But you’re right, DB: learning Java or even one of the frameworks could be another smart move if we can assume sufficient computer access. I also know a lot of people find programming much more difficult than markup, and OOP may be another beast altogether–so MW has no need to lose confidence if it breaks the brain, but all the more opportunity if s/he succeeds. Also, like the webstore idea, if it doesn’t work out perfectly it could still be an experience valuable to employers (go-getter, cross-training, etc.).

Your 10-year old html knowledge is out of date. Why not pick up a book on Java and teach yourself how to program, then bid yourself out on elance.com? Anything beats whining about your lack of skills.

I’m in IT, and a lot of my peers never went to school to learn programming, they just picked up a programming book and started teaching themselves.

As for websites, I don’t know what the latest-and-greatest is in secure “shopping carts,” credit verification, merchant accounts &/or paypal, but if my freelance friend has any ideas I’ll post back. I know she tends to proffer Expression Engine as an affordable content-management system that her clients can use without a lot of training. Or, you might like to start with more of a service like Catalog.com’s hosting club.

Good luck! (8

I have found a little niche in which I think I can profitably sell stuff online. What I’m looking for is a good, affordable, user-friendly website builder for getting started. (I learned HTML ten years ago but never kept up with Java and XTML and all the newfangled stuff, so I’m not even going to try to do a website from scratch.) If I can get a website up and running I think I can run with it from there.

Even if, for whatever reason, you are unable or unwilling to go to school at this time, you can work at some other marketable skills.

You obviously have access to a computer, so you could teach yourself web design skills, then volunteer these web design skills for free (perhaps to charities or local churches who don’t yet have a web presence), then use those sites as a portfolio to convince paying customers that you would be a great choice to design/redesign their site.

You could find a way to improve your language skills. For example, you could get together with a recent Spanish-speaking immigrant on a regular basis. He could practice English with you, then the next time you could practice Spanish with him. Supplement with some library books (a Spanish grammar, etc.).

If you’re interested in writing/research, start writing articles and submitting them to magazines. You can look at a book at the library (the title escapes me) which lists the different magazines, tells you what kind of articles they publish, how much they pay, etc.

Volunteer work is another way to pick up new skills. Contact the local volunteer bureau to see what opportunities there are. If there isn’t anything that would be useful to you, consider approaching some organizations to offer yourself. Think about what kind of skills you would like to acquire. If you’re interested in getting experience working with the public, maybe you could be a tour guide at the museum. If you want outdoorsy/nature skills, maybe look into a local park or nature society.

You can also gain leadership/management/supervisory experience through volunteer work. If you are reliable you may be asked to be “in charge” of something.

Toastmasters is a way of gaining public speaking skills.

If you are in any religious or community group, your greater involvement there could gain you skills that would transfer to the workplace. For example, teaching Sunday School could lead to daycare work.

Also, maybe there are ways to move up at your present employer, or in that industry. I know someone who started working at McDonald’s as a teenager and is now in his mid-twenties the manager of several different McDonald’s.

Now I’m getting my debt under control in those small ways to be sure I am no longer controlled by my work.

Since my hubby and I are on the same page spending and savings-wise, I can’t help… any body else know how to get the spouse on board?

Stop making excuses, really. You can acknowledge that getting skills is not a priority for you. That’s absolutely fine. That’s valid. Trying to delude yourself (and by extension, us) into believing that there is absolutely nothing you can do, however, is absolutely the worst thing for you TO do. The only thing that it does is force you into a helplessness that you don’t need to be in.

With self-discipline comes self-respect. With knowledge and education comes self-respect. Just take the first step and it will work itself out – or, more properly, you will be able to work it out yourself. I’ve always found that to be the case.

There is no reason why you cannot get the skills to get a better job, if getting those skills is a priority for you. If your priority is self-pity, though, I definitely agree with you that you’re sunk.

By the way, that may sound callous, but I have been absolutely dirt poor (the kind of poor where you really wonder where your next meal is coming from) and built myself up from nothing. I have no patience with people who won’t help themselves and then complain that things aren’t magically handed to them. Getting out of poverty and learning a trade is not a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s very necessary.

When you are in the situation, you can’t voice complaints in your job or any authority for that matter. Forget about taking time off to work on things that are important, you have to keep earning that paycheck!

Best of luck getting out of debt, I know how tough it is, but it’s worth it.

He’s probably discouraged and could pull off switching to a new job quicker than he thinks, but perhaps not immediately.

Second, I agree with the above suggestions that in addition to getting a second job, this person should look for a different primary job. Often, people create a scenario in their heads where they are trapped or stuck, but in fact they haven’t done anything proactive to change their situation. The only way this person knows that he’s really trapped is if he’s already spent months looking for another full-time job. I doubt this has happened. So, get serious about a real job search. And do it with a positive, empowered attitude do that you look appealing to employers.