Archived Money Issues

[EchoFoxtrot]

I get plenty of hours but recently my roommate cannot pay their share of the bills this time around. I know they can next time. I am great friends with them but this puts us in a pinch. I'm now going to have to resort to eating ramen, paying rent late and all around not feeling too great when it comes time to come home from work. Just a feeling of bleh. I cannot take a payday loan as I used up my allotted loans for my state last year which is limited to 6 I think. Had to do it when I didn't have vacation saved up since I was new-ish. Anyway, I don't have much cash and was wondering if Target had some kind of paycheck draw system where I could draw out some of what I earned so far. I have friends who work at places that do this and they told me to ask. That's the only reason I even would think of it. heh So yeah, anybody?

 

[Kartman]

Roommates... FUCK roommates!

 

[GoodyNN]

I know this is going to sound heartless and I apologize for that in advance. But your roommate is the one coming up short for the month, not you. Are they looking into what they can do to fill the gap? This shouldn't be your responsibility.

 

[isak922]

Target used to offer a Hardship fund, but that program was discontinued a few years back. You needed a letter of recommendation from an ETL, as well as STL approval.

To my knowledge, Target has not replaced the program. LifeResources seems to be the go-to recommendation... but I've found them to be fairly useless.

 

[NKG]

If your paying all the bills, can they atleast buy groceries or no money flow at all?

Can they get a payday loan? Better than cup of noodles

 

[wiredharpoon]

Target used to offer a Hardship fund, but that program was discontinued a few years back. You needed a letter of recommendation from an ETL, as well as STL approval.

To my knowledge, Target has not replaced the program. LifeResources seems to be the go-to recommendation... but I've found them to be fairly useless.

Yea, the hardship fund was great for people that needed it. I had a team member bound to a wheelchair that was about to loose her home and they ended up coming through for her. Since they did away with that life resources has been the only thing available.

 

[HRZone]

Life resources is good for people who need mental health counseling. If you need money not so much

 

[WinterRose]

How about United Way? Not really sure but I think I remember United Way saying they are in place to help people like Target employees. A TL told me once that it had helped her when she lost her home.

 

[Planosss]

Here is a suggestion, please stop with the payday loans. They push you very deep into a hole you can’t climb out of, on the other hand this bi-weekly pay system is exhausting.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Talk to your hr or stl. They can do an advance of your pay.

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Thanks for the concern but my roommate is a legitimately great person. They lost their job because their place of employment literally closed without giving them any advanced notice. We're working on getting a new strategy together but this put us in a pinch. As for the payday loan thing. I only did it last year for the first time (and maxed out my 6 per year) because I was getting 18-22 hours a week and that didn't even cover half the rent let alone groceries and bills. It kept me ahead of that until I was able to get shifts during BTS and Q4 so I could afford christmas and pay all the loans back with ease. I'm above water now. Even though it's Q1 I am still getting 34-40 hours a week while some of my team is sitting at 12 hours a week so it's 100% diff than last year. We were going to be ahead on rent and bills but this happened. Now we might fall back behind. I'll talk to my HR. Thank you for your concerns and advice team.

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Here is a suggestion, please stop with the payday loans. They push you very deep into a hole you can’t climb out of, on the other hand this bi-weekly pay system is exhausting.

my roommate was getting paid every friday...helped a ton when we needed a few groceries or had to pay the power bill on time...I'd cover the rent and they covered everything else...which almost matched the price of rent scary enough. I replied already to your suggestion in my previous post but I'll just reiterate that I had to do it. There was no other option that I knew of. I don't even think I could've survived on a paycheck advance from Target if they even do that. Hardlinesmaster seems to have insight. I'll check it out. And yeah, fuck payday loans. Lol that shit is desperate times/desperate measures. The state I live in has strict laws that don't allow them to be predatory, though. 6 per year and the % I have to pay back is insanely low. Can't remember the % at the moment but I was borrowing 300~ ish and paying back around 30 ish bucks for that. To pay bills and/or rent on time I don't mind missing out on under 4 hours of pay. Especially when I actually love where I work. Those 4 hours is like time out of the house doing something besides being a total loser on a computer all day. Lol

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

I know this is going to sound heartless and I apologize for that in advance. But your roommate is the one coming up short for the month, not you. Are they looking into what they can do to fill the gap? This shouldn't be your responsibility.

100% understand but we've supported each other financially since we became adults...when one of us has a problem we cover each other and neither one of us take advantage...one of those rare good roommates who gives a fuck...lol all they've been doing is applying for places and cleaning up the house on their off time...I get that some people get taken advantage of as roommates but this isn't one of those cases haha thanks though!

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

How about United Way? Not really sure but I think I remember United Way saying they are in place to help people like Target employees. A TL told me once that it had helped her when she lost her home.

shit I donate a dollar out of my paycheck to them twice a month they better help me! Jokes

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Talk to your hr or stl. They can do an advance of your pay.

Is that for sure? I mean I'll probably ask anyway but I kinda wanna confirm. I've been with spot for almost 3 years and haven't heard of anyone doing this. Just heard of other companies allowing it. I know it would be a pain to ask often but this is an emergency. I feel embarrassed even asking about it on here and y'all don't even know me. Lmao

 

[Times Up]

Your roommate may be able to file for Unemployment. Since it's a business that closed it's doors, hopefully it wouldn't take the state long to investigate and compensation would be paid relatively quickly. You could hit up a few food pantries to get some food in the door. Have your or your roommate considered donating plasma?

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Your roommate may be able to file for Unemployment. Since it's a business that closed it's doors, hopefully it wouldn't take the state long to investigate and compensation would be paid relatively quickly. You could hit up a few food pantries to get some food in the door. Have your or your roommate considered donating plasma?

It's not so bad we gotta donate plasma...yikes. I figured asking my employer for an advance would be one of the FIRST steps not the last resort. Hahahahaha jesus. I would sooner go get a second job than resort to donating plasma. I mean I'm not against helping with blood donations or anything. Just not my first step to getting cash flow. I already have heavy hours at work bordering on full time. They are less qualified for a lot of jobs and I don't want to work with my roommate so I tell them not to apply at Target. =P Would be stressful working at the same place. We get enough of each other at home. haha Great person but if I had to work with them I'm sure it wouldn't last. Hard worker and all, but we do things differently. As for the state investigating and compensation we have no word of this so far and no idea about this. We are literally on hinges financially so that means nothing to us at the moment. =( On a good note I was able to get lunch today thanks to my awesome team members. Love you guys. Most of you fuckers on this site have a great moral compass and remind me of the best of the best that I work with. <3

 

[ManMythMachine]

At the DC we earn vacation time and personal time. I'm not sure how the stores are and this is a slightly different topic but I used to work for a company that would let you either take time off with pay OR.... CASH OUT your earned time.

Sometimes I would rather just have the money because I earned it and it's more practical but until Target sees it that way, I'm forced to take time off even if I have nothing to do.

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

At the DC we earn vacation time and personal time. I'm not sure how the stores are and this is a slightly different topic but I used to work for a company that would let you either take time off with pay OR.... CASH OUT your earned time.

Edit: we cannot take money out for that anymore unfortunately...kinda stupid and I see little benefit to not letting us for the company. I have around 50 vacation hours atm. Why can't you just pay me the 500+ ish bucks and let me continue working without a huge schedule overhaul? I work too often to not be utilized in the store I work at.

 

[SitSpotSit]

I second the advice to apply for unemployment and food bank help.

Definitely encourage your roommate to go pursue unemployment. Look it up online for your area and what it takes to apply. Your roommate might get work before it kicks in, but in case jobs are hard to find right now at least the unemployment will help in the meantime.

Also, look for local food banks. There is no shame in needing a little help from your community.

Lastly, public assistance for food is out there, too.

Money struggles are hard and I think we can all relate. Best wishes to you!!

 

[GoodyNN]

100% understand but we've supported each other financially since we became adults...when one of us has a problem we cover each other and neither one of us take advantage...one of those rare good roommates who gives a fuck...lol all they've been doing is applying for places and cleaning up the house on their off time...I get that some people get taken advantage of as roommates but this isn't one of those cases haha thanks though!

Glad to hear that your roommate is a good egg. And apologies again for sounding like a beach last night.

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Glad to hear that your roommate is a good egg. And apologies again for sounding like a beach last night.

No worries~! I initially felt a bit defensive but quickly remembered horror stories of shitty roommates and how that's kind of the norm.

 

[can't touch this]

Yikes dude I know that feel. This has happened to a few of my roommates and it's always a bitch to deal with. During my first foray into living on my own, my roomie got fired and ended up having to beg from my parents, which was embarrassing as hell and unsuccessful -they offered to loan me money with interest. My grandma found out and sent me $500, which pissed my mom off big time (my parents are Boomers who think ramen diets and living paycheck to paycheck builds character).

Best of luck.

 

[EchoFoxtrot]

Yikes dude I know that feel. This has happened to a few of my roommates and it's always a bitch to deal with. During my first foray into living on my own, my roomie got fired and ended up having to beg from my parents, which was embarrassing as hell and unsuccessful -they offered to loan me money with interest. My grandma found out and sent me $500, which pissed my mom off big time (my parents are Boomers who think ramen diets and living paycheck to paycheck builds character).

Best of luck.

My pops is in prison and I earn more than my mom by a long shot due to her declining health so none of that is an option..I don't have grandparents they all passed away. So yeah. Just gonna survive on what I can. If it were permanent I'd already be applying for food stamps but it won't last more than one pay period. My roomie is great at holding a job and wont let me down.

 

[SitSpotSit]

Quick fyi for you and everyone...just being employed doesn't mean you don't qualify for food stamps. I know several tms who use a SNAP card and get medicaid. When you are living close to the line financially there are programs that can help you make your earnings stretch.