Does everyone feel this way about their job or am I simply depressed?
@handsomeitaliano (1050)
United States
April 16, 2010 3:36pm CST
I'm in my mid 20s, i work on an ambulance for $12 an hour, i hate driving cuz im always scared something is gonna happen but i have no choice because no one else is hiring (woopie doo!). I use several different writing sites to make money like Break Studios, Demand Studios, Associated Content for instance. It's adding up but its only like $200 a month i make on average.
I seem to get into this habit when... on my days/weekends off from work, I try to devise a plan to make as much money online as possible or.. let me rephrase this better... hit an unusual goal... before I return to work so that way when I'm going to work I can think to myself I'm at least one step closer to retirement. What's retirement to me, you ask? $90-$100,000, that's all. No millions or anything like that. Once I get $90-$100k, I already know exactly what to do with that money in order to turn it into even more money. It's just a matter of getting that amount first.
I only have a little over $10k saved up right now. I'm trying to put away $200 a week, $100 at the very least. It really sucks, you know, when trying to stay afloat *just a little bit* above the rest. It makes you envious of others too, almost naturally as a matter of fact. I can't really help that though, I just look at managers or big shots in suits and think to myself "That guy can afford spend a weekend in Florida next week if he really wanted to".
I actually wouldn't mind working 2 days a week. I currently work 40 hours in 4 days at the moment. I just hate feeling like I'm short-changing myself with my financial goals everytime I return to work from my weekend off. So it's like I can't set them too high because I'll disappoint myself but I don't wanna set them too low either because that's not fair, you know?
2 people like this
8 responses
@Auntiescarf (842)
•
17 Apr 10
You really deserve a pay rise, Im not sure how much ambulance drivers get paid here in the uk but what you get paid is shocking for the work you do, Im very impressed that you have such a great attitude about saving money for retirement, Im 26 and Ive just started a pension because its only now I have found out how much the state pension gives, I dont want to be struggling when Im older so have started a private one. Im very impressed with the money you are making online, Im just having some making some pocket money compared to that. I feel envious of managers when you think how much they make sometimes, Im like you and just doing a job because its the only one hiring right now, but that doesnt mean we have to stop looking for better ones!
Im not surprised your nervous when it comes to driving the ambulance, I pulled over for one the other day, it was coming round the roundabout so I pulled in to allow it plenty of room to get by me, and then had some guy flashing his lights at me as if to say that I should have carried on and not blocked the road, it really annoyed me, I think the ambulance gets priority, so pulled over to make it easier, I dont care if Im stopping someone behind me, they should wait for the ambulance to pass, it just shows how many idiots are on the road and Im sure you come across them whenever your working.
I hope you feel a bit more positive soon, you have done really well with the amount you have saved up and you should be proud of your hard work!
@handsomeitaliano (1050)
• United States
17 Apr 10
I agree about the pay raise and the idiots on the road :) I've actually been looking for a better job for over a year now, and its all stuff that I'm qualified to do, mind you. I have 7 years customer service exp prior to EMS (which I would also count as customer service, a VERY HIGH level of it because it does involve saving lives). I find it quite disturbing that, say, an office or call center paying $11 an hour to do something I have a lot of experience in won't hire me after I told them that my job is to *SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES* (HELLO! HELLO! RING-A-DING-DING! QUALITY CANDIDATE HERE!) for ***$12*** an hour. That's very sad in my opinion.
I also took an EKG/Phlebotomy course last fall, I can't even get a job doing that. I really wish I knew who I had to screw in order to get another job. I personally don't like driving the ambulance, I just started driving a couple weeks ago but I don't drive all the time, it's really something which you and the partner decide. Thankfully, all my partners drive too. I usually tech though.
@Auntiescarf (842)
•
17 Apr 10
I honestly cant think of a reason why you have not been snapped up yet, as you are experienced in lots of different types of work, I agree there must be a very high level of customer service involved with your ambulance work, plus your work before that, and the course you took as well. Even if you were applying for jobs that didnt that, it looks good that you are actually taking courses, that you are willing to learn. I honestly wouldnt do your job as I hate driving, I passed my test a few years ago but then didnt need to drive untill about 2 months ago, so only now am I actually driving regular and I hate it! My biggest fear was actually having an ambulance behind me, so Ive tackled that now and managed to do what I could to help them pass.
Dont give up looking for other work, do you know anyone who is quite high up anywhere? Maybe ask them to check your resume to see if there is anything you can do to improve it. I was looking for work for about 6 months with no interviews coming through so I had a careers advisor look at my CV, they just changed the way I worded some things and then had 4 interviews in one week. Maybe see if there is anything else you can put on there to help you. It never hurts to get some advice anyway.
Is there any particular field you really want to get into? I was just thinking that if there was something maybe see if you can do a couple of hours a week voluntary work to get that experience on your resume? Just trying to think of things that may help you.
@drkraven (521)
• Romania
16 Apr 10
i m more than impressed with your writting skills since that amount you make is not that low... you must be good at it. well atm i m unemployed so i don t know how to answer about how i feel about my job :) other than the links i found on your blog anywhere else we could see your writing ? :)
@zim1fW (285)
• Philippines
19 Apr 10
The key to making more money is to become more. If you only know driving, then you must find a way to know more. Depression is a sign of giving up. Don't. Consider your situation as an adventure that demands you to become better and more skilled as a person. Be more skilled than what you are now, then you will find out that opportunities will just show themselves to you afterwards.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
17 Apr 10
I don't have any suggestions but you certainly are brave to drive an ambulance! People are supposed to pull over but I've been in plenty of states where they don't pay any attention. I had to take a ride in an ambulance last May and those were just about the nicest, kindest people I've met in a long time. I just wanted to let you know that many people appreciate you and you're doing a very important job.
I also think you're shamefully underpaid!
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
I think you have done a good job already by doing small steps in ensuring your future. Just don't be to hard on yourself and don't push yourself to the limit it might not be good at all. You just have need time to relax a bit and count your blessings no matter how few they were. Big things come from small beginnings.
I do admire your drive to save money I guess you have this fierce determination with in yourself to become successful one day. Those big shots guy in expensive suits and nice car...don't let theme eve get out of your sight. They are the ones who will inspire you to reach that certain level of lifestyle one day.
Big things come from small beginnings. You are on the right track keep on moving.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
17 Apr 10
That is not very much for retirement at all. Do not be jealous, those can afford to that, are you sure? You know how they spend? Managers usually get paid less then minimum wage, based on hours put in over time at work. Usually spend more then they make, so even if they are making 100k a year, they are almost as broke as you. I know how you feel I felt the same way, then I learned some things, and am now doing something about it.
Almost everyone trades time for money, you sound like you have drive. Do you know how to put leverage to work for you? Have you ever considered Network Marketing? If you work 40 hours in 4 days, that gives you what 3 days off a week?
Would you be willing to spend 7-10 hours a week, for 2-4 years, in order to meet your financial needs? Working for yourself, which comes with great tax breaks? Learn while you earn, teach others to do the same thing?
Let me know what you think.
With Appreciation.
@caliya (1169)
• Philippines
17 Apr 10
i totally understand how you feel. there are really days when i feel like i am dragging myself to work. it can be so frustrating and i tell myself that there should be a better way. why not just work from home and be my own boss? i think if others can do it so can we. it's starts within ourselves. we just need to set our mind to the goals above our head and not by the obstacles on our feet.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
16 Apr 10
How long have you been writing online? Maybe you are being too impatient about your goals? I think $200 a month is not bad considering you're not doing this full-time.
I am not a full-time online worker too. For my financial goals, I calculated what I would need, when I need it, and how I am going to make it and made a timeline. I broke it down up to daily goals. I factored in my skill level too. I would suggest that you start slow, do a monthly goal and everyday try to determine how far away you still are. Then when you're comfortable, get down to weekly, then daily, to hourly goals. You'll get there sooner than you think.
Chin up handsomeitaliano! These handsome suits probably owe some bank their souls! At least you have a job, and in this economic times, that's something that keeps you above other people.
@protoboard (234)
• Mexico
16 Apr 10
I think you just need to relax (although that might be hard driving an ambulance all day) and wait for better things to come. You obviously have talent because $200 a month writting online and not as full-time is a good money. Just keep doing that and you'll have your retirement.
