STARS: On The Way Back: Part 4

I was having a rebirth working in Sample Distribution. I was on an awesome team with great managers/mentors. It felt like the early RA again. The paychecks didn't add up and I knew I couldn't stay for long but I was enjoying this in between periods. 

I had to get a job where I didn't have to pull from my 401K or credit cards. I would maintain a couple of side hustles though. 

The time changed in 2014 when one of my managers changed departments and I knew the new manager and I wouldn't have the best rapport. That's when I got heavy on the job search again. I kept widening it when I would get fussed at or my integrity was tested.  I narrowed my choices down to BMW and Amazon. BMW weeded me out quickly in a screening. I applied for Amazon an hour later in a parking lot in my hot car. Within a month, I received a schedule, wage agreement, start date, etc.  I was FINALLY leaving Robert Allen after 12 years! 

It felt bittersweet as I actually had matured into a different man during that time and made many strong connections. I cherish the time and people there but it was time for another adventure. This would be an adventure where I would get paid more, would get 40 hours/week and I could use my education. 

Of course, I learned quickly it wasn't as easy as I thought to advance but definitely a reality. 

STARS: On The Way Back: Part 3

Part 2 ended with much optimism: steady pay at RA, finally in grad school for my MBA and simply feeling good. 

However, life always has other plans. 

I did earn my MBA in May 2009. However a recession began and I had zero to no job prospects in the accounting, finance or management world. Also, RA reduced my hours from 40 to 36 to 32, dropping my overall pay by $100/week on some weeks. 

I had just bought my Cobalt and was struggling to keep that. I had to take out two separate loans, one on my 401K, to keep ends met. I then decided in 2011 after over 2 years of struggling financially, I was ready for to really leave RA. I left the Cut Floor after 6 years and went to the Sample Book Fabrication department (SBF). I didn't loose much money due to how the incentive program had shifted against me and I felt a lot better internally. 

I then realized in 2012 after one too many altercations with my manager, who had also been my Cut Floor manager that it was time for me to once again think outside of the box. I would have to go to another plant or the like that would pay more, even if it meant longer hours and even weekend work. I could no longer take lower wages and a toxic work environment. I also looked at side hustles, especially with my writing, to make ends meet. 

I connected with many former managers and colleagues like never before. I was determined to get to a point of financial and personal happiness. 

I reached the personal happiness first as I transferred departments to the Sample Distribution department that I worked briefly with as a temp in 2003. That's more for Part 4 but either way it would be a healthier spot to stay in while I found more gainful employment elsewhere. I also got to work for 2 of the best managers I had ever had. This healing and motivation still drives me to this very day. 

STARS: On The Way Back: Part 2

I worked at Robert Allen (RA) considering it a short term assignment while I constantly tried to find more fulfilling employment, preferably in my major. My goal was to go to grad school, earn my MBA and try that route also. That will be the story for Part 3 though. 

Part 2 will focus on how I was able to make more money as the current job I had didn't even pay $9, although I got overtime and decent benefits. I had to get some gainful income at RA or elsewhere. 

I focused on every type of job in my major I could but to no avail. LinkedIn nor major social media wasn't a thing so I used my connects. I then decided to take the PRAXIS and GMAT and aced both exams. I decided to become a critical area needs teacher in SC. I could do that and the closest area was an hour away. 

I then looked at the salary and even after receiving my master's or MBA, it would take years to earn my goal employment of $15/hour (ironically what many jobs pay now). I didn't want to be in another plant nor mill. Robert Allen had adopted the incentive program for the Cut Floor department. In essence you were paid for your production and had a base pay and average pay. I was cross trained on the Cut Floor and was confident I could do the work. However I knew it would be hard on my body. 

I caved in 2005 and decided to do it as another short term assignment so I could afford more things in my life: new car; own place and even to vacation. It paid heavy dividends for 3 years as I made very good money on just 40 hours/week and had a good balance where I wasn't greedy nor harming my body more than necessary. 

I felt more productive and my confidence boosted as I actually matched my income I made working for the WU and exceeded that I would have made as a teacher. 

There were more changes that came as I started grad school in 2008, bought a new car and saw more positive things in my life. 

STARS: On The Way Back: Part 1.

I hope this multi part series can help and uplift someone that may be struggling and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Two decades ago, I had to start from scratch and focus on my personal health. I was young and unsure what to do to move forward. 

I allowed myself to rest, found good specialists to heal and recover.  I then plugged into Vocational Rehab in Gaffney, SC. I had a degree and job experience but due to not having a car of my own at that time and other factors, I could not break back into my career field. Therefore, I had to think outside of the box. 

I went for an avenue that would accommodate my skillset and limitations. A month in after acceptance into their work-skills program, I had two temp offers. One was the Robert Allen Group in Gaffney. I had not heard of them before that time. 

On June 4, 2003, I began as a temp worker for Robert Allen and Voc Rehab was funding my pay. On October 13 of the same year, RA hired me full time. 

I would go on to have job and financial stability as I stayed with the company 12 years. This is just where the story begins though. 

STARS: How I kept the pharmacies from shorting me on my pills

I realize the title really shows my age. Many of us need regular prescriptions for some sort of affliction. I need 4 currently and hope to knock that down to 2 by the end of this year.

I got shorted on a controlled substance I take and anyone knows if you don't get the proper dosage of that, those withdrawals can have dangerous effects. Here's how I mitigated that risk. Also, this will do for any pharmacy.

I bought myself a pill counter container 3 years ago after the incident and my doctor being kind enough to write me another prescription and trust me. I count my pills into that container everytime I get that particular medication. 

3 years later, I've only been shorted once and I caught them on it right away. They were courteous, admitted their mistake and gave me the proper amount. 

Moral of the story is treat your medications like your money. I know I don't ever leave the bank or ATM without counting my money. I also do not leave a pharmacy without counting my pills either and you shouldn't. 

STARS: Surviving High Gas Prices

I'm not flattered to say I have experienced these types of problems twice before I turn 44. It does give me field experience regarding how I have survived and thrived through many unprecedented times. 

I have learned to budget for gas higher than $3/gallon. It's now $4/gallon in my area and could increase to $5 soon. I consistently fill up at the halfway point. I have made sure I purchased gas efficient vehicles. If you can get a vehicle with an eco option, do it! It's a long term gas saver. 

I also enroll in every gas saving program I can: GasBuddy and Ingles Rewards are two of the ones that stay in my rotation. I was in Bi-Lo's program prior to them folding. I try to do my errands in one trip or while I am out on my work commute. I try to travel smarter and more strategically. 

I filled up at the pump just yesterday as gas hit the $4 mark and got $32.26. I am carving out a weekly budget of $85, $250/month. Therefore, I have already pre-planned for that. 

There are no two ways around this: it sucks. Many of us have to drive and thus have to get gas. Therefore you may as well save up, enroll in saver programs and be strategic. This too shall pass!

STARS: Social Media Promotions and Marketing

I will post these types of blogs as long as they are necessary. Mistakes will be made, everyone will not find out about your event. You still have to figure out what to do to increase your efficiency and percentages. 

The goal I have is not to have anyone locally that's on all of the social media platforms often to say they didn't know. 

I go hard, relentlessly and vigorous in my promotions, starting early and often. I manipulate the algorithm to my favor, ensure it's visible if it's a public event. I also have multiple people doing the inviting, which means inviting all of their friends and then their friend's friends. I do this early and often. 

I ensure that my pictures of the event are shared daily in stories, posts. I post during the peak hours: mornings and evenings and days (Sunday evenings through Thursday nights). I discovered that's when folks are checking out what's in the air. 

I have also found Eventbrite to be an awesome source.  Outsiders may moss ads but they can subscribe to Eventbrite notifications and know months in advance. 

I have seen this work and have attendance increase by 50%, complaints reduce by 75% and overall visibility is at 100%. I don't ever want to be mad at the results from the work I didn't do. Read that twice.