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Post by blake on Jun 3, 2015 7:25:25 GMT -6
I would appreciate it if you would pray for my financial situation. We have been sinking deeper and deeper behind this year and I am at the point where I need to start making extra income or else I will be in trouble. I've been trying to study for technical certifications but that takes time (I get $100/mo raises for certs), and been doing Amazon mturk work, also been trying to do freelance logo design lately as well. Ive even begun to look into the possibilty of renting out vending machines etc. Basically I'm trying every means possible to supplement my income at the moment. The only thing left would be to turn off both of my radio stations which would save me over $100 a month, but trying to avoid that outcome.
I'd appreciate if you guys could keep me in your prayers.
Aside from that if anyone needs voiceover work, logos for businesses or custom pc builds feel free to let me know.
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Post by Varg on Jun 4, 2015 12:38:08 GMT -6
Problems with money sucks. I will pray.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 4, 2015 16:19:29 GMT -6
So sorry to hear that Blake. I'll be praying as well.
Sounds like you do a lot of independent work. Have you thought about joining a company/corporation that would pay you a nice salary for your talents?
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Post by blake on Jun 5, 2015 7:25:31 GMT -6
So sorry to hear that Blake. I'll be praying as well. Sounds like you do a lot of independent work. Have you thought about joining a company/corporation that would pay you a nice salary for your talents? Well I plan on staying with my current job as its actually a pretty nice company. My main field is IT/Networking but I have been looking into independent work, but havent really gotten any independent work yet. Been looking into trying to get my feet wet with voice acting, but as busy as I am these days its been a little difficult to really look into these things much. I have a tendency to take on too many projects at once, rendering me ridiculously busy.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 5, 2015 8:27:14 GMT -6
I hear you. I feel like I bite off more than I can chew as well.
Do you think there are some changes you could make to your expenses?
I've got a friend at work who makes a great salary as an Operations Manager (more than I do), and even does Tree Trimming on the side and he's ALWAYS BROKE. I make probably 10-15 grand less a year than he does and I'm not living paycheck to paycheck. Even got a nice savings going on and can store about $150 from each pay period into my savings.
The difference is, I don't do extravagant meals at lavish restaurants 3 times a week like he does - my fiance and I buy food on sale and prepare it at home, eat out 2-3 times a month. I don't drink smoke or chew like he does - which is probably $20 a day. (his beer is expensive) - I pay $30 in supplements a month. His $12 a day Starbucks habit adds up - I only have an off brand coffee on my days off. He leaves almost every light on in his house all the time and blasts the air even when he's not home - $350 power bill a month I have no lights on during the day, one on at night and have air on in the room I'm using - my power bill is $80 a month. (my house is bigger than his too - I have 5 bedrooms!) He has $100 a month for name brand cell service? I'm $45 a month with Straight Talk. He pays $100 a month for premium direct TV and $80 for Wifi - I pay the same for Wifi but $16 a month for Netflix/Hulu Plus.
I could go on, but I think the differences are obvious. I'm certainly not insinuating that you have excessive spending, but as a suggestion to maybe help you, it may be easier to find frugal alternatives to the expenses rising to meet your income, rather than increase your income. (which expenses may eventually rise to meet that as well)
Just a thought my friend.
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Post by blake on Jun 5, 2015 14:41:09 GMT -6
Yeah I already cancelled every thing that I can and both me and my wife have been trying to avoid unnecessary spending. I've been trying to do some studying lately because my company gives 100/mo raises for each certification I complete. Its just a matter of affording the $300+ application fee to take the tests and taking the time to study. If I pass I get reimbursed, if I fail I eat the cost. working on my Server+ cert now. My plan is to pile up all these certs over time. Still looking at other income sources in the meantime though.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2015 6:24:48 GMT -6
Hope you'll reach your goals, man!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 11:39:21 GMT -6
I will pray for you too!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 12:39:03 GMT -6
I've been praying as well.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 12, 2015 16:44:14 GMT -6
Hey Blake! I've got something for you. (really anyone that's looking to make some extra cash) I had a friend tell me today about www.rev.comAll you need is to be able to type grammatically correct and have a set of headphones. You can apply as a remote transcriptor and they'll pay you per minute. (you listen to audio and type it, that's it) They pay .40 to .60 cents per audio minute you transcribe and you do it at home from their website. (you get to try out their editor in the application process - its nice, especially the slow motion feature - between that and the replay buttons, you don't need to type fast. Just accurate.) It was kinda' fun to take the test actually. The friend that told me about it said that his buddy makes $20 an hour just doing this 40 hours a week. It says on their site, work as much or as little as you want, whenever you want... so even if its not you're new day job, you could at least have some extra cash on the side. I just applied myself because I imagine things will be slow with my new job so I plan on doing some for extra cash. I mean, who wouldn't do this, even if you could make $20 extra a day, that would add up!
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Post by blake on Jun 15, 2015 15:17:58 GMT -6
Thanks, I will check that out
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 17, 2015 15:31:28 GMT -6
Speaking of praying for a financial situation, I just discovered today that my "new job" was a fucking SCAM. (sorry for the language, but that's how I feel about it)
Not only do I have to jump through all these hoops because of the identity theft that took place (since I filled out their W4 form and Direct Deposit) but I also gave up the position at my old job after I put my two weeks in.
Financially, I'm ok - and will be for a while if nothing pans out quickly, but please pray that I find something to do. I've been home all week (waiting to get started with my new job), my house is spotless and I'm going absolutely CRAZY.
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Post by Kerrick on Jun 17, 2015 15:51:58 GMT -6
What?!? Oh dude, that is terrible! The selfishness and cruelty of people... I just don't understand. Oh man, I am so sorry to hear this. That is absolutely infuriating.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 17, 2015 20:01:21 GMT -6
I know. My assigned "direct report" for this position must have quite the conscience to know that I was quitting a perfectly legal job for her scam. I've got a few irons in the fire as far as possibilities. I'm not going to worry about it yet - but I've been in one hell of a dodgy mood this evening. Quite the grumpy Gus.
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Post by blake on Jun 18, 2015 6:52:39 GMT -6
What state are you in if you dont mind me asking? And is there a particular field you work in?
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 19, 2015 8:41:28 GMT -6
I'm in Illinois and I've been working in customer service / sales for the past few years. This scam business was from Florida and was hiring me as a "remote" employee.
This scam was pretty elaborate - even my lawyer was impressed. These criminals basically impersonated a REAL business with real people. (which is why two weeks of research on the company, everything seemed legit) The only thing that drew my attention was that nothing was happening on my supposed start date, and two days later. I couldn't get a hold of them via phone, e-mail or messenger. (when I "hired" on, they created me an account on a separate website that included a messenger - again, elaborate)
Based on their location on Google Maps, I started calling neighboring locations to find out if 1) this was a real business, and 2) if anyone was even there. One helpful store owner across the street informed me that this particular suite was vacant, but owned by a different company. I called this company and that's when I found out that this was a real business, but they had no idea who I was or the people I was dealing with or what was going on. (The CEO signature on my contract was forged, among other things...)
The CFO called me and asked a lot of questions. Apparently the FBI will be interviewing me later in regards to my involvement. Fun fun! If they find out who these guys are and catch them, I'm going to sue them. (because I quit my job thinking they were a legit business)
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Post by blake on Jun 23, 2015 7:41:08 GMT -6
Dang that sucks. I was in Illinois for a week last year for work. I do IT for various banks in the US and was down there replacing some routers. There was so much good food there I wanted to stay and just keep eating. My two favorites I had while I was there was Fatty's bar and grill in I think Dekalb, and Giordano's Pizza.
The reason I was asking is because my job will be opening a new location soon in Kansas, it sounds like its not exactly your field or location.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 23, 2015 21:29:51 GMT -6
Yeah. Thanks though.
I've got some irons in the fire - had a few interviews, (got another one Monday) and positive feedback - but no one has a job that I can just START. Its like it all takes a few weeks, which is driving me crazy.
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Post by blake on Jun 24, 2015 10:31:29 GMT -6
Well I completed by Rev.com application Monday night, spend an hour just making 100% sure that I transcribed that test audio 100% perfect. Got an email today that my application was rejected and not to contact them about it.
Maybe I was too accurate, I even transcribed the um's and uhhh's
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 25, 2015 9:08:39 GMT -6
Well I completed by Rev.com application Monday night, spend an hour just making 100% sure that I transcribed that test audio 100% perfect. Got an email today that my application was rejected and not to contact them about it. Maybe I was too accurate, I even transcribed the um's and uhhh's My application got rejected too. They've probably got enough people doing work and still take applications planning the whole time to tell them no. I found a few other transcription places, one called Casting Words where you don't need to apply workshop.castingwords.com/worker/dashboard....but the recordings to transcribe are RIDICULOUS. It took me 40 minutes to get this one weird 1 minute recording right and I made $0.30 in the process. Not worth it.
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Post by blake on Jun 25, 2015 10:12:55 GMT -6
I think if you get a recording that is pretty straight forward with one speaker who doesnt stumbleover himself you could make more money. The test audio for rev took me about an hour to get 2:30 done. Because there were 3 or 4 speakers, and the first speaker would be like "yeah I like to um, i mean uh...you know I like to use wooden poles" and would do so at such a speed it I had to keep replaying. Not to mention people talking over each other, and coughing etc.
I think if it was like one guy speaking without constant flubs it would be easier. I bet they intentionally chose an atrocious test clip
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 25, 2015 11:39:11 GMT -6
That's the thing. I've tried other sites and literally, all recordings are a jumbled (people talking over each other) mess. That rev.com test was common audio of what you'll find in transcription.
I've applied at so many jobs - its been two weeks since my last day of employment. I've had 2 interviews, 1 coming up on Monday, positive feedback, but no work yet.
I'm bashing my head against the wall.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jun 26, 2015 9:19:31 GMT -6
Got a call and setup another interview today. Well, at least I'm *finally* hearing back from some places.
I miss the late 90's version of hiring where you just walk into a place that says "Now Hiring" and they let you try some of the work and tell you to start the next day. Now even for basic positions, you've got to apply, pass a drug screen, pass a background check and their HR/recruiting might get back with you in 2-3 weeks.
Luckily, I've only had one place say "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" to my criminal background. Definitely don't have to worry about passing a drug test.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 4, 2015 9:56:30 GMT -6
I've got 3 job interviews scheduled for next week. (Monday and Tuesday) I really hope I can land the job for the interview scheduled Monday. Its actually just down the road from where I live (had no idea that place existed)
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 14, 2015 13:05:03 GMT -6
*groans* [zombiechase]
I'm waiting to hear back from the absolutely most perfect job. I've passed their difficult testing and interviewed. ...but I'm going crazy waiting to hear back from them to see if they're hiring me. I was told I should be notified this week!!!!
The other places I interviewed with said "thanks but no thanks". Please pray that this job hires me!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2015 13:18:50 GMT -6
I've been praying for you, Thomas. I really hope you get this one!
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 15, 2015 7:43:38 GMT -6
Thank you Crimson Warrior. I really appreciate it. I'm still waiting to hear back about the position, but I just wanted to remark on how AMAZED I am that so many jobs that I've applied for are actually breaking the law.
In Illinois, there's a Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (aka. "Ban the Box") where its ILLEGAL for employers to inquire or require disclosure of an employee’s (criminal) history unless the person has been qualified/considered for the job position. Two jobs I inquired about employment several weeks ago asked me (before I even applied) if I've ever had a felony. ...and then disengaged when I stated I had. (my felony was an aggravated battery that happened over 9 years ago, when I was still heavily in my addiction)
So.... I reported the violation to the Illinois Labor Board and if found in violation, those two places of business will get fined $500 if they don't resolve this with me within 30 days. $1500 if it takes them 60 days. It only gets worse every 30 day increment as well.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 17, 2015 18:14:00 GMT -6
*groans* [zombiechase] I'm waiting to hear back from the absolutely most perfect job. I've passed their difficult testing and interviewed. ...but I'm going crazy waiting to hear back from them to see if they're hiring me. I was told I should be notified this week!!!! The other places I interviewed with said "thanks but no thanks". Please pray that this job hires me! FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Well I wasn't contacted this week. I contacted the recruiter who recommended me and she stated that they're still "wrapping things up" with the other candidates. She said the fact that I haven't heard anything does not mean I did or didn't get the job. ....still. The wait is driving me insane. I've done three things this week. Applied for other jobs, in case this one doesn't pan out. Setup interviews for job. Have another one next week. WAITED for my phone/e-mail to tell me something. (did WAY too much of this) My fiance normally has just bought food for the house, but she gave me enough money to pay almost half my bills for July. I'm glad that's less that I have to take out of savings, but still.... I'm praying ridiculously hard to have work soon.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Jul 21, 2015 8:06:00 GMT -6
I didn't get that job. It has me down. I'm getting really discouraged.
I'm testing this morning for a book binding job that a career-placement center has. Better than nothing.
My interview Thursday is for a job that pays up to $100,000 a year, so they say. I'll believe it when I see it or if they actually hire me.
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Post by Kerrick on Jul 21, 2015 10:06:26 GMT -6
Ah dang dude, I am sorry. That is frustrating and discouraging indeed. Sounds like there are still multiple opportunities on the horizon though. What's the $100k job? That sounds... lucrative! I've been thinking about employment and such too lately... Right now, I've got a good job where I don't have to commute far at all in an area I like (where I grew up and where my family and closest friends are). But the thing is, in Santa Cruz, there just aren't many opportunities for engineers and I'm getting paid severely less (roughly 1/2) of what I could be getting were I to move and/or commute somewhere less desirable. Right now I'm able to get by... but if I'm going to ever have a family, I wouldn't be able to support them well. And there is NO way I would EVER be able to buy a house in the area unless I win the lotto or something. Hmm...
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