I have a dilemma.

I have been working for the same company for 10 years. I used to make good money but the economy has taken it's toll on many industries, publishing included. I have a medical/dental plan that saves me money so have hung in there for that and hoping things will improve.

Lately things have become worse. I don't make enough to pay all of my expenses and have gone into credit card debt.

My solution was to get another job. I work from home so going out to do something else part of the day would work.

It was suggested by an acqaintence that I should get into the insurance business as I am in sales already and have experience. What I did not think about is that this job is commission based like my magazine job. I really should have found a job that paid a salary. Two commission jobs may not have been the best choice.

I have to make cold calls and build my insurance business on my own. Being so stressed out over finances has caused me to panic as I have kids to support. You have to be up in sales. I can't contact people when I am in a desperate state. At least I can't.

Now I'm wondering if I should just put the insurance job on hold and go get a paying job to supplement my income. It would have to be part-time but it would still be better than making nothing which is what I am making now.

I'm so confused. I went through alot of effort to get licenced. I am lettng my new boss down. But whenever I go into the office she says do you have any sales yet. I am going to put the pressure on you, not what I need. Also they have made a new rule, if you don't sell 1000 per month in sales, you will have to pay a 100 desk fee. I can't afford to pay this as I don't have enough money as it is.

I know I should focus but I keep thinking about the best solution. Should I just get a new full time job (not easy to find)

Should I give up the insurance job and get a part-time salary job for now until I am back on track with some money in my savings account?

I am hoping that some of you will see my situation from the outside as I am too close to it. I just keep going back and forth and am getting nowhere fast. The bills are creeping up again this month so I have to do something quick.

Then there is Christmas, don't even want to go there.
Kate

Do you think you could sell insurance within next 3 months? Pretty hard when people are thinking about Christmas.

This sounds like alot of pressure for that insurance job.

There was a post recently about Dubai and work opportunities.Seems that things there are not as rosy as discussed.
read an article and copied a small piece for sharing.a young man I know has property there and has invested much hope things dont go flat..

from BBC webpage.
Dubai's government said on Monday it was not responsible for the debts of its flagship conglomerate, offering little clarity on a plan to delay billions in debt repayments that has rattled world markets.

We have a freind in a very similar situation. Our advice was to take the salaried job. Selling anything in this economy is a challenge. I'd be curious to know how the other insurance salespeople who've been selling for years are doing.

My advice would be to search for another full-time job that might pay more, while securing a part-time job.

Also, is there a way for you to consolidate your credit card debt to a card that has the lowest interest rate? Or work with a company that manages your bill payments for you? This is what our friends did. The company corresponds with the people you owe, and works out a monthly payment based on what you can afford.

That's a good plan. Just get something with a salary for now would be great. I have checked into consolidating my debt but I heard that you can't be an insurance agent/financial planner if your credit is not in good standing.

What's important now is that I get my stress level down and get some more money in.

I will check into that today and continue applying for jobs.
thanks,
Katherine

I have spent so much time soul searching and think I finally have something. I want to change careers. Sales, I have had it with this as I no longer have the energy or the motivation in this field. I have been looking for something more rewarding for a long time now.

What keeps coming up for me is kids. I used to volunteer with kids in the school system and day care and with pregnant teens. I have a home-stay student from Columbia (age 15) that I enjoy. All my kids friends like me a lot and say I'm cool. I have loads of experience with learning disabilities. Having two kids of my own with this.

So, I am going to find out about how to become a teaching assistant especially dealing with kids with disabilities.

I just had a light bulb moment and wanted to share.
Kate

Sometimes when we are having trouble finding our way the Lord turns on the light and whalla, light buld moment!!! That sounds like not only a remarkable idea but a worthwhile cause, helping kids who need help. Good luck, and please keep us posted.

Yes I have prayed for that light bulb moment and it has finally come, or I finally listened, whatever...it's all good!

Kate

Kate, glad you are having some clarity about what's next. ONe foot in front of the other - one day at a time.

Good idea. A little retail to get you through the holidays.

I have applied at the mall, department stores etc. but so far, no luck.

I do have a job interview early next week with a really high end magazine and they pay a salary plus commission so I may get that job. Sounds promising anyway as I have quite a bit of experience.

I will keep you posted.

For now, it's important to find anything. I had to pay for my son to stay at a treatment centre this week. Put it on the visa as he is trying hard. I will have to cut the visa up as I am using it way too much for necessities. Will have to consolidate very shortly.

Keep on trucking Kate.

If you get the job at the magazine, will you leave your current job?

Oh, and please cut up the card if you possibly can. Or maybe you could leave it at home and only use it for emergencies?

Kate, I'm praying for the right position for you!

Just stopping by to say that I did manage to get a job. It is in magazine advertising again but a very good opportunity.
Now I have to decide what to do about the other jobs.

I would like to work with kids and still have that as a goal but for the immediate future I think this job fell in my lap for a reason. It was advertised and I was chosen out of a long list of people.

What to do about the insurance job is the problem. This new magazine pays a base salary, and I can keep doing the other magazine for now to see how it goes.

The insurance job is just impossible for me at the moment. After taking the course and paying for insurance, you have to have insurance in case you get sued, I find myself not wanting to move forward. Not now anyway.

My boss is getting aggressive with me and wants me to get going in her words.

Lots to think about, but I'm excited about the new opportunity. I don't feel the same about the insurance.
Kate

Thanks Anne and your idea was a good one. Last year I took care of a 102 year old. She was a riot. I worked for a nursing company part time as I have some experience. This lady comes out to my province to escape the snow and has done so for 20 years. She wanted to come out again this year but is too weak now. She is an amazing lady and I was lucky to get her. She stayed in a hotel and I stopped by every day for one to two hours. Took her out for walks, shopping etc.

This year there are not many shifts and there is no warning so its not easy to plan the week. When you get a client like the one I had last year it's steady. My problem is I get too attached to them and them to me. Not a great scenario as they move you around. She insisted on having me her entire visit, 4 months so it worked our great and the money was steady. It was a blessing to have met her and we had a wonderful connection.

Kate

Best of luck with your 2nd new job, kate.

Too bad we missed each other when we were visiting Victoria!

I'd say bag the insurance and stick with the magazine work, expecially if you get a base salary.

Wow, you work fast. Congrats!

Kate, bravo!

Update:
I have now had two bad experiences with magazine jobs. Both companies had me sell ads and didn't pay me. So, I have decided to go a different route once again. I was just trying to increase my income and no retail jobs were out there. I recently had a call from a recruitment agency. I had posted my resume online over six months ago. This agency had a great job opportunity they wanted to offer me. I am sharing this as I have been out of the loop for 12 years being at the same company, times have changed.
I went through the interview stage, first a phone interview, next an online test, then a face to face interview with two people. They had pages and pages of questions for me. While one person asked the other took notes. This went on for an hour. I found out they originally had 10 candidates, then it was down to 5 then two, myself and one other person.
I did not get the job.

One great thing about recruitment agencies is they talk to the employer later and find out why you did not get the job. This is so helpful. I was surprised why I did not get it.

One reason; I have been in my current job for too long, 12 years. That was a negative, who would have thought. They said 6 to 8 years ok, but 12, too long.

Next, I needed to have proof of my sales performance in my current job. The other candidate had performance evaluations at their job. They had quotas to meet and this was all recorded and they brought this info to the interview. My company does not do this, I have quotas but I make them for myself. My company is not a great company at all and doesn't keep on top of this. I had no proof that I increased sales or met quotas even though I did. I didn't want them contacting my current job for this info so I lost out.

I would hate to think part of it is they found out through round about questioning that I am a single parent. This is not a negative as such, but there was some travel involved and maybe they felt that would be a problem for me.

It was a great experience and I am glad to have gone through it even though I was disappointed. The job paid very well with lots of perks, pension, 100% medical, dental etc. so they had to get the right fit. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and I think this experience, both the other magazine job experiences have led me to believe it's time to get out of sales.

Back to my original plan, try to get on with the school board working with special need children. So, while I am working towards that at least I still have me lousy magazine job that I have been at for 12 years. My pay continues to drop due to revenue in sales dropping but.....at least I can take some needed time to figure out the remaining years of my working life and find something I will truly love, something rewarding where I can give back.
Kate

Kate, it may be disheartening not to get a job you put so much into, but it sounds like you're staying positive! You go, girl!

Kate, who would have ever thought that being in the same job for that many years would work against you? That's amazing.

I love your attitude. What a great expereince to go through all that interviewing and testing. So far, everything is a step in the right direction. Stay positive.

I just read through my posts and it appears that I continue to go back and forth and end up back where I started. I am 53 and life is changing big time.

Everything is changing and I am stuck. My kids are growing up, moving towards adulthood and looking forward to new experiences.

I am growing more andmore stagnant, in the same job, working from home and so bored it's painful.

Been at the same job for 12 years now, at home for 2 years. I have tried to get other jobs but can't seem to find anything. Just got another part time job doing the same as my stay at home job, selling magazine advertising. This career gets harder all the time due to the economy but the worst part is I am really lonely and bored. I don't know if I need to change jobs or change my attitude.

I want to change but can't seem too.
Basically all I do is work from home in between doing laundry and cleaning up the house. I only go out to grocery shop and walk the dog.

My mother age 83 has a much more exciting life than me. She is out all the time but there is so much out there for seniors.

I led an active life when I was younger but now I can't seem to get out of this situation I find myself in.

Is it the job, is it that I work from home, is it me?
I am sooooo stuck.
Kate

Kate, sounds like you lack human interaction. Perhaps if you kept one of the part-time selling from home jobs and could find a part-time job in an office environment where peers might help in keeping the competitive spirit alive and enhance productivity.

No, its not you. I think it would be normal how you feel considering working from home. Virtual offices have pros/cons as well as an office environment.

Wishing I could work from home - yet, I'd find myself slipping into slackedness!

Kate, I doubt if it is YOU, as you usually have such a great attitude. But...

You don't sound like you are happy with what you are doing and the hand that you have dealt yourself, lately.

Why don't you get out more often? You don't need a job to walk by yourself, go to a movie, get a cup of coffee or go somewhere you can talk to other adults? Just curious, not making judgments, here.

It's a tough time to look for jobs, especially in sales, right now. What, besides kids, do you like? Where are your passions? What makes you smile?

Have you ever taken a career test? One of those where they look for types of jobs that suit you best.

Are there groups for women with careers near you? We have several near us - "Business Women Connect", for example. Have you tried to research any groups you might join for some inspiration and to meet new women.

I hope you find a way to get out and about today!

Thank you MustangGal, I do lack human interaction big time.
And Anno, Yes, thank you, thank you. This is the advice I would give others. But, in a slump and prone to depression I tend to isolate myself.

Lately it's been getting worse. I do get out to the gym at least and last week went to a movie by myself. That's my problem, I do everything by myself.

I think my kids growing up is a huge issue. Being a single mom of three for the past 14 years they have kept me busy. Rides back and forth to soccer games, outings etc. Lots of opportunities to chat with other parents while doing this. I love to get out and when activities were on, fairs, events etc. I would take my kids. They were my company. Now that they are almost grown up 17 & 18 (the two at home) they are busy with their friends, school part-time work, totally natural.

What has happened is I have not nurtured friendships over these busy years so find myself totally alone. I did have a friend that I cut ties with last year as she was very toxic. She wasn't like that for the first few years of our friendship but grew that way. She always invited me to dinners and outings as she had a lot going on due to her business. But she also called me too much and leaned on me way too much, plus would always get mad at me if I wasn't there for her every second. I became very hard to take.

Last night I looked online and did find a meet up group. Many of the members work from home. I guess I must be getting desperate :-)
Lots of interesting people and they meet for brunch on Sundays, go for walks, hikes, and are planning a camping trip in May. I recognized a few people (there is a photo gallery) but most not.
I'm in a phase where I do not feel like reaching out but will do it anyway. This Sunday is a meet up at a local brunch place. Guess I feel like a loser if I reach out. (silly thinking) I am so independent and find it hard to take that I have to do this. Before I had kids I was so popular and had so many friends. But have to realize it is what it is and if I don't do anything it will just get worse. I am good at isolating myself and know it is not healthy.

As for the part-time job I was looking for something outside the house and applied but these jobs wanted more hours than I can give. Now I wish I did not take the second job as it is the same kind of work. Making sales calls from home and getting lots and lots of rejection. Not easy.

I'm sure if I get out there and meet people things will seem better. I don't regret spending all my time with my kids. They were not at home stuck in front of a TV. We were always going out somewhere exploring. Now I just have to find away to explore, develop a passion on my own.
Kate

Had a great day today ladies. I am in sales so got out of my comfort zone and called on businesses in person rather than making phone calls today. This helped tremendously.

Also am considering starting a weekly coffee group for people who work from home. Kind of a network thing to help each other stay positive and productive. Working from home may sound great but it has many challenges eg. My doing laundry and dishes instead of making sales calls.

This will help with my isolated feelings and get me back into the swing of things. So, I may start a blog first and then get a group started.

Also joined a meet up group in my city so I can get out and meet new people once a week.

Wow, you guys are GREAT!
Kate

Great idea to start a weekly coffee group. I worked from home from 2002-2010 and it can be isolating so you have to make an effort to connect with others face to face.

Sometimes it's desperation that makes us change. Look at it as a positive. Sounds like you're reaching out in several ways. It's never too late to make new freinds of all ages. Keep up the good work.

Way to go, Kate!

All such good ideas for interacting with other people. Working from home is great but it is lonesome alot of the time. We all need contact and interaction with other people. I have decided to take my own advice about that and do more things out of my home; but I am still editing so don't be shy about sending me your manuscripts.

It's funny. I pride myself on being very independent. Raised three kids on my own for the past 14 years and refuse to admit that I am lonely. Like it's a curse or something. Weird, don't know where that comes from.

When I was growing up it appeared (and I don't know if that was it for sure) that my Mom was a snob. All the ladies in the neighborhood would have coffee at each others homes. Most in those days did not work. My Mom did not have coffee with anyone. She always judged these women and talked about them, gossiped mainly, like she was better than them. She said she had no time for such chatter and was always cleaning. I always found that confusing as a child. I liked these women. They would share stories of their youth. My Mom pretended she had nothing in common with them and never told me anything other than she was an angel (not her words) but she never did anything and didn't even go to a show until she was 18 and that was with her father. My uncle tells a different story, maybe why my Mom kept us from him and does not talk to him at all. Now sure why I got on this topic but maybe this is why I feel I have to be independent. Confusing.


Could I be on to something? I hope I am not a snob, I don't think I am. I enjoy meeting all kinds of people. I'm a mix of my Dad and Mom, sociable when I need to be but sometimes shy and reserved.

Anyway, I did join a group in town. There are over 500 members. They meet up for dinner, walks, hikes, and in May the group (not all) is going camping, families invited. It's a social group but many of these people work from home. So I may be able to start a group from this group for work at home people.

I can't believe I joined this group. I am actually going to meet with 27 people that I don't know next weekend for brunch.

This is so out of my comfort zone but I have to do it. I have to push myself out the door. And I'm in sales, can you believe this?
Kate