Updates 2023 (job hunt etc)

[heartlikealion]

Got a speeding ticket yesterday. Didn’t realize the part I was in was an active school zone at the time. I thought I was going with the flow of traffic. I do not think they were going 15 mph. My tags and DL address aren’t from here but the officer didn’t seem to care. School zone ends at 8:30 and I got ticket at 8:27. My dad said it happened to him before and it will be expensive. 

My psychiatrist’s office called me today to say my ins was not active and did I have a new one. I explained I’ll have to pay OOP today and said I thought it was $103. She said it’s actually $200. 

I was on hold over 30 min with the 877 phone number for the hotel chain and never got a human or option to get a call back. I’m still trying to get that one night refunded. 

Ugh

The New Orleans library job sent out an email with interview slots and I said which ones work for me. The soonest date is Sept 14. NO is further than I’d like to live from the kids and the library will probably have me working odd hours/weekends so is not my first choice. 

Please send positive vibes for my Friday interview at the college. 

[Mrs Tiggywinkle Again]

Idk about where you live but speeding tickets in school zones are doubled here. 
I’m sending all good vibes for the interview!

[Faith-manor]

Check to see if you have the "take a class" program in your state. Ours has it so that a standard speeding ticket can be reduced to something like $100 and no points, if you do an online thing. It only takes a couple of hours, getting lectured about safety and what not, basically taking a short test after the videos. It sure beats what happens to car insurance if points are added to your license. The police like it because there is still a fine, but no one contests the ticket in front of the magistrate causing them to have to take time to go to court and defend the ticket. Kind of a compromise between law enforcement and drivers.

[heartlikealion]

1 hour ago, Faith-manor said:

Check to see if you have the "take a class" program in your state. Ours has it so that a standard speeding ticket can be reduced to something like $100 and no points, if you do an online thing. It only takes a couple of hours, getting lectured about safety and what not, basically taking a short test after the videos. It sure beats what happens to car insurance if points are added to your license. The police like it because there is still a fine, but no one contests the ticket in front of the magistrate causing them to have to take time to go to court and defend the ticket. Kind of a compromise between law enforcement and drivers.

Went to the police station. The woman was a bitch toward me. They said the fee is $362. $10 for the class and the class only helps with your auto ins. You will pay the fine in full before being permitted to take the class. I started to say if I go to court will they care I wasn’t aware it was an active school zone in that area… the other ones end at 7:45 (I drove past 2 today). She said, “you don’t need to be telling me this. That’s for the prosecutor.”
 

Hope you have the day you deserve, lady. 🙄

[Kanin]

Sending lots of good vibes for the interviews! Do you have a good interview outfit picked out? First impressions are huge.

[heartlikealion]

Just now, Kanin said:

Sending lots of good vibes for the interviews! Do you have a good interview outfit picked out? First impressions are huge.

They already met me lol or at least one of the people that will definitely be at the interview. There are like 5 people that sit in. I wore black last time. I’m wearing my court outfit this time (pic in this thread — white blouse and gray slacks). 

[thatfirstsip]

She probably isn't allowed to give you legal advice (which the "will they care" question asked for, essentially). You could probably contact the prosecutor/court and ask, though. Alternatively, you could call a local traffic violation attorney for a free consult to see what the cost would be to have them negotiate on your behalf - it can save money.

Depending on your car insurance, it might be worth it to take the class even though it doesn't eliminate the fine. $10 is a lot cheaper than an extra $15 a month for the next couple of years, kwim? There should be an online class option.

[heartlikealion]

Just now, thatfirstsip said:

She probably isn't allowed to give you legal advice (which the "will they care" question asked for, essentially). You could probably contact the prosecutor/court and ask, though. Alternatively, you could call a local traffic violation attorney for a free consult to see what the cost would be to have them negotiate on your behalf - it can save money.

Depending on your car insurance, it might be worth it to take the class even though it doesn't eliminate the fine. $10 is a lot cheaper than an extra $15 a month for the next couple of years, kwim? There should be an online class option.

I think she should have just said, “I don’t know” or “I can’t answer that” rather than the say she responded. But I do know what you mean. 

I was in the wrong but slightly oblivious. I think I’ll just pay it and move on. I’ve had my share of court + j@ckass judges and don’t want to deal with it. 

[maize]

It might be worth going to court for the ticket. Sometimes the officer doesn't even show up and you win by default. 

Edited September 6, 2023 by maize

[maize]

We were cross-posting. I think it's fine to just pay and move on as well if that is the lowest stress option to you. 

Edited September 6, 2023 by maize

[Heartstrings]

1 hour ago, heartlikealion said:

They said the fee is $362. $10 for the class and the class only helps with your auto ins. You will pay the fine in full before being permitted to take the class.

That’s how it is where I am.  There’s no way out of the fee, just the insurance ding.  

[heartlikealion]

I started looking for a primary care provider (to see if I could combine checkups and refills), but I guess that's not urgent now. I just had a follow up with my psychiatrist and he said he'll push the next appt out 6 months but just call if I need to talk sooner. We agreed to keep the dose the same. So that takes the sting out of the expensive office fee today since I won't need to do another one in approx 3 months like I normally would. 

[Scarlett]

Does your state have an option for you to get state medical insurance coverage when you are on UE?

[heartlikealion]

5 hours ago, Scarlett said:

Does your state have an option for you to get state medical insurance coverage when you are on UE?

I doubt it. The unemployment people know I’m between jobs with no ins and didn’t mention any resources like that. 

[katilac]

On 9/4/2023 at 4:49 PM, heartlikealion said:

A friend reached out today saying there’s a roommate situation with a woman that owns a 2BD/2BA home with lower rent than what I’m paying and a more central location to where my job opportunities are. It’s $550/month for rent/utilities/wifi. That would be $100 less per month and better on gas. 

I’m waiting to hear back from the woman that is on the lease. The guy I know moving out said the woman is almost never home, either. 

The hotel I just left did refund my nights from that week but my other reservations were stuck in the system and since I didn’t specifically bring them up they didn’t see and remove them and now I have a new pending charge of $106 😡 I asked them to remove it and they’re being asses about it saying I should have said something. I said I don’t know what your computer shows but I thought it was obvious at my check out that I was leaving, not coming back. He said, “I can’t just remove that.” This is a franchise. I don’t know if I can complain to anyone above. 

My car is acting up so I’ll try to drop it off to be looked at tomorrow. 

My psychiatrist office sent an automated message that I have a telehealth appt this week. 

😓

I pray the car thing is cheap, I get at least a portion of that $106 back and can move into the cheaper rental in Oct. 

 

11 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

Got a speeding ticket yesterday. Didn’t realize the part I was in was an active school zone at the time. I thought I was going with the flow of traffic. I do not think they were going 15 mph. My tags and DL address aren’t from here but the officer didn’t seem to care. School zone ends at 8:30 and I got ticket at 8:27. My dad said it happened to him before and it will be expensive. 

My psychiatrist’s office called me today to say my ins was not active and did I have a new one. I explained I’ll have to pay OOP today and said I thought it was $103. She said it’s actually $200. 

I was on hold over 30 min with the 877 phone number for the hotel chain and never got a human or option to get a call back. I’m still trying to get that one night refunded. 

Ugh

The New Orleans library job sent out an email with interview slots and I said which ones work for me. The soonest date is Sept 14. NO is further than I’d like to live from the kids and the library will probably have me working odd hours/weekends so is not my first choice. 

Please send positive vibes for my Friday interview at the college. 

The potential new rental sounds great! Fingers crossed. 

For the hotel, I would go to their website and submit a ticket via support. Take your time wording it, be super polite, tell them that enjoyed your stay but don't understand how the confusion about the future reservation came in, you feel like you were very clear that you were cancelling not only the reservation at that time, but all reservations. As the reason you had to leave was that you couldn't afford it, you urgently need to get the matter resolved. 

Corporate generally has a good amount of power over franchisees, so it's worth trying. 

Posi vibes for Friday!

 

[heartlikealion]

Just now, katilac said:

 

The potential new rental sounds great! Fingers crossed. 

For the hotel, I would go to their website and submit a ticket via support. Take your time wording it, be super polite, tell them that enjoyed your stay but don't understand how the confusion about the future reservation came in, you feel like you were very clear that you were cancelling not only the reservation at that time, but all reservations. As the reason you had to leave was that you couldn't afford it, you urgently need to get the matter resolved. 

Corporate generally has a good amount of power over franchisees, so it's worth trying. 

Posi vibes for Friday!

 

I looked but couldn’t find an email or chat with an agent option. I went to their social media and they had a different phone number with voicemail option. We missed each other, though. I left a second voicemail. The hotel chain of Red Roof Inn. 

[heartlikealion]

The woman with the 2BD has not gotten back to me so maybe the universe wants me to stay here til I hear back from the college lol not sure. If I got the college job I have a rental in mind (if it’s still available) that’s under $800/mo for a 3BD. But wishful thinking. 

My dad sorta dropped a bomb on me this week. He wants my stuff out soon because my sis and BIL are coming and there’s too much clutter everywhere. He proposed helping me rent a second, smaller unit for the overflow items but with my small internet search it didn’t seem practical (imo). 

I found a bigger unit for less per month in a city closer to the jobs but he thinks I’m crazy for wanting to move my stuff to another city. Well my current unit is 10x10 at $79/mo. The one I reserved is 10x15 for $62/month. I would try to fit everything in there. Just wish my dad expressed this before Sept 2 which is when I was billed! No prorating no money back for moving out early so I’ll leave some stuff where it is and start using the new unit next week. I’ll borrow our friend’s trailer again. 

[Scarlett]

13 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I doubt it. The unemployment people know I’m between jobs with no ins and didn’t mention any resources like that. 

No they would not mention it. 

[katilac]

5 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I looked but couldn’t find an email or chat with an agent option. I went to their social media and they had a different phone number with voicemail option. We missed each other, though. I left a second voicemail. The hotel chain of Red Roof Inn. 

I could not find it on their website either, but I googled a few different things and: 

guestin@redroof.com

[heartlikealion]

1 minute ago, Scarlett said:

No they would not mention it. 

I’ll ask my case worker if she can find out 

[Scarlett]

4 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I’ll ask my case worker if she can find out 

She probably doesn’t know.  You need to contact the state Medicaid agency.

[heartlikealion]

6 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

She probably doesn’t know.  You need to contact the state Medicaid agency.

I was denied Medicaid. So I don’t know what else I’d be asking. I susiect this thing doesn’t exist 

[Scarlett]

3 minutes ago, heartlikealion said:

I was denied Medicaid. So I don’t know what else I’d be asking. I susiect this thing doesn’t exist 

Could be. Not all states have it.  

[heartlikealion]

If it’s a good program, we probably don’t have it 😆

——

I emailed Red Roof Inn 

A gf said my life is crazy because of Mercury Retrograde lol 

[heartlikealion]

“DON'T sign contracts, make verbal agreements or life-altering decisions. DO renegotiate, mediate and reconsider existing ones. This might be the most widely known tip about Mercury Retrograde, but it bears clarification. If at all possible, avoid new agreements!”

uhhhh lol

[Melissa Louise]

It's as good an explanation as any!

[heartlikealion]

Red Roof didn't acknowledge my email or last voicemail. I sat on hold today til I got a human. They defended the policy that I was responsible for canceling any reservations and it was a holiday weekend hence the fee and that the hotel was fully booked. They have no power over billing so called the manager and no surprise he dug his heels in the ground and won’t issue me a refund. I said look I didn’t know how your computer system worked… I didn’t know they can’t see upcoming reservations on the screen at check out. BUT the staff all knew I had mult reservations and I was leaving with no intent to return. I literally told them I could not afford to stay and found another place. I said you’re just repeating the policy but no common sense or customer service is coming into play… like asking me if my other reservations need canceled or asking me if I’m coming when you notice the no show (I don’t really expect most places would do that but they put the whole burden on the customer when 3 employees dealt with me, knew my situation, and made me insert my card into a chip reader weekly to pay and one could have helped me avoid this). Why make me manually insert my card at all if you can charge me when I’m not even there? 

They’re following policy but they could waive the fee if they wanted. I told them I had a great experience and staff was nice up until this so if they can’t do anything I’ll be sure to leave negative reviews and tell people not to book with them. 

They escalated it but I’m sure it will go NO WHERE. I’ll hear back in 48 hrs. 

[heartlikealion]

College interview tomorrow. I will not bring up salary. They don’t ever know, anyway.

They shot me a text today asking for samples of my work so I’m bringing my portfolio and a new flash drive. I’m sure some of the people in the room will be the same but probably not all. 

My car has been in the autoshop since Tues morning and they drove it but can’t hear the issue. I’m using one of my dad’s cars to get around. They will try driving it again tomorrow. 

My dad just wants me to secure a storage unit at the same facility locally and said if I want to move the stuff later just rent another unit in Oct. So I’ll see what I can find. 

Dd is here with me at the rental sound asleep. I’m able to do some cooking/baking here which is nice. I’ll be making a pumpkin dessert soon. 

[mommyoffive]

Good luck today!!

[WildflowerMom]

If you want someone to help look on job sites, let me know.  I'll look around and see what I can find, just PM me if you want me to.  

[maize]

Miaplaza is hiring for a remote content moderator:

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=7917c10f99e95728&from=ja&alid=6316487aad0b075a7b7b1737&tk=1h9p7q7a3otjt800&utm_campaign=job_alerts&utm_medium=email&utm_source=jobseeker_emails&rgtk=1h9p7q7a3otjt800

 

[heartlikealion]

I think it went well. 5 people interviewed me, 2 from last time. 

They hope to make a decision next week. 

funniest part: any other questions? 
me: do employees get access to the fitness center? 
guy at table with muscles: smiles and nods

🤣🤣🤣

And I confirmed that I’d get free tuition for me/children (and spouse if you’re married). They used the term dependents but I think my kids would still count. Xh isn’t worried — he thinks ds will get a free ride to comm college based on ACT score. But not everyone performs well on that… I did not. 

[thatfirstsip]

1 hour ago, heartlikealion said:

I think it went well. 5 people interviewed me, 2 from last time. 

They hope to make a decision next week. 

funniest part: any other questions? 
me: do employees get access to the fitness center? 
guy at table with muscles: smiles and nods

🤣🤣🤣

And I confirmed that I’d get free tuition for me/children (and spouse if you’re married). They used the term dependents but I think my kids would still count. Xh isn’t worried — he thinks ds will get a free ride to comm college based on ACT score. But not everyone performs well on that… I did not. 

Free tuition is a very big deal. You can get a variety of different very useful degrees from a community college; get a practical, well-researched degree and you could have much better job security in 3-4 years.

[heartlikealion]

3 minutes ago, thatfirstsip said:

Free tuition is a very big deal. You can get a variety of different very useful degrees from a community college; get a practical, well-researched degree and you could have much better job security in 3-4 years.

I don’t honestly think I’d have time to take classes. The job is M-F days and they don’t offer night classes in every field. I know none of the graphic design classes are are night. 

[thatfirstsip]

2 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

I don’t honestly think I’d have time to take classes. The job is M-F days and they don’t offer night classes in every field. I know none of the graphic design classes are are night. 

Online classes? I know our local community college (yours might be different) offers several fully online associates degrees, and many others that are mostly online with just one or two classes (for the entire degree) in person, generally practicals for healthcare or other professional degrees. 

Graphic design might not be an option, but anything helps, and since it's free, you might as well. 

[Heartstrings]

Some colleges let you take a class each semester and count it as lunch.  

[heartlikealion]

I’ll think about it in the future if I get hired, but I wouldn’t even consider it for a year. I just want to work, save up and get on my feet without stressing about going back to school. This is what I want to do. Any classes in another field would be for a “maybe one day I’ll need this but my heart isn’t in it” stuff 

[freesia]

I don’t know if this is how it works at all colleges, but my ds works at a university and when he took a class that was diluting work hours he was able to just shorten his lunches or stay later to make up the time. I really hope this job works out for you!

[ktgrok]

I think I get what you mean, Heart. You HAVE a degree in the field you want to work in, but are lacking in experience due to being out of the workforce to raise kids. Since you do already have the degree, the idea/hope is that you will then have the experience to be able to find other jobs in that field down the road. 

[heartlikealion]

8 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

I think I get what you mean, Heart. You HAVE a degree in the field you want to work in, but are lacking in experience due to being out of the workforce to raise kids. Since you do already have the degree, the idea/hope is that you will then have the experience to be able to find other jobs in that field down the road. 

Yes. And since the job title is Communications/Marketing Specialist, a lot of my job experience does apply (2 newspapers & a magazine). I brought copies of the magazine and held it up and one woman said, “oh I know that magazine. We advertised our camps in it.” Other things I said left a couple people nodding and comments like, “you seem to know what you’re talking about” so I’m very hopeful. 

[KungFuPanda]

3 hours ago, heartlikealion said:

I’ll think about it in the future if I get hired, but I wouldn’t even consider it for a year. I just want to work, save up and get on my feet without stressing about going back to school. This is what I want to do. Any classes in another field would be for a “maybe one day I’ll need this but my heart isn’t in it” stuff 

I’ve thought about applying at my local CC. It offers the state’s retirement plan, so that’s nice.  I hope you get it. 🤞

[maize]

I really,  really hope you get this job!

[heartlikealion]

16 hours ago, maize said:

Miaplaza is hiring for a remote content moderator:

https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=7917c10f99e95728&from=ja&alid=6316487aad0b075a7b7b1737&tk=1h9p7q7a3otjt800&utm_campaign=job_alerts&utm_medium=email&utm_source=jobseeker_emails&rgtk=1h9p7q7a3otjt800

 

Awesome. I’ll apply today. I have to apply to at least one job a week so I’m still applying as I wait on these other jobs. 

——

the New Orleans job gave me a few dates and I said I was available Sept 14, 15 & 22. They scheduled me Sept 22. I’ll probably hear back from the other jobs before then. 

[heartlikealion]

I’m doing my best to just move/rearrange and consolidate my belongings that are inside my dad’s home so that my aunt & dad drop the second storage unit idea. I moved one mattress flush against a wall behind a short bookcase and you can still walk by. I moved another upright in the room no one will be staying in. I’m going to swap out bed frames on the twin that’s assembled because one bedframe is taller and will allow more underbed storage. Then probably try to move the remaining frame to my current storage unit. 

I went to pick up my prescription and it’s still ringing up under $5 so that’s good. 

[heartlikealion]

I recently asked the credit union why my points weren't going up despite all the cc use. They explained that the points update monthly. Today my points updated so I rolled them into my checking account. Once that processes, I can use that money to make a payment on the cc balance. It was $75 in points. Every bit helps. 

I think I got everything out of my aunt's temp room (minus some toys that were always there in the closet, but I can move those, too if necessary). So they better not pressure me anymore about a second storage unit. 

[heartlikealion]

The landlord of the rental that’s $550/mo never acknowledged me. The tenant that’s moving out (former coworker of mine) did not acknowledge my last text. So forget that option. 

But I hope to move out soon because when I ask if we can turn down the thermostat it goes from 80 to 79 and I’m still hot and uncomfortable in my room with fan on full blast. It’s kinda funny but the woman here doesn’t always wear pants or bras and this is just validating my previous stance that I didn’t want to have to live with other people. Like you may not know that you have to ask, “what temp do you keep your home?” and “do you often walk around the house scantily clad?” 

I was told one bathroom is “mine.” I returned from my dad’s and saw urine in the toilet so I guess the man used it. So much for feeling like it’s “my” space. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by heartlikealion

[heartlikealion]

Definitely not all in my head. I have a standing fan in here now, too. It helps but I’m just circulating warmish air I think. I’ll try to broach the topic with my landlords. But I don’t see how we’ll compromise. 

Edited September 11, 2023 by heartlikealion

[PeterPan]

If your landlords are older, they may like it warm or not notice. 78 would be a pretty normal temp in a house with older people, though 84 is pretty extreme. Will the temps drop soon so you're less miserable?

Edited September 11, 2023 by PeterPan

[heartlikealion]

Just now, PeterPan said:

If your landlords are older, they may like it warm or not notice. Will the temps drop soon so you're less miserable?

They are older and they are aware my side of the house gets warmer than other parts. But I know money is an issue so I suspect part of it is they don’t want to spend money on the a/c. They are retired but the man went back to work PT because of finances. I’m sure that’s why they rent out a room. The last tenant was hardly ever here. He worked out of town. 

Well it’s Mississippi. We don’t get a real fall. Maybe like a week+ of fall weather. It’ll likely remain hot through most of Oct. 

[thatfirstsip]

If you start work soon, you also might not be there during the heat of the day. At that point, once you have regular income, maybe you could offer $50 extra/month if they'll let you put in a small room-size air conditioner? 

Or you could do what we did when I was a kid in the south with no A/C: spend the hot part of the day in public places with air conditioning and sleep with a box fan.