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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Week 23 of 26......Still No Progress

I can't believe that it's been 23 weeks since I lost my job.  I thought by now I would be comfortably settled into a new job with new work friends and responsibilities.  Unfortunately things just didn't work out the way that I would have thought. 100's of applications sent out and resumes mailed and I still am back to square one.

I have had a few bright spots in the road during this time.  I did receive 2 job offers that would have probably been great places to work.  Unfortunately my mortgage, student loans, and bills dictate what I can make and neither could get my through.  So back to the drawing board.  I also had a great casino lead that would have been a perfect fit me me.  Again it didn't pan out the way that I had hoped.

In the meantime I am hoping that with the recent economic crises the US is going through, I will not be unemployed forever. Although after 23 weeks my hopes are a little dim.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

My Reflections


There have been so many life experiences that have made me the person that I am today. When I was just out of high school I thought that I would become a working woman from the get go and just forgo college.  In my mind, why spend money for schooling when I could easily land a minimum wage job and work my way up.

As the years went on and my yearly pay increases were only about $.25, I began to reconsider my methods.  About this time many of my high school friends were just about finished with college and now beginning their careers with salaries!!  They were making $20-$30k per year and I was still at about $6.00 and hour.  This was the first reality check that I needed to do something with my life.  The hopes of winning the power ball were about 1 in 3.5 million. I had no long lost rich uncle and if I did he might only have a cigar box collection or a stack of $2 bills to will me. Certainly not enough to live on. I also didn’t feel as though the Publishers Clearing House was going to come to my door with my winning check.  I knew that I had to make a change to make a life and future for myself.

A realistic options to improve myself and my income was to continue my education.  Now at this time I had been out of high school for a few years, so I was a little out of the loop. I had to also decide what I wanted to do once I got to school. I decided on a business major.  Unfortunately my business skills were not up to par.  I continued on with my general classes until I felt my calling-public relations and public speaking. I finished my college career and was now ready and prepared AGAIN for the working world.  Only this time I too could get a salary!!

Although I had schooling behind me, I still did not feel as though I had my life in order just yet.  I still had so much to learn. One of the most important lessons that I can stress is network and shadowing.  Having a successful internship actually let to my first “career”.  I learned that I had to take my skills and put  myself out there.  I had to have the confidence to know that I could do whatever I put my mind to.  It was a challenge, but one I needed to embark on. And considering that in all likelihood, my first job will probably have little to do with your last job, I had nothing to lose

As my career has progressed, I have moved on to new challenging jobs.  I have pushed myself to the limits and worked harder than I ever thought possible.  I feel as though I have succeeded and excelled at the things that I have accomplished.  It was never easy, but I knew that the outcome would be both beneficial to my career and to myself.  Every step just makes me stronger and ready for the next challenge.

At the end of the day, it is you who is responsible for finding your way into the world, which is as it should be.   Through the years I found that although I am still not at the end of me life goals-I am however getting closer.













Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Why I Love my Part-Time Job!!

Although I do not currently have a full time job, I have had my part-time job since March.  I work at Victoria's Secret and I love it!  It's nice to have a place to go to everyday.  It makes me feel like I am still connected to the work force and it helps to pay the bills.  And believe it or not, it is a rewarding job.

My typical shift usually involves working the fitting room.  My primary focus is to work with the customers to ensure they are wearing the correct bra size and the best fitting style for their needs.  On average I measure 10 busts per day and I see many more ta ta's over the course of my shift. My personal goal is to make sure that every single lady walks out of the store with their best fitting bra.  Again, it is very rewarding.

However some days I get pretty tata'd out! We have the customer that thinks they need to wear a smaller size in order to push the tata's together and create more cleavage. If you look at their shoulders, the strap marks are so imbedded that I wonder how they are not howling in pain.

Next we have the customer that only buys $9.99 discount store bras.  They come into the store to be measured.  I give them some bras to try in their size.  They LOVE them, but cringe at the price tag.  I try to explain that these bras last forever-  unlike the 6 washing that you will get out of that discount brand bra.

Finally we have the customer that complains about their fit BUT when I tell them what size they SHOULD be wearing, they yell at me and tell me that I am nuts.  There is no way in hell that they are a 38 or a D cup.  They insist they are a 34B and have been that size since college (17 years ago!!).  My reply to them is, you have to wear it not me.  I also remind them that nobody knows what size you wear.  They only know how it looks on you.  And nobody wants to see back boob!

I do love my job and I love my customers. And although some days are more trying than others, I can honestly say that I never leave without some crazy story to share.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Oh the Negativity!

Again it's been quite some time since my last post.  I let a negative comment get to me and it threw out my confidence.  However I was reminded that people can be idiots and to not let them spoil my mood or my writing.

It's been 15 weeks since I lost my job. I never in my wildest dreams thought that finding a job would be this hard.  I landed my part time job just days after I was let go.  I just assumed finding a full time job would be easy too.  I would just do some networking, send out a mass mail of resumes, and an opportunity would present itself.  Well that hasn't happened yet and the longer I am out of work, the harder it is to remain positive.

As everyone knows, I am a big fan of Judge Judy (I know, I know don't judge:). But even hearing her question her litigant's as to what they do for a living, then getting a grossly disgusted look on her face when they say they are unemployed- well it makes me feel like she is glaring my way too.

I know that I still have time to find a job that will be a good fit for me, but in the mean time I better not do anything that will land me on the Judge Judy show and get the stink eye from her!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Why are Part Time Job So Much More Fun than Full Time Jobs?

As most of you know, I have been working part time at Victoria's Secret since I was let go from my full time job. I only work about 15-20 hours at minimum wage, but it is such a fun stress free job. For the first time in quite a while I actually look forward to going to work. All of the girls that I work with seem to equally like their job too, so it makes for a work environment that is so refreshing.

In addition to liking my job, I also get some fun perks.  Free and discounted bras, underwear, and beauty products.  I had always loved Victoria's Secret merchandise, but was too cheap to but it.  Getting it free or next to free fits perfect with my current budget.  Feeling pretty on a penny is what I like to call it:)

I would say that the only downfall is that I don't make enough there to be able to make ends meet.  Even if they did have a full time position available at $7.50 an hour, my mortgage wouldn't get paid (but I would have nice bras and panties on when the bank came and foreclosed on me!!).

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Three Months Unemployed= Ready to Pull my Hair Out!

Yes I am still alive and still unemployed.  It's been 3 months since I lost my job. (Ok those first 2 lines sound like I was going to confession at church!)

In the last month I have had many ups and downs. I have sent out several resumes, but have not heard anything back.  I have posted my resume on several job web sites, but the only bites I have gotten are from insurance companies-which aren't my cup of tea. And I have tried my hand at networking, but again nothing.  The frustration and anxiety seem to increase with each passing day. Twelve weeks of unemployment down and 14 weeks to go.  I hope I have something lined up by then!

Luckily I still have my part time job, which I love!  But I was reading an article online that stated- if you have a part time job while collecting unemployment, they will recalculate your gross pay to reflect what you make at your part time job instead of what you made at your full time job.  If this is true, I may be shooting myself in the foot down the road. Ahhhhhh the life of the unemployed,

Monday, April 11, 2011

Coupon Lady....Anything to Save some Money!!




Since I am now on a very limited budget, I have been thinking of ways that I can cuts costs.  After watching a show about "couponing" and seeing people actually making money shopping-I decided to give it a shot.

Last night I had my coupons in hand, the grocery/drugstore ads, a few very useful web sites, and a book about "couponing" that my sister loaned me.  I started out making my lists, dividing my coupons to reflect each store, and mapping the routes to each store (the route had to be the most direct so that I wasn't spending too much money driving around town).  I was ready to go!!

Today I made my rounds.  I started at CVS. I purchased (4) Colgate Toothpastes, Pretzel M and Ms, and a chocolate egg. Total price $6.02.  Less coupons and rewards....they paid me  72 cents to shop!

Next was Walgreen's.  I purchased (2) boxes of Quakers granola bars, (2) packs of Dentyne gun, (2) packs of M &M candies, (1) carton of marshmallow eggs, and (1) pack of lady products. Total price $13.47.  Less coupons and rewards $4.51.

Next was Rite Aid.  I purchased (2) Gillette Body Washes.  Total price was $5.98.  Less coupons and rewards the total price was $.99 for both.....just under $.50 a bottle!

Finally of to Tops.  I purchased (1) Jenny O 3 lb. turkey, (2) packs of  Purdue Chicken patties, (4) packs of rolls, (1) pack of Country Crock potatoes, (1) pack of Birds Eye frozen veggies, (1) box of stuffing, a 2 liter of 7-up, and (2) Tyson pot roasts.....total price $48.77.  Less coupons and rewards $23.75 plus 10 cents off my gas.

I have dinners for 5 days (plus a few days of leftovers), snacks for about 2 weeks, and toiletries for a few months.

Total money spent today...$28.53!