Grateful for unanswered prayers
There have been many times in my life where I kicked and screamed and tore my hair out (figuratively, not literally) when things didn’t go my way. I’d mope about it and wonder what bad karma or horrible deed had finally caught up to me. It’s not my best quality, but it is what it is.
Something along those lines happened about a year ago when I learned my company had just hired a new PR director for a position based in southern California. Usually they were pretty good about spreading the word about open PR positions, but this one was not mentioned until it was already filled.
I was especially upset because I’d told my boss in my last review that I was interested in moving back to California and that ideally the move would be with the company. Obviously the word hadn’t worked its way up the corporate ladder…or maybe it had and they just weren’t interested.
Either way, I find myself today thanking my lucky stars that I was never offered that position since my company’s corporate PR office just announced that the position had been eliminated. It’s the first – and to my knowledge, only – PR position to be eliminated in my company and its based on some pretty extraordinary circumstances. But still, it doesn’t change the fact that it could have been me who was laid off if fate had only taken a slightly different turn.
What’s more, the main reason I was so desperate to move to California in the first place was to be close to a boyfriend I was dating long distance. I know I’ve mentioned him before and one day I promise I will tell you the unbelievable story – literally, my friends were shocked and it’s more suited to a soap opera or similarly surreal TV show than real life – of our breakup, but for now suffice it to say that things didn’t work out.
How different would my life be now if I’d moved to California for that job? Besides being estranged from my ex, I would be without a job and living in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., a city that also has one of the counry’s highest unemployment rates (and therefore, a glut of job applicants).
If I really was in that situation, I’m sure I could find some positives and a way to make it work. For example, I would be closer to family and I know they would never let me get to the point of starving or being homeless. And some people find the greatest rewards when they’re faced with extreme adversity.
But I’m really grateful I don’t have to deal with the what ifs and their consequences. I’ve always liked the song, but country singer Garth Brooks’ lyrics sum up my feelings in this situation perfectly - some of God’s greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers.
Filed under Career, Economy | Comment (0)Saver in the City’s five for Friday
No means no…except when it doesn’t. Learn how to increase your chances of turning a no into a yes in this post by I’ve Paid for This Twice Already.
A lot has been written in the media about the government’s stimulus plan, but what does it really mean to you, me and Jane public? The Dough Roller breaks it down in a very handy Economic Stimulus Package FAQ.
If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card and paying high interest rates, you simply can’t afford not to read The Simple Dollar’s tips for getting your credit card interest rates reduced.
Think you’re on track for retirement? Use Fabulously Broke in the City’s informative post to do a little check-up on your nest egg.
Confession: I hate flying. And since I’m taking one of those dinky little planes to Phoenix today it’s not surprising Master Your Card’s post about what to do before you die caught my eye. I haven’t done some of these things yet, so keep your fingers crossed for my safe travels!
And with that, I’ll leave you to a wonderful weekend! I won’t be posting again until early next week because I’m in Phoenix attending Angels’ spring training, but I’ll be sure to have a beer (or snowcone for PG-13 readers) for you to make up for it :-)
Filed under Economy, Finances, Investing | Comment (0)Africa on hold
The economy continues to crumble and with it goes something I’ve grown very excited about over the last few months.
Longtime readers may remember my parents announced around Christmas time that they wanted to take the family to Africa during the 2010 World Cup to celebrate my step-mom’s 60th birthday and my little brother’s graduation from high school.
Being the super-planner I am, I’d started forwarding travel articles about South Africa, ideas gleaned from people who’d recently traveled there, recommendations of travel agents specializing in this area, etc. to my step-mom.
She hadn’t really responded so I assumed she was just filing them away in a South Africa file (which I’m sure she had since we’re very much alike!) until she started planning in earnest.
Well, you know what they say about assuming…
I recently received an email from my step-mom letting me know they still want to go to Africa, but that they are considering putting the trip on hold for several reasons:
1) They’re concerned about press reports saying that South Africa isn’t as far along as it should be at this time for the World Cup. If South Africa does manage to actually pull it together, my parents wonder what the quality would be.
2) My parents were in Germany for the World Cup a few years ago so they’ve experienced the crowds, but they think the infrastructure in Europe was much better than South Africa will ever be.
3) They’re concerned about how much they’ve lost in the stock market and whether they should be spending $40,000-$50,000 at this time. Even though the world economy may be in recovery by next summer, they’ll have to spend the money today to hold reservations.
4) They’re also concerned that with the global economic meltdown, they may make deposits to companies in precarious financial straits (even if they’ve been around for decades), which could potentially put their hefty deposits at risk.
Checking out the financial condition of service providers in South Africa could be a lesson in futility, and they don’t know how or if they should buy insurance to cover such a potential loss.
While I’m disappointed, I completely understand their reasoning and support their decision. To be honest, Africa always seemed like such a far off reality since we were talking 2010 and I knew anything could happen between now and then.
All that said, I will continue to save up my alternative income for this purpose because hopefully things will turn around and Africa will become a reality. Maybe not in 2010, but one day.
Filed under Economy, Finances, Travel | Comment (0)Saver in the City’s five for Friday
Apparently, we can’t do anything right. Just when the government needs us to spend, spend, spend, we do a 180 and become super savers. Your Money Relationship takes a look at our newfound frugality and whether now is the worst time for Americans to start to save.
If you’ve ever gotten a computer virus, you know there are few things worse (well, other than a real virus). After bringing his computer back from the brink, My Money Blog shares info about the best free anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
Usually being upside down is fun (think monkey bars on the playground). Not so much when it involves the mortgage on your house. Budgets are Sexy turns his unfortunate situation into a helpful how-to for figuring out the value of your home…if you dare.
The birds, the bees and now a new topic to broach with the kiddos: the Benjamins. MSN Money’s Melinda Fulmer tells you what kids need to know about money in an easy step-by-step guide divided by age.
Ever wondered what would happen if you tried to screw over the IRS? My Two Dollars clears up the consequences in “What would happen if I don’t pay my taxes?” Actually, I’m wondering what the California government would do if someone sent them an I.O.U. in lieu of state taxes…will someone please do this for me, just for kicks and giggles? Any takers?
Have a great weekend!
Filed under Economy, Finances, Investing, Saving Ideas | Comment (0)Saver in the City’s five for Friday
Here’s the third installment of Saver in the City’s five for Friday! I love reading other blogs so it’s usually hard to narrow this list down to a handful, but here are five posts that caught my eye this week:
Having trouble sticking to your New Year’s resolutions? Regain your resolve and re-motivate yourself to succeed by reading The Wisdom Journal’s very doable list of 6 ways to motivate yourself.
They deliver through rain, sleet and snow…but apparently not through a recession. DebtFree4Ever brings to light a proposal made by the Attorney General this week to save the U.S. Postal Service money by cutting mail delivery to 5 days a week.
If the possibility of massive sales at soon-to-close Circuit City have you salivating (like me), be sure to read FiveCentNickel’s tips for shopping liquidation sales.
Mmmm, McDonald’s french fries…it’s hard to imagine life without them. Luckily we don’t have to. In her series about self-made men, Wide Open Wallet takes a look at Ray Kroc, the fast food entreprenuer who made McDonald’s (which by the way is one of the few companies thriving in this economy) a household name.
Ha, now that I’ve tempted you with french fries, consider some of SoundMoneyMatters’ great reasons to start your fitness goals in February. I know, I’m cruel :-)
Have a great weekend!
Filed under Career, Economy, Finances, Shopping | Comment (0)