Patience

In the beginning of my blogs, I discussed how my father was unemployed and how it seemed no matter how many resumes he sent out, nothing was coming back. Finally last week my dad started getting calls for interviews. This was the greatest news for my family.


Since money has been tight for the family, I thought the least I could do was drive my dad to all his interviews as long as I wasn't working or missing class. I feel like because I have two incomes and less bills to pay that this is my way of helping out my family.


I recently took him to two different companies which I have a great feeling about. The only problem is it seems that now that he is finally getting calls and interviews, he is becoming overwhelmed. My mom and I have constantly told my dad to take the job that he feels he will enjoy and also pays a decent amount. 


Another thing when being offered multiple jobs is to really look into the position they are offering. My dad is skilled in multiple areas, therefore he applied to a broad range of jobs throughout the last 6 months. By looking at the position you are being offered this helps you determine if you will be happy within that field of work and always research the company in which you are interviewing with.


When making a decision on whether you want to accept or decline the job remember this:

• Commute time
• Benefits
• Flexibility of work schedule
• Work culture
• Company stability
• Opportunity for advancement
• Level of responsiblity 

These factors can really make or break the decision on whether taking a certain job is the right choice for you. I feel that the most important thing when looking for a job should be the stability of the company. This is mainly because the economy has been hot and cold. The last thing to look for is the work culture because that should not be the determining factor. 


Tips such as the ones listed above can be viewed on All Star Resume's blog. They are very helpful for anyone who is looking for a job or career.

Keep your fingers crossed for my dad! I feel like everything that has happened, he truly deserves a decent job.


References: 


Burt, Erin. "How to choose the right job". kiplinger. 19 Apr 2007. Web. 23 Apr 2012. 

Potential Sources

Since last week I forgot to post my sources for my paper, I am posting them now.


One of my sources for my paper is from Credit & Debt Management, this is one of my sources because the first thing someone who wonders when they become unemployed is how to manage their finances. This article gives tips on ways to avoid losing control upon becoming unemployed. 


Another source I choose was from Wise Bread. This article made unemployment seem like a way of life and nothing to be ashamed of. The tips in the article can not only be applied to someone who is unemployed but also someone who lives on a budget. Not everyone lives comfortably. 


Even though this is not an article, I wanted to see what VA Unemployment Benefits included and how someone goes about filing for unemployment. this website can calculate your benefits and also how long someone can claim such benefits. This web page could help someone decided if they want to file for unemployment or just continue job searching.


My last source is Unemployment Rates in the United States. I picked this source because every state is different financially and depending on where you live, that could affect how difficult it may be to find a job. Virginia thankfully did not make the top 10 for this websites statistics.

Moving Away

Being at a community college, we as student do really miss out on a lot of "college experiences". I have nothing against NOVA and I feel that going here my freshman year was a smart idea financially. After much debate I realized that living as home is not how I ever pictured my college experience. With that said, I have decided that transferring this upcoming year might be a good idea for me (Truth Exposed Pub). 


The only problem is I'm terrified to tell my mom. She puts so much pressure on me to get my associates at NOVA then transfer to a 4 year university. I understand money is tight and no one wants to take out loans but honestly I know for me I'm only hurting myself if I continue to stay at home. 


After speaking to an adviser, She gave me great advice on how to go about transferring and getting grants and scholarships. I know I would never transfer if in the end I"ll be drowning in debt but with the amount of schools in Virginia, I am bound to find a school that is financially manageable. 


Community does have many advantages for most students who are unsure of their major or what school they really want to go to. Plus at most community colleges, students have the comfort of living at home where they feel the safest (Zimmerman). Another positive about community college is that most students can still maintain a part-time job, which makes it easier to save money.


However, It is not for everyone. It takes a lot to watch everyone you know go off to school while you stay home. In a sense I feel like I haven't really done anything since graduation.


Starting this week, I will be applying to a few schools. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. Once I receive letters, I'll tell my mom only because I may not transfer this upcoming fall and there is no need to worry that old woman. Wish me luck!


References:

Truth Exposed Pub Staff. (n.d.). Hot Pages. Retrieved Feb 2012, 2012, from Truth Exposed Pub. 

Zimmerman, B. (2008, Sept 12). Community College Rising in Popularity. Retrieved Feb 20, 2012, from NuWire Investor.

Want or Need?

For some, it can be hard to determine what a need and want are. We also sometimes confuse the fact that a need is something you cannot live without. For example this includes food and shelter. A want may include wanting an ice cream for dessert or a t.v. which is used solely for entertainment (Art Today).


Being a full time student, I feel that I need a laptop but the want includes what type of laptop I purchase. My family does share 1 laptop between four people, it can be very frustrating and difficult and find a time when it is available. 


This brought me to thinking how much easier school could be if I purchased my own laptop. Some reasons why I decided this was a good idea include:

• Laptops are portable, which means I do not have to be home in order to do my homework. 
• By owning my own, I do not have to worry about files being deleted or my younger brother allowing a virus on the laptop.
• With the laptop, I could not have to worry about finding an open seat in the computer lab, or the printers not working when it is needed most.
• Its an investment, Laptops can last for years and knowing I plan to transfer soon, I'll need something so I do not have to rely on others.

Thankfully I have been saving money for a laptop for quite some time and I also receive my unused FASFA money every semester. My main concern with purchasing something so pricey is the risk of something happening to it and also my family does not understand boundaries.

Even though I love my family, They have the worst luck with an electronic device, Especially my father. I'd love to know if I should stick it out through this semester by sharing or use my FASFA check to buy myself a laptop. 

Even though money is very tight, sometimes It is needed to spend a little in order to get a lot in return which I see as my education.

References:

White, David. Want Vs. Need: Basic Economics. Art Today. 2001-2002. Web 12 Feb 2012.

Magic of Macys

For anyone who works in retail can understand when I say, Its impossible to get a day off wether it's a weekday or weekend. Unfortunately for me, last week I came down with the flu and I had to take off. I work at Macys, which I believe does have a strict attendance policy. 

For those who don't know how Macys works, We operate on a point system. For every day you clock in or out early by 15 minutes, you lose half a point. For missing a weekday shift, its a point and finally missing a weekend shift or a sale day its 2 points. 

Being that I am still considered new, I was only given 3 points after almost 5 months of working there. What bothers me the most is that I couldn't afford to call out for two main reasons. 

1. Missing even a shift at Macys would take away my gas money for the week or my gym payment.

2. If I was to call out, I not only lose points but It also takes a month just to earn 1 point back. 

Thankfully I managed to at least go to my weekday shifts. After visiting the doctor friday, I was forced to bed rest until monday morning. Unfortunately I wasn't able to work saturday therefore I lost points for having the flu.

My main problem with this is, how can you punish someone for being sick? 

After looking through Retail-Worker, I have realized I am not the only one who finds the "point system" a tad bit outrageous.

Does anyone in retail have similar ways of operating?

Stressed?

My mom has always told me that stress really does affect your health. Unemployment definitely can cause a lot of stress. This also can stress out other family members or friends. Considering when you are unemployment the last thing you want to spend is extra money on medical bills, I decided to see if any form of stress can failure in health.

After looking through a few different medical pages, it brought of a few terms I remembered seeing in high school. One was the "fight or flight" reaction. For those who don't know what that means, its the body's natural alarm system. In the sympathetic nervous system, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol.

Adrenaline increases the heart rate, blood pressure and boosts your energy supply (Mayo Clinic). Cortisol handles the nonessential functions of the body which includes the digestive system, and growth processes. The fight or flight reaction is only meant for short periods of time.

Many medical risks that come along with a long period of time of stress-response system include the following:

• Sleep problems
• Heart Disease
• Depression
• Digestive problems
• Obesity 
• Memory impairment
• Skin Conditions (ex. Eczema) 

None the risks listed above sound pleasing to anyone nor would anyone want to endure them if they can easily be prevented. I feel that next time I would like to discuss ways to relive stress. 

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Stress Management." Mayoclinic.com. N.P. 11 Sept 2010. Web. 6 Feb 2012.

Neimark, Neil. "Flight Or Fight Response." Thebodysoulconnection.com  N.P. Web. 6 Feb 2012. 

Way To Save

The economy is tight and almost everyone is finding ways adjusting to these changes. Including unemployment, providing the basic needs can be challenging. With my family, I constantly worry about if we can even afford rent or bills. Week after week I have tried to offer to pay for a bill or groceries. Every time I ask, the answer is always no. This is why I decided to find ways for me to be smart with my money and spend less.

Therefore I decided to list things I'm cutting back on:

1. Limit eating out to once a week, This even includes snacks at campus. I figured that would be unneeded spending considering I can simply bring a snack from home.

2. Limit clothes shopping to basic needs and not wants. Of course I will always want more then I have, most people are similar in that sense.

3. Find alternative ways to getting around. Gas prices have become a tad bit too expensive for meaningless drives.

4. Instead of going out to the movies, rent a movie from Redbox, Blockbuster or even a movie you have within your household.

5. Drinking less soda and Starbucks. I am definitely a caffeine addict and unfortunately I do get horrible headaches when I do not obtain caffeine but for the sake of saving over $20 a week, I feel this is a much needed cut back.

Even though I work two jobs, I beginning that saving my money is one of the smartest decisions. I say this because I never know when I could be laid off or fired from a job. And the uncertainty of this economy is the only motivation I need because my family's current situation.

Advice on saving and cutbacks was taken from 101 Ways To Save Blog.