Hello,

My boyfriend of 4 years had decided to date someone else and at the same time end our relationship. This has come to a complete surprise to me him dating someone else. I new we had problems but we were working them out and trying to make a good life together. Both of us had gotten laid off from our jobs at different times. I have been laid off since May of 2008. He started his new job April of 2008. I still have been contributing to the household expenses and pulling my weight. I pay for all the greoceries, 500.00 towards rent, I pay all the electric, water/sewer and gas bills all of which is in his name. I did this because I never wanted him to say that I owed him money, I pay my way.

Unfortuneatly the house is not mine. I am unemployed, turned in my lease car, have no place to live since my boyfriend told me he is dating someone else. He wants me and my kids out by 9/1/09. I have no where to go. I called my close relatives and to see if they could take both my kids and myself in, that's not possible. I'm 41 years old and never thought I would be in this situation at this time in my life. Even though this wasn't my house I was there when he bought it and put about 5,000.00 of my own money into our home thinking we were trying to build a life together. I never thought this would happen. I am devastated. I think the hardest thing is he told me he fell out of love with me 1 year ago, which would have been around the time I got laid off. I never new that he didn't love me he never showed any signs of being unhappy to me or my family. Since I graduated from Dorsey Training School on 7/31/09 as a Patient Care Technician the job market is terrible. I still am getting unemployment and have been since May 2008 but that will be ending on November 1st. Can he really kick me out when I have no job and no one can take us in. I no longer have a care at of August 1, 2009 turned lease in. How do I tell my 7 and 9 year old that we will have to live in a shelter. I am so lost and crying constantly. I would have never done this to him. I need advice what I can do. Please can someone help!

So Lost in Michigan

He's quickly moved on and forgotten about you. I suggest you do the same. This guy sounds like an a-- and you're better of without him. Go to a shelter, it's not that bad. My mom took us to one when we were young so there's no shame in doing it yourself. Don't try and get him back because you're afraid of how you're going to support yourself. In the long run, this approach will be much, much worse than temporarily taking your kids to a shelter.

Well as a former resident of Michigan I have an idea for you. I used to manage properties on Mackinac Island. Now the season is wrapping up so in the regard you are kind of SOL but they do have some people stay on the island for the winter. I had free rent and I think you can get free or really cheap rent during the winter. Don't quote me on that part.

If you have want to stay in your chosen field you have to leave Michigan. The economic conditions in that state are God awful. Unemployment last I heard was 17% and taxes were going up. Companies can't compete in that environment.

You didn't say where you were in Michigan, but if your in the LP look into Chicago or even Toledo. If in the UP look into Green Bay. You might have to make a move to follow your chosen profession.

Also, does your college have some kind of placement program? Use that resource if possible.

How much unemployment are you making where you can afford $500.00 month in rent? I don't fault him for charging you rent to be honest, if you were living in my house I'd be charging you too. So you need to let that go and look at it for what it was. Rent.

I don't think he can just give you a week's notice, you'd have to check the laws in Michigan, but eviction usually takes longer then that. Having said that, without a lease you might not have that option.