I love reading Lightbulb's diaries. This morning, s/he posted about juggling work and a healthy diet. I made a comment and mentioned that I'm in pretty serious financial difficulty. S/he (sorry, I don't know if you are male or female!) urged me to write about my woes. So, here I am.
Last year, I was working for a small business owner. He was really difficult to work for, but it was a job, it was local, and it paid the big bills. Last May, he fired me to replace me with someone who he felt could do the job better. Whatever. It felt good to be done with him. I would awake each morning with a thud in the pit of my stomach, dreading his outburst of the day. You should know that the person he hired lasted only a couple of months. I feel like a victor because I lasted more than a year!
I applied for Unemployment Insurance (UI). He fought it, of course, because he's a libertarian. He doesn't think social services (included earned ones) are acceptable. I won and began receiving checks in the usual way. However, his rage at my victory must have consumed him, because he appealed. And won. So, now I don't have any UI (since December), and I owe the state my back UI benefits.
I work part-time, earning about $400/month. Recently, I began working for my brother part-time as well. I can't find a job--the job search this past year has been frustrating beyond belief (as many here can attest). I am a well-connected person in my community. I know many people who know many people. And still I can't find work.
I haven't paid my rent since December. Today, my landlady is arriving to inspect the apt in anticipation of the court date tomorrow for eviction. I don't blame her. She's got bills to pay.
So, in about a month, I will be homeless and adrift. I have two cats, Jane and Ralph. I suppose I can manage on friends' couches, but really need a place to live with my cats.
I suffer from depression and haven't been able to afford my meds all this time. So, stress, on top of the paralysis of depression just makes this so much worse. My cats are the one constant joy in my life--as many of you know from your own lives.
I didn't want to write this. I have friends and contacts. What I don't have is a job or money for rent.
What I do: non-profit management, event planning, marketing communications.
Where I live: West Central New Jersey
What I need: Help, a kind word, a job, enough money to get a new living situation.
Edited to add my paypal account:
lindamastellone AT comcast DOT net
And to thank you all!!
Update 2: I am completely blown away by your generosity and the sheer love that is coming at me right now. I feel so much better, and feel like I can start fighting for myself.
Update #3 at 11 pm ET: Ok, it's been a long day. Tomorrow is going to be longer, I feel, as I start fighting back against my former boss and working with some amazing people here on a new project (thanks, SwedishJewfish!). Good night!
Update #4: So far, I have received over $1000 from some amazing Kossacks!! I can pay some bills and rent a moving truck and storage space to keep my things until I can get back on my feet. Thank you all so much!