The hidden cost of redundancy
So it sounds ideal doesn't it? January off work, my first break for 13 years, a complete change of scenery. Add to this a pot of money coming at the end of the month which will keep the wolves from the door for a while... all sounds idyllic doesn't it?
That is, until you look at what I've lost as well as my job. Firstly, as I mentioned in an earlier post, my identity. I've already had a couple of experiences in a social setting where I've been asked what I do for a living and it's thrown me as I've had to admit I'm unemployed - which is really difficult for me to accept.
Secondly, my laptop. For the last 10 years or so I've had a work laptop but now find myself laptop-less. Fortunately I have smescrater 's MacBook to use for the time being which being a Mac isn't that easy for a dedicated Windows PC user to use! And thanks to thalinoviel I should have a Windows PC arriving soon which will be gratefully received :-)
Thirdly, and the main reason for tonight's rant, my car. Our beloved leased Audi A3 went back to the lease company to be auctioned last Friday so this is the first time in 5 years I've had to shop round for car insurance (our friend Alex - not sure of his LJ name - is kindly donating an old Vauxhall Calibre to the cause!). Anyway, I've discovered that some companies want to charge me an extra £400 per year just because I'm unemployed vs working with computers. Now obviously I don't intend to commit insurance fraud but I just find that difference in quote price absolutely ridiculous.
Fourthly, my sanity. Okay, I still have that at the moment but I can see me losing it at some point in the not too distant future if I don't find a job soon!
That is, until you look at what I've lost as well as my job. Firstly, as I mentioned in an earlier post, my identity. I've already had a couple of experiences in a social setting where I've been asked what I do for a living and it's thrown me as I've had to admit I'm unemployed - which is really difficult for me to accept.
Secondly, my laptop. For the last 10 years or so I've had a work laptop but now find myself laptop-less. Fortunately I have smescrater 's MacBook to use for the time being which being a Mac isn't that easy for a dedicated Windows PC user to use! And thanks to thalinoviel I should have a Windows PC arriving soon which will be gratefully received :-)
Thirdly, and the main reason for tonight's rant, my car. Our beloved leased Audi A3 went back to the lease company to be auctioned last Friday so this is the first time in 5 years I've had to shop round for car insurance (our friend Alex - not sure of his LJ name - is kindly donating an old Vauxhall Calibre to the cause!). Anyway, I've discovered that some companies want to charge me an extra £400 per year just because I'm unemployed vs working with computers. Now obviously I don't intend to commit insurance fraud but I just find that difference in quote price absolutely ridiculous.
Fourthly, my sanity. Okay, I still have that at the moment but I can see me losing it at some point in the not too distant future if I don't find a job soon!