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Close to retirement and social security my only income. How can I pay my bills?

Indigo333 July 18th, 2022

I have been alone most of my life struggling. Trying to stay safe in physically abusive relationships.


My last husband took my inheritance ( a little over 100k) and used it. Said he was going to take care of me when we got older and not to worry. Once the money was gone, so was he.


I had a stroke the week we got a divorce, I don’t know if it started when he kicked me in the head that week or what.


I had a nervous breakdown or lost my mind after the divorce knowing I had no safety net. My health deteriorated over the next few years making it impossible to work.


I am facing a hip replacement and I don’t know if I will be able to walk well after the surgery enough to get a job.


i am afraid because I am 63 nobody will hire me. Two years ago I went in for an interview for a sales position and the man interviewing me asked me the first question if I was a grandmother. It went downhill from there.


I am stressing out so much!


I don’t know what to do.


any suggestions are appreciated

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@Indigo333

Hello, first of all, I am so sorry to hear of your situation. I can relate because my life experience, my relative experienced similar. I pray for your good health and your sacrifice be rewarded with something greater for you in the best of ways. Your journey has been a long one and in it you have been a warrior. You have so much self worth. I know you may not feel this way right now, but you have so much worth. I wonder if there are some employment support groups on this forum?

2 replies
soulsings July 19th, 2022

@HalKhatunBraunDiploma this is a mental health support site. There are resources but not ones to find a job but we can keep supporting each other as best we can.

Indigo hope you get the support you are looking for.

1 reply

@soulsings

I'm not aware of all the group's, sometimes some support groups emotionally support those wishing to find work.

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soulsings July 19th, 2022

@Indigo333 sorry for all the challenges you faced. Hope you get the support you are looking for.

Indigo333 OP July 20th, 2022

Soul sings, I am quite intelligent and am aware it’s a mental health page. Are you aware my post called for help???


comment removed by soulsings

1 reply
soulsings July 20th, 2022

@Indigo333 I am sorry you thought I replied to you. I did not. I replied to the person that asked that question after that post.

Please do not make diagnoses of members of listeners and please be respectful.

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adventurousLand6997 July 20th, 2022

@Indigo333 Hang in there. Have you considered substitute teaching? Schools are desperate for substitutes and you can choose the school, the grade levels, 1/2 or full day. Working with Kindergarteners is really life-affirming - they're still so sweet & loving. The other idea is a school bus driver - no walking and again, school systems are desperate and paying signing bonuses.

lightsleeper1 July 21st, 2022

I feel for you. Do not stop looking, there are jobs out there They may or may or may not be high paying but it is a start. Examples could be substitute teaching, grocery stores, etc. Look on line or simply drive around. I found something at age 70. I know it's easier said than done but keep trying.

July 21st, 2022

@Indigo333 I’m sorry you are facing this. Job hunting is hard at any age but certainly a lot of additional challenges and facing age bias does not sound pleasant at all. I guess my advice for that is go into future interviews with the expectation that the bias will exist - meaning, since you know it is likely component, you can lessen its emotional effect. By naming it, you are not going to get pulled into any dismissiveness by an interviewer. It’s a trick my therapist suggested - I use with a coworker who I know triggers me - I enter every meeting with him and tell myself to expect he is going to be condescending, and when he is, I can navigate the interaction with more skill. On another note, you might be able to create or have a friend create a Go Fund Me page to solicit some financial help until you have a little more stability. Hang in there.


— All the best

gentleSail2728 July 21st, 2022

@Indigo333

I'm sorry, I hope you're in a safe place now. For jobs, there are online jobs you could do like freelance writer or proofreading online. There's also apps where you can do surveys and get money for it, although it takes a while to earn a lot of money.