Remember in my last post, how I said we were good for this month, and then things would get dicey? Yeah. I remember thinking that was how it was. That’s a nice memory.
Here, though, is the reality: thanks to my infuriating combination of a flighty attention span and bad math skills, we’re out of money now. Like, completely. So completely that we were actually a couple hundred dollars in the hole, but my husband the ex-banker convinced the nice customer service rep to refund the overdraft fees, thank you Bank of America (suck it, IBC!). So we’re at nothing, with bills on the way.
Instead of crying about it–okay, after crying about it a lot–I went into action. I stocked and re-opened my Etsy shop, where shipping on all items is free on purchases made between now and next Saturday. I listed all of my Bloom County/Outland/Opus Christmas ornaments on eBay. I have an old Buick for sale. And I set up a new blog for posting my novella, This Old Haunt. And yes, there is a tip jar. Donations are completely optional, and I was careful to make that clear.
Before the critics descend to tell me I should get a job–that’s what I’ve been trying to do for the last six months. Broadening my field and lowering my standards haven’t helped. I can’t even find temp or part time work. Business is trickling in on the Virtual Assistant and freelance writing fronts, but paydays from that are small and slow in coming. If we can just make it through July and August, I think we’ll be okay for the rest of the year. But rest assured, I’m working my butt off, and I honestly don’t know what else to do that doesn’t involve illicit surgery and the black market.
I just don’t want to lose my house. I don’t know what we’ll do if it comes to that.
So anyway, if you, dear readers, could take a look at my offerings and see if there’s anything you like well enough to pay for, I will be eternally grateful. I’ll be equally grateful if you help spread the word about This Old Haunt, where the first episode will go live tomorrow.
Thank you. And if you ever need a helping hand, don’t ever hesitate to ask me.
[Originally posted at Daydream Believer.]
*hugs you*
Yeah, finding a job in this economy…I was unemployed for nearly four months myself earlier this year. I’m sorry things are going so rough for you right now, but I’m sure things will pan out in the end for you.
Yeah. I’ve never had so much trouble finding a job before. It’s really scary, I won’t lie.
Thanks, sweetie. *HUGS*
Jeanie, I wish I could help, but I’m not getting a paycheck until the end of August. 🙁 I’m praying for you, though. ♥
Thank you, sweetie. We need prayer more than anything else right now. *HUGS*
I am sorry to hear about yor finances. You said your husband was and ex-banker. did his dissabilty stop him from working at the bank? could you sue for discrimimation? I now he is going to school, is he getting his MBA? is it fulltime or could he get another non-banking job to help? I don’t know how it i s where you are, but there are walmart jobs and jobs in stories and at our Burger kign. Not the most glamoros but its a paycheck.
I cant wait to read your new story novela! I would donnate but I like you am waching every penny. good luck with everything!!!!
Well, he worked for a bank and his official title was “Banker,” but he was really just a customer service phone rep. He’s got a pretty good idea of how to talk to other CSRs to get his way, though.
His disability is more the culmination of all of the complications that stem from his amputation than the amputation itself. Chronic phantom limb pain, chronic insomnia, chronic depression, chronic ACTUAL limb, joint and back pain from being on crutches constantly, chronic fatigue…there’s more, but suffice to say he’s chronic, and in no shape to do anything for more than a couple of hours at a time. He attends online classes, and he’s still working on his Bachelor’s because he can only handle a couple of classes a semester. He was improving under our doctor’s care, but then we lost our insurance, and now he’s back at square one.
As for the “There’s always Wal-Mart or McDonald’s” argument, I’ve done Wal-Mart. I was barely able to support myself on Wal-Mart wages when all I had was myself to feed and had cheap rent. I’d have to work double-shifts to even come close to earning enough to pay our mortgage, and even if I’m willing, they don’t allow that-they do whatever they can to avoid having to pay overtime. That’s why there are never enough cashiers up front, and why customer service sucks so bad (at least at all the stores in my area).
I’m already making more than that as a freelancer –we’re just in a tight spot right now where our savings have run out and my clients are being slow to pay me.
I’m not asking for a handout. I completely understand that a lot of people are in this boat with me. It’s not necessary to explain or apologize if you can’t or just don’t want to buy from my shop or leave a tip for the novella. If you (collective you) do, I appreciate it. If you don’t, I take it as a given that you can’t afford to, and even allow for the possibility that you just don’t like what you see. 😉 The only thing I’m really begging for from you guys is that you help me pimp my novella, but I understand if y’all have your reasons for not doing that, either. No worries.
Thanks for the sympathy and good wishes. *hugs*