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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sorry to say this but you need to plan on this being a long term unemployment, so you need to start from scratch on your budget.

Make a list of all the things you absolutely have to spend on:
Mortgage (PITI)
Utilities
Food (only Aldi.  If it doesn't come from ALDI you don't buy it).
ONE streaming service (buy an antenna so you can watch TV over the air.  There's a lot of free good stuff there)
Internet (but try to economize there.)
Cell Phones (no new phones until they die and look around to make sure you have the cheapest service).

Cut all the rest.  Everything.

Live this way for six months.

Put all of your expenses in a spreadsheet and cut and cut and cut.  Examine to make sure you've cut enough.

Once your bills are fully under control, you can start adding more back in.

Clothes: don't buy unless absolutely needed.  If you're like me your kids' clothes drawers are over-stuffed.  If you need more, shop Target online and thrift stores.  There is good stuff in both places.  No new clothes for the adult who isn't working.  Only new work clothes for workplace adult.

So much fun free stuff in the DC area.  Only do that.  Lists abound as to what you can do for free.  If you live in DC make sure to get the free metro pass for your kids and use that to get around.

If you cut all of this and still can't make ends meet without moving, then you have to move.  But this should buy you some time to get your expenses under control before unemployment runs out.
[/quote]

No need to be unduly negative - we have no idea what OP does for a living. There ARE jobs out there. All these steps are good and it’s good to be realistic but at the same time as the cost cutting OP should prioritize reaching out to 1-2 contacts a day for networking calls/coffee and starting to apply for jobs they see on LinkedIn. It might take a while or OP might have a great new job in a month or two (I’d assume August will be slow). [/quote]

You're right, it really depends on the field.  But for those of us who have worked in environmental policy, international development, or anything related to foreign anything, we have to face the fact that it's tough out there.  My spouse (in one of these fields) was searching hardcore for 7 months as soon as the election happened, and was lucky to take a major paycut and find something eventually.  One offer.  Worst job hunting environment in decades.[/quote]

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