I moved in with a very controlling mother. I thought it would be ok, I was wrong. I developed depression, quit my job, and lost my friends. My moms health started declining after she was diagnosed with cancer. She had life changing surgery, then a stroke, then an amputation as well as other issues. I became her caretaker. She unexpectedly passed away. She had no insurance and little money.
So then it turned into I'm dealing with grief as well as the depression. I used the money she left to pay the bills and survive. I am very frugal and never bought anything that wasn't necessary. Since her passing, life has been nothing but trying to survive, forcing myself to eat at least once a day from a selection of bologna, ramen, hot dogs, or canned chili.
Since I lived with her for so long, I have a huge gap in my resume. So between the large gap, depression, grief, and my own health issues, getting a job has been impossible for me. Then one day I realized I could drive for Uber. It would be the perfect job for me with my health issues and erratic sleep. The problem is my car is too old and a two seater. So I've been trying to get a loan for 20k to buy a car and have money to cover the bills till I start making money. My credit isn't great, because I have maxed a credit card paying the bills. After applying at many places, I found out I can't get a loan without an income first. The only option I could come up with is to drive for Doordash using my car. The problem is the tires on the car are bald and dry rotted, the battery is dead, and the A/C doesn't work. I have COPD, but I think I could do the job, but I'm sure it will be difficult. The other issue is my iPhone is 8 years old and won't run the app to do Doordash. I've been trying to get a loan for 5k to cover these costs and pay bills for this month. I thought with a lesser amount of money I would have a chance, but nope, I still can't get a loan without income first.
When I first had the idea to drive for Uber, I was so excited. It seemed like my dream job. Not only did I think I had the solution to my problems, but I could work nonstop and get ahead and start living instead of surviving. It crushed me to find out this isn't possible.
This is where I'm at now, and I don't know what to do. I only have two distant relatives, one just checks in every few months to see if I'm still alive. The other just tells me depression and grief are no excuse and that my work ideas are stupid. I have about a week of food left and need a solution quickly. I have left out so much to keep this from becoming a book. If anyone has a solution or ideas, please share.
I need ideas, about to lose everything.
byu/notabox316 inpersonalfinance
Posted by notabox316
6 Comments
This is a rough situation, if you truly believe the best way to get out of it is the car then I’m sure there are many predatory car dealerships that would help with financing a car you could use for uber. Just refinance later when you’re back on your feet and have proof of income.
My first thought is to forget about jobs that require using your car. You *don’t* want a car loan right now. Look at places like Target, Walmart, fast food, etc.
You need a real job. Uber/DoorDash isn’t that.
Are you getting professional help for your mental health issues?
Sorry for your loss.
the gap is your resume can be explained since you were taking care of your mother, put it in your resume. Don’t rely on a job that requires a car, yours is not in a good condition for using it that much daily, not to mention with those tires it is dangerous too.
Since your car really isn’t viable, can you sell it to a place like Cash for Cars? That might get you a few hundred dollars. It’s time to use the resources available through churches, community organizations, and government assistance. If you get a loan for a new car, driving for Uber and/or DoorDash isn’t going to provide you with enough income for the car payments, insurance, and gas. If you can’t keep up with the payments, then the car is repossessed, and you lose whatever money you put into it.
Have you checked into Uber’s rental car program? I had an Uber driver a while back who had an EV he rented. Even with the EV charging and the rental price, he was making money.
Please reach out to social services and your local food pantry. This is why they exist.