Democrats seek to extend emergency jobless benefits
There is still hope!!
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Meltdown!
So, at the interview yesterday, the interviewer asked me what my bottom line salary was, and I told her my ideal was $14/hr. She sort of frowned, so I asked, "Do I have a chance of getting it here?" and she said, "In West Virginia? Honestly, no." Well, at least she was honest, right?
But let's do the math. She said I could probably get $10/hr, so let's go with that. 10/hr x 40 hr/wk = $400 BEFORE TAXES, which comes to something like $330 after taxes. $330/wk x 4 wks/mo = $1320/mo. My rent, utilities, car insurance and COBRA come to $1100/mo, leaving $220/mo for food, car maintenance, gasoline, pet care. That's a whopping $55/wk. Filling my old but serviceable car's engine takes about $28, leaving $27 for surviving. Guess I should be OK with that, at least I can subsist on canned soup. And all that depends on working locally so I'm not using the car too much.
I'm not so much discouraged as I am pissed off, and beating myself over the head for moving here in the first place, and then staying here as long as I have. I know, I really do KNOW, that coulda-shoulda-woulda is a fool's game, and solves nothing, but for right now I'm gonna wallow in anger and get it all outta my system. Grrrrrr.
But let's do the math. She said I could probably get $10/hr, so let's go with that. 10/hr x 40 hr/wk = $400 BEFORE TAXES, which comes to something like $330 after taxes. $330/wk x 4 wks/mo = $1320/mo. My rent, utilities, car insurance and COBRA come to $1100/mo, leaving $220/mo for food, car maintenance, gasoline, pet care. That's a whopping $55/wk. Filling my old but serviceable car's engine takes about $28, leaving $27 for surviving. Guess I should be OK with that, at least I can subsist on canned soup. And all that depends on working locally so I'm not using the car too much.
I'm not so much discouraged as I am pissed off, and beating myself over the head for moving here in the first place, and then staying here as long as I have. I know, I really do KNOW, that coulda-shoulda-woulda is a fool's game, and solves nothing, but for right now I'm gonna wallow in anger and get it all outta my system. Grrrrrr.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Postively, Think Positive!
OK, so off I go this morning for an interview with a local employment agency. I'm hoping, of course, that they'll be able to find something or, better yet, have something already in their files for me.
Yesterday, I did get some hopeful news. I was applying for a position with an organization I'd tried with once before, and when I entered my info on the Web site, I got a message that I was already being considered for the position. Cool!
Then, a friend emailed me that her bro-in-law, a fed employee, was looking to hire. I'd already sent my resume, and my friend said she'd recommended me highly. Next step is to email bro-in-law.
Don't want to get my hopes up (again) but need to be positive, right? Right!
Yesterday, I did get some hopeful news. I was applying for a position with an organization I'd tried with once before, and when I entered my info on the Web site, I got a message that I was already being considered for the position. Cool!
Then, a friend emailed me that her bro-in-law, a fed employee, was looking to hire. I'd already sent my resume, and my friend said she'd recommended me highly. Next step is to email bro-in-law.
Don't want to get my hopes up (again) but need to be positive, right? Right!
Friday, June 25, 2010
TGIF
It's odd but I still rejoice in the fact that it's Friday. No good reason for it, Saturday and Sunday don't absolve me of the responsibility of job seeking. Actually, the Sunday papers generally have the most employment ads. So why this elation, this TGIF! attitude? I have no idea.
You may have seen the news that the Senate blocked the Emergency Unemployment extension last night. Way to go, guys. Nice job. Do you not get that the $30 mil this would have cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount spent on defense?
They should be ashamed.
You may have seen the news that the Senate blocked the Emergency Unemployment extension last night. Way to go, guys. Nice job. Do you not get that the $30 mil this would have cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the amount spent on defense?
They should be ashamed.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
New Page!
Had a brainstorm last night - I write fiction, and am trying to publish something somewhere, so why not add a page to this blog to put some stuff out there? So, check out the new page, let me know what you think. Thanks!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Some Tips to Get Through the Day...
If you're reading this, you're probably unemployed or underemployed, right? And it's a daunting task to fill the day with meaningful stuff, isn't it? Here are some things that are helping me get through the days:
1) Set a schedule for yourself. Set the alarm clock, get up, shower, have coffee. I spend the mornings trolling the job boards and online newspapers, writing cover letters, etc.
2) Try to find at least one thing everyday that will get you out of the house/apartment - go for a walk, ride your bike, whatever. It's helpful to move and will make you feel less depressed. Honest.
3) Do you have a hobby? As long as it isn't a real money drain, indulge. Who knows, it could lead to something else, right?
4) Be kind to yourself, be good to yourself. Give yourself permission to take a break from the hard work of looking for work every once in awhile and read a book, watch a good movie. (Libraries are your friends!)
5) Make sure you have contact with friends and family, it's so important not to become a recluse. (I'm in danger of becoming the crazy cat lady on my block.)
6) Teach yourself a new skill - I'm trying to improve my typing and learn PowerPoint.
Lots of folks say they find volunteering to be helpful. I'm trying to find a volunteer opportunity or 2 in my community, and I'll let you know. I think it's also a good way to get out of your own head for a bit - self-absorption is NOT a good long term strategy.
Seriously, the most important thing that I can think of is: Try not to despair, even though it's so easy to feel worthless and beaten. Let me know what you think!
1) Set a schedule for yourself. Set the alarm clock, get up, shower, have coffee. I spend the mornings trolling the job boards and online newspapers, writing cover letters, etc.
2) Try to find at least one thing everyday that will get you out of the house/apartment - go for a walk, ride your bike, whatever. It's helpful to move and will make you feel less depressed. Honest.
3) Do you have a hobby? As long as it isn't a real money drain, indulge. Who knows, it could lead to something else, right?
4) Be kind to yourself, be good to yourself. Give yourself permission to take a break from the hard work of looking for work every once in awhile and read a book, watch a good movie. (Libraries are your friends!)
5) Make sure you have contact with friends and family, it's so important not to become a recluse. (I'm in danger of becoming the crazy cat lady on my block.)
6) Teach yourself a new skill - I'm trying to improve my typing and learn PowerPoint.
Lots of folks say they find volunteering to be helpful. I'm trying to find a volunteer opportunity or 2 in my community, and I'll let you know. I think it's also a good way to get out of your own head for a bit - self-absorption is NOT a good long term strategy.
Seriously, the most important thing that I can think of is: Try not to despair, even though it's so easy to feel worthless and beaten. Let me know what you think!
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