I Need to Work but I'm 32 Wks Pregnant

Hi J.
I don't live in America so no advise on jobs or unemployment entitlements.
I just wanted to wish you the best. I am also 32 weeks pregnant so I am so sorry that you are going through this when you should be resting.
Sending lots of good energy and strength to you.
B. k

Added: Michelle, did you notice that this woman has 3 children? What do you expect her to do? She's 32 weeks pregnant. Whatever job she can get this quickly is not likely to pay enough for her to afford babysitting for 3 kids. If she has worked long enough in this country, she has EARNED unemployment. So far, until the Republicans outlaw it, there are still government assistance programs to help mothers feed their children, like WIC and food stamps. 'What has become of this country', as you say, is what we will indeed be asking when we start looking more like India where these programs don't exist. Judge this kind of advice we've given to J. when this happens to YOU. If you have never had to wonder how to feed your family their next meal, you shouldn't be casting stones.

Original:
Have you filed for unemployment? Make sure you look into WIC - perhaps you can get it before the baby comes so you are getting enough milk and protein. Food stamps are possible too.

Make these next 8 weeks a "job" putting together lists of where you are qualified to work. Keep organized, work on your resume, work on letters to companies to try to get in the door for an interview, research what you need to know FOR your interviews. Get all your ducks in a row.

For baby items, look into CraigsList and consignment shops. You don't have to have new stuff. Tell your friends that you are hoping to find a job after the baby comes, and ask them if they can help you. If you don't ask, people may not think to try.

J.,

Check out www.ratracerebellion.com and www.wahm.com. These are the two websites that I have been able to find the most wah opportunities for myself.

Also, after the baby comes, check out www.arise.com. Now I know other people may slam Arise because there is a "start-up" fee to it, but this is only once, and never again. You would be homeshoring for Fortune 500 companies all over the world, providing customer service/sales support. I have been doing Arise for the past year, and it has proven to really help bring in a second income to my household. I work with Carnival Cruiselines, and have done so since I began working with Arise.

I cannot promise that you would be able to get this started between now and when your baby comes, but it sure is a great idea for afterwards.

I do not know how your writing skills are, but there is also www.demandstudios.com and www.textbroker.com. These are freelance writing websites where you pick articles to write about, and get paid for them. While Textbroker tends to pay a bit less than Demand, they are also not quite as demanding (no pun intended). They each will require you to be able to write intelligibly, but Demand is a bit more of a stickler in terms of MLA standards, etc..

Good luck to you. It'll work out.

E.

Sorry you are going through this..

Start by filing for unemployment.
Then go to Thrift shops and Goodwill to see what you can get there for less money...
Go to your WIC office and see if you qualify for WIC..

I will assume (don't like to do this) that you are married...see if your husband can pick up a second job.

If you own your home - see if you can refinance your home and pull money out to help you out...

If you have credit cards - stop using them...you are only spending money you don't have....go to your library and borrow books by Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman - and get your finances in order...

With 4 kids - you may have to be a SAHM in order to stay afloat...I don't know how old they are....

Don't worry about winter clothes TODAY...you can go to K-Mart and put them on lay away - that will help you get what you NEED and pay CASH for it over time instead of all at once...

If your kids are in private school - sorry - take them out and put them in public school until you can afford it again...don't want to do that? call their school and find out if they have a scholarship program that you might qualify for instead of pulling them out...

You won't know about these things until you ask. Write down a list of things that you NEED to do...don't try and take it on all at once....you will get so overwhelmed that you will make yourself sick...

So start with unemployment

then call your mortgage lender, if you rent - tell your landlord what is going on...

if you have a car payment - see if you can sell the car and get one that doesn't require payments....

go through the house and get rid of everything you haven't touched in six months...list them on craigslist or ebay to get money in the door.

Get rid of phones that you don't need - and start living with necessities instead of wants - distinguish between the want and the need...cut cable out completely - start using Netflix or Blockbuster...

Cell phones - get the bare minimums in minutes or find another carrier that can fit what you need.

Make weekly menus for meals - this will help you shop more efficiently. If you can order your food on-line - do that - it will save you a ton of money because it stops the impulse buying...

Clip coupons...

Call your electric, gas and water company - find out if there is a flat rate program you can go on to help keep your finances in order...

Employers cannot keep from hiring you because you are pregnant...make sure your resume is put together and start looking for jobs...there are real jobs on craigslist...look there...you didn't state why or how you lost your job last week and I don't know what you do - but get the word of mouth out as well!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Visit hiremymom.com, odesk.com and biztant.com. You have to evaluate the postings and pay your own taxes if you land one, but I've gotten a long-term job through hiremymom.com and a friend got some short term work at odesk.

Cheryl O. also has good ideas. Be proactive. On the plus side, school starting can provide your kids with free or reduced lunch and possibly breakfast, helping the grocery budget.

If you need baby items check the phone book and see if you have a crisis pregnancy center near you. They usually have baby clothes, diapers, formula, and other things you may need for your baby. Even big items like cribs, strollers, etc.( And they are not just for unwed mothers. I've had some friends that thought that. ;)) I have gone to our local center when I needed to. They have a program called "mommy dollars" and you can earn "dollars" to get the things you need by watching educational videos and those sort of things.

First thing, file for unemployment.

Next, contact the Board of Ed and get your children on the free/reduced lunch program. Also, see if they can assist you with uniforms. (Assuming your children are in public school). Shop Good Will, thrift stores, consignment shops for school uniforms and winter clothes. They won't need winter clothes for another 2 months so don't worry about that right now.

Maybe it's time for hubby to get a second job.

Talk to family, see if they can provide any temporary assistance.

There are tons of post on here about ways to save money. Check them out.

Good luck.

First, contact a local charity and food pantry for immediate needs and file for unemployment if you qualify. A lot of people give free stuff away on freecycle and craigslist all the time. File for snaps, food stamps, or wic if you have no insurance, but continue on your job search. Even if you do get a job, your insurance wont kick in from anywhere from 30-90 days depending on the plan. You could baby sit at home. In the meantime it may be helpful to contact a temp agency as well to get your foot in the door while you look for permanent work. I get most of my kids clothes at goodwill, thrift stores, garage sales...

Look into Catholic Charities in your area. They might be able to help with clothes for the kids and baby items for the baby.

Not sure how long licensing would take in your area, but home daycare might be good for you. With the baby coming, you realistically won't be able to work anywhere for about 2-3 months. And what about daycare for your new bundle after they get here?

If you have the space, get the ball rolling now, and go for a day care license so you can work from home with your new baby. Hopefully by the time you would have been wrapping up maternity leave, you'll have your ducks in a row and can start your business before the holiday rush.

Apply for unemployment if you qualify. I'm hoping that you are married and have insurance through your spouse-if not-look into COBRA. Just go apply for jobs. I know several people who were hired late in pregnancy and returned after delivery. You won't qualify for FMLA but you can discuss the time off. Even something with little less pay is better than no paycheck. What about making some extra money by selling stuff on CL and being a babysitter.

I see a lot of people who told you to apply for everything from charity to gov assistance, and even fewer who mentioned a temp job. What has become of this country?

I'd try a temp agency if I were in your position.

Like Sue H said..babysit when you can. Put out offers online. its money under the table and you dont need a sitter for your kids
Secondly file for unemployment. I dont want to be discouraging but employers COULD disregard you just because you are pregnant.
Sorry about your situation.

Curious why they let you go? That was extremely bold of them to terminate or lay you off being so pregnant. They didn't have much time to go until you left...hmmm!? When I worked, we had a pregnant non performer that we put on notice until she left for maternity leave and let her go when she returned. There was just too much liability to fire her before she had the baby, and it's downright cruel.

Temp agency, sell on eBay/craigslist, family members...?
GL to you!

"Thirty One" is one of the fastest home businesses in the country. I have a dear friend who has become very successful in this business in less than a year. The products are fantastic and sell themselves. It might be something to check into as an option. (I don't work for this company but I can say it is a very good one.)

unemployment.? food stamps? till you find a job after baby is born.