Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Mr. Struggle is at a job interview as I write this. Actually, he is speaking with the human resources manager at the company where he already works his part-time job, so hopefully they are looking at him as a candidate for a full-time job. He has applied online to several openings there over the years, only to be ignored. This time, about three weeks ago, he took his résumé in and dropped it off at the front desk, asking the receptionist to pass it on to human resources. They called just yesterday to schedule the interview, not mentioning a specific job, just his “future with the company.” We have been told they’re hiring, and so are hoping for good news.
We had more good news already today: unemployment was finally approved and a deposit was made into our bank account, covering the previous weeks. It has been seven weeks since Mr. Struggle first filed. We were told his former employer never completed the required paperwork, which caused the delay.
Miss Struggle2 is out-of-town this week with friends, but when we last talked she had not heard back from her job interview for the half-time teaching position she wanted. I encouraged her to place a follow-up call, but don’t know whether she has. She is now debating the idea of taking a daycare position where some friends are working (which would have benefits) vs. substitute teaching at nearby public schools in hopes of being offered a permanent position when something opens. I am leaning toward the second choice, with the idea that at least she will be making contacts at the schools where she wants to work. Besides the obvious networking benefits, I think that would look better on her résumé than the daycare job.
Struggle, Jr. is counseling at camp again this week. They seem to like him and asked him back for a second stint when they realized they were short one counselor for the boys enrolled this session. We drove him there on Saturday, figuring the gasoline to get there and back would cost no more than the food he would have consumed were he here at home. It was a nice day-trip and we needed a break from the stress. Besides, one of the jobs Mr. S has applied for is related, and so we were able to use the trip to do some scouting and networking.
We have not heard anything from the university. Mr. Struggle placed a call yesterday and once again, was handed off to an answering machine in the financial aid department. In the meantime, the state has granted a last-minute tuition increase and the bill for the fall semester has gone up by another $300. (They did this last year, too---don’t you love it!) Struggle Jr. is supposed to be moving into the dorm early next week, so we are getting down to the wire.
Last week, I paid bills but didn’t post the numbers because it was too nerve-wracking to face it. This week, I am calmer. Not only have we received the unemployment today, but yesterday we received a generous check from some close relatives who volunteered to help. So here is the update:
Carry-over balance: $1866.64
Deposits: $169. 53 part-time job
21.76 residual income (online writing projects)
.04 interest on checking
500.00 gift
1868.00 unemployment back-pay
Bills paid: $1087.25 mortgage
233.00 power bill
25.00 Visa
67.73 phone/internet
174.00 car payment
Other expenses:
$116.87 food
84.42 gasoline
13.00 haircut
20.99 back-to-school supplies
8.81 job interview clothing (thrift store)
10.98 birthday present for Struggle, Jr.
Current balance: $2576.22
Now that we have some income, we will have to sit down and decide what to do with it, especially what to do with that outstanding medical bill. Mr. Struggle called about it again today, and was told that it would need to be paid within six months to keep it out of collections. While we would love to pay it all off entirely, we don’t dare until we see how much the university wants for fall semester.
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