I was let go from the radio station today

[zman977]

I got woke up in a not so nice way this afternoon. I received a phone call form the radio station telling me my position had been terminated. Now thankfully I have a second job to fall back on and I was not to surprised. In fact I saw it coming. My main job was to board op games and remotes and with not as many games and remotes to do there was very little for me to do at the station. The only thing I was really doing was putting in the syndicates shows and voice tracking my overnight show. Does not take very long to do either wiht automation. I had not been dong news or production even though I can if the print is blown up to twenty eight font size but they already had people to do those things. and even those people were not very busy. Like I said, thankfully I have a second job to fall back on (Wal-Mart) where I work thirty two hours a week and I have already called and let them know I want to go full time as soon as possible. Like I said though, I was not surprised this happened.

Now for the part that really annoys me. We were just finally getting to a point where we could start paying off medical bills. I had even made deals with collection companies to pay a small amount we can afford, even the six thousand dollar bill I mentioned in a previous thread. Now we'll be about 1200 dollars short a month without that radio station check and unable to pay some of these people we have agreements with. Now I have to call and tell them we are unable to pay due to job loss. I don't make anywhere near enough at wal mart to make up the difference even if I worked overtime. Until I can find another job, Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle the creditors we have agreed to pay.

Some things we are gong to do is sell a bunch of stuff we no longer need. A garage sale is in our future. Gong to try and get out of our Direct TV contract. We have a year to go but we need that 81 dollars a month. Gonig to see if we can get out of that and not have to pay a hefty fee. Any other suggestions would be welcome.

[FredCat]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It is a total bummer that you were finally able to start planning with your creditors how to pay them back and now you can't honour them. That must be incredibly frustrating.

I'm not sure how it works where you are but here we have debt consolidation companies who help to consolidate the debt and work out easy payment plans which can fit in with your salary and help you get debt free without breaking your spirit.

Good luck.

[vfwchick]

awwww zman, no advice here, but I really feel for you. I hope things work out for the best.

PS: are you a veteran? Try a VFW for some help.

[Eddylizard]

I have no advice zman977, so sorry, you're already doing everything I could have thought of, I just wanted to say I feel for you. Take care, you've always struck me as a decent chap.

[LizzyBean]

zman I'm so sorry. I wish I had some advice to offer you.

[zman977]

Originally Posted by FredCat

I'm not sure how it works where you are but here we have debt consolidation companies who help to consolidate the debt and work out easy payment plans which can fit in with your salary and help you get debt free without breaking your spirit.

Good luck.

Thanks for the kind words. We are in debt consolodation for our credit cards. Just over a year and those will be paid off. Less than eight thousand dollars to go. The problem is many collection agencies won't work with debt cunsolodation companies. Some will but many won't.

[wanderwoman]

I'm sorry zman. I hope things start looking better for you soon.

[Dear Babby]

Oh, what a shame, just when you were catching up. I'm glad you at least have another job that you can increase your hours to help you a little.

[Just Jocko]

I'm so sorry, zman. AFA the creditors, all you can do is be totally up front. Call them immediately, explain the situation and work out a new payment plan based on what you're currently bringing in from WalMart alone (in case you don't get full-time work with them). It would probably help to figure out the new amount for yourself before you call them (and just keep repeating to them that that's all you can afford at this time). I think that as long as you're sending in something, they'll be OK with it (it still beats them taking you to court only to be told by the judge that they have to accept the reduced payment plan). It might take longer to pay off, but at least you'll be chipping away at it.

[jw]

Regarding the debts, do what Just Jocko, said.
Immediately contact your creditors and explain the new situation. They may not be happy but they will make new agreements rather than take you through the courts.

I'm sorry to hear about your layoff. Is there any possibility of some freelance work anywhere else? In the current economic climate, I'm coming across more and more companies willing to take on freelancing part-timers rather than get locked into full time staff with all the attachments that goes with such appointments. Don't bother writing or emailing. Right now, there's too many others doing the same thing. Use every available contact for networking that you've got. Don't be proud, call them up.

[MichiganGirl]

I'm sorry, that must be really frustrating!

[TripleAAA]

I'm so sorry to hear about you misfortune! I can only offer you my best wishes and hope that you get your feet on the ground soon.

[FredCat]

zman, so sorry. It is great that you are taking control of your debts though and I also support what JustJocko suggests, be up front with your creditors. The more honestly you approach them the more lee way they are likely to give you - at least you are making some attempt to pay them back. They will be dealing with many more people who are actively trying to avoid them that they will be very willing to help you pay off what you owe.

[zman977]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the kind words, advice, and support. From what I've heard all my co workers were shocked as well that I was let go. Have the trial later today with one of the collection agancies. The one I mentioned who agreed to take 30 dollars a month but never took out a dime and is now sueing me even though they admitted it was their mistake for not taking out the money. Alredy told my lawyer friend that I lost my job on Friday and we'll have to ask the court for at least a reduced payment temprorarily. No way working 32 hours a week we can afford to pay 30 dollars a month. Gong to be filling out lots of job applicatons and I've already contacted anotehr radio station in the town I live and they asked me to send a resume and air check. I interned there in collage so I do have an in. Also been getting my references together. Have to go drip off my key later today on the way to court. Also filling out job applicatons this morning. I like that most places around here you can fill them out on line. You can job hunt in your pj's. I'll also be calling the rest of our creditors and I'll stress to them this is only temprorary. The radio station is paying me until the end of the month so I stil have two more paychecks form them so I do have a little coushion.

[DawnStorm]

Originally Posted by FredCat

zman, so sorry. It is great that you are taking control of your debts though and I also support what JustJocko suggests, be up front with your creditors. The more honestly you approach them the more lee way they are likely to give you - at least you are making some attempt to pay them back. They will be dealing with many more people who are actively trying to avoid them that they will be very willing to help you pay off what you owe.

I found that to be true 2 years ago when I was laid off and had to contact my creditors to let them know my situation.
Good luck in your job hunt; lord knows the SS Jobless is pretty full right now.

[zman977]

I am gonig to stay on at the station part time to run ball games and fill in when needed. got an increase in pay for gong part time. Probably ten to twelve hours per week depending on how long the ball games run. I'll be running the board for high shcool football games on Fridays and Norte Dame football on Saturdays which was my main job anyway. Pluss, I told them if I'm avialable I can fill in if someone goes on vacation, gets sick, etc. They understand that now Wal Mart is my first priority now and if I can't do a game of fill in just to let them know. I'm still looking and I'll also be taking the time to put together a desent air check. I'm glad the decided to keep me part time. Not sure what made them change their minds on that one but I'm glad they did. That will help a little as I persue another job. I already have a couple leads so hopefully one of those will pan out. Didn't get back from court till late so I'll have to call my creditors tomorrow. The trial was postponed until September 23rd.

[FredCat]

Hey, great news about the part time work. Maybe they realised they'd made a mistake and actually do need you there? And a pay rise to boot - cool, hopefully you'll also get more hours and it will fit in with Wal-mart... Let's believe that anyway.

Hopefully the courts will see that you are trying your best to actually pay your creditors and that the one who is taking you to court has no leg to stand on. Good luck.

[Wicked Tinkerbell]

Here's a big virtual hug, zman.

[Just Jocko]

Originally Posted by zman977

Not sure what made them change their minds on that one but I'm glad they did.

My guess? They didn't consider who was going to do the games and once they tried to find a substitute, they had no takers. I'm glad you've got something to lean on while you try to find something steadier. But I would still try to get the creditors to lower the payments, since you don't know how this gig will pan out (i.e., what they will do once the season is through).

[DawnStorm]

That's good news!