Friday, July 08, 2011
We received the severance check from Mr. Struggle’s former employer this week: one week’s pay and a remaining vacation week. They did not take health insurance out of this check, since they elected to cut off our benefits as of the day of termination. So at least the check was a bit higher than normal, which will come in handy. Most of the friends we have shared this with cannot believe the stinginess of this company. Many have told us they will never do business there again---I know I never will.
We have decided to buy a short-term medical policy just before the COBRA sign up period is over. It will probably be a true catastrophic-care only policy, without coverage for doctor visits or prescription drugs, but we rarely go to the doctor anyway, except for routine check-ups. I am more worried about dental emergencies, but I think I can find a low-cost clinic here in town, should anything happen to the tooth my dentist was keeping a watch on.
We have been diligently sending out résumés and job applications, almost to the point of obsession. Mr. Struggle has started to get some nibbles, and has had two job interviews this week, and a telephone interview set up for tomorrow. Unfortunately, they are not our top choices of the jobs he has applied for, but then I guess you can’t really be picky in this economy. We still don’t even know whether unemployment has been approved. I’m trying hard not to imagine how that scenario might play out.
I haven’t heard back from any of my applications, but that doesn’t surprise me since I have such a sketchy job history, having spent most of the past decade at home raising children, and only working an occasional part-time job.
We finally got in touch with a live person in the financial aid office at Struggle, Jr.’s university today. They have promised to send us paperwork so that we can appeal for additional financial aid.
I sat down and paid the bills just yesterday, making a point not to send extra money on the Visa bill or the financed oven. We received the long-awaited dental bill and we did go ahead and pay it entirely, rather than break it down into payments. We also collected car insurance money from each of the girls, since that bill was due.
Here’s the breakdown:
Carryover balance: $1886.33
Income: $ 2016.40 final check from full-time job
127.15 part-time check (minus day-off for July 4th holiday)
40.00 car insurance money from Ms. Struggle2 (one month)
60.00 car insurance money from Ms. Struggle1 (two months)
Expenses: 14.00 stamps and shipping
60.18 gasoline
118.43 groceries
397.93 auto insurance (two months)
1087.25 mortgage
67.32 phone (landline) and internet
50.00 oven payment
79.40 dental bill
50.00 Visa payment
Remaining balance: $2204.63
The postage was for a book of stamps, a required paper copy of a job application and a package sent to Struggle, Jr., who is counseling at church camp and has decided to stay an extra week. It doesn’t cost any money, and since they will be feeding him another week, it will help out on the grocery bill. I also figure there’s not much sense in him coming home to look for work; he’s not likely to be hired with only a few weeks left before he returns to college.
The Visa bill wasn’t actually due, since I always pay a month early. I thought about not sending anything and just letting the interest accrue, but Mr. Struggle pointed out that we have the money now and we can always use the card to buy groceries later, should we run short of cash. It just irritates me not to be able to pay it all off, as I had planned to do this month.
I was wondering whether any of my readers has any insight into how long it usually takes to be approved for unemployment benefits? Surely the employer is given a deadline for returning the required forms. Sure would be nice to have an answer……..and an income!
