[laurafreak]

So I'm only working part-time right now, anywhere from 23-32 hours a week at $7.25 an hour and time and a half on sundays.
I give my bf $100 a month for rent, I spend $50 a week on groceries, and I pay two credit card bills from school - one is $65 a month and the other I try and pay $50 a month. Plus, every week I get like $40-50 in taxes taken out

I can NEVER seem to put away money. Like, I need to get a car...my parents said they would help me with insurance but I still need to save about $500 to a get a little junker to get back and forth to work and school.

My job won't really give any more hours, they really don't hire too many full timers, and out of most of the cashiers already, I tend to be one of the ones who gets the best hours.

So lately, I've been constantly debating about trying to find a better job, something that pays more. But, I'm afraid that if I leave my current job, where I'm atleast comfortable with half of the people and stuff like that, I'll get stuck with a horrible job and really be screwed.
I already worked at this same store before, different department. I worked in the deli for a year and left to go to school. I transfered back 9 months later and decided to see if I get a job back here again, and I did, thankfully. But I'm not so sure they'd hire me back yet again, if I decided I didn't like my new job.

While I worked my deli job, which was my first job, I worked at 2 other places - Hollywood Video and Lerner, a clothing store. I really hated those jobs. I lasted about 2 months at Lerner before they just stopped giving me hours, and I only stayed at Hollywood Video till I left for school.
So, I'm afraid that even if I find a job that pays more, I'm going to dislike it so bad like those other 2 places, and it'll make my anxiety 1000x times worse. Like, at my current job, there's people I talk to and I like working with, but at the other 2 jobs, I never talked to anybody and it was horrible.

Has anyone been in the same type of situation and have any advice?

 

[lostsockmonkey]

I am in a similar situation. I decided to stay at my current job, because I was also afraid I wouldn't last at a new job if I didn't like it. I decided this would not be the right time to take on another anxiety provoking new situation. I have also been trying very hard to save money on my meager part-time salary.

Some things I have started doing, which have helped:

1) I got paycheck direct deposit, and started having my bank automatically transfer $25.00 from checking into savings at the end of the month. This makes both my checking and savings accounts free of monthly fees. I never miss that $25.00, until I realize it has accumulated into $50 or $100.

2) I routinely empty my savings account every couple of months and put this toward my paying credit card balance, because I am paying higher interest on the cards than I am earning on the savings, and thus losing money by holding on to the savings. But, if I were saving for a shortterm goal like a car, I would just let it keep accumulating.

3) I have started paying a lot more attention to what I spend at the grocery store and how far it goes. I've been making a grocery list, using coupons but only for things I'd buy anyway, buying fewer processed foods, buying generic, comparing unit prices on items, and shopping at a store that offers double coupons every day, a discount card, and prints coupons with your receipt according to what you usually buy. (Kroger.)

4) I started packing my lunches for work, and ordering takeout a lot less often at work and home. This has made a big difference.

5) I got a (free) piggy bank, and started putting ALL my change into it. Also, if I saved $1.46 at the grocery store that day, or $3.00 by not buying lunch, or whatever, Iforce myself to add that to the piggy bank.. It's amazing how fast little bits add up. Eventually, I take the change to the Coinstar machine at the grocery store, or take it to the bank and deposit it to my savings.

I hope some of these tips are helpful to you, whether you decide to get a different job or stay at your current one.

 

[Mork]

So I'm only working part-time right now, anywhere from 23-32 hours a week at $7.25 an hour and time and a half on sundays.
I give my bf $100 a month for rent, I spend $50 a week on groceries, and I pay two credit card bills from school - one is $65 a month and the other I try and pay $50 a month. Plus, every week I get like $40-50 in taxes taken out

Going through your numbers, you should have $220 of cash left over at the end of the month. Use that money to pay off your debt, and soon enough you'll have $220 + $65 + $50 of cash left over at the end of each month.

Assuming I haven't lost you already, if you want to stick with this job but have more money, consider your second "job" to be one of cutting down on expenses in those areas where you really aren't getting your money's worth and finding how to get the most for your money.

 

[seph]

I know VERY much that it is hard to leave a job that you are comfortable with. Maybe try and find a job as a teller at a bank? Believe it or not, it is comparable work to cashier (especially if cashier is something you picked up easily). Banks usually pay more, and dont require a certain degree to start. Also, there is opportunity to move up by just proving yourself as a good worker. Not to pry too much, but are the payments you make on your CC's the minimum payment? Do you continue to charge on them?

 

[powerman]

Yep, I am in a similar situation as well... I hate my job, been working there for 3 years now and I really want to switch bad... But I am getting paid about 10.75 an hour and have full benefits... So, if I switch jobs, I need to find something that pays around that as the starting wage, which is really hard... Plus like you said, I need to make all new friends at the new job when I am already comfortable with the people I work with.

But, I say go for it.. Because I am going to do it anyway after christmas is over.

 

[cj]

Maybe you could look for a job on a part time basis - maybe one day a week - but ask your current employer if you can schedule a certain day off - every week - say Tuesday. This would allow you to check the place out before you went to work there full time.

You could also get your resume out to Agencies, and tell them that you are looking for a full time job but that your top priority is finding a great place to work.

You could ask your friends, others that you know what they think of thier employer and if the news is good, tell your friend that you'd like to hear of any positions when they come available.

If you want a right fit for yourself at a new job, then try and look at the interview process in a new light. It should not be just them interviewing you, to see if you are a good fit. You need to ask questions of them to ensure they are a good fit for you. Here is some of the questions, that i have asked in the past.

How long have most of the people (in the department you are being considered for) worked here? A high turnover should be explained! Do you buy thier story?

Is there annual reveiws of employees? If not how often are they done? You need feedback and raises to keep you motivated in a job.

Are openings in the company advertised internally first? If you don't like the department you are in you may consider transferring to another, or moving up the ladder at a later time. If the employer ask you why you want to know - just tell them that perhaps in 2-3 years you might want to take on more responsibility and want to know if that is an option. Ambition is a good thing in most employers eyes - if they don't think so - that is something that should concern you.

Is there a union? I love unions. You get paid better wages, enjoy better benefits, job security, and the company usually has stringent guidlines it must follow in the treatment of employees. Even with the union dues deductions, financiallly you are most often better off.

Good Luck