Or something.
No email from the prospective employer I contacted through Craigslist last week. If it were me advertising, I'd at least send a 'don't bother, you're not what we're looking for, loser.' letter. You know, as a courtesy.
No call from the day-care-I'm-not-at-all-sure-I-want-to-work-for-anyway. Although according to the person I spoke to, they're going to be conducting interviews in the next two weeks. It's only been one week since I was over there.
The ads are sparse. The state employment department website has very little I'm qualified for or want to do. The 'award-winning' imatch Skills hasn't matched me with much of anything either.
Eric still has a job.
So do I.
But I want a better one. I feel nervous about the future.
My job is tied to the public school schedule. I only work about 22 hours a week... except when there are school breaks. Then, I don't get to work at all.
So next week I'll be off work. This will be good on Tuesday when I go to the bus stop to pick up my baby, though. It's very strange to have her gone this long. I really, really miss having her around.
I always have lofty goals about getting things done around the house, when I have a little time. I've been doing quite a bit lately. It's starting to look better.
I do like having the time off. I'll be cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner, although I don't like turkey and it doesn't like me, either.
But I'm stressing over Christmas a little. We only buy for the kids, and they're not picky, but I'm sort of torn between buying now before something happens and we don't have the money or waiting and possibly not having the money.
I have more stress when I consider where we are financially, too. I don't regret our choices over the last 20 years or so, I am glad I was able to stay home and take care of children/homeschool/do scouting. But living on one income for that amount of time plays hell with any sort of retirement plan, savings... well, I'm sure most of the people who read my blog can sing the same song I'm wailing right now, huh?
Hmph. I know that things aren't all that bad for us, and I do appreciate what I have. We've been lucky so far for sure. I'm just... apprehensive.
Am I the only one? Do any of the rest of you gaze into the future and get a little nervous?
I just put on blinders when it comes our financial future. I keep with my mantra of we've done just fine for 26 years, we will keep doing so. Of course, I figure I will be writing up until the day I die anyway--no retirement for this woman. Good thing I like my job then, eh?
ReplyDeleteOh, Ami, you are not alone. "If it were me advertising, I'd at least send a 'don't bother, you're not what we're looking for, loser.' letter. You know, as a courtesy." I've had the same experience with the online job applications. It's not you, or your qualifications, it's the total lack of professionalism, concern, engagement and perhaps (in their defense) resources to provide even so much as an automated acknowledgment; "This is an automated response to at least let you know your application/resume has been received. Don't call us, we'll call you". A number of friends and I are refugees from high-tech; we're all graduate-level degreed, 20-30 years of experience and well qualified for the positions we're applying for. In my case all but two of my online apps dropped into a huge, echoing bucket of no-response. The two that did respond were form letters but at least they were responses! And by the way, the job I did eventually get was from an online application but to a reputable institution with a very clearly defined and explained application/response process. I make 25% of what I did in high tech but enjoy what I do and have good benefits. Every month I put away SOMETHING toward retirement but right now that's $10-25 going into a regular savings account to protect it from the market.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for looking into the future with trepidation: DH and I just watched our 401-Ks drop to pre-1990 levels. Until this year we were within 10 years of retirement. Now, er, we're not counting on it. We're fortunate to have very little debt beyond our home, and a little bit of land to support a good-sized garden so I'm not worried about whether we'll eat. But I'm still worried about the future. If either of us loses our job we're in a pretty serious situation.
We are in a pretty good position, but well, the way things are going, yes, I'm a bit nervous. But generally I can handle it pretty well. :)
ReplyDeleteHang in there. And don't be surprised about the craigslist employers. Can you imagine how many tons of e-mails they get from jobseekers? But yes, I agree with you... a quick thanks but no thanks would really help.
I was just reading a post on IttyBiz last night: http://ittybiz.com/why-were-broke/ It's a website that sells some Be An Online Business Owner program, but the advice was still great. Diversify in order to avoid the panic of limited income. I've been thinking about it ever since, because I'm constantly worried about the What If's.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I refuse to look down that "future tunnel" for fear of what I'll. Because of staying home or the last 16 years, I have nothing saved for retirement. My parents had nothing, either, so I don't for see getting to save anything anytime soon, as I'm supporting them now, as well as myself and my kids.
ReplyDeleteonly all the time. as you know, our life kind of sucks right now, besides the gorgeous thing sleeping through the god awful music the arseholes upstairs are blasting so that our whole apartment shakes..sigh. we've paid out so much in downpayments and fees and this and that that my head spins. christmas will come, but it may end up on credit. even though we had $500 saved. that happens when you move twice and have a baby. son of a....
ReplyDeleteI hear ya 100%!
ReplyDeleteACK, we won't even buy a house for another 16 years, if Ian does 30. The boys will be 28, 25, and 18. We do put money in our TSP (military equivalent of a 401K) but with the market we are not holding our breath. College for 3 kids, braces, and the myriad of other expenses have me worried. Once I complete grad school I will have to work full time. I am hoping and praying I can get a job as an on line professor. Now that would be funny! At least Ian will collect retirement from the Navy.
ReplyDelete