Reply #144: I LIVE on craig's list - free

[comtec]

I'm a very capable Network and AV technician. and I can't beg for work.
I have interviews (a rare thing now a days) but never get to that next level.
Whatever is wrong with my projected personality (I tend to be honest to a fault) is enough for companies to decide they'd rather someone less competent but more ass kissing.

I don't live, as it were, on what scraps of work i do get.
I'm admittedly fortunate my mother pays my rent.

This started when I got divorced.
My wife has everything, I have 6k that I've burned through in the last 8 months living off of.
he's in Holland and im here, in the Mid west.

Actually Minnesota's not that bad. There's medical through Minnesota care (which is good as I recently went to the hospital for kidney stones and strep throat) and my rent is low.

The contract work I do is a real fucking scam. it's all 1099.... I am expected to pay my own taxes at the end of the year. I get no Soc Sec credit or unemployment credit.
I havent lived in America for nearly 7 years, so IM REALLY fucked when retirement comes.

I have only ever been well off for about 3 years, when bot I and my (ex)wife were working.
we werent rich by any means, but we had everything we wanted, and were content.
My commute sucked, and I was away from home for 12 hours a day. and things just broke down.

We did part on good terms (hence the 6k) but we didn't have much to begin with.

I've slowly built up some comforts, most of which were free or really cheap. I can fix things that are electronic, and im not proud (anymore).

I've given up applying to McJobs because im over qualified, and sick of being told so.
Poverty for someone with a degree is extra hard because you can't even get crappy jobs.
NO ONE WILL HIRE ME!!!

it's the same BS "you'll just leave when something better comes along" as if no one else would do the same!!! and it's not like im expecting to get better any time soon.

it's a vicious cycle, and frustrating as hell. I've worked fast food before... alot! and I don;t mind it. I usually work the register, or run between.

at least working flipping burgers I'd be earning Soc Sec and unemployment credit!

THAT'S something they rarely talk about, when ti comes to being poor as well... being unemployable.
I've forgotten more things than most people KNOW about computers and networks, and damned if I can get a regular job.

I'm in St Paul now (was in the middle of nowhere living with a friend of mine for 6 months) and I am at least getting those crappy 1099 jobs. My car needs engine work badly, but I can't afford it.

Mom added me to her family cell plan so I have a way to communicate with employers, but ATnT's reception sucks ass, in addition it seems that my california number is blocked by some phones (my land lord can't call me for example from his house line upstairs!) and i wonder how many jobs i've lost because of that.

I had to give up my pre-paid cell phone because the 20/mo was killing me for a while. Im a little more on my feet now so ill probably restart it.

yes I have money for rent and food. I try not to let myself get so bad I can't eat.
I buy very carefully, and EVERYTHING is from goodwill or craig's list. I'm fortunate there's and Aldi and rainbow foods all over the metro. the food is good and cheap, and I live for the dollar store.

I'm working poor. barely able to keep my nose at water. i live, but it's not much of one.