r/jobhunting • u/wwelsh00 • 4d ago
How are you guys surviving when jobless?
I know times have been hard, so I wonder how everyone is surviving through these tough times. Do you continue to burn your savings, live frugally, have a part-time job, or freelancing? Or something else? Wish to hear from you.
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u/DruidElfStar 3d ago
Had to move back in with my parents, cancelled subscriptions, used all my savings, and I have debt to pay off. It’s rough. Annoying because I just need to land a job and I will be okay.
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u/One-Shallot9755 4d ago
Not unemployed now, but when I was laid off back in December 2022. It was like 4 weeks after I got married. So my Wife and I had spent a ton of $$$ on our wedding and honeymoon.
We didn't want to touch a penny we got from wedding gifts, I got some severance and PTO payout and lived off that, so I took what personal savings I still had and basically put it in high interest accounts to earn something....I applied to 30 jobs a day minimum and went on every interview I got, applied for unemployment, was willing to take a job at Dominos full time (Use to work there, being a driver you actually can make good $$$)
Luckily after 5 weeks I landed the job I have now. But if I didn't then I was willing to take a food or retail job just to have income, unemployment, Def lived Frugal. If we had too we would have used the wedding gift $$$.
But basically did whatever it took, just apply, apply, apply. Be open to new industries. The Job I have now is a industry I never had experience in. But I was willing to learn and was grateful. Make sure you're learning new stuff while looking for work too to make yourself more a standout candidate
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u/Capital_Captain_796 4d ago
Full time at wal mart. I apply on my days off. The wages aren’t enough to pay rent anywhere and my student loans both.
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u/Ravens4Life1234 4d ago
Can you put the student loans on pause during unemployment ? I’ve had to do that. I would recommend trying that.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 3d ago
They said they are working at Walmart now.
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u/Ravens4Life1234 3d ago
Yes and they said the wal mart salary isn’t covering it. If you’re earning less than $74k? (not sure that’s the exact amount but it’s ballpark) so they can suspend the loan.
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u/Capital_Captain_796 3d ago
The salary covers my student loans, I’m living at home right now so I have no rent.
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u/Massive_Spinach_459 4d ago edited 4d ago
Laid off in March company gave a small severance, I also applied for unemployment benefits (which I maxed out) and snap benefits I recently started a new job on August 18th.
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u/p4r4d19m 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’m privileged enough to have found a workforce development program through a nonprofit in an industry I’ve been trying to expand into anyway, and I was accepted (only about 50% of applicants got in). It’s temporary but there’s a small stipend. Aside from that, investing and burning through savings.
I have 17 years of experience that transfers to a lot of industries. I’ve branched out, applied to about 550 jobs, part time, temp roles, etc. Tailored resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, networking with recruiters, the whole shebang. Rarely even get a rejection email. Crickets. Haven’t had an interview in the last two months.
What has helped to at least get rejection emails (and a few apps through to hiring managers) is only applying to jobs posted within the last 24 hours or local jobs at small companies with fewer applicants combined with tailored resumes to get past ATS.
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u/supercali-2021 3d ago
I am very very fortunate to be married to a wonderful man who has a decent job and makes just enough to pay our monthly bills and support our family. However there is nothing left over to pay for unexpected emergencies, healthcare, home and car maintenance, birthday, graduation or Christmas gifts for anyone, trips, entertainment, new clothes, etc. We used to have a nest egg but that disappeared about a year ago. We live extremely frugally and have cut out all unnecessary expenses long ago but everything is going up in price and our income remains the same. I know It's not sustainable but I don't know what to do about it. I'm old and disabled and can only work a remote job (no transportation) so I'm very limited in the jobs I can do. If it wasn't for my husband I'm pretty sure I'd be dead by now. Sometimes I think we'd all be better off if I was. At least I know it's just a matter of time. Hopefully my family will receive some life insurance to pay for my cremation expenses!
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u/OldSchoolPrinceFan 3d ago
I depleted my savings. I deferred mortgage by two months and car by 6 months. Everything else is late.
Thankfully, I start my new job next month.
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u/dolorespark2024 3d ago
Local universities and research companies are always looking for medical research or focus group participants….check out Craigslist, search “research studies” on google or on the university department websites for opportunities…I participated in a research study for UCSD…they paid me $1250🤑
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u/kirstynloftus 3d ago
I am grateful that I am able to live with my parents, and they pay for my needs (mainly food and anything medical-related), and I’m also under 26 so I’m able to stay on their insurance. But student loans are a bitch- I sub at the local high schools to pay them off.
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u/InsightMuse 3d ago
For me, it’s been a mix cutting back on non-essentials, leaning on side gigs, and trying to build up a bit of freelance work just to keep some cash flowing. The hardest part isn’t even the financial squeeze, it’s the mental drain of constantly having to calculate every little decision and stretch every dollar.
What I’ve noticed, though, is that people who survive these times best usually combine two things: frugality to stay afloat now, and creativity to open up new income streams for later. Even something small like tutoring, flipping items online, or picking up micro freelance tasks can add up and give you back a little sense of control.
The truth is, there isn’t one “right” way to survive hard times. It’s about doing what you can with what you’ve got, and giving yourself credit for getting through each day. Survival itself is progress, even if it doesn’t look like it from the outside.
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u/FollowingSea8636 3d ago
Burn savings applying for different positions professional and not. To be honest scared a lil bit.
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u/Young_weirdo6754 3d ago
I'm in Toronto Canada and fortunately I qualified for EI after working for 3 years at my job, been off due to an injury though unfortunately 😕
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u/lolumadbr0 2d ago
I gladly gave up all my streaming services. Then I went and got em on black Friday or ads only to save more. I can't believe people spend as much as they do on streaming apps 😕
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u/Temporary-File-1050 3d ago
Well, right now I am job hunting and taking on caring for our home while my bf is working. We have cut corners, came up with a budget plan, keep each other in line about it, and enjoy free/cheap activities. Just taking it one day at a time.
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u/tricky_cat_mah 3d ago
I would take on a part time retail or food service job, cook more at home, stop buying unnecessary items like shoes, accessories, clothes, and find free activities to do in the city.
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u/damnfinepie1 3d ago
I highly recommend being orphaned shortly after you are laid off and having parents who leave you a small inheritance you can spend on surviving your layoff!/s I was so grateful to have money during the stressful time, but also wanted to strangle anyone who called the timing "lucky."
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u/sassykickgamer 3d ago
Been jobless for about two years and I’m just enjoying life right now ( cne and Canada’s Wonderland )
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u/Pianic07 3d ago
We were warned DH job was ending so we started to prepare. Thankfully I work too but neither of our jobs are enough to support us alone hence why we both work (thanks inflation)
We cut back my contributions to my HSA and 401k so we have extra money in our pockets. Then also prepared our budget before hand getting more strict with our spending. We did have some money saved up already and getting a small severance from his previous company that would last us about 3 months with my job as well.
Got rid of subscriptions and budget was basics only. Thankful DH found a job in 3 months so it was perfect timing but we could have coasted for at least a year on just my income and dipping into savings for the extras I am not able to cover. DH new job was a slight pay cut since he decided to switch industries and he's new in this industry but we're good now
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u/Odd_Funny_6636 3d ago
Honestly, it’s a mix of all the above for most people. Some burn through savings while trying to land something stable, others pick up side gigs or freelancing just to cover basics. Living frugally becomes a skill real quick—cooking at home, cutting unnecessary subscriptions, leaning on community or family support. It’s rough, mentally and financially, but people adapt however they can to keep afloat until the next opportunity pops up.
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u/MilkyRae24 3d ago
Through my family and my partner. My family pretty much spoils me and my twins. I can go out to bars with my cousins on a Friday night, I can head to Cancun for a few days with my girlfriends…so they pretty much give me money to just have fun. And in no way am I bragging, I just feel thankful for my family because we all had times where we looked after each other…so when family gotten sick, money was low, had an accident or depression sunk in, I was there. No matter if I had my own problems….they were there, and now, they’re going twice as hard for me and my kids. Since I gave birth to my twins, I’ve been out of work, and haven’t had any luck with hiring. But I have a great job that I start working after Labor Day. 🥳 God is good!!
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u/North_Artichoke_6721 4d ago
Cancel every subscription that is not an absolute necessity. Use the library for free wifi, air conditioning, and heat in the winter.
If your area has a “buy nothing” group, ask for things you need before purchasing. People are often happy to unload things they have lying around.
Thrift stores and church rummage sales for clothes. Upcycle and/or repair existing items.