Yes, It's That Bad

I had an excuse for nearly a year. I was recovering from major spinal surgery. Now that I am ready to get back into the work force, there is not a work force to get back into. I went through unemployment and was entitled to a measly $98 a week. That's not even groceries, but I get it, it is based an what you earned previously. With that said, I went about applying to different laces that fit my personality. Whack and in the public's eye. Sit behind a desk or in a cubicle...just shoot me. But I finally got hired by a demonstration company that is basically the middle man between Company 'A' and Walmart. I just hand out said product for Company 'A'.

But once I got hired I did not receive the hours that were promised me. My manager kept blowing smoke up my skirt but those lowly one day a week hours were not paying the bills. I was never looking for full time, for I love being a home maker. But for right now, I need to help out and get our finances righted. That should take a good 2-3 years. then we will see if I can take it easy and concentrate on my home again. But until that time arrives, the daily grind is my new best friend.

Once I realized that the hours would not be flowing in my direction, my husband said I needed to keep applying to different companies, keeping the job I had until something better came along. So I did just that. I set out filling out more applications to places I would best be suited. But in thee interim I told a dear friend to keep her ear to the ground for any job she may hear about. She informed me that a friend of hers worked for a high profile deli meat company and that he was hiring. She informed me should get in touch with him and see what the deal was. She did and he was not hiring. Not to worry I said, just keep me in mind.

Well about the beginning of July I get a call from my friend and she said the Deli man was now hiring, to give him a call. It was late and I do not like to cut in on peoples time when they are at home, unless it is a necessity. I got in touch with Deli man the next day and I had myself a job, but I would not be officially hired until mid-August. If that was all right with me, I had a job. I could wait, I would just hold on to my piddly little one day a week job until that time.

Well, I had forgotten I had filled out applications in between the time Deli man called and the time I knew I had to get a better paying job. So when I saw there was a call from one of the places I applied to, I kind of got nervous. Hubby said call Deli man to make 100% sure you had a job and explain to him why you were calling. Again assured me I had a job, but the paperwork would not take place until the date we had agreed upon. Whew!

I will be working for a reputable company and getting decent hours. It will not interfere with my homeschooling cooking class, so all is right as rain. But do not be fooled by my optimism, thee economy is still on the downside and looking grimmer all the time. That is why I may not truly want to promote meat (being a vegetarian and all) but it is a job. And until something comes along that is more fitting to my lifestyle, this where my buttocks will be parked.

But here are 9 signs that our economy is not doing as well as we are being led to believe:

One. June's total included 185,000 people who were assumed to be at work, many of whom probably were not. The government could not identify them; it made an assumption about trends. But many of the mythical jobs are in industries that have absolutely no job creation: finance, for example. When the official numbers are adjusted over the next several months, look to some of the 185,000 boosting the unemployment totals.

Two. More companies are asking employees to take unpaid leave. These people don't count on the unemployment roll.

Three. No fewer than 1.4 million people wanted or were available for work in the past 12 months. They were not counted. Why? Because they hadn't searched for work in the four weeks preceding the survey. The assumption is that they had found work or don't want it, but there are other explanations: school attendance, family responsibilities, sheer exhaustion.

Four. The number of workers taking part-time jobs because of the slack economy, a kind of stealth underemployment, has doubled in this recession to about 9 million, or 5.8 percent of the workforce. Add those whose hours have been cut to those who cannot find a full-time job, and the total of unemployed and underemployed rises to 16.5 percent, putting the number of involuntarily idle workers in the range of an overwhelming 25 million.

Five. The inside numbers are just as bad. The average workweek for production and non supervisory private-sector employees, around 80 percent of the workforce, dropped to 33 hours. That's 48 minutes a week less than before the recession began, the lowest level of activity since the government began tracking such data 45 years ago. Full-time workers are being downgraded to part time as businesses slash labor costs to remain above water and factories operate at only 65 percent of capacity. If American workers were still putting in those extra 48 minutes a week now, 3.3 million fewer employees could perform the same aggregate amount of work. With a longer workweek, the unemployment rate would reach 11.7 percent, not the official 9.5 percent (which in turn dramatically exceeds the 8 percent rate projected by the Obama administration).

Six. The average length of official unemployment increased to 24.5 weeks. This is the longest term since the government started to track these data in 1948. The number of long-term unemployed (those out of a job for 27 weeks or more) has now jumped to 4.4 million, an all-time high.

Seven. The average worker saw no wage gains in June, with average compensation running flat at $18.53 an hour.

Eight. The jobs report is even uglier when you consider that the sector producing goods is losing the most jobs--223,000 in the last report alone.

Nine. The prospects for job creation are equally distressing. The likelihood is that when economic activity picks up, employers will first choose to increase hours for existing workers and bring part-time workers to full-time status.

I hope everyone is doing well and not struggling like we are. I am a happy person, and my personal life could not be any better, even with our financial disarray, but I look forward to the day that I am not borrowing, every single month half of my mortgage from my in-laws, just to keep a roof over my head.

The Story of Stuff

For those of you who have been around a little longer than others, your first thought when you hear the word 'stuff' is George Carlin. And truth be told, you are not too far off base. I got to see George Carlin in concert over 20 years ago when he had cleaned up his act. And I was glad we saw him then. Yes there was swearing, but it was kept to a minimum. And guess what, his 'stuff' was still funny.

Take a look at George Carlin's take on Stuff. There is some mild profanity. So if you still want to take a gander, tell the kiddies to go elsewhere.

Carlin's Stuff

Yes, he makes it seem oh so funny. But there is a down side to stuff. And I for one am ready to rid my life of my 'stuff' that I am not using. I have blogged about Free Cycle before and love it. Do I use it all the time? No. But it is there for me to use if necessary. One of the main objectives to Free cycle is to keep things out of our landfills. And I for one on that bandwagon. I love this new word I am discovering and how it can apply to my life. When I am dead and gone, what will people say about me? To me, at least, it is very important. I want people to say, even if they think I am whack about it, that I did everything I could to help Mother Earth be a bit healthier. Even though those greedy capitalists think I should have a new computer every six months.

I want to make life simpler, not have to sit and look at 'stuff' I have and that doesn't get used. Save for seasonal holiday 'stuff' I want to rid my life of 'stuff' that is sitting here, in my home taking up space. And it's not that I want to get rid of it to bring in new 'stuff', it's just that I don't want it around any longer.

I look at my parent's for example and their 'stuff' has 'stuff'. That can't be good. And I remember a long time ago that someone once told me that if you have not used something in a years time, then you obviously don't need it. And I will give that person that, but there are some exceptions to that rule. Emergency items, like a generator, especially if you live in Hurricane Central, and items that would lend assistance in an emergency. For each region of our country it would be something different. But we all know what our emergency necessities are and I will leave it at that.

The kind of stuff I am referring to is the stuff (and I sat in my TV room as I bring up this point) is the stuff me purchase and then let fall by the wayside, in a manner of speaking. I have a pretty set number of CD's I listen to. Let's use the number 25 as an example. I have a CD carrying case in my vehicle and I rotate those same tried and true CD's. I cannot remember the last time I purchased a new CD and I am all right with that. For why should I by more stuff, just to say I have more stuff? Do you think the person I am conversing with is really, truly impressed that I got the latest CD. DVD , computer, kitchen gadget...? No, they are not. They are most more than likely annoyed at the fact that I feel thee undesirable need to shove it in their face every chance I get, so why bother.

So, in looking at my entertainment set (And reading my borrowed Ishmael book) I knew right then, that I wanted to make it a top priority to rid my home, and moreso, my life of 'stuff', also known as clutter.

To see the dynamics of what stuff is doing to us and our planet, please take a look at this short video. It is about 20 minutes or so, but well worth the watch. I've only had in my bookmarks for about a year. And whilst deleting websites I knew I did not or would not visit, I thought it appropriate to finally take a see what this woman, Annie Leonard had to say about stuff. She makes the viewing worth your while. It is semi-animated, but she does not talk to you like you are a child. And for the most part, these were things I knew about but needed a gentle reminder and a less gentle nudging to get off my backside and make a difference.

I am not looking to change, the world. All right, yes I am, but I can only do so much and I am fine with that. But there is a saying that keeps coming back in many references I speak about lately and it goes like this, "How does and ant eat an elephant?...One bite at a time."

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

Save Our Landfills

I am concerned about our Mother...Mother Earth that is. And I am doing everything in my power to see to it that she stays healthy. If she were to come to me on my death bed ask what I did for her, I have a list. So I feel confident that I am doing all I possibly can to keep her at her best.

And one way of doing that is by keeping unwanted items out of the landfills. I have found a way to help us all out. Join Free Cycle. Think of it as an on line sort of garage sale, minus the money exchange. You are there to offer items you no longer want, or are replacing. For instance:

Offer: Working, automatic drip coffee maker with a bit of the protective layer coming off on the warmer
Offer: Women's clothes, size 8-10
or
Wanted: Box of pencils
Wanted: Cloth napkins

You see where I am coming from. What you no longer want is what someone else is in need of. Trust me, I have already gotten rid of 2 five gallon painter style buckets so someone could make their own tomato planters. And my husband just cleaned out his closet for he has lost 25 pounds and needed to lighten the load in his closet. So why not help out a fellow man/woman.

I put these items on the Yahoo Group I belong to for my part of town and they were snatched up within 24 hours. So go check them out and see what they have to offer you. If I may make a suggestion. If you do join a Yahoo Group, sign up for the daily digest for if not you 'will' be bombarded with anywhere from 10-3- Emails per day...no joke. And I am guessing bigger cities it could be way worse.

I love this new found way of exchanging items and helping out where we can. Try them and see what you think.

Buddy Can You Spare A Dime

Well I am glad I vented about things I could not find to write about, for now I have one. The Bailout that the U.S. is considering for the automakers of this great nation of ours and the bigger picture...should we?

I am by no means a political analyst and wish to the stars above I was more versed in our governments political structure and its inner workings. That aside, I am not sure I want my money to go and help out a company where its top dogs are by no means hurting.

Are these CEO's taking a calculator to the grocery store so they do not go over their $75 a week budget for a family of 4? I think not. Are they having meatless meals (Not that that is a bad thing, for if you a vegetarian, that is a way of life *plug completely intended)? I think not. Are they letting go of the Hummer that may be sitting in their 4 car garage? I think not. Do they plan their day trips so that all errands are done in one day as not to help the gas gauge stay as far away from the "E" as possible? I think not. And yet they came to Washington on huge company jets with a tin cup in their hands. What is wrong with this picture?

So why are we bailing these people out when you know their spending practices, whether it be for business or personal will not change. Should not their practices reflect as if they were dealing with someone else's money...oh yeah they are, their employees pensions. Step away from the pension funds, nice and slow like.

But how can we expect the government and or these big corporations get their spending under control when we as Americans are a society that is charged to the max. Take a moment and think about your own personal lifestyle and see what you could lose, get rid of, let go or give away and live without. I am guessing lots. But we have spouses, and children who would pitch a fit if we say, let go of cable, cell phones (blackberries, and such forth and do I really want to read my Email on a 2 inch screen?), gas guzzling SUV's, 78 music CD's that only about 17 really get listened to. The list goes on. There is a fine line between what we need and what we want and many people have blurred that line.

We have recently let go of our credit cards and not by choice. But I will tell you this. I will never have a credit card as long as I live. And if you one of the skeptics who thinks you cannot live without a thin piece of plastic, then you have not been introduced to Dave Ramsey. If you have not listened to or heard of him, may I make a suggestion? Do so. He speaks truths you would not believe. And I am unable to implement much of what he says to for we are a single income family right now, struggling to keep our home. But as soon as I am able to get back to work, I will be working on gaining my financial freedom.

But who is to be thee example, the general population or our government. Credit cards is a big business. And if the American public begins to see the light and realizes what a scam they are then what would we do, what would they do, they referring to the credit card giants? I am guessing there are enough unsuspecting folks out there who still feel that living on borrowed cash is just fine and dandy...well I don't. At least not any longer. And I am spreading the word of Dave Ramsey. He does not say you will be out of debt in one or even two paychecks. He also says it will be a difficult road. We did not get in debt over night, we will not get out of debt overnight.

Take the time if you have it. And if not rent his audio books from the library, and if the library does not carry them, then request it. I have listened to his entire book via the audio books and am now listening to The China Study the same way. I am in my car quite a bit, why not utilize that time. Why not educate yourself anyway you possibly can. Take what you like and leave the rest.

For someone who had nothing to say 2 days ago I seemed to have found something to rant about. I hope you all rethink how you/we as a whole handle the money that comes through our hands and what we are doing with it.

Stuck In A Loop

It has been nearly 2 weeks since I have posted...about anything. I sit here looking at the screen and I get zip, nada, nothing, zilch. You get my meaning. Now, for those of you who know me, I am hardly if ever at a loss for words. But nothing and I mean nothing has inspired me here of late. What is wrong with me. Life is going as well as can be expected. I am getting better every day. I am eating healthy, feeling good in general, so why can't I think of one blessed thing to put to cyber paper?

I skim my regular blogs, hoping something you people post about will jolt me into something, but I still get a big fat zero. I love writing, this is why I stared my blog in the first place. OK, to be totally hones,t it's all Permissions fault. She is the one who twisted my arm into getting this blog going. And here I am, nearly 8 months later. I love writing, and reading what is going on in other peoples lives.

There are times when I begin to get a little bluesy about my life, then I read about a small tragedy some other blogger is going through and then I put away my pity potty. I just want to be inspired again. I want to stop peeling potatoes for the evenings dinner so I can at least get a draft going. But that is not happening. I know of writers block, and I know it is a very real thing. But to me?! You have got to be kidding. And yet here I am trying to figure out what I am passionate about enough to make it blog worthy.

There is the new President Elect. I will wait to see what he does before bashing or praising him. There is thee economy. I will wait to see if I get a job or not to see if I feel the economy is heading up or spiraling out of control. There are the impending government bailouts. Now there is something I just may be able to sink my teeth into. Don't even get me started on those guys. See, here I go. I am getting fired up just typing now. So I think I have struck a vein and now need to go and see what I can dig up on these poor CEO's who are in need of a dime. Buddy, I can't spare one.

Feeling the Pinch

Well, it has finally caught up with us. Yes, I am referring to the crunch of trying to live on one income. We are barely one step ahead of the foreclosure proceedings. I was downsized about 6 weeks ago, one hour before I was to punch the time clock. I knew the minute I saw my bosses wife's phone number that it was going to be one of two things. Either come to work early or don't bother coming in. It was the latter.

So we did what any hard-working family would do, look for another job. My husband cannot get a second job. He works for Publix Supermarket and when you are full time with them, you are theirs for life. Someone tell me how you can survive on the salary they dish out. Oh yeah that's right, you have to have a two income family. Well what about those families who want to stay home and do something new and different, like raising their children, instead of letting some daycare do it for them. Those families are the ones who are suffering.

I am lucky in the fact that my children are older and do not need to be babysat like toddlers. But my disadvantage is that my 19 year old son still does not drive. So if I don't drive him to work my in-laws will pick up the slack. But two things, they have a life of their own and they will not be here forever. So if I am to get a job...and keep it, I would need one that is flexible and willing to bend if needed. Not all employers are that willing. You are being hired to work, not work your schedule around your life, you knew the rules when you got hired, and they would be right.

I just want to find a job that pays enough to pay my bills. I am used to not having much more than what is necessary to survive on, but I would like a little cushion. The financial experts tell you that you should have 2 months of all your bills set aside for emergencies. HAH! I laugh in the face of these experts. I just want to get to the end of the month and have everything paid and food on my table, nothing more...nothing less.

Being homeschoolers and gas rounding out the $4 mark, we are not becoming literal homeschoolers. We leave the house rarely and when we do there are a few errands tacked on to each car ride. We all do what we have to do. I just want to be able to survive without the stress of wondering if the bank will be knocking on our door.