#FinancialSurvival #LongTermUnemployment #FinancialWorries
Hey there, long term unemployed friends! 👋 It’s tough out there, isn’t it? I can totally relate to the stress and uncertainty that comes with being out of work for an extended period of time. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering how the hell you’re going to survive financially. Well, fear not! I’ve got some tips and strategies to help you navigate through this challenging time.
1. Budgeting is Key
When you’re unemployed, every dollar counts. Creating a budget and sticking to it is crucial for managing your finances. Take a close look at your expenses and prioritize your needs over wants. It might mean cutting back on non-essential spending, but it’s a necessary step in making your money stretch.
2. Explore Government Assistance Programs
There are a variety of government assistance programs available for individuals who are unemployed. From unemployment benefits to food stamps, these programs can provide much-needed financial support during difficult times. Do some research and find out what options are available to you in your area.
3. Gig Work and Freelancing
If finding a traditional full-time job seems daunting, consider taking on gig work or freelancing to bring in some extra income. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit offer opportunities for freelance work in a variety of industries. Whether it’s graphic design, writing, or odd jobs, these platforms can be a great way to earn money while job hunting.
4. Side Hustles
In addition to freelancing, consider exploring side hustles that align with your skills and interests. From dog walking to tutoring to selling handmade crafts on Etsy, there are countless ways to generate income outside of traditional employment. Get creative and think about how you can leverage your talents to make some extra cash.
5. Community Resources
Don’t underestimate the power of your local community. Many communities offer resources such as food banks, career counseling services, and financial assistance programs for individuals in need. Reach out to local organizations and nonprofits to see what support is available to you.
6. Seeking Financial Counseling
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation, consider seeking the help of a financial counselor. They can provide guidance on managing debt, budgeting, and creating a financial plan for the future. Many organizations offer free or low-cost financial counseling services, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
7. Avoiding Predatory Lenders
When you’re in a tight spot, it can be tempting to turn to payday lenders and high-interest loans for quick cash. However, these options often come with exorbitant fees and interest rates that can trap you in a cycle of debt. Explore alternatives such as credit unions or community loan programs that offer more favorable terms.
8. Building a Support Network
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a strong support network. Talk to friends and family about your situation and seek their advice and assistance. You never know who might have a lead on a job opportunity or be willing to offer some temporary financial help.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. There are resources and support systems available to help you navigate the challenges of long-term unemployment. Stay positive, stay proactive, and keep pushing forward. You’ve got this! 🌟
For more tips and advice on navigating financial challenges during unemployment, be sure to check out our website for additional resources and support. We’re here to help you through this tough time. #FinancialSurvival #LongTermUnemployment #FinancialWorries
I perform sexual favors behind the wendies dumpster.
Savings, loans, retirement funds, credit cards, odd jobs, and whatever it takes.
Borrowing money at this point 🥲
Doing Uber and such. Selling shit I don’t need at the house.
I lost my job in 2020, obviously unemployed help, but I also had to move out of the city I was into another city where rent was cheaper.
I also sold lots of items to make extra cash. Thankfully I also had savings, now almost all gone.
From 2020 to 2022 I had not job. I apply to several locations, but lots of this places were paying to little that basically all was going to go directly to gas cause I live 2 hours away. So I said no and wait.
I’m now employed, however is not the same amount I used to make and I’m working on a totally different industry. I work 15 hours a day with an hour break all standing up.
I don’t hate my job, but it’s definitely the hardest physical and mentally exhausted job I ever had in my life.
I also live a very frugal lifestyle to the point where I don’t even buy fast food as that’s too expensive.
Starting work in February after a six month layoff.
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Savings, Unemployment, donating plasma, a very gracious ex, mom and dad and a handful of friends that love and trust me very much.
This guy with a grad degree profiled on CNN hasn’t been able to find a salaried position since November 2022. He’s a TikTok creator, tutor and soccer coach now.
I got caught in a tech layoff in early 2022. Between the severance and the the unemployment, I made it to the end of that year after putting my mortgage in forbearance. In 2023 I used my tax return to pay the past due mortgage. But, I also had a real job for about 4 months before they decided they didn’t like me. I saw which way things were going and saved like mad. Between the savings I built up in that time, the paycheck for four months, and the much less unemployment I got, as well as participating in an extremely well paid focus group, I made it to the end of 2023.
Now I need to dig into savings. It’s scary.
I was unemployed for 2.5 years from Jan 2020 to June 2022, mostly ran down emergency fund, stimulus, credit cards and those sweet sweet enhanced unemployment checks that lasted forever
I was also living with my parents rent free and had no car payment at the time
As a family, paycheck to paycheck, on one income, credit. Payment arrangements, payment extensions, gig work, ebay
I’ve been seeing a lot of unemployed people moving back in with their parents for the time being.
Go to free food drives hosted by neighborhood churches and get free groceries.
Food banks too.
It is just one less expense to pay out.
And having loving family that cares about you enough to hire you to fix stuff for them or run errands for them.
If they really can’t refer you to come work with them where they work.
And keep working – if you can charge for anything that you can charge to do go out everyday and do that.
Knock doors and offer grass mowing or landscaping, dog walking, garage clean up, or elderly or child care.
Anything that you can do that isn’t criminally illegal to do; do it.
And you can scrape by. But you also have to give up a lot of stuff you used to have.
That and just sell everything you have and cut all expenditures.
And pray you stay healthy enough to not have to go to hospital. Otherwise be ready to die out on the street or to not live as long as you would have if you had a decent job.
One option is to move back in with your parents, if they are still alive and financially well. Some aging parents are doing superb and allow their kids to live in the house rent-free. Other parents may be struggling themselves, so their live-in kids will have to pay rent. That way, housing will be the LEAST of your concern. From there, you can get a local job at a gym or a retail store or wherever that is hiring right now. It may be part-time, but it’s worth it. Then in your free time, you go on MIT Courseware or Coursera for free or low-cost classes so that you can do some upskilling. Maybe save up your earnings for a certification or associate’s degree at a local community college? There are options.
If living with parents is NOT an option for you, then you will have to live in your car or at a friend’s house. You may apply for government assistance and see if the government can help you out a bit, maybe even provide some free food from the food bank.
I was unemployed for just over 7 months, but I received 6 months severance when I left that company, so I was OK. I didn’t even start looking for a job until about 6 weeks had passed. I probably would have stayed out longer but my wife was starting to say things like “Did you have any interviews today?”, “Did you apply for any jobs today?”.
In my 20s and 30s, I would have been SCREWED if I was unemployed for more than a month or two.
In my 40s, I opened up a brokerage account and finally started saving. It’s sitting around $100K – I got lucky with the timing. I used some of those funds when I quit a toxic job in 2022 and I was unemployed for 6 months.
If I didn’t have my rainy day fund, i’d apply to my local hardware store. They are *always* looking for cashiers. Unfortunately, those jobs only pay minimum wage, $16/hour.
Mostly unemployed for over a year now, living at my parent’s house for the time being, making just enough money freelancing to pay off my credit card and have some spending money.
I do not well.
I rented out my house, moved in with my parents and used the rental income to pay for my health and dental costs.
My husband. I’d be screwed without him
I ate 3 bags of doritos and drank a small amount of milk, I am looking for a job but I honestly do not even have the energy to keep being told no
When I was laid off I did Amazon Flex. It paid decently well. Not sure what it pays now but you can choose your own hours, work 6 hours a day and make decent money (for what it is). Paid way better than door dash in my area.
I lost my job last year with a 3 month emergency fund and was unemployed for 7 months. I sold some extra stuff & furniture, delivered for Shipt and walked dogs, but I live in a HCOL area and those earnings barely covered food and gas. Once I ran out of savings, I pulled out my retirement fund. Once that ran out (I’m fairly new to the workforce) I subleased my apartment on a month-to-month basis and continued gig work while living with my parents.
After finally getting another full-time job, my credit score is still super low due to high utilization and I’m working another part-time job (not gig work like Shipt) to rebuild my savings and pay off my credit cards. It sucks. I know this is what emergency funds are for, but I feel really down that those extra few months of unemployment put me so far behind financially. I should be debt free and have my 3 month emergency fund back up in about 2 years, but after this last year the 3 month rule doesn’t seem like it is enough and I constantly feel so insecure and scared about money. It’s rough out here. If I could go back, I would have given up my apartment earlier, but I don’t have the best relationship with my parents and it was truly a last resort as my mental health really suffered. I hope you find something soon OP! I can relate to how it feels and I look back at that as one of the most difficult times of my life, but it really shows you your own resilience and faith in yourself, and I know you’ll pull through.
My family helps me out 🙁 I had an interview today I wasn’t prepared for or informed earlier but I have an assessment I have to do tomorrow :/ wish me luck pls
Been out of work 8 months. I had saved a ton of money, and my wife has her own business, although it does not bring in that much. But the savings has kept me going.
have you tried hospital they need transporters all the time and typically union with benefits. also register snd sch depts
Dawg i have almost no food left besides one chicken patty and a box of cereal and some milk but my rent and electric is paid for February, im praying i get hired soon
When I was laid off in 2020, I moved back with my parents. I minimized my expenses and had savings. I could also work for my aunt again if needed since she had her own business. Found another job within 3 months when economy was starting to grow.
Point is, people who are surviving are usually because they have savings or support in some way or another. That’s why it’s important to invest in your relationships, network and community. Those who have those don’t have to struggle alone.
Thank god I kept my hobby job in the dog grooming shop and picked up a ton of hours. I paid off my car and high interest loan and get severance until March. I’ve cut all my luxuries and try to live off the part time job $ and sock the severance.
The market is looking so bleak for me so I’m about to accept a 6 month contract so I can avoid losing my mind and start taking up day drinking.
Lot of people are eligible for unemployment benefits when they are layed off
I live with my mom in a 1 bedroom apartment.
I’ve been working uber eats. Always applying for an actual job, just never got hired.
Unemployed since end of 2021
Savings, it’s my 10th month without work ![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|cry). I was a little extra sad today.
Friend does pizza delivery. It covers his bills.
Dumpster diving
I’ve wondered this too! I have friends who went a long time without a job and they have families and I’m like — are you OK?
I imagine unemployment benefits help. A lot of people seem to be doing gig and contract work, but man, it seems like it must take a lot of hustle to get even groceries these days.
Kind of funny that today being unemployed is harder work than having a job … I’ve never scrambled more than when I didn’t know where my next paycheck was coming from.
Cut your costs way down. Look to the library for things to do to stay sane. I mean books obv, but my library offers state park passes and library tickets.
I’m living in a homeless shelter
Holy smokes the amount of replies on this thread is astonishing. I hope nothing but good luck to everyone. I know we’re all going through some tough times including myself.
I wonder this myself.