'I made $140k last year and now I work for $15/hour': Admirable single mother gets fired but persists, putting her pride aside and finding a minimum wage job to bring home the bacon for her family

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 14, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

No matter how much we complain about clocking in every day at the office or on the job site, we need that paycheck every two weeks–otherwise, what're we doing here? Although we may feel like we're on top of the world one minute, we could lose our job in a second, rocking the boat of our lifestyle and threatening to dismantle everything we've built so far. But the single mother in our next story proved that not everything is flushed down the toilet when you're laid off, as long as you're willing to persevere and put your pride aside.

Being a single mother is tough enough–supporting a household on one income and all that. But for the original poster (OP) of our next heroic tale, her family's lives were at stake after she got fired from a position making $140k per year. With no time to waste and no jobs on the horizon, she did what any hardworking mother would do… She bit the bullet and applied to a minimum wage job far below her skillset, simply because it was her only option. 

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  • 01
    "Don't discriminate where your money comes from"
    via canva
  • 02
    I made $140k last year and now I work at Walmart for $15.50/hr job hunting Everyone thinks I'm a loser, even my kids. The look on everyones face when I say I'm working at Walmart....
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 03
    To me work is work and you do whatever you have to do to support your family. I haven't worked retail since the 90s. Back then I did a lot of jobs like magazine sales, door to door cookware sales, door to door long distance phone service sales, sold knock off perfume in parking lots. I've been working since I was 14 in 1993 with the exception of 9 months laid off in 2013.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 04
    Igt laid off in March and am on unemployment. I've made massive lifestyle changes and the only debt I have is student loan and mortgage with escrow. I am still $2k short a month with unemployment and it's coming out of my
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 05
    very limited savings. I am working part time as to still get my unemployment and have time to look for a job. I will make an extra $322/week working at Walmart. After taxes that will almost cover food for the month and will lower what I'm taking from savings.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 06
    I've been a single parent for over 20 years. I have 2 kids at home that I'm fully supporting. I can't just sit here applying for jobs with no one calling me and just hope, I'd rather just figure out in the mean time n do what I gotta do. Ive already been through my network, nothing. I'm tapping into other people's networks, still nothing.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 07
    I have a MBA and 24 years in my field. Ironically I just finished my first 2 days at Walmart and I got 2 interview requests (after deleting 14 years of experience fr9m ny resume). I'm super happy about it. I've applied to 200 jobs since January (got WARN notice) and i had 1 legit interview.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 08
    Don't be too good to hustle n do what you have to do, whatever that may be. Yes all the negativity made me cry and made me want to just blow off my first day but I put my big girl said on, the haters and went to work.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 09
    I have to give my one friend/former coworker props because her immediate reaction was "I'm so proud of you!" I used to be her manager. She is the only person in my life that didn't make me feel like a POS. I'm not ashamed I'm working at Walmart so I'm going to keep telling people. That is all.
    via Strange-Assistant-32
  • 10
    Glum-Edge8164 1 day ago F the people that look down on you. They're the types of people that judge someone on their job position and nothing else. There's nothing shameful about working retail and a job that pays less. You're willing to put in the hours and get what you need to get. Head up strong and I hope you can get a job interview soon
    via Glum-Edge8164
  • 11
    Slg0519 22 hr. ago THIS. The types of people looking down on you, would lose their if they were in the same situation. You are doing what you need to do, for you and your family. I think that's admirable.
    via Slg0519
  • 12
    RealityOk5191 · 21 hr. ago You're doing what you need to survive and keep your family in a good place. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep on keeping on. You got this.
    via RealityOk5191
  • 13
    HomeAir 15 hr. ago I remember I was working nights at this factory when I graduated college and everyone kept asking me why. My answer was always "I got bills to pay". I keep the attitude that no job is beneath me
    via HomeAir
  • 14
    AndJDrake 1 day ago The last thing you are is a loser. You're someone who has their priorities straight trying to survive. Fingers crossed for you and your family.
    via AndJDrake
  • 15
    iisultracrepidarian 1 day ago I heard this a few times during economic downturn and massive layoffs don't discriminate where money comes from. You do what you have to do to make money.
    via iisultracrepidarian
  • 16
    Complex-Asparagus-42 1 day ago I always tell my wife that if I were fired or laid off, I would do anything to support her and especially my son. No job is below me. I'd shovel if it meant my son has food in his belly and a roof over his head.
    via Complex-Asparagus-42
  • 17
    throwawaystuckinpast 1 day ago Good for you for working hard to provide for your family. You should be proud of that. Ignore all the judgmental people. You do you. And when the right time and opportunity comes, land a job that suits more to your experience.
    via throwawaystuckinpast
  • 18
    astroboy7070 - 1 day ago Pride isn't going to put food on the table 47 Reply Share Zealousideal_Mix6771 16 hr. ago Very true. We have a friend that we are worried about because they were laid off a while back and the severance pay is long gone. I dislike that people look down on certain jobs so much, including the one I currently have which is in food and customer service.
    via astroboy7070
  • 19
    EpicShadows8 · 1 day ago No shame in the hustle. I'm proud of you too for dropping your pride and getting to it. I've always said, in America if the cash is green, it all spends the same. Doesn't matter how you get it don't got. Good luck, keep your head up. Godspeed. I get
    via EpicShadows8
  • 20
    • Several Role_4563 1 day ago I got laid off, much like yourself, many years ago. I took a retail job because ai just couldn't imagine sitting around on EI while looking for a role.
    via Several_Role_4563
  • 21
    Anywho, I join a minimum wage retail job at a mall. Over that year, I network, go to events, ask folks to have a beer after work.
    via Several_Role_4563
  • 22
    Fast forward a year or so, a friend that I met at this retail job, knew a guy hiring. He put in a good word and my second career started shortly after.
    via Several_Role_4563
  • 23
    If you just show up, you won't get much out of this until you find your next gig, but everyone, knows someone. Build your network and a year from now you'll look back at this post and say... wow, it all worked out. You got this.
    via Several_Role_4563
  • 24
    thelittleluca 1 day ago Love this perspective & work ethic. The people judging you aren't paying the bills. Your kids will understand someday. Hoping you land a new role soon.
    via thelittleluca

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single mother boss worker females employee fired woman manager job Female Empowerment relatable work coworkers interesting working ceo employees supervisor workplace paycheck female company coworker business money women quitting
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