Mr. Frye,

First off, Anyone who is trying to better their situation in life, especially when there is a child/family involved, gets a "atta boy" in my book.

I'm a firm believer that in order to have a steady job, you need some education and you need some skill. You don't need a bachelor's degree... you might not even need an associate's degree... but you need some post-high-school education (especially since our high schools no longer teach trade skills).

Traditionally the three fields where you didn't need a bachelor's degree, yet could make good money, were sales, factories/plants/refineries, and construction/trade/mechanic. Sales these days, though, they want to see a college degree. Doesn't have to be in any particular area... just a degree. You might be able to do sales without a degree in a small family type company. I don't know any of those that are hiring salespeople.

But it can be done. A friend of mine has about a year of college behind him, and worked for a while in physical jobs (carpet cleaning, convention booth assembly) as well as worked in hotels (mainly in banquet setup). About 6 months ago, he got a job doing inside sales for a marine safety company. Obviously, a drastic change in career. But he's always had that "sales" mentality to him. How did he get the job? Someone his wife knew became the sales manager at the company, and hired my friend to take his place at the lower level. Now he works 8-5 and makes good, not great money, and he's recently married and also trying to have a kid. He wanted normal, weekday hours.

Another option to consider is all these plants that are hiring and are going to be opening in the next few years. I have a bunch of friends that work at refineries, and most of them couldn't spell J-O-B if spotted two of the letters. However, they are very handy people, and got all the education they needed from a community college program (which the refinery paid for part of it, I think). Another good friend is a plumber, works his rear off, but makes great money and provides for his family. He actually got some deal with the union where they paid for all his training and education, because apparently there is a plumber shortage!

Again, good luck. I know it's hard out there, my sister graduated this past December with a bachelor's degree and can't find a job, she has gone on four interviews, and three of them are ones I got her through my connections.