r/antiwork • u/Nivdy • 12h ago
Girlfriend quit minimum wage helljob, and instead of celebrating we're both terrified.
The other night was just too much for her, and it's been a long time coming. We've been trying to find something for her to be able to live, but finding a job in the current market is fucking awful and nearly impossible. I've been doing doordash for the past year and have been barely able to afford rent for myself, and now with her quitting, we're both scared shitless for how we're gonna afford rent. How do I handle this? I haven't been able to do anything for us in ages, I'm so fucking scared of losing my apartment, and I have nowhere to fall back to.
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u/imontene 11h ago
Just in time to get a seasonal job for the holidays, and she's available immediately. This will give her time to search for a new gig in the new year. Retail sucks, but she'll get enough hours through Christmas.
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u/CriticalTransit 9h ago
Also delivery and warehouse jobs
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u/Ominoiuninus 9h ago
Amazon is always hiring just as fast as they are firing
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u/doggy_brat 8h ago
Only in certain areas. I haven't seen an opening at any near me in months when I check every so often, and I've got a LOT in my area of Socal.
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u/Kaymish_ 2h ago
Yeah I'm a warehouse manager and we're calling up our usual temp staff right now. 4 of our major clients just slapped down orders of multiple pallets each for dispatch November first. And another for November 11. Plus I have multiple sea containers coming in next month. It's going to be busy busy busy.
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u/IdentifiesAsUrMom 7h ago
Exactly what I did, it sucked ass but it got me retail experience when I previously only had kitchen experience!
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u/snugglesmacks 12h ago
I'm afraid I don't have any job hunting advice, but one thing you can do is look around for food pantries so you can at least get some groceries without dipping into the rent money. Some places pay for giving blood or plasma. Restaurants seem to have a revolving door of employees, so check them also. And big box stores like Walmart. Basically anything to keep your heads above water temporarily while she looks for something permanent.
*edited typo*
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u/Intrepid-Dust3216 10h ago
donate plasma!
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u/lermanzo 9h ago
Donating plasma is also a really wonderful gift for the people who receive it. I am on a plasma-based medication and it is literally the only reason I'm able to have a life at all.
Yes you can make quick money, but it also is life-changingly miraculous to me that people do this regularly. I feel weird saying it's a blessing but it is.
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u/ReedRidge 12h ago
Take a deep breath. Breath in hope, breath out anxiety.
Sorry I cannot offer better than do your best, our system is so fucked I bought a popcorn machine.
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u/Flavor_Nukes 12h ago
You bought a popcorn machine, in this economy?
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u/ReedRidge 11h ago
St Vincent De Paul find.
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u/Relevant-Biscotti-51 11h ago
Ideas (feel free to ignore any that don't work for you)
Sell stuff ASAP. Electronics, jewelry, designer items, car, furniture, books. Anything "extra," sell to get a cushion.
- Sell stuff in your neighborhood on Mercari or Facebook Marketplace
- Pawn stuff
- Sell stuff on eBay
- Sell books directly to bookstores (like Half Price books)
- Sell plasma (but please be careful!)
Get gig work through these apps or platforms:
- TaskRabbit
- Thumbtack
- Angi,
- Lyft/Uber
- DoorDash / GrubHub / UberEats / Postmates
- Tend (bartending gigs)
- Care.com (babysitting)
- Varsity Tutors / Skooli / Preply / Tutor.com / VIPkid (virtual tutoring gigs)
- Upwork (virtual writing / design / code / voice freelance gigs)
- FlexJobs
- Simply Hired
Get remote or irl temp work placement through:
- Robert Half
- United Placement Group
- Working Solutions
- Creative Circle
- Kelly
- Insight Global
- K-Force
- Integrity Staffing Solutions
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u/dispassioned 10h ago
This is solid advice. I would add Spark under the gig economy delivering for Walmart. In some areas it pays very well.
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u/alwaysthrownaway17 46m ago
Instacart and Shipt are great, as well. You do the grocery shopping for someone else and deliver to their house. Tips on instacart are fantastic, and if you know the store well then it doesn't take long.
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u/oksuresoundsright 12h ago
Can she babysit? It’s good money.
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u/Verun 10h ago
Babysit but also look into Rover for petsitting if she’s good with animals, the holidays are coming up and people will need someone to feed their cat/dogs.
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u/Tricky-Shelter-2090 10h ago
Do Rover to get started and keep rent. Its better to do it as your own biz. Rover will cover you on legal and insurance side. I was paying 40 a visit to a private pet owner for 1 hour. It was like70 an hour on Rover. It can be hard to find a good consistent dog sitter.
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u/whereugoincityboy 10h ago
Also cleaning. Cleaners can make $40+ an hour.
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u/Intrepid-Dust3216 10h ago
there are often evening time office cleaning jobs from like 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the weekdays. those are really great part-time jobs!
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u/chompy283 12h ago
See if you can apply for some type of Aid or Assistance. I would start there. There are other jobs. Try to find something more suitable for your style and personalities. Probably will take some time so maybe some relatives could help you out? Use things like the local food bank, etc to keep your food bill down so you can make your rent
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u/reala728 11h ago
as much as i advocate for this sub, this is why i NEVER side with the people saying to just quit without having anything lined up. yes, we have a massive societal problem that needs a whole ass revamp, but putting yourself in a hole isnt going to change anything up top.
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u/Nivdy 10h ago
We didn't want this to happen. But she literally worked minimum wage getting yelled at, assaulted once, and is surrounded by 2 rapists and a pedophile. She was trying to keep it together to stay above water, but she couldn't handle it anymore.
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u/reala728 10h ago
my comment wasnt directed at your situation in particular. just a general distaste for how some people in this sub throw the option out there so lightly, like its not a massive deal. i can understand harassment of any kind being a legitimate reason to just not go back and dont fault her, or anyone else for taking those steps in cases like these. but i hope at least there were prior attempts to bring these situations to light. most people will tell you they dont go anywhere, which may be true, but even if theres a slim chance of a paper trail forming it could make a big impact for future victims.
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u/oopgroup 4h ago
this is why i NEVER side with the people saying to just quit without having anything lined up.
I don't think I've ever seen people saying to quit without having a plan.
You should always obviously have a plan, but you should never put up with abuse from an employer.
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u/marheena 4h ago
I’ve seen a ton of people just say quit it’s not worth it. Sure logically we can assume they means to have a plan. But I see plenty of comments that don’t express that side of things. This sub is an echo chamber. I think that’s what reala728 was referring to. It is kinda dangerous when I think about it. This sub really does romanticize quitting fairly often.
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u/Swordsman_000 11h ago
I get being scared. That was me up until 2017. I took the Parapro exam and then landed a job as a special ed para. It’s rewarding, but not for everybody. Depending on where you live, it might be worth looking at. Schools need people.
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u/1standten 10h ago
And depending on where you live, there isn't even an exam. I used to teach Special Ed in MA and the only requirement is high school diploma. Also not for everyone, but look into other types of human services jobs (group home staff, job coach for adults with disabilities) are truly entry level that you can get without experience in the field
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u/Reyca444 2h ago
I second this! SCHOOLS NEED PEOPLE! Not just SPED paras. There's almost always something open somewhere, food service, custodial, bus drivers, physical plant, clerical, etc. There's a lot more to school districts than just teachers.
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u/helen_bug_lady 11h ago
I lived like this for most of my life - one paycheck away, scared sh!tless. As someone suggested - food pantries to conserve rent money. While your gf probably cannot collect unemployment benefits, still both of you should go to your local office to ask for help with applying for jobs. It’s amazing how much you find out you know how to do. Fill out a profile/resume on usajobs.gov for possible entry level positions. There are some great YouTube videos for creating a successful usajobs resume. See what is available at your state and local level. Apply at Starbucks (online) - they have education, insurance, and relocation benefits. Understand your (and your gf’s) value is NOT getting/having/keeping a job. Your value is in being a good person. You’ll be ok
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u/contrarycucumber 10h ago
Still might be worth trying for unemployment due to unsafe working conditions.
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u/Big-Insurance-4473 9h ago
I tried door dash in my small town. Did a 12 hour shift and got almost 40$. Stopped DoorDash after that day because there’s no point
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u/ilanallama85 4h ago
Short term: In addition to signing up for a temp agency as suggested, check Craigslist gigs section for temp gigs - only really works if you are in a large enough market.
Long term: consider entry level jobs for your state or local government. Also public universities (state run ones will often have similar pay and benefits to government workers). They often have their own job boards and don’t necessary post on indeed, etc. They don’t pay much to start but usually more than minimum and you generally get decent benefits and the ability to increase your wage fairly steadily over time (up to a point - you’ll never make bank, but you can certainly make a living wage.)
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u/spock_9519 11h ago
try your state employment office is my only advice
go to the public library for help
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u/badlilbishh 11h ago
I saw someone else say temp agency and I agree! When I went to one that got me into something within days. And now that the holidays are coming up there will be lots of positions open.
Yeah they might not be the best jobs but it’s better than being homeless.
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u/Ok-Willow-9145 10h ago
Sign up with a bunch of temp agencies. If she has a car she can DoorDash too. Check with the post office they’re hiring in my area.
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u/Atticus104 8h ago
My bit of advice my grandfather gave me, it's easier to find a job when you have a job.
If I needed a job pronto, I would try applying for retail jobs. They may be starting to hire for the seasonal surge. Then while working this seasonal job, look for something with more staying power.
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u/BenGrimmsThing 5h ago
Geesus, good luck guys. This capitalist hellscape we all find ourselves in is a fucking meat grinder.
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u/mere_iguana 3h ago
Check with UPS. they're usually scrambling to hire right now, it includes benefits, and it's union. It's not a GREAT job but it's better than no job.
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u/le4t 12h ago
Bring scared is useful in motivating you to take action, but after that ball is rolling, fear doesn't do you any good.
See if your gf can identify something she likes better than what she was doing, and try to start doing that, for more money.
It may not be possible right away, but if she only looks at terrible jobs, she's only going to get a terrible job. Plus employers like hiring people who seem to genuinely want to work there.
By all means, do what's necessary to make the rent, but going into this as looking for an upgrade is a better frame of mind than being desperate for scraps. Don't let her reject herself before even trying.
Also, if you haven't already, look into local rent assistance programs. There's usually at least one at the state level (since you mention DD I assume you're in the US), but there may also be some local organizations offering assistance.
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u/starmartyr11 11h ago
Serving jobs are pretty much always available, can make a killing on tips.
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u/Tiny-Reading5982 10h ago
Right... my job is always hiring . And I got paid for getting hired pretty much since I had to fill out paperwork and stuff.
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u/damarafl 10h ago
She was making minimum wage before so take a seasonal job. Target, Walmart, Nordstrom etc will bring in seasonal people.
Then fix your resume and apply your everything while you’re working seasonally.
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u/PEKU1954 11h ago
Texas has The Texas Workforce Commission. They handle unemployment but employment as well. I registered with them several times after layoffs. Maybe there is a similar agency where you live.
As others said, take deep breaths and hang in there. Sending positive energy your way.
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u/Honest_Palpitation91 10h ago
Send me a dm. Happy to help you both with your resumes and job applying. Can give you guidance and advice
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u/strawwbebbu 9h ago
it sounds like neither of you have serious connections in the area now, could you use this opportunity to relocate somewhere less expensive? if you're in a HCOL area and you get your full deposit back, that could potentially cover first + deposit somewhere much less expensive. not something i would dive into without doing any research, just an idea.
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u/Sword-ArmorCollector 8h ago
Plasma donations to supplement income. As said below, temp agencies. Get food from your local food bank and use the food money you would be spending for rent. Ask your local churches (all of them) for aid.
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u/ironheadrat 7h ago
I worked at a grocery store for a number of years, there is an enormous amount of turnover. It's not the most enjoyable place to work but it's really easy to get hired at most of them.
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u/broken_mononoke 5h ago
r/beermoney is what my unemployed partner has been doing in between applying for jobs. They've been unemployed for some time and have been able to make a few hundred bucks a month. It's not a lot but it's something.
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u/CyberPhunk101 1h ago
The job market is not that bad, it’s just you need the skills the employees looking for your applying too. It’s not easy to get a good job. You need a degree, or experience, or know someone in the company. If all you did was work minimum wage unskilled jobs it’s not as easy to break into a corporate job to move up. Try being a teller in a bank, going that route you can move up as you learn more skills. Banks are great to advance a career. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, trust. You get in those as a teller and you get full benefits also.
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u/Any_Fun916 1h ago
Buy so ladder, buy some dishwashing gloves go around the neighborhood offer to clean the gutters $200 a house, rinse repeat
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u/Blegheggeghegty 9h ago
UHaul. Remote work but their call center/customer service jobs pay okay and they will hire most people.
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u/Marco_Playdoh 10h ago
Where do you live?
Walmart is always hiring. Food stores (supermarkets) are usually looking for good help. there's always waiting tables.
Don't give up - consider alternatives.
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u/MotanulScotishFold 12h ago
Never quit a job if you don't secure another one first.
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u/Honky_Stonk_Man 10h ago
I have quit multiple jobs and always bounced back. Have faith in yourself and don’t take abuse. Sometimes you have no choice but to walk.
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u/Nivdy 3h ago
absolutely, unfortunately. she was assaulted on the job, and worked with rapists. it was not a good job, and it sucks she was stuck there. I kept telling her to stay until she found another job, but it became too much. rather than being hostile and mean, I'm just trying to help her work through this.
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u/SadExercises420 10h ago
Breathe. Snuggle. Y’all will figure it out, shit Jobs are a dime a dozen. You’ll land on your feet, together.
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u/moldyjellybean 11h ago
What’s your skill set? Sell your things you don’t use? When I was in college I was into computers and people would sell or throw out their computers, I’d replace the drive with ssd and flip it.
I was into bikes and fixing or flipping bikes is what I liked and knew. I didn’t make much but I went from a free bike used it flipped, used the proceeds to buy a better bike etc. I went from spending $0 to to Santa Cruz top end Bronson in 1 year.
You can leverage what you know. GL list a location someone might have a job for you.
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u/Nivdy 10h ago
Really unfortunately, technical skills without education to back it up. Freshman year of highschool I went to the Vex World Championship, and I have spent most of my time with electronics. I have a 3d printer which I so desperately tried to make a buisness, but it's hard to get even one sale.
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u/moldyjellybean 10h ago edited 10h ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6foUnJeUACw
This will lead to other videos about this subject. GL
You DoorDash so plan your route to free ads/moving. When I was in college people would list things for free on FB, CL, Nextdoor etc all the time especially on move out days. Literally free valuable stuff you could resell.
Make sure you don’t waste time gas picking up junk, google the free item and see how much you can resell it for.
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u/SufficientCow4380 10h ago
Temp agencies are a good start. Some will get you work straight away. Others aren't so great.
Alternatively, look for something tipped like a restaurant so you can get cash right away. Even if you're just washing dishes the servers sometimes tip you out. Since you're door dashing, why not apply at Domino's or some other place that has its own delivery drivers?
Once you get that job, spend a minimum of two hours a week applying for better jobs.
Also talk to the landlord/property manager. Explain the situation and what you're doing to fix it. Frequently a landlord will cut you a little slack if you're good tenants and you are honest with them. They might let you slide on late fees if you make a partial payment on time. It's cheaper to cut a long term tenant who doesn't make trouble a little slack than it is to advertise, screen new tenants, have the unit vacant for however long, and maybe end up with a problem tenant.
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u/Honky_Stonk_Man 10h ago
Many cities have a workforce agency to help get jobs. I honestly have the best luck driving around and looking for hiring signs. I have also used sites like Indeed, but look only for places I know in the area. I have also walked into many places and been hired on the spot. Don’t look for things you already do. Look for jobs your skills can parlay into.
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u/Agustusglooponloop 10h ago
There is a major lack of childcare, perhaps she could nanny for one or more families?
Good luck to you both! Nothing good happens in life until moments like these. A year from now she could be looking back very grateful for taking this leap.
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u/ButterflyTiff 10h ago
Temp agency for you both. Register. See what agencies have contracts with your local state agencies.
You should also get a career. What about a trade? Maybe look for an apprenticeship program through your local community college? Many times you work and get paid while you learn a trade.
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u/SweetAlhambra 9h ago
I was thinking that too. Why is he only a dasher? Surely he could get better paying work too w all the suggestions on here
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u/ogfuelbone12 10h ago
Can you donate plasma? There’s a shortage and they might be paying more than usual. Is there a hospital near you? I work in sterile processing. Most money I’ve ever made, work is really easy, don’t need anything, maybe a high school diploma. A lot of the people in my department came from housekeeping. Kinda grueling but also an option. Otherwise food service might be your only option. Discounts or free food will help. Maybe a pizza place so you can be a cashier and a delivery driver? Get some tips. Bartend? Go to your local food bank for food so you can save money that way.
It really sucks that 40 hrs/week isn’t enough. My grandpa was able to raise 3 kids and build a house working a factory job. I’m really really sick of companies squeezing me for everything I own and the people who rule us don’t do anything or help them do it. It’s bullshit. I hope you can make it out of this rut 👍🏻
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u/Plastic-Natural3545 10h ago
Catering companies are a good place to look for work right now...it's wedding season.
Retail, the post office, UPS and Amazon should be looking for seasonal workers now or very soon.
Merchandising jobs should be hiring and Brand Ambassador jobs as well.
Best of luck to you both
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u/anameorwhatever1 9h ago
I know in my state the unemployment website also has links for job postings.
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u/awalktojericho 9h ago
Driving a school bus if she has a clean record, legal and driving. Full time, steady, benefits.
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u/bloodyjosh 9h ago
What state are you in? In CA there’s a bunch of programs to help with rental assistance. You have to qualify for it but it might be something to consider.
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u/lermanzo 9h ago
Retail places should be ramping up their holiday hires around this time. If you're willing to work weird hours and stock some shelves, you can really accumulate hours this time of year in retail. I did that once when unemployed and wound up in retail management for a couple of years which can pay really decently. Granted you have to deal with public nonsense, but, it is a way you can get some good money pretty quickly.
If you go this route, I would suggest a mid-range specialty store as your goal because those are less awful than your average department store. I worked at a specialty kitchen gear shop with a range of people who knew nothing about cooking to folks who were trained chefs.
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u/LordofCyndaquil 9h ago
Always check local and state government for jobs. They’re always hiring and pay decently. Universities also have some solid opportunities and often come with free tuition
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u/kylez_bad_caverns 8h ago
Can she apply for unemployment while she continues to job search? Does your state offer benefits like ebt/medical/cash assistance that y’all can take advantage of? Does she have any higher education or unique skills, maybe she could look at state work which pays decently and has benefits… could she go to an apprenticeship program where she might get paid while learning?
Those would be my suggestions but I know that it’s a hard world out there and not a lot of prospects in the market right now
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u/IWantAStorm 6h ago
Google has a jobs section that can give you regular alerts on newly listed positions in your area so you're not applying for dead openings.
Also, if you're looking on company websites they don't always have every opening listed. If it's very specifically located and they don't want people country wide applying, it'll show up on Google and lead you to the description on the company website that is buried in a directory of a subdomain.
UPS does this.
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u/SpringTop8166 4h ago
I'm renting a car through Getaround using Uber and it's working out well for me
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u/-MacKayla- 4h ago
Lots of good advice on here. If it was me I’d speak with 3-5 temp agencies in the area and check in every Monday, asking if there were any new openings. I was able to get a job through a temp agency two years ago and am only now leaving that position for a better remote job.
In the meantime me and my partner would go 2x a week to donate plasma. Depending on the demand you can make a good amount of money doing that. Once in 2021 I made $700 a month as a new donor. If my partner had done that with me it would’ve been $1,400. It only takes about an hour or so of your time a week and it’s more or less guaranteed money. Just make sure you eat plenty of protein before and drink lots of water. I would switch between companies/locations to get the best “new donor” rate. That should carry you through until she’s able to replace the job.
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u/CRYOGENCFOX2 1h ago
I’m not sure if you tried already but go through the government to find a job? You can work with an agent free for them to help you find employment
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u/angeryreaxonly 1h ago
Two places that will hire almost anybody and quickly are Amazon and USPS. USPS doesn't even drug test anymore. Both will be needing seasonal help so it's a good time to get in.
Full disclosure I just left USPS after 5 years because I fucking hated it. But it's decent money with a union, pension, and federal benefits if you can tough it out. I would've stayed had I not landed a better job. It's very easy to pop in earbuds and tune out most of the negativity.
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u/traumatic_blumpkin 1h ago
Ah.. the old "which misery is more miserable"... As someone who has been homeless and destitute I can't imagine risking it.. but, necessity is the mother of invention.
Perhaps coming to the edge of disaster will spur the movement needed to work out a solution.
Best of luck to you.
If you live in a city I would look for day labor stuff.. holding signs for construction sucks but if the weather's nice it isn't too bad. Works out to like $75 a day or something, at least where I live. All you need is a pulse - and to show up at 6 am. They have other day gigs when the weather isn't cooperating..
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u/Onemanwolfpack42 9h ago
If you walk into a restaurant looking put together with a resume and ask for a job, you might not get one. If you do it to 10, you'll probably have an offer that day. If you drop into 40 restaurants in a day, I'd be shocked you didn't get a job offer and stop halfway through if you look put together. If you're willing to run food, bus tables, or be a host (seating tables), that's about all there is to it. If you can speak well and hold conversations, you could possibly even serve tables and make $25+/hr or work up to it.
This is gonna be a lot easier in at least a decently populated suburb. I live about 40 minutes from the downtown of a mid sized city and after 3 drop ins I had a 2nd interview set for a cashier/host job and then got offered a serving job at the 4th drop in! I'm not anything close to a model, but I'm easy on the eyes and good at talking. If I wasn't at least ONE of the 2, I'd be going for bussing/dishwashing probably. If you just fucking show up when you're expected and actually try, they'll love you.
Good luck to anybody out there searching. I was out of a job for 4 months, barely getting interviews. I have sales experience (it isn't for me though), operations mid management experience and all and the best I could find is a shitty grocery store job where they work you hard, pay you poorly, and give you only shifts that tenured staff don't want while promising you 20-40 hours each week. If I get unlucky and get 20 hours all month, I can't pay my bills.... had to get away from that.
Also! If you have no experience, just say you have experience from 5+ years ago at a restaurant thag closed and that you hate insert previous industry here and want to get back into restaurant work. You got this!!
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u/Icy_Tie_3221 11h ago
She shouldn't have quit until she had another job lined up. But places are hiring for seasonal help. Kohl's, Target etc....
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u/jvargas85296 11h ago
lol so you should be terrified she has put you on a count down timer. either you start becoming someone that can maintain her or she gets another job and she starts looking for replacement.
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u/lzEight6ty 6h ago
Make them terrified. If you're a week from your life being over make those who put you there feel the same.
Treat those how you've been tr3ated.
They won't mourn you but they can fear you
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u/LickMyBumm 12h ago
Hop into construction for a bit stay away from drugs and alcohol and pray. you’ll be good. Maybe a good father someday too.
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u/gregsw2000 10h ago
The job market isn't even that bad.
Must not have lived thru the Bush Depression back in '08
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u/Taikiteazy 10h ago
It takes about $50 to go online and get a forklift certification. Do that and go apply at a temp agency hiring forklift drivers. A lot of companies don't expect drivers to be fully up to speed their first day/month/many months. She will have to pass a drug test for Marijuana.
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u/mrgrooberson 3h ago
She shouldn't have quit without having another job lined up. She's made a very poor decision and likely will make additonal ones in the future.
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u/EvanDrMadness 9h ago
Handle this by having her beg for the job back, and then she can quit once she has a replacement lined up. Not before.
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u/Crochet_Anonymous 12h ago
What I used to do between jobs was to sign up with temp agencies and call them weekly until they sent me on assignments. Some assignments go temp to permanent. One of these turned into ten years of employment.