September 25, 2009
Challenges & Growth...
You may be noticing some changes around here, both small and large. Don't worry it's a growth period for me. As some of you know, I am being laid off soon. In fact that day is coming rather quickly. I don't have the exact day, but I do know that it will be a day in October. I was very nervous at first, not knowing what I would do, how I would pay the bills, who is hiring, and so on. A million questions, and no answers. I guess I could have had a melt down, or cried, or gotten into a depression. I can honestly say though, that my main thought was that I have a family to take care of, and it doesn't matter what I do, it only matters that my family and mysef are happy, healthy, and provided for. Even if it meant waiting tables.
I have found out that, since my company will be moving their manufacturing operations overseas, I will be one of the "lucky" newly unemployed. Why do I say "lucky"? I will tell you! It's because my company has applied, and been accepted for the TAA Program. For those of you who are not familiar with what TAA means, it stands for Trade Assistance Agreement. For more information on this program you can visit the US Department of Labor.
This means that the federal government will help me to go back to school, to get a degree in an up and coming field, so I can go back into the workforce with better and more desireable skills. So for the last several weeks, I have been looking into nearby schools, and what they have to offer, and really thinking about what I enjoy doing, and how to apply that to a career.
Which brings me to this site. Since April, when I started this blog, I have truly found something that I love doing. I love computers. I love the Internet. I love writing, and finding deals and bargains, and sharing them with all of you. I am now learning on my own, how to write my own HTML, and design a website layout. So you may notice some of the changes that are going on with this site. Please be patent, if there is something you like, please leave me a comment or send me an email. Same goes for something that you may not like, or something that isn't working properly.
So going back to the whole job loss topic. I have made a conscience decision to not be ashamed of being out of work. I am going to embrace it. I am going to apply for every program that is out there, and I'm not going to hide the fact that I will be doing this. Heck if I can get foodstamps, that's what I am going to do! What's the worst they can say... No, sorry your combined family salary is too high to qualify? Okay, I'll move onto the next program to apply for. My husband and I have paid our taxes for many years, and now we need some help. So we will hopefully get back some of what we have paid into. I'm sure there will be red tape, and hoops to jump through, and I'm sure that there will be days that I will want to pull my hair out, but I know we will get through this. I can say with certainty I will be saying this each day...
"That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger!"
Since I could use all the help I can get... Tell me... how do you save, or make your dollars stretch?
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4 comments:
Good luck Brandy! I know with your positive outlook you will be fine.
You have whats most important, your family and your faith. Sometimes these set backs help us to realize how really important they are to us. We appreciate the work you do for us. You have our prayers for support.
God bless you
Peggy
Oh the list is long...
- Unsubscribe, turn off, stop ordering, going or doing anything that is a want and not a need.
- Borrow & Barter what I can do for what someone else can do for me and what I can do for them. Since hubs back is out, our neighbor has been helping with our yardwork. When their kids are on fall break, I will be their surrogate granny and care for them.
- Pay as many bills online. Save a stamp and paper too.
- Turn off lights, use CFL bulbs, bump up the temp so the A/C or heat won't come on so often. Wrap up or put on a swim suit.
- Cook in batches so that you are not turning on the stove/oven so often.
- Caulk, weatherize and prepare for winter. Order propane, oil or firewood now and get it cheaper.
- Plan all shopping trips,errands. Make a route.
- Make gifts, cards etc and cut back on traditional gifts. Think out of the box.
- NETWORK for things like a new resume, contacts, references and job related needs.
- Network with people you know and ask them what kinds of things they need help with and if they would pay to have someone help. See if you are finding a theme to what is needed...is it cleaning, closet cleaning, organizing their home office, personal shopper???? You may find there is a real need from a specific niche/age group that will bring you some fast cash.
- Send only e-cards for Christmas or write a Christmas letter to those that have no use for a computer. Do your own graphics in word and print it. Probably 1/4th the price.
- Volunteer to learn a new skill. Many times that will turn in to a new career before you kow it.
- If you are a crafter/baker, you have untapped opportunities already at your fingertips.
There are 1001 things that you can do, know how to do already or could learn in some backdoor way. You'll do fine because you are WILLING to do so.
I'm proud you are embracing this phase of your life. It will be a great lesson for your girls in how to shift gears, survive, learn how to network and see that it can be done and with grace. If you get discouraged, take a look around you and you'll easily see a dozen people who have it worse than you do.
Learning HTML eh? I can read it better than write it. I think the change in your template is smashing. As you tweak out the tiny things, don't forget to think color scheme since you are changing things up. I know it is an endless work in progress as we learn and grow. I feel your growing pains and have my own. :)
Talk soon...
Ginger
I was laid off as well and am currently working random jobs here and then to earn some extra cash. I decided that any money I save us is equivalent to money earned. I used to just do the CVS deals. Now, with the extra time, I do CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Target. I figure with that we should at least be able to avoid buying toiletries and get things like cereal at rock bottom prices. Good luck!
Brandy, you and your family will be just fine. You are getting prepared and not putting your head in the sand which is what you should be doing. You and your husband need to rely on each other and keep the communications open. Look at opening up a service to help other bloggers with their blogs - it may not pay big but every cent counts! You helped me out which I greatly appreciate - check out how others are doing it and try it - just the little things at first and add on as you get comfortable! I believe Ginger gave you some good advice and there is so much more - Bear and I look at things like this - do we "WANT" it or do we NEED it to survive and if we need it we purchase if we "WANT" it then we see if we can budget for it but it is not a priority.
Stop by the ranch for some coffee, it's always hot and the doors always open!
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