The Merry-Go-Round I call a job continues to go up and down and all around. A week after my last post, I was told I am back on 40 hours a week. The reason? One of the full time, permanent girls upped and quit! The top-dog divvied up her hours between me and the other remaining 'full time' temps and so we both are now 40 hour a week girls again. Whew! That's a relief!
But even still, he promises a layoff by the end of the year. I continue to search for ways to cut my expenses. But mostly I did all the cutting I felt like I could cut when I was laid off in April of last year. Thank God, I have been able to swing my part of the household expenses and my own personal expenses since I was laid off. But I have to admit, that is becoming increasingly difficult to do. I did have several small 'side jobs' to help tide me over on what most people would not call 'necessities'. You know. Stuff like getting the occasional mani-pedi, good make-up and hair care products, hair cuts, clothes, jewelry, stuff for the house, gifts for my girls and friends, and eating out.
The 'side jobs' have all but fizzled out. In fact, I have two small ones left, and that only brings in about $100.00 a month. So, I have limited myself to eating out with friends to once a week. Cut back on going out to the movies to maybe once a month, and that is sometimes at the Nasty Discount Movie Theater (which I have to admit has cleaned itself up a wee bit and is not quite as nasty as before), I buy cheaper hair care products and stretch haircuts long as I possibly can, and will doing my own nails. But every month it seems like something increases in cost. I buy a tank of gas a week instead of every other week now that my oldest daughter has moved away, and the cable bill keeps going up a couple of dollars every month or so! The health insurance policy I have is almost worthless, but I am so afraid not to have it in case something catastrophic happens. I know my car will need tires and brakes soon. Not to mention birthdays and the holidays coming up.
I think I feel another panic attack coming on. Breath deeply....deep breaths!
But anyways, I am full time again, for now. Also, I submitted my resume to the company of a very good friend who has been singing my praises and trying to pull every string she can get her hands on to help me get hired on at her company as a customer service rep (my area of expertise, I think!). She is a really good friend and I would love to work with her again...what less get some benefits like vacation days and better health insurance. And too, her company is a medical supply company and it sounds so very interesting and I think I would actually love to work there!
I am a bit proud of myself for my 'smart shopping' for those times I feel I must shop. I have a funeral to attend this weekend, and I simply do not have anything in my closet that I felt would be appropriate. Yes, I am sure I could have found something in that closet that would suffice, but I didn't want to wear that same tired old gray pantsuit that I have worn to everything since Arthur's graduation from college! I wanted a simple black dress. I stopped in at Heirs II, a consignment shop in my area, and tried on about six dresses. Two were too tight, one was too short, one was too hoochie, and one was too frumpy. 'Here, try this one', the shop girl said as she handed me one last dress because she wanted to close up and go home. I looked at it and was pleased. I pulled it on, and was pleased. The shop girl zipped it up with ease and it felt fitted, but not tight. I was pleased. I looked in the mirror...and bought it. The dress was brand new, still had the tags on it showing a $49.99 sale price. I got it for $18 and change! And it's so pretty! It's black with pink piping. It has a clean, fresh line and fits me perfectly. I have sling-backs to match in my collection of a bazillion shoes that my husband frowns at every time he walks by my closet or peeks under our bed but I refuse to part with a pair just in case I need them.
Pictures to come in a few days.
But even still, he promises a layoff by the end of the year. I continue to search for ways to cut my expenses. But mostly I did all the cutting I felt like I could cut when I was laid off in April of last year. Thank God, I have been able to swing my part of the household expenses and my own personal expenses since I was laid off. But I have to admit, that is becoming increasingly difficult to do. I did have several small 'side jobs' to help tide me over on what most people would not call 'necessities'. You know. Stuff like getting the occasional mani-pedi, good make-up and hair care products, hair cuts, clothes, jewelry, stuff for the house, gifts for my girls and friends, and eating out.
The 'side jobs' have all but fizzled out. In fact, I have two small ones left, and that only brings in about $100.00 a month. So, I have limited myself to eating out with friends to once a week. Cut back on going out to the movies to maybe once a month, and that is sometimes at the Nasty Discount Movie Theater (which I have to admit has cleaned itself up a wee bit and is not quite as nasty as before), I buy cheaper hair care products and stretch haircuts long as I possibly can, and will doing my own nails. But every month it seems like something increases in cost. I buy a tank of gas a week instead of every other week now that my oldest daughter has moved away, and the cable bill keeps going up a couple of dollars every month or so! The health insurance policy I have is almost worthless, but I am so afraid not to have it in case something catastrophic happens. I know my car will need tires and brakes soon. Not to mention birthdays and the holidays coming up.
I think I feel another panic attack coming on. Breath deeply....deep breaths!
But anyways, I am full time again, for now. Also, I submitted my resume to the company of a very good friend who has been singing my praises and trying to pull every string she can get her hands on to help me get hired on at her company as a customer service rep (my area of expertise, I think!). She is a really good friend and I would love to work with her again...what less get some benefits like vacation days and better health insurance. And too, her company is a medical supply company and it sounds so very interesting and I think I would actually love to work there!
I am a bit proud of myself for my 'smart shopping' for those times I feel I must shop. I have a funeral to attend this weekend, and I simply do not have anything in my closet that I felt would be appropriate. Yes, I am sure I could have found something in that closet that would suffice, but I didn't want to wear that same tired old gray pantsuit that I have worn to everything since Arthur's graduation from college! I wanted a simple black dress. I stopped in at Heirs II, a consignment shop in my area, and tried on about six dresses. Two were too tight, one was too short, one was too hoochie, and one was too frumpy. 'Here, try this one', the shop girl said as she handed me one last dress because she wanted to close up and go home. I looked at it and was pleased. I pulled it on, and was pleased. The shop girl zipped it up with ease and it felt fitted, but not tight. I was pleased. I looked in the mirror...and bought it. The dress was brand new, still had the tags on it showing a $49.99 sale price. I got it for $18 and change! And it's so pretty! It's black with pink piping. It has a clean, fresh line and fits me perfectly. I have sling-backs to match in my collection of a bazillion shoes that my husband frowns at every time he walks by my closet or peeks under our bed but I refuse to part with a pair just in case I need them.
Pictures to come in a few days.
