Struggling with finances... Don't know what to do anymore

[Anonymous]

YOU TEMP SO YOUR DAUGHTER CAN GET HER HEALTH CARE BILLS PAID FOR, YOUR LOANS PAID DOWN AND YOUR HUSBAND OFF YOUR BACK! GO TO DOME DOC REVIEW DOWNTOWN AND MAKE 55K-65k THIS YEAR. JEEZ... sorry, for someone who feels like she is in such a dire position how could you have not tried temp/doc stuff. big law ain't coming for you, go make some some money in the meanwhile as you figure your life out. you are young and confused and i have a feeling you just might not know how to be a real adult on her own... i do not mean that to be offensive but you need to get it together.

don't just leave law because you are freaking out during this shit economy. if you genuinely do not want to be a lawyer then by all means go try to teach - however if you do this its going to be harder to get back into the law field. teaching you will realistically cap out at 80-90k at some point... law isnt like that. also teaching is exhausting and frustrating and not easy.

all the best of luck, remember, youll be fine on the other end... just do something to keep afloat right now.

[Anonymous]

also in regards to 2) temp and...

TEMP AND KEEP APPLYING TO JOBS

[Anonymous]

OP, you seem really unorganized. Do you want a law career or do you need to pay the bills asap? When I NEEDED to pay bills, I got a shitty retail job. I was on craigslist today, there are TONS of retail / restaurant jobs out there. Figure out what your priority is and then ask for advice.

[Anonymous]

I AM applying to education jobs! I am looking up temp info right now as well. My "sent" folder in my email is PACKED with submitted resumes to every job under the sun (from retail to education).

My husband makes 65K. We have enough for rent and (most) bills. We're about $500/short a month (and have been putting that on credit cards). I need is to make $500/mo + childcare (or work after 6 pm and just make $500), and believe me it's going to happen by the end of this month.

[Anonymous]

Legal secretaries make 60k and up in DC - do you think you could take that route?

[Anonymous]

^^^ no lawyer would hire another lawyer(especially a barred one) as a paralegal/LA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ no lawyer would hire another lawyer(especially a barred one) as a paralegal/LA

Why?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I already tried that. A solo practitioner rejected me after he did a google search (I have a unique last name due to my ethnicity). He emailed me and wrote, "Either change your name or don't lie on your resume. I specifically asked for NO JDs."

That's another thing -- several people suggested leaving the JD off my resume. My name is VERY unique and Google immediately links to the extracurricular organizations I was in back in law school. How do I get away with leaving the JD off?

[Anonymous]

OP,

1) I'm confused why you no longer have health insurance. You mentioned your DH works for a nonprofit. They generally offer pretty good health insurance service. You really need to get a plan, at least for your daughter. If something catastrophic happens, your bills could easily be in the 100K's. Contact Health Insurance Plans of America, NAHU or any other organization to sign up for a plan and some guidance.

2) While you are looking actively for a position, you could offer your services as a babysitter (it generally pays between $12-$15/hr.). You could sign up with one of the Seeking Sitter, Care etc. Agencies and this will enable you to make extra money when you have the time (evenings, afternoons, weekends etc.).

3) Offer your services as a dog walker, house sitter etc. You can sign up with a service or build your own business. Many folks travel during the summer and they need help to take care of Fido and the plants. It pays pretty well.

4) Run errands for people - grocery shopping, take senior to medical appointments etc. Cook a meals for busy families for a set fee.

4) Are you crafty? Do you know how to create websites? Write a blog about an interesting topic and get paid advertisers on your blog.

You could also look for a job working a split shift so that you do not incur childcare expenses. Many people do this while the children are young. I worked for a large law firm once making copies and doing data entry at night (6-11 pm). The job sucked, but it paid pretty well because of the hours.

Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing. Don't give up! Many folks are in the same boat right now. Think positive and surround yourself with positive upbeat people. It will improve your attitude. Regarding the issues with the interview process, you may want to check into your local community college or adult ed classes at the public schools. They often offer 'interview classes' - that might be helpful.

Hang in there!

[Anonymous]

I voluntarily terminated health insurance through my husband's work because they refused to pay for my daughter's bills. If they're not going to cover our medical expenses, what's the point of health insurance?

Thank you for your email, though. I understand that many people are in the same position, and believe me, I feel VERY grateful that my husband has a job. I feel that it's best to get off this website. I don't want to wallow in self-pity or get into some stupid internet war with some poster over whether or not I am really of Asian descent.

I am getting off this board for good now. Thank you for your responses, everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ no lawyer would hire another lawyer(especially a barred one) as a paralegal/LA

I've have a JD, but am not barred in Virginia. I've worked for 2 different small law firms as a legal assistant. I don't think it's that uncommon.

[Anonymous]

*post, not email

[Anonymous]

OP, temping will probably not lead to a career but if you are good it could open some doors. The attorneys who are supervising doc reviews always try to figure out who does the best job, and generally reward those people with extra hours. Over time, the same temps go the same firms over and over. If you were always punctual, and were a fast and accurate reviewer (I.e. consistently the best reviewer) and friendly enough to the associates, over time you might successfully network yourself into a staff atty position or at least some references / leads. Staff atty is a full time job with benefits that usually pays reasonably well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, I feel like I'm getting WAY too many conflicting advice. Last night I was all ready to start a babysitting business, and now people are telling me to apply to state positions (even though, as I stated, I do NOT know how to write in Chinese or Japanese; I went to a ghetto Chinese school that rented its space every Sunday from 2-4 from an American church for heaven's sake). The way I see it, I have two options:

1) Do what I'm doing -- apply to every job in the world out there regardless of whether it requires a law degree or not.

2) Temp and then... (?)

temp. it sucks but at least it will bring home some bacon until the market recovers.

[Anonymous]

Major red flags here...why on earth are you trying to lie your way into positions??