Hanging In There

Saturday,  October 29, 2011

That’s how I answer when anyone asks how we’re doing.  We’re hanging in there.  We are still unemployed, and still job hunting.  We are still pinching pennies and worrying about money.  We are still making do with a ridiculously inferior health insurance policy and praying that we don’t get sick.  We are still living life in limbo.  Over four months, now.

Actually, I do have a bit of a job---contract work for the unemployment support group we have joined.  I am being paid to update the group mailing list and am also doing some of their newsletter / social media updates on a volunteer basis. This will help me fill in the gap on my resume, develop some new references, and give me some practice using software programs I had long forgotten.  Not to mention the pay will be very much appreciated.

Mr.  Struggle is still snagging an interview about every other week.  There are always several jobs in the pipeline, but they never pan out when he follows up on them.  His most recent interview, just yesterday, doesn’t look too promising: a company that has been foundering and has recently been sold, a guarantee of being asked to move not once, but at least twice, a six-day work week and a salary at least a third less than he is used to earning.  Still, we would consider the job if the company offered to pay relocation expenses, but that doesn’t sound at all likely.  I guess we'll decide when, and if, an offer comes.

We have signed up to volunteer at our local university hospital, in the hopes of learning some new skills and making some connections there, and possibly finding work.  We hope to start next month, after our interviews, health screenings and papers have been processed.  A friend  who volunteers there told me she was offered a temp job before her first day, but had to turn it down because she was afraid it would negatively affect her unemployment benefits. 

As to the finances: things have been a bit hairy.  We received an updated FAFSA saying we qualified for quite a bit more financial aid to help pay our son’s tuition at university. While waiting to hear from the university itself, we made the mistake of paying off the oven, replacing the slick tires on my minivan, and sending extra money to the doctor and to Visa. Once the checks were in the mail, we finally managed to speak to someone at the university, who confirmed that we did qualify for more aid, but unfortunately, their funds were depleted at this time of year, so we would need to pay the original amount.   In other words, we’ve been waiting since late June for absolutely nothing!  We sent the tuition  to make sure it arrived by the deadline, and were down to only $8.00 in our checking account until the next unemployment check came.  

The only reason we were able to pay the university without dipping into savings was that our application for the federal foreclosure prevention program was approved and went into effect this month.  We signed papers for a zero-percent loan, and the state agency actually made our mortgage payment this month, including taxes, insurance, and even our home equity loan payment.  This loan doesn’t have to be repaid until you sell your house, and is forgiven entirely if you stay in the house ten years.  We decided it was a better deal than taking money out of our retirement funds and paying a penalty and taxes on the withdrawal.  Even though we hated to borrow against the house, we have lived here many years and we will not be “underwater,” as so many homeowners are today.  The program can pay our mortgage for ten months, or can be cut off as soon as we find jobs.

I calculated that we spent almost the same on gasoline as we did on groceries last month---just over $300 for each category.  That was food for three, since Miss Struggle2 is still living with us, but of course she pays for her own gasoline separately.  She is also paying some “rent” as of this month, just a little, but enough to help with the extra food and utilities.  She will also begin making payments on her student loans as of next month.  Struggle, Jr., on the other hand, may require a bit of allowance to get him through the semester, as his bank account is getting dangerously low.  He isn’t working this semester, but is interning at the student newspaper and has been promised a paid position after Christmas.  Most of the campus jobs went to earlier applicants who qualified for work-study jobs.  At that time, we were well above those income limits.

I made a bunch of holiday crafts and rented a booth at the local flea market several weeks ago.  Unfortunately, the only things that sold were some old paperback books of Mr. Struggle’s, and some old shoes Miss Struggle2 donated. Maybe it was too early for people to be thinking of holiday décor, or maybe this was just the wrong venue.  The folks at this particular flea market seemed to be more interested in tattoos, biker helmets, knives and tobacco.  I probably need to try a church bazaar before I give up completely.  Of course, I'm wondering, too, if this time wouldn't be more productive if spent filling out job applications.

                                   

Middle-Class Struggle: A Possible Job Offer?

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I’m on pins and needles: Mr. Struggle just left for a job interview.  This interview is actually for a promotion to a full-time position, at the company where he has moonlighted for over four years.  It is basically placing orders, merchandising and stocking for a large, national company that distributes to retailers.  The job wouldn’t pay nearly what he was making before, but there is great growth potential, it is nearly stress-free, and the hours are fantastic compared to what he’s worked before in his previous positions as a salaried manager.  

Because this is a corporate environment, there are benefits available that had eroded at Mr. Struggle’s previous job (small business), such as a company match on retirement, and medical insurance with a reasonable deductible. It would put my mind at ease to know we could afford medical care again, should any of us need it!

We have had a long stretch of nothing---no responses from previous job interviews, followed by several days of bad news: disheartening newspaper reports of company mergers and layoffs at companies where Mr. S. had just interviewed, as well as a rejection or two from jobs for which he was extremely well qualified.  We also have had no news at all from two or three fantastic jobs that Mr. S has applied to, and are getting really tired of waiting.  We have determined that if the job is offered at today’s interview, Mr. S will take it and then continue to look for something better, especially if he isn’t give a chance at promotions fairly quickly.

We have also been brainstorming about possible business ventures the two of us could do on our own.  We have gotten a federal tax id number and have been designing business cards for this venture.  We have decided that we need to create a source of income independent from employment, so as to be more self-reliant.  In other words, we want to have more control over our income and our finances.  This idea is evolving, so I’ll report more on it as it progresses.

As to the finances: 

We are still waiting to hear back from Struggle, Jr.’s university as to our appeal of his financial aid package.  We inquired last week and were told we should have a decision before Sept. 22, which is the deadline for the current semester’s bill. 

We finally managed to gather all the required information for the mortgage assistance program and are awaiting a decision from the state agency as to whether we qualify for this program.  If Mr. Struggle gets this job today,  we may still be eligible for a lower amount and will have to decide whether we want to cancel this entirely.  This program provides a zero percent loan to help make your mortgage payments, and doesn’t require repayment until you sell your house.  A portion of the loan is actually forgiven for each year you stay in the house after the first five, so it’s a pretty good deal if you weren’t planning to move.

I have paid the minimum allowed on any bills due in the past few weeks, trying to hold on to as much cash as possible until we see what the university requires.  I did break down and send a larger payment  ($100) on the medical bill (the one that came so late), because they had told us they would send it to collections if it weren’t paid in six months.  

Did I mention that Miss Struggle2 found a job? She was called by the local school system the week before school started and offered a Teaching Assistant position at the school where she had done her student teaching.  For a fully-licensed teacher, the pay is horrendous, but given the fact that teachers are being furloughed everywhere, she realizes that she is lucky to have full-time work with benefits.  She is living at home for the time being, at least until she gets her first paycheck and is able to determine a budget.  She is deliriously happy with the job, and will surely be offered a teaching position next year.

Middle-Class Struggle: Raining and Pouring

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.

Middle-Class Struggle: Job Interviewing

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Things are looking a bit rosier this week!

Miss Struggle2 had a job interview yesterday.  Although it is for a part-time position with no benefits, it is a professional position in her field and could serve as an entry to a full-time job later.  She is supposed to hear back tomorrow as to whether she got the job.

Mr. Struggle had a face-to-face interview just today, as a follow-up to the telephone interview he had last week.  He thinks it went very well, but he was the first of ten candidates to be interviewed for the position.  He was not told where the position was, only that he would need to be mobile to advance with this company.
We don't like the idea of selling the house in this down economy, but this a unique, well-run company that seems to have lots of growth opportunities.   The best news is that it will be three weeks before he will hear back, which will give plenty of time for other things to develop.  The position he really wants is still open for applicants and won't start interviewing for another two weeks.

Even Struggle, Jr. seems to have a job lined up----although he didn't realize it!  He has been invited to attend a workshop for his university newspaper staff, and didn't realize until today that it would be a paid position.  At least, that's the way I read the email.  We'll see.

As for me, still no calls on my applications, but I am pet-sitting this week and so bringing in pocket-money.  I have also been asked to do some social media marketing for a local employment consultant whose classes we have been attending.  It is volunteer work, but will look very good on my resume and give me some local name recognition as well as some much- needed confidence in my abilities.  It is hard to psych yourself up for a job-hunt after being at home with children so long.  I think my computer skills are up-to-date until I compare them to those of my children.  Ha!

We got a huge, very late doctor's bill in the mail last week.  This bill is actually over eight months late.  It must have gotten lost in the shuffle somehow, but it is legit and we have been expecting it for a long time, having seen the EOB's.  Mr. Struggle went in when we received the bill to explain that he was unemployed and couldn't pay it right now.  He was given a number to call to ask for financial assistance from this multi-billion dollar, regional medical non-profit corporation.  When he placed the phone call, he was told that their financial assistance was only for people without insurance.  It doesn't matter that we don't have any income to pay the bill, having had insurance --even insurance that wouldn't cover this bill---disqualifies us from receiving help.  Everyone tells me that you can pay as little as ten dollars at a time, so I guess that's what we'll be doing.

Middle-Class Struggle: Limbo-Land

Friday,  July 29, 2011

Ever feel like your entire life has been put on hold? 

No decision on the unemployment---still!

No word from the university’s financial aid department.

No progress on putting the mortgage on hold.

No word on at least six different job possibilities.

Mr. Struggle thinks this week’s telephone interview went very well.  The bad news is that they had already filled the job.  The good news is that they are hiring for similar positions in other locations.  Of course, they are not offering relocation expenses to new hires.  Mr. Struggle mentioned that he could live with relatives in several locations while we sell our house, and the interviewer seemed to be interested in that possibility.  Mr. Struggle was given the name of some local employees and told to contact them for more info and a tour of the local facilities, which he did.  He is impressed with the company so far, but feels they were trying to sell him on the job.  While that speaks well of Mr. S and his expertise in the field, we’re not sure it speaks well for the potential salary at this particular company.

I have half-heartedly started cleaning closets and purging possessions, in case we do end up moving.  Yesterday I had Struggle, Jr. do the same, when I realized  he has only a few more weeks at home before heading back to school.  In the meantime, Miss Struggle2 has been emptying her apartment and moving her things back home, since the lease on her college apartment ends next week.  Our garage is overflowing with her furniture and the guest room is piled high with her boxes.  She can’t get an apartment and move out until she gets a permanent job.  She has not had a single call from the résumés she sent out last week.

We haven’t bought anything other than food and gasoline lately, so the checkbook doesn’t look too bad.

Previous balance: $1696.79

Deposits:  $169.52 part-time job (last week)

                     169.53 part-time job (this week)

Expenses:      $69.94 food

                           99.26 gasoline

Current balance: $1866.64                             

We took a two-day trip to visit with family who were here from out-of-state, which is why we spent so much on gasoline.  Miss S2 has been borrowing my van, but very conscientiously paying for her own gasoline as she travels back and forth to her apartment packing her things. 

While we were out-of-town, a relative bought Struggle, Jr. some early birthday presents and then slipped him some cash to help pay for his books and school supplies this fall.

I have projected a month ahead for the income, bills due and living expenses, and calculate that, barring anything unforeseen, we can make it one more month without drawing from savings or selling anything.  Surely, the unemployment will have started by then, or better yet, a new job.

Middle-class Struggle: Good News!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

After a long, dry week, we finally got some positive feedback on the job searches yesterday.

Miss Struggle2 and I made the rounds (I drove and waited in the car, as moral support) to hand-delivered her résumé to several prospective employers, and she actually got to talk to the hiring manager at one location.  This woman seemed interested in one particular aspect of Miss S2’s experience and asked if she would be interested in a half-time position.  We don’t know whether that would include benefits, but at least it is a paycheck and a foot in the door.  Miss S2 is excited about the idea, as she has been thinking of pursuing a graduate degree and this would give her more time for that.  Hopefully, she will be called for a job interview soon.

While we were out, Mr. Struggle called my cell to say that he had just received a call from a company wanting to schedule a telephone interview for next week.  This was a large, national corporation with a job at a location here in town.  Mr. S had applied online and had received several follow-up assessment tests, which he had completed and resubmitted immediately.  He had not heard back until now, but were assuming the application was still in play, since he had not received a rejection email.

Mr. Struggle also called to follow up on the off-the-grid job possibility, but was unable to reach anyone due to vacations.  This idea is looking more and more appealing, but from what we know, would not be a quick hiring process. 

As for myself, I am starting to think my best option Is to work through a temporary agency until Mr. S finds something.  Right now, while he is sending applications all over the state, it’s impossible to know where I should look.  I don’t want to commit to a permanent job and then have to quit if we have to move.

Mr. Struggle met with his counselor at the employment office on Thursday.  She was impressed with the progress he has made and gave him a couple of leads, but also told him we could possibly be waiting another 4-6 weeks for his unemployment checks to come!   (It is nearly five weeks since he first filed the claim.)  We are both totally flabbergasted! 

I sat down with a calculator and our budgeting records and tried to project ahead to see how long our money would last without the unemployment.  As long as we don’t have to send any money to Struggle, Jr.’s university, we should be able to float another month.  (We are waiting to see whether the university can provide some additional financial aid, after collecting and sending all sorts of financial documentation to them earlier this week.)  I am a little worried about how changes in our gasoline budget might affect us, as the price is rising again and we have several out-of-town trips to make in the next month---returning Jr. to church camp for summer counseling, then taking him back to college, a family visit two hours away, and helping Miss S2 pack and move her things home from her college apartment, as her lease is expiring.   I was pleased that we came in under budget in the grocery category, even with the kids home.  In fact, even counting pet food, we spent under $250 on food.  (We have been eating lots cucumbers and tomatoes from our garden, and buying bread at a local thrift store.)

One of my sisters sent me a gift card for groceries (which I will return to her) and the other has twice offered to lend us money.  Mr. Struggle’s brother hasn’t offered directly, but has been calling weekly to let us know he is there for us, if needed, as have several other relatives. Mr. Struggle and I both feel we should take money from our retirement accounts before we should borrow from relatives.

I am trying to think up inexpensive gift ideas for the kids, as two of them have birthdays coming up.  I'm glad they’re older and will understand that we’ll have to keep it low-key this year. 

The unemployment office told us about a state program to help prevent home foreclosure, which we're checking into.  Basically, unemployed people can borrow their house payment from the government at 0% interest for up to two years. The loan is then tacked on to your mortgage, or forgiven if you stay in the house for another ten years.  We are trying to get an appointment at the agency that administers this program, so that we can find out more details.  I am particularly concerned about how it might affect our credit rating, since so many employers seem to check that before hiring.   I'm hoping that the unemployment will start or that we will have new jobs before we have to do this.  I just really dislike the idea of borrowing more money against this house, at a time when property values seem to be falling. 

Middle-Class Struggle: Still Waiting

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

We still have no word on Mr. Struggle’s unemployment claim.  His counselor did call yesterday to tell him it had reached the state capitol and should be adjudicated soon.  We're hoping they will make a determination this week and maybe we'll actually receive some money next week.  They said it usually takes 4-6 weeks, and we are well over four weeks today.

We completed two online job applications today, one of which sounds very promising and Mr. Struggle had the name of a current employee to use as a reference, besides.  This is one of the job contacts set up by our Assistant pastor. 

Mr. S. had another contact from the company he had previously refused.  It wasn’t actually an offer, but an email wanting to know whether he would be interested in a lower-paying position, but closer to home than the first offer.  It would still be a drive and Mr. Struggle isn’t really interested, but he answered that he would need more details about the offer in order to make a decision, trying to buy some time.  We haven’t heard back since. 

We have had another promising referral for a position that would involve a move and a radical lifestyle change, but could net a job for each of us.  We are intrigued and a bit skittish about this possibility, but need a lot more information before we could seriously consider the proposal.  We have submitted an application and are waiting to see whether an interview will materialize.

In the meantime, I sat down to pay bills yesterday.

Carryover balance:  $2204.63

Income:      $169.54 part-time paycheck

Bills:            $100.00 Home Equity Line payment

                       11.32 Cable TV

                      203.58 quarterly life insurance (on Mr. S)

                        88.06 bi-monthly water bill (did I mention the kids are home?)

Other Expenses:  $102.54 gasoline (includes lawnmower gas)                              

                               30.00 car inspection

                               42.49 household supplies (dog food, toilet paper, etc.)

                               28.27 résumé paper and leather folder for interviews

                                 9.99 haircut for Mr. S.

                                38.46 groceries

                                17. 67 plugged a nail-hole in Miss S2’s tire, repaid in cash

                                  5.00 watch battery replacement

Current balance:  $1696.79

I also brought in $60 in cash by babysitting a neighbor's child a couple of days last weekend, which I haven't deposited into the bank account, but will probably spend on food or gasoline.  We are doing way too much driving back and forth to the unemployment office for classes, but they have been informative and helpful with résumé writing tips and interviewing techniques. We also learned to use LinkedIn and BranchOut in one of the classes.  I can't help but wonder if anyone ever really finds a job using these online tactics, or if it's all just smoke and mirrors, devised to keep the general population preoccupied while corporate America hires its cousins, sons and best-buddies.  

Middle-Class Struggle: Spinning Our Wheels

Friday,  July 15, 2011

Yesterday, we finally received the bill for Struggle, Jr.’s upcoming fall semester at  university.  They are asking for just over $2600, quite an increase from last year, but then last year Miss Struggle 2 was also in college as an undergrad, and we were given credit for that on the FAFSA.  Thankfully,  Jr. has been awarded academic scholarships in the amount of $1100, which will cover a good bit of this bill.  Today (after several phone calls) the financial  aid revision forms we first requested over three weeks ago arrived in the mail, so we are collecting the requested documentation of our change in income.   Unfortunately,  Mr. Struggle was required to submit a statement from his former employer to confirm his termination.  No telling how long it might take to receive that info, but he choked down his pride and emailed this afternoon to ask for it. 

We also have to send the university documentation of unemployment benefits, which still have not been approved.   Mr. Struggle has made several phone calls and finally drove to the unemployment office today, where he was told that his employer had not challenged his claim, so the case would be determined by the state and that we should have an answer----and hopefully, some money---within another  two weeks or so.  I don’t know what lower income people do in these cases; can you imagine going without any income for four-to-six weeks?  Thank heavens for the part-time job and the Dave Ramsey emergency fund!

We were told, by the way, that we are not eligible for food stamps because of that part-time job, and because our children are above the age of seventeen.

My vehicle registration and inspection notice came in the mail this week, which caused a bit of a panic.  I believe I mentioned earlier that we were debating whether to buy new tires before taking the car on a road trip (which we had to cancel due to the job loss).  Mr. Struggle didn’t think the two rear tires would pass inspection, but took the car to our local shop this week and mentioned his worries.  Sight unseen, the mechanic said, “Don’t worry; they’ll pass.  You get you some new tires when you get back to work.”  And he proceeded to pass the car!  Did I ever tell you how good It is to live in a small community, where people look after each other?

We have been attending a workshop on résumé writing and job search techniques, which has been very helpful, but Is also consuming quite a bit of gasoline.   In fact, I was told I could not register for the class over the phone or online, but had to come in to sign documentation that I was unemployed, in order to get in the class for free.  So we drove halfway across the county to the community college to register, and then was told today, “Oh, no, you could have done that here at the unemployment office!”  Great communication, huh?

I worked at our church office yesterday (volunteering while our secretary was on vacation) and had several people offer to help us with the job search.  Our Assistant Pastor seems to have quite a few contacts in the business world and is working the computer and phones, passing around Mr. Struggle’s résumé.  I also talked to another church member who has a contact at the company where Mr. Struggle works part-time, and he has offered to forward the résumé to her.  We have not heard back from any of the other companies that looked so hopeful last week, but have gotten a few rejections from other applications. 

The unemployment office found me several job leads at my appointment today.  The counselor there told me the staff has access to a better computer search than Is given to the general public, so hopefully it is worth the gasoline to go for these appointments.

I haven’t tallied up the spending for this week, but we have bought very little.  A bit of gasoline, some groceries and we also stopped by an office supply store for résumé paper and a leather portfolio to carry on job interviews.  Today is payday for the part-time job, and I am babysitting for neighbors twice in the next few days, so that will bring in a bit of cash.

I’m trying to decide whether I should give up my search for a “professional” job, and just knock on doors of retailers in the area.  The pay would be less, but I think it might net a job more quickly.  My biggest concern is what that does to the job history listed on my résumé, and whether I will ever be able to get back into the professional world with my track record.  I’d love to hear your opinion on the matter, if you’ve had a similar experience.

Middle-Class Struggle: A Bird in the Hand......

Monday,  July 11, 2011

Mr. Struggle turned down a job offer today. 

He had three job interviews last week, and the company we liked the least made an offer almost immediately.  Unfortunately, the offer was low, the job was in another city, and there was virtually no relocation assistance.   Add to this mix that we know almost nothing about the company except that it targets low –income clientele, sales are down over last year, and Mr. S was told there was no advancement potential.

Even so, I suggested that Mr. S not reject  the offer out-of-hand, but string the company along with more questions until he saw whether his other interviews panned out, but he was certain he didn’t want to work there and  turned them down cold.   I don’t feel that I have a right to push too much in either direction, since I am not the one who would actually be making the long commute or showing up to work every day.  And of course, I didn’t go to the interview with him, so I don’t really have a feel for the employers or the job, like Mr. S does.  I just hope something better comes along quickly.

We are hoping to hear back from the other two companies and he would much rather work for either of them, as they are larger, better-known entities.  In addition, our assistant pastor has offered his help in networking and seems to have contacts in a lot of places.  Mr. Struggle dropped a copy of his résumé by the church office this morning, before reporting to a job-search boot camp.

We spent the rest of the day revising résumés yet again, and searching for jobs online. 

The phone has been very quiet.   

My Middle-Class Struggle: Severance Pay

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!