Okay, maybe titling this post “Funemployment” would have been taking it too far. Having survived a year of unemployment, I have learned that once you have surmounted the depression that La Donna discussed, it is possible to maintain a social life as well. Being unemployed does not simply mean surviving, you are allowed to LIVE. Here are a few tips I’ve gathered from living the unemployed life:
Stretching those dollars:
- Saving aggressively is a good habit to start even if you are employed. It will certainly help you prepare just in case… (I won’t even say the words.)
- Temporary income, i.e. unemployment, gigs, selling things, tax returns are funds that can help tie you over and extend your unemployed survival. Note: I’m not too good for contests and prizes.
- Recession special- Businesses are feeling the pain too. Many are offering ridiculous sales to simply keep the business alive. Make a vow to not pay full price for anything, as was suggested in a previous post.
Support system:
- Pride aside-As La Donna mentioned, friends and family love and want to support you. If they offer help, accept it. If you don’t want to feel indebted, you can repay them when you get back on your feet. It would be worse if you needed help and had no one to help you.
- Unemployeds unite!-Talk to other people in the same situation. Knowing you’re not alone helps, and you all can swap tips of what’s keeping you through the trying time.
- Networking- Surround yourself with people who are in industries you would like to be in. They can offer valuable information and may be helpful from the inside. (I recently realized that all of my previous jobs except one came through referrals from employees of the company.)
Now can I say FUNemployment?
- FREE fun- With Barnes and Noble, Borders and amazon.com practically synonymous with “books,” so many of us have forgotten about the trusty old library that was our good friend back in elementary school. Our long lost friend is still there with a plethora of books AND movies.
- TheUnemployedTourist.com is an odd but interesting site that highlights free activities around NYC.
- Pursue your passions- You new found free time grants you the opportunity to take up that hobby that you’ve been putting off. Nothing is more fulfilling that doing what you love, and it could lead to a lucrative career.
Lady D
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