Subject: unemployment vs. employment re: income&taxes, etc
Posted by: Tree
- [41371322] Wed, Jun 17, 2009, 16:45
so, here's my dilemma.
i've been unemployed since being laid off 7 months ago.
i was just offered a part-time, hourly position which is an interesting one, and a temporary one, and not really doing what i want to do.
but it is income.
however, since i'm not currently paying taxes on unemployment (but i know i will at some point), my take home on unemployment is more than my take home if i work 25 hours a week on this job, and only 50 bucks less if i work 30 hours a week.
so...aside from knowing i'd have to pay taxes down the road for unemployment, is there any real incentive for me to take this job??
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56
Boldwin
ID: 30758159 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 10:58
This has already been posted if you were keeping up.
An Acorn trainer's wet dream.
BTW part of the socialized medicine plan builds a mandatory voluntary service, government run army of doctors.
57
biliruben Leader
ID: 589301110 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 11:12
Army of flying monkeys Wicked Witch of the West This is why Baldwin Thinks Obamacare is the Best!
58
Tree
ID: 41371322 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 12:05
funny Baldwin. in previous posts over the years, you came out strongly in favor of a civilian security force, particularly on our borders.
59
sarge33rd
ID: 17681812 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 12:46
soooooooo now Boldwin was for it, before he was against it?
60
Boldwin
ID: 39751513 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 14:05
Always been for a functional border patrol.
Never been for Acorn employees paid for with my tax dollars banging on my door to see if I lived up to my health plan commitments and government child rearing plan.
61
DWetzel at work
ID: 49962710 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 14:27
So as long as the border patrol only shoots people in the back, you're okay with it.
Got it.
At least you have your priorities straight!
62
Tree
ID: 41371322 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 16:47
you're in favor of a civilian security force when they are doing work you specifically believe in.
but when it comes to a request from a DEMOCRAT for a civilian security force, you're against that aspect of it.
add the word "hypocrite" to "liar" as words that describe you. i'm sure your god is proud.
63
Boldwin
ID: 517541515 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 16:54
The reason the border patrol is a civilian' security force is because the founding fathers were afraid of standing armies inside the country and until recently had a posse comitasus act prohibitting the kind of military abuse of the population we saw at Waco.
So the border police fall into a gray area where they are truly protecting the security of the USA against foreign invaders if they were actually allowed to do their job which they are not.
Yeah, I am for protecting the USA from foreign invaders and there is no contradiction in my positions.
I don't want brown shirts answerable only to one demogogue intimidating the public.
I'm sure there are so many people who would get sucked in by Tree...not.
64
Boldwin
ID: 537571515 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 16:57
Then again even bili is devolving into Tree lately. Following PD's loss of mind a year and a half ago.
Madman, I'm glad you haven't had to watch this sad spectacle.
65
holt
ID: 587581515 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 16:59
yeah Baldwin, good luck in hell you big dumb jerky poop-pants!
66
Boldwin
ID: 26711516 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 17:01
Heh, yeah Holt. Tree is a religious expert now. Didn't ya know? Lol!
67
Tree
ID: 41371322 Sat, Aug 15, 2009, 17:15
Baldwin - you're right. everyone else is off their rockers, and you're the bastion of sanity.
i'd put my recent arguments and discussions here up against yours any day, and let the lurkers judge.
68
biliruben
ID: 461142511 Mon, Aug 17, 2009, 12:56
Then again even bili is devolving into Tree lately.
Not every one's a lover of art so fine, It garners squeals of joy from the finest of swine.
69
Tree
ID: 248472317 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 09:46
a bit of a follow up...
One of the main reasons I re-located to Texas for because I felt there would be better opportunities for me here.
After hundreds of resumes sent, less than a dozen interviews, and ZERO job interviews in NYC, my frustration level was at an all-time high.
Here in Texas, it's been different. I've actually gotten interviews at a clip of about 70 percent. I've had more interviews in six weeks here than i had in 6 months in NYC.
I received my first "real" offer yesterday.
In this case, it's a reasonable offer. It's not exactly the job I want, and the pay is lower than I was hoping.
But the health plan (which includes dental AND vision after 30 days) is pretty solid (after 180 days you're eligible for their "high" plan, which *includes* things like chiropractic care).
The hours are also pretty nice, as I'm out of there at 4:30, which enables me to enjoy my evenings and afternoons, or actually take some evening classes and work towards a Master's without totally killing myself. :oD
the only slight trepidation i have is that i might be sacrificing other opportunities of better paying jobs doing what i like. That being said, I'm a big proponent of "not taking points off the board", so turning this down is only in the back of my mind, and not something i'm likely to do.
so, there you go. my update.
70
Khahan
ID: 391582715 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 09:55
Congratz Tree. I'm glad Texas is looking brighter for you.
71
Razor
ID: 57854118 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 10:21
I was unemployed for three months from Nov 08 - Jan 09. My advice to you, Tree, is that you turn up the intensity on your job search now that you have an offer in hand. If you have had some other opportunities that you feel good about, buy a week of time with the company that extended the offer to mull it over, and then be relentless with the other places you've interviewed. I received an offer last January, and by the time 7 days had passed, I had received two more final round interviews and another job offer for 25% more than the initial offer at a better company and closer to home. I accepted the latter. You'd be amazed how much better of an interviewer you are with an offer in hand.
72
Tree
ID: 248472317 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 10:54
Thanks Khahan.
Razor - the ace in the hole this company has is that they have someone else in the same department starting on Monday and they want both people to start on the same day.
I just went back at them with a counter offer.
Several people have said the same thing to me "as long as you don't have a contract, there's nothing to stop you from continuing your search..."
and that's a pretty solid point, imho.
as for my interviewing skills, that's probably the sharpest part of my game. I won awards for it in high school, and always walk in and out of the interview feeling confident, and never overly nervous.
the funny thing is, that the night before an interview, i have a CRAPPY night of sleep. always. and i always wondered why, and decided that it must be all that nervous pre-interview energy leaving my body beforehand. lol
73
Seattle Zen
ID: 1410391215 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 11:53
Congrats Tree, and you, too Razor. Hope the job you landed a year ago is keeping you happy.
What Master's program are you considering, Tree?
74
Myboyjack
ID: 447112610 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 11:54
Good news; bur bear in mind that you're going to have less time to cruise the fantasy baseball waiver wire if you're gainfully employed.
75
weykool
ID: 530551510 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 11:55
Tree....Contratz. Having been out of work for 5 months last year I know how it feels to finally get that offer. Best of luck to you in your new line of work.
76
Perm Dude
ID: 5510572522 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 11:56
You say that as though that were a bad thing, MBJ.
:)
Congrats, Tree. A job with benefits in Texas--who knew? Can you tell us what the job is?
77
Tree
ID: 248472317 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 11:59
SZ - lol. let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. it really is just a "consideration" at this point. I was never a good student. Got decent enough grades, just didn't enjoy the academic experience. but, that was also close to 20 years ago, so maybe i've actually matured slightly.
it would be a library science program, but more in the information science degree part of it, as pertaining to the knowledge management field.
it's a growing field, and i think it ties in strongly to not only my skill set, but something i would totally enjoy doing.
and MBJ, i know, i know. defending my hard-fought championship is going to be a big challenge! lol
78
Razor
ID: 57854118 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:16
Thanks, SZ. Best job I've ever had.
79
DWetzel at work
ID: 49962710 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:34
"i think it ties in strongly to not only my skill set, but something i would totally enjoy doing."
Then I'd snap-take it. Unless something else that is out there fits the bill. Why go for a job for somewhat more $$$ and twice the heartaches?
80
Doug
ID: 351027518 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 12:57
He's talking about the potential masters program, not the job.
Tree, that sounds like a great long term win-win... identifying something that you would love doing and that there's also likely a solid career path for (i.e., going into a growing field with a masters should mean you have no trouble getting a job you love). Most jobs requiring (or at least preferring) masters degrees pay reasonably well too, though certainly not an absolute rule.
81
Biliruben movin
ID: 358252515 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 13:15
Congrats man
82
Nuclear Gophers
ID: 7115138 Fri, Jan 15, 2010, 15:44
Congratulations Tree-hope everything works for the best.
83
sarge33rd
ID: 280311620 Sat, Jan 16, 2010, 21:31
Indeed Tree, congrats. Been out of work since Nov '08 when we left TX. Spent a couple months at a small dealership this past summer till they lost their franchise due to declining sales. Only other offer I got, I declined. The hours, would have been 8:30a.m.-11:00p.m. Mon-Sat, 11:30a.m.-9:00p.m. Sun, then the Mon-Sat again to get the next Sunday off. Also would have to move again, and they offered zero assistance with that, along with no demo. I decided, 190 or so hours every 2 weeks with virtually no benefits, just isn't in the cards for me anymore.
84
Tree
ID: 248472317 Mon, Jan 18, 2010, 18:32
First day. had a lot of fun. learned a lot. am totally drained.
great work environment. the company pretty much has the attitude that they don't want you to "take your job home with you", so while they obviously want you to get your work done, their is no pressure to stay late, and they don't want you going home and worrying about what didn't happen.
business casual, jeans are ok, and so on.
and, aside from the graphic design department which is all male, every single other person in this division - except me - is female. it's kind of weird.
85
Nuclear Gophers
ID: 7115138 Mon, Jan 18, 2010, 19:13
and, aside from the graphic design department which is all male, every single other person in this division - except me - is female. it's kind of weird. Some people have all the luck.
86
rockafellerskank Dude
ID: 27652109 Mon, Jan 18, 2010, 19:25
Nice to hear good news Tree. Grats.
87
PuNk42AE Donor
ID: 036635522 Tue, Jan 19, 2010, 01:21
Tree's going to be able to synch his period with everyone. :')
88
Taxman SuperDude
ID: 029463114 Tue, Jan 19, 2010, 23:36
TREE.....Great to see the move "pay" off. I'm able to discuss my situation now. Send me an e-mail and I'll start filling you in.
89
J-Bar
ID: 150131920 Wed, Jan 20, 2010, 00:03
Congrats Tree, Welcome to Texas. Where you located?
This is really the only must read local daily in Seattle, now that PI is all but dead. And they are expanding.
Don't quit your day-job, but can't hurt to send up some samples.
92
Tree
ID: 248472317 Tue, Apr 06, 2010, 17:01
speaking of right up my alley, as i continue the job/career/whatever pursuit...
i was just hired as a content writer on a contractual basis for a Human Capital Marketing company here in town.
this company is the ideal fit for me - jeans and t-shirt environment; beer cooler, and bumper pool and foosball tables in the office; and an 8-block walk from my apartment.
once i'm brought on full-time, the benefits kick in immediately: 100 percent paid insurance, whether i am single or have a family; 100 percent matching on 401K up to 4% of the salary; unlimited PDOs (if you want to go on a 6-week African Safari, plan it out and have your work done before you go); and so on and so forth.
now i just have to figure out what a contracted content writer makes per hour in Ft. Worth, TX.
93
boikin
ID: 532592112 Tue, Apr 06, 2010, 17:17
I kind of want that job, though i have a feeling i would suck as content writer.
94
Building 7
ID: 232122716 Tue, Apr 06, 2010, 18:37
Good luck with that. We used to have a bumper pool table in the bar for awhile. That's an interesting game, if you learn the official rules. I once beat Gordon from Sesame Street in a game. That's my brush with greatness, which is sad.
95
Tree
ID: 248472317 Tue, Apr 06, 2010, 19:32
hey, beating Gordon from Sesame Street in bumper pool, as far as i'm concerned, is among the greatest feats a man can achieve, because i'm not sure there are many who can make that claim.
of course, the reason for the "fun" stuff in the office is because they want you to enjoy coming to work, which is because it's likely meaning some long hours. but i'm perfectly ok with that, as long as it doesnt conflict with my roller derby or wrestling... ;o)
96
Seattle Zen
ID: 1410391215 Tue, Apr 06, 2010, 19:36
I had always thought that your ideal job would be "clothing optional" - jeans and t-shirt ain't too shabby, though.
Can you elaborate on what a content writer is for those of us outside the industry?
98
Tree
ID: 248472317 Wed, Apr 07, 2010, 01:48
in a nutshell, i'll be writing whatever the client needs. everything from web content to white papers, although apparently we're so busy right now it's going to be a lot of white papers .
i don't have a ton of experience writing that sort of stuff, but i've had enough people tell me i'm a very good writer, so i believe it. a good writer can learn and adapt - and this certainly will be a learning process for me.
but as a good writer, i feel i'm pretty strong at adjusting my style when i need to, so i don't really have a lot of concerns.
i'm fairly excited that my blog played a big role in me getting hired, as i wrote it primarily to get my writing back out there.
99
bibA
ID: 2933879 Wed, Apr 07, 2010, 10:55
Tree, I would assume you have no say as to content. They give you the content, and you make it pretty, right? So, how would you feel if you were given an assignment to write espousing why doctors feel the health care bill is bad? Or why the country would be better off with a President Limbaugh? Must you remain 100% objective, like an umpire? Or are you tempted to do just a bit of editorializing?
100
sarge33rd
ID: 280311620 Wed, Apr 07, 2010, 10:58
Or why the country would be better off with a President Limbaugh?
Now that's some funny sh*t right there, I don't care who you are.
101
Seattle Zen Leader
ID: 055343019 Wed, Apr 07, 2010, 11:00
Or why the country would be better off with a President Limbaugh?
Who in the world would pay for that trash? Transgendered amputee smut stories are less objectionable.
102
Tree
ID: 248472317 Wed, Apr 07, 2010, 13:46
So, how would you feel if you were given an assignment to write espousing why doctors feel the health care bill is bad? Or why the country would be better off with a President Limbaugh?
fortunately, i won't have to be doing any of that drivel. not the sort of stuff we do.
we're in the human capital marketing sector, not the pandering to the moronic sheep sector.
Thanks for elaborating. Good luck with your job. If you feel comfortable, looking forward to you sharing some of your published writing so we can see the end result.
104
Tree
ID: 248472317 Thu, Apr 08, 2010, 10:19
re: 103 thanks! i look at this as a turning point for me, because it's one of the few ways someone can legitimately make a living writing, and if i don't enjoy it or suck it at, i'll probably go to some sort of mindless day job that has insurance, which will in turn allow me to write at night for magazines and so forth.
as for the gig, i'll share what i can. a lot of it is likely to be proprietary, so i wouldn't be able to share that.