As all of you know our country is going through hard economic times. This downward trend started really taking effect in late 2008. Huge layoffs in major companies, businesses closing and houses going into foreclosure left and right. Well I have been affected by this economic downward spiral too along with thousands of others in the United States. I was laid-off in Oct 2009 and recently found a job again in Feb 2011, but part-time in a totally new field. Being laid off is extremely hard financially and emotionally, but if you make some changes in your live it can help you weather the storm. In what to most is a huge financial loss, can actually help you find peace.
When I was laid off I started thinking about how I can make the best of the situation. At that time my family and I were going through major unthinkable turmoil and my littlest one was greatly affected, which was causing problems at school. I thought of this time as an opportunity to help my son coupe and heal from the scars of his abuse. I knew that by being at school with him it would help him overcome his fears and he would know he had my support. In conjunction with volunteering at the school I started doing full-time school transportation for the kids that went to my son's old daycare. I also started volunteering with a cat rescue group a couple days a week too. Volunteering at these places helped me through the depression of my family struggles and the depression of being laid-off. I met tons of new people that helped me think of my own ideas to get through this long-term temporary phase in my life.
I knew I didn't want to go back to the crazy schedule and stressful environment at my old job. But I also couldn't do anything the moment with my recent Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice because while going through the steps of becoming a State Parole Officer I discovered I had an illness that can only be corrected by surgery. Having this condition prohibited me from going forward with the career path I had chosen because I was laid off and had no medical insurance. Sure I could sulk about the multiple unfortunate events in my life or I could adjust my routines and roll with life's punches. I am not gonna lie and say I never cried or complained like everyone else around me, but I quickly picked myself up and made some changes.
First to save money, I had to get rid of the beauty rituals I was accustomed to. I stoped dying my hair and limited my trips to the nail shop from every week to every 2 months. What saved my family a ton of cash was cooking at home more often, cooking multi-meal items, learning to make meals from scratch and going to local farmers markets instead of major grocery chains. Changing these habits saved me a ton of cash. Not to mention I was no longer paying for daycare or commuting everyday. Also what helps tremendously is clipping coupons and getting them online. Of course, it also helped that I was approved for unemployment and my mother moved in with me and helped with the rent.
As far as the job search goes its tough. The last time I got laid off before the major economic crisis I found a permanent job in three weeks, but those days are over. This time it took me a year and four months to find another job. Look for work everyday and not in the field you were in either per say, but just other fields you can manage to land based off of qualities and work ethics you have already attained. You can also try to attend a career school. I know of many people that have went that route and have been successful. There are also several people that started their own businesses and have been fruitful even during these economically trying times.
Sure I miss having the money and pampering myself, but the positive is I have more time to be involved with all of my kids in a more hands-on way and I see my husband more too. The part-time job was great for a while. I got to learn about something totally new and the money is not too far off from what I was making before, but things are slowing down and I am not working as much as I would like to. So I am trying new things like this blog and bidding on jobs I can do at home. When there's a will there is a way and I will make it.
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