Why Capitalism Sucks

[Blue_Phoenix]

Okay, I'm facing a serious crisis here.

I work as an independent contractor and the business that contracts me doesn't pay me very well. There are weeks when I'm lucky to make $200. My rent is $800 and even with my roommate's input I'm barely able to scrape by. My gas was shut off recently - business is so inconsistent that I was never able to get it properly registered and so they want $927 from me paid off before I get it back.

Today was the deathblow - I went and had my taxes done, and of course since I'm a contractor I lost money. I'm going to be asked to pay nearly $1700. I may very well lose my apartment here.

I know I have to switch jobs. I'm eager to get back into temping but I'm not able to get my criminal record expunged because I don't make enough money. Any ideas here? And don't give me any crap like "pray" because I'm seriously scared to death now.

[Asvi]

all i can say is sorry.. i'm sort of going through the same but not as bad as you.

[shadha]

Are you able to look into getting a second roommate?


shadha-

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by Blue_Phoenix

Any ideas here? And don't give me any crap like "pray" because I'm seriously scared to death now.

Well what do you want us to do? Allah is the only one who can help you anyway. Does his help only apply when you're not scared to death. The advice we give you doesn't matter if you think praying is crap donchaknow

[Variable]

Get a temporary job at starbucks or home depot for a while, and while you're at it, find a cheaper apartment.

[iliketofish]

Sounds like a tough situation, sorry to hear it. Do you have time to pick up a second job?

[Blue_Phoenix]

Originally Posted by shadha

Are you able to look into getting a second roommate?


shadha-

Unfortunately no. My place has two bedrooms and the living room is about the size of a walk-in closet - I mean that in a literal context. There's no way a another person would fit.

Originally Posted by wheelworks

Well what do you want us to do? Allah is the only one who can help you anyway. Does his help only apply when you're not scared to death. The advice we give you doesn't matter if you think praying is crap donchaknow

Then won't he send me a clear sign! Like making a large, unexplained donation into my bank account! You realize there are atheists who are millionaires, right? Why can he give so much to them and not cut me a single break?

[shadha]

Try to get a second part time job-- even though that will be incredibly hard to do since summer is here and all the kids are out of school.


shadha-

[Timbit]

Sucks.

For the short term, try to pick up a second job, even if it's crappy and think about moving to a cheaper area of the city. As long as you're paying the bills and staying out of debt.

For the long term, think about getting into a different, more stable kind of line of work.

InshaAllah khair; you'll be in my du'as.

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by Blue_Phoenix

Then won't he send me a clear sign! Like making a large, unexplained donation into my bank account!

“Verily We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad SAW). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility). [Surat An’am, 6:42]

Originally Posted by Blue_Phoenix

You realize there are atheists who are millionaires, right? Why can he give so much to them and not cut me a single break?

I apologize. I didn't realize that Allah sent people to Jannah based on how rich they became in this world.

[Bluestar]

wheelworks, i think he was trying to find more practical solutions? I think you can appreciate that this must be a scary time for anyone in the same situation and although praying to God that he doesn't end up homeless is one method, it shouldn't be the only method used to get out of this situation.

Blue Pheonix, is there anyone who can lend you money, without charging interest? Family members? It's not nice to ask but it might be one solution. Also, definitely try and find cheaper accomodation. I wish it works out somehow, my financial situation wasn't too good a month ago but alhamdulillah it's improving now. Hopefully, it'll be the same for you.

Look out for and keep applying for new better paid jobs.

I don't know if you guys have a citizens advice bureau there but that could be an option too.

[Blue_Phoenix]

No, no family members to lend me money. They've sent me money in the past and aren't doing it again.

A bit of good news today, though, the landlord is apparently considering lowering my rent.

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by Bluestar

wheelworks, i think he was trying to find more practical solutions? I think you can appreciate that this must be a scary time for anyone in the same situation and although praying to God that he doesn't end up homeless is one method, it shouldn't be the only method used to get out of this situation.

Looking for a practical solution is fine but calling prayer crap and saying it doesn't help renders practical solutions rather useless doesn't it? There has to be a balance. Just as praying to god shouldn't be the only method, so should relying only on yourself and mortal humans be the same donchaknow...

There's basically three steps to it:

1) Trust in Allah
2) Do everything in your power to get out of this situation, but only after putting your trust in Allah.
3) Be patient. This one is key.

Is Allah basically someone to think about when everything is fine and dandy?

Subhanallah donchaknow

Edit: aight here's my input. There is something called renters rights. The landlord cannot just chuck you out into the street. He has to go to court to issue a formal eviction, which could take awhile. That should give you time to get out of the situation.

p.s. still trust in Allah though...

[Revert]

Get a second job its what i'm going to have to do. I'm in the same boat as you, excet i pay other peopels bills too...

I'm lucky if i hit $250 a week ATM, out of that i have to pay rent and stuff..then give other people money so we can all eat. I was bad and used my tax refund to treat myself to an Ipod (first thing i've bought in over a year)

My life pretty much sucks right now but all i have is iman..

[Bruinrab]

In the immediate term, you can ask the IRS to allow you to pay in installments. Unfortunately, they will charge fees and interest, but that is probably better than filing bankruptcy and being on the streets (anyone who wants to chime in about interest being haram right now better be ready to get out their checkbook or take a chappal to the teeth ). Call up the gas company and see if you can do the same with them. You may be able to survive until September without it, but Chicago in January without heat would be bad.

It's only a temporary solution of course, you need to find an additional source of income, whether it's a second job or temping. As much as it sucks, you need to put other parts of your life on hold and concentrate on the finances for at least 3-6 months. If that means no "fun" stuff and no writing, so be it. This is serious.

You need a job, maybe even two, that pays at least minimum wage. Get yourself 60 hours a week of work - work every shift they'll give you. That's going to suck like an octopus, but remind yourself that it's only temporary - and you'll bring in $450 a week, netting about $1500/month. Work that schedule as long as you can, at least till the end of the summer, and get those two big bills paid off. If you can, keep up that schedule for a few more months, and build up an "emergency fund" that you keep in a separate account.

Along the way, you need to fix your criminal record (btw, ) so you can temp again. Then, you can go back to doing contract work, along with supplemental temping as needed. And keep track of the income you get and try to set aside for taxes in advance, because otherwise you'll quickly end up in the same situation.

It may take a year or so, but again, you need to do this. A bankruptcy is terrible on your record, and living on the streets is not a viable alternative either. A tough year now is better than being haunted by worse financial troubles later.

You can fix this.