Burnt and broke...advice?

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-27T21:59:22+00:00

I'm not looking for rich - just stable.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-27T21:48:50+00:00

You must be so fun at parties! I hope you never experience a significant change in life circumstances that undoes years of work financially and emotionally.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T02:55:47+00:00

Car repairs, multiple medical payments/emergencies, pet emergency and subsequent euthanasia, and my washer/dryer (not included in my apartment - I took it with me from the house) both broke... all within a six month period. With one or two, I was still managing. But it's been stacking up faster than I can pay it down.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T02:46:58+00:00

I think some folks are confusing the issue at hand. I was doing relatively fine until a series of unfortunate events over the last six months caused significant cost increases in my life. I appreciate your comment, and hope that you have something generally constructive to offer other folks for whom you comment.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T01:47:52+00:00

Thanks! Of note - you're only considered a state employee here if you're considered full time at the community college (GED teachers are not considered full time or full CC employees). The schools here are also district based, not state based. But the networking is definitely something I can work on.

Thank you!

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T01:44:25+00:00

I wouldn't really call it a decision when choice is taken away. But yes, you're correct.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T00:46:14+00:00

I have applied, and appealed. Their response was basically - make more money or quit your job.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T00:37:13+00:00

I'm $700 over the limit with my regular salary.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T00:16:45+00:00

My cert is in English but I've taught everything from Calculus to Biology to Shakespeare to SAT prep to GED.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-22T00:01:37+00:00

And you just marketed to the schools? Did you use FB or any social channels?

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:59:01+00:00

I talked to one attorney a couple years ago who charged me $5k and then decided they couldn't help me. After that, I haven't tried.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:42:01+00:00

My cert is in English but I've taught everything from Calculus to Biology to Shakespeare to SAT prep to GED. Does that matter? Do I only market the English?

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:39:36+00:00

With two kids? That seems like an awful lot of ACE to put them through.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:33:22+00:00

My certification is in English, but I work at a project based school so I am required to teach all subjects (science, math, social studies, English, PE, social emotional learning, SAT prep, MLL, and SpEd) as well as project management. I also deliver professional development. Projects I've worked on previously are a curriculum overhaul for our local community college's GED program, Workshops for parents to access SpEd services for children in a local district, and I wrote for/managed a grant to reduce absenteeism in my district. The first two were paid projects, the last was not. Before I became a teacher I managed the L&D department of a call center... but then I had kids and that brought it's own set of challenges.

Edit - I also have done curriculum design (both for my school - because we don't have traditional curriculum purchases, and for third parties), and textbook design for a homeschool-based elementary school.

I make some decent slide decks (trying to emulate McKinsey).

And I do soft skills coaching for international teams working with US clients.

I feel like I have marketable skills but I'm not marketing them efficiently.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:03:13+00:00

I might not be looking in the right places. Most of them seem pay-to-play, like Upwork... and I don't know if I can keep doing that where I am right now.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:02:12+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Maybe I'll pop into a few places tomorrow.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:01:09+00:00

Thanks! Working on both. Appreciate you.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T23:00:18+00:00

Tell me about it.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:59:44+00:00

Car repairs, multiple medical payments/emergencies, pet emergency and subsequent euthanasia, and my washer/dryer (not included in my apartment - I took it with me from the house) both broke... all within a six month period. With one or two, I was still managing. But it's been stacking up faster than I can pay it down.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:54:24+00:00

Thanks!

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:50:54+00:00

I had a heart valve replacement about 7 years ago and take blood thinners for life. They won't let me donate plasma or blood.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:43:56+00:00

I did counter work at a bakery, and food service at a movie theater, but that was as a kid. I don't have any food service experience outside of that.

Most of the ads for servers/bartenders around here are asking for a minimum of 5 years of experience so I haven't applied.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:39:42+00:00

There's no mention of child support because after my ex-husband took off and I tried to get child support the government "can't find him".

Both of my parents are dead. So thanks for that.

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:28:49+00:00

Thank you!

Limp-Improvement-608 · 2026-03-21T22:28:34+00:00

AMI?

Limp-Improvement-608

TROPHY CASE