Ten Things To Do When You Can't Find Work
81
Feast or Famine: Finding Balance
Recently hubber Tom Rubenoff published a terrific hub directed at people who are still working but, due to all the downsizing and U.S. layoffs, are now dealing with excessive workloads and long hours. You can read Tom's hub at: Opportunity Knocks: Excessive Workload, and I definitely recommend it. It's excellent.
I got to thinking though about the other half of that equation: The people (like me, for instance) who can't find full employment, or who sometimes can't find any employment after working for years and years. So many families now have one person who is working all the time--like, upwards of 70 hours each week--and one person who is still looking at the ever-shrinking want ads month after month after month.
Many people have given up, and I frankly don't blame them. In some parts of the U.S., if you are of a certain age and looking for work, your chances of finding a job are very, very poor. Everyone in my own immediate family has seen a shift in their family structure, such that where there used to be two fully employed people with normal hours, now there is one brutally overworked person and an adult or two at home who can't find work at all.
When you lose a job, at first it can be a bit of a relief. Sometimes job loss is sudden, but more often it is preceded by months of mounting anxiety and rumor, during which time everyone knows the company is in trouble and everyone is nervously waiting for the axe to fall. Maybe during this period wages and benefits are cut as well, and the workplace becomes much more stressful than usual. Coworkers are hyper-reactive, bosses are bad-tempered and demanding, and every little insignificant thing suddenly takes on huge importance.
So when that finally ends, it feels good for a short while.
Once reality sets in though, and it becomes clear that something large and intractable is under way with employment nationwide, and that furthermore, you personally may or may not be able to break through it anytime soon, life can get enormously stressful. Everyone in the family is now going through a major adjustment of some kind, everyone at the same time, and all of these adjustments are made more difficult by increasing financial insecurity and fear.
Being able to do something, even if it isn't paid work, can help.
If you've been out of work for over six months and your prospects just keep getting grimmer, the following list of options may or may not make you feel better.
Feel free to add your own thoughts and practical suggestions in comments.
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Things to Do When You Can't Find a Job
This is not a definitive list by any stretch of the imagination, but all of these things have, at one time or another in my life, been personally helpful in getting me through a rough stretch 'between jobs':
- Volunteer. I know this is really cliche, but the truth is that right now social service agencies are completely overwhelmed with new clients. Many are also overwhelmed with new volunteers, so you might have to be patient and persistent, not because they can't use you right this minute, but because they might not have the resources to check and train everyone who wants to help right this minute. Many, many people get into full time social service (paid) work by volunteering, and there's no shortage of things to do.
- Learn a trade. Right now everyone is rushing into the health care field thinking that is where all the jobs will be now that industry is fast disappearing, but actually, in some parts of the U.S. health care workers are being laid off too. Skilled hands-on labor can't be outsourced though--You can't get someone in China to come fix your toilet, for example. While it's true that the trades are suffering too and many workers are being imported, it's also true that if you know how to do something, anything, with your hands you will always be able to pick up some work, and more importantly, you will always be needed. You can never know how to do too many things. If nothing else, you can use these skills at home.
- Go back to school. This is harder than it used to be financially but it's still not impossible. If you never got that GED, now is the time. If you never finished your final year of college, what are you waiting for? Just having a goal and a direction will get you back in the mix and help you make some new connections.
- Clean out your house, garage, and/or basement. You know how you're always going to do that when you get time except you never get any time? Well, now you have time. Lots of people can't let go of old stuff, but you can certainly go through it, get rid of what you can, and arrange the rest in a sensible fashion. You'll feel better and more organized, and weirdly, simply clearing out a space often results in opportunities opening up that seem totally unrelated to your cleaning project. I'm not going to go all New Age on your ass and tell you it's the universe or anything. I don't know why that often happens, but it does.
- Hold a yard sale. Yard sales take a lot of time. You have a lot of time. If you can bear to part with any of that stuff you found when you cleaned out your house, garage, and/or basement, do it. You know you can use the money, and the people who buy your old stuff will be happy too that they didn't have to pay retail.
- Organize a swap. Don't want to charge for your old stuff? One hot trend is swap parties. They're like mobile yard sales where everyone brings clothes their kids have outgrown and old shoes, appliances, whatever, and then just trades this old stuff for stuff they can use now. It's all free, it just requires some effort and someone willing to organize the events. You can save yourself and your friends a bundle. Lots of info is available online to get you started, including Wikihow's How to Hold a Fashion Swap Party.
- Plant a garden. It's late, but it's never too late. You can still plant beans, chard, radishes, carrots, summer squash, and tomatoes in most parts of the U.S. all the way up until the end of June, and lettuce and herbs grow quickly and easily too. Putting in a garden is mostly labor. Seeds and seedlings are fairly cheap, and you can use the dirt you have 9 times out of 10--you don't have to make a fetish out of soil amendment to get started. No, gardening won't get you a job (well, it might--but probably not the first time you try it), but it will help you fight depression and put some food on your table.
- Can. Speaking of food, canning fruit kind of went out of fashion in recent years, but now it's coming back in a big way. As each fruit comes into season, buy it in bulk and can quarts or pints. Learn to make your own jam too--it's really easy and it's way better than the store varieties. You do have to buy jars your first year, but after that, canning can save you quite a bit of money, and home canned tomatoes, applesauce, cherries, peaches, and pears are delicious. You can also give some of your canned goods as Christmas gifts, which will save you even more money and please your friends and family.
- Start a home based business. You don't have to be a business major to make a little money on the side mowing lawns, doing bookkeeping at home, taking in laundry, walking other people's dogs, helping out elderly persons, or whatever. I do freelance writing and some other internet based work, and I really like working that way. I'm not getting rich, no, but I do feel like I'm at least contributing something financially, and that means a lot.
- Take yourself on a mini-retreat and reassess. Usually when people lose a job they immediately fly into a whirl of activity aimed at replacing what they just lost. While there's nothing wrong with that, if it isn't getting the desired results, sometimes it helps to stop and look inside yourself instead. Steady work is great, and without it, we'd all have trouble paying our bills and getting along, but sometimes people fall into a rut and forget that they are capable of all kinds of things. Reassess your skills and while you are at it ask yourself what you still want to do or try before you die. Maybe this is the time to check out some of those things you put on the back burner and forgot while you were working. Write that novel. Walk across the U.S. Build your own shed. You never know what might blossom into a new career if you just give yourself room to try. So much has been written on this topic that you could spend months just reading all of it; but an article by Russell Bishop at Huffington Post entitled How To Get What You Truly Want should get you started.
Personally, I think the world is going to change pretty radically over the coming years. It won't all be smooth sailing, and some parts of the American way of life as we've come to know it will go away and never come back. Some workers will be displaced for long periods of time, some will be displaced permanently.
On the up side, I do think that the world that comes after the mess will be simpler, that people will buy less and save more, that energy efficiency will become the new standard instead of the exception, and that we will learn to value each other for more than just the money we can or cannot generate.
That might actually be a good thing.
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Comments
Nice ideas..I went back to school, doing a web design degree...
I ofetn do auctions online with my old stuff also. yard sales are unusual here...and I don't have a yard...
Excellent as usual. I share your optimism about the future. Right now, more than ever, the world needs people like you who can keep their heads up in the hardest times.
An extension of the yard sale idea is sorting stuff for ebay and Amazon. I've been surprisingly lucky with both in the past.
Great article and ideas! I especially liked your referral to the Huffington Post article...It’s OK for one to “feel” what life brings to their door. Then they need to pick themselves up and remember this too shall pass...
You've hit the nail on the head again - instead of wallowing in gloom and doom, get out there and take some action! The more we accept responsibility and take action, the more power we have. The article by Russell Bishop should be a must-read-and-take-action for us all. Thank you!
I have done most of these things in the past, certainly keeps your head held high. Here we have car-boot sales, where lots of people go to a designated sight and set up stalls where they sell there unwanted things. Can pick up some real bargains.
Ethel, Ellandriel--thanks for the suggestions. I've worked several part time jobs at once before. In some ways I prefer it, but it can get overwhelming.
Steve--I do think it will be all for the best in the end, but I also think we'll go through some fire to get there. Still, if we can end up in a place where people are more valued for who they are and we aren't wrecking the planet, it will all be worth it. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Amanda--Ebay is a great idea! I've never tried it but I've wanted to. Usually I just buy stuff there, I've never sold anything. I should--it would be fun just to try it.
Nancy's Niche--Yes I think sometimes getting too comfortable is actually a negative thing. A shake up now and then can make a person feel more alive and stay focused on what really matters.
No-limits nana--Well, I think some of those old-timer defunct ways will become valuable again, and that isn't all bad. Last year I put up peaches, applesauce, and strawberry jam. It was the first canning I'd done since I was a kid, and it went so well I'm going to double it this year. Veggies scare me a bit because of the botulism danger, but fruits and pickles are hard to get wrong.
Hawkesdream--I've seen those car boot sales here too, just didn't know what to call them. I think a lot of getting through this will depend on learning to hook up with other people and support one another through barter or trade or community gardening or whatever works. That's not all bad. :)
Great tips. I want to start a garden soon.
There is definately demand for learning new skills in the UK, whether a trade like electrician or going to university. There have been massive increases in both over the last few months. Such things are good for individual as they improve their employability and possible earnings once they have the additional qualifications. They can also be good for the wider economy as they improve the quality of the labour force once the people have the qualifications. An added bonus which I have just thought of could potentially be the reduced demand for whatever employment is available because a part of the labour force is at university, improving the chances of everyone else getting a degree. Also in many countries the government provides grants/bursaries/students for their educational fees and living expenses whilst they are in training, and so this is an additional source of income coming into the economy.
Hi Bristol Boy--Great points, thanks! I'm all for education and new learning. There's aways something worth learning, even if it's only for the sheer joy of it. :)
Hi! Great hub! Another idea is to get in shape! I saw a news report once where this guy was unemployed for a time and he said that he then had the time to exercise, and he was in the best shape during his time of unemployment.
Also, sometimes, as you pointed out in one of your examples, it can be the best time to pursue your true passion, and sometimes this opens the door to opportunity. There is a book, which I haven't read, but whose title does say it all for me. I believe it's called, "I Got Fired and it was the Best Thing That happened to Me."
That relief that some people feel when they are finally laid off can be translated to the idea that they do, now, have time to pursue another path.
Hi myway! I could certainly stand to get in shape right now. I walk and hour or more each day but I still could eat more healthfully. I'm getting that middleaged middle, which I don't care for at all! Oh well, at least I'm alive and have my health! Time to reach for more celery and less chocolate. :)
Thanks Pam for another interesting Hub. 3 thoughts (fairly random):
1. Pat does volunteer work as an accountant/auditor (she is a qualified accountant). This is very rewarding in emotional terms - people are really nice to her, and genuine in saying 'thank you' ! This is a huge improvement over paid work. Pat's experience in producing accounts that gave 'bad news' was that the messanger is often slapped.
2. Have 'cooking for the freezer days'. Ideally when it is raining. If you aren't working, you have time to buy cheaper cuts of meat and make stew for the freezer. Alternatively, bulk buy vegetables (or grow them) and make veg. soup.
3. Regarding your last point (about eating when you work at home) - that reminds us that we were thinking of writing a Hub about what to keep in your kitchen when you work at home. I hope this doesn't count as Spam - because we haven't even started writing yet....Too busy doing all the other things you list above, (LOL)
Hi 2patricias--Not spam all! I'm looking forward to that hub!There's only one Pam but she could use some advice in that area--I do know what I should NOT be keeping in the kitchen when I work at home, and that's pretty much everything I alreadhy do keep in the kitchen! lol! I hear you about accountants--I'm always nice to my accountant, even when I don't want to be, but I know he takes a lot of abuse because he tells me the stories. Thanks for your thoughts! :)
Fantastic very valuable advice. When I needed extra money about 12 years ago, I used to go to the golf club and collect all their empty coke cans. I used to get boxes of left over wax for free from a pathologyt lab. My only expense was buying some dye and some aromatherapy oils. I used to melt the wax and use the coke cans as moulds and make candles which I used to sell.
cindy--that sounds terrific. I've always wanted to try soap making. Maybe I will. Thanks for sharing. :)
If I can't find work in corporate world. I'm sure I will be in front of my laptop looking for online job. Can't stay unemployed for long period.
So true..need to act not react! Wonderful suggestions..have to remember some if hubby loses his job
Hi Gifted Grandma--Me too! I could stand to take some of my own advice. I think half the stuff I write is meant for me--I don't know what I think until it's right in front me. Thanks for your comment. :)
#11 Write hubs!
You have written an excellent hub with great ideas and information.
The Empire--LOL! Yes, I guess so!
Good cook--Thanks!
@pgrundy, I really admired your writings. I may be using different name but I'm really a constant reader of your blog and I really learned a lot from you. In my case, I always do volunteering everytime I lose my job (well, it just 5 times I lose my job, because most of jobs are contractual).
Wonderful hub! Lots of good ideas in the comments thread too. The main thing is to break out of the hours and days of beating yourself up for Not Being Good Enough. Many of the men I've lived with get into this dead stall, where if the first round of job search doesn't turn up anything they're choked.
I was lucky enough early on to first, develop a job search method I trusted that worked every time -- cold calling businesses that needed my skills till I found one with an opening. I tried telemarketing as a stopgap job and then found out that businesses don't mind that sort of sales call and will actually think well of any potential employee who was proactive enough to try it. That's what employment agencies do.
So I never really doubted I could get a job back when I was working because the cold call > go to appointments method always got me something in a week or two. It works on volume, sheer volume, finding the one business that needs a typesetter (or whatever you do) and hasn't placed the ad yet.
If they haven't placed the ad yet, they'll hire you because it's cheaper and you just nipped ahead of all competition and saved them several hundred dollars and three weeks of managerial work interviewing.
The upshot of that was that I had trouble understanding the dead-in-the-water point of giving up that many unemployed men get into, because I could always do something. Where that changed was when I decided I didn't want to work and went scrounging around all those other things to try to find a way of living without wasting most of my life at A Job on someone else's schedule. Little did I know that I was so disabled that anyone else was doing that job for a quarter the effort and trouble. Jobs were easy to get but not very cost effective for me as a way to make a living.
Things not mentioned in the comments that are also good Non-Jobs:
Tarot reading. If you do this already for yourself, go ahead and take it to the mall or the tea shops. It's a bit easier doing it out of a bookstore or tea shop because you're in out of the weather. Split half the donations with the proprietor so they're motivated to keep your corner of the shop open for you. Some shops already have readers and it may take a while to find one but this can be lucrative on short hours, plus emotionally satisfying. You had to be into it to do it in the first place and you are realyl helping people. Cheaper than therapy and in some ways more effective. People are more likely to listen to advice they paid for.
Take crafts items on consignment to local shops. The sort that have eclectic furnishings and are a little upscale are best because you want to price handmade items to where you're not working for a dollar an hour -- choose simple, popular patterns that are very dramatic and look more complex than they are. This was an old standby and I was doing it on the side for years and years through almost everything else.
Write up other people's resumes. You'd be amazed at how many people do need someone else to organize their work history and present their experience in an appealing way. Once you've done a few it gets to be old hat. Some of the most amusing fiction-writing I've ever read, but companies seem to not mind and even expect that. My style was always just presenting what's real but doing it so well it came off like it was spectacular. Slant is everything.
Combine multiple things like eBay, tarot,, resumes, cleaning out people's houses and watching kids and it starts getting both easier and more flexible to do enough to get an actual living -- keep up the rent/bills, get enough food, actually have some left over for luxuries. I lived that way for nearly a decade and when I look back and count over the actual hours/days worked per month, well, I was severely disabled.
If I had not been disabled at all I would have been a smashing success in any of those things to the point I'd have had all the working class American stuff in addition to just food > utils > rent > some spending money. I was surviving sometimes on three or four days of work a month.
The best for me of course was street portraits. Being able to draw human beings and get the likeness has carried me through more troubles than I can count. If you can draw, especially people, then you won't ever really be down and out.
The happy thing is that right here at Hubpages there are lots of good tutorials, plus you can go to http://www.wetcanvas.com to the classroom and get a good college level superb quality practical course in drawing everything. If you can draw you can do pastels too. If you can do anything representational there will start to be real people holding out real money to get you to do what they want.
So if you ever had artistic inclinations now's the time to put in a lot of time and practice and it's training you don't even need to pay for -- time is really the main thing needed. And if you want to do it in oil pastels of course there's my oil pastels site, but that's not as complete a course yet as the one at WetCanvas. Still my tutorials are decent.
Robert--Hi! Those are all wonderful suggestions. I would love to try the tarot reading one. I love to read but never did it for money because I don't want people coming to my house. I never thought of asking at a coffee or tea shop--I'm going to think that through and see if I can screw up the courage. I could take my lap top and work if I don't get takers.
I am with you on the 'wasting life at A JOB' feeling. Honestly I'm there right now. I *should* be looking for work but everything in me is screaming, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" So I'm not. I'm writing, making a little money at that, and reassessing what I want to do with whatever time I have left.
Great ideas, thank you! :)
Most of my volunteer work has turned into monetary rewards. It has been no different with volunteering my time to help out one of our own hubbers. Keep your eyes open and look for a need to be filled. It is there waiting for you!
Hi Dottie--I think a lot of it is when we do what we love things happen. I know so many volunteers who ended up as full time employees for their volunteer organization. And even if that never happens, you have the satisifaction of knowing you did something worthwhile.
Man you just wrote my life story. Im 50 and start college in August to become a computer software developer. After 50 no one wants to hire you in my old job when they can hire 2 kids for the same money. This is an excellent hub, man and you have a new fan.
Thanks RVDaniels--I'm in the same boat at 56, but instead of school I'm trying to build my own copywriting business. So far it's not a good way to get rich but it's going OK, and I can work at home. I have a small pension I'll probably start to draw on early--I'm holding off. I hope it doesn't vanish in the interim. Good luck with school!
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I know exactly where your coming from.I also think the world is about to face radical changes. Here in the UK, people are struggling financially and with very little to look forward to. My blog " Life after the scrap heap" is my story.
Become a political activist.
Even if that only means deluging the White House and the Congress creatures with phone calls, letters and emails.
Jamming up their phone systems and servers might help get their attention.
The system is broken. Doing anything to attempt fixing it is at least personally gratifying.
this is good Iike it
Hi Jonargh--Sadly I think it will get worse before it gets better. Thank you for commenting, and hang in there.
CWB--Good suggestion. I do that to the degree I am able. I also consider writing about it to be doing something. Thanks for that excellent suggestion. If we all start to make some noise, it could matter.
I was hoping that there would be suggestions here for a young man I know. He is awaiting college in the fall and cannot seem to find work in the mean time. All the traditional teen boy jobs like fast food and construction labor just are not there for hime right now.
Great advice, this will really encourage those who may have lost their way, to get in and do something, a big thumbs up :)
Hi Camping Dan--I should think he could drum up errand or yard work if he was so inclined. I used to work in the landscape industry. Every year there was more work to do than people willing to do it. Of course it dries up come late fall, but he'll be off to school by then.
blondepoet--Thanks! I'm trying to take at least some of my own advice. I appreciate your positive words! ;)
I saw the photo of the lovely garden and now I am jealous! I live in the desert. Your hub is very positive. This economic cycle may enhance the concept of self reliance and hopefully people will be kinder to eachother. That is big change for society as a whole. mmm. :)
Hi Raven King--That would be a wonderful outcome. Anything that helps people to be kinder to each other is worth it in the end. :)
BTW--I love the desert! So beautiful.
Good hub everyone should read, you never know when its your turn. Having a essentials drawer is a good idea, where you stock up on the things you really need when you have the money. Also making chutney is fun and adds a little flavour to those cold, pennyless, winter evenings when the sun and the money have gone. Most importantly; which your piece emphasises, is that you keep busy, maintain a routine and be proactive.
Hi knell63--Funny you should mention chutney. Last summer we had all these green tomatoes left at the end of the season, so I made chutney out of them. It's not too bad, but I think this year if the same thing happens I'll try green tomato mincemeat instead. I opened a jar last week and it was good but I realized I don't really know what to do with it! lol!
I guess we'll use it up on sandwiches and whatnot. Thanks for your thoughts!
I was reading an article yesterday about the increasing popularity of layaway plans; people can't or won't use credit cards, so layaway is increasing in popularity. It used to be quite popular, so maybe we are going back to the way things were fifty or sixty years ago. Maybe it's for the best!
Informative and to the point. Another great source of essential information!
Hi liminal--I remember lay-away plans. That would be good, to see that come back. Anything to get people off credit.
Am I dead yet?--Thanks for stopping by!
i would prefer to relax a bit and then again look for some job instead of gardening
Hi techie--can't blame you for that one bit. Enjoy. :)
Volunteering is a great way to help out your community and get your mind off the fact that you can't find work. I was out of work briefy a few months back and I did Habitat for Humanity. It really helped get my mind off of my lack of work until someone asked me what I did for a living:) Anyways, I still strongly recommend it.
Hi bspilner--Habitat for Humanity is an awesome organization. I'm glad you wer able to find another job (or get back to your old one). But yes, if you need something to do, that is a fine way to spend your time. Thanks for your comment.
I say spend more time with your kids! It's the perfect time to focus on them. Great hub!
Great idea wordscribe!
That is exactly what put me in personal development industry.
I’m not selling or preaching here. It helps me…so I’m suggesting it. Our personal development program is something we practice and invite pother people to do it. I made a blog on the subject, please look at it. The very first article I wrote "Problem of choice or a choice of a problem?" is about it. Here is my address:
thanks for these wonderful tips!
I was unemployed and bored too a week ago..then i started 'hubbing'...so I guess you could add
#11. Start a hubpage..who knows where it could lead you to.
exercise...
Great advice, especially when the unemployment rate is near %10! I would add Dan Miller's book Forty-Eight Days to the Work You Love as a great resource.
great article ;-)
Great hub. Going back to school has been a great move for me and my family. Taking a mini-trip in our pop-up has been great fun and regrouping time as well.
Great hub, sent to a few of my friends that just go laid off. Thanks for the advice.
Great insight...I have been asked to pursue a BA and am looking to forward comparing real life experience to course study.
In the meantime, my husband has been through three lay-offs, we let go of the house in a short-sale, moved on and received a special recipe from his grandfater who used to run a restaurant so hoping to get it to market as our daughters and I work on AVON and melt n pour soaps to sell at local farmers markets.
These changes have definitely put us in position to draw closer together as family so can't help but thank God for helping us through it all...
I started writing hubpages when I had nothing else to do. And I love it!
Some great tips pgrundy. Getting out of the house, and interacting with people or doing something to get that sense of achievement and input back is very important during times like this. Being suddenly out of work takes it's toll on your self esteem at first so it is important to keep moving. Unfortunately we do live in an agist society and in my line of work I see it on a regular basis. Although it's upsetting, all I can say to my senior candidates is to keep trying and look at contracting or temporary work seriously. Not only will it show that you are flexible, skilled and adaptable, you can gain a lot of additional skills which may in the long term win you a permanent position. It's such a shame to see so much knowledge and skills go unnoticed because hiring managers can't look past somebody's birth date. Then they go and cry skills shortage. Go figure.
Hi pgrundy, I just read through your whole hub. I live overseas and am witnessing the recession in our country through TV and YouTube. I've seen the tent cities and it's just awful. You are a prime example of somebody who is making the best of your time not being exmployed by using your talent for writing to inspire people online. Great hub. You're a great writer. I look forard to more of your hubs. -dawei888 :-)
Thank you everyone for your comments and good ideas! I know we will all get through this period of low employment and come out the other side in a better place. I appreciate all of your input and support. :)
I've done a lot of things like this while being unemployed, this is an excellent hub with lots of great tips.
Great optimism here in your hub and its comments. I took my recent downsizing as the push that I needed to get into my consulting. My years of experience were not going to be wasted. I do the work I love on my terms now.
Sound advice here and over the years I have used some of the ideas to keep myself active and have foundn work through the process. One suggestionn is to consider the cooperative approach, bring a number of unemployed people together to discuss their situation with an eye to creating opportunity.
Great tips...very helpful.
I definitely agree with your statement about the world becoming a mess and afterwards becoming much simpler! =)
Its called keeping yourself occupied!
Interesting read!
A very interesting hub and comments. I view jobs and work in a very similar light. I'm currently "not employed" (never liked the term unemployed) but it seems that I am now unemployable. I was a carer for my disabled wife for 10 years but when our relationship broke down 3 years ago, finding a job has proved impossible for me after so much time away from the workplace. I've done the time out and tried the re-education route (twice) but at the age of 48 I feel my only option, and probably the best option for me, is to go the self employed route.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for all your great comments and suggestions folks.
RTGriffin--I've worked all my life (except for 6 years when my kids were small) but now find myself in the same situation as you at 56. I am working on building my writing business. So far so good.
I planted a garden, good advice. Nothing like pulling produce, lettuce,
tomatoes corn, cucumbers zuccini, oh so much zuccini from the garden.
Theraputic beyond belief. The fertile soil brings forth life. I have
faith in the seed.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Sophia-begot-Barbelo
I seen a comment on cooking for the freezer. i do that alot more in the summer time because you have the grill going when you cookout. Just add what ever meat you want to cook then get your food saver out and freeze it. The Food saver put me at eating meat that was still fresh and we cooked out about 3 weeks ago.
Also another good thing to get would be a salad fresher type container. This is a container that you can get at walmart that has a place for you to open air wholes on the side of it. It allows for the gases to sneak out and we cut lettace 3 weeks ago and it still fresh. I was actually able to eat an oninon that was cut from that time and It was still fresh.
Another thing you could is start sifting through these online offers. Do key word searches like free lance writing and others. This will help you find ligitimate work. Finding multiple streams of income is better than just counting on one.
crysonontherocks--Those are great ideas. I like that salad fresher idea especially, and cooking lots of meat on the grill at once and then freezing it is a GREAT idea. I never thought of that. Thanks! I'm going to try both of those. :)
i agree with you this is just best answer for unemployee
Organizing a support group for other unemployed people is another option. Doesn't even have to be in person -- could be something like a thread on Hubbers Hangout or a hub with comments like a certain well known Hubber did chronicling his efforts to forego alcohol and gambling...
Misery does love company, but in my experience (as, I suspect, yours), the opposite is also true. When you connect with others in a similar boat, you recognize that as bad as you might have it, there's ALWAYS someone whose story is sadder and who you can help! Nothing like that old gettting out of yourself spirit lift!
Thanks Mac Mission!
MM--That's a great idea. I've been thinking about starting a blog. I've had some false starts, and I think one reason I keep dropping it is I haven't found the right theme. This just might be it. I'm going to give it some thought. In the meantime, thanks for the idea. A thread is a good idea in the interim (if we can manage to keep the trolls at bay!)
pgrundy: Wow, I love this, it's so proactive and upbeat! Great job, keep up the good work.
Thanks Nicole!
Hey check out this site.. www.playandsearch.com & www.dldirectory.com
It should be really more than 10 thing to do. Though, getting back to school is not a very good option. It involves:
study: boring;
money: that can be a tough one with no work;
time: that one is critical
Thank a lot!
Great hub pgrundy. I like what you r trying to express here.
Could also do some writing on the net.
I absolutely FEEL everything that you have to say on a personal level! Yes, you do indeed come with experience, and I thank you so much for sharing it with all with us. Volunteering and keeping an open mind has been my salvation during this desert period that has been my life (like countless others) for the past year. In many ways it has all been a blessing. I've seen and done and experienced things that I might never have if I was still nestled in my comfort zone of having a "traditional" means of occupying my days. I'm living proof that you are RIGHT ON! Thanks for the validation.
Thanks consultjr! I'm glad you came by and shared that. All the best to you! :)
start a babysitting job or taking care of someon
great advice, but I taught you were going to tell us about getting an online Job, and please I want to ask you do you know any thing about Edmark MLM, people say it is a very effective way of been your own boss, I taught of joining but i need advice from you my brother and sisters please.
Hi honesty4isaac--I don't know anything about Edmark MLM, but I'm not too crazy about MLM in general. I make a small income off of freelance projects at www.elance.com. You could try that. Thanks for your comment.
Very good tips. in my position, as a salesperson with a low base and then commission, but then not making sales, I can also fit this category. It's important to keep in mind . . .
You have so much knowledge and wisdom. Reading your article give me so much positive energy while I am struggling to find job. I have taken to learn new programming and learn to write blog. Still newbie at blogging haha
Hi Don & Hoop-a-Joo,
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck ot both of you.
calling your loved ones may be a better option.
Great tips!
Hi pgrundy. Have you considered working online? Take a look at http://website.ws/topgdipro and see how you can make money with a proven program. Test it for free and let me know if you have questions.
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ethel smith says:
5 months ago
Part time work can help as long as you can afford to take it. Hubby had to when we was unemployed aged 50 plus.