Radical Thrift

Most of what I intend to talk about is aimed at the average person, trying to deal with debt and just get a grip on how they deal with money. But occasionally, I'm going to detour into discussions of things for people who've hit bottom. Buying ground turkey instead of steak just isn't going to do it for these people, and I think it's good for everyone else to think of what the options are (a lot of people who hit bottom didn't start anywhere near it). BTW, if you think these people aren't going to be on-line browsing, most libraries have free internet connections, and I see people using them all the time.

Before anything else, deal with why you hit bottom. Sadly, this is often due to illness, and all I can suggest is get whatever help is available, don't be too proud to go to public clinics and get whatever assistance there is with getting insurance. This country tends to ignore the fact people who are healthy are much more productive. If you hit bottom because of job loss leading to loss of home, your first steps will involve finding emergency shelter and some source of income (though take care of bankruptcy if that's needed as quickly as possible). If your problem involves some kind of addiction (including spending), get help. Bandaids don't help if you've hit an artery.

So, first, start with shelter. I'm assuming you've lost your shelter or it's emminent. Start checking for emergency shelters - charity shelters, friends or family who might let you stay for a few weeks, etc. (By the way, if a friend or family member takes you in, be a GOOD guest - don't abuse their hospitality and when you aren't out looking for a job, do everything you can to help them out as a kind of rent.) If you belong to a church, start there. Taking care of their own members in crisis is supposed to be a major part of their purpose, and I frankly see that as the only (and often dubious) justification of their tax exempt status. If your church doesn't help it's own members get back on their feet, then maybe when you are back on your feet, you need to look for one that would.

Next, register for any government help you might qualify for, and get help to locate charities that can help as well. There are a lot of food banks and free clinics, as well as groups that supply free legal help and assistance with all sorts of things.

Most of the time, finding shelter will solve the problem of eating temporarily too. So the next thing is a job. If you're already employed at least full time, skip this step. Somehow, get yourself one good outfit for interviewing (if you lost almost all your possessions and have NO money, there are charities that can help with this). Even if your work is blue collar, get one NICE shirt and pair of pants (not blue jeans) or a clean, newer uniform. Register with the state employment agencies, including help with a resume if you need it, then temp agencies that place your kind of work and be willing to consider almost anything you can do. Treat your job search AS a job. Get up in the morning, call the agencies to see if they have anything, then as soon as the library is open, get down there and go through the Help Wanted ads in the newspapers, and use their computers to search on-line. If you don't know much about computers, ask if they have someone who can get you started. Make notes of anything you think you could apply for, and then start contacting them. Send resumes to the ones that ask for them, call the ones that specify phone calls, and make a list of the ones that request application in person. Note that you can often apply or send your resume on-line now, take advantage of that. Make certain you supply GOOD contact information in resumes and applications. They can't hire you if they can't find you.

You should be able to finish that by lunch time. Spend the afternoon calling employers and applying in person. If you apply in person, be presentable. If you have more than one interview outfit, show up in it. Use a map to plot a route to each location so you use your time efficiently (if you don't have a map, try www.mapquest.com on line). Be upbeat and as polite as possible when applying. Be honest, but avoid answers that critisize former employers, etc. I've left one job because my boss, after a career set-back, frankly went off the deep end, and additionally, I was being exposed to extreme and unexplained hostility from someone. However, in interviews, I simply say that I found the opportunities for advancement severely limited, which was also very true.

If it's summer, and you live where it's very hot, reverse the pattern, hit the streets in the morning, search for the next day's contacts in the afternoons. And a word about pride. This ain't the time to be proud. I don't care if you have a PhD, if you've reached this point, you need an income, even if you temporarily have to bus tables or bag groceries.

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