Wife lost job today...bit of a bummer

[sfalexi]

Situation first, just looking for some general advice/suggestions on how to continue.

Well, she was planning on quitting after January anyway to start prepping for us to move in late March to Georgia (I'm military). Her boss is an idiot, and "caught wind" that she was going to leave in January and told her, "I'm considering the fact you told your coworker as your two weeks and today will be your last day". She's a bitch to begin with, so it's not THAT big a loss, but seriously?! The only reason her business is still around is because of the turnaround of employees (military spouses typically) so there isn't enough time for her bad rap as a boss to get to the next person looking for a job.

I'm currently deployed and should be arriving back early after the New Year after a year. We had plans to use her paycheck for January to pay for a one week trip to Tennessee to check out some potential wedding sites, but now I'm not so sure that's a great idea. Talk about a bummer. And now she has to spend her Christmas break, without me there, knowing that we may not be able to take a trip to check out wedding sites (which of course she is NOT happy about that), and just lost her job. Happy Friggin' Holidays, right? I'll do my best to keep contact and keep her spirits up. Not her fault, she just had a bad boss that makes bad decisions in an unprofessional manner.

Financially, we'll make it. I've gone over the budget about twenty times to see what it'd be like when she DOES quit, and I can cover all the expenses. But barely. We're talking having about 100 bucks left over a month. And it REALLY doesn't help me get out of debt not having the extra paycheck to put towards bills.

I guess my question is, do I just deal with her being out of a job and put my financial freedom plan on hold? Or do I urge her to get a job (even if it's one not at all related to the field she studied or wants to work in) just to have some extra cash flow so we can be out of debt? I've told her that whatever money she makes each month, half will go towards our debt, and half will be put away in a "wedding fund" until we are debt free or the wedding comes around, whichever is first. I really want to be debt free before the wedding (November 2011) so that after the marriage she can be a stay at home wife and look forward to not going back to work after it. But the less money we bring in and the longer it takes for her to get a job, the less likely that seems. And when we move to GA, she WILL be looking for a job, but I'm wondering what to do till then. Part of me says, "Forget about it, deal with four months of her not working, and start really paying down the debt again when she gets a job in GA". But a bigger part of me says, "There's still four months before she has to quit ANOTHER job. That could amount up to some paid off bills and some cash stowed away for our wedding.....but can/will she want to work a job that she doesn't prefer? Or even get a job in this market? Do we tell the new boss she's planning to leave in four months? Do we look for a job that might transfer across state lines?" There are DEFINITELY downsides to being military I guess (as I type this halfway around the world from my wife, and get ready for a life of picking up and moving every few years....sigh....it's a good thing I really enjoy and do well with military life and like my job)

Just looking for some general advice I guess. Like I said, I know my paycheck will cover our basic bills. But now we don't have our 'play money' and after a year of deployment we won't be able to take that vacation to check out possible wedding venues.

Not quite a financial crisis, just a little bummed out that her boss would do a stupid act like assuming that because she told another teacher a few weeks ago that she was thinking of quitting after the holidays that that was her "two weeks" (heard THROUGH another person), and tell her "BTW, today's your last day". F'ed up.

Alexi

[creditcardfree]

Ugh. I'm so sorry to hear this. ((Hugs to both of you)) You both are already in a stressful situation. I would take a little time to think everything over. It just happened today.

You are already married, yes? The wedding in 2011, the official ceremony?

[sfalexi]

Correct. We're actually getting married with the Justice of the Peace the day after I return from deployment (WOO HOO!), so for all purposes, she's pretty much "my wife". But the official ceremony with friends and family will be in 2011. We planned that date because we want to start trying for a family in middle of 2012, so it gives us time as a married couple before kids come along. So I'm hoping to be debt free before the wedding, and therefore before kids.

Alexi

[kork13]

Sorry to hear the news... On the upside, if she was planning to quit at the end of Jan anyway, it's really only a difference of 1.5 months, so not quite so bad.... sorta....

If she's interested in (willing to do) a short-term job, I think it would be good, if nothing else to keep her busy while you're still overseas. I don't think seeking an in-field job is generally worth it for only a month or two, unless she has an opportunity that is readily available. However, looking for a transferable job is definitely a great idea. Also, she should start researching potential jobs in GA right NOW, and even possibly submitting resume's. That way she can have some job opportunities waiting for her when you both get to GA.

She could also consider jobs from federal agencies, even if only something like AAFES or DeCA. IAW a recent change, spouses seeking employment from a federal agency get a preferential consideration under certain circumstances, such as moving via PCS. Many private companies also offer preferential hiring to military spouses/veterans.

[minnie1928]

What about working for a temp agency? There's less commitment there and it could still bring in some money.

[snafu]

I believe your fiancé has cause to file a suit for 'wrongful dismissal.' I suggest she get in touch with her union rep. asap. If your fiancé is an accredited teacher, could she sign up as a substitute teacher with all school boards and private schools within reasonable commuting distance or teach in continuing ed or ESL? Since there is a move planned in 4 months, perhaps she could look at how her education and experience could be transferred to other employment. Trainers often begin their careers as teachers for example. If she has good writing skills she might find work as an editor or in publicity and public relations.

Whatever her background, this might be a great time 'to make lemonaid from lemons.'

[HistoryChick]

I agree with Snafu on the substitute teaching gig. Depending on her degree, she can make a good chunk of change when the school year begins again. Around here (Southeast), subs with advanced degrees can earn over $100 a day...without about $70-80. Its, of course, not constant, but could be if she finds a teacher on maternity or other extended leave - she'd just need to give the schools or district office a call before applying.

[cschin4]

First, take a deep breath. You have a lot happening. Take a minute to ENJOY the new life you are starting and appreciate every moment, even the stress.

First word of caution: NEVER, EVER tell friends, coworkers or you boss that you are planning to leave your job until the day you actually turn in your resignation. I have made the mistake of trying to be helpful by telling them early, doesn't work. They will make your life miserable or tell you to leave that day. Not all but I have had one experience like that so I NEVER offer up any information on my plans whatsoever. I work there until the day I decide to quit, period. They don't need or deserve any other info about my personal life.
So, if taking another job, you just take it and you don't tell them you will only be there 4 months. Why? Because in reality, nobody knows how long they will be anywhere. Times and circumstances change and a job you think might be temp may become permanent. I always thought the "how long do you plan to work here" question was completely idiotic. Nobody knows how long they will work anywhere. Of course, the answer is "Until my dying breath" but people come and go all the time for various reasons planned or unplanned. You take the job, go do you work, earn your living and then when it is time to leave, you leave.

[PrincessPerky]

Does she have family anywhere she could go spend the holidays with? Could she go to GA early and scout now? Could she go to Tenn now and scout out? why a wedding in Tenn? Family there she could stay with?

And my number one suggestion...find out what she wants....present a pile of ideas, and see which makes her least annoyed.

[sfalexi]

First word of caution: NEVER, EVER tell friends, coworkers or you boss that you are planning to leave your job until the day you actually turn in your resignation.

When she told me she was thinking she was going to quit early, she had already discussed it with someone she worked with. Otherwise, I typically subscribe to this as well. There have been a FEW times where I've given advance notice and everything worked fine. Typically jobs that myself and my coworkers/boss have a very good working relationship, and jobs that naturally have a high turnover anyway so it would not benefit nor harm them to fire me early.

Does she have family anywhere she could go spend the holidays with? Could she go to GA early and scout now? Could she go to Tenn now and scout out? why a wedding in Tenn? Family there she could stay with?

Yeah. She has friends she can spend the holidays with since I won't be home yet. But Tennessee simply because someone went on vacation there and she LOVED the land and scenery of the mountains. And I have no problem with an outdoor, scenic wedding. She won't go now, but I'm still deciding whether to go to TN for a week. If I do, I have to postpone paying off a credit card, but I'll still be able to make monthly payments. I think it might be nice to do anyway. A nice vacation for both of us, and with a purpose.

Alexi

[cicy33]

also as she was let go she will qualify for unemployment so that will give her at least something for income and since she was planning on quitting anyway you weren't planning on any income at all. unemployment usually lasts for 6 months depending upon current laws with employment issues.

[beebop25blue25]

FIRST THING....tell her to go to her local unemployment office and file for unemployment. Since the boss let her go BEFORE she was leaving in January, she should be able to qualify for unemployment benefits which will at least give her a partial income for around 20-30 weeks or until she finds another job. My sister "quit" her job because of some things going on there, and I didn't think she would get unemployment since she quit but she did. If you were "fired" or "laid off" you definately qualify. Go to the unemployment office ASAP to see what they can do for you!

[beebop25blue25]

Yep, just double checked the laws, since she was let go, she DOES qualify for unemployment benefits! Good luck and keep everyone posted.

[terces]

I would defintely sign up for unemployment and check into temp work.

Also if she continues to work after you are married, many states offer unemployment to spouses when official military orders indicate a change of duty stations. Something I wasn't aware of when we were in the military.

And if she wants to continue to work definitely have her look into federal employment. I had lots of friends who were able to move their job when their spouse got transferred.

[sfalexi]

She doesn't qualify for unemployment as she didn't work for a few months and something to do with the quarters. At least the length that I could research it.

Unfortunately, although I CALL her my 'wife', we technically won't be married until I get back from deployment (which is about a week! MAN it's been a long year!).

It took her about 4 months to find a job she wanted the first time. But the decision we made is she's just gonna wait it out. We have about four months before we pack up and leave for Georgia. She wants to work as a pharmacy technician (has worked as one for about 4 years and has her license), or in childcare (ALWAYS needed in the military!). So what we're going to do is have her do some volunteer work at the hospital on base a couple hours a day in order to get a good recommendation, and bring that letter of recommendation to Georgia and hopefully get her working either on base or in a local hospital.

Thanks for the help everyone. I know we'll make it, cause my pay goes up this year, and I can make all necessary payments to survive and have some money left over for bills/emergencies. Her job would just help us get debt down quicker and be the gravy on top. So we'll figure it out when we move.

Thanks very much for the tips and nice words.

Alexi