I will Survive
Lay Offs are hitting everyone in America. Times are tough! You have now just been advised that you are to join the millions of other unemployed. Now, you ask yourself, "How am I going to do to support my family?".
You need to file for your unemployment immediately to get some income coming to you until employment is again available. Find out if you are eligible for food stamps while income has been reduced. Get your job resume online and at your local unemployment office. Let all your friends and former employers know you're looking for work and type of work you are qualified to perform. If you have children in school, contact the school for application for reduced lunches. This is not a time for pride because it doesn't feed the family.
Once you get your basics above taken care of, sit back and take a look at the positives of being home and realize that once you go back to work you won't have this incredible opportunity again! Make the most of this time to enjoy your home and your family. Take a look at all those things needed to be done around the house that you have put off because you were always too busy working and get them done. Staying active in a positive manner will keep your spirits up.
You've wanted to take the kids to the park for ages but never had time because you were always working. You can now take the kids to the local city park and enjoy watching the ones you work so hard for and now be able to enjoy being with them. Oh, this time is important to you and them!
Did you know you have neighbors? Wow, now you can acutally take the time to meet them. Let your neighbors know who you are and that you're looking for work; might even find some yard work to bring in extra income during this time. The more people that know you're looking for work, the more ears and eyes you have out there being alert for news of work available.
Turn this into an adventure as if you were surviving on a deserted island. Find ways to make meals that are economic and will stretch. Learn to live without some of the comforts your used to having such as deserts, colas, munchie foods in front of TV, etc.. What a hoot, this loss of employment could really force that diet you've been putting off for years! If it's hot, hold off turning on that air condition and use fans; save the air for evening sleep. If it's cold, bundle up a bit more and keep that thermostat lower to save on your heating and air bills.
Now if you still find yourself unemployed, keep following up with the unemployment office, checking newspaper and with friends and neighbors. It might also be time for you to consider a different type of work and even possibly using this time to get trained in a different field of work. You might even find you qualify for government grants to help fund this training; most of your local colleges can help you with this information.
You may find if too much time has passed that you will need to take the drastic steps of applying for equity loans to get need cash to help you through this time. If needed, call your debtors and let them know of your situation and see how they can work with you to help lower payments, etc. until you are back working. It's better to contact debtors than to simply not pay them. You may also need to go to family or friends and ask for help until you get back to work but rather than ask for money, ask for help in payment of a bill, filling tank with gas so you can job hunting, food, etc. People are hesitant to dole out cash but much more willing to pay a bill or help with food. You can barter for the aid given by repaying them in form of work you can do for them, i.e. mowing yard, baby sitting, cleaning house, doing repairs, etc. etc.. An offer to do something for them in return for their aid to you is a very effective way of getting help which makes you feel better about yourself and prevents you from having to worry about owing more money later.
Be Optimistic during this time and turn it into a test and challenge in your life that you will ovecome. Be creative, honest, industrious and assertive during this time to find the best there is in you and your life. This lay off could turn out to be the best thing that happens to you. It's up to you! Good Luck.
