How do you do it? Budgeting

**Terri** · #**101** 05/25/06, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer4

I totally sympathize with not wanting to make the 'system' wealthier off your sweat & toil, but right now there isn't a choice. You have to play the game to make the money you need to tell the system to ---- off and go live as you like on your land, right?

I cut and pasted this because it is well worth repeating. That really IS how things are done, right now. With both recessions that I have seen, I am reminded that I am a blip on a data sheet, and no more. Your supervisor may disagree, but it is not your supervisor who decides to downsize.

I do not see this changing within the next 15 years or so, either. Your paycheck is supply and demand oriented, and the supply demand curve has no sense of worth or humanity at all. But, right or wrong, it is how things are done here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer4

Good luck! Keep your chin up, I spent a long summer unemployed after a corporate buyout and layoff so I know how it feels. Keep getting out and finding new places to put your contact info, the more folks you meet, the higher the chances are you will walk into your next job today.

Yep.

Start applying for the great jobs, then the good ones, then the paycheck ones. Start near your wifes work and branch out. Our system is better than that of most other countries, but our system just does not CARE! But, it IS a relatively free system, so get out there and find a niche!

By the way, MOST of what MC said was that vermont is actively hiring computer geeks, and you and your wife should come down ASAP. I know you do not get along, and I do not think she likes you, but that tidbit of information was well worth passing on.

pcdreams · #**102** 05/25/06, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri

By the way, MOST of what MC said was that vermont is actively hiring computer geeks, and you and your wife should come down ASAP. I know you do not get along, and I do not think she likes you, but that tidbit of information was well worth passing on.

Thank you for passing this along.. And MC Thank you as well. I know we don't get along but I greatly apperciate you passing this information to me.. If possible could you pass me contact info for some of the places that are hiring..As I'm not in the area its hard to find this out.. PM would be fine or email pcdreams at swbell.net.. Thanks again

**Terri** · #**103** 05/25/06, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

Thank you for passing this along.. And MC Thank you as well. I know we don't get along but I greatly apperciate you passing this information to me.. If possible could you pass me contact info for some of the places that are hiring..As I'm not in the area its hard to find this out.. PM would be fine or email pcdreams at swbell.net.. Thanks again

Why don't you access the yellow pages on-line? Or, acess a local paper? It IS the computer age!

RedTartan · #**104** 05/25/06, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri

Why don't you access the yellow pages on-line? Or, acess a local paper? It IS the computer age!

Because he doesn't want to work.

RedTartan

jnap31 · #**105** 05/25/06, 12:01 PM

You people amaze me. Redtartan ya'll are going to drive the poor man away from homesteadingtoday forever.

RedTartan · #**106** 05/25/06, 12:07 PM

He needs a little truth.

He's got an excuse for every valid idea he's been given here. People aren't trying to drive him away, they're trying to get him to step up and be a man.

RedTartan

Jen H · #**107** 05/25/06, 12:20 PM

pcdreams, I don't know what your computer specialty is, but if you do systems building and integration at all, or are good at network security (actually plugging the holes yourself instead of relying on Microsoft to tell you what the breaches are), you can write your own ticket just about anywhere. My husband works from home when he wants to and charges as much as he wants to. Cases of beer show up from the local store and we never have to pay for Mexican food because they want to keep him around and keep him happy.

Specifically, my husband builds systems for clients - from scratch if necessary. Gets the components talking to each other. And gets the whole thing routed to the internet. There are very few people doing this sort of work, and a very high demand for it. Typically, large companies don't staff people capable of doing this sort of work so they hire contractors in to do it.

When he gets a call asking for help with network security, the first thing he does is hack their system and leave a "read me" file buried. He'll call back, explain the security holes he found, and tell them where to find his file saying "hello". As far as I know, he's always gotten the job.

We don't make a boatload of money, because Husband doesn't want to do this full time and doesn't want to drive far for work. He'd rather forge candlesticks or fiddle with the tractor. When we need money, he picks up a client. He didn't just learn all those skills out of nowhere, he put in years of 70-90 hour weeks working the computer labs for some of the giants out there. The pay off is now he gets the jobs he wants, when he wants them, and works for the people he wants to.

mpillow · #**108** 05/25/06, 12:21 PM

Do we all know the spoiled child with a sour grapes attitude??.....if I cant have the whole 1/2 gal of ice cream than I'm not having any! Because I'm not going to share.....

You have to be hungry enough to GLADLY ACCEPT THE SMALL PORTION....in order to learn enough to buy your own portion.

Seriously....sell the truck... get a used automatic 2wd toyota tacoma that gets 30MPG...savings...at least $100 a month
Eat cheaper food...another $100 a month ( while your checking the employment ads check for free animals and EAT them!)

Make a plan.....then go fishing and foraging for your supper...call a buddy and let him spend his gas but EAT the fish (big or small).

jnap31 · #**109** 05/25/06, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpillow

Seriously....sell the truck... get a used automatic 2wd toyota tacoma that gets 30MPG...savings...at least $100 a month
Eat cheaper food...another $100 a month ( while your checking the employment ads check for free animals and EAT them!)
Good advice
Make a plan.....then go fishing and foraging for your supper...call a buddy and let him spend his gas but EAT the fish (big or small).

Sounds like a plan

pcdreams · #**110** 05/25/06, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen H

pcdreams, I don't know what your computer specialty is, but if you do systems building and integration at all, or are good at network security (actually plugging the holes yourself instead of relying on Microsoft to tell you what the breaches are), you can write your own ticket just about anywhere. My husband works from home when he wants to and charges as much as he wants to. Cases of beer show up from the local store and we never have to pay for Mexican food because they want to keep him around and keep him happy.

Specifically, my husband builds systems for clients - from scratch if necessary. Gets the components talking to each other. And gets the whole thing routed to the internet. There are very few people doing this sort of work, and a very high demand for it. Typically, large companies don't staff people capable of doing this sort of work so they hire contractors in to do it.

When he gets a call asking for help with network security, the first thing he does is hack their system and leave a "read me" file buried. He'll call back, explain the security holes he found, and tell them where to find his file saying "hello". As far as I know, he's always gotten the job.

We don't make a boatload of money, because Husband doesn't want to do this full time and doesn't want to drive far for work. He'd rather forge candlesticks or fiddle with the tractor. When we need money, he picks up a client. He didn't just learn all those skills out of nowhere, he put in years of 70-90 hour weeks working the computer labs for some of the giants out there. The pay off is now he gets the jobs he wants, when he wants them, and works for the people he wants to.

Somebody that finally understand!!! This is exactly the type of work I'm trained for and am trying to get into.. I just got back from putting in resumes at the 20 local shops and had 2 hits already.. I ask the lady if they were hiring (yes), who I would talk to (her because the owner was the only tech currently and he was there till 2:30 this morning... I told her to have him call me I could start right away. The other place I actually spoke to the owner. He was with a client so I didn't get to talk much but he said he'd look it over and call me this afternoon !!! Maybe things are going to start looking up!!! It's been a Loong time since I've heard a "yes we're hiring" and even longer since I've heard "I'll call you this afternoon"!!

Burned about 1/2 tank going all those places.. Hope it pays off..

Lizza · #**111** 05/25/06, 01:30 PM

How long have you been without a steady job? I know the longer you go without employment the harder it is to be hired. Good luck with your job applications! I hope one pans out for you.

pcdreams · #**112** 05/25/06, 01:44 PM

I quit in december last year (2004) so I could finish college faster.. Finished up this december.. So about a year and a half.. Was at that job for 7 1/2 though so that should show stability as well as furthering my education..

pcdreams · #**113** 05/25/06, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri

Why don't you access the yellow pages on-line? Or, acess a local paper? It IS the computer age!

I'm sorry.. I thought she might know Which places were hiring instead of calling long distance to each one.. My bad. I 'd hate to save money.. Sheesh

pcdreams · #**114** 05/25/06, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTartan

He needs a little truth.

He's got an excuse for every valid idea he's been given here. People aren't trying to drive him away, they're trying to get him to step up and be a man.

RedTartan

Do you read anything before you spout your S**t or does you mouth run before you're brain has time to process? If you read carefully over my post you will see where I said there were a lot of good ideas here and that I was going to persue some of them..

Get off my arse!!!!!!

Ranchermom · #**115** 05/25/06, 02:48 PM

Hi, I read the first and some of the posts and I see a lot of good ideas. If it was me I would have gotten rid of the phone/internet bill $60 and pay off that equipment loan faster so you can have that $50 free up. Lower the grocery bill too but I see a lot of people had said that already. Ours is $300 a month and that includes household items for a family of four!

Its extreme I know getting rid of the phone but a phone & Internet is a luxuary sort of especially the internet anyway to get it lower? If your expecting calls like for jobs or other important stuff perhaps you can give a good friend or relatives phone number untill you can get it up and running again.

At least do this for awhile of not having a phone/internet this is not a life thing. You can always use the internet at library when you go into town to keep up with your mails Think of it this way you will read a lot more and it will be quieter!

Years ago before we had health insurance we just had an envelope to save for medical visits, this helped us till we could afford and find some insurance.

Good luck in your goals

Try the dollar stretcher website http://www.stretcher.com/menu/topic-...kingextramoney
The Tightwad Gazette books 1, 2 & 3 (borrow from library) to get more frugal ideas

Oh by the way fireworks will go on sale soon for 4th of July this is a great place to work temp for a few nights a week if its legal in your state.

Sam

Lizza · #**116** 05/25/06, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

I quit in december last year (2004) so I could finish college faster.. Finished up this december.. So about a year and a half.. Was at that job for 7 1/2 though so that should show stability as well as furthering my education..

That's completely resonable. I just know my husband doesn't like to hire someone that has big gaps in their employment history without some sort of valid reason. School is certainly a good reason! Good luck!

pcdreams · #**117** 05/25/06, 03:46 PM

thats certainly understandable

RedTartan · #**118** 05/25/06, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

Do you read anything before you spout your S**t or does you mouth run before you're brain has time to process? If you read carefully over my post you will see where I said there were a lot of good ideas here and that I was going to persue some of them..

Get off my arse!!!!!!

My, aren't you nice. With your impressive people skills I'm surprised you haven't managed to find work in the SIX MONTHS you've been out of school. Perhaps we should proofread your resume for you since there are numerous spelling and grammatical errors in the quoted post alone. Which college did you say you attended?

Despite your colorful vocabulary, I'm going to suggest you "google" telecommuting, sunshine. My husband is a computer programmer making video games for a company in California (we're located in Ohio.) Perhaps you could work from home. Then you wouldn't have to get off your "arse."

Have a nice day,

RedTartan

pcdreams · #**119** 05/25/06, 05:44 PM

My I wasn't aware proper grammer was required to post on the internet.. I can assure you my resume is well checked.. As for my additude.Its just fine when people aren't being jerks..

JackieA · #**120** 05/25/06, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beorning

I'd also recommend checking out all of the Tightwad Gazette books from the library, if they have them. Lots of really good ideas in there to maximize the return on your income. I've had the three books for six years now, and still refer to them almost daily for advice.

Ditto! There is all 3 volumes in 1 = The Complete Tightwad Gazette.
jackieA