WEEKEND EDITION: Zero Income, Take 2
I've re-read that Jason Alba-penned post several times because, well, I've been there - and I imagine a lot of you have, as well.
I had a good (albeit not high-paying) job that allowed me to use a lot of my skills, and it provided a fair bit of autonomy. I was finishing a high-profile project one Friday morning and my supervisor - quite out of character - stopped by every half hour to ask if it was done yet. I finished it before lunch, gave it to her, went to lunch, and was called into her office upon my return - and she asked me to close the door behind me (which is never a great sign).
She lowered the boom, provided me the "walk of shame," and I was gone.
On the way home, though, I told myself that I was young, talented, had a strong work ethic and a viable degree - this should be a short work search.
It became harder and harder to remind myself of that as the months stretched on and I exhausted my benefits. It was also hard to keep that in mind as the bills mountd, the savings evaporated and I still had to support the (now ex)wife and our child by paying the mortgage, car loan and expensive suburbian taxes.
It got so bad, in fact, that I was raiding our coin bucket to pay for a few drops of gas just to get to job interviews.
Since this was before eBay and Craigslist, we held several yard sales. I took a part time job at a daycare. Then I worked four part time jobs from four different temp agencies - simultaneously. I didn't know what day it was and I was working 80 hours per week - all at or near the minimum wage. I was sweeping, moving stuff, sorting stuff and doing all sorts of other stuff I never thought I'd be doing since I had a B.S. degree.
But you've got to do what you've got to do to survive.
Why yes, it did suck, as a matter of fact. My self-esteem, bank account and credit rating took a beating. But the fact remains that I - like Jason Alba - pulled through.
Now, I don't suggest that everyone (heck - anyone) work four low-wage jobs simultaneously like I did. My point, here, is that desperate times call for desperate measures.
And, while I hope you never have to face a no-income, no-money situation like that, remember that you - like Alba and even myself - will pull through.
Because, with a lot of effort and sacrifices - and asking for help when you need it - things have a way of working out.
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