How to survive after a job loss (loss a job? what to do)

I was chatting with someone on twitter 2 days ago and she said her husband just loss his job and it brings back that memory where my husband loss his job the day after his birthday. It's been almost 4yrs but the effect of it can still be felt on our every day decisions in life specially when it comes to financial matters. I remember it so well when my husband called me Wednesday morning (10am) I am in the library with my then 3yo son, he was very calm when he told me that he just loss his job and he is on his way home. I thought it was a joke because he never told me that he is having a problem at work and we just celebrated his birthday that "yesterday". No sign, no nothing - just like that our life was shaken in a way that we dont know how to handle. 

I am not sure how I manage to drive home crying knowing (or not knowing) what will happen next. We dont have savings, no fund for emergency like this, have mortgage and cars to pay - the list goes on and on. My mind is everywhere and I told myself I needed to be strong so my husband dont have to shoulder all the worries because I feel if I am strong then he can get some from me. 

If you just loss a job or someone in your family did. I hope this list helps you even for a little bit. I know it is not very easy BUT if we have manage it (just like others) I know YOU CAN too.

So here's what I did (I have to figure it out because my husband is still in state of shock & I needed a quick answer for us to survive)

• I made a list of things we can give up  

1. extra car (we clean it the next day and sell it at carmax) - this lower car payment, insurance and property tax. This decision needs to be weigh in. In our case we have 2 cars because we live in Rural area and there is no public transportation and we can use bike to go places like looking for a job. A car is a must - also we cant always knock on our neighbor's door to give us a lift right? It is a lot easier if you live in the city and public transportation is available or the jobs you are applying for are either walking distance or a close bike ride then you can get rid of your only car to save some $$$
2. disconnect phones (I called Sprint at that time telling them what happened though they are not a huge help I manage to lower our bill and pay off the year left contract instead of paying $150/mo. I then use Tracfone service the lowest I can get (they have the flip phone that allows you free triple minutes. We need at least one phone for my husband's job hunting.
3. lower the mbps of our internet. I called time warner & they understand what happened and give us the lowest possible internet service as we needed that to look for jobs and help.
4. look for items in the house that we can list for sale through ebay, craigslist or garage sale

• review and make a nice resume and work letter to use for applications (if unsure look online for a samples to use to help you build it - make sure that resume is not more than 2 page)
• search online for housing help (if you have a house payment this will help you tremendously with mortgage payment just search *state name* Home protection program and loan fund)
• Call your mortgage, apartment and credit card hotline (it is always helpful if you can let them know the situation and they can help you in anyway possible. PLEASE be courteous and try to level the tone of your voice - the more polite you are the better help you can get! A nice and polite tone can help you more than you can imagine)
• search online for your state's assistance program
• Go to your county's unemployment center. Every state is different, make sure you see if you are eligible for unemployment benefits and make sure you check the wall for all the help/fliers you can get to figure out what else is out there.
• Go to your county's Social Service Center. I know a lot dont want to do this because that means you are asking for help in food, housing, bills and even health (medications and health insurance). I told my husband that "PRIDE" is not important at this time because we have a son and we need help. If you are paying your tax every year then you are entitle for this help. They are also very helpful on directing you on where to go to ask for help and they are very understanding of the situation. Again, personality makes a huge difference on how to handle situation like this - I know it is not easy to stay calm & be patient BUT it is NEEDED!
• Locate your WIC (Women, Infants and Children) office - if you are pregnant (up to 6wks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy) - if you just gave birth (postpartum - up to 6 months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy) - breastfeeding (until your baby turns 1yo) -  if you have a baby up to the 1st birthday AND OR Child/Children up to it's 5th birthday. You can get more info here
• If interested, you can also get FREE education while looking for a job - go to your community school and find out what they offer for those who just loss a job. In our case I am the one who got the benefit. I got a FREE course while hubby is looking for a job.
• Get a part-time job - In our case hubby have a managerial position and it is not easy for him to find a quick job to support the family asap SO I go get a part time job (cashier) while I am attending school at the same time. Little things adds up when you dont know when to get your next pay check. I dont care what kind of job I landed for as long as I am earning and we are not starving. I know there are people who dont want to take a lower position or a certain area BUT think about it as better than NOTHING case. Those people who will judge you will NOT feed you so forget what other's will say!
• Analyze yourself of things you can do - can you walk a dog, clean house, fix garage, fix a computer, help with resume, design a webpage or apps. Make a list on Craigslist, ask friends and family, church, put a note on stores, gas station, and even houses on things you can do while you are looking for a job. You never know it might be the one that will give you the freedom and the financial stability that you are looking for without being tied with an employer and be your OWN boss!
• Use social network to connect with friends and family that you are looking for a job - I know it is tough to let others know you loss a job BUT like i said in tough times like this you dont need a PRIDE to feel sorry or think what others will say. As long as you are doing everything RIGHT and not hurting anybody then you do whatever will help you and your family. Social Networks are very helpful, those people you have on your list may not have the job for you BUT they might know someone who can help so take advantage of that.
• Look for jobs online even the contractual ones or the ones that require you to travel or be in a different location - another situation that is hard to do BUT it is a lot easier to find a job when you have a job than being out of job.
• Volunteer - volunteering is great if you can do it. You can met new people, company (and they might hire you and know someone who can hire you) It also helps you realize that you are not the only person having a hard time at the moment because there are others who might be struggling worst than you do.
• Start budgeting your expenses specially for groceries - In our case we are 4 in the family & I make sure that we only spend $50/wk. This makes wonders on how much you can stretch your money because you know exactly what you can spend & be aware of what & what you dont need. I have to say that even now that hubby got a job and I am back to being a full time mom I am still following the rule of $50/wk as much as I can. You can check my previous post on "How I manage to budget $50 per week on groceries" here
• Join twitter parties, twitter or facebook or instagram giveaways - this have help us a lot too. Some  prizes may not be useful for you BUT you can always sell it and use the money as part of your budget
• Stay POSITIVE - I always believe in the power of a positive mind! A quitter never wins and the only way you can conquer the negativity is with positivity.

I will update this list when I remember the other stuff that helps us and also if you have anything to suggest that helps you. We also won't survive those days without my mother-in-laws, mother and my friend Dianne's constant help - definitely the air beneath our wings at that time and until now. I always tell hubby that when we ever got lucky winning the lottery we will make sure we changed their lives too in the best way they can imagine. Treasure your friends and family specially when they are there through thick or thin because they are rare - VERY RARE! If you happen to read this I want you to know that I am forever grateful with all the help you showered us and always in my mind what I can do to help back when we can.

Thank you for being here and again, stay strong - keep smiling despite the fact that your heart is crying coz things will turn around and you will see the rainbow or a new door opening in the end of your journey!

Take care!

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