If you don't need a job, should you be looking for one right now?

You make a good point and those are my thoughts, too. I should get some volunteer work a couple of days a week. I think that will be my goal this week, to find a position to volunteer for.

Thank you for your encouragement. I think that right now I'll just look for a volunteer opportunity. I'm told that such service can often turn into real, paying work. And I'll be doing some good for my community. Right now, with my arthritis and back problems, there's no job that I can physically do. I need a clerical job, something I can sit down to do and there's nothing in this town except food service for the most part. Maybe things will pick up in the spring.

You are very welcome. I wish you lots of luck and success in your future.

I can understand your viewpoint on feeling guilty but if someone wanted that job, they would have been on it and already had the job. I know some people who would rather sit at home and whine that they are losing their house or car or something else and not do anything until it's too late anyways. If I was in the position where I was losing something important to me I would take one of the first jobs I could get no matter what it was and not wait until I was sent a notice that I am going to lose it. There is always someone looking for a job, if you don't take it, someone else will whether they really need the job or not, whether they are trying to keep a house, take care of their kids, better them self or a teenager wanting to buy a car. If it's a job where it is going to keep you busy, not go stir crazy sitting at home and help you to better your life, I don't see why you shouldn't. I'm in Ohio too, and yes, good paying jobs are scarce but they are out there if someone wants to look hard enough to find them. There is always something one can do to keep what they have, even if someone had to take two minimum wage, part time jobs at Mcdonald's. Where there is a will to survive, there is a way to go about doing it. I am always looking for a better job, I'll take it!

If I have slightly better skills than another person I might get the job. But what if that other person was about to lose their apartment or house and if I hadn't applied they would get the job? That's what bothers me. Unemployment is very bad here. I get your point, though, and will give it some thought. Thanks!

My sons are planning on my living with them in the future so it's not as if I'll need scads of money to live--I just prefer to live by myself. But if I take a job I don't need, I'm possibly putting a family out of their homes and onto the street. Right now, there are so few jobs that I don't feel right looking for one just so I can have more money. I hope your son finds a job! Maybe he should look in another state? Arizona isn't doing so badly, or so I hear, and Texas is one of the states that hasn't been hit as hard by this depression as other states have.

Dragon54u you are definitely very considerate and thoughtful. There should be more people who are as considerate.

Don't feel guilty about having a job, I hope it's a secure one that you will continue to enjoy. Some people, like me, didn't take advantage of education when they had the opportunity and some are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It's a secure as anything in this world, I guess!

That's how I feel. On the other hand, I don't want to be a burden to my children. But 60 years ago aged parents weren't considered a burden and I've raised my sons to feel that way. I hope your son can find work soon. Has he considered going out of state? Our part of the country has been slammed with everything bad about this depression. Texas is said to be doing well and has jobs.

He's in Maryland right now. It's bad there, too, but not as bad as here in Virginia. Virginia is mainly an agricultural State while Maryland is an industrial State, with more jobs available. (Actually, Virginia is a Commonwealth. I never could figure that out.) He has a friend who works in diesel mechanics and he's expressed an interest in doing that. He has experience in auto mechanics and body work and likes that kind of work; he says it gives him an artistic outlet when he takes a mangled piece of metal and works it back into a beautiful car. I think he likes the idea of diesel mechanics because it pays very well compared to the average auto mechanics. He went to Maryland to spend the week with his friends (beginning with a Superbowl party, of course) and also look for work there. I hope he can find something, although this is a really BAD week to be looking for work! LOL Actually, it might work to his advantage to be there right after this storm. Maybe some people will be fired for not showing up for work (using the snow as an excuse) and he'll be right there at the door. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for him.

God has indeed been good to you! I don't know how bad it is in Australia but it's awful here, there are thousands of applicants for each good job and hundreds for those not so good. I think I will seek out a volunteer opportunity for now.

Thank you! I think that for now I'll look for a volunteer position so I at least feel as if I'm useful.

I'm no longer looking because of that, not even temporary work. I got called about another medical study and I might do that but I'm also going to look into volunteer work.

I spend my days writing for money, doing surveys and other things. I think what I will do is find a volunteer position, do some good for the community until the job market gets better. Thanks for you input, love your user name!

I know just how you feel. It's hard to build up savings! I had to pay an attorney to defend my income and there went $4,000 but thank God it was there! It's taken me months to build my account back up. Try putting every spare cent aside, no matter if it's a small amount or not. By putting my myLot earnings directly in my savings account I made a lot of progress. I also do that with my writing money and survey money. Everything that comes to my paypal account goes directly into savings and now my savings are looking much better. Don't get discouraged, just save those little bits!

Ian1979, I've decided to look for a volunteer position and leave any job openings to people who are desperate for them. I donate a goodly amount each month to charity. Some would argue that I could use that money to save for retirement but I believe in sharing my blessings.

You are young and should work as much as you can so that you can save money for your old age. Save money so that you don't have to get into debt when you need to buy something expensive such as furniture--it's better to pay cash! In your case, you're not taking from someone when you work because you're providing for yourself so you won't have to depend on others later. I wish you good luck!

I don't really have a lot of interests outside my house, I'm no longer able to do a lot of the things I used to enjoy like walking, biking and window shopping. I guess I'll look for some volunteer work to do, I'm sure there's a lot to choose from.

Yes, I know what you mean by the work not paying as well but what it does bring in helps a lot. I put it all in savings for the next inevitable disaster so I won't be trapped in credit card debt--I dread that possibility. The way people have used credit cards have nearly destroyed many lives. Your nephews will have to learn that they can't be choosy when jobs are scarce. I've cleaned toilets and slopped out cattle stalls, driven a taxi and run parts for businesses. They will have to stop being picky--I hope they find jobs soon! It's rough when you don't have a job and no income. Hey, I just went to your profile to get some idea of how you earn on the internet. I don't see any referral banners or anything. How do you do it?

I do hope the job market improves before I need to go back to full time again (when my mom passes)

If social security is still around by the time I retire, I won't get enough to survive on and will have to live with my children. My investments are doing poorly. But at least I have children that will welcome me. Many job seekers have children who are in danger of being hungry and that bothers me. However, in your position I would have looked for a job, too, and taken what I could get. I'm glad you have a job!

Me, too. After my divorce I kind of hid to heal and replenish my spirit. Now I'm ready to live again. Sometimes I go an entire week without verbally interacting with another human being. That's not good for me. The dogs love it, of course, but I do need to get out. Since I don't need a job to survive and others do, I'm going to look for a volunteer opportunity--as soon as we're done getting that 6-9" of snow that is falling right now!

I guess right now we have to be grateful for any crumb we can get. Even though you're not comfortable now, at least your children have you at home when they need you and that's a blessing for everyone. I wish I could stand and walk for long periods of time, then I could get a service-type job a few hours a week. I hope things improve for you and your family!

I agree and that needs to change. We've gone along for years just thinking the jobs will be there and now that they are not, we're hurting. One thing that contributes to this is the high cost of education, which many people can't afford. The average college graduate here finishes his or her education with an unbelievable amount of debt in student loans that sometimes takes more than a decade to repay.

The job I was talking about was for me. After 55 years, I certainly know what life is like, the good and the bad. I think I will not look so that someone else can have a bit of good.