Car loan requirements (Chelsea)

chelsea_b

I was employed full-time until the end of December,

I apologize for the misunderstanding.  That said, you haven't worked for 4 months?  Must be nice to go 4 months without working and still be able to pay your bills.  I certainly envy that. 

If you have been looking for a job for most of that time and still haven't found one, let's try to work on that.  What do YOU think the reason is you haven't found a job in 4 months and 20 applications?

 Oh wow. Seriously guys, what gives?

If a stranger had come in here and attacked Chelsea the way some of you have been doing then would have been red inked to death, I guess it's because its longstanding members doing the attacking, but I'm surprised no one has gotten the boot from this thread.

While I do agree with most of what was said there is a tactful way to say it, jeez.

Chelsea, my advice to you is to walk into every single business within walking distance and put in an application. Dress nicely, greet people enthusiastically, be polite, if they aren't hiring ask to fill out an app anyway and "have them keep you in mind" etc. I worked full time and saved every penny I made to buy my car. I saved and found a 2001 Dodge Neon for $2000. I had to fix a $250 part when I bought it, but it was still cheaper than a new car. And it's been reliable. If you have anyone that knows anything about cars have them come with you when you buy a used car and give it a look-over. Honestly, it's just not realistic to expect to buy new for your first car. There is nothing wrong with used, and allows you to save your money for other things.
 

UndefinedMelody

If a stranger had come in here and attacked Chelsea the way some of you have been doing then would have been red inked to death, I guess it's because its longstanding members doing the attacking, but I'm surprised no one has gotten the boot from this thread.

If you think the rules have been violated, I suggest you report the appropriate posts.

Ladies and gentleman...if I may use those terms...

Moderator request.

This is not a thread where it is okay to be rude with other members. In fact, no such threads exist on this forum. If you like that sort of thing, look elsewhere on the 'net. As it is...civility is what flies here...and lose the snark and sarcastic comments...further such posts are subject to edit..as are those before this note, pending Mod/Admin review.

I like to think the members here are capable of communicating respectfully. Please do convince me that is indeed, the case. Be respectful of your fellow members, agree or disagree.

Thanks.

probe1957

That said, you haven't worked for 4 months?  Must be nice to go 4 months without working and still be able to pay your bills.  I certainly envy that. 

So what's the underlying joke here? I feel like I'm missing something. 4 months out of the last 4 1/2, I wasn't working full-time, that's true. I actually got paid for..almost 2 months out of that time though. And yeah, I had enough savings to make up the rest. I didn't borrow 1 cent from anyone in that time. If I was able to do that, why should I not have? Clearly I don't have as many bills as you. I pay rent, my credit cards, my food, dog & cat stuff, and really..I think that's it. So what's the problem here? Do remember I'm 19... aren't you still supporting a 20-something kid of yours? So why attack me? Maybe you should point some of this "advice" toward your kid.

probe1957

What do YOU think the reason is you haven't found a job in 4 months and 20 applications?

Honestly, I'm not sure. Bad luck? LOL.

Admin speaking...

I am backing up Gina's statement that there are no threads where it is OK to be rude to other members, and also that further posts in this thread are subject to edit - as, clearly, are the MANY posts in this thread I have just edited.  I trust that if any of you need a refresher of the rules on behaviour here, or on the strike/edit/suspension/ban policies, you can make your way to the links at the bottom of every page or PM a mod/admin for assistance.

chelsea_b

probe1957

That said, you haven't worked for 4 months?  Must be nice to go 4 months without working and still be able to pay your bills.  I certainly envy that. 

So what's the underlying joke here? I feel like I'm missing something. 4 months out of the last 4 1/2, I wasn't working full-time, that's true. I actually got paid for..almost 2 months out of that time though. And yeah, I had enough savings to make up the rest. I didn't borrow 1 cent from anyone in that time. If I was able to do that, why should I not have? Clearly I don't have as many bills as you. I pay rent, my credit cards, my food, dog & cat stuff, and really..I think that's it. So what's the problem here? Do remember I'm 19... aren't you still supporting a 20-something kid of yours? So why attack me? Maybe you should point some of this "advice" toward your kid.

probe1957

What do YOU think the reason is you haven't found a job in 4 months and 20 applications?

Honestly, I'm not sure. Bad luck? LOL.

Whether you liked his delivery or not, what Billy has said is 110% true, and is what pretty much everyone that I know who has any financial sense would tell you.  It was not attacking IMHO--it was probably the best advice given on the thread.  You would do well to stop arguing with him and take it into consideration.  Actually, it's basically what my husband said when he read the post over my shoulder, and he is coming from a place of never having any history with you, having managed his own finances since he was 18, having owned his own car since he was 16 (without a penny from his parents--he's one of 8 kids), and he isn't even a jerk.

Have you followed up on any of the applications?  When I was looking for a job, I put in tons of apps, didn't follow up, and only got one call back.  When an opening came up for a job that was the closest to what I wanted as I could get, I not only put in an application, but I put in a second application 6 months later when I didn't get the first spot.  I then called a week or two after putting it in to follow up.  If you don't follow up then it really doesn't give the people hiring anything to remember you by.  You have to act like you want the job, not like your someone just putting out tons of applications hoping for a bite.

Do you have any daycare centers within walking/biking distance or even bus distance?  If so, I would look into working there.  You have childcare experience and if you could get the mother of the child you cared for to write you a reference that would be even better.  My husband's younger sister got a job at a day care and was still in high school.  Another thing you could do is check out the high schools/universities in range--many colleges have day care centers on site and one of our local high schools has a day care center.  

. 

I think one thing some of you guys are forgetting is that it just isn't as easy to find a job today as it was maybe 10 years or so ago.  The economy is rapidly heading down the crapper and places are more likely to be laying off instead of hiring.  There are some pretty highly skilled people out there with advanced degrees who are finding landing a job difficult.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

I think one thing some of you guys are forgetting is that it just isn't as easy to find a job today as it was maybe 10 years or so ago.  The economy is rapidly heading down the crapper and places are more likely to be laying off instead of hiring.  There are some pretty highly skilled people out there with advanced degrees who are finding landing a job difficult.

Joyce

Well, the job I found wasn't 10 years ago, it was not even three years ago.  We actually just hired in several new people and it most definitely is not a job that you have to have college for.  They require a high school diploma.  AND it's manufacturing no less.

While many retailers are not hiring, that does not mean that it is a lost cause.  I have actually seen "Hiring" signs in this area lately--gas stations, fast food, and even an ice cream shop.

No, the job market is not what it used to be and it is not likely that jobs will be falling into anyone's lap, but I think that going into a job search thinking you won't get hired because of the economy is self-defeating...

ETA: going to a temp agency might not be a bad idea.  That is how our company finds many of it's new people for "floor" jobs.  They try them out as temps first, then hire them on full time if they work out. 

I think going to a temp agency (or several) is an excellent idea. I also think that while it may be difficult to find a job now, it's going to be even more difficult in the weeks ahead as high school and college students start looking for summer work.

sillysally

When I was looking for a job, I put in tons of apps, didn't follow up, and only got one call back.

A few applications actually specifically said "Please do not call about the status of your application", so I kind of figured that went for all of them. But you're right, and I'll definitely give a call to the places I'm actually interested in. Thanks.

sillysally

You have childcare experience and if you could get the mother of the child you cared for to write you a reference that would be even better. 

True, and she would definitely give me a fantastic reference (god, I've been her right hand for 5 years...I think I'd do some Krav Maga on her if she wouldn't..LOL), and I could make some incredible money as a nanny around here (seriously, I see nanny jobs all the time for $13-15 or more per hour), but I really don't want to raise kids anymore for a whiiiiiile, and really childcare is NOT one of those things anyone should do even though they don't want to, or just for the money.

On another note.. I really wasn't trying to argue with the advice anyone gave me...including Billy. But it wouldn't be the first time I was argumentative without meaning to be, so I apologize if I was. I actually appreciate everyone's advice (though not necessarily the delivery.. lol), and am taking quite a bit of it to heart.