Is anyone unemployed and has started or will start to use their credit cards to get by? And what would you do.?

You sound like you are in deep trouble. Find a job, any job, and don't charge anything else. You might have to live with someone for a while - maybe get a roommate - cut down on groceries, get rid of cable etc - whatever you need to do to tighten your belt. If you can't find a full-time job - just string two or maybe even three part-time jobs together.

You can tell the credit card company that you are having problems and they might cut your rate. But they'll also cut your line of credit too - which might be hard on you if there is an emergency. Its a catch 22.

If I were you, I'd try to get some help from some place like consumer credit counseling. They are a non-profit organization that specializes in helping people who are behind on their bills. Also, check with your state, county, or city to find out about job placement services. They might be able to help you. And apply for jobs like mad. If you can start a little business of your own on the side, do it.

All the best to you my friend. Lots of people are in the same boat.

Been there and made the mistake. DO NOT start living off the cards, it will backfire big time. Cut back to where you can survive without the cards for a while and get back in the job market ASAP. Notify the banks when you are in danger of not making your monthly payments, they might cut you a little slack but not for long. After that, you'll wind up in collections like anybody else. So get cracking.

All most everyone that I know uses this approach ends up in big trouble. Budget and look for work aggressively, this is why it is important to have a reserve savings account for times such as these. In 2000 when I was in my 20's I made that mistake had 0 in savings 5k in cc debt then lost my job that 5k of cc debt went to 15k in 7 months! plus i was late on just one and all of those rates went to 29.99%. Took 4 long years to get out of that mess. This time i had 40k in savings, got layed off again 5 months ago budget well I only used 2k in savings. Its a learning process.

It is dangerous to live on credit cards. Better to work from cash. If you are broke, you are more likely to job hunt aggressively.