Greener Pastures
So...it seems I am at a sort of crossroads in my life yet again. Basically since I started working at the Housing Authority, I always felt like I needed to find something different, better, more appropriate for me. I make a decent amount of money there and have had great benefits, and so I've stayed despite being fairly unhappy. It's not a challenging job(s) and so it hasn't been that difficult to put up with. However I've gone through bouts where I get sick of being unhappy and I feel like my soul is being drained and I'm doomed to live a mediocre life forever. I've brought up the idea of leaving my job numerous times in the past, but always coming up with a lack of a real game plan, so it never happened. Honestly, it never felt like it was the right time..it felt forced. And for the most part I alwyas listen to my instincts and whenever an idea I have feels forced, I steer away from it. This time, however, I really feel like life is pushing me in that direction and the universe is harmoniously pushing me onward. So I'm scared shitless because this time the fantasy might actually become reality. Holy Crap.
Basically, the WHA has been on a downward spiral for the past few years, consistantly getting budget cuts from the federal government. Last year, we were cut 10% of our operating costs, which ended up with us laying off 4 girls. We also had 2 guys retire. Now this year, they cut us another 30% I believe, so I think we are down to like 60% of our operating costs. Which is horrific. So now, me being union steward, have been privied to all kinds of inside scoops. I found out today how bad the situation really is. They plan on laying off the least senior person in a couple weeks. That will let them float financially until our fiscal year rolls over in July. Then the shit hits the fan. Basically they have to find a way to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings in order to make ends meet enough to pay everyone and keep the place running. So that means either laying off like 5 more of the girls - which at that point is basically their whole department and would put us out of business, and/or they are going to have to drastically change our healthcare plan. I was told it could be as bad as where hypathetically a family would have a $3,000 deductible before the insurance would kick in for anything. That's freaking CRAZY. I can't afford that. Not only that, but he also said they were looking at possible 2 more layoffs in the finance department, which is where I am. I am the 2nd least senior in that department, so that means I'd have to bump someone less senior that me, which means I'd have to go back into my old position. That also means I'd end up with a $7,000 a year paycut. No matter how you slice it, my future looks bleak. Plus there's really no more upward mobility left for me. The only jobs left there that pay more than what I make now all require a degree, which I don't have. So the only place left for me to go there is down. So I'm thinking taking a voluntarily lay-off might be the way to go.
I figure if I do that, I can collect unemployment. I will probably get between $400-$500 a week from unemployment, which hopefully I can collect for a while. Because that will be our only income for the household, we can all presumably get on the state insurnce plan which, don't get me wrong - sucks, but it's better than nothing. I might also possibly qualify for food stamps. So THEN to suplement the money I would be losing I still have my two under the table jobs which I could work more hours at since now I'll be home. I also was given the opportunity to apprentice with the guy who's teaching the tiling class I'm taking. He has his own business and would be willing to pay me to help him with his jobs. So that way I could get experience and learn and possibly start my own tiling business. OR I could use the time and go back to school and either get a business degree so I can start a business of my own, or I can go into biology or entemology or criminal justice. Then if I went to school while I was home Adam could get a part time job to suplement income as well. Or I could sell stuff on ebay too. I'm not really worried about the money aspect of things, mostly just the insurance part I guess. Plus I'm already vested in my company, so I'll still get a pension after I turn 65.
So yeah...it's scary as hell and I don't know how or when to make this decision. But I've felt VERY unsettled lately...very overexcited and anxious. And I ususally get that way when the universe is trying to tell me something and steer me in a certain direction, or when I need to make a crucial decision about something. It's just so MAJOR and FINAL. I'm so scared of making the wrong choice!!!
Ok I am now going to watch the Hobbit and eat candy and soda with Adam and Randall. I bid you adieau.
Basically, the WHA has been on a downward spiral for the past few years, consistantly getting budget cuts from the federal government. Last year, we were cut 10% of our operating costs, which ended up with us laying off 4 girls. We also had 2 guys retire. Now this year, they cut us another 30% I believe, so I think we are down to like 60% of our operating costs. Which is horrific. So now, me being union steward, have been privied to all kinds of inside scoops. I found out today how bad the situation really is. They plan on laying off the least senior person in a couple weeks. That will let them float financially until our fiscal year rolls over in July. Then the shit hits the fan. Basically they have to find a way to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings in order to make ends meet enough to pay everyone and keep the place running. So that means either laying off like 5 more of the girls - which at that point is basically their whole department and would put us out of business, and/or they are going to have to drastically change our healthcare plan. I was told it could be as bad as where hypathetically a family would have a $3,000 deductible before the insurance would kick in for anything. That's freaking CRAZY. I can't afford that. Not only that, but he also said they were looking at possible 2 more layoffs in the finance department, which is where I am. I am the 2nd least senior in that department, so that means I'd have to bump someone less senior that me, which means I'd have to go back into my old position. That also means I'd end up with a $7,000 a year paycut. No matter how you slice it, my future looks bleak. Plus there's really no more upward mobility left for me. The only jobs left there that pay more than what I make now all require a degree, which I don't have. So the only place left for me to go there is down. So I'm thinking taking a voluntarily lay-off might be the way to go.
I figure if I do that, I can collect unemployment. I will probably get between $400-$500 a week from unemployment, which hopefully I can collect for a while. Because that will be our only income for the household, we can all presumably get on the state insurnce plan which, don't get me wrong - sucks, but it's better than nothing. I might also possibly qualify for food stamps. So THEN to suplement the money I would be losing I still have my two under the table jobs which I could work more hours at since now I'll be home. I also was given the opportunity to apprentice with the guy who's teaching the tiling class I'm taking. He has his own business and would be willing to pay me to help him with his jobs. So that way I could get experience and learn and possibly start my own tiling business. OR I could use the time and go back to school and either get a business degree so I can start a business of my own, or I can go into biology or entemology or criminal justice. Then if I went to school while I was home Adam could get a part time job to suplement income as well. Or I could sell stuff on ebay too. I'm not really worried about the money aspect of things, mostly just the insurance part I guess. Plus I'm already vested in my company, so I'll still get a pension after I turn 65.
So yeah...it's scary as hell and I don't know how or when to make this decision. But I've felt VERY unsettled lately...very overexcited and anxious. And I ususally get that way when the universe is trying to tell me something and steer me in a certain direction, or when I need to make a crucial decision about something. It's just so MAJOR and FINAL. I'm so scared of making the wrong choice!!!
Ok I am now going to watch the Hobbit and eat candy and soda with Adam and Randall. I bid you adieau.