I remember looking through the classifieds in the newspaper a few years and seeing the plentiful job listings. I wasn't looking for a job (I was busy enough being a stay at home mom), but was just browsing to see what kind of jobs were available in case I needed to work. Now, the classifieds are empty with only a few postings. It would be a discouraging feeling for the unemployed especially if they have a desire to work!
Finding a job is one of the most uneasy feelings and stressful times in your life. I've always hated looking for a job. The feeling of inadequacy and lack of confidence becomes apparent especially when you've been turned down numerous times.
I remember getting my first job at age 14. I would hit the mall and stores asking for applications and if they were hiring. I was turned down many times and those who were afraid to tell me no would give me an application and tell me to fill it out and return it. And I did. I doubt they ever looked at it, but by filling it out, it gave me hope. I really thought I would get hired at McDonald's because every teen works at McDonald's, right? Sadly, McDonald's wouldn't even hire me.
I remember feeling desperate. I wasn't trying to find a job so I could have brand new clothes (that's a big deal for a high school student), but so I could help my mom pay the rent and so I could eat. I don't wish poverty on anyone, but I am thankful for that situation because it taught me that I had to learn to help myself.
My first job was at in the basement of a hotel near the airport selling restaurant coupon books via phone. I was a telemarketer:) The job paid by the hour and it wasn't commission. I was glad that they hired me that I actually became so overwhelmed that my nose started bleeding. I was afraid they would change their mind because of how embarrassing the situation was, but glad they didn't. It was an after school job, about 15 mins by bus, but many times I would walk to work which took 45 mins in an effort to save money. I remember working hard. Trying to convince a total stranger to buy a coupon book is not easy and the numerous times they hung up on me could be depressing. But I was grateful and worked as hard as I could and eventually found success on the job. My experience only lasted a few months because they were changing all the positions to commission only and I knew that I needed a steady paycheck so I left. I will say that that was the first year I was able to buy Christmas presents for my parents. I was happy!
My second job was at Centre Island. I knew the chances of getting that summer job were going to be competitive. Students from all over Toronto would be applying. I am thankful for the Job preparations classes that my high school offered. I learned how to write a resume, how to interview, how to talk about myself etc. I also took a job Co-op program that year and worked in a travel agency. That gave me experience. And when the time to interview came, I knew I had only one chance to impress and I was only 17. I dressed in my very best, practiced interviewing in the mirror and read over my resume. I arrived at the job early and saw the numerous applicants. My heart sank because I knew my chances would be tough. But I had a blast of confidence. I remember smiling through the interview. I remember being cheerful. I was applying for a food service position and though I had no experience I knew that my attitude would make a big difference. I left the interview not knowing if I had the job, but was ecstatic when I got the call back that I was hired.
I remember working hard that summer. I was punctual, I didn't take long breaks, I tried my best,I did all the rookie not so nice jobs, I tried not to gossip (working with a whole bunch of teenagers stinks and can get tense once in awhile) and just focus on the job. I know was probably called nerd and geek because I would only focus on the job, but I was blessed
My employer (who was intimidating and scary because I swear would never smile) knew I was reliable. Everyone was required to work on Sundays. It was an amusement park and Sundays were the busiest day. But I wanted to attend church and believe that Sunday is the Sabbath day. Everyone said she would say no and not ask. Somehow I got up the courage and asked for Sundays off and told her why. She said she couldn't guarantee it and told me that I could get many hours, even overtime,and get paid more if worked Sundays. It was tempting. I needed the money but still needed Sundays off. Yet each Monday, when the weekly schedule came up, I had Sundays off. I think I was the only one and in the end I was blessed even more. I actually made more money because sometimes they would send everyone home except for the minimum crew to operate the park on rainy days and I always got to stay. I needed to make a lot of money and I did. They even requested that I return the next summer to work for them and I did.
My job experiences were never glorious. I worked through college as "The Fry Girl" in Ricks College cafeteria and as the custodian in the dorms. I cooked, did laundry. ironed, vacuumed and mopped my way through college. In my early years of marriage without a bachelor's degree and feeling inadequate once more I was a butcher's counter help slicing rib eye steaks and making BBQ sandwiches. I worked in a hamburger joint with annoying teenagers and eventually found myself back to telemarketing in Utah. Wasn't the ideal job, but continued working hard and found myself getting pay raises and bonuses. We were able to live on my paycheck as my husband finished university. After he graduated and we moved to Vancouver WA I found myself searching for a job, feeling inadequate, but eventually got hired as JC Penney's jewelry sales associate. I continued working hard and got paid my base salary plus tons of commission and made some decent money. I left that job to give birth to my first child....that was 10 years ago
Today, jobs are scarce. People are shouting JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. We want JOBS...So what! Even with the creation of new jobs you can't sit around hoping that the job will be given to you on a silver platter. It won't! Actually, if the economy does turn around the jobs will be even more competitive because there is a high demand.
Fathers are out of work and children are going hungry. Unfortunately, there is a trend that unemployment and welfare are the solutions since I can't find a job. This sense of government dependency is enabling people, especially men to stay home, twiddle their thumbs, and wait for the economy to turn that around. They are playing the victim game, yet depending on others. Some say they have a strong desire to work, but won't go out and find one because there are no jobs-so they say. There are jobs-few jobs-but jobs. I have more respect for the person especially fathers who spend 8 hours a day writing resumes, checking out work source services, networking, job hunting, and even begging for work than the one who stays at home and twiddles his thumbs. You will probably not find the ideal job and will have to humble yourself to accept a job, but you will build a sense of pride, self confidence and freedom when you provide for yourself.
I know those feeelings of inadequacy are real. I hate them. I had to rely on prayer and faith many times in my job seeking adventures. It was so hard, but so worth it.
Now finding a job may take months. It may require you lean upon the government, but it should always only be temporary...not years! Job seeking may require you to think outside the box and do some deep soul searching, but never give up. Our society needs more hard working people regardless of the economic situation in our countries.
Job seeking may also require sacrifice. It may require you to give up some of your most treasured possessions so you can make ends meet. I am grateful for the choices my husband has made and for the security his career brings to our family. But we live with an attitude that we are willing to give up our "toys" if times ever got hard for our family. We know his boat is the first to go. We would do everything we could, sell everything we could before we dare ask help from our family, the church and the government
Financial freedom and self reliance requires sacrifice not entitlement. This sense of I should be on welfare because there are no jobs is a cop out and is not taking responsibility for your actions.
So how do I get a job? This blog is mainly on changing your attitude, but there are many resources to help you. First, pray. Heavenly Father is your biggest supporter. He will help you overcome those feeling of inadequacy. Lean on family too. Let them know of your desire for work and use them as a network. Check out employment centers. Talk with counselors. The LDS church has great resources. Use the employment specialists. They are there to help you and want to used. Take action and go out and look. Keep on looking even on your greyest days.
Am I out of tune with the unemployed. NO! My mom was the unemployed. My father did not take his role as provider seriously. Our family went through unnecessary stress and heartache because of poor financial choices. We did not have freedom.
I write this blog to give others hope. Financial freedom and self reliance is an attitude. It is taking responsibility of your life and choices. My hope is that you can see it is possible even to achieve self reliance when everything is grey around you.
I haven't been in the workforce for over 10 years. I've been doing the most noble job for the last 10 years without a vacation, without a paycheck, not much recognition and even sometimes feeling inadequate too. I actually fear entering the work fore. On my resume, under experience, I would be considered "Displaced Homemaker"...Displaced...really?. That would make anyone feel inadequate. Thank goodness, I have lived my life in a responsible way that allows me to stay home. I am grateful for that. But I know our home is not immune to the hardships in life. If I ever find myself having to work and trust me it won't be for personal satisfaction, my attitude towards work has not changed. I know the job seeking process will be hard, stressful, and yucky! But when you have an attitude of personal financial responsibility and self reliance that pride will sustain you through the process. And of course, don't forget to pray!
We cry, JOBS, JOB, JOBS!!! So what are you going to do about it?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sorry kids, no Ding Dongs for you!
I love being financially responsible and I want others to feel that freedom. I have a chip on my shoulder that I just need to get out or else I will annoyed for a long time.
So for the past few weeks of grocery shopping I've been noticing how full people's shopping carts are. I know it's none of my business, but after carefully budgeting $100 to feed my family of 6 for a week-meaning $14 a day, divide that by 3 meaning $3.50 a meal equalling about .60 cents per person/ per meal....and forget the snacks- I've been wondering how else people are managing to feed there family. We could probably increase our food budget (and I have made an extra trip to the grocery store now and then to get a gallon of milk), but if we do then we are dipping into other funds. I guess we could eat like kings and just have our extended family or even the Church or government pay our Utility bills:)...now that's not financial freedom, is it!
But I've been real curious-nosey as a matter of fact! Finances seem like the hush, hush don't talk about kind of topic and I respect that. I think if more people were willing to talk about their financial habits, they would be more honest with themselves...So I've been profiling shoppers- yes prematurely judging them- mainly on how loaded there carts are-usually overflowing- and follow them to the checkout line (we all make judgement calls). Chadley is a stalker...ha,ha!! (I am not Eliza on this blog, I'm Chadley...my bold outspoken side of me)
It amazes me how easy it is to get food! Swipe the card and leave! Maybe if it was a more uneasy procedure people would be more willing to be self reliant!!
So why am I sour?
Because last night, I happen to be following a young lady who probably would be catergorized as low income, high school dropout with no steady job (to give her the benefit of the doubt, she probably graduated...I'm just trying to paint a picture) I actually wasn't intentionally following her, it just happened we were following the same layout of the store. So the groceries she bought would be a kids dream- cookies, chips, about 5 frozen pizzas averaging $5 a box, a huge bag of bulk Laffy Taffy about $6 worth, frozen burritos, sugar cereal, maybe a few healthy items but the majority of it was over priced pre packaged food. It was overflowing and I gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought how lucky she was to be able to AFFORD and PAY for all that food! I was actually a little bit jealous!
As I compared my purchases, and my frugal shopping habits of comparing prices and getting the best deal for my money I was wondering what I was doing wrong!
To make balance meals I spend about $15 in fresh produce: about 4lbs of apples at .68/lb, 3lbs of bananas @ .54/lb and the rest about $5-$8 in fresh veggies, $10 bucks on dairy meaning 3 gallons of milk, $10 on cereals (mainly the best value: no name Cheerios, Cornflakes etc and yes I will buy a sugared cereal now and then), $15 on meat, $15 on boxed goods: pasta etc, $5-$10 on bread and the rest on those miscellanous food items we always need and yes a treat for the family.
I have to walk past all the frozen prepackaged food, the ice cream usually, the chips, say no to juice and Ding Dongs and all the yummy snacks my kids would love. I get the basics and a little more
Does that woman deserve a few cookies, a little sugar-of course! Everyone does, but not $25 worth of pizza (if you are not buying it with your own money)!
So as we stand in line and she is ready to pay my benefit of the doubt disappears as she swipes her State Food Stamp card!
I was so disturbed...why? Because of her lack of respect and value to the financial resources she has!
If she was truly struggling and had a true need for food because her family was hungry, she would be respecting her resources, but was squandering it on whatever she wanted! Buying mainly high priced food, unhealthy food, junk food and candy and not much to sustain life. Food Stamps was first created so low income people would have access to healthier food...hmm that was not the case!
When you don't have to work hard for what you have, there is a less of an incentive to value what you have.
Am I being mean? No! Do I hate those on Food Stamps? No. Do I have a chip on my shoulder toward irresponsible financial people...YES!
This isn't about being poor or on being Food Stamps. If you are being responsible, stretching out your monthly allowance of Food Stamps,looking for good deals, comparing prices, clipping coupons and trying to respect that valuable resource that the government and hardworking taxpayers have given you, then I would applaud you for your efforts! Sadly.I haven't seen that trend, but want to believe there are those who have gratitude, respect and value their resources while being on government assistance. I hope there are many!
Because I am a busy mom and can't write for hours here is a good link regarding Food Stamps
http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/agriculture/food-subsidies
(I am a simple person who doesn't know how to do live links, so copy and paste and read...it's good!)
In a nutshell, have respect for your finances and resources, especially when you can't provide for yourself! Nothing is free! People are working hard so you can have food on your table! I am working hard so I can put food on my table!
Being financially responsible allows you to have financial freedom. It strengthens families and home. It creates secure households and happy children! You have less stress and worry! And by not being financially responsible, it's another way for the adversary to destroy the family!
My kids are screaming.I better go fix them their PB&J sandwich! Sorry kids, no Ding Dongs or school lunch for you....that's your reward for having hardworking and financially responsible parents!
Food for thought minus all the grammar mistakes:)
So for the past few weeks of grocery shopping I've been noticing how full people's shopping carts are. I know it's none of my business, but after carefully budgeting $100 to feed my family of 6 for a week-meaning $14 a day, divide that by 3 meaning $3.50 a meal equalling about .60 cents per person/ per meal....and forget the snacks- I've been wondering how else people are managing to feed there family. We could probably increase our food budget (and I have made an extra trip to the grocery store now and then to get a gallon of milk), but if we do then we are dipping into other funds. I guess we could eat like kings and just have our extended family or even the Church or government pay our Utility bills:)...now that's not financial freedom, is it!
But I've been real curious-nosey as a matter of fact! Finances seem like the hush, hush don't talk about kind of topic and I respect that. I think if more people were willing to talk about their financial habits, they would be more honest with themselves...So I've been profiling shoppers- yes prematurely judging them- mainly on how loaded there carts are-usually overflowing- and follow them to the checkout line (we all make judgement calls). Chadley is a stalker...ha,ha!! (I am not Eliza on this blog, I'm Chadley...my bold outspoken side of me)
It amazes me how easy it is to get food! Swipe the card and leave! Maybe if it was a more uneasy procedure people would be more willing to be self reliant!!
So why am I sour?
Because last night, I happen to be following a young lady who probably would be catergorized as low income, high school dropout with no steady job (to give her the benefit of the doubt, she probably graduated...I'm just trying to paint a picture) I actually wasn't intentionally following her, it just happened we were following the same layout of the store. So the groceries she bought would be a kids dream- cookies, chips, about 5 frozen pizzas averaging $5 a box, a huge bag of bulk Laffy Taffy about $6 worth, frozen burritos, sugar cereal, maybe a few healthy items but the majority of it was over priced pre packaged food. It was overflowing and I gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought how lucky she was to be able to AFFORD and PAY for all that food! I was actually a little bit jealous!
As I compared my purchases, and my frugal shopping habits of comparing prices and getting the best deal for my money I was wondering what I was doing wrong!
To make balance meals I spend about $15 in fresh produce: about 4lbs of apples at .68/lb, 3lbs of bananas @ .54/lb and the rest about $5-$8 in fresh veggies, $10 bucks on dairy meaning 3 gallons of milk, $10 on cereals (mainly the best value: no name Cheerios, Cornflakes etc and yes I will buy a sugared cereal now and then), $15 on meat, $15 on boxed goods: pasta etc, $5-$10 on bread and the rest on those miscellanous food items we always need and yes a treat for the family.
I have to walk past all the frozen prepackaged food, the ice cream usually, the chips, say no to juice and Ding Dongs and all the yummy snacks my kids would love. I get the basics and a little more
Does that woman deserve a few cookies, a little sugar-of course! Everyone does, but not $25 worth of pizza (if you are not buying it with your own money)!
So as we stand in line and she is ready to pay my benefit of the doubt disappears as she swipes her State Food Stamp card!
I was so disturbed...why? Because of her lack of respect and value to the financial resources she has!
If she was truly struggling and had a true need for food because her family was hungry, she would be respecting her resources, but was squandering it on whatever she wanted! Buying mainly high priced food, unhealthy food, junk food and candy and not much to sustain life. Food Stamps was first created so low income people would have access to healthier food...hmm that was not the case!
When you don't have to work hard for what you have, there is a less of an incentive to value what you have.
Am I being mean? No! Do I hate those on Food Stamps? No. Do I have a chip on my shoulder toward irresponsible financial people...YES!
This isn't about being poor or on being Food Stamps. If you are being responsible, stretching out your monthly allowance of Food Stamps,looking for good deals, comparing prices, clipping coupons and trying to respect that valuable resource that the government and hardworking taxpayers have given you, then I would applaud you for your efforts! Sadly.I haven't seen that trend, but want to believe there are those who have gratitude, respect and value their resources while being on government assistance. I hope there are many!
Because I am a busy mom and can't write for hours here is a good link regarding Food Stamps
http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/agriculture/food-subsidies
(I am a simple person who doesn't know how to do live links, so copy and paste and read...it's good!)
In a nutshell, have respect for your finances and resources, especially when you can't provide for yourself! Nothing is free! People are working hard so you can have food on your table! I am working hard so I can put food on my table!
Being financially responsible allows you to have financial freedom. It strengthens families and home. It creates secure households and happy children! You have less stress and worry! And by not being financially responsible, it's another way for the adversary to destroy the family!
My kids are screaming.I better go fix them their PB&J sandwich! Sorry kids, no Ding Dongs or school lunch for you....that's your reward for having hardworking and financially responsible parents!
Food for thought minus all the grammar mistakes:)
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