Gina,

Like a lot of people, yourself included, I've been where your at. I been on the brink of complete and utter despair. I've been financially ruined. I've had the gun pointed at my own temple. But, even with all of that, I somehow found enough hope that I made it through. I didn't do it alone though. I found help. I talked to councelors, family and friends, whoever would listen and in the end, things have gotten better.

I am not saying that your personal situation is like mine, but, the emotional part is. And that is what needs to be dealt with here more than anything else right now. Please seek out some guidence in that regard.

Whatever the differing opinions in this thread as to whether or not this job or that training or what ever will or won't work, you need to stay safe. Even from yourself. That's my only real concern here, Gina. Once that safety is in place, the rest will at some point follow. Your life can and will get better. But, you need to take control of it and do something for yourself to make sure that can happen. Again, please, seek out some help.



Dawn

The collection suggestion is a good one. Call centers, too, if you have the right skill set, seem to be constantly hiring. it's a high stress job but better than nothing. It's also got fairly low expectations for entry level hires (I applied but I didn't have the typing speed to qualify at the job I applied for)

Depending on where you live, I'm told that some people do fairly well at producing some income (likely modest) by making themselves available to busy or incapacitated people as a shopper/errand runner/helper although I can imagine it's a very uncertain growth curve - at least you'd have the advantage of not having to answer to a supervisor.

To GinaDouglas:

Really and truly, Gina, you CAN see this through.  Many, many, many of these people on this website have endured and conquered circumstances just as dire and dour as yours.  Are they any smarter than you?  Doubt it.  Are they any tougher than you?  Doubt it.  Are they any better than you?  Doubt it.

So, what do they have that you may lack?   Belief.

Automobile magnate Henry Ford said, "Think you can or think you can't.  Either way, you're right."  This in reply to his being asked how he went from a simple tinkerer on a farm to one of the world's foremost industrial magnates. 

All of the sages, philosophers and prophets of antiquity were conveying this very same message but just expressing it in different ways.  Consider this:

*   Nobody needs to know you're gay, if, in fact, you are.  So what if they know anyway?

*   Find a need or want and fill it or solve a problem.  Businesses do this.

*   Marketing and sales of solutions to needs, wants and problems are THE KEYS to making money.

Consider yourself, your likes, your talents.  Apply WHO YOU ARE to the three points mentioned above, and you'll be AMAZED at what you can do.  I know you didn't ask me, but from reading what you wrote, I'd say you're a natural to go in to THE INFORMATION BUSINESS.

Bear in mind that The Information Business can, and does, take many forms!  The opportunity IS there for you.  Just BELIEVE that it is.  Go for it.

Financial success CAN come to you VERY RAPIDLY if you assiduously:

*   Find a need or want and fill it or solve a problem and do it well.

*   Expertly communicate that to customers (Sales & Marketing).

*   Befriend your customers; i.e., "Treat 'em right!"

If you turn around and tell me you can't do it, I'll simply say to you, "Doggone it, yes you can!"  And, you CAN!  TRY!

I'm about 5 years OLDER than you, been bankrupt TWICE, and worked many menial jobs over the years.   Consider, that during school days, I was Number 1 in my class at the then Number 3 high school in the whole U.S.A.  I was recruited to the finest undergraduate college in the nation ... on an academic scholarship ... and subsequently suffered all of the above.  Why?

I REFUSED to "go along with the system."  Just like you, I knew all about heartbreak and discouragement.  Then, I started my own business, and EVERYTHING changed.  I'm no better than you. 

YOU CAN DO IT, HON!!!

Remember what Henry Ford said as quoted above. 

Turn your life around?  YES, YOU CAN!  Conceive, believe, achieve ... Ancient Wisdom!  Just do it!  Ain't nobody stoppin' you but YOU, Babes!  I mean this in a friendly and encouraging way!  JUST ... DO ... IT!

Hugs!

Lacey Lynne

I'm starting a new position this week - it's something I never thought I could do but the money is too good so I'm going to throw myself at it as if I'm better than anyone - it won't be for lack of effort if I fail.

If it works out Gina, I'll see if I can make the connections to hook you up - if I can I'm sure you can.

Laura, I'm sure you will do just fine!  That's the spirit, Girl!  Way to go!