Like most of you...I've been employed for years. DJ for more than 20....then had to find "something else".
Thanks Bill Minkler and Lee Jamison.
Then, this past fall, the something else was pulled out from under me.

I'm single, own a home (with the bank), so the first time home buyer incentive doesn't help me.

I'm current on my mortgage so the help for deliquent people doesn't help me.

No kids...any benefit from being a parent won't help me.

Oregon DOESN'T have a sales tax on cars. The new car ro deduct SALES TAX won't help me replace my 1999 car.

The only place I get a beneift....COBRA...I was laid off after September.
Maybe Unemployment benefits...but at a reduced rate...and who knows how long.

Sorry to rant here...But I'm getting really frustrated...and scared.

What does a woman, slightly over 50, do at this point? What have you GUYS done

I just didn't think it would be so hard to find a job. Then, to see all these govmt incentives go to other people!!!!! No wonder Octomom has 14 kids....look at the tax beneifts!!!!!
I was a dumb $#!T to stay current on my mortgage...the gov't would've bailed me out.

I voted for Obama....but maybe I should've pulled a Bogoevich...."Barack...you can have my vote..as long as single white unemployed middle-aged childless women who are current on their mortgage payment and who can't afford a new hybrid car are taken care of in your stimulus/housing plan"

thanks for letting me vent

Speaking of fed money, unemployment and a slap in the face ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_bi_ge/bank_fees_jobless_benefits

Not sure why all states can't simply allow people to have their unemployment benefits direct deposited in their bank accounts. If it costs the state money to handle the direct deposit, pass that fee along as an option. Debit cards for benefits sound like a huge pain in the ass.

Former_valley_girl, I don't know what to tell you. I agree with you that it's a shame our Congressional delegation couldn't negotiate some sort of benefit for Oregon car buyers; how about a minimum tax deduction for sales tax on a new car (so $750 or the sales tax on your car, whichever is higher? ).

I would hang onto your 1999 car as long as possible, though; I've still got my 2000 Maxima and it's still going strong. I have no plans to replace it - maybe for a more fuel-efficient car at some point but it will probably be a used car.

Lots of other people are using this time to re-educate themselves. Have a new career field you're interested in? Maybe this is the time to go back to school for it...

Thankfully Oregon allows direct deposit. Can you imagine the pain in the ass....not to mention the "fees" of having your unemployment check put on a "card"...then trying to pay your bills off that debit card. Remember, not all people EVEN have a bank account.
I would PREFER a check every week. But, I see what the state must save by NOT having to MAIL my UI check every week. Even at a bulk rate the number of checks they mail out cuts into the budget.

I was unemployed for a little while in 2002....i prefered the checks. But, direct deposit works for me. You just have to really keep an eye on the bank account!

My car was made in 1989. Coming up on 300K miles. In these times, don't let go of a CHEAP car.

What I've done is live freaking small as possible. Toss out all the crap. TV, eating out, (although, if you keep the TV, but watch food channel to make stuff, that's a net gain, and I'm completely serious about that!), movies, all of it.

Look at your costs and just sort it out right away.

Even though you are current on your mortgage, giving them a call right now, or after you are one month behind can't hurt. They are willing to deal, and you are current now because you could be.

Now you can't. The sooner that starts the better. They will ask you why, and you can just say job loss. That's it. It's the truth.

They will want your expenses, so add them up, pad it a little if you have to, and let them see you are 3 months from bagging on that house!

Part of the government funds are going to go to lenders to keep people in homes.

What kind of mortgage do you have? Is it a good one, or a moderate or poor one? If it's moderate to poor, you might be able to modify for a lower rate. You might also qualify for a deferment. That's one mortgage or two tacked onto the end of your loan, buying you time.

Put quite simply, I --a guy, am not above just hitting the phones and telling the sad story. Be nice, and let them know you are trying, but it's ugly.

Wash, rinse, repeat with every single thing. Your utilities are next, as are your credit card bills if you have them.

It's the same each time. Your situation has changed, and do they want the phone call 3 months late, or right now when there is time to deal with it?

You might qualify for some benefits of some kind too. I don't know, but contact your state Rep and your Senator and put the story to them and see what ideas they have.

Go to church?

Hit people up there for leads, or things you can do for a bit of under the table cash. (yeah, screw the taxes on that right now, this is survival --I've been there, and it's ugly.)

You were a DJ, right? Any way you can use that? Voice some spots, do some consulting? Spin for a local club willing to look the other way, or actually pay you something, once in a while?

Got family? What are they all doing? Does anybody need a room? Can you handle a roomie? There are people that need a place, maybe you can get a bit of income with that extra room.

What other skills do you have? What skills can you PRETEND to have well enough to expand your job options? Sell it hard, if you've got it. You never know.

Have some stuff to sell? Maybe setting up an e-bay account right now isn't a bad idea. All sorts of stuff sells, you start with your crap, and move on to whatever you can find or make to bring in a few bucks.

Have any vices? Take an ugly week and ditch those, if you can handle it.

Start eating the stuff that is on sale, period. Buy lots of stuff, like rice, etc... that goes a long ways, and doesn't cost much. Be healthy though, but don't be picky.

Have any passion? Maybe voluneteer to meet some people and maybe score a job lead.

I've been around just about every suggestion I just posted at one point in the last few years. Was ugly. Lose the pride. It's a killer, you won't sleep, and it's not healthy. The sooner you can ditch that, the better off you will be.

I learned that one the really hard way. Still struggle with it, as the medical bills continue to trickle in. (man, that crap just keeps on coming)

See the Doc, right now for a checkup. Just in case.

ANDREW 2...THANKS I was afraid you'd all come down on me for my "personal pity party". I'm looking to move...maybe back to the valley!!!
I'm also looking at re-educating...but I did that once before. So, now I'm trying to figure out a way to get some higher credentials/licensing in whay I've been doing.
I think my best bet may be to leave my rural, quiet, non-oommute, low crime lifestyle and head back to the valley,
thanks again for not giving me a bad time for venting.

Valley Girl:

Your plan of action should start tomorrow with a call to your lender. Every lender works differently with this type of situation, but it ALWAYS helps to be proactive. And, do not become delinquent on your mortgage by choice. Remember, everything is negotiable when it comes this kind of stuff.

Secondly, if you have equity in your home, you may want to put it on the market and see what happens. If you have a moderately priced home, you may find a "stimulated" first time home buyer ready to move in and claim their $8000 tax credit before April 15 filing deadline.

Thirdly, if you are going to remake your career, take a look at the health care industry. They are growing at a higher rate than almost any other industry and will likely continue to grow as health care advances and people age.

I hope you find a job soon, but I am a firm believe that there is always work for someone willing to do it. It's more who you know than what you know, so network your butt off and something will work out for you.

If you consider school, begin the process quickly. This includes visiting area schools and filing for financial aid (which is now done online). Plus you might qualify for federal tax credits in 2010. Schools though, including community colleges, are filling up quickly as many laid off workers are returning to school. Some programs a very popular and might be difficult to get into right away. But it’s never too late to return to school.