I've finished my first two days at the new job and I'm feeling... something. I'm learning and trying to take it all in and I just feel kinda blah. Is it bad that I don't want to work and just be independently wealthy? How do I make that happen?!?
Okay. I sound totally ungrateful. I don't mean it. I'm happy to have a job and a nice paycheck, but the company I'm working for is HUGE. It's such a change and I feel like a teeny cog in a giant machine. I walk down the halls and don't know anyone. People seem happy to work here and there certainly are a ton of benefits that come with working for such a big company, so that's a positive. I just miss my old co-workers who were so lovely and predictable. It's hard being the new kid on the block when you know there's an expiration date. I'm adjusting, I guess.
It's just hard because I was so ready for a change. And I am ready for a change. I just want it to be a settled in already change. So I know what's going on and can do my job.
And, don't get me wrong, I'm working hard, trying to make a great impression, saying thank you a lot, trying to meet everyone, dressing extra professional and cute, asking lots of questions and all of the new job things you should be doing. I just feel like it's back to the grind.
Can anyone tell me I'm not alone with the new job blahs? Any teachers who recently went back to school feeling them? I'm not the only one, right?
Today I'm grateful for: catching up with some trashy tv and eating some mac and cheese
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
First day of work, hurricanes and other life updates
Monday is supposed to be my first day of work, but will it actually be? Hurricane Irene! Please stop coming. Momma needs a paycheck! Though it might not be the worst thing in the world... See, I am super not a morning person. My last job was great for me in that regard since I didn't usually get to work until 11am or so. I could sleep until 8:30 or 9am and go to bed at midnight and be totally rested to start my day. I need A LOT of sleep, obviously. Since I found out I got this job, I've been practicing getting up earlier and going to bed earlier, but I'm not sure it's been working as well as I want. I need to (wo)man up and get ready to wake up at the same time as regular people do. *sigh* (f)unemployment has been rather fun...
Other life updates, I've still been networking up a storm, trying to keep myself fresh in the minds of people who might be able to help me once this job in done. I'm ready to go to work and wow them. I think.
Mr. Cupcake is in Vegas with some of his boys for a bachelor party. Dislike. I totally trust him, but I hate that he's out at strip clubs and drinking a ton and firing guns and all the sorts of things that boys do when no girls are around. How do you feel about your boyfriend/fiance/hubby going to bachelor parties?
Today I'm grateful for: company during the storm
Other life updates, I've still been networking up a storm, trying to keep myself fresh in the minds of people who might be able to help me once this job in done. I'm ready to go to work and wow them. I think.
Mr. Cupcake is in Vegas with some of his boys for a bachelor party. Dislike. I totally trust him, but I hate that he's out at strip clubs and drinking a ton and firing guns and all the sorts of things that boys do when no girls are around. How do you feel about your boyfriend/fiance/hubby going to bachelor parties?
Today I'm grateful for: company during the storm
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I'm out...
... as a couponer to Mr. Cupcake. What did you think? ;)
It's been a slow and steady process, but once he saw my coupon box, that was it. I'm totally out with my crazy coupon lady ways. And he loves it. Seriously. I've been getting him deodorant and toothbrushes and other toiletry things for less than $1 to free. I'll slip him a coupon every now and again for things that he regularly buys. I'll sign him up for a free sample of something I know he'll use. And who doesn't like presents, especially things that you will definitely use?
Sometimes he teases me a little bit about it, but mostly I think he is kind of proud that I kicked Harris Teeter Super Double's butt. I got $72 worth of merchandise for $19. Which kind of makes up for the $195 wallet, right?
And yesterday, he even asked me if I would help him learn how to coupon. I think this is love :)
Today I'm grateful for: a really good, healthy relationship with Mr. Cupcake.
It's been a slow and steady process, but once he saw my coupon box, that was it. I'm totally out with my crazy coupon lady ways. And he loves it. Seriously. I've been getting him deodorant and toothbrushes and other toiletry things for less than $1 to free. I'll slip him a coupon every now and again for things that he regularly buys. I'll sign him up for a free sample of something I know he'll use. And who doesn't like presents, especially things that you will definitely use?
Sometimes he teases me a little bit about it, but mostly I think he is kind of proud that I kicked Harris Teeter Super Double's butt. I got $72 worth of merchandise for $19. Which kind of makes up for the $195 wallet, right?
And yesterday, he even asked me if I would help him learn how to coupon. I think this is love :)
Today I'm grateful for: a really good, healthy relationship with Mr. Cupcake.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Negotiation WORKS!
So I didn't formally accept the job until today. My new boss gave me the weekend to think about it and told me to call today with my decision. If you recall, she had offered me $28/hr which works out to $58,240/year. But I negotiated and it worked! I was freaking out a little bit, but I think I sounded calm. It was over the phone so I had this script in front of me (that Mr. Cupcake helped me write) which totally helped:
I wanted to let you know that I’m really excited about the position and the possibility of working with you. However, the one thing holding me back is that I have to pay out of pocket for my own benefits. I spoke with XXXX about the cost and I was hoping there was some flexibility on your end with regard to pay rate to compensate for this.
STOP TALKING! :-x
Be in control of the conversation. Get what you want. You deserve it.
She asked me how much flexibility I needed. I freaked out in my head for .2 seconds and then said "even $1 or $2 more dollars an hour would help." Then she said "so $30?" And I said that sounds good. And guess what? I'm making $30/hr which works out to $62,400/year. WHAT UP extra $4,000?
Today I'm grateful for: being brave and just doing it!
I wanted to let you know that I’m really excited about the position and the possibility of working with you. However, the one thing holding me back is that I have to pay out of pocket for my own benefits. I spoke with XXXX about the cost and I was hoping there was some flexibility on your end with regard to pay rate to compensate for this.
STOP TALKING! :-x
Be in control of the conversation. Get what you want. You deserve it.
She asked me how much flexibility I needed. I freaked out in my head for .2 seconds and then said "even $1 or $2 more dollars an hour would help." Then she said "so $30?" And I said that sounds good. And guess what? I'm making $30/hr which works out to $62,400/year. WHAT UP extra $4,000?
Today I'm grateful for: being brave and just doing it!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Jobs, Wallets and Guilt
I got a job. Kinda. See, I networked the crap out of this event I went to and met someone who is looking for a temporary replacement for a coworker who is going on maternity leave. She basically offered me the job on the spot and yesterday I went to meet with her and her team where she again offered me the job.
The job is temporary, hourly and in my chosen field. And it pays $28/hr. Umm... do you know what that adds up to annually? $58,240. Which is almost $15,000 more than I was making at my last job. I won't get any health insurance, but I am still on COBRA for $319/month, so no biggie. I'll start in 2 weeks and work until sometime in November. There is a small possibility that this job will lead to something more permanent, but perhaps not at this specific organization. My new boss (the woman I first networked with) is awesome, very well-connected and has offered to help me with the job search.
I'm getting kind of excited, although I'm kind of sad to leave funemployment behind. I was getting used to lazy days and getting my life in order... but a regular paycheck would be helpful. Especially since I haven't had one in two months.
So after I was offered the position, I did something bad. I went to Tysons Corner (huuuge mall in my area) and went to Nordstrom. Where I impulse bought a $195 Kate Spade wallet. *hides head in shame* I'm feeling a little guilt, although it was really time for me to get a new wallet. My old one was dirty, worn out and had ink stains on it. I didn't need a $195 one though.
Usually when I buy something so pricey, I put a lot more thought into it. I do some research, I sit on it for a few days to make sure I still want whatever I purchased. I did none of that. I rewarded myself by buying something and put little to no thought into it and that worries me. I can't lifestyle inflate too much. The extra bump in the paycheck for 2.5 months or so that I will be working, will probably add up to one of those months of lost wages. I still want to buy a condo in the near future and the potential extra money could put me closer to that goal.
Eyes on the prize.
Even though there was this gorgeous Tory Burch tote that I was eyeing...
Today I'm grateful for: the best job search ever!
The job is temporary, hourly and in my chosen field. And it pays $28/hr. Umm... do you know what that adds up to annually? $58,240. Which is almost $15,000 more than I was making at my last job. I won't get any health insurance, but I am still on COBRA for $319/month, so no biggie. I'll start in 2 weeks and work until sometime in November. There is a small possibility that this job will lead to something more permanent, but perhaps not at this specific organization. My new boss (the woman I first networked with) is awesome, very well-connected and has offered to help me with the job search.
I'm getting kind of excited, although I'm kind of sad to leave funemployment behind. I was getting used to lazy days and getting my life in order... but a regular paycheck would be helpful. Especially since I haven't had one in two months.
So after I was offered the position, I did something bad. I went to Tysons Corner (huuuge mall in my area) and went to Nordstrom. Where I impulse bought a $195 Kate Spade wallet. *hides head in shame* I'm feeling a little guilt, although it was really time for me to get a new wallet. My old one was dirty, worn out and had ink stains on it. I didn't need a $195 one though.
Usually when I buy something so pricey, I put a lot more thought into it. I do some research, I sit on it for a few days to make sure I still want whatever I purchased. I did none of that. I rewarded myself by buying something and put little to no thought into it and that worries me. I can't lifestyle inflate too much. The extra bump in the paycheck for 2.5 months or so that I will be working, will probably add up to one of those months of lost wages. I still want to buy a condo in the near future and the potential extra money could put me closer to that goal.
Eyes on the prize.
Even though there was this gorgeous Tory Burch tote that I was eyeing...
Today I'm grateful for: the best job search ever!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
+/- and 30 Days Fail
My 30 days of job stuff was a giant fail. And I'm over it. I still have ideas about things I want to write about related to jobs and networking. Maybe I will write about them someday, but a series was too much pressure for me. I skipped writing in July, but I wanted to give you a +/- update about what happened.
+ I went to a conference for people in my industry and networked the crap out of it.
+ I have an interview on Friday from someone who I met at the conference. Actually, I'm not sure if it is an interview or a "come in and meet the team and tell us when you can start." I will definitely keep you posted, but I don't want to say too much in case it jinxes it!
+ Made about $400 in July despite not having a real job.
- My savings is (obviously) depleting slightly since I have no real source of income. I know I have wiggle room, but it's still disheartening to see the numbers in my savings account decrease.
+ Mr. Cupcake went on our first vacation together and it was awesome. We had some good talks, some fun times and I'm feeling really good about everything between the two of us.
- While we were pretty smart and definitely saved where we could, I still spent about $400 on eating out last month. That number kind of freaks me out since I've never spent more than $200 a month on eating out since I started tracking my spending.
+ I spent some time at the beach with my fam, in Orlando with my man, in Pennsylvania with my sister.
+ 2/3 trips were surprisingly inexpensive.
- I've made some STUPID mistakes. I lost my ID in Orlando. I can't find my favorite black pencil skirt. I misspelled something on my business card. I need to stop beating myself up over these things, but perfectionist Me isn't good at that.
+ I'm enjoying my downtime. July was pretty hectic and I wasn't home for about 2/3 of it. August is calm and giving me time to do the things that I wanted to check off of my to do list.
How is your summer?
Today I'm grateful for: fresh watermelon. Yum!
+ I went to a conference for people in my industry and networked the crap out of it.
+ I have an interview on Friday from someone who I met at the conference. Actually, I'm not sure if it is an interview or a "come in and meet the team and tell us when you can start." I will definitely keep you posted, but I don't want to say too much in case it jinxes it!
+ Made about $400 in July despite not having a real job.
- My savings is (obviously) depleting slightly since I have no real source of income. I know I have wiggle room, but it's still disheartening to see the numbers in my savings account decrease.
+ Mr. Cupcake went on our first vacation together and it was awesome. We had some good talks, some fun times and I'm feeling really good about everything between the two of us.
- While we were pretty smart and definitely saved where we could, I still spent about $400 on eating out last month. That number kind of freaks me out since I've never spent more than $200 a month on eating out since I started tracking my spending.
+ I spent some time at the beach with my fam, in Orlando with my man, in Pennsylvania with my sister.
+ 2/3 trips were surprisingly inexpensive.
- I've made some STUPID mistakes. I lost my ID in Orlando. I can't find my favorite black pencil skirt. I misspelled something on my business card. I need to stop beating myself up over these things, but perfectionist Me isn't good at that.
+ I'm enjoying my downtime. July was pretty hectic and I wasn't home for about 2/3 of it. August is calm and giving me time to do the things that I wanted to check off of my to do list.
How is your summer?
Today I'm grateful for: fresh watermelon. Yum!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
overwhelmed
I'm feeling a little bit lost and a little bit overwhelmed, hence the lack of posting here. Unemployment has been great. I've enjoyed my travels. I've spent some time with my sister and parents. I've networked a whole lot. But being away has made it hard to get into a routine. And I'm struggling with defining exactly what I'm looking to do... with what my "elevator pitch" is. I'm struggling with keeping order in my life. I need to actually do all of the things on my to do lists.
And I'm wondering if this blog is something that still fits into my life? I had a major case of writer's block that stopped my job series and I'm just so behind in keeping up with everyone else's blogs and my blog's email. I don't know if I'm ready to leave this blog for reals, but I feel like I'm sinking.
Today I'm grateful for: having someone to just be fun with
And I'm wondering if this blog is something that still fits into my life? I had a major case of writer's block that stopped my job series and I'm just so behind in keeping up with everyone else's blogs and my blog's email. I don't know if I'm ready to leave this blog for reals, but I feel like I'm sinking.
Today I'm grateful for: having someone to just be fun with
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