so just wow

[Zoe Girl]

I am finding that being really short staffed is hard but we are somehow functioning. I am not sure how, I was short a person today and then my most experienced staff got stuck in the horrible Denver traffic. So for about 15 minutes we were hurting badly. Didn't lose a kid or have any injuries!! At least a lot of kids were picked up by the time I had a serious bloody nose that took all my attention for over 10 minutes. The poor kid just kept bleeding. My new staff starts the 21st. I think she is going to be great.

BUT here is the good news. Our department is responding to the new legislation (FSLA?) by looking at our job duties and whether we are exempt or hourly. They want to keep us exempt, which I know means no overtime however it also means I don't need to ask permission to work as much as I need to in order to get the job done. I am okay with that. Today I had the talk with the department head and got my raise amount. As of December I will be making $8,000 more a year!!! Dude, I am moving from being able to support myself while being very careful to being solidly okay, maybe a dinner out now and then, maybe saving up for a retreat or just building a back up fund. I talked to a friend who had also spent years under-earning and we agreed that you need to let go of the scarcity mind-set. That has been an odd feeling today, like I don't want to tell anyone (of course not at work, I am likely the highest paid person in my position). I am also excited that it wasn't just a one-size fits all type of raise. They took into account my end of year review from last year and everything I am doing now, so it ended up being even better than the amount I first heard.

Okay, I did pick up take out tonight but I get really excited about money in savings so I will focus on that.

[Tradd]

Nice!

[lhamo]

Glad to see things finally looking up for you financially! Hope the new assistant turns out to be great, and helps relieve some of the stress.

[razz]

Great to hear this recognition is coming.

[sweetana3]

Someone realizes that you are a critical need and recognition followed. Budgeting is still important but now you can budget for the most special things like retreats.

Debbie Downer here but rents in Denver are going to continue to go up so you will now be better prepared.

[catherine]

Congratulations!! So nice to get a little well-deserved breathing room in your budget!

[Zoe Girl]

Someone realizes that you are a critical need and recognition followed. Budgeting is still important but now you can budget for the most special things like retreats.

Debbie Downer here but rents in Denver are going to continue to go up so you will now be better prepared.

Yes I already pay a LOT in rent. I would like to look into co-housing and have done a little searching so far.

[iris lilies]

Great to hear this recognition is coming.
Its a government mandate.

But yay for government mandates.

edited to add: do wee that ZG's work performance was recognition zed, so thatnIS good news!

[sweetana3]

Cohousing as it is defined in real estate is not within your budget (see cohousing.org). Prices are in the stratosphere. Or is this cosharing of a rental or owned property (sort of ala Golden Girls?) It would be great if you could find a group of like minded people that practice some of your interests. This would be great on so many levels.

We are hitting a wall in downtown Indianapolis and I am confused as to why the rental market is so high. Now a lot of our previously affordable properties are being gutted and remodeled into higher end rentals. Wonder if the suburbs have lost their allure?

[iris lilies]

Cohousing as it is defined in real estate is not within your budget (see cohousing.org). Prices are in the stratosphere. Or is this cosharing of a rental or owned property (sort of ala Golden Girls?) It would be great if you could find a group of like minded people that practice some of your interests. This would be great on so many levels.

We are hitting a wall in downtown Indianapolis and I am confused as to why the rental market is so high. Now a lot of our previously affordable properties are being gutted and remodeled into higher end rentals. Wonder if the suburbs have lost their allure?

My friend, who has a lot of rental units, says it is a landlord's market here, too, especially of the landlord accepts pets. She does.

[iris lilies]

OP, I will also add that your raise is enough to really see on your checks, it is a big difference!

Spmetimes annual raises are such piddly amounts that one barely notices.

[JaneV2.0]

Congratulation, ZoeGirl. I needed some good news.

[Zoe Girl]

Yes this was a government mandate, however they were clear that they were able to choose the amount so it was not a percentage across the board. That makes me feel super great. Our annual raises were a percentage this year, the year I got a great review!

Also I found a cohousing project that will be adjusted based on income. The ones I know of are SOOOO expensive, however going into my 50's without a significant relationship, and not wanting to push that to happen, I want to build a strong community. I am also going to reach out to my Buddhist community to see what is possible.

[Teacher Terry]

So happy to hear abut the raise!

[jp1]

This is awesome! Like undoubtedly everyone else that has responded I have read many of your posts about your work. It's obvious that you care and that you put in whatever effort is needed to get things done right. I'm sooooo happy to hear that your efforts are finally being recognized. This is truly deserved. And like IL points out, this raise will seriously show up in your paycheck.

[Reyes]

Sounds like the government mandate regarding OT is now off the table.