O-Trap;670129 wrote:"Taking a second job" isn't just something you can snap your fingers and do. Even if you've got a good education and some good experience, this market isn't easy for landing employment.

Now, suppose the parent is a single parent, with no high school degree. Two jobs STILL might not be enough to keep his/her children from being malnourished or without a roof over their heads.

It's about what you can do. If you love your kids, you want to be with them, but you also want what is best for them, even if what is best for them tears you apart. If you can have both, you work your ass off to do it. If not, I think the latter has to trump the former.

Maybe people have to lower their standards as to the second job because you can go get a job making $8-$10hr but you may actually have to work for that money.There are many creative ways to make a living but some people are just scared to take a chance or worried what other people will think but until they start paying your bills for you,you should not care what they think.

Single parent-Where is the child support or welfare assistance while you try to get better educated and if you are a single parent having trouble with bills then you need to stop going out and give up the cell phone because I see them out all the time with friends having a good time but crying that they don't have any money to pay bills.

My wife and I are now on a tighter budget, she is only working 2 half days per week since our daughter was born, which will probably eventually become 0 days per week.

Taking into account our house payment, car payment (1 car is paid off), and student loans (overpaying to get rid of within 5 years), and all of our monthly expenses, we are in the positive by a few hundred bucks a month....It's a big change for us coming form 2 incomes, no kids, with a few thousand a month in discretionary income. We have saved up a good amount in savings, and we have a pretty hefty retirement account I would say (for 2 people under 25 years old).

When looking at other people, some things that I think we $ on in comparison are:

--Cable bill is $15, internet is $40, Netflix is $14, no home phone line --- $69 per month. Many people I know pay $120 plus for their tv/internet/phone packages.

--Cell phone -- no data package, 250 text limit --- this saves us $60 a month with Verizon...As much as I love smart phones, I don't need it....I'm on a computer 8 hours per day at work, and have a pc, laptop, and ipod touch at home...I can be disconnected from the world for my 20 minute commute....

--No formula for the baby, and making her vegetables/fruit at home rather than buying....It doesn't take much time, my wife and I made almost a months worth of meals for our daughter this past weekend, froze it, and it all cost like $10, and took less than 1 hour.....It would be $50-60 per month for store bought, and homemade doesn't have all of that crap in it.

O-Trap;670129 wrote:"Taking a second job" isn't just something you can snap your fingers and do. Even if you've got a good education and some good experience, this market isn't easy for landing employment.

Now, suppose the parent is a single parent, with no high school degree. Two jobs STILL might not be enough to keep his/her children from being malnourished or without a roof over their heads.

It's about what you can do. If you love your kids, you want to be with them, but you also want what is best for them, even if what is best for them tears you apart. If you can have both, you work your ass off to do it. If not, I think the latter has to trump the former.

I have to somewhat disagree with this. There are alot of jobs out there that would be good as a supplemental income, maybe not alot of jobs that can support a family. It may, however, be difficult to find a 2nd job that fits the schedule, but there are alot of jobs out there if people are willing to do them, because they aren't glamourous by any means.

McFly1955;670228 wrote:My wife and I are now on a tighter budget, she is only working 2 half days per week since our daughter was born, which will probably eventually become 0 days per week.

Taking into account our house payment, car payment (1 car is paid off), and student loans (overpaying to get rid of within 5 years), and all of our monthly expenses, we are in the positive by a few hundred bucks a month....It's a big change for us coming form 2 incomes, no kids, with a few thousand a month in discretionary income. We have saved up a good amount in savings, and we have a pretty hefty retirement account I would say (for 2 people under 25 years old).

When looking at other people, some things that I think we $ on in comparison are:

--Cable bill is $15, internet is $40, Netflix is $14, no home phone line --- $69 per month. Many people I know pay $120 plus for their tv/internet/phone packages.

--Cell phone -- no data package, 250 text limit --- this saves us $60 a month with Verizon...As much as I love smart phones, I don't need it....I'm on a computer 8 hours per day at work, and have a pc, laptop, and ipod touch at home...I can be disconnected from the world for my 20 minute commute....

--No formula for the baby, and making her vegetables/fruit at home rather than buying....It doesn't take much time, my wife and I made almost a months worth of meals for our daughter this past weekend, froze it, and it all cost like $10, and took less than 1 hour.....It would be $50-60 per month for store bought, and homemade doesn't have all of that crap in it.

This is what you call having your house in order and a better chance at a good future for the family.

password;670195 wrote:Maybe people have to lower their standards as to the second job because you can go get a job making $8-$10hr but you may actually have to work for that money.There are many creative ways to make a living but some people are just scared to take a chance or worried what other people will think but until they start paying your bills for you,you should not care what they think.

Single parent-Where is the child support or welfare assistance while you try to get better educated and if you are a single parent having trouble with bills then you need to stop going out and give up the cell phone because I see them out all the time with friends having a good time but crying that they don't have any money to pay bills.

I personally know people who are basically only qualified for the minimum wage jobs. One woman in particular (single mom of two) works two of them.

Guess how often she sees her kids. Almost never.

They've been staying across town with their grandparents. She still sees them on days off, but the fact of the matter is, she's in such financial trouble that she still can't feed them, feed herself, and pay all the bills every month, even with the two jobs she's qualified for.

It is better ... more healthy ... for her kids to be staying with the grandparents. She knows that. We talk about it every Sunday night (goes to church with me). She doesn't like it, but it's the reality of the situation.

se-alum;670248 wrote:I have to somewhat disagree with this. There are alot of jobs out there that would be good as a supplemental income, maybe not alot of jobs that can support a family. It may, however, be difficult to find a 2nd job that fits the schedule, but there are alot of jobs out there if people are willing to do them, because they aren't glamourous by any means.

There's a key word there. Supplimental.

And actually, if you're at all educated, many of those jobs don't exist, because you're overqualified. I can't tell you how many fast food places I never heard from again when I applied there, college degree and all.

O-Trap;670460 wrote:many of those jobs don't exist, because you're overqualified. I can't tell you how many fast food places I never heard from again when I applied there, college degree and all.

I tried to find a part time job xmas 2009 just to help pay for presents. I applied at several places that were hiring and couldn't even get a call back. I was willing to do whatever they wanted as long as it didn't interfere with my 9-5 job. I applied at TSC and several pet stores thinking having a lot of pets might help. I know people who work at TSC and I called them several times. They always said they were looking through applications but I never got a call back.

FatHobbit;670494 wrote:I tried to find a part time job xmas 2009 just to help pay for presents. I applied at several places that were hiring and couldn't even get a call back. I was willing to do whatever they wanted as long as it didn't interfere with my 9-5 job. I applied at TSC and several pet stores thinking having a lot of pets might help. I know people who work at TSC and I called them several times. They always said they were looking through applications but I never got a call back.

Yep. I was applying at Target, Wendy's, McDonald's, Kohls, etc. Got nothing.

O-Trap;670460 wrote:I personally know people who are basically only qualified for the minimum wage jobs. One woman in particular (single mom of two) works two of them.

Guess how often she sees her kids. Almost never.

They've been staying across town with their grandparents. She still sees them on days off, but the fact of the matter is, she's in such financial trouble that she still can't feed them, feed herself, and pay all the bills every month, even with the two jobs she's qualified for.

It is better ... more healthy ... for her kids to be staying with the grandparents. She knows that. We talk about it every Sunday night (goes to church with me). She doesn't like it, but it's the reality of the situation.



There's a key word there. Supplimental.

And actually, if you're at all educated, many of those jobs don't exist, because you're overqualified. I can't tell you how many fast food places I never heard from again when I applied there, college degree and all.

I think that is terrible that she has to live that way but maybe she needs to go back to school and get better educated.The health field is a good place to start and is a secure field for people and in 2 years she could be earning between 35- 50 thousand a year.

If she is good looking and doesn't mind crowds I have a buddy that runs a couple of strip clubs in PA and the girls make about $2000.00 a week.Ok I was just joking about her working for my buddy but many girls do work for him while in school or to make enough money for a large down payment on a house then they quit.

Where is the father of the children and I would think that the church would help her get back on her feet because without an education she will be working minimum wage jobs her whole life and still won't have anything for all that hard work.

password;670195 wrote:Maybe people have to lower their standards as to the second job because you can go get a job making $8-$10hr but you may actually have to work for that money.There are many creative ways to make a living but some people are just scared to take a chance or worried what other people will think but until they start paying your bills for you,you should not care what they think.

Single parent-Where is the child support or welfare assistance while you try to get better educated and if you are a single parent having trouble with bills then you need to stop going out and give up the cell phone because I see them out all the time with friends having a good time but crying that they don't have any money to pay bills.

You act like you can just show up and be handed an $8-10 hr job.

password;670604 wrote:I think that is terrible that she has to live that way but maybe she needs to go back to school and get better educated.The health field is a good place to start and is a secure field for people and in 2 years she could be earning between 35- 50 thousand a year.

If she is good looking and doesn't mind crowds I have a buddy that runs a couple of strip clubs in PA and the girls make about $2000.00 a week.Ok I was just joking about her working for my buddy but many girls do work for him while in school or to make enough money for a large down payment on a house then they quit.

Where is the father of the children and I would think that the church would help her get back on her feet because without an education she will be working minimum wage jobs her whole life and still won't have anything for all that hard work.

She's talked about going to school when she is enough out of the hole to be able to quit one job. She's gotta get her GED first, which is not a problem, as there is a GED testing center a short walk from her house.

Her kids living with her parents is not a permanent setup. It's only been that way for about three and a half months, and again, it's not like she never sees them, but for now, she can't support them.

The church drives her to see her kids, helped her move out of her apartment (which had black mold growing in the bathroom) into a smaller, but cleaner, apartment that was cheaper. We've had some temporary work that we've offered her (usually she can't because she's got to go to one of her jobs). We do what we can, but most of us are pretty low-income as well. But we're a close-knit community, so we help when we can (when I was laid off a week before Thanksgiving, a couple in the church brought us a turkey, yams, ham, cranberry sauce, etc.).

The father is in jail. He was selling, which was part of the reason she got so far into the hole. They were used to an income she no longer had, and their lifestyle was fine for that income. Certainly not now.

password;669978 wrote:They have excellent pork chops.

Yes they do. We get them often.

I Wear Pants;670615 wrote:You act like you can just show up and be handed an $8-10 hr job.

See that's the problem with some people,they think that all they have to do is show up and someone will just hand them a job.You have to look for it and prove you deserve it and most of all you have to hustle at the job.

Just an example in my area,I have a neighbor that owns a roofing and remodeling company and struggles to find workers that will show up on time and do a good job.Labors are getting paid $10.00 per hour tax free with no experience and he even pays for lunch every day and has everyone over his house for get togethers and help them out with things at their home for free.Don't tellme their are not jobs out there if you are willing to work for it.

password;670748 wrote:See that's the problem with some people,they think that all they have to do is show up and someone will just hand them a job.You have to look for it and prove you deserve it and most of all you have to hustle at the job.

Just an example in my area,I have a neighbor that owns a roofing and remodeling company and struggles to find workers that will show up on time and do a good job.Labors are getting paid $10.00 per hour tax free with no experience and he even pays for lunch every day and has everyone over his house for get togethers and help them out with things at their home for free.Don't tellme their are not jobs out there if you are willing to work for it.

That's fine and good in your area.

I, however, was applying to over 100 jobs a week (combo of online and going on) in this area. Seemed like every job I was qualified for, I was OVERqualified for, and the job would not have supported my wife and I. Every job I was NOT overqualified for, and would provide for my wife and I, I would never get calls back.

I applied to 67 different Verizon Wireless positions in the general area over those 13 months. I have experience working at Verizon Wireless, and I left on good terms, not to mention that I was always atop the sales board while there. Nothing.

I applied anywhere and everywhere I could think to apply. Sometimes I'd get an interview. Most times, I wouldn't.

Moreover, maybe there were jobs like your neighbor's business. However, if the positions are never out there, how am I supposed to know?

Being a hard worker doesn't mean dick if you have, and can find, no job at which to work hard.

password;670748 wrote:See that's the problem with some people,they think that all they have to do is show up and someone will just hand them a job.You have to look for it and prove you deserve it and most of all you have to hustle at the job.

Just an example in my area,I have a neighbor that owns a roofing and remodeling company and struggles to find workers that will show up on time and do a good job.Labors are getting paid $10.00 per hour tax free with no experience and he even pays for lunch every day and has everyone over his house for get togethers and help them out with things at their home for free.Don't tellme their are not jobs out there if you are willing to work for it.

where do you live? lol

O-Trap;670888 wrote:That's fine and good in your area.

I, however, was applying to over 100 jobs a week (combo of online and going on) in this area. Seemed like every job I was qualified for, I was OVERqualified for, and the job would not have supported my wife and I. Every job I was NOT overqualified for, and would provide for my wife and I, I would never get calls back.

I applied to 67 different Verizon Wireless positions in the general area over those 13 months. I have experience working at Verizon Wireless, and I left on good terms, not to mention that I was always atop the sales board while there. Nothing.

I applied anywhere and everywhere I could think to apply. Sometimes I'd get an interview. Most times, I wouldn't.

Moreover, maybe there were jobs like your neighbor's business. However, if the positions are never out there, how am I supposed to know?

Being a hard worker doesn't mean dick if you have, and can find, no job at which to work hard.

I don't know your whole situation or the circumstances that caused you to be unemployed but I am just speaking of finding work to save your family from destitude and help pay the bills.I know people that only look for work out of the local paper or when a friend gets a job they want to know if they can have one also.Then there are people that will go to every business that they think would be a job that they can handle and ask to put an application in whether they are hiring or not.A good place to start is the phone book and start with the first page for businesses and go thru evey business in the book and mark down the ones that you could see working for then go apply.Maybe I am just speaking about my area and maybe things are different in the other
parts of the state.I am not saying that there are big paying jobs out there for everyone but maybe one to help save the family until something better happens.

Pick6;670974 wrote:where do you live? lol

Jefferson County,Ohio

I have been married for 11 years and have 3 step children. My husband has had to work a second job to make up for the child support. It's easier for him to do being a fireman and working every third day, but had he not worked that second job, money would have been very tight. He is only paying for 1 now and is working less at his second job. It's turned into extra cash and not a necessity. Life is certainly easier.

Before I got a second job (if I were you), I would have baby momma get one. She could work when you're home so no sitter is needed. A few extra days income a week can make a huge difference.