I Did It Again.

Yes, I did it again---argggh. Overdrawn! I am so mad. I even had a little extra money in my check this time which just went to what is obviously my favorite charity--my bank! (just kidding of course--they don't need my money!) I had made an online phone payment. They had always taken two days to clear before, but of course, this time it just took one day, which was one day before my paycheck was deposited. Just can't believe it. I don't have time to get depressed about this--just press on! (And try not to do it again.)

In Re Bar Application

As I have mentioned, I have slow credit. I have had slow credit for years, followed by periods of great credit, followed by periods of slow credit again. I have been worried about this in regards to my bar application. It is important for lawyers to be financially responsible. We were told to call the lawyer's assistance program if we thought we had any red flags that we needed to worry about, so that we could start working with them before the bar examiners start working with us. I called them today to see if I needed to make an appointment. He said no. That they have never denied a bar application because of slow credit. (Wipes brow. Relief) But I need to be transparent, which of course I will be. I just have to be a big person about my stupidness with money. But what a relief overall.

Extra Paycheck

For those of us who get paid bi-weekly, we get an extra bonus twice a year: three paychecks in a month instead of two. The next one coming up is in July. I was hoping it would help me when I am not working for a few weeks while I study for the bar. My only question is where it falls....will it really help me, since I am going to be off work for the last couple of weeks in July? hmmmmm. Maybe it won't be "extra" money, but hopefully, having that extra pay period will mean that at least I won't lose money that month. Have to think about this more.

Keeping Your Job

The workworld is very different today. Change happens at an ever increasing rate. There is a greater amount of change and it is increasingly happening at a faster pace. There aren't many jobs today that don't incorporate change. Well, maybe there are a few. But it seems that even unskilled or semi-skilled work have change as a component. Here is the reason why: Competition is more keen today with outsourcing and streamlining. An employer has to constantly think about how to change the business to stay productive and respond to market needs. Even an unskilled worker may need to do different things or take on a new task every once in a while. A trend is to also work faster and better, to work smarter if you will. To work smarter, you have to think about what you are doing, and how you can do it better. What steps you can leave out, or how you can be more efficient. In my previous job, I had to think about this all of the time. Luckily, I was able to do it. This can be important to keeping your job. I know of two people who have lost their jobs because they were unable to work faster and smarter, and I know of another one who may lose his job soon for the same reasons. (And losing your job can be disastrous for the budget, for obvious reasons.) It is not really difficult to adapt--you just have to accept that you have to do it and be willing to try to adapt to change. Change can be exciting, and like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it.

No More Credit Cards

A relative today was saying I should get a certain department store credit card, because I could realize some savings on every item I buy with it. I just nodded my head and said, "OK." I didn't go into the fact with her that I already have too much credit card debt, and am not sure I would get approved for it anyway. But the bottom line: I would never even dream of trying to get that credit card. I just don't feel the need to explain my situation to people anymore. I can just do what I need to do. And that is empowering.

Value Vet

I have a regular vet (and boy, is he hot). But his clinic tends to be a little on the pricey side, so in the last couple of months when I have had to schedule vet appointments, I have chosen Value Vet. There are a couple of locations in Nashville. I earlier took my cat Loopot there, and he was diagnosed with diabetes, which we are trying to maintain with diet. I took my dog Stoopot there yesterday for a heartworm check. I was holding my breath, because I had let his heartworm pills lapse, and I was frightened that maybe he had gotten exposed. He doesn't go outside very much, so I guess there was less risk. But anyway, his test came back negative. I was so thankful! Every time I have gone to Value Vet, they have been great to work with and have treated my pets very well. It is nice to have such an economical alternative when you need pet care.