Another day without spending money!

Woo-hoo! Three days gone and two more left of this week. I don't know if I will get called back to work this assignment next week. I hope I do, just for the fact that I'll be making money, but my concern is just being able to close out the rest of this week. At least I will get a full paycheck, if all goes well.

During my down time on the job today (which was quite sporadic-I was pretty busy and it made the day go by faster), I read an article about making the best of a job situation that you're not happy with. It made me think about this position. It's amazing how you can take little things for granted. I never would've thought I would be at a job that I have to be escorted to the bathroom and can't leave the building until my shift is over. So I am in that office for eight hours, with no windows and restricted online usage! I realize, like that article said, the best thing you can do in situations like these is just try to learn something. I do believe every experience we have helps to prepare us for future endeavors. Believing that and knowing that I'm making money are my driving forces these days. Sometimes I feel at my wit's end, but I've come too far now to lose my mind completely.

The good thing is, as I mentioned during the last post, with this job I don't have to spend any money that I don't have. I've been taking my sustinance everyday for the last three days. Oatmeal for breakfast, Tuna on wheat and a granola bar for a snack. There is a water cooler in the office so I don't have to worry about not having a beverage. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to drink more water, but since I can't use the rest room at my own free will, it's best if I limit the intake. I was thinking that maybe I need to start eating my heavier lunch during mid day so I can burn it off by the time I get home. Problem is, because that office is so quiet and stuffy, I'm afraid that a big meal will put me to sleep. I feel bad that I'm consuming so much bread, but this is what have right now. I may, however, shop for soup during the weekend, that is if I'm still assigned to there next week. I love New England Clam Chowder and that would be a nice filling light lunch...that is, if I can get it through security. I may need to just invest in those small microwaveable bowls from Campbells or Progresso. I would also like to get some more fresh fruit. On my first day, that's what I had for lunch. I bought it in my mom's purple Curves canister and the security at the airport surprisingly didn't give ma hard time about it. Today, however, they took my hand sanitizer, which sucks because there is no sink to wash my hands in the office. Oh well, let me stop complaining. A job tha's semi-confining is better than having no job and no money at all. I'm also proud of myself that I had a pack of Entenmann's assorted donuts that my supervisor brought in staring me in the face for two days and I did not give in to temptation. Somebody give this girl a round of applause!

Not that I'm a Homer Simpson or anything, but I do love sweets. So I would've certainly ate it. But in reality, I'm just not interested in consuming food that is really bad for me. I would really like to ride this weight loss storm straight on through this time!

Full & Tired

Day two has come and gone for the new temp job. Things have gotten a little better. I still got there super early & I actually enjoy it. Even though I'm unable to go upstairs to the office, I still can sit comfortably and write or listen to music while I wait for an escort. And the airport is usually empty that early in the morning so that's good. Since I commute to the job via the bus, I like to give myself ample time to reach there due to traffic problems or whatever. The NYC transit always manages to leave something to be desired.

My supervisor is very understanding. Even when I make stupid, yet honest mistakes, she seems very forgiving. She's better at forgiving me than I am at forgiving me. I feel that someone with a Masters Degree should be a bit more detail-oriented, even though that was never one of strong suits. I tell you, I use to want a government job, but I don't think I can deal with the hassels and restrictions of it. Now, I do realize that I work in an airport, therefore security is important. But sometimes it feel so confining. I just have to keep telling myself that the money is all that matters right now. I've been so self conscious about my performance these past two days, until I asked the supervisor this afternoon if she has been satisfied with how I've been doing so far. She said she has, and that she realizes I'm still learning. I assured her that I was learning. In which I am. This job has opened my eyes about a lot of things. Being that I work in human resources now, it's a comfort to know there are people all over this huge city applying to jobs, looking for work. Being unemployed really makes you feel isolated and lonely. One thing I've learned while working here is that it doesn't pay (literally) to delay applying for a job that you are interested in because chances are, a whole sleu of people are doing the exact same thing and for the exact same job. I know that sounds like sheer common sense, and in reality it is, but many people procrastinate (myself especially) when it comes to applying for a job, thinking that if it was just posted, not that many people have seen it. THAT'S A LIE! Trust me: many other people have seen that ad or posting and may very well be way ahead of you. So many people of all ages have been calling the office all day wanting to apply for the same job, a Sales Associate position that they are hiring for. Some of the resumes are good, many of them are not. But none of them are accompanied by a cover letter . I found this to be interested being that most companies stress that no resume should be sent without one. I guess it depends on what you are applying. I will be sure to ask my supervisor tomorrow to see what her take on all of this is.

As for the weight loss plan, I had a packet of bananas and cream oatmeal for breakfast, a Tuna Fish sandwich on whole wheat for lunch and a granola bar for a snack (I bought all of these from home so no money was spent again today! Yay!). I'm full now because I just had dinner. My mom ordered chinese food. I ate some rice and lo mein, two double doses of carbs, but I did also have a little bit of veggies. And I skipped the soda and went for the water instead. So not to bad, but I still have a long way to go. My mother (God bless her soul), gave me $200 from her income tax refund I'm more than thankful, I just realize there's so much that needs to be done with it and I don't know where to start. I said I was going to hold off from making any purchases until I get my check next week. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the rest of this week at this assignment so I'll know that I'll have a full paycheck.

Here is a brief rundown on bills and other expenses I have at the moment:

1. Dell Preferred Account
2. Car insurance
3. Cable
4. New boots
5. Put coat in dry cleaners
6. Repair car tire and axel

I'm sure I'm missing something else, but I can't remember what it is at this moment. Of course there are other things I'd like to do:

1. Buy tickets to see The Cure and Tommy Petty and Heartbreakers (not together, of course) in concert this summer ($112 for both shows)
2. Get my XM radio turned back on in my car ($200)

but that's another sad and sordid story that I wish I could tell, but my eyes are slowly closing. Right now, I just develop a budget for myself, and once I do, I'll certainly post here.

My first day at the new job

Well, I'm kind of exhausted today, not necessarily because of the day's endeavors but more so because I arrived at this assignment a little earlier than I expected. I woke up this morning at 5:30 am after hitting the snooze buttom about five times. I was out of the house at a quarter to 7 and walked to the very first bus stop to catch the bus, so that was my exercise for the say. Yay! I got there at around 7:30 am. Due to the fact it's an airport, I had to wait for someone to come down and escort me upstairs. Problem is, although I was instructed to be there at 8:15 a.m by the director of the temp agency, I wasn't escorted until five minutes to nine! Granted, I was there super early. Maybe a little too early but at least they can't hold that against me. Anyway, once I went through the metal detectors and through security, I was setteld in. Basically, I work in human resources for Duty Free America. So the next time you go into a Duty Free America shop at an airport here in NYC, chances are I had something to do with that person that sells you a tube of Chanel lipstick to you or a Hermes bag. And if you can afford a Hermes bag, feel free to come to the Human Resources office and give me a tip. I would greatly appreciate it. Overall....I'm not crazy about this job. I have a problem with the fact that I have to be escorted to the ladies room by a employee because I don't have ID. Not being able to go out for lunch is cool. Today I bought some apples, tangerines, and grapefruit that Mom packed me. So the only money I spent during my work day was the four dollars it took me to get back and forth to the location. Which in reality, I didn't spend because I'm using my mom's MetroCard transit check card that she gets through her job. I went to the grocery store after work and bought a few things: oatmeal for breakfast, tuna fish, relish and mayo with canola oil for a tuna sandwich lunch, multigrain tostitos and salsa for a snack when I get home. I'm going to bring an empty water bottle so that I can feel it from the water cooler that's at the job. I brought a water bottle with water in it from home but of course the security took it at the gates. Boy, if I had a dollar for every poor bottle of water that's left at the gates by travellers, I probably wouldn't need to work. But that would be in a perfect world.



The truth of the matter is I need to work. I have to tolerate this postition for as long as I can. I pray that I will be assigned to it for as long as I can because I need the funds. I'm getting paid $11 an hour, which of course is not that much but I don't take a lunch, so that'll be the whole 8 hours. I calculated it to be about $480 I'll be bringing home every week if I get to stay there for a long time. One thing I hate about temp work is the fear of receiving that call saying that they don't need my services anymore. Even though I'm not crazy about this position, I am, however, crazy about the idea of knowing that I have some sort of income coming in. It's not much but it's better than what I've had prior. I need to get ready for Day 2: find an outfit, wash and brush my face, and make my grub for tomorrow. I hope to discuss if things have gotten better or worse.

Who Am I & What Am I Doing Here?

So, this is my first post. Where do I begin? I guess at the beginning...ok enough of being a wise girl! :)

My main goals for this year are to lose weight and get my personal finances in order. Now that higher education is officially behind me, I need to really get myself in order to be better and do better. Here is a rundown of my plans for each of these goals, including where I am currently.

Weight Loss

My mother and I started our own weight loss plan earlier this month (February). Being that my finances are currently out of wack, I can't afford to join a high-end weight loss program. So Mom and I decided to make some adjustments in our eating habits such as limiting carbs, avoiding sweets, white sugar, white rice, white bread, eating more fruit and veggies, drinking more water and watching portions. Also, of course, there needs to be some physical activity. I was going to a gym that's near my home regularly until last Monday when my membership expired. This gym will be the only thing other than groceries I will spend money on while trying to lose weight being that I'm the type of person who will not seeing any weight loss progress unless I exercise. I learned this during my many other ill-fated attempts at trying to shed pounds. My mother uses the Ab Lounger in the basement for her daily dose of exercise. When the weather improves, we both vow to take advantage of the long awaited beautiful spring days to take some long brisk walks.

The gym that I was a member of is excellent. It's not that expensive and it's in my 'hood so if I get really inspired I can walk there. The prices are $5 everyday $50 for 3 months and $99 for six months. I usually go for the six months price. The last time I was there they were offering a promotion that offered the six months for ten dollars less than the usual asking price. I'm trying to catch this promotion before it's gone. It's a damn good deal. And being a member of a gym may help me stay on track with this weight loss goal because I'm around other people instead of doing it alone.

I'm really ready for this change. Right now, it's more of a need than a want! Currently, I'm proud of myself that I am not finding an excuse for eating the things that I know are not good for me. In fact, I don't even have a taste for any sweets, chocolate, alcohol, or french fries (my weakness). I'm not saying I never will have another craving, because I do have my moments, but when I see scale numbers going the other way, or when I see clothes get a little bigger, and I'm feeling more energetic, and me and Mom's faces are getting smaller, this all makes me want to keep going. not to mention shocking the hell out of people that haven't seen me in ages and angering some others that won't be able to take the sudden change in me! Even if the scale numbers are still on one number for a little time, that's okay. At least it's not getting higher. Of course I don't want that needle to be stuck on that number forever, but just as long as it remains stagnant and not increase! My short term weight loss goal is to lose 60 lbs this year and the long term is to lose 130 pounds by this time next year. I feel that if I take this weight loss slowly, I may have a better chance of succeeding. Once and hopefully for all!

Personal Finance

Well folks, this is certainly a horse of a different color. I haven't had a full time job in a long while. I've been doing promotions and living off of loan refunds throughout my attempt to obtain my Masters Degree. I graduated from the Masters program in May of last year and I have been unable to secure a full time position ever since. After sending countless resumes, revamping resumes, stressing over writing impressive cover letters, and preparing for interviews I never get a call back for, I've experienced a lot of disappointment and depression. Not only do I have expenses that I need to take care of such as car insurance, car repair, nagging bills and helping my mom run this household, but there also needs to be a emergency fund set up, a Dell Preferred Account pay off (my only credit card debt), and of course, the infamous student loans. They are still in deferment but the interest is increasing. So, that's another issue.

In September of last year, I signed up for two temp agencies. One of them, I haven't heard anything from since my interview but another one surprised me last month with an assignment after three months of interviewing with them. Those little dollars I earned for that assignment has really helped out a lot. ?I was at my wit's end. After my last promotion ended, I still had no job and had no idea where the next dollar was coming from. Although the assignment only lasted for four days, that paycheck increased my moral and that negative in my bank account! It's not at all as much as I would've like it to be, but it's a start. I have more in those accounts now than I've had in such a long time. So I at least feel like something's changing.

I interviewed for another assignment last Tuesday. It was for a receptionist in a doctor's office. It wasn't for me and I think the person that interviewed me felt the same. So on Friday, the director of the temp agency placed me at another assignment starting tomorrow, Monday. It's at an airport that's thankfully not too far from me. I'll be doing clerical work. Believe me, I didn' t obtain a MS to be a receptionist or administrative assistant for the rest of my days, but right now, I need something!!! Something that will help me get to next level, whatever it may be.

The author of one of my favorite PF blogs, Give Me Back My Five Bucks, is motivated to watch her budget by having a month long ban against buying lunch while at work. She has even motivated her subcribers to do the same. Since I'm happily one of those subscribers, I think I will follow suit. The job that I start tomorrow don't allow workers to go out for lunch, being that it's in an airport and security is understandably tight. So this will motivate me to brown bag it. This will also allow me to save money as well as keep me on track for my weight loss efforts. So all is good, so far!!!! :)

I am a strong believer that when God closes one door, another one opens. If this assignment doesn't work out I'm certain there will be another. But if this assignment last for more than a month, here are the things I'd like to do with the earnings:

1. Repair my car

2. Save at least $100 a week

3. Limit money on buying food

4. Save Some More!!!!

and getting paid every week will certainly be welcomed!!!!

So, that is basically who I am and what I am about these days. I look forward to recording the progress of these goals and maybe soon I will start posting pics of my weight loss progress. Please stay tuned!!!! :-)