So, the letter from IDES confirming I’ve used up my 26 weeks of unemployment came while I was away at CONvergence. The whole extension program was done as of 2013, and my state is in a fine mess when it comes to money, ie we have none. There’s been no budget for a year, and state workers are being laid off left and right due to the budget shortfall.

So this leaves me in a quandry. I’ve not found steady employment since being let go of said day job. A couple writing things here and there, a contract thing that hasn’t yet given me an assignment so I can’t plan on that for reliable income.

Thanks to signal boosting and what not my Patreon is a bit over $1200 a month but that will cover rent and 1, maybe 2 bills. It’s not enough to cover groceries, pet food, transit etc. I’ve got it all laid out on my “Why I’m on Patreon” page. I might make a video, once I don’t look like I crawled out from under a rock after a twenty year nap.

So right now, I’m looking into updating my resume for more games stuff, seeking out paid writing and consulting; and pushing my Patreon more. Also considering cashing out my 403B for a cushion.

So right now, I really don’t know what to do, I’m tapped out more than a little bit and am kind of stuck.

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.

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