Critical decision time

[Josie Beth]

In a few days I’m going to have to make a very critical decision. I’m down to just above another week rent if I don’t spend any money at all. But I’m also coming up on my phone bill in 3 days. I was going to try putting it off but I realize that if I don’t have phone service I’m not going to get any work at all. And I’m also going to be cut off financially from anything that might be accessible on my phone. Any ideas? It’s either pay the next weeks rent ahead or keep my phone on. I’m not even going to discuss food.

[Jackie C.]

<insert_foul_language>. Depends. Do you have friends or family you can crash with? If not, it depends on your landlord. Are they they type to let you coast for a week or two while you look for work?

 

If you have somewhere else to go, I'd ditch the apartment. It sucks and you lose some of your independence, but unless you're super attached to the place, it's just a unit. There are always more apartments. 

 

If not. You need shelter. It's stupid cold outside up here. Probably better where you are (about +10 degrees from what I remember from my one visit to your state), but still too cold to be homeless.

 

I think I'd also look into pre-paid phones. That way you can keep a line open with the agency and/or for interviews but keep your phone costs down.

 

Otherwise, I'd be looking at things I could sell in a hurry.

 

I'm sorry sweetie, your situation really sucks.

 

Hugs!

[DeeDee]

Sorry to hear that Josie, no one can really advise you as none of us are in your situation, but in the past it has been my experience that a roof and a fixed address is more important and useful to getting employment than a phone.. you can work around phone issues by using mail/email or using a landline number you can access somewhere at set times and there are usually a lot of places that offer free wifi access. I hope you get a resolution quickly. ?

[Josie Beth]

Well I’m already using prepaid phone, and I’m not exactly without hope yet. I can’t move in with any friends or relatives. The closest relative is my brother and he’s so far out of town that employment would be an issue without a car. I’ve worked with my rental agency before but there’s a fee for being late and that stacks up pretty fast. I can’t remember what it was but it sucks if you have to catch up. I do remember that telling them up front is better than trying to ignore it. I’ve tried to use email or WiFi or even a landline to get notified for work and that’s not going to work. Everyone else gets to it faster so I’m pretty much stuck unless I keep my phone. Yes it’s definitely too cold to be homeless, but it’s also not good to be cut off from employment either, which is going to keep a roof over my head. Sitting around at home or the library waiting for an email isn’t going to do it. 

[TommieAnne]

Not that you want to get into last-ditch circumstances, but for about 10 months I lived out of my car, stayed at youth hostels, campgrounds and friends' couches, showered at the gym, got my mail at a post office box. No one was any wiser.

It's not optimal. But it beats living under a bridge.

[Josie Beth]

I really cannot afford to be homeless health wise. I’ve been there 4 times and it has probably contributed to my being mentally and physically burned out. There’s really no decent shelter here. Both only offer overnight housing and you have to take everything with you around town. That’s not a good way to go to job interviews. I have heard of a homeless guy that got fired just for being homeless from a coworker and neighbor only 8 months ago who told me about it. It’s a no cause state. They can fire you for anything and there’s no recourse so unemployment insurance doesn’t matter most of the time. Really screwed up labor laws. I don’t have the luxury of youth or friends. There’s a lot of anxiety about becoming homeless. Basically it’s a trigger I have to avoid no matter what. So I’d rather not talk about it anymore. I’m NOT going to be homeless. Please don’t suggest it. The bohemian backpacking life is not for me and this time around it will probably kill me.

[TommieAnne]

Hang in there Josie Beth. You got this, girl.