Lost my job 8 months ago … credit card bills are crushing us … what can I do?

Credit Card
1

I lost my job 8 months ago, and it’s been rough. Before anyone says I haven’t tried, I’ve applied everywhere within a 45-minute drive, but I keep getting rejected or ghosted. I racked up a lot of credit card debt covering rent and bills while my fiancée waited to start her job.

Now, she’s covering all the bills, including $800 a month for credit card payments on about $19k of debt. We’re barely managing rent and groceries, and this isn’t sustainable. I’ve got 2 Capital One cards, a Chase card, and 2 Citi cards. I did balance transfers to get some 0% interest, but it’s still overwhelming. We’re drowning here. Any advice would be appreciated.

2

Try taking up any kind of work you can find. Delivery jobs, retail positions, or seasonal work could help in the short term. If you’re up for it, jobs like warehouse work, security, or even tutoring might bring in some extra cash. Sometimes taking a step down temporarily can help you climb back up later. What skills do you have that you could put to use right now?

3

@Harley
When things are tough, you gotta take whatever work you can get to start digging out of the hole.

4

Kai said:
@Harley
When things are tough, you gotta take whatever work you can get to start digging out of the hole.

Absolutely. There’s no shame in doing hard or unpopular jobs if they pay the bills. Plus, with winter coming, you could make some extra cash shoveling snow.

5

@Harley
I once worked for a septic company during tough times. It was gross but paid really well. People pay a lot for stuff they don’t want to deal with themselves.

6

Have you looked into a debt consolidation loan? It could lower your payments, but finding a job is key to fixing this long-term.

7

Kai said:
Have you looked into a debt consolidation loan? It could lower your payments, but finding a job is key to fixing this long-term.

  1. Stop digging when you’re already in a hole.
  2. You can’t borrow your way out of debt.

Could you pick up any gig work to help make ends meet for now?

8

Take on a couple of small jobs to hold you over until you can land something better. My friend’s mom lost her job, and her dad took on a basic job to help until she got back on her feet. It was hard, but it worked.

9

If your credit card payments are $800 a month, consider taking whatever job you can get. Gas stations, retail, food delivery apps… they can all help while you’re looking for something permanent.

10

There’s always demand for caretakers. It doesn’t pay great, but it’s better than nothing.

11

Fast food or retail might not be ideal, but they’re almost always hiring. It might help until you find something better.

12

Hart said:
Fast food or retail might not be ideal, but they’re almost always hiring. It might help until you find something better.

You can also make good money in commission-based retail, like selling jewelry. It’s not glamorous, but it pays the bills.

13

@Aeron
Exactly. Even management at some fast food places pays more than entry-level corporate jobs these days.

14

If you can’t find work soon, bankruptcy might be an option to reset your finances.

15

Valen said:
If you can’t find work soon, bankruptcy might be an option to reset your finances.

Just remember that bankruptcy isn’t free.

16

Sam said:

Valen said:
If you can’t find work soon, bankruptcy might be an option to reset your finances.

Just remember that bankruptcy isn’t free.

True, but if you’re paying $800 a month to credit cards, you could save up for bankruptcy fees in a few months. The cost depends on your state, but it’s usually around $2,000. It’s a tough process, but it can give you a fresh start.

17

Sam said:

Valen said:
If you can’t find work soon, bankruptcy might be an option to reset your finances.

Just remember that bankruptcy isn’t free.

When I filed, it cost about $1,300, and I used part of my tax refund to pay for it. Once you decide to file, you can stop paying some of your debts and use that money to cover the fees.

18

Check out apps like Shiftsmart or Wonolo for day-to-day gigs. Also, see if you qualify for food stamps or other state assistance programs.

19

How are you applying for jobs? Sometimes the method matters as much as the effort. Have you considered relocating to a better job market?

20

Micah said:
How are you applying for jobs? Sometimes the method matters as much as the effort. Have you considered relocating to a better job market?

I use Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and sometimes go in person. Relocating isn’t an option because my fiancée started a career here, and we just renewed our lease.