2 Income Family Again

I accepted a job offer!

It wasn't the the best paying position of the three that I interviewed for, but it was the position I thought I would like first.  Negotiation wage was the most difficult part.

They were not will to match what I was making at my previous firm, but accepted on the condition that I get a performance review between 4 to 6 months with a raise.  I'm making $1.92/hour less then before.  This adds up to approx. $400.00 less per month.  However I did gain some other great stuff.  Heath, Dental and Vision benefits, life insurance, travel insurance,  and after  one year of employment I receive RSP Contributions and a health & wellness expenses account that can be used for gym passes, fitness classes or whatever promotes healthy lifestyle.  SCORE!

I start next week, and I figure I should set some goals to achieve within the first month:

• Learn how to efficiently use any new computer programs or office machinery
• Make a friend (or two)
• Be early and ready to start each day (put in extra time)
• Improve productivity each day (stay off the internet and alway from excessive office chit-chat)

After my first week I am sure I will have new and more specific goals.

Job Offer Dilemma

This week has been crazy with what seems like endless interviews.  Though the interviews have only been with 3 companies, I have had 2 rounds of interviews at each one.  The all offer something different that I am looking for. Here is the the scope of companies in order of my preference:

Pros  Cons Neutral

Company A:  

• Busy position with multiple responsibilities 
• Managed under multiple people
• Room for advancemnt
• Salary is exactly what I asked for
• Medical and Dental Benefits
• Life Insurance, Long Term Disability and Short Term Disability
• RSP Contributions after 1 year
• 3 weeks vacation + 10 personal days and 0.5 festival day of choice in July/August.
• Located downtown, public transit necessary or pay for parking $250+ per month.  
• Large firm with approx. 90 employees
• Reputable

Company B:

• Busy position with multiple responsibilities 
• Managed directly by partners
• No room for advancement
• Salary is significantly higher than asking
• No real benefit account, but $200.00/year flex account (covered under spouses benefits anyways)
• Long term Disability Insurance
• Located in suburb,  20 minute commute and free parking
• Small firm, with approx. 10 employees
• Overtime banked at 1 hour OT = 1.5 hours banked
• 2 weeks vacation (3 weeks after 2nd anniversary)
• Current staff seems significantly older in age
• Office sometimes closes early on Friday = free time off + bottle of wine from firm

Company C:

• Busy position with focus one task area
• Self Managed
• Little room for advancement
• Salary slightly below expectation
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• RSP Contributions after 1 year (group plan)
• Located Downtown, but public transit pass subsidized 24%
• Life Insurance and travel insurance
• Heath Account after 1 year (for gym passes or whatever promotes health)
• 2 weeks vacation
• Large firm with 100+ employees

My dilemma is that Company C, has presented me an offer,  however I am still waiting to hear from both Company A & C.  If I had only interviewed at company C, I would accept the position; however, there are points that attract me to company A & B.  I need to let Company C know by Monday afternoon if I want to proceed with the hiring process.  

Company A = 1st choice, but waiting for offer

Company B = an Awesome salary (money talks, right?), but waiting on offer

Company C = guaranteed employment!

Luckily I have the weekend to think about this!

Flyers - the Cost of a Bargain

I don't like flyers!  Not to be confused with the Broadstreet bullies, Philadelphia Flyers (great team), but the paper ones that overfill the mailbox.  They create a mess, extra trash recycling and deceive one into buying items that they do not need while instilling a sense of bargain.  I do LOVE a bargain though!  Who doesn't?

Flyers are a great tool for some people; however, I notice it's the opposite for most others.  In a sense, a flyer is just like a commercial, but instead of being broadcasted on television, it gets delivered to your door in paper form.  If a commercial came on and advertised a beer that made you more attractive to the opposite sex (or same sex), more suave and the life of the party, would you run out a buy it right away?  Probably not.  If a flyer came to your door, and advertised that same beer for $2.00 off, that's a great deal right? some people would buy the beer because they feel like they are saving money by purchasing the same.  I don't know what alcohol prices are in other places, but in Canada, a beer loving nation, it is taxed to death.  A two-four (case of 24 beer) of a popular brand will range between $35.00-$50.00.  To save that $2.00 advertised, it is really costing a whopping $33.00 to $48.00.  

I truly believe you should always look for a deal, but only when you are making the purchase no matter what.  Once you find a good deal, save the difference.  It adds up.

When life kicks you to the ground

A total unexpected event occurred yesterday.  I was terminated from my employment after 5 years of loyal hard work.  I don't completely understand why this happened.  I was told that it was not because I was a bad employee, but because of a strenuous relationship with a coworker and salary budget issues.  Right now I feel many things:

Shocked
Embarrassed
Angry
Confused

My boss seemed genuinely upset and he had told me he was ill because he had to terminate me, but the situation still frustrates me.   I wished the best of luck and told that I would be provided with the very best reference to new prospective employers.  I was also given 6 weeks of full pay.

What do I do now??  I'm am extremely fortunate to have such a solid loving relationship with my fiancé.  He had reassured me that everything is going to be alright and too focus of the positive.  

What is the positive?? I gained:

1. 6 weeks of normal salary pay!
2. A reference 
3. A chance to change to a better position
4. A chance to earn more income
5. some time off.

Also, I'm grateful for the emergency fund that I had in my general savings account.  If all goes well, I may not even have to dip into it.

Now I am off to a new endeavour and opportunity in which I will come out ahead.