Oy, Heather. Please tell me you're looking for another job, like, NOW.
especially with a few months notice
But that's the thing. How do you ever get a few months' notice? If you're offered a job, you generally need to start in about 2 weeks.
Really, this would all be OK if I could just get two more clients like the dance company that's my steady source of income now. I'm making enough money to meet my basic needs (though I skimp a lot on that--when you work at home, old clothes are fine, and I get fewer haircuts than I used to, etc.). If I could just get two more people who gave me 10-20 hours/month on a reasonably regular basis, I'd have what we need--enough money to chop at rather than whittle away at the debt. Anything on top of that--the wedding coordination, resume/cover letter jobs, writing sales--would be gravy.
And the thing is, I haven't really exhausted all my options. Last month I made this lovely list of all the contacts I could think of--former bosses and colleagues, people at church who work in nonprofits or academia, college and family connections, etc. But I keep chickening out on contacting them. I'm like, "I can't just email them. I need a professional brochure and portfolio, which I can't afford." Or, "How can I send stuff to Jeff or Dave? It's been years since we did that thing at church--they probably barely remember who I am." Or, "Why would Cousin Della hire me when she could hire someone not on the other side of the country?"
I think it's mostly just fear--what if I contact all these people and STILL don't have the work I need? I'll have exhausted all my resources. I think some part of my mind likes having something I still haven't tried in reserve.