Outdated page

It’s been impossible to tell anyone what has been happening in my life because things change so rapidly and because there is so much history. This page is a great example: it used to represent the few things I needed to get by, but now that the car that I co-owned with my dad has been repossessed, this page barely makes any sense. I can’t drive to Wal-Mart, and it is too far to walk.

Expenses that make rebuilding my life more difficult

This page is one of the most difficult things I have ever tried to write.

I want to return to a position that will allow me to use my legal skills to benefit other people, and the best way you can help me do that is by sharing my experiences with other people.

I have been unemployed since February 2010, however, and even though I hate to admit it, I have expenses that I cannot pay. Since becoming unemployed, I have managed to survive by spending my savings; emptying both of my retirement accounts; collecting unemployment benefits (but those ended in February 2012) while applying for hundreds of jobs; getting a loan from my father; going back to school to get more school loans and to improve my job prospects; living out of my car and staying with friends; mooching food from friends who let me stay with them; and eliminating expenses, including canceling my cell phone service. Nevertheless, this strategy cannot work forever: for the first 13 months of unemployment, I paid all of my expenses and loan installments, but as of October 2012 (unemployed for two years and eight months), I have exactly $40.

I do not want cash from anyone: four people have offered to give me cash to pay for some of my expenses, but I have refused each of their offers. If you help me with an expense, I want you to be confident that you are helping with the expense you intended. I do not want people to feel like I am taking advantage of them; I do not want to feel like I am taking advantage of my friends or that I am asking for too much.

If you were to help me with one of the expenses below, I would prefer, when possible, for it to be paid directly, such as directly to the City of Chicago. Some expenses, such as gasoline, are more difficult to pay directly, but even this type of assistance is relatively easy to provide without giving cash to me: prepaid cards that I can only use at specific retailers. There are almost certainly other ways to avoid cash, but I am unaware of them: if you know of other methods, please send me a message.

I want to thank a friend of mine for his advice that gave me the courage to write this page. I have had difficulty asking for help with expenses because I feel guilt: I was born with many advantages (my family was not wealthy, but I still had advantages), and while I try to use my potential for the benefit of others, I feel some guilt asking for help. My friend said to me, “Don’t feel guilty about asking for help. It gives others the chance to be good people.” I still feel guilt, but I should not prevent other people from helping me.

Expenses

(My contact information is at the bottom of the page.)

1. Housing. For now, I have been able to sleep in my car or stay with friends. (Thank you!)
2. Food. When I have access to a refrigerator, stove, and oven, I have more options for food. When I am sleeping in my car, I have fewer options. McDonald’s is one of the best choices because the Dollar Menu has inexpensive, calorie-dense food, yogurt, and salad, plus McDonald’s has free internet; on the other hand, McDonald’s does not sell the cards online. Thank you for the $50 Target card! Walmart | Jewel-Osco Grocery | Target
3. Toiletries and similar non-food items. $10/month? I am frugal, and when a friend lets me use their shower, they let me use their shampoo and soap, too. Walmart | Jewel-Osco Grocery | Target
4. Flickr Pro. Thank you for the gift! I have over 4,000 photos on Flickr, and now you can judge my photography yourself. My Flickr collections.
5. Thank you so much for the help! Parking tickets from the City of Chicago: $146.40 and $122.00. I am worried that if I park in Chicago that my car will get booted.
6. Car maintenance. Oil change, air cleaner filter, spark plugs, air conditioner filter, wiper blades.
7. Haircuts. $20 every two to three months.
8. Car insurance. Email me.
9. Prescription medicine. $74 every three months.

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