as a note about the check engine light:

If you are inclined to do things yourself to keep costs down (I know I do), you can buy a mechanic's manual for your car for about $20 that will tell you what your car wants when the check engine light comes on.

On many cars it comes on after a certain mileage so that it can have certain fluids checked and have other things kept running.

As far as money...

money is a pain in the ass... I know how you feel.

Hope your job security keeps you in the job, at least.

Astrocloud, sounds like things are looking a little bit up. I hope they keep moving in the right direction. When I was between jobs but knew I would be making money soon I lived on credit for a little bit. I payed it all off within a year and I transfered it to a different card with a no interest on balance transfers deal. I also had to borrow money from my parents and my husbands parents. I don't know what I would do without parents! We went as cheap as we could with groceries (yay for save a lot!) and our entertainment budget was nill. Moving in with your sister might be a great idea anyway just to save on rent for a few months to help you get back on your feet. Sorry I don't have any "new" ideas. Sending good thoughts your way.

Oh man, the only thing that is really up is my attitude. Financially speaking I am in deep shit. I have letters from the IRS and the phone company to prove it. I've been sending out at least a resume a day. Lucky for me my sister is being very nice and letting me use her house for getting phone messages.

Ugh! but there is a pretty girl sitting across from me in the library.

a server job is pretty shitty, but hell, it'll pay the bills, also it's pretty easy to get started, five days MAX to start earning cash every night.
also, have you considered welfare?

Last year I was unemployed for 6 months after getting laid off. The only way to get a job is to apply for every single position you think you would be able to fill. I am also a programmer and the job market is murder for IT.

The only way you find a job is to apply for every damn job you can find. Sign up at all the recuitment agencies you can find.

Welfare is a great idea. Almost as good of an idea as finding some chick to shack up with and sponge off of.

But yeah, I am applying to every damn job I can.

The shit, the real shit that I hate -is facing my landlord -who is a real person and not some faceless company; and telling her that I don't have the rent and it's late and I just feel like the scummiest person in the world.

aww Astro... dang it! i wish i had a magic wand & could make it all good for you again immediately.

since, i have no magical powers, i'll just keep holding the good thoughts for you.

i can't begin to imagine what you're going through.
i have a brilliant friend who has been unemployed since last november.
it's difficult to know just what to say to him sometimes.
he's bummed & very sad, but like you he is trying every option & possbility he can to find emloyment.
rough times...

best wishes, buddy.

Things may be looking up for me. A REAL insurance company interviewed me today. (Yes, the other one was real too -they just don't seem to bankrupt their salesmen with the same zest). There is also some interest on my other i.e. more technical abilities from some other companies.

It's always darkest before the dawn. Right now my life is so pathetic that daybreak HAS GOT to come soon. I'm skirting my auto loan payment. But at least my landlord is payed off for a little while. I will get paid later this month and then AH-HA many more bills paid.

Lets see if I can make it. I will keep y'all posted.

Dawn is breaking. With a little luck things will be on track for me.

BuDDaH and I are finding amble computer consulting opportunities here in New York. We're planning on pouncing on them. Have you tried offering your computer expertise to the nitwits of your community?

Definitely get a shitty job for the short term just so you can pay the bills...and it will take some of the stress off so you can can look for a good job with less pressure

Actually my new job is really, really good. I don't want to jinx it. I'll talk about it later.

Good luck astrocloud!

It's really impressive to me how you're dealing with this shit you have to go through.

Astrocloud, I am glad you've found some sort of work, at least you won't be falling behind too badly.
Being truthful with your creditors may help. Just to contact them & say, 'hey, I'm starting all over here & I need a temporary break or everything is gonna fall apart'. I had to start all over after my divorce & I basically told my creditors they'd have to deal with me making smaller payments. As long as you're trying, most places are pretty understanding.
As for the job situation, I had to start all over again with a minimum wage job, but 6 years later my wage has tripled & things are so much better. Not where other people my age are at (I did start over-I lost everything in the divorce) but I'm getting there.
Don't lose faith.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. 1998 was my dark year. Lost my job, got divorced, used up my savings, lived alone in an apartment while my kids resided with my ex-wife in her half-million dollar home. It took a while, but today I am remarried, employed with a job paying me more than I have ever made, and with a new child on the way. Was it an easy journey? No way in hell, but I never gave up. That is the only advice I can give you. Don't give up. Thinking of you.....

stick it out Astro.........you can do it man.

like you said......dawn is breaking...........good luck bro.

I keep wanting to read your name as "Astroglide." :D

Congrats on your new job. :cool:

Damn, dude. Hope things continue to get better, from the sounds of it you've hit bottom and bounced a few times. Hang in there and congrats on gainful employment.

Okay I made about 6 grand this month so far. Yes, that is very good. Unfortunately I am flat broke until the shit goes through underwriting. This can take anywhere from 1 to 8 weeks. And my company payment plan is a good one and they will match that money that I made. So all in all -I made about 12000 (pretax) very recently.

Now if only I can get paid. I have exactly 9.50 to last me until I get paid.

Arghhh!

But things are much better. I wonder if I'll get an ulcer from this shit.

Good luck man, it's nice to look back on the years worth of posts and see how far you have went.

Life is a roller coaster. My six grand turned into like 1200. One of my clients backed out unexpectedly. I owe everyone and they are calling. Still haven't gotten paid yet this month.

Thanks for the support everyone