Unemployment & Starbucks

Sorry Starbucks. I can no longer justify your $4 cafe mochas. I am now enjoying International Moments for about 17 cents per steamy cup. Even these two flavors were acquired at clearance prices.

10 College Majors with Lowest Unemployment Rates

It's a little late for some of us but here are the top 10:

1. Actuarial Science—0 percent
2. Astronomy and Astrophysics—0 percent
3. Educational Administration and Supervision—0 percent
4. Geological and Geophysical Engineering—0 percent
5. Pharmacology—0 percent
6. School Student Counseling—0 percent
7. Agricultural Economics—1.3 percent
8. Medical Technologies Technicians—1.4 percent
9.Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology—1.6 percent
10. Environmental Engineering, Nursing, and Nuclear Industrial Radiology and Biological Technologies—2.2 percent

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/10-college-majors-lowest-unemployment-rates-163049193.html

Unemployed Person's Delight: Tea tasting

Last week I was paid $40 to sample various fruit flavored iced teas and give back candid feedback. Saltine crackers supplied to clean my 'between teas' palatte.

Note: do not say that you are confirming for the 'wine' tasting when RSVPing for TEA tasting. And yes, I ate all four saltines.

Housecleaning booty: Day 374

Cleaning a vacating tenant on Monday, I was able to score a new container of SoftScrub, airline tequila bottle, cajun seasoning and a slightly holy merino wool sweater...just in time for winter!

(To date, I've cleaned plus or minus 31 residential units.)

Slacking in job search? 25 hours a week devoted to job search

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2639-Job-Search-Are-you-slacking-in-your-job-search/?SiteId=cbmsnhp42639&sc_extcmp=JS_2639_home1&gt1

This article recommends a minimum of 25 hours a week focused on the job search. I don't agree with the daily checklist/timeline, but 25 hours is a great goal. I'm aiming for 25 hours this week!

US unemployment 9.2%, real unemployment 16.2% [insert sad emoticon]

Employment rate calculated by the US Department of Labor (July 2011)

As of June 2011, the national unemployment rate is at 9.2%. But the Real Unemployment Rate is estimated to be 16.2% or over 25 million American workers. I've read that some believe that states like California are well into the 22-25% range of real unemployment.

Real unemployment captures three statistics: the unemployment rate plus part time workers who really want to be full time workers and workers who recently left the workforce are categorized as 'marginally' attached.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/real-unemployment-rises-162-june-253-mil

Career Cheerleaders forming next week

Next week, a very good friend and I are opening up our career cheerleaders support group up to new people. To liven it up a bit, I'm going to offer a few quotes from a book that I found when cleaning out a friend's shed for $10 an hour.


1. Your Life Has Purpose and Meaning
2. Use a Strategy for Happiness
3. You Don't Have to Win Everytime
4. Your Goals Should be Aligned with One Another
#4 is really an eye opener. Some of these are a bit cheesy but sometimes we really need to be reminded of some of the basics. I can't afford a [certified] life coach so I will have to depend on me for the moment. I'll post the cheer session results next week!

EPS: Empty Pantry Syndrome

Empty Pantry Syndrome (aka EPS) occurs when an unemployed person's money runs out before that last trip to the grocery store. Just imagine, no money and nothing in the pantry. I know that last sentence is a double negative and its a double trouble type of problem when you are really hungry!                         Remedy: bulk up when you can, when times are good. Look for "Buy one get one free" and just buy the darn thing! When I grocery shop now, I look for the real deals. I always seem to spend more when I clip coupons, unless the item is free. Follow this advice and your hungry tummy will thank you. Job hunters must maintain their strength throughout the entire job search! Bon (discount) appetit!

US Hiring at a Standill, fewest jobs added in 9 months

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43682716/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/

The employment situation is still gloomy! The average is around 9.2% but real unemployment is much much higher.

President blames unemployment on ATMs

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/obamas-atm-story-cant-explain-slow-hiring-2011-06-16

I was hoping to keep this blog nonpolitical but I thought this was funny. I am unemployed, and I used to be a bank teller back in the day. But I don't blame ATMs or technology for my current situation.

Dumpster Diving (almost!)

So, I've been cleaning some abandoned apartments to make ends meet. Occasionally there are some items in the fridge, most recently I transferred this bottle of 100% pure maple syrup, some sticks o' butter and some Excedrin Migraine (not pictured). A $20 value!

Welcome to my recession nightmare!

Thought I would start this blog to put an actual human face to the unemployment statistics! I have not been gainfully employed since 30 June 2010.

I do not have unemployment benefits.
I do not have health insurance.
I am the unemployed American mentioned on CNN.

I'm hoping you'll find my journey to gainful employment informative, entertaining, heartfelt and quite often funny.