A LOVELY time to be unemployed...

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So my boss tells me this morning that the store closing permanently... starting today. That's right, absolutely no warning.

WELL, I went looking all day and it seems as though nobody is hiring. What am I supposed to do??? Everyone I talked to pretty much told me I'll have to wait until after Christmas, when they get rid of the Christmas help. I've got bills coming up, not to mention Christmas presents, that I'm not going to be able to afford. Not to also mention, my roommate worked with me, so we're both in the same boat.

Should I draw unemployment??? I'm also trying to start college next month...

That's exactly what it's for!


Do you have any old junk to sell on ebay?

I feel ya: I was laid off effective December 19th.
I returned all the Christmas gifts I bought to get the money back. We have essentially cancelled all Christmas plans this year.
I cancelled the 2nd land-line phone to our house- we will simply rely on cellular from now on.
We are considering cancelling the cable until I have a job again.
The dog will have to put up with Walmart food rather than Science Diet.
And for the first time in over 20 years of being employed I will apply for unemployment. I cannot tell you how embarrassing and shameful that is for me.

Actually, despite it all I am handling it rather well. Must be my old age.

That's a good idea!

I, also, am returning Christmas gifts and decorations. I feel awful doing it, though. I've officially filed for unemployment as well. Hopefully I'll get enough money to get me through the month.

Sorry to hear about your rotten luck. This is no time to be unemployed, and I hope you're all able to find new jobs soon.

Copy and Paste Orwells' sentiments. That's a bummer.

Don't worry about gifts, I think people will be sympathetic. In fact, some people might be relieved to come to some kind of 'no presents pact' because they might be having financial difficulties themselves and wondering how they're going to afford to buy presents for everyone.

A lot of people are looking at their budgets and cutting back, because some people have already been laid off, like you, others know that their companies are in difficulties and think they might be next, and even other people who feel more secure in their employment have been facing higher food and fuel bills this year so don't have such a high disposable income.

It's pretty bleak all round, so don't be feeling you've got to go through this alone.

Glad to hear you've filed for unemployment, as bureaucracy can take a while, and it's best not to leave it until you're absolutely desperate because then they can't always process claims and payout quickly enough. It's best to start the process asap. If you find a new job, you can cancel your unemployment claim. But if you don't claim and don't get another job quickly, you can't necessarily ask them to backdate your claim and pay you for the weeks you didn't work but were looking. Wise move to put in a claim now.

What about bar work/restaurants? They tend to be busy at this time of year? Although again a lot of companies are cutting back on Christmas parties, so maybe they're not as busy as usual... Just be persistent, and yeah, look into the college thing, especially if you can learn new skills. And ask at the unemployment/labor department office about courses they offer, what training grants they might offer to unemployed people to give them new skills for new jobs.

Good luck.