Dave Says: Continue Taking Unemployment?

Dear Dave,

I had a wreck seven months ago. As a result, I lost my job and have been drawing unemployment for the last five months. I was making $1,200 a month in retail management before this happened, but I’m getting just as much with unemployment, even though I can work again. I have a small daughter, and my wife doesn’t work right now. Should I continue taking unemployment so I can stay home and help with our daughter?

Tim

Dear Tim,

Absolutely not! You need to get a job right now. You could make more than you did at your old job or taking unemployment by delivering pizzas full-time. I know you probably wouldn’t have benefits running pizza, but how about the benefit of working for a living and making some money?

You need to get off your tail right now and find something to do – maybe even two or three things to do – until you find a job that pays well. And I don’t think I’d go back into the kind of management you were in before, because even working that gig you guys were barely getting by.

It’s sweet that you’re there with your baby, but it’s seriously time for you to get a real job. Take classes and further your education, or get into another line of work. You’ve got some serious responsibilities, and it’s time to be a man and take care of things!

—Dave

* For more financial help please visit daveramsey.com.

Share
Stay in the loop!
Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content