Salinas Woman Works 4 Jobs To Make Ends Meet - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS, Calif. - One Salinas woman needs four jobs just to make ends meet, and her story is just one of millions across the country.  It's a sign of the times, and Monday night there are clues things will get worse, before they get better.  Cold Stone Creamery is one of 4 places Mariah Hutchinson works.  When she's not working, she's home taking care of her two kids.  And no matter how busy life gets for her, she's nothing but positive.

"I have to.  I have two children to raise, you can't stop to think 'oh god.' You just got to do it," said Mariah Hutchinson.

Balancing 4 jobs is what 38-year-old Mariah Hutchinson is doing to survive in tough economic times.  She's an office assistant, office cleaner, ice cream server, and even manages an online store selling coins.  The poor economy cost Mariah her full time job a few years ago, so she worked hard to land whatever job she could, just to make ends meet.

"There's thousands of people in my position.  I'm sure they're sitting at home trying to figure out if they could manage the next couple months of rent or food, school just started," said Hutchinson.

It's a challenge for Mariah, so she made adjustments.  Instead of eating out, she now eats at home.  Mariah doesn't even have a car, so she rides a bicycle to work.  But that creates a problem when it's time to travel more than a couple miles.  Mariah relies on a friend to drive her back and forth, then Mariah returns the favor by doing chores around Patricia Ledgerwood's house.

"She's not afraid of work. Even though it's just a part time job, you put them all together and it's income coming in," said Hutchinson's friend, Patricia Ledgerwood.

And that's the message Mariah has to any of you, looking for work, "Don't give up.  There is a job that is out there for you, whether it's full time or part time."    

Not only does Mariah work 4 jobs, she even volunteers with youth groups on Saturday mornings.