I Got Fired At My Day Job...
HI All, im actually very upset right now, i have been giving alot of thought to dancing and i have done it a couple of times now and i absolutley love it BUT i just got fired from my day job..the job that paid my bills and really was almost my safety just in case dancing didnt work out. I dont know what to do, im really scared that because i feel pressed to make money for all my damn loan payments and just living im going to ruin my vibes at the clubs? has this ever happened to anyone. I feel so lost and i want to go in to work but i feel like my hustle is gonna get scratched from my attitude...dont know what to do? thanks all for listenning..just had to rant there...
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
Here is my step-by-step advice:
1) File for unemployment ASAP. You should qualify since you got fired, and didn't quit. That can be your 'safety' net to pay basic living expenses until you find another "day job".
2) Call all of your creditors/etc ASAP. If you are talking about student loans, assuming your credit and payment history is at least okay, you can usally get a deferment (no payment with interest still accruing) for several months by claiming "financial hardship". As far as installment loans (cars, mortgage, etc) or credit card payments, if you call them and explain that you lost your job, you should be able to skip or postpone payments, or at least reduce the amount of money you owe for monthly payments for awhile. If you can't afford credit payments after basic expenses, screw them. Even if they say no at first to reducing your APR or payments, most credit companies, if they realize they may not get any money out of you, will go out of their way to call you and offer special payment arrangements based on your income. Even utility companies will cut you some slack for financial hardships.
I don't know how things operate in Canada, but maybe you could get some kind of temporary assistance?
3) In the mean time, once your bills are postponed, definately pick up some shifts dancing to get some extra money. Also, try to get a part time job like waitressing, which is always in demand. Since you are in a large city, you should not have a hard time finding a couple decent-paying, temp. part time jobs while you are trying to break into dancing.
Good luck.
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
PS: Feel lucky that you are not in the USA where you would be stuck without any health care coverage if you don' t have a job. ;)
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
Yeah, it's hard even for veteran dancers to get their mojo going when stressed out. BUT, sitting at home being worried/afraid is only going to make the situation worse.
I would tend to agree with most of Milenka's advice above - first thing I'd do is file for unemployment or whatever is equivalent in Canada to get some income flowing. I also think she's right about your creditors, and I'd add that if you have things like car or standard loan payments, oftentimes they'll work out a deal where you can just pay the interest for a month or two if you call them and explain your situation and ASK for some type of deferment or temp interest-only plan - that significantly lowers the payment amount on credit payments. For credit cards, only worry about the minimum payments for now which hopefully isn't too high.
Once you've started doing something to improve the situation, you'll be able to feel more in control and less pressured, which should allow you to get your mojo on for stripping. Even if you're not 100%, you can still go in and make some cash, which is a positive step no matter what. You'll begin to feel even better once you start making some cash and then you'll be back to your usual self in no time.
At any rate, figuring out a plan of action and working on it step by step is the only way to deal with this kind of thing and regain your self-confidence and positive attitude, so get busy right away. Think of what you CAN do instead of what you can't. And remember, one of the best things about stripping is it puts CASH in your hands NOW, which can not only improve your financial situation but your mood as well ;)
Good luck :hug:
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
A lot of girls don't like to do these, but hardship might change your mind- private shows. I am aware how Canada is in terms of "private shows", but that's no different than major American cities. I made a lot of money as a private dancer to where I was living off of that income mostly for a while. There's slow times, but it's worth a shot if you can find a decent agency & a driver.
Good luck hon. I know how it is.
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
Cindy, I really wouldn't let it stress me out if I were you. You're in no worse situation than anyone else who doesn't dance and loses their job. Like everyone has been saying, first, go file for EI, there's your safety net for rent and immediate bills. Next, contact the banks, or whichever companies, you git your loans through. Almost every cash loan included insurance in your payments to cover minimum payments for such a situation, any other money you put on them is bonus. Finally, just look for another job during the day if you need that safty net. With this close to Xmas, alot of places are hiring extra staff anyhow.
Lastly, once you're EI claim has started DO NOT claim your cash tips from dancing. The government will take that right off the top and also may disallow your claim as you being self-employed. The HRSDC does not need to know you're a dancer. All they need to know is you got fired from your job and why, otherwise mums the word.
The bonus now for you is that if you want to, you can pick up some day shifts at whichever club you're at to practice on the pole without any real pressure to perform. Or even take the time to check out otherclubs you may be interested in working at.
Long story short, Don't sweat it.
Re: I Got Fired At My Day Job...
Witness I agree that she should claim her EI, while she looks for something else.
But last time I checked making income and collecting EI and not telling them constitutes fraud doesn't it?
Ok I know it happens with alot of trades all the time, but Im just saying be careful, especially as she will probably be filing income tax returns etc later on.
I agree it gives her time to check out some clubs etc. but really how much time does one need? I say jump in there and try dancing, Im sure she will soon be doing well enough that she wont care about a few EI cheques.
I have seen first hand ..well second hand actually people run into trouble with EI or Canada Revenue(our IRS) and it can get damn ugly. Why risk it, pay what we owe, collect whats fair, and be able to sleep at night...just my 2 cents.