Update XX: A Darn Good Judge of My Financial Situation

[Joe Biden 2020]

I've always lacked drive, determination, and follow through.

You should definitely include that statement on your resume.

Lol, I do that and I'm on the streets...  panhandling...

[Indy Texas]

Accounting is incredibly difficult.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's also extremely competitive. Back in the old days, you could get a degree in accounting and make decent money just doing basic reports by hand. Today, programs like Quicken do a lot of that kind of stuff automatically and accountants do a lot more complicated things like ensuring that companies are in compliance with extremely complicated laws. A lot of simple jobs in every field have been replaced by computers. Everybody is charging full speed ahead, trying to be dynamic and innovative. And then Bushie's off in a corner watching 14 hours of sports.

AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!!

Actually, as far as most businesses are concerned, what you're describing - very basic tracking of cash flows and budgets - is really more bookkeeping than accounting. Technically, you don't even really need a college degree to be a bookkeeper - the stereotypical sole proprietor small businessman usually has his semi-stay-at-home wife do the bookkeeping; though nowadays they'd probably prefer an Associate's degree.

[Kushahontas]

Wasn't 'e-commerce' Bushie's college major once upon a time?

He graduated with it, but it was Northwestern Oklahoma E-Commerce, circa-2003. So he knows how to sell items on Usenet.

I thought it was OSU! Damn, update just keeps getting more depressing with each new chapter

[J-Mann]

Do they have 'full figure' models available?

A beanbag with a paper-plate-and-macaroni-art face would be eerily lifelike when considering Jeff's love life.

I've always lacked drive, determination, and follow through.

You should definitely include that statement on your resume.

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

[Joe Biden 2020]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

[J-Mann]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

Read: Update, Seasons I through XX.

[Indy Texas]

I've always lacked drive, determination, and follow through.

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

Wow, that was almost meta. "I've always lacked drive, determination and follow-through. I'd like to do something about it, but it's just, you know, so much effort and time involved. If I could just spend some money to do it, that would be more my style."

[King]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

[Joe Biden 2020]

I've always lacked drive, determination, and follow through.

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

Wow, that was almost meta. "I've always lacked drive, determination and follow-through. I'd like to do something about it, but it's just, you know, so much effort and time involved. If I could just spend some money to do it, that would be more my style."

I never said I wanted it handed to me.  You made that up.  I asked how do I develop those qualities.  The keyword is "develop", which is not an instantaneous word.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

[King]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

[Joe Biden 2020]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour, but I don't pursue jobs that pay that high because there are none with my qualifications.  However, in order to pay ALL the bills I need at least $12 an hour and that's not too much to ask for my experience and qualifications.  I don't need to spend time on minimum wage jobs, not because they aren't good, but because they aren't adequate for my needs.  My goal is to get completely out of Mom's checkbook and I cannot do that for less than $12 an hour unless I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

[Panda Express]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour,

No you're not.

[AkSaber]

I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

That's not a death sentence. It's economizing. Part of being a responsible, independent adult is making the difficult decisions.

Sure, it's gonna suck for a while. But none of us ever made any remarkable growth by having everything they wanted all the time.

[King]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

There, you just said it. You want the great job handed to you. You already want to be upper middle class for your local area in starting salary.

I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

Ah yes, people in the 1940s were famous for doing nothing but sleep.

Once again you confuse us saying "$200 cable package is bad" as saying "$10 basic cable is bad" and "internet access is bad."

You're gluttonous. You either want it all or none.

[J-Mann]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour, but I don't pursue jobs that pay that high because there are none with my qualifications.  However, in order to pay ALL the bills I need at least $12 an hour and that's not too much to ask for my experience and qualifications.  I don't need to spend time on minimum wage jobs, not because they aren't good, but because they aren't adequate for my needs.  My goal is to get completely out of Mom's checkbook and I cannot do that for less than $12 an hour unless I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

Jeff, you seem to completely miss the point that a lower-wage job at which you can excel, learn, grow and take on more over time would be BETTER for you than continually shooting for $xx-an-hour jobs that you HAVE to have because they meet your needs.

Those haven't worked out for you in ... ever.

These guys are recommending to start fresh ... lower on the totem pole with something that isn't as challenging and / or risky for you, be good at it and be consistent with it, and through that you'll learn drive, determination and follow-through. Because if you want to get more money from a lower-wage job, you have to first excel at that lower-wage job.

[memphis]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour,

No you're not.

^^^^^^^^
$15-20/hr buys an employee with drive, determination, and follow through. That's not a value judgement. It's an economic fact about where the labor market is right now. Go get a job that fits your skill set.

[patrick1]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

Read: Update, Seasons I through XX.

Perfect quote J-Mann.  Many people have tried to coach you over the years Jeff on a number of things, but you have not stuck with anything for more than a week or two.

[J-Mann]

My goal is to get completely out of Mom's checkbook and I cannot do that for less than $12 an hour unless I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

Then do that, Jeff. People who don't have the safety nets that you do have to forgo frivolous extras like eating out (even fast food), cable packages at apartments they don't live in, etc. The only reason you're able to keep this type of "entertainment" is because you've got a safety net to fall back on.

As I've told you before -- imagine life without your parents. What would you have to do to survive? Prioritize. That's what builds character, and drive, determination and follow-through. And you have to have all of those things to qualify for the $15-$20 an hour job. They're not handed out for qualities you admit you lack.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I've always lacked drive, determination, and follow through.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour

...

[Joe Biden 2020]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour, but I don't pursue jobs that pay that high because there are none with my qualifications.  However, in order to pay ALL the bills I need at least $12 an hour and that's not too much to ask for my experience and qualifications.  I don't need to spend time on minimum wage jobs, not because they aren't good, but because they aren't adequate for my needs.  My goal is to get completely out of Mom's checkbook and I cannot do that for less than $12 an hour unless I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

Jeff, you seem to completely miss the point that a lower-wage job at which you can excel, learn, grow and take on more over time would be BETTER for you than continually shooting for $xx-an-hour jobs that you HAVE to have because they meet your needs.

Those haven't worked out for you in ... ever.

These guys are recommending to start fresh ... lower on the totem pole with something that isn't as challenging and / or risky for you, be good at it and be consistent with it, and through that you'll learn drive, determination and follow-through. Because if you want to get more money from a lower-wage job, you have to first excel at that lower-wage job.

So, I should give up completely on CAD and go work at a grocery store?

[Joe Biden 2020]

Let's not forget that this recent lay off was not my fault.  I would happily still be there if the job had been able to continue.  I did absolutely nothing wrong at that job to cause the job to go away.  I rarely ever missed except for a couple of days.  This job is going to really boost my resume because of the name of the company.  Plus, it gave me 3 months invaluable experience.  I now have 5 months experience in CAD which is better than being fresh out-of-the-box.

[Knives]

Bushie maybe you should go on the Biggest Loser? A chance to win  big bucks and change your life...

[J-Mann]

Jesus, Jeff ... isn't this just horribly depressing to say? Don't you want to do something about it!?

It's definitely not a pleasant thing to say.  I am trying to do something about it.  I just don't know how to gain those qualities.  You can't just go to Walmart and pick them up on sale.  They take time to acquire and develop.  What would you suggest I do to develop those qualities?

You actually can go to Wal-Mart and pick them up on sale, by starting out as an Associate and working your way up through Wal-Mart management.

You want a great job handed to you and you work that way when you have a job.

Again, I NEVER said that.

Your actions say it. You worth yourself >$15/hr starting for no reason. You left another job in the past because you weren't getting frequent enough raises for no reason. You chased after scam jobs that promised big payouts for no reason.

You want a head start on everybody else.

I'm worth $15-$20 an hour, but I don't pursue jobs that pay that high because there are none with my qualifications.  However, in order to pay ALL the bills I need at least $12 an hour and that's not too much to ask for my experience and qualifications.  I don't need to spend time on minimum wage jobs, not because they aren't good, but because they aren't adequate for my needs.  My goal is to get completely out of Mom's checkbook and I cannot do that for less than $12 an hour unless I cancel EVERY piece of entertainment and live in the 1940's with nothing to do except sleep.

Jeff, you seem to completely miss the point that a lower-wage job at which you can excel, learn, grow and take on more over time would be BETTER for you than continually shooting for $xx-an-hour jobs that you HAVE to have because they meet your needs.

Those haven't worked out for you in ... ever.

These guys are recommending to start fresh ... lower on the totem pole with something that isn't as challenging and / or risky for you, be good at it and be consistent with it, and through that you'll learn drive, determination and follow-through. Because if you want to get more money from a lower-wage job, you have to first excel at that lower-wage job.

So, I should give up completely on CAD and go work at a grocery store?

Until you can personally develop those qualities that it takes to earn and keep a $15-$20-an-hour job, maybe. You've honestly got a lot to get together in your life, as your health prevents consistency in any work environment.

Your problem, Jeff, likely stems from never truly wanting in life. Sure, there are things you can't have that maybe you want, but -- at least as far as what you've shared here -- you've never had to prioritize. You've never had to choose between an unnecessary cable package and your next meal. You've never had to choose between a 200-mile round trip to go to a church picnic and paying rent.

Those people who you degrade -- the peasants who work at grocery stores, of all places -- likely show more independent thinking and living, more grit, more drive, more determination and more follow-through than you ever have. They may be working a second job while you work none because you're "worth more." They may be working toward something better, working while putting themselves through school. They may be raising a family through the same process of prioritization that seems lost on you.

You could learn a lot from people who earn less than you want but do much more than you have. It wouldn't hurt you to live in their shoes so you know why you're striving for something better; so that you actually develop the drive to get there, instead of just expecting it.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Let's not forget that this recent lay off was not my fault.  I would happily still be there if the job had been able to continue.  I did absolutely nothing wrong at that job to cause the job to go away.  I rarely ever missed except for a couple of days.  This job is going to really boost my resume because of the name of the company.  Plus, it gave me 3 months invaluable experience.  I now have 5 months experience in CAD which is better than being fresh out-of-the-box.

This work contract is going very well and things are looking pretty decently for it to be extended.  My boss so far is pleased with my work, and things are pointing in that direction.  There are no guarantees, of course, but things are looking as if I may be employed well into the Spring, maybe even Summer.