Just about everyone I know is struggling with finances and it is no real surprise as to why. I am and I know that I am blessed with the place I live in. It is "Stupid" cheap as some people might say. Everyone it seems is trying to get out of debt and I'm no exception. With the leap of faith I took last year I am behind and am slowly catching up. Sadly this is happening slower than I had planned. So now I am sitting here with all my figures sitting before me for me to work through and try to make a budget to stick to. This is going to be very tough, I know I don't have "normal" rent dues, but I do have exceptional Student loan payments.
What are some tips and tricks you have in place to help you stay on track and still enjoy life a little?
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
One year ago this week...
One year ago this week was the week that I took a huge step of faith. I was stressed out to the max and feeling overwhelmed by my job. I could no longer take the inconsistency of not having a schedule I could count on, giving up weekends that I asked to have off because of family functions, the schedule changing and being treated poorly by my manager. I literally felt ill all the time especially on days when I had to go to work and even when I thought about working. There were days when I felt my heart racing and days when I rather stay in bed. I rarely wanted to eat and sometimes instead of feeling hungry, I felt nauseated. I could no longer handle feeling this way. I looked for work, and even had a few interviews, but this week a year ago I gave my notice to my manager. I decided that I needed to take a leap of faith of which I had complete peace about. I had no job lined up, nothing coming up even. I had given my notice for the weekend that I had originally planned to go to St. Catharines for my new cousins baby shower, but a "Mega Sale" came up and suddenly I wasn't allowed to have that weekend off anymore. So I had had enough and said my goodbyes. My manager was caught off guard, but I knew that God would provide and I know that he had given me the peace to do this.
I was actually completely unemployed for an entire month, scrapping the barrel clean of any funds I had. God still blessed me, I had friends come alongside me and help me where they could, some of whom were anonymous. Then my parents helped me out a great deal even individuals within my church family. I honestly could not have made it through that time without these people. Although it took me a month to find work, when I did it was only part time. This job was different even though it was still retail, the customer base was quite different. The business was slow quite often, and there would be days where I was sent home which was a lot. After a month and a half of working there I was contacted by my old assistant manager and asked if I'd like to come back (the main reason why I left and why everyone was so miserable, had finally left) they wanted me back. So after thinking about it for a bit I decided to go back as I needed the full time hours. Things did improve, but it was so bad in the first place that things didn't change that drastically. I went back and yes it took me a little bit before I was right back to where I was right before I had left just a couple of months before that.
In December I had an interview that went extremely well and I was offered the job on the spot to work for the brand new Target opening up in the Spring of 2013. Unfortunately I had no current photo identification, so my hire was hanging there in my face until I got that sorted out. February 11 I finally started at my new position at Target in Reverse Logistics. The change of job changed everything. It took about three weeks before my stomach settled. I had an appetite, and ate without worry. Target is probably the most positive environment that I have worked in for a few years (my missions experience doesn't count). Morning meetings do happen, but they start off with recognition and the meeting will not go any further unless there is at least a handful spoken. Three months later I am still enjoying my job, everyday is a new adventure. I'm still learning things and still trying to figure out my role. I truly believe that this will be the last job I have here in Canada before heading overseas to full time missions.
With all this said I have seen God work in me in so many ways over the last year. He told me to step out in Faith and I did, though it was tough I saw Him take care of every need. He changed my work environment for the better and in the end put me in a great place to work. All credit and honour is due to Him.
I was actually completely unemployed for an entire month, scrapping the barrel clean of any funds I had. God still blessed me, I had friends come alongside me and help me where they could, some of whom were anonymous. Then my parents helped me out a great deal even individuals within my church family. I honestly could not have made it through that time without these people. Although it took me a month to find work, when I did it was only part time. This job was different even though it was still retail, the customer base was quite different. The business was slow quite often, and there would be days where I was sent home which was a lot. After a month and a half of working there I was contacted by my old assistant manager and asked if I'd like to come back (the main reason why I left and why everyone was so miserable, had finally left) they wanted me back. So after thinking about it for a bit I decided to go back as I needed the full time hours. Things did improve, but it was so bad in the first place that things didn't change that drastically. I went back and yes it took me a little bit before I was right back to where I was right before I had left just a couple of months before that.
In December I had an interview that went extremely well and I was offered the job on the spot to work for the brand new Target opening up in the Spring of 2013. Unfortunately I had no current photo identification, so my hire was hanging there in my face until I got that sorted out. February 11 I finally started at my new position at Target in Reverse Logistics. The change of job changed everything. It took about three weeks before my stomach settled. I had an appetite, and ate without worry. Target is probably the most positive environment that I have worked in for a few years (my missions experience doesn't count). Morning meetings do happen, but they start off with recognition and the meeting will not go any further unless there is at least a handful spoken. Three months later I am still enjoying my job, everyday is a new adventure. I'm still learning things and still trying to figure out my role. I truly believe that this will be the last job I have here in Canada before heading overseas to full time missions.
With all this said I have seen God work in me in so many ways over the last year. He told me to step out in Faith and I did, though it was tough I saw Him take care of every need. He changed my work environment for the better and in the end put me in a great place to work. All credit and honour is due to Him.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Counting Calories is going to cost me
Well it's been a while since I wrote, but the main reason for that is the slowness of my computer and the speed of my new phone. I hardly ever sit in front of my computer anymore.
I have recently had one of my best friends move in with her hubby and the plan right away was to eat together and to eat well. That happens often, but we also have those times where we are eating junk, tonight was no exception. We have it in our heads that May 1st we are going to set up a plan for success!
We aren't going to count all of the calories that we take in, but that of junk food. So when we want a chocolate bar we need to weigh out our options. This is when the cost comes into effect. We decided that we are going to pay for those extra needless calories. The idea here is to make us realize that spending money on the food not only effects us physically, but also financially. We haven't worked out the details exactly, but it will look something like this. We each have a jar, and every time we have a treat whether it be a meal or a snack we have to also pay a penny for every calorie. So say I have a craving and cave for a Big Mac, not only am I paying for the burger, but I'm going to pay $5.40 into my jar. At the end of our challenge or when ever someone's jar is filled we will see who can have all the money from all the jars, by who lost the most in inches. They cannot spend this on a treat though, but they can on anything else.
I am excited by this challenge...might be interesting to see what happens too.
I have recently had one of my best friends move in with her hubby and the plan right away was to eat together and to eat well. That happens often, but we also have those times where we are eating junk, tonight was no exception. We have it in our heads that May 1st we are going to set up a plan for success!
We aren't going to count all of the calories that we take in, but that of junk food. So when we want a chocolate bar we need to weigh out our options. This is when the cost comes into effect. We decided that we are going to pay for those extra needless calories. The idea here is to make us realize that spending money on the food not only effects us physically, but also financially. We haven't worked out the details exactly, but it will look something like this. We each have a jar, and every time we have a treat whether it be a meal or a snack we have to also pay a penny for every calorie. So say I have a craving and cave for a Big Mac, not only am I paying for the burger, but I'm going to pay $5.40 into my jar. At the end of our challenge or when ever someone's jar is filled we will see who can have all the money from all the jars, by who lost the most in inches. They cannot spend this on a treat though, but they can on anything else.
I am excited by this challenge...might be interesting to see what happens too.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
My Heart Will Sing For It Is Content
It has been a long time since I felt this way. Where there always seems to be smile playing about my lips and where praise and worship songs are ringing through my heart and outward. Smiling and laughing is sooo good for the soul. I have missed it. Things have finally turned around and this is the reason why I'm feeling so good.
I have been anxious to get out of my previous job for a long time now and it finally happened about seven weeks ago. I am so thankful for this change and I am certain that this is the main reason why I feel the way that I do. It is a different job in what I do even though it is retail. If you read a previous post it details what that job is all about.
Before starting at Target I was always feeling ill, worried that I was going to be sick. I worried about everything possible. I was so stressed out that I didn't want to do anything, and I had what I thought was anxiety attacks that I had to will away. It was not a fun place to be in. It was hard, tough and I hated the idea that I felt that way and that I felt as though I was always whining to people about it all. I needed to get it all off of my chest though and I truly thank God for those who took the time to listen and give me words of encouragement through that time.
I am working straight days now, always have Sundays off, no questions and never asked to work it anyway. My stress levels dropped to minimal and I have very few issues of feeling ill or worrying about things. Finances are finally starting to look up as I was set behind last summer with my leap of faith. It sure helps with the increase in pay rate. God is sooo good.
I am still working at establishing a routine to my days, making adequate time to spend with the Lord. My roommate that I had move in back in November is moving out on Saturday due to her employment situation and is taking along her dog Toto. Also this week my best friend and her husband moved into the basement. So there will be some great social times coming up as we mesh so well together. We shall have good times.
I have been anxious to get out of my previous job for a long time now and it finally happened about seven weeks ago. I am so thankful for this change and I am certain that this is the main reason why I feel the way that I do. It is a different job in what I do even though it is retail. If you read a previous post it details what that job is all about.
Before starting at Target I was always feeling ill, worried that I was going to be sick. I worried about everything possible. I was so stressed out that I didn't want to do anything, and I had what I thought was anxiety attacks that I had to will away. It was not a fun place to be in. It was hard, tough and I hated the idea that I felt that way and that I felt as though I was always whining to people about it all. I needed to get it all off of my chest though and I truly thank God for those who took the time to listen and give me words of encouragement through that time.
I am working straight days now, always have Sundays off, no questions and never asked to work it anyway. My stress levels dropped to minimal and I have very few issues of feeling ill or worrying about things. Finances are finally starting to look up as I was set behind last summer with my leap of faith. It sure helps with the increase in pay rate. God is sooo good.
I am still working at establishing a routine to my days, making adequate time to spend with the Lord. My roommate that I had move in back in November is moving out on Saturday due to her employment situation and is taking along her dog Toto. Also this week my best friend and her husband moved into the basement. So there will be some great social times coming up as we mesh so well together. We shall have good times.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"Reverse Logistics" The New Job
So I finally got this new job that allowed me to leave Suzy Shier after technically working there for two and a half years and not really enjoying any of those years, not to mention the un-necessary stress factors.
I landed this new job back in December, but they needed a valid photo ID in order to perform a background check. That process took me into January and then into the beginning of February when I learned that I would finally be starting. After having orientation yesterday I got to do some hands on work today. I learned how to do some bowling, then put merchandise away (all over the store!). Then I decided that since I had about an hours left of my shift and most of the stock was put out, that I could maybe seek out my leader to see what my job would entail.
He showed me where my area would be and it will be shared with two other people. So I am the person that gets to deal with all the damaged goods. Whether it is a dented can, defected product, product recalls, or other damaged goods. I will be the one sorting it out properly and sending it to the appropriate places. Like donations, things going back to the manufactures, properly disposing of damaged good like cleaners and such. This can be a mighty big job and they are already adding up quickly. So hopefully this area will be set up before long so we can get going before we feel overwhelmed.
My leader seemed quite excited to finally have someone, he didn't even know that I was on his team and he thought that he had to hire three people. As it turns out he has me for sure, but he also has another guy who's availability has changed. So I'm not sure what is going to happen there, but my leader did say since there are only going to be three of you here you will be working 30-40hrs. So this is great news and I am excited to start on this new and different job.
I landed this new job back in December, but they needed a valid photo ID in order to perform a background check. That process took me into January and then into the beginning of February when I learned that I would finally be starting. After having orientation yesterday I got to do some hands on work today. I learned how to do some bowling, then put merchandise away (all over the store!). Then I decided that since I had about an hours left of my shift and most of the stock was put out, that I could maybe seek out my leader to see what my job would entail.
He showed me where my area would be and it will be shared with two other people. So I am the person that gets to deal with all the damaged goods. Whether it is a dented can, defected product, product recalls, or other damaged goods. I will be the one sorting it out properly and sending it to the appropriate places. Like donations, things going back to the manufactures, properly disposing of damaged good like cleaners and such. This can be a mighty big job and they are already adding up quickly. So hopefully this area will be set up before long so we can get going before we feel overwhelmed.
My leader seemed quite excited to finally have someone, he didn't even know that I was on his team and he thought that he had to hire three people. As it turns out he has me for sure, but he also has another guy who's availability has changed. So I'm not sure what is going to happen there, but my leader did say since there are only going to be three of you here you will be working 30-40hrs. So this is great news and I am excited to start on this new and different job.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Stress Factor
So for several weeks I have felt ill and have had no appetite. I felt like or worried that I would be sick for quite some time. I would worry and fret that something was coming on even when some else mentioned that they were not feeling well. Yet, when I didn't work or was in the company of good people I felt fine and wasn't worrying about anything. I started thinking that perhaps I have anxiety or stress issues as there are many things going on in my life. Most of these feelings came with work. I tried very hard over the last two months to change my attitude and actions at or towards working at Suzy Shier...thankful that the Lord got a hold of my heart which caused that to change.
I believe that even though I was capable of being in the position I was/am in that I was still worried with something going wrong and feeling a bunch of different pressures for so long and none of them really worth being that stressed over. Things like what if the tills don't balance, what if a get a nasty customer, what if I become ill and cannot find a replacement. Even though these are not that common (well the nasty/mean customer happens at least once a day) I still worry about it. Then there is the expectations of having everything run smoothly and getting tasks completed. When I'm running the store for a shift I need to make sure that my part-timer completes her task and that I complete mine and that the store looks nice and clean. Leave any notes about anything important that has happened and facing the facts that I might upset my part-timers for making them to a task to completion...some times all these are beyond stressful.
Now that I'm moving onto another job until future endeavors come to be my stress level has dropped a great deal and I have had an appetite since the day after I told my manager that I was leaving and moving on to another job. Giving my notice was a hard thing for me to do because I know what kind of strain that was about to put on my manager. I was a full time employee who had keys and now she has to work with only 3 key holders and one of them can only work evenings after school and weekends as she is still in school. That really puts a challenge in for them. Despite how many people told me not to worry about it I still did. So I will say that I am very thankful for my dear friend Charlie for praying for me right before going in. God went before me and He made that task of telling her sooo much easier than I expected. She truly seemed to understand.
I also rarely stayed up pasted 11 for the fear that I was becoming ill, because of the pain and discomfort in my stomach. It is now well past 1 am and I'm about to head to bed because I'm really tired. This makes me feel sooo good! It truly is amazing how much stress can affect your life and how you feel. Here's for many more days ahead.
I believe that even though I was capable of being in the position I was/am in that I was still worried with something going wrong and feeling a bunch of different pressures for so long and none of them really worth being that stressed over. Things like what if the tills don't balance, what if a get a nasty customer, what if I become ill and cannot find a replacement. Even though these are not that common (well the nasty/mean customer happens at least once a day) I still worry about it. Then there is the expectations of having everything run smoothly and getting tasks completed. When I'm running the store for a shift I need to make sure that my part-timer completes her task and that I complete mine and that the store looks nice and clean. Leave any notes about anything important that has happened and facing the facts that I might upset my part-timers for making them to a task to completion...some times all these are beyond stressful.
Now that I'm moving onto another job until future endeavors come to be my stress level has dropped a great deal and I have had an appetite since the day after I told my manager that I was leaving and moving on to another job. Giving my notice was a hard thing for me to do because I know what kind of strain that was about to put on my manager. I was a full time employee who had keys and now she has to work with only 3 key holders and one of them can only work evenings after school and weekends as she is still in school. That really puts a challenge in for them. Despite how many people told me not to worry about it I still did. So I will say that I am very thankful for my dear friend Charlie for praying for me right before going in. God went before me and He made that task of telling her sooo much easier than I expected. She truly seemed to understand.
I also rarely stayed up pasted 11 for the fear that I was becoming ill, because of the pain and discomfort in my stomach. It is now well past 1 am and I'm about to head to bed because I'm really tired. This makes me feel sooo good! It truly is amazing how much stress can affect your life and how you feel. Here's for many more days ahead.
A New Year, A New Month And A New Leaf
It is a brand new year and with that comes goals and such. I set some goals for myself last year, but because of the ob situation that I faced last year I was not able to accomplish many of those goals. Since this was the case many of these ended up being carried over for this year. I am well on my way and it is only the beginning of February. Some of those goals were only achievable through finances. Like getting a passport and a license and paying off that pesky credit card. Well I'm well on my way to accomplishing two of those as of right now...my passport is all filled out and ready to be taken in. I'm hoping to do the whole license thing late spring or summer.
Last year I was hoping to find a new job, which I did for a short while, but it was only part time and then ended up going back to Suzy Shier. Well that has finally happened, as of February 8th my last day will commence at Suzy Shier and I will start at Target on February 11th. I am very excited about this change and believe that my stress levels will drop a great deal with this change. Everything seems to be coming along nicely and I'm very thankful for the change.
Last year I was hoping to find a new job, which I did for a short while, but it was only part time and then ended up going back to Suzy Shier. Well that has finally happened, as of February 8th my last day will commence at Suzy Shier and I will start at Target on February 11th. I am very excited about this change and believe that my stress levels will drop a great deal with this change. Everything seems to be coming along nicely and I'm very thankful for the change.
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