After almost two months of jobs searching, I have *finally* received an offer for a place! They want to start me at 16.50 an hour (this is almost the most I've ever been paid hourly) with potential for raises every 6 months, shift differential pay, and a clear path to promotions if I desired to do so. The commute is a bit more than I'm used to, it's about 21 miles from home and will take anywhere from 25-45 minutes each way, but even still it's not the worst drive ever. I am supposed to start orientation tomorrow.
This all seems like an answer to my prayers (although I do not believe in a diety exactly). But in reality, it's not. In reality, getting a job is only half the battle. Since I've been unemployed for almost 2 months, things have been tight. Food has been short so much that one meal a day is normal to me. I still have to find a way to get shoes for work, gas to get there and home tomorrow (and until I get paid), and meals at *least* every other day to keep my strength up. I'm worn out. I donate plasma as much as I can, but some visits only pay $35. With $15 to $20 going towards gas, it's not exactly a huge help, especially with the center being further away.
I'm already doing so much, and now I have more to worry about until I start to get paid. Nobody thinks about the cost of having a job. I'm super grateful to finally have one, and to be starting tomorrow, but the stress has only just begun.
I don't know what to do anymore. I'm exhausted, I feel like giving up. Why is the system designed to keep us down?
Edit: if I was eligible or able I would've gotten a loan/credit card/borrowed fromfrom someone already. Unfortunately I have nobody that can help and no way to get loans etc.