Blog Feed: A few tips, tricks and bumps we have encountered along the unemployment road.
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A Little PTSD? Is that possible?
Published on 2012-01-30 06:37:41
I worry. I worry everyday that Hubbie is going to walk in the door early and say that the New Company realized they did not need him after all, and he has lost his job. Everytime the phone rings, and … Continue reading →
Monday Night’s Money Game
Published on 2012-01-27 16:13:35
Last month, when Hot Hubbie and I realized he may really get the job – in other words, when we were waiting for the offer letter to arrive, and having a hard time believing it was really happening – we … Continue reading →
New News for the New Year! Happy 2012!
Published on 2012-01-01 01:01:29
I can never remember being so happy for a new year. I am ready to start again. Ready to move on. Ready to say goodbye to the past 4 years. Ready to remember the lessons we learned, and apply them … Continue reading →
Checking to See if it is True!
Published on 2011-12-30 14:31:32
I had to check. I wasn’t sure if it could be true. I had to log into the online banking system and see for myself. Yup. It is there: a direct deposit into our account. Hubbie’s First paycheck!! YEA!!! I … Continue reading →
Happy Independence Day!
Published on 2011-07-04 02:10:49
I love the 4th of July! I love the swim party we always had when I was a kid, the barbecue, the watermelon, and then, to top it all off, the fireworks. (Not bad, for a little point and shoot … Continue reading →
Chore Charts are Bore Charts-Our New Method for the Family Chore Chart
Published on 2011-07-03 12:17:17
We are in the middle of our summer vacation. Only 5 more weeks until the kiddos head back to school. It is always amazing to me how quickly they get accustomed to sleeping in! And I am always torn between … Continue reading →
The Familiar Crackle of Old Elastic
Published on 2011-06-27 18:37:04
The other day I grabbed a swimsuit out of storage and when I went to step into it, I heard a crackle. It was the elastic. The old elastic in the seams of the swimsuit. It was crackling as it … Continue reading →
At the Lands’ End for Shipping Charges
Published on 2011-06-25 12:42:49
I try to save money on the littlest things. Like yesterday: I was shopping online for a new swimsuit. (I will explain why in a post tomorrow and yes, I know, it is dangerous to shop for a swimsuit … Continue reading →
Roasting while Roasting.
Published on 2011-06-22 22:32:05
How to get dinner on the table when it is 110* outside without roasting yourself before you have roasted your dinner. Step 1: Go get in your swimming suit (or your bathing suit, as I grew up calling it). Step … Continue reading →
Boo-Hoo’ing Over the Mundane
Published on 2011-06-12 23:30:15
“My heart is heavy today.” That was the Facebook wall post from a friend that greeted me when I got back to civilization today. Curious, I read the comments beneath her post. They mentioned the name of our mutual friend. … Con
A Little Rest and Relaxation
Published on 2011-06-03 11:19:34
I’m heading to a family reunion for a while and will post when I can. Internet service is a little spotty but I’m sure I will need something to keep me busy and will probably write something. (Don’t hold me … Continue readin
The Most Dangerous Store in the World: Save money, Live Better? Not Here!
Published on 2011-05-31 09:23:26
I just got back from a trip to the most dangerous store in the world. This store is supposed to help us Save Money and Live Better, but I find it is the most dangerous place for me to go … Continue reading →
Pulling Wisdom Teeth and Pulling Money Out of Thin Air.
Published on 2011-05-29 09:32:36
My older sis called the other day and during the course of our conversation she told me how my oldest niece needs her wisdom teeth out. She needed them out a few years ago, and now she really needs them … Continue reading →
The Cheapest Costco Trip EVER!
Published on 2011-05-27 08:57:44
I went to Costco today. I spent $1 at Costco today. A $1 churro. mmm’m. (Churros remind me of Disneyland.) I was emotional, so I ate an emotional $1 churro at Costco. And I loved every minute of it.
Who Would’a Thunk?
Published on 2011-05-25 08:30:26
So Hot Hubbie was getting run into the ground by his Boxing “coach” the other day. Hubbie came back from running when Coach’s cell phone rang. He told Hot Hubbie, “It’s for you.” And then he gave Hot Hubbie
Goodwill Hunting
Published on 2011-05-23 14:58:45
I was in need of some grubby, but tough, clothes (that make me look like a pioneer) for a Youth Trip I am going on. I decided to hit our local Goodwill store. I haven’t been in a Goodwill store … Continue reading →
WOO HOO! An Interview (Sorta).
Published on 2011-05-21 07:49:53
Hot Hubbie had an interview yesterday (sorta). He applied for a job here in town, and the recruiter for the job e-mailed Hot Hubbie and asked to meet him. So does an interview with a recruiter count? I will take … Continue reading →
Techincal Difficulties on Yesterday’s Shopping Spree Post
Published on 2011-05-20 18:43:03
I don’t know what happened, but today’s post accidentally got posted yesterday, before it was ready. I pulled it, but now it is back up and ready to read. Click here to read (the edited version of) Shopping Sprees and … Contin
Shopping Sprees and Heavenly Answers
Published on 2011-05-19 10:43:04
A year ago we were celebrating Hot Hubbie’s graduation from his Executive MBA program. I can’t believe how fast (and how slowly) a year has gone. Last year at this time, I decided it was time to treat myself to … Continue reading
Resume Rewrite Revisited
Published on 2011-05-16 17:33:36
It has been a few weeks since we got Hot Hubbie’s resume back from the professional resume writers. I am shocked at how different it is. The resume looks great (and reads great). Apparently his original resume was “death by …
Keeping Hot Hubbie Busy During His Unemployment
Published on 2011-05-13 07:40:05
We were not long into the unemployment when I realized I would need to find a way to keep Hot Hubbie busy. (now, get your mind out of the gutter, this is a family friendly site!) He had so much … Continue reading →
What do You do When Networking isn’t Working?
Published on 2011-05-10 08:02:55
I recently heard that for every job opening, there are over 100 applicants who apply. I believe it. And my response to that would be, “Only one hundred? It seems more like 1000 applicants for each job posted.” So how … Continu
Crazy Month of May!
Published on 2011-05-09 22:39:30
Have I mentioned how crazy the month of May is? I didn’t believe Motherlode when she said that May is more crazy than December. Now I totally agree with her. May marks the end of School here in our neck … Continue reading →
My Annual Mother’s Day Card!
Published on 2011-05-08 12:16:10
Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommies out there. One day a year we get to stay in bed while the family makes breakfast for us (why only one day a year, I will never know. I … Continue reading →
Pivitol Moments in Life.
Published on 2011-05-05 03:30:05
We always hear these questions: Do you remember where you were when JFK was shot? (I don’t, I wasn’t born.) How about the day the Challenger exploded on takeoff? (Now that one I remember.) Where were you when you heard … Con
Too Hard to post. Will try Again Later.
Published on 2011-05-02 02:24:05
I am lucky enough to be out of town. I hitched a car ride with a family member to a family wedding. I had planned to post something while i was gone, using my iPod (free iPod), but it is … Continue reading →
Simple, Small Tender Mercies
Published on 2011-04-28 08:42:15
Every now and then I see notice a Tender Mercy that the Lord has sent. Yesterday I noticed two while checking out at the grocery store. The first person to check me out, automatically ad-matched my gallon of milk. Small. … Continue reading
Happy Easter! Did You Get “Stuff You Need” in Your Basket?
Published on 2011-04-26 00:42:05
Ok. So this post is a day late, but I don’t care. I am sorry, if you do care. I love Easter. I love Easter, but I don’t love the dye on my hands from the eggs, or the marshmallow … Continue reading →
Pinning our Hopes and Dreams on a Resume Rewrite
Published on 2011-04-22 10:51:26
So we did it. We bit the bullet and forked over the cash to have a “professional resume writer” rewrite Hot Hubbie’s resume. I was all for it. Hot Hubbie did not want to spend the money, but when we … Continue reading &#
Unemployed Domestic Goddess in Training and All the Notions That Go With It!
Published on 2011-04-19 14:39:13
My training to become a Domestic Goddess will go into overdrive today. My new first sewing machine is “On [UPS] Vehicle for Delivery Today”. At least that is what they say when I enter in the tracking number. You can … Continu
“And the (Unemployment) Award Goes To…”
Published on 2011-04-17 08:15:04
Being the primary [emotional] supporter to an unemployed person for so long makes you well adapted with certain traits survival skills. These skills have helped us to survive 3 years without employment. I think we, myself and others who have R
Cycling Through the (Unemployment) Stages of Grief, Over and Over Again.
Published on 2011-04-15 01:25:22
I just got an e-mail advertising for a “grief workshop” that is coming to our area. Why did this catch my eye? I haven’t tragically lost anybody lately that would cause me to grieve so deeply that it affected … Continue r
TurboTax Confusion.
Published on 2011-04-13 00:00:08
I don’t get it: Hot Hubbie and I were checking out prices and doing some comparison shopping for TurboTax, (yes, we have not started our taxes yet, that is another story) and the price online at Wal-Mart is $76. The … Continue reading
Preparing for Unemployment (or the Unexpected)? Get Rid of Your DEBT!
Published on 2011-04-11 10:40:52
When people ask how we have survived unemployment, I let them know that we prepared for the unexpected. Part of that preparation was making sure we weren’t in debt. We had to teach this principle to our Financial Provident Living … Co
Professional Resume Writers: Legit or a Big Scam to Sucker All of Us Unemployed?
Published on 2011-04-09 10:13:46
We have a decision we need to make. Maybe you can help us decide what to do. Hot Hubbie is trying to figure out if we should have a “professional resume writing service” re-write his résumé. He has had probably … Continue read
Is It the Weekend Yet?
Published on 2011-04-08 19:17:15
Someone, please tell me it is the weekend. Please! This week has been so long and yet so short. Do you ever have one of those kinds of week? Where you are so busy you can’t do basic things (like … Continue reading →
Becoming Domesticated, Unemployed Style.
Published on 2011-04-08 01:57:02
When I was a teenager, I made fun of all the goody-two-shoes-mommies out there canning their tomatoes and peaches while sewing the drapes for their living room and vacuuming all at the same time (and humming a happy little tune … Continue readi
Being Unemployed Makes You Grumpy.
Published on 2011-04-05 11:32:15
Being unemployed makes you grumpy. Do I really need to add anything more to this post than that single sentence? I think it speaks volumes. It is also the truth. Sometime being unemployed makes you grumpy. It is just not … Continue re
Surviving Unemployment is the Sum of Small Sacrifices Made for Many Years.
Published on 2011-04-03 08:40:33
I have been slow to post lately. It has been a busy week. Hot Hubbie’s Grandpa died. He was 94 years old, and was wanting to go be with his wife. We are sad, but we know he is happy … Continue reading →
An Update on my New Unemployement Goal to Get More Shut-Eye.
Published on 2011-03-31 09:16:54
It has been one week since I committed to getting more sleep. Last week I did great. I got to bed by 11 or 11:15ish every night- a vast improvement from my old habit. I was not expecting such a … Continue reading →
More on our $99 Unemployment Cruise.
Published on 2011-03-29 09:16:33
I have had some people ask for more info on our cheap cruise, so here it is. (Read my first post about our Unemployment Cruise here.) The nice thing with a cruise is that once you are on board, everything … Continue reading →
The Last-Minute Cruise, a Dream Vacation for Us Unemployed.
Published on 2011-03-28 10:31:50
I have an itch. And it won’t go away. I have an itch to get away! I want a get away vacation where we can forget all of our worries (including being unemployed). Yeah, I know, we just visited my … Continue reading →
Celebrating My Birthday, Unemployment Style.
Published on 2011-03-27 01:14:39
Today is my Birthday!! Yea! (well, sorta) It is the 4th birthday I have celebrated since we became unemployed. This is getting REALLY OLD! (Have I said that before?) So I should be an old pro at saving money on … Continue reading →
My New Unemployment Goal: Get More Shuteye!
Published on 2011-03-25 00:40:41
I have a new goal. It may not seem like a big deal to any of you out there, but it will be hard to do for someone like myself. I have a goal to get to bed by 11 … Continue reading →
Unemployment Lessons from Public School Music Lessons
Published on 2011-03-23 16:37:25
Thing 1 came home from Junior High fairly perturbed. In an effort to be a good mother, I asked her how her day was. She got mad and explained to me how she had a Viola scale test in Orchestra … Continue reading →
The Sun will Come Out, Tomorrow.
Published on 2011-03-22 01:25:21
I loved the Annie movie when I was a little girl. My sisters and I watched that movie over and over again. I think we wore out our Annie VHS tape. My mom even permed my hair (herself of course) … Continue reading →
Us vs. the Unemployment World
Published on 2011-03-20 20:14:57
As Hot Hubbie was driving the long trip (10 1/2 hours) on our way to visit my younger sister, I realized something. Hot Hubbie and I are a team when on those long drives. He drives, and I look out … Continue reading →
No Way! Can Inflating our Tires Really Save us that Much Money?
Published on 2011-03-18 02:00:00
It is our kid’s spring break. And for the first time, we decided to take the kids and get away for the week. We are taking advantage of my sisters free room and board. (Hehe) The downside is that it … Continue reading →
This Wait is Over, At Least this Wait is Over.
Published on 2011-03-16 22:40:28
I had another post ready to go today. Then we got an e-mail. It was a computer generated e-mail telling you that you weren’t good enough for the job that you had your heart set on. Yeah, you know, one … Continue reading →
Financial Practices for Family Pictures
Published on 2011-03-15 10:22:20
It is time to get all gussied up. We are having our first professional family picture taken in 7 years. Yes, SEVEN years. Hot Hubbie HATES pictures. And after today, I think Thing 1 and Thing 2 will hate pictures … Continue reading U
Christmas Present Money Miser
Published on 2011-03-15 01:20:19
I did it! I finally spent my Christmas gifts (cash) from my mommie and my mom-in-law. Yes, I know, it is mid March and Christmas was months ago, but I hate to part with the cash. Plus it takes a … Continue reading →
Dumpster-Diving Outlook on Unemployment.
Published on 2011-03-13 12:35:54
I just got home from a quick late-night trip to Wal-Mart. We needed milk for breakfast in the morning. As I was driving away, I saw a man dumpster-diving for food. Flashlight in hand, standing in the dumpster looking at … Continue reading &
Dear Snowbird, I Need Your Help Saving Money.
Published on 2011-03-12 07:52:20
Dear Snowbird, I need your help. You see, I am trying to save money, and that means saving money at the gas pump. But you are not helping me by going 30 mph in a 45 mph zone. You see…The … Continue reading →
Gift Giving Truce
Published on 2011-03-11 09:17:26
It is my Bro’s B-day today. Happy Birthday, little Bro! His birthday reminds me of one way I have saved money while we have been unemployed. We have declared Gift Giving Truces. This was hard for me. I had to … Continue reading U
A Little, Tiny Blessing in the Form of a Hoodie Sweatshirt.
Published on 2011-03-10 06:59:23
My daughter just put on her sweatshirt. The College Hoodie. The hoodie that we WON!! You see, we went to a “How to Get Into College” night a few months ago. I know, Thing 1 and Thing 2 are only … Continue reading →
Free Money from the Utility Company! (despite my Shrek Green pool)
Published on 2011-03-09 06:48:59
So, I just got a letter in the mail from my electricity provider. (And no, it was not a “we are going to turn off your power if we don’t receive a payment in the next 15 minutes” letter.) This … Continue reading →
Delayed Gratification, Very Delayed.
Published on 2011-03-08 06:47:42
So, I thought I was crazy, until I got a comment on a post. I am glad that I am not alone. What am I crazy for doing? Lists. Mental lists. Scribbled lists. Deliberate lists. Some lists are personal in … Continue reading →
3 Years of Selfless Service to the Unemployed
Published on 2011-03-07 12:20:54
Well, we did it. Not that we were TRYING to make it, but we did: We hit the 3 year mark of unemployment. Today. And surprisingly, I am handling it better than I thought I would. (Probably because I was … Continue reading →
Our Last Countdown (hopefully)
Published on 2011-03-07 00:53:07
A few days ago we watched the space shuttle launch. That is how I feel right now, like I am counting down to the Space Shuttle launch. T minus 29 minutes. Until we hit the 3 year mark. Yes, we … Continue reading →
Yep, Still Waiting…
Published on 2011-03-05 22:53:53
Yep, we are still waiting…no news yesterday. And waiting. And waiting. And waiting…the story of our life. This is what you do when you (or your Hot Hubbie) is unemployed: You wait! ugh.
The Never-Ending Waiting Game
Published on 2011-03-04 06:44:34
Here we are again. Playing the waiting game. Waiting to hear from that “Perfect Job” that Hot Hubbie applied for. Do you see me twiddling my thumbs? I am. The waiting is killing me. Dare I say that I may … Continue reading
Our Pharmacy Fiasco
Published on 2011-03-03 06:34:52
Did you know that you can ask your doctor for a cheaper medicine? I would have never done that before Hot Hubbie lost his job. I would have just assumed that “doctor knows best” and when I was standing at … Continue reading U
The Simple Ways to Save Money
Published on 2011-03-02 06:48:29
Today I was pondering what we did (and how we handled) the news of Hot Hubbies unemployment. Maybe because it is March 1 and that means that the 3 year mark is in one week, but those early days and … Continue reading →
Herb Garden Unemployment Economics
Published on 2011-03-01 09:28:04
We have had some wild winter weather here in the Desert. Yesterday we had SNOW! Well not exactly at my house (although that happened earlier in the year), but the nearby mountains are white-capped. It makes a BEAUTIFUL sight! But … Continue
Great Redbox Groupon Deal: 3 movies for $1!
Published on 2011-02-28 14:27:37
If you know me, you know that I LOVE a great deal. Groupon has a great deal on REDBOX movies for the next couple of days. Check it out HERE! You can rent 3 movies for $1. And since my … Continue reading →
Sliding Down the Slippery Slope of Uncertainty.
Published on 2011-02-28 13:09:34
Sometimes it feels like the end of our lives are here. Not that I think I am going to die right now, but that there isn’t much left for us in the future. (Please, somebody, tell me I am not … Continue reading →
Under the Weather
Published on 2011-02-27 14:46:30
I am still feeling under the weather. This bronchitis won’t clear up. And while trying to feel better myself, my daughter also needs my help. She has pneumonia. We have been convalescing on the couch together. This is exactly how R
“If You’re Unemployed, Don’t Apply.”
Published on 2011-02-26 11:24:45
Sometimes there is some news that comes around that is just totally depressing. This article is one of them. Companies are now declaring, “if you’re unemployed, don’t apply.” REALLY?! Like that is going to help the
Faith & Prayers To Get Us Through
Published on 2011-02-25 08:10:26
I am sick. yuck. Bronchitis. So I am home and have laid on the couch for 2 days. What do you do when you are sick and lying on the couch? Watch TV. I have watched TV for 2 days … Continue reading →
3rd Unemployment Anniversary Soon Approaches.
Published on 2011-02-24 07:29:17
The third anniversary of our unemployment is quickly approaching. On the first year, I baked a cake and we blew out a candle, and took pictures. On the second year, we woke up to a heavy rain and found that … Continue reading →
Saving Money on Glitter Toes!
Published on 2011-02-23 07:02:46
WARNING: IF YOU HAVE AN AVERSION TO FEET (like Hot Hubbie does),DO NOT READ THIS POST. You have been warned… I do not waste money on pedicures or manicures. We have never been in a financial position to afford that … Continue read
Daydreaming and Dollar Bills
Published on 2011-02-22 07:02:22
Hot hubbie and I do a lot of day dreaming. Well, ok, I do most of the daydreaming. Mostly I dream about the vacation that I will take the family on when we get through this unemployment. I started daydreaming … Continue reading →
“Mommy, is this Ice Cream?”
Published on 2011-02-21 06:18:42
This ain’t our First [unemployment] Rodeo. I was thinking today about the first time in our marriage when money was so tight. We were a young family trying to juggle a job and college at the same time (with a … Continue reading →