| If you are jobless and facing a long stretch of | | | | months, so make sure you can survive. |
| unemployment, it can be a slow, stressful slide | | | | Spend everything on paper |
| into debt. There are things you can do. Some | | | | The first step is to make your budget. Write |
| simple budgeting while unemployed can help you | | | | down your Head Fry Cook salary and begin |
| survive until employment. No matter how dark | | | | subtracting the essentials from it. Food, housing, |
| the scenario, there are always steps you can | | | | clothing, transportation etc. Take anything that's |
| take to make things better. | | | | left and start applying that to paying off debt and |
| Below are two easy steps you can take to help | | | | make sure to set aside a little too. You should |
| you survive. | | | | have every penny of your salary dedicated on |
| Step 1: Take Any Job | | | | paper to some purpose, even 20 bucks for "Fun." |
| Long ago people would tell you to hold out for a | | | | When you fail miserably at keeping the budget |
| job you really want to do. The reason people told | | | | the first month, don't get discouraged. It takes |
| you not to take just any job was that it use to | | | | time to get the budget right. Just make some |
| be that if you were not sitting at home to | | | | changes and try again. |
| answer the phone, you would miss the call from | | | | |
| your dream job. It was better to wait for a good | | | | |
| job so you didn't miss your chance. That just isn't | | | | Have your own minimum payments |
| the case anymore. Between E-mail, cell phones, | | | | If you can afford it, then set your own minimum |
| smart phones, and answering machines, Facebook | | | | payments to creditors. Paying more than the |
| and Twitter, they will be able to get a hold of | | | | minimum payment can help get you out of debt |
| you. Believe me. Keep applying for your dream | | | | much faster. |
| job, just know that you can afford to work in | | | | Pay with Cash |
| the meantime, which can make all the difference | | | | There are two reasons for this. First, anything |
| when surviving unemployment. | | | | you put on credit is going to start pushing you |
| Additionally, if you don't have some kind of | | | | deeper into debt. You need to be paying this off, |
| income, you will not be able to do anything. Take | | | | not adding to it. The second reason is that many |
| any job, no matter how many years of business | | | | studies have shown that people spend less when |
| school you have under your belt, even if the job | | | | they pay with cash than when they pay with |
| is head French fry cook. For those of us living in | | | | credit. For whatever reasons, the human mind |
| high unemployment areas, such as California, | | | | naturally finds it harder to part with physical |
| applying even these jobs can be difficult to get. | | | | money than with the "imaginary money," on your |
| Sites like specialize in part-time and temporary | | | | credit or debit card. |
| jobs. Temp agencies are another good resource. | | | | |
| If you are lucky enough to be receiving | | | | What an unemployment budget isn't enough? |
| unemployment benefits, then that may be | | | | So, what if you are still sliding further into debt? |
| enough. | | | | You may want to think about credit counseling or |
| Step 2: Creating your Budget | | | | forensic mitigation. A reliable company, such as |
| With your new source of income, you can write | | | | California debt settlement law firm Valor Law |
| your budget. Remember, when budgeting you | | | | Group, may be able to help you negotiate your |
| need to make sure the whole family is on board. | | | | debt and get your monthly payments you can |
| You should create the budget with any significant | | | | afford. You need to be careful when selecting a |
| other you may have so that you both understand | | | | company or law firm to help you, however. Make |
| it and are willing to keep with it. Also, be realistic. | | | | sure it is honest and that you can build a good |
| You may have to stick with this budget for | | | | relationship with the company. |