The first thing you need to do from here on out is to make a budget.
1). Figure out how much money and income you have right now, then subtract your minimum loan/credit card payments first of all. That’s priority #1.
2). Next, you need to subtract the essential expenses. Things you have to pay, like health insurance, car insurance, necessary medications, etc. That’s priority #2. Since you’re moving in with the fam you probably won’t need to worry about things like rent, groceries, laundry, etc. (depending on your folks’ generosity).
3). Next, you need to figure out how you’re going to get from place to place to apply for jobs. Do you have a bike? You might be able to find jobs close enough to bike to and from. Even better if you can find a job within walking distance. Are there any bus routes or anything like that? You might have to find out what kind of public transportation there is. Can you get rides? If so, do they want to be paid for giving you rides? If your transportation requires money, figure out how much it’s going to cost, and subtract that from your budget. That’s priority #3.
4). Any money you have left in your budget, you must tell yourself that you are not allowed to spend any on leisure or recreation. Since you spent years living beyond your means, you must now live beneath your means. Do you have little spending habits like buying chewing gum or cigarettes or alcohol or pop or snacks or fast food? That must end today. You’d be surprised how much money gets wasted on little things like that. Are you on a cell phone plan or do you have an internet plan for your laptop or anything like that? If you can use the phones at your folks’ house, or the internet at the library or anything like that, do so–drop your phone plans/internet plans/what-have-you immediately. Any money left in your budget goes toward paying off the debt with the highest interest rates on it. That’s priority #4.
5). Once you make your budget, you need to stick to it. Have a written/printed form of it, and put it somewhere where you’ll see it. Don’t let yourself forget about it. Place it somewhere where you’ll see it every day. As you spend money throughout the week, ask yourself, “Is this something I really need? Will I die or become homeless or get taken to court or something of equivalent magnitude if I don’t spend this money?” If it’s not something you need, you are not allowed to buy it.
When you’re out job-hunting:
1). Apply EVERYWHERE. Even the jobs you don’t think will be fun. Beggars can’t be choosers, and by the sound of it, you’re a beggar.
2). Dress nice, clean yourself, stand up tall, speak clearly and audibly, look people in the eye, give them a firm handshake, smile, and thank them for their time.
3). Bring along a stack of printed resumes so that you can leave one with each of your prospective employers.
4). Ask the employers if you can do an interview right then and there. If that’s not possible, ask if you can schedule one, then write it down and be there, on time.
5). If they give you an application to fill out, don’t take it home–fill it out right there and hand it in immediately.
When you get your jobs, work your ass off:
1). During training, don’t just listen to your trainers explain things, ask if you can practice doing them yourself, so that you can get the hang of your job quickly.
2). NEVER stand around idle on the job–if you have no tasks to do, ASK your employer or co-worker what needs to be done.
3). In your mind, try to compete with and outdo your coworkers, but still of course be pleasant and friendly with them. Try to work harder, work faster, and get more done than any one else in the establishment. You’re more likely to get more hours and more raises.
4). When dealing with customers (especially if you work in a place where you get tips), take the same advice as I gave you earlier: dress nice, clean yourself, stand up tall, speak clearly and audibly, look people in the eye, always smile, and never argue with or snap at the customer, no matter how insanely rude or stupid the customer is being.
5). Never, ever, ever, be late or call in sick unless you’re contagious or deathly ill. If you have to be late for some reason, always call ahead. Failing to do so can easily cost you a job.
And, remember, most importantly and firstly, make a budget and stick to it. Scrimp and save until it hurts. As libertystudent said, you can be back on your feet in a relatively short while if you truly want to. It will be really rewarding for you once you see those credit card balances and debt figures shrinking away. Just visualize how wonderful it will be to be debt free and financially independent again. Keep that goal in mind.
