conversation: User (downandout222): "State turned me down for help, my only asset is my car. I have $500 left in a checking account. I have medical bills, credit card bills, and car insurance that I can't pay. Seriously I have no clue what to do. I've been filling out job applications for months. I'm not qualified to stock cans on shelves apparently. I'm contemplating suicide and that's not a joke. "
  Self: "I was there before. Some quick and important things that helped me survive.\n\n(0) Donate plasma (~75 a week if you can get there twice that week). And google for human drug trials in your area. The payout ranges from 1000 to 5000 dollars depending on the drug you test and the length of time you have to stay on site. Example: stay 3 days and 2 nights =1200 bucks.\n\n(1) I called the electric company and told them to turn off my electricity. I ran an extension cord to an outlet in an apartment building. You can run a space heater to keep warm and boil water to bath.\n\n(2) All I ate was peanut butter and tuna. Lot's of protein and some sugar in the peanut butter. You can work out with that high protein diet which keeps your mind calm and you sleep well. This rule is so important because you need to appear happy and healthy.\n\n(3) Call your landlord and tell them what is going on so they don't start evicting you. Talk face to face if you can because a personal touch get's you a longer grace period. Ask if you can do things/labor around the place to keep your grace period going.\n\n(4) The squeaky wheel gets the oil. I harassed my way into a crappy job I was over qualified for. Kept calling every few days for any company's front office that I knew was looking for new recruits. Kept it polite and friendly, but I guarantee they just wanted me to stop calling. This one is tricky if you're a girl as who know's what pervs are out there, but advertise on craigslist that you are free for any manual / unskilled labor. \n\n(5) You need to find something to do with your free time. Even with working out and harassing people for a job, I had hours to blow. If you have nothing to occupy your time with, you will eat all your food rations and the depression will set in. I suggest ready some books specific to your field of expertise while you bide your time on skid row.\n\n(6) Volunteering for things like habitat for humanity. Those people are by definition there to help those in need. Show them your work ethic and tell them your almost homeless and Looking for work. I can not stress enough how getting your story out is critical to landing an unforeseen opportunity.\n\n(7) Finally, apply for stuff you just aren't qualified for but still is on the fringes of your wheelhouse. Worst case scenario? you get the job and get fired for being incompetent. That mostly wont happen because the hiring manager doesn't want to look like a fool for hiring you so they will support you as long as they feel they are getting a return and you're picking up the pace. I skipped a level of my career doing this when I was desperate. Then I had to read a lot of books and work harder than everyone else because I was under-qualified, but I made it eventually and get paid well now.\n\nAnyway, you get the point. You are at a unique point in your life where you almost have nothing left to lose. So act like the desperate soul you are and start playing outside the lines. You have nothing to loose and you could gain well beyond your qualifications.... I did and I'm just a schmuck with good work ethic.\n\nThank you for the Gold Kind Stranger. &lt;muted response due to the thread topic, but seriously thank you&gt; &amp; if applicable, happy holidays.\n\nAs for those looking for the drug trials this is who I used: http://www.testwiththebest.com/ Keep in mind you must be somewhat healthy (BMI @ 30-ish or less), no illegal drugs, and must be willing to refrain from over the counter drugs for a period prior to and following the trial. The screening process is usually giving blood/urine samples and answering questions. A lot of waiting around involved too. Takes like 3 hours to see if you are a good fit for the tests. 95% of the screens they do will not get you money. You only get money if you make it into the trial. The screenings that will pay are the ones that indicate it's a double screening process. The first screening doesn't pay, but if you make it to the second screening, but still don't make it to the trial, you still get like 100 bucks for the second screening event. Good luck and best wishes. \n\nAlso, you cannot donate plasma AND be accepted in a drug trial. (thanks for the reminder TerryCruzLeftPec) So attempt to get into a trial first. Otherwise, depending on the trial, they don't want you giving plasma 30 days before the trial. Sometimes even longer."
  mibdelrio83 (mibdelrio83): "Thank you for this excellent advice. I get paid on a biweekly base. Today I was expecting a paycheck my boss informed me that he can not afford to pay me anymore . NOT only am I jobless now but was depending on that paycheck to pay some bills and buy my daughter at least one or 2 christmas presents. It's a horrible feeling not be able to provide. I am single mother and sometimes I too feel like putting a bullet through my head. These are sad times and never did I think I would be in this financial situation. Come Monday I will try the plasma thing and see about enrolling into those drug trials. "
  PearlyDewdropsDrops (PearlyDewdropsDrops): "law-----yer"
  