I'm not really sure what to do anymore. Like many of you I'm struggling to get by. Each month my bills get paid but I see my savings and checking slowly dwindle. I'm currently working on cutting out some bills where I can but it doesn't seem to help. Costs are going up and when I ask my employer about a raise they said that they are normally capped at 2.5% which is quite frankly insulting. Luckily my administrator is aware of this.
I keep seeing posts and messages in the media about how workers have such an advantage in the job market and it is the best time to look for a new job, however when I look it is almost impossible to find anything in the 20 to $25 range. I am a college-educated individual living in the fourth biggest city in my state. All of the jobs pay 12 to $17 an hour or instantly jump up to 35 to 45 with jobs I am not qualified for. I currently make $18.18 performing a social service. I think I am underpaid but glad I'm not making less.
I'm not opposed to switching Fields or careers but I just don't really know where else to look. I am considering taking a trip to our local labor union to see what options are available. But I also don't like the idea of having to perform backbreaking labor every day just to survive.
Does anyone have ideas about where else I can seek for jobs or types of jobs I might want to look into?