How do families make it financially? Read Details?

Question

I am a single mother with a degree in business. I graduated from college with almost straight A's (3.9), a student organization presidency, a computer certification from Microsoft, references, and work experience (I started my own company-but it didn't work out). I have applied to every job even remotely related to my degree in my area (and a couple of other surrounding states). I have not even had an interview. I graduated almost a year ago. My family has had to support me. Who would have thought I couldn't even support myself after working so hard to get a degree with such good grades. I had more job offers in highschool! Needless to say, I started thinking about how other people afford to live at all even with jobs. My daughter goes to private school and there are tons of families picking up their kids at 2:45 in the middle of the day! Do these people have jobs? How can they afford such nice cars? In fact, my daughter says only a hand-full of children stay for aftercare. I am confused about this. In my area, it is very common for people to put their children in private school. The public schools here are scary and some of the worst in the nation! Even single parents have their children in private school. I have already had countless people check my resume. I am a realist and know that people discriminate and give jobs to friends.The worst part is that I'm a people person who is thin and relatively attractive. No one will even give me an interview to show this! Any insights or advice would be immensely helpful. I have applied to countless public and private sector jobs. I have no criminal history or drug abuse.

Answer 1

I would like to know too. It seems those who don't have children have the best chances of making it. These same people panic in later life as they get too old to enjoy the children growing up.

I think the economy is set up to benefit those having families later - or not at all. I've found that childcare is almost as expencive as earning. At one point WAS more expencive. I was working to pay for childcare - and running at a loss.

If you have family close that act as free childcare, then you can do it, but otherwise not. Just ride out the storm until your kids are old enough, by then hopefully you can start over.

Also bear in mind - these people waste money - new clothes, new shoes, big houses, more holidays, but are also under pressure from their piers to do this. It doesn't necessarily make them happier in the long term. - At least that's what I tell myself.

" Yes - I'm Bob - I make money ripping people off all day selling them fake insurance" - doesn't end in a fulfilled life.

Answer 2

It doesn't help you to say that we all went thru this at one time.  YOu mention that you have applied to jobs that were even remotely related to your degree.  I had an Economics degree and worked as a camp counselor.  The pay was not good.  

Life takes such funny twists and turns (not very funny while they are happening).  You have to take the worst jobs in the world.  Once you are working you will meet other people who are working and trying to make it. I applied to work as a waiter.  I was accepted. When i showed up for work, they sent me to the busboy station.  I said that was a mistake.  They said sorry.... too many waiters, i was a busboy. I already thought that a waiter job was beneath me and now i'm a busboy.

Anyway, one of the chefs saw that i worked hard and invited me to go with him when he went to a hotel to work.  I went.  Then i was offered a job at another hotel.  They liked me and made me a manager after 2 years.  So i got to be a Hotel Manager by being a busboy.  

You have to take the next job that appears in the newspaper and start rolling. I think you'll be amazed. /

Answer 3

"The worst part is that I'm a people person who is thin and relatively attractive."

This is nice if you're looking to be a receptionist or someone who comes face to face with the public/potential business associates on a daily basis.  Truth is, that it is rough for a lot of people and quiet as it's kept, people are hustling more than ever to make ends meet.  They may take on extra jobs on the weekends, cut back in other areas or they are grinning through other tough issues (mean boss, bad spouse, etc.)  I,myself can testify to the fact that anyone can ride the rough waters, come out cleaner than ever - and I am the opposite of you!

Answer 4

It is very hard and the economic conditions now make it harder.   I  worked for number of yrs at something not even remotely related to my degree because I found that sales and marketing jobs were more available than caseworker jobs.  I ended up managing marketing depts and them startng my own business first with a partner and then a couple of solo businesses.  You are very blessed that our family does help and that you are able to send your daughter to a school of your choice,.   One thing I have found is that some of the odd turns do work together in the end.   Because my husband became disabled I became the main support of our family.  When I was finally able to work in the field for which I trained what opened the door was my marketing excperience not my degree or post grad work, just as what had opened the doors to marketing yrs before were the "throw away" public speaking courses I took for some easy credits.

Sometimes it is a matter of how you word your resume.   It may be helpful to resurrect your old business at least on paper or to look for some freelance work with your microsoft certiofication or even to volunteer at something bec the basic fact businesses want to hire people who are working somewhere else.   The resume needs to be a sales piece to sell you to the future employer not just by saying what you can do but by showing how you can benefit their company.

You may also find that as a woman and a single mom you are eligible for scholarships and grants for specific job related training and /or starting a business.  

I know of one work possibility that is portable to most any US place.  We use it as a business component to help support the work of our ministry but the national co is always looking for additional associates.   If you would like info on that email me.   There are reps who are making just a little but also reps making 6 figures.   Co training is available and like ebverything else it is a matetr of working hard and smart with smart trumping hard most times.  

Depending on where you are you may find that there are teaching jobs - full time or as a substitute available at this time of year.   It may also be worth your while to look at state, local, and federal merrit system jobs.  You can get a list through your state labor dept. and maybe on their web site or do a search at http://

Many people do live beyond their means and even a few weeks out of work can bring their lifestyle crashing down.  Others may be like some friends of ours who use late lunch hr to pick up the kids and take them to grandma's or to some other child care.   Some may have home businesses which are getting to be more and more common and prosperous.   Of course some may work jobs that aren't 9-5.   Often 2nd and 3rd shift work pay better than day shift.   Some 2 parent  families choose for one parent to work days and one nights so one can always be with the kids or for one to work FT and the other PT.  

My best to you as you continue to do your best at being a good mom and seeking your independence.