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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAfter almost six years, my long ordeal is almost over
I'm going back to work on Monday morning. It's a temp-to-hire job, but it's not another warehouse gig or mailroom job - I'm going to be a medical records clerk making around $34K a year.
I was laid off of a medical admin job in August 2010 that paid $37K a year. Since then, finding gainful employment that paid me what I was worth has been impossible, so I took whatever temp jobs I could. But there have been long stretches of unemployment, and my benefits have run out a long time ago. I am broke, but not broken.
That all changes on Monday. Soon I will have a steady paycheck once again, and maybe I can start paying some bills and getting on with the rest of my life. Maybe even start exploring ghost towns again during the weekends. Or perhaps wining and dining a really cute girl. Having options once again is going to take some getting used to.
I can't wait.
LonePirate
(13,420 posts)derby378
(30,252 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)and I hope you are made permanent soon and given raises in short order!
Best of luck!
I intend to make the most out of this chance.
Melissa G
(10,170 posts)I'll buy you breakfast if you come through Austin!
derby378
(30,252 posts)You mean there's a chance we might actually meet each other at last? Coolness!
Can't make it to the San Antonio convention, sorry. But yes, let's meet next time I'm in Austin!
Melissa G
(10,170 posts)Hope to see you soon!
irisblue
(32,973 posts)How wonderful
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,614 posts)I am thrilled for you!
I hope it will quickly lead to a truly permanent job.
derby378
(30,252 posts)pnwmom
(108,977 posts)sueh
(1,826 posts)IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)Good for you. I wish you success in your new job. Having options is a great thing.
Omaha Steve
(99,628 posts)ailsagirl
(22,896 posts)Congratulations!!
La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)I am OK financially after a decade of becoming poorer and poorer. I got used to not doing things and I thought I missed doing stuff like going to movies, eating steak, driving around for the fun of it, going to lunch with my friends, etc.
Now I can do all that but I still have to overcome thinking that I can't afford it. I find myself not buying something I'd like because in the back of my mind is the feeling that I can't afford it.
Now I'm slowly replacing the appliances that have been breaking down which have been pretty much all of them. It really took an effort to believe I could afford to do it. It's silly, I know, but it's true. And it has nothing to do with stinginess. It's just that ingrained feeling of not having enough money all the time. Of years of going without because the money I had needed to be spent on something more vital. I sometimes give myself permission to splurge on some new clothes or, heaven forbid, a steak, but it doesn't break me of the thought habit of near poverty.
On the other hand I've found that I no longer want to spend on anything just for the luxury of it either. I'm just not interested in actually spending money or buying stuff just for jollies. The things I spend my money on are what's needed only and I'm quite satisfied with that.
derby378
(30,252 posts)Not having either Ginny or a steady income around threatened to turn me into a recluse. At least staying close to home saves wear and tear on the car - but now I can afford to maintain it properly, feed myself better food, buy presents for family during the holidays, maybe even pay a few bills! Whoda thunk it?
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Soon you'll wonder how you made it through the bad times.
But what you learned about yourself will carry you for the rest of your life.
AntiBank
(1,339 posts)mountain grammy
(26,620 posts)passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)I hope you get hired permanently
Every long term temp job I took ended up in a permanent job, so hang in there...you can do this!
Sorry things have been so rough for so long. I totally understand. I've been there...hell, I'm there now.
Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)My son, a member of Mensa, was out of work for a very long time. He got a temp job, sorting FRENCH FRIES!! Glad to get it, too. Now he has a real job, with benefits. Good luck to you, after that long dry spell.
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)LisaM
(27,811 posts)Good luck.
lastlib
(23,226 posts)Best of Luck in your new endeavors!
Eye of the Tiger!!
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)and have great co-workers. Wishing you nothing but the best.
Tess49
(1,579 posts)enjoyed it.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)!!
AnotherDreamWeaver
(2,850 posts)No Vested Interest
(5,166 posts)hopemountain
(3,919 posts)ReRe
(10,597 posts)Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)**THIS**
I am broke, but not broken.
I hope you can squirrel away a bit of money to grab some souvenirs from those ghost towns!
Congratulations on being gainfully employed again. You are clearly a deserving survivor.
hollysmom
(5,946 posts)I wish you the best of things.
blondie58
(2,570 posts)After one week of Seeing you work, i have no Doubt that rhey'll make it permanent!
Ägain, congratulations!
Rhiannon12866
(205,320 posts)I've been there, and hoping this turns out to be everything you want. Best of luck, but I have no doubt you'll do just fine...
MarianJack
(10,237 posts)PEACE!
Lunabell
(6,080 posts)don't date a girl. The age difference would be too great. Try dating a woman.
derby378
(30,252 posts)Sorry. My wife was 13 years my senior. She told me she wanted me to chase some "sweet young thing" if anything happened to her. But I'm keeping my options open - as long as they're legal and at least halfway intelligent.
mnhtnbb
(31,388 posts)I worked in medical records at UCLA--day shift--for 6 months after I graduated college early and before I started grad school. It was a fun group of people.
Hope you enjoy the job and your co-workers AND having a steady paycheck!
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)Your bosses and coworkers are easy-going, goodhearted democrats!
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)your life re-boot!
secondwind
(16,903 posts)downeastdaniel
(497 posts)Just reading posts
(688 posts)Fla Dem
(23,666 posts)Demsrule86
(68,565 posts)I wish you the best. My hubs was laid off when we moved to Ohio in 08...I had left my Wisconsin job for the move. He eventually went back to work at General Motors, but it was tough. We seriously considered driving off a bridge so the kids would get insurance money...of course, we didn't ...but we lost our health insurance (thanks Obama for extending cobra and making it free) we did empty our college fund, nearly lose our house and cars before it got better. This forever changed me. I know how hard it is...I hope you have wonderful success to make up for six brutal years.
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)Congrats!
kimbutgar
(21,141 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Liberal Jesus Freak
(1,451 posts)Congratulations
niyad
(113,302 posts)NikolaC
(1,276 posts)SylviaD
(721 posts)Wow, this brought tears to my eyes.
You have been through a lot - now enjoy yourself a bit. You deserve it.
*HUG*
Boomerproud
(7,952 posts)What a weight lifted off your shoulders. Yes, you can start living again!
Moostache
(9,895 posts)I hope that you get a chance to enjoy the new beginning.
LongTomH
(8,636 posts)trueblue2007
(17,217 posts)Ligyron
(7,632 posts)Wishing you a world of success in your new adventure...
bluescribbler
(2,116 posts)I've been there, but not for nearly as long as you have. I'm currently working a temp-to-hire position, earning $5.50/hr less than I earned in 2008 and the company's first offer to hire me direct was $3.00/hr less than I'm earning now.
Good for you, and best of luck going forward.
democrank
(11,094 posts)Best of luck to you.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)C Moon
(12,213 posts)Response to derby378 (Original post)
raging moderate This message was self-deleted by its author.
ErikJ
(6,335 posts)I can work as hard or little as I want and make as much or little as I want. To hell with depending on "the man"for survival. No begging for a job and no pain of layoffs.
But a warning. Some self-employed make millions and some make hardly anything. 90% go out of biz within 5 yrs.
StoneCarver
(249 posts)Glad to hear it! I wish you the best of luck! May you live long and prosper.
Stonecarver
Skittles
(153,160 posts)go ahead and do something very nice for yourself - you deserve it
AikidoSoul
(2,150 posts)and that you life is filled with love, good health, and security.
derby378
(30,252 posts)I am truly touched by your kindness and well-wishes.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)a kennedy
(29,658 posts)I am broke, but not broken. Good luck getting back to the rat race.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)With your attitude ("I am broke but not broken" , you're going to be an asset to any company. I sincerely wish you the best, and admire your tenacity.
You're not only going to make a comeback, you're going to make it great! The very best of luck!