation...the car mostly just sits outside. I realize that is a NY luxury.

I eat at home....I allow only 25 per month for entertainment...believe it or not. I do a lot of free activities. The rest goes to my business and home expenses.

I used to spend tons of money per year...now, I spend very, very little over basic needs. I am proudly the king of thrifty. It is beyond a challenge..it is a necessity.

new york has retraining services through the workforce program. if anyone needs more info contact me.

Apocalipstic

12-01-2009, 04:24 PM

Bit

12-02-2009, 04:20 PM

I use my bike in the neighborhood, walk and take public transportation...the car mostly just sits outside. I realize that is a NY luxury.

No, it's not! Or at least, not exclusively! :cheer: One of the reasons I find Wichita so charming is that neither Gryph nor I have a car--not even a driver's license--and yet we can walk to everything necessary except Gryph's work, and he takes a city bus for that.

I can also take a city bus for shopping and the library.

Lately, we've had a little extra, and so instead of taking the bus, I pay a friend gas money for rides... she's been unemployed for well over a year and her husband has been unemployed for months, so I'm as generous as I can manage. But if she weren't around? I'd be on the bus, and although it isn't comfortable, exactly, it would be okay.

I eat at home....

We do this too. One of the things that helps a lot is that Gryph is willing to take his lunch to work, and he likes casserole-y type things. I make a lot of rice-with-veggies-n-cheese, yanno?

When Arwen posted her recipe for Pulled Pork, I tried it, and since she mentioned it makes good broth I put in extra water at the beginning.

Oh.
My.
WORD.

That broth used in the rice? I am actually JEALOUS of Gryph's lunches this week! I had to save some out for me! :cheesy:

One can eat at home the work-intensive way, or the cheap-n-easy way. I find that in the long run, spending the time on cooking from scratch is actually cheaper. Having a week's worth of healthy meals in the fridge and freezer so that one need only reheat is priceless!

I've also discovered that one can up the ante with seasonings... part of that rice-n-veggies I made with the pork broth last week? It got re-seasoned with more garlic and some cumin and chili powder, served with refried beans, Greek yogurt (rather than sour cream) and an avocado as tostadas. Is the pun unbearable if I say we were in hog heaven? lol!

Apocalipstic

12-02-2009, 04:24 PM

The library, yes!

We have switched from Barnes and Noble to the library to save money too.
They have books on tape and CD, books, magazines, music, movies.

Bit

12-02-2009, 04:25 PM

..... and if we have to there is an apartment in the attic we can rent out.

Hey, having an ace in the hole is ALWAYS a wonderful thing! Okay, I won't worry so much for you two knowing you have that potential source of income if you really need it.

Getting yourself in a stronger financial position by paying things off is truly wise, imo.

Apocalipstic

12-02-2009, 04:33 PM

Hey, having an ace in the hole is ALWAYS a wonderful thing! Okay, I won't worry so much for you two knowing you have that potential source of income if you really need it.

Getting yourself in a stronger financial position by paying things off is truly wise, imo.

I can't agree more. I recomend it to everyone. :)

Don't worry about us, we are making it work and I think of Cynthia's school as an investment in my retirement. ;)

Bit

12-02-2009, 04:53 PM

LOL! That's one way to look at it, Jen! :thumbsup:

Turino

12-02-2009, 05:30 PM

Great stuff Bit. I try to cook one big thing a week that I can use in all different meals. Last week I threw meat in the crock pot and lots of frozen veggies , water, seasoning..cooked it..stored the meat separate and with the veggies I made ground turkey chili ...this week I am going to put sausages in it.

I am a boring cook..I cook for function not form.... everything gets minced garlic, onions and hot peppers...

I don't buy too many fresh veggies cause they go bad. I found it was a big waste. however, I do buy fresh spinach and freeze it.

The library is awesome..For those who don't have online access at home they can go there for service.

I really thought about my only spending 25 p/mo on entertainment and realized that also includes any meals out. boy..times have changed.

suebee

12-02-2009, 06:16 PM

I am a social worker by profession, but after a major depression a few years back I went on LTD. (long-term disability) Then last summer I was operated on for a lung tumour, and though the cancer part looks really good, I didn't heal properly, so I can't do much of anything right now.

Soooooo - I'm just trying to rehab and not looking too far in the future. But I'd love to do some part-time work some time in the future. My preferences would be something in photography, writing or dog training, but I don't know if I'll ever accomplish this.

I worked part-time for a little while delivering newpapers in the country in the morning. I mean early in the morning. Like 3:30AM. :eek: But surprisingly I really liked it. The world is really quiet and beautiful at that time of the day.

So, I'm waiting to grow up and see what my next career is! It's kinda exciting!

T D

12-02-2009, 06:23 PM

I sell on both e-bay and craigs list. I do occasional computer work for some of the folks living near my mom. I cook for my uncle, who has diabetes, M - F. I also have a small space in a local antique store. Basically between all of these things I manage to bring in a considerable amount every month. At any rate it really helps the pocketbook. :)

Turino

12-03-2009, 10:25 AM

you put it out into the universe and it happens. I took the census exam and just got called this morning. Instead of going door to door, I will be working full time in the office for at least 8 weeks and possibly through April. Even though the outside positions pay higher, I am more grateful to be able to work inside when it hits 10 degrees.

The pay will be just enough to cover my household bills. I will float right above the edge. If something else comes along that is better, I will be in a better headspace to take it. Meantime I can still focus on my other two professional endeavors. Boy does this take a load off my mind.

Bit

12-03-2009, 10:35 AM

Hey, Turino, that's wonderful! They say it's easier to get hired when you already have a job; maybe that will be true for you and this census job will lead to something better!

Oh, what you said about fresh produce? I found that to be true also, and the prices skyrocketed anyway, so mostly I buy frozen. Works great, lasts a couple months, absolutely no waste.

violaine

12-03-2009, 12:21 PM

[QUOTE=apocalipstic;15512]The library, yes!

We have switched from Barnes and Noble to the library to save money too.
They have books on tape and CD, books, magazines, music, movies.

oh yes, jen. i'm picking up a book today that was ordered for me. i always like to see from where they are sent- kind of like produce, when i cannot buy from local farmers. movies and music are checked out all of the time :hendrix:

ox

Just_G

12-03-2009, 12:54 PM

What a great thread!

I am 4th generation in my family's oriental rug business. We sell hand knotted rugs made in India, Armenia, Pakistan, China, and Belgium. (no, there is no child labor involved like most people think.) Our product is more a luxury type thing, and not a necessity; therefore, our buisness has been scraping by the last year. I always thought I would some day inherit the business, but the way things are right now, we will be in to big of a hole to dig out of. I hope and pray that things start to turn around soon, but Pops is thinking about selling the business....which breaks my heart, but I understand. I think we are about the only family business left here in Kansas City...we are the oldest rug dealer in this town.

I also do a lot of remodel work on the side for cash. My favorite thing to do is build decks, but this time of year it is not a hot item..lol Laying tile and laminant flooring this last year has been the only thing that kept me afloat financially. However, it is my poor body that suffers...manual labor like this is a bitch, but it is all I really know. I have applied for a part time job at Lowe's, but they are not super busy this time of year.

I have cut out the gym membership (and oh boy can I tell!), and reduced a lot of things so that my bills are lower. I do keep my cable and internet because that seems to be what keeps me busy since my r/t social life has really taken a hit financially. Things are getting better slowly...which is better than not at all.

morningstar55

12-03-2009, 01:08 PM

what do I do to support myself... well...........
i drive a truck..... yes .. am a girl and i drive a truck......

1st off im an artist...... i do sell my art from time to time.. even spent 6 yrs learning graphic design in college......
and somehow . ended up driving a truck... not sure how it happend but it did.
its not what i really like to do .. but it pays the bills.
wish i could get home more. but for now it pays the bills.
hoping soon i can find a local job..... but im not one to up and quit my job.. without a back up..
i drive long hours sometimes ,, sometimes i dont.
I dont look for hand outs or someone to pay my way... i work hard to get what little i have.
I do how ever enjoy meeting some of the awsome members of the BF community in my travels.
i am allowed to take passangers..... i have all the comforts in here of a micro wave, fridge, tv, a comfy full size bed and i love lots of pillows soo since i have to live in here on the road doing my job i have made it very comfy in here... soo thats what I do .. lol:bouquet:

Laidbackgrly

03-25-2010, 10:13 PM

I do hair I enjoy it very much I do wish I made more money but me and my son get by :buzz cut: I thank god everyday I have my job.

Medusa

03-25-2010, 10:27 PM

Im a paid Tech Goddess by day and a super-duper Housewife at night :)

AtLast

03-25-2010, 11:23 PM

I'm retired. I taught (community & state university) psychology & social work) and was a practicing psychotherapist and expert witness (forensic testimony). I also was a high school history teacher way back. And I have been part of a family refuse business in the mix. I don't think I ever had just one job at a time since I graduated from college and grad school. I hit every weak economic period while completing my education and going back to grad school, so that when I finished, I always ended up part-time somewhere and part-time somewhere else!

For awhile, I was semi-retired and followed a long-time interest in antique and vintage chinaware/glassware and had a small collectibles business and became a certified personal estate appraiser. That closed when this recession hit, so I just retired fully. I have some disability issues and decided to finally just take care of myself and enjoy life as best as possible.

Now, my time is mine (well, except for the kid's kids) really and I have been single for almost 4 years. Thinking of doing more travel, but have to see what the economy does.... last 2 years have been rough!

:harley:

Rockinonahigh

03-26-2010, 09:09 AM

Acouple of years ago I had the oppertunity to pay off all my bills,now all I have to pay is car inshurance,phone,electricty and of corse grosery.To save $$ I shop at the goodwill store,go to estate sales (im a big record collector as well as anything frome movies) U would be surprised what some folks thnk of as junk thats worth big bucks.Lasttime I went pickin I bought a real record player with the 45& 33 rpm ect speeds.several boxes of 45's some station cuts and tons of records I havent gotten into checking out the signatures on yet.I have sold some things when I got the right price but at the moment im building up my stock...I may well open an anytique store in my garage so I can work from home.

Apocalipstic

03-26-2010, 10:45 AM

theoddz

03-26-2010, 11:19 AM

Times are indeed tight, I have almost been thinking about going back into Food and Beverage or large Concessions management which is very well paid, but I am not sure my health is good enough any more.

Cynthia asked me last night if maybe we need to switch to a cheap coffee brand. GASP.

I wish At Last lived closer to help me appraise the Estate Stuff from my Dad so I could start selling things and have some idea of worth.

Rockin, do you know of a good website for old record player needles? I have tons of really cool LPs I want to listen to.

G'morning Mzzz Confection!!!

My stepmother looked and looked for a stylus for her old turntable and finally found one here: TurntableNeedles.com

For Christmas, one of the gifts I got my Pop was a digital turntable with the software and USB cables needed to dub all of his old Hawaiian music from LP vinyl over to CD. He's been making a huge project of doing this ever since!! Have you thought of dubbing your music over to CD?? The kit I got Pop was only something like $189, which was a hella lot cheaper than I thought it'd be. I found it at the Nellis AFB BX, but I'm sure they sell them comparably at other places, too.

Anyhoo, maybe you can find a needle at that site??

G'luck!!!

~Theo~ :bouquet:

SuperFemme

03-26-2010, 12:00 PM

I like the VS Ipex bra. It's the best support yet.

julieisafemme

03-26-2010, 12:35 PM

I am a compliance officer at a financial services company. We took a 30% reduction in revenue in 2009. It has been stressful. I love my job. It suits my personality. At work I am the Compliance Domme!!

I moved this year to a less expensive place. It was a big step down but I actually like it a lot now. I can walk lots of places.

The budget is bare bones now. I have lots of child related expenses that I cannot save on so I have to do with less. Actually I am happier now then I ever have been in my life. Part of that is having a partner who is totally on the same page as me regarding finances.

This recession has taught me that disposable income is not necessary to be happy.

Great thread!!!!

AtLast

03-26-2010, 12:53 PM

Times are indeed tight, I have almost been thinking about going back into Food and Beverage or large Concessions management which is very well paid, but I am not sure my health is good enough any more.

Cynthia asked me last night if maybe we need to switch to a cheap coffee brand. GASP.

I wish At Last lived closer to help me appraise the Estate Stuff from my Dad so I could start selling things and have some idea of worth.

Rockin, do you know of a good website for old record player needles? I have tons of really cool LPs I want to listen to.

Go to Ebay and research what has sold... this can be a good way to get an idea of what the market might yield. You can find sold prices within the past year. If you really have a lot of stuff, there are websites you can use to get appraisal info. from certified estate appraisers... or find one near you. If you have genuine antiques, sometimes, selling them via commission is good. just find out your area's usual & customary percentage for this.

AtLast

03-26-2010, 12:58 PM

WickedFemme

03-26-2010, 02:44 PM

I have been so very fortunate to retain employment through these harsh economic times. However, I am making considerably less than I ever did prior to the economy downslide. It is difficult because my bills didn't decrease when salaries decreased and jobs became more scarce. I have had to cut back in all kinds of areas: shopping (I bargain shop for clothes if I'm able to do it at all), I have cut back on the extras such as online memberships, my gym membership, my blockbuster account, etc...

I don't eat out hardly at all anymore and if I do, it's a happy hour menu kind of thing once in a great while. I don't go to fundraisers anymore, I don't attend shows anymore, and the list goes on... I just don't have an entertainment budget anymore.

I am a Development professional for a nonprofit organization, which means i write grants to fund services, fundraising, etc...

I am in the process of looking for a higher paying position, but those just aren't out there and if they are, I am competing with people with even more experience than I, etc. It's difficult and it sucks, but I'm somehow managing to keep my head barely above water.

I have also had to put my student loans into forebearance status, I need a new car but can't justify the expense. Besides, my car is still running in spite of having over 150,000 miles on it.

I am not doing volunteer work anymore because I can't afford to do it - imagine that? I feel a need to focus my energy on taking care of myself first.. perhaps one day I will be able to have the luxuries I once did. I am however, researching the feasability of starting a new nonprofit organization within the next year or so. I have a fantastic idea to meet a huge and upcoming need in our community... so, stay tuned.

sweetcali

03-26-2010, 08:19 PM

I like the VS Ipex bra. It's the best support yet.

What a perfect way to support your assets.

sweetcali

Blade

03-26-2010, 08:20 PM

BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS

Soft*Silver

03-26-2010, 08:54 PM

my life changed when the semi hit me almost three years ago. I was a mental health psychotherapist. Since then, I havent been able to hold down a FT job because my back goes out on me after working for so long. I have tried PT employment and am hoping I can do that now that my health is better.

but this has really changed the way I live my life. If you only knew the amount of money I lived on monthly you would gasp. Yet I did it, with the help of my sister and some churches.

After this accident, and with the experience I had with my ex butch husband cheating on me and me losing the family farm over it, I pretty much am terrified now of losing anything again in my life...

So I have simplified my life.

The house I just bought is paid in full. I have no mortage payment. My car is also paid off. I will have a huge garden and this will help me be self sustainable for food as much as I can be. (I dont plan on eating much meat anymore as it isnt good for me.) I have just my car insurance and my utilities to pay now, just like Rocky said earlier in his post. I am a crafter so all my gifts come from my talents. I might even sell some this year to make some money.

If I dont have much, I cant lose much. What I do have, I can sustain even in the worst of times.

Andrea

03-27-2010, 08:25 AM

In addition to my day job, I take surveys for $$, both online and in person. It isn't time consuming and adds about $300 a year to our income.

Entertainment such as plays, concerts, etc are usually won through sweepstakes I enter. For eating out, we use coupons and almost always get four meals or more out of two. We also go on picnics and long walks in good weather.

We buy the majority of our clothes at thrift stores and obtain items through Craigslist and Freecycle.

I don't think Rene ever buys meats that are not on sale or marked down for quick sale. He also has a fairly good size garden so we have fresh veggies and spices most of the year.

I have three unpaid furlough days now, and we lost some other income, so we adapted by selling a financed car, used savings to pay off a debt, canceled the newspaper, put Netflix on hold, transferred to a less expensive cell phone plan (no land line) and combined the auto and house insurance.

We are truly blessed because there is a bit more than enough and that is a lot in this economy.

Andrea

Bit

03-27-2010, 02:47 PM

Cynthia asked me last night if maybe we need to switch to a cheap coffee brand. GASP.

Have you tried amazon.com? They have a subscription program for groceries. It's amazing; you can buy by the item or by the case, the shipping is free, and you tell them when to send the stuff, monthly, every other, every six... not only that, if you hit a crunch and need to put something off, you can tell them to skip a shipment.

I discovered them when absolutely no one in town was selling the supplies for the Breeze cat litter system, and I got hooked pretty quickly because it's so much cheaper than even the Big Gray Box stores (which did finally start carrying the supplies again). You do pay sales tax, but no shipping, which means I even save the $2.50 it would cost me to go to a BGB store on the bus---AND I don't have to struggle to lift and carry heavy stuff on the bus.

I dunno if you would find your brand of coffee there--they have tons of stuff, but of course they're more limited than most grocery stores--but they have so much stuff, and some of it green, like Seventh Generation cleaning and paper products, that I think it's worth a quick look, anyway.

I also save a considerable amount of money buying all our pets' flea meds at Amazon. It's even cheaper than 1800PetMeds, yanno? I just wish I could subscribe for those, but oh well, I'm just glad to be able to get them!

sweetcali

03-27-2010, 02:58 PM

After 20 years in the Financial Industry, I switched careers three years ago to work at a Design and Marketing firm. I wear a lot of hats, but right now, I am focusing on New Business Development, which means I research and write a lot of proposals. I am also involved in a lot of projects and my unofficial titles include: Cat Herder and Director of Safety, because a lot of these yahoos skateboard, unicycle, dance on ladders, etc. Hey, it's a design firm, we also have a WII in our conference room. It's a beautiful, creative space to work in, and I feel lucky to be around and collaborate with smart, funny adults who are passionate about what they do.

Last year, I asked to reduce my work week to three days so I could focus on the kitchen remodel and some other personal stuff. I am really thankful for the opportunity to do this, but actually, I often end up working from home on Thursdays and Fridays anyway for at least part of the day. Today, I am finishing up a huge proposal, and I actually came in the office to do it.

In my spare time, I do freelance design, marketing materials, copywriting and content organization for a variety of folks. Sometimes, I even get paid for it, but often I do it out of love or passion for their projects, like BFP (Note to Angie, put the new goddamn logo up - She's been sitting on it for 5 months!). I also volunteer some of my time with local non-profits, most recently a DV Shelter but I am being wooed by a friend who does development for a local organization who provides housing and resources, including job training to folks with low income and I'm pretty excited about it.

Everything you ever wanted to know about June, but were afraid to ask!

I would have to be starving before I would go back to Corporate America and deal with other peoples ill-behaved children.

I want to see June in an Easter Bonnet.

sweetcali

theoddz

03-27-2010, 04:29 PM

I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist and have been so for over 20 years now. Nearly 15 of those years I have spent working in federal civil service, specifically the DoD (Department of Defense, both military and civilian) and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. I am also "medically retired" from the U.S. Marine Corps, so I receive a nice pension check and full retirement benefits from the VA and military. I'm lucky enough that my health has held out and I've been able to keep working full time for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but my status as a Disabled Veteran affords me a lot of protections and security that others don't have. I'm thankful for that, because it's leveled the playing field so that I can continue to work and maintain a productive life. I'd go absolutely insane if I couldn't work at something, even if it were to just be volunteer work. I have this silly little fantasy of working as a part time projectionist at a local movie house, just so I could see all of the new movies for free!!! :popcorn:

I do some other things, too, and they're mostly work-related. I'm both a Shift Leader and Clinical Preceptor for the U.S. Air Force's Phase II Cardiopulmonary training program at Nellis Air Force Base. I'm also a Union Steward for our local AFGE Union (American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO), and I have been trained to specialize in representing the GLBTQ workforce in my local VA system. It's something I'm pretty proud of and very happy to do.

The past couple of years have seen me have to have both knees replaced, so I'm starting to feel the effects of having artificial joints, multiple medical problems and just plain ol' getting older. My hope is to finish the next five years as best as I can, then take a 20 year disability retirement from federal civil service. I've purposely avoided going headlong into debt, but I've also had the income, and the good fortune, to not have had to rely on credit in the past years. My only debt now is my mortgage and monthly living expenses, so when the next 5 years are up and I've got a nice financial cushion in the bank, I should be able to survive very, very nicely for the rest of my life.

Now, I am a *severe* Capricorn......a December Cappy, to be specific. I'm tight, tight TIGHT T-I-G-H-T and very, very good with money. Tabs can tell you how I am!!! It's both my worst fault and my finest blessing, so take that as you will. I was raised by Great Depression era parents, so I come honestly by my penny pinching ways and tight nature. Mother drilled into me, "There's no feeling more secure than that of having money in the bank." She should know. She's the Queen of Tightwads......and proud of it!!!! She taught me well, too. I am different from Mother, though, in that there are things that I do spend money on. Spending money on Myron, my pet frog, is one of my guilty pleasures. Before I buy anything, though, I always check myself with "Do I (or does Myron) really REALLY need this??". Many times, I have put whatever it was back on the shelf, remembering how satisfied I am with my financial affairs and the money in my wallet. I buy what I need, mind you, but I always consider how badly I need something.....and if I REALLY need it, because there's a biggo difference between "need" and "want". One of the few points of misery in my life has been that of "buyer's remorse" whenever I've bought something that I could well afford, but then missed the money I paid out for it more. :|

Gimme a rock.....I'll scratch a living off of it. :twitch:

I salute every single one of us who is out there pitching and scraping to make a living in whatever we all have chosen to do....or wound up doing. :winky::thumbsup:

~Theo~ :bouquet:

Martina

03-27-2010, 04:49 PM

i am a teacher who lives in a very expensive area. Last year and the year before, i worked extra jobs -- lots of them. The budget cuts have meant that i only have one small extra job this year. Then HR screwed me over in two different ways. As a result i have to move to less expensive digs in a little over a month. i am looking forward to the move, but it's stress on top of stress. And i am a little worried about my cats adjusting. But there is no choice.

i need to do a lot of the things people here are doing -- like cook ahead for the week and pack lunches more regularly.

i have no talents and can't sell anything. i just work. In the past -- i worked a LOT. i probably am going to teach summer school again, and i will be very lucky to get it if i do. Lots of teachers want it and can't get it. But i wish i had the summer off.

Oiler41

03-27-2010, 04:50 PM

I was working a consulting job in the refining industry for a couple of years; I knew it was a matter of time situation going in to it; what I didn't count on was the economy turning South at the end of it, and that my post consulting job situation was going to be much different (albeit much, much better) than what I thought it was going to be. I thought I was going to return to the company I was with when I took the consulting job, but that didn't work out.

I stayed in LA job hunting for a while and living on unemployment. I made good money consulting, but wound up not having much to show for it for several reasons that I'll skip. Anyway, after nine months of looking for work in California, I gave up. I'd met the love of my life in February (although I didn't know it for sure at the time) but in September, I did know. I was still unemployed and in order for us to work things out, we needed to be living closer together so, I left California and moved to Texas. After four months of job hunting here, and after a total of one year and six days of being unemployed and playing in between job hunting, I recently started a new job as an industrial Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for a manufacturing plant in here Texas.

If someone had told me twenty years ago that in 2009, I was going to take a year off of work, and still manage to be okay financially, I would have found that to be quite amusing. I had not been out of a job since 1983 prior to all of this. This economic downturn has been, and remains pretty tough for a lot of people. I was lucky that I had my unemployment and my rental house income to get me through. I'm indeed lucky that it worked out for me. I know many others have not been so fortunate. I've learned a great many lessons through this. I hope things improve soon, especially for you California folks. That place is an economic train wreck!

Glynn

Glynn

BullDog

03-27-2010, 05:08 PM

I make most of my money from freelance writing- most of it is website content. I also work part time in the sales department for the Oregon Symphony. Then there is my little internet empire- I make some money from affiliate sales and Adsense. It is growing slowly but surely. I just registered 50 new domain names this week, so I have 50 new websites to build. :|

Hack

03-27-2010, 05:12 PM

I work in public relations and communications. I also do a lot of freelance political communictions works in Michigan mostly.

WolfyOne

03-27-2010, 05:25 PM

When R and I both lost our jobs in the podunk town we lived in, we decided to give plasma at the blood bank in a neighboring town. Between the two of us giving, it paid for the cats we were feeding inside and outside at the time. Heck, it even bought flea medicine for all of them. Our country vet taught us how to dose down all our cats from a large dog dose of Frontline. We were able to dose 8 cats from one of those dog doses. If we did the blood bank twice a week, we'd average an extra $200 a month each.

nytangel

03-27-2010, 05:45 PM

I have the pleasure of working for a mid-sized dot com. Its really nice not to have to dress any particular way to go to work every day. I'm thankful for an environment that is friendly to any and all lifestyles.

Gemme

03-27-2010, 07:53 PM

I work in hospitality and am thankful that I can pretty much work anywhere in this field. The down side is that I am not certain I want to work in this particular field any longer. I miss office environments and a part of me is beginning to get really annoying with the tiny voice in my head screeching that I should go back to school.

But for now, hospitality is it for me.

Cuddlebug

03-29-2010, 12:31 PM

I was a nurse, an LVN and making ok money. I went to school and LOVED my job, until I was hurt. Repetitive movement injury and that was all she wrote. I was unemployed and in workers comp.. for 3 yrs.

I went back to school and began to learn Sign Language. In 2008 I graduated and became an American Sign Language Interpreter! I am a Sign language Interpreter and .. I love my job!
I get to work with people and.... I get paid to talk! It is a femme's dream. I am blessed to have a job I love, and get paid decently well to do it.

I have also taken surveys to make a little extra.
Cuddles

UofMfan

03-29-2010, 12:55 PM

I comprehend the meaning of a text and produce the subsequent of an equivalent text, that communicates the same message, in another language.

Jesse

06-23-2010, 05:23 PM

I own a window cleaning business. I clean residential and commercial windows. It's great working for myself, meeting lots of people, and the money is surprisingly good. Cleaning windows is one of those things that most everyone hates to do, but when you know the tricks of the trade so to speak, it's not bad.

Jesse

Canela

06-23-2010, 05:27 PM

I set up non profits.

cinderella

06-23-2010, 05:32 PM

Nolthing. Since retirement (after 50 plus years of working), Uncle Sam and my 2 pensions are taking care of me very fairly decently, thank you. I took enough crap for all those year to warrent a hell of a lot more money then I am getting now. But, thankfully, it is enough for me to survive on, thank you very much.

JustJo

06-23-2010, 06:15 PM

I've been working since I was 15, with 2 breaks of 4 months each over a span of 33 years...first in the hospitality industry (everything from waitressing, line cook, dishwasher, bartender, restaurant manager, banquet manager at a hotel)...then in non-profits (client services, development) and finally went back to college after 20 years to get an advanced degree.

I ended up with 2, and a new job as a cog in the wheel of corporate America...and couldn't be happier. I work for a great company that is actually out there trying to make a positive difference in people's health and lives, and takes care of their employees while they're making money helping people. What could be better? Maybe the fact that I work from home...so I also get to make a living while being the kind of mom I want to be (the kind who's home when the school bus pulls up to the curb, and can take time out to help with homework, activities or just bake the occasional batch of after-school cookies).

I've worked hard for a long time, and I spent years studying until the wee small hours...but it has paid off for me. I feel very fortunate...and an awful lot like I won the job lottery. :)

RockOn

06-23-2010, 06:30 PM

I am an applications software developer. I have worked at the same job for over six years. Until this year, I was always a contractor but our Bureau Chief scheduled a meeting with all the contractors and said for us to submit our resumes and "be reachable." I saw contractors around me, good friends, get dismissed because of cutbacks so I went for security. We all took a little pay cut to become permanent employees. It is not so bad and right now, the security of stability is comforting. I do not spend so much anymore when I take Kelly, my dog, to pet stores. She gets to select one thing instead of a whole bag of loot. Of course, Kelly has more than she needs now anyway. I adopted her last December from our local Humane Shelter and yes, she is the love of my life. :)

I am sincerely thankful for my job. And am thankful I enjoy it so much. It is not a burden for me to get up and go into work in the mornings but I sure am glad to get home and see my Kelly. If anyone is interested, I posted her photo in the Galleries. She was a year old when I brought her home last December. Kelly is a mixed pit bull.

Best wishes to everyone - and :praying: for those who are struggling.
Brock

P. S. Looks up and waves to JustJo

T D

06-23-2010, 11:28 PM

Once upon a time I used to be a Director of Information Technology with the Federal Gov't. Now days I draw my disability and few bucks from a family trust, plus do odd jobs here and there, mostly NOT having to do with technology *chuckling* ;)

Actually I prefer to do things that I enjoy now, which usually have to do with taking care of the elderly or others who require assistance, or animals.

Makes me wonder what the heck I was doing in technology for all those years :|

femmennoir

06-24-2010, 05:07 AM

I am a full time teacher (French/Latin), I teach in after-school programme (Knitting/Weaving), I do translations (English to French), I give private lessons (French/Latin/Italian), I occasionally sell my knitting and my culinary feats (I used to be a chef and make a variety of things for my school Holiday Fair), I collect books and sell a bit online. this summer I plan to open an Etsy store. With all this I do pretty well.
Elle*

lipstixgal

06-24-2010, 04:11 PM

I went back to school for certified medical assistant but really want to be a nurse. Probably going to work for a while and then go back at night for BSN in nursing and get registered. But its not fun not having any money except for SS every month which goes like that.

Random

07-01-2010, 09:38 AM

What haven't I done is probably a better question..

Lol..

I've always been a job gypsy

I generally work in food or as office support staff... Keep my mind or my body busy and I am a happy girl...

Now this means that I have pretty well always been poor.. So, I don't have a lot of expencive habits to cut..

But I'm getting older and I'm tired of starting over... A couple years ago, I thought I found my nitch..(Artisan Bread Maker... loved it, loved it loved it..) But medical problems and a nightmare break up derailed the HELL out of my plans..

So, after three yrs of soul stealing grocery store baking and a phone job, I took four months off... (I am beyond blessed with a partner who wants me happy..)What do I want to be when I grow up?

I took apart all my jobs, and my hobbies, and my life experience and figured out what is the constant in my life...

I'm a junker, a dumpster diver, a thrifter... It's in my blood.. My grandfather had a store, my uncle had a store, my parents have a store...

So I put what I wanted out into the universe...

I'm now an assistant manager at a thrift store..

Lol.. now it may not seem to be much.. Such a lil job... But for me.. It's winning the lottery...

First step to having my own store... Grin...