I Really Don't Like Wal-Mart

Just when I think things with Wal-Mart are getting better, they pull another boner. Back in my previous job, I heard a speaker who had been a consultant to Wal-Mart's CEO say the CEO wanted the company to be a more socially responsible company. Like being more environmentally aware and being a better employer, i.e, providing health insurance and such. It warmed my heart. I was hoping it was true. Well, maybe it is true on some level. But I have never seen a company step in it more than Wal-Mart. The news about them suing the woman who was their employer who had had an accident and is now brain damaged is beyond belief. She won a settlement that will help ease her now horrible life a little. And Wal-Mart wants to take that money from her! It is not that they are not entitled to it. Of course they are. That is not the point. They look like the greedy bottomless scum that they are. Apparently, they have never heard of public relations before. They really suck at it and deserve the bad rap they are getting.

Disclosure: I did get a Wal-Mart gift card for Christmas that I used the other day. I had to hold my nose the whole time in the store. Yes, they do offer low prices that do help out poor people. But that is about all you can say about them. And they could be much more.

Coupon Fun

Well, this wasn't really a coupon, but an IOU of sorts. I had gone to Firestone a while back for an oil change, and had a coupon, and the man forgot to figure in the coupon when he rang me up. And for some reason, he couldn't ring me back up with the coupon figured in. But he gave me a business card with his signature on it, saying I could have a free oil change.

My problem, good or bad, is that I get very tunnel-visioned. Which is good when you are on a deadline at work or school. But bad when you are on a deadline and still have to think about personal things--like making sure you change the oil in your car.

I had forgotten to change or add the oil in my car for a long time because of my focus on work and school! I was driving my boss on an errand, when I saw my oil light flick on quickly and then disappear. My stomach went into my throat. I almost said, "Let's stop the car," but I was worried about him thinking poorly of me for forgetting to add or change oil! I knew if it just flicked it was momentarily OK. I dropped him off and went immediately to a service station, where they gave me a huge guilt trip. Said I was close to ruining my engine. Put two and a half quarts of oil in. I felt like a chump.

So I knew I had to get my oil changed soon. I am also tight on money with all of my law school and bar expenses. But I remembered that free oil change IOU that was in my glove compartment. I overslept this morning and didn't get to Firestone early enough to get in the lineup. I had to be back at school this afternoon for a PMBR review, so I couldn't leave my car.

I asked if I brought my car back after the review, could they do my oil change before they closed? He said yes, give it a shot.

So I drove back, late in the afternoon, not so sure that they would be able to do it that late. But maybe having that card with the manager's signature on it did the trick. They had me in and out in 30 minutes. A record! I promise to take care of my itty bitty car. I wuv it.

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.