After I wrote my last post, I stumbled on this article. It matched my experience well.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/04/10/i-hope-you-get-fired-someday-its-very-empowering/
Showing posts with label Unemployment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unemployment. Show all posts
Monday, April 13, 2015
Revelations
The day you wake up and realize you are happier and healthier today than you have been in a long time.
Then you realize, a major life change has contributed to this new state of health and well being.
Unemployment.
Yes, being unemployed leaves you feeling better than your previous career path.
Time to wake-up. Yes, change happens for a reason, and maybe, just maybe this was a parachute out of a reality that was less than ideal.
So, now the new fear, if the future is not to hold what your past held, what path does one need to take?
One answer leads to more questions.
Then you realize, a major life change has contributed to this new state of health and well being.
Unemployment.
Yes, being unemployed leaves you feeling better than your previous career path.
Time to wake-up. Yes, change happens for a reason, and maybe, just maybe this was a parachute out of a reality that was less than ideal.
So, now the new fear, if the future is not to hold what your past held, what path does one need to take?
One answer leads to more questions.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Charting a new course
A little over a month ago I lost my job. A new job. A job that I had moved my husband and I across the country to begin. And, begin was all I was able to do.
After a month, I think I am finally making my peace with the situation.
I've moved past the anger. And yes, there was a lot of anger in those first few days.
I guess it's the small things, right?
After a month, I think I am finally making my peace with the situation.
I've moved past the anger. And yes, there was a lot of anger in those first few days.
I'm learning how to do nothing. After working for 12 years and never taking a real vacation, it seems like this phase of unemployment is about learning how to relax. Maybe this was a funny way to learn the lesson. I know now that I enjoy time just spending moments with my husband. I'm reminded daily of why we (while some thought it was an unlikely pairing) are together.
In this peace, I can know tackle the question, what do I really want to be when I grow up?
In the meantime, we have also learned that there is a great reason to be in this state as opposed to where we were - the 2nd highest unemployment benefit in the nation.
I guess it's the small things, right?
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
A minor surgical procedure
Today I had a minor outpatient surgery. It's something I should have done before my insurance expired, but I was not able to get it scheduled.
Another one of the joys of unemployment is being without health insurance. This is the first time in a long time that I have been without medical insurance.
Today's procedure was not my source of thought today, it was the reaction of those at the clinic that surprised me.
When I arrived at my appointment, I explained that the insurance on my account was no longer valid and that for today's procedure I would be paying cash.
There was a genuine look of surprise on the registrar's face and she didn't know how to process the transaction. She called over a supervisor and received some guidance. The supervisor again looked surprised and had me called back to speak to a nurse before they would proceed.
In the procedure room...
"Are you aware of how much this procedure will cost? I want you to understand, because I'm afraid once you hear, you will not want the procedure and you will have wasted our time."
"Please tell me the cost."
"Are you sure? It's a lot of money."
"How much is it?"
"Well, honestly, I'm not even sure - I'll have to go look it up. I just couldn't imagine that you would want to pay for it cash today."
A few minutes later she returns.
"The cost for the procedure is $404 + the additional tests we discussed."
Is there a discount for paying today?, I asked.
"Yes, 44% if you pay cash today".
So, the actual cost of the procedure if I pay for it without insurance is $226.24. Is that correct?
"Yes, $226.24 if you are uninsured and pay for the procedure today".
Needless to say, I went ahead with the procedure. I'm sure there are some that would not have gone forward with that expense.
However, I must think about the ridiculous nature of the pricing strategy. Had I been covered by my insurance today, the cost billed to the insurance company would have been $404. However, I had not yet met my $4,000 deductible for the plan. So, if I had claimed the procedure on my insurance, I would have actually been out of pocket the full $404.
Would the registrar and the nurse have questioned moving forward with the procedure if I had been insured? Probably not. Most don't think about the realities of today's health insurance product. Is a plan with a $4,000 deductible really a health insurance plan? Yes, it provides catastrophic coverage. But, how many ever really reach that sort of deductible? And, what happens to the extra funds the clinic receives for those that are insured, but not yet reaching deductible?
Is there not a pricing strategy for health care that could be more beneficial to all? If the clinic was prepared to offer a 44% discount for paying today, why not pass the same charge to the insurance company? Reasonable prices for healthcare procedures would help keep the cost of health insurance manageable for more.
Yes, I do have the option to COBRA my previous health insurance plan, and that is something I did consider. However, how does it make good financial sense to pay $1,000 a month to continue a plan with a $4,000 deductible and still be out of pocket the cost of the needed health procedures? I offer up that it does not make financial sense to do this, especially when one is unemployed and not currently receiving a salary.
Yes, I will make sure that my husband and I receive health insurance coverage of some sort in the next 30 days. However, I know that it will not be a COBRA of my previous coverage and will likely need to be a plan that essentially covers a catastrophic illness and little other assistance. The state we currently live in does have a healthcare exchange and I have been evaluating our options. But, the solution is not a perfect one.
This is the reality of our current health care crisis.
I still hold on to the belief that someone can rise to a position of leadership and help bring about the change that is needed. Progress has been made, but the work is not yet complete.
Regarding the procedure, it was a simple one and recovery is swift.
Another one of the joys of unemployment is being without health insurance. This is the first time in a long time that I have been without medical insurance.
Today's procedure was not my source of thought today, it was the reaction of those at the clinic that surprised me.
When I arrived at my appointment, I explained that the insurance on my account was no longer valid and that for today's procedure I would be paying cash.
There was a genuine look of surprise on the registrar's face and she didn't know how to process the transaction. She called over a supervisor and received some guidance. The supervisor again looked surprised and had me called back to speak to a nurse before they would proceed.
In the procedure room...
"Are you aware of how much this procedure will cost? I want you to understand, because I'm afraid once you hear, you will not want the procedure and you will have wasted our time."
"Please tell me the cost."
"Are you sure? It's a lot of money."
"How much is it?"
"Well, honestly, I'm not even sure - I'll have to go look it up. I just couldn't imagine that you would want to pay for it cash today."
A few minutes later she returns.
"The cost for the procedure is $404 + the additional tests we discussed."
Is there a discount for paying today?, I asked.
"Yes, 44% if you pay cash today".
So, the actual cost of the procedure if I pay for it without insurance is $226.24. Is that correct?
"Yes, $226.24 if you are uninsured and pay for the procedure today".
Needless to say, I went ahead with the procedure. I'm sure there are some that would not have gone forward with that expense.
However, I must think about the ridiculous nature of the pricing strategy. Had I been covered by my insurance today, the cost billed to the insurance company would have been $404. However, I had not yet met my $4,000 deductible for the plan. So, if I had claimed the procedure on my insurance, I would have actually been out of pocket the full $404.
Would the registrar and the nurse have questioned moving forward with the procedure if I had been insured? Probably not. Most don't think about the realities of today's health insurance product. Is a plan with a $4,000 deductible really a health insurance plan? Yes, it provides catastrophic coverage. But, how many ever really reach that sort of deductible? And, what happens to the extra funds the clinic receives for those that are insured, but not yet reaching deductible?
Is there not a pricing strategy for health care that could be more beneficial to all? If the clinic was prepared to offer a 44% discount for paying today, why not pass the same charge to the insurance company? Reasonable prices for healthcare procedures would help keep the cost of health insurance manageable for more.
Yes, I do have the option to COBRA my previous health insurance plan, and that is something I did consider. However, how does it make good financial sense to pay $1,000 a month to continue a plan with a $4,000 deductible and still be out of pocket the cost of the needed health procedures? I offer up that it does not make financial sense to do this, especially when one is unemployed and not currently receiving a salary.
Yes, I will make sure that my husband and I receive health insurance coverage of some sort in the next 30 days. However, I know that it will not be a COBRA of my previous coverage and will likely need to be a plan that essentially covers a catastrophic illness and little other assistance. The state we currently live in does have a healthcare exchange and I have been evaluating our options. But, the solution is not a perfect one.
This is the reality of our current health care crisis.
I still hold on to the belief that someone can rise to a position of leadership and help bring about the change that is needed. Progress has been made, but the work is not yet complete.
Regarding the procedure, it was a simple one and recovery is swift.
Sunday, March 01, 2015
3 Required Job Search Activities per Week
In order to claim unemployment in this state, one must complete a minimum of three job search activities per week.
I find this highly amusing. To complete three job search activities a week, presupposes that one actually knows what one wants to do in the next career pursuit.
I'll be honest. I have not a clue what I want to do next.
Maybe it is a crisis of confidence? Maybe it is a mid-life crisis? (I did have a milestone birthday this year that my husband considers a mid-life point.)
In the meantime, I'll oblige the unemployment requirements and apply for a minimum of three jobs a week (or complete other job search activities).
And maybe, some day, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
I find this highly amusing. To complete three job search activities a week, presupposes that one actually knows what one wants to do in the next career pursuit.
I'll be honest. I have not a clue what I want to do next.
Maybe it is a crisis of confidence? Maybe it is a mid-life crisis? (I did have a milestone birthday this year that my husband considers a mid-life point.)
In the meantime, I'll oblige the unemployment requirements and apply for a minimum of three jobs a week (or complete other job search activities).
And maybe, some day, I'll figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Today I filed for unemployment
First of all, it has been a long time since I last blogged. There are probably a variety of reasons why that is, which I may chose to explore in a future post. But for today, I will focus on the title of this post.
Today I filed for unemployment.
Honestly, I never thought I would say or type those words.
Ok, confused? I'll back up and see if I can bring sense to this for you - and maybe for me.
In late August, I realized that my effective time in my previous job was coming to an end. I struggled with the decision. What could I do? In many ways, I felt trapped in my job and couldn't see a way out. With tremendous support from my husband, we realized it was time to look for a new job. To do that, it very likely meant moving away from where we started our lives together.
Labor Day weekend I assembled a resume and cover letter and submitted applications to several positions in the same field that were in a more focused area that I believed were a better fit.
From that point, everything seemed to click. Within weeks there were interviews (phone, skype, and on location).
In many ways, it seemed that God was answering our prayers. Sometimes his answers were not at all disguised.
And then it came, the job offer. It was in the position that I wanted, the interview seemed to indicate it would be a good match.
I discussed the offer with my husband. We wrote down a number on a piece of paper and said that if the finances matched what we had written, we would know that it was the right thing to do.
And, so it did.
In a matter of days, I accepted the new job, gave notice at my previous job, placed our home on the market, packed our belongings and said goodbye.
Before our final trip to the new town, our house sold - for the price we asked for and a cash sale. Again, it seemed that our new journey was being informed.
I began work less than three months after our search began. Initially, everything seemed great. I enjoyed the work - it was what I was looking for - better balance, more focused. My co-workers and I seemed to gel - we were making progress. They complimented me and said that I was doing good work, that they enjoyed working with me.
But something was not clicking. My supervisor. Her body language now that I was employed was very different than when I interviewed. Experiencing a cold shoulder would have been nice compared to some of the daily experiences.
In hindsight, I should not have been surprised.
On Friday, February 13 (yes, Friday, February 13!) I was informed that "it's just not going to work. You've done great work for us, but it's not going to work. Please turn in your keys and credit card."
And, my personal favorite, "Sue, I'm really sorry. Please, please let me know what I can do to help with this transition."
Seriously? I'm sorry? At this point, I don't think I would really want your help, lady.
It's been a roller coaster since that day. So, maybe it's like the stages of grief - but the unemployment version.
Today, I filed for unemployment.
What lies ahead?
Today I filed for unemployment.
Honestly, I never thought I would say or type those words.
Ok, confused? I'll back up and see if I can bring sense to this for you - and maybe for me.
In late August, I realized that my effective time in my previous job was coming to an end. I struggled with the decision. What could I do? In many ways, I felt trapped in my job and couldn't see a way out. With tremendous support from my husband, we realized it was time to look for a new job. To do that, it very likely meant moving away from where we started our lives together.
Labor Day weekend I assembled a resume and cover letter and submitted applications to several positions in the same field that were in a more focused area that I believed were a better fit.
From that point, everything seemed to click. Within weeks there were interviews (phone, skype, and on location).
In many ways, it seemed that God was answering our prayers. Sometimes his answers were not at all disguised.
And then it came, the job offer. It was in the position that I wanted, the interview seemed to indicate it would be a good match.
I discussed the offer with my husband. We wrote down a number on a piece of paper and said that if the finances matched what we had written, we would know that it was the right thing to do.
And, so it did.
In a matter of days, I accepted the new job, gave notice at my previous job, placed our home on the market, packed our belongings and said goodbye.
Before our final trip to the new town, our house sold - for the price we asked for and a cash sale. Again, it seemed that our new journey was being informed.
I began work less than three months after our search began. Initially, everything seemed great. I enjoyed the work - it was what I was looking for - better balance, more focused. My co-workers and I seemed to gel - we were making progress. They complimented me and said that I was doing good work, that they enjoyed working with me.
But something was not clicking. My supervisor. Her body language now that I was employed was very different than when I interviewed. Experiencing a cold shoulder would have been nice compared to some of the daily experiences.
In hindsight, I should not have been surprised.
On Friday, February 13 (yes, Friday, February 13!) I was informed that "it's just not going to work. You've done great work for us, but it's not going to work. Please turn in your keys and credit card."
And, my personal favorite, "Sue, I'm really sorry. Please, please let me know what I can do to help with this transition."
Seriously? I'm sorry? At this point, I don't think I would really want your help, lady.
It's been a roller coaster since that day. So, maybe it's like the stages of grief - but the unemployment version.
Today, I filed for unemployment.
What lies ahead?
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