Dear Dave,
I just lost my job due to company-wide layoffs. I have an emergency fund in place, but I’m losing my health insurance, and family coverage is very expensive. Our state has a program that covers children’s healthcare in these kinds of situations. Would it be okay to accept this kind of state assistance for my kids until I find another job, and things get better?
- Paul
Dear Paul,
It’s perfectly okay to accept help when you’re down or struggling. On the other hand, to define yourself as being down or struggling is just plain wrong. By this, I mean you should never just sit there, consider yourself helpless, and expect someone to take care of you!
Remember this: every person falls down. Loser’s stay down; successful people get back up. Remind yourself every day that you’re a success looking for a place to blossom.
If I woke up one morning and realized I had no insurance or couldn’t feed my family because I’d lost my job, I’d be out looking for work all day long, every single day. If that didn’t work, I’d pack everyone up and go find another place to work and live. At the very least I’d map out a plan to work and make money somewhere else during the week, then come home weekends.
You sound like a good dad. I love the fact that you’re thinking about your kids. Do what’s necessary to take care of them right now, even if it means getting help from the state. Make sure you’re out there busting it, and trying to make something happen in the job market, too. Being down and struggling for a little while is okay, but you shouldn’t still be living this way six months from now!
- Dave
Dear Dave,
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