so you've got four more hours of posting!


We need to get Howard a wireless laptop so that he can post on the way to work!  ;D

We need to get Howard a wireless laptop so that he can post on the way to work!   ;D


No sorry I won't bring my laptop on the bus.Too many distractions and just not enough room on these small Long Island buses.I'll keep my computer at home where it belongs.

It was an ok day despite the clouds and a little sunshine.It got very hectic up until the afternoon.The manager didn't yell at me but he was just telling me nicely to clean up the carts with all those flyers and garbage in them before they wind up on the sidewalks and streets and that's what I've been doing.Other than that,everything is going well over there.I might talk about doing stock work sometime in the near future and advancing in the company.I'd like to see myself doing something different besides cart collecting all year round.

Today was a very hectic day.I thought it was going to rain but it kept away until tonight when there might be a chance of thunderstorms late in the evening.What was weird on my break,I napped for a minute outside in the heat and then I woke up and went back to work after my break.Could've been dizzy from all that walking around,sometimes in the Summer,the heat gets to me.I guzzled down a nice can of iced tea to cool me off just a bit.But overall,I felt fine.Anyway,that's about it for today.

Today was a very hectic day.I thought it was going to rain but it kept away until tonight when there might be a chance of thunderstorms late in the evening.What was weird on my break,I napped for a minute outside in the heat and then I woke up and went back to work after my break.Could've been dizzy from all that walking around,sometimes in the Summer,the heat gets to me.I guzzled down a nice can of iced tea to cool me off just a bit.But overall,I felt fine.Anyway,that's about it for today.


Yeah, if you work out in the sun you gotta make sure to drink lots of fluids.  :-\\

Yeah, if you work out in the sun you gotta make sure to drink lots of fluids.  :-\\


and wear a hat

Yeah, if you work out in the sun you gotta make sure to drink lots of fluids.  :-\\


Yes That's what I do.I drink water,iced tea(cold),soda,some fruit juices.I've been trying to cut down on my coffee consumption to just 1 cup and the rest for water.

and wear a hat


Yes Cause I'm thinning on top and I don't want to get sunburn there. :o

Yes Cause I'm thinning on top and I don't want to get sunburn there. :o


You could always spray on some of Ron Popeil's Hair in a Can and that would probably filter out the UV rays.

;D

Yes Cause I'm thinning on top and I don't want to get sunburn there. :o


You're bald?

You could always spray on some of Ron Popeil's Hair in a Can and that would probably filter out the UV rays.

;D



No,I tried that years ago,doesn't work.

You're bald?



thinning  not bald.

Had a pretty good day today at Pathmark.Kind of cloudy,dreary and damp to do cart collecting but there was no rain except for a lot of clouds up above.Anyway,tomorrow is payday as usual on Thursdays and I'm looking forward to it.

Pathmark this week has been extremely busy with the warm weather approaching.Yesterday,My job coach stopped by to say hello to my supervisor and so far I'm doing just great.My attendance,getting along well with co-workers,teamwork and doing what I'm told has been good. :)

The only thing my supervisor mentioned to my coach is the lining up the carts correctly so they look neat without having them looking slanted.

Pathmark this week has been extremely busy with the warm weather approaching.Yesterday,My job coach stopped by to say hello to my supervisor and so far I'm doing just great.My attendance,getting along well with co-workers,teamwork and doing what I'm told has been good. :)

The only thing my supervisor mentioned to my coach is the lining up the carts correctly so they look neat without having them looking slanted.


I am gld that you are doing well, and that it is working out for you Howard.  :)

I am gld that you are doing well, and that it is working out for you Howard.  :)


Thanks LB.I'm getting ready for another day at work.The new schedule comes out today so I'm hoping My Family goes to Sizzler for the Father's Day Breakfast brunch before I head off to Pathmark.Depends on what hours they give me.See you all later. :)

Thanks LB.I'm getting ready for another day at work.The new schedule comes out today so I'm hoping My Family goes to Sizzler for the Father's Day Breakfast brunch before I head off to Pathmark.Depends on what hours they give me.See you all later. :)


Howard.

Are you guys going to be able to go to the Sizzler? ???

Howard.

Are you guys going to be able to go to the Sizzler? ???



Yes My hours today was 2-6 so during the morning hours I was able to eat a nice big breakfast of an omelette,hash browns,sausage with coffee.

But anyway,It was busy as always and pretty hot to say the most doing carts today.I'm off Monday and Tuesdsay so I return Wednesday 230-7.

I'm off to work in a little while.Today is 2-6 so I'll see you guys later tonight,Hopefully. :)

What a pretty hectic day.Showers in the morning but it cleared up by the afternoon and became less humid,just thank god I didn't leave in the morning.But anyway,I did all my rounds of cart collecting,did a little sweeping and that was basically it.Tomorrow is payday,the problem is all the money I'm getting(100-200 dollars),I save it but I don't know what to do with it.But today,I bought 2 Playstation games at $19.99 each at Pathmark,but no discount.I used those U-Scan machines to pay for the games.I may also want to buy some furniture for my room, a new mattress,a big bottle of cologne,maybe a new watch or take Robin out to dinner(if she wants to after work).I'm not sure yet.The possibilities are endless.That's the fun part of getting paid every Thursday. :)

I do not believe that New York is a "right to work" state.  So if Howard is working in a Union Shop, he has no choice but to pay dues.  Them's the rules, for better or worse.  :-\\

And while I am not exactly a "pro union" kinda guy, it is extremely likely that without a union, the folks at Pathmark would be working for a lower wage.  So there is some benefit to having a union (there are also disadvantages too).

I'm generally pro-union, but a union shop in retail can totally suck. 
Stop & Shop is a union shop, but the union is largely a shill for management.  Part-time employees get the dues taken out of their checks, but it's still minimum wage, employment-at-will, and the union stewards don't lift a finger on behalf of part-timers. You pay, but you don't get play!

That's what college students who worked there told me back in the '90s.  Perhaps Stop & Shop has changed its wicked ways!

Anyway, I know all about supermarket work.  I've done it all--bagging, cashiering, cart collecting ("chariot chasing," we used to call it), custodial, shelf-stocking, dairy, produce, inventory, bookkeeping, all that stuff.

When the store manager promoted me from "sacker" (bagger), he was going to put me in the meat dept.  I was horrified.  Being a butcher paid well, but that took a lot of training.  I was going to be a "clean up kid," and you can imagine what that entailed...mopping up gristly residuals and hauling buckets of offal!  Eeeeyeccch!  Besides, meanest, most ornery rednecks in the store worked in the meat dept.  I loathed those guys.  But the manager was the take-it-or-leave-it type.  I had to think fast.  I blurted,
"But I can't work in the meat department!"
"Why not?," the manager demaned.
"I, uh, I'm a vegetarian!"
That was a toootal lie, but to my surpise and relief, the manager relented, and offered me a produce clerk position!
The next week I was eating roast beef sandwich in the lunchroom when the manager walked in.  I was like, "Uh-oh!," but he just walked by.  I think he knew from the start I was B.S.-ing him.
I used to demonize that store manager, but 20 years later he doesn't seem like such a bad egg at all!


Howard's posts bring back a lot of memories!
:)

I'm generally pro-union, but a union shop in retail can totally suck. 
Stop & Shop is a union shop, but the union is largely a shill for management.  Part-time employees get the dues taken out of their checks, but it's still minimum wage, employment-at-will, and the union stewards don't lift a finger on behalf of part-timers. You pay, but you don't get play!

That's what college students who worked there told me back in the '90s.  Perhaps Stop & Shop has changed its wicked ways!

Anyway, I know all about supermarket work.  I've done it all--bagging, cashiering, cart collecting ("chariot chasing," we used to call it), custodial, shelf-stocking, dairy, produce, inventory, bookkeeping, all that stuff.

When the store manager promoted me from "sacker" (bagger), he was going to put me in the meat dept.  I was horrified.  Being a butcher paid well, but that took a lot of training.  I was going to be a "clean up kid," and you can imagine what that entailed...mopping up gristly residuals and hauling buckets of offal!  Eeeeyeccch!  Besides, meanest, most ornery rednecks in the store worked in the meat dept.  I loathed those guys.  But the manager was the take-it-or-leave-it type.  I had to think fast.  I blurted,
"But I can't work in the meat department!"
"Why not?," the manager demaned.
"I, uh, I'm a vegetarian!"
That was a toootal lie, but to my surpise and relief, the manager relented, and offered me a produce clerk position!
The next week I was eating roast beef sandwich in the lunchroom when the manager walked in.  I was like, "Uh-oh!," but he just walked by.  I think he knew from the start I was B.S.-ing him.
I used to demonize that store manager, but 20 years later he doesn't seem like such a bad egg at all!


Howard's posts bring back a lot of memories!
:)


But what are your chances of moving to full time?

What a pretty hectic day.Showers in the morning but it cleared up by the afternoon and became less humid,just thank god I didn't leave in the morning.But anyway,I did all my rounds of cart collecting,did a little sweeping and that was basically it.Tomorrow is payday,the problem is all the money I'm getting(100-200 dollars),I save it but I don't know what to do with it.But today,I bought 2 Playstation games at $19.99 each at Pathmark,but no discount.I used those U-Scan machines to pay for the games.I may also want to buy some furniture for my room, a new mattress,a big bottle of cologne,maybe a new watch or take Robin out to dinner(if she wants to after work).I'm not sure yet.The possibilities are endless.That's the fun part of getting paid every Thursday. :)



Howard, you don't HAVE to spend all of your money. I think you should just keep saving the majority of it....you never know when you might need it in the future. ;)

Howard, you don't HAVE to spend all of your money. I think you should just keep saving the majority of it....you never know when you might need it in the future. ;)




I agree....didn't you say you wanted to save up for an apartment?

Howard, you don't HAVE to spend all of your money. I think you should just keep saving the majority of it....you never know when you might need it in the future. ;)


Yeah Erin But I want to spend it too so I'm thinking about what I want to buy for myself.My job coach said I should save it for something like "death insurance" cause you never know what might happen,It's kind of morbid,he said that's part of the truth.

I agree....didn't you say you wanted to save up for an apartment?


With the rate I'm going,saving up for an apartment may take years of paychecks,Who knows? ???

Not a bad day for doing cart collecting except towards the end of my shift when it rained but it stopped just as soon as I was about to leave Pathmark for the evening.And as every Thursday,It was payday ($151) so I'll put away 100 dollars and keep the 51 in another envelope for whatever,That's my budget money right there.I could have about 1000 dollars probably by August or September but we'll see what happens.

Yeah Erin But I want to spend it too so I'm thinking about what I want to buy for myself.My job coach said I should save it for something like "death insurance" cause you never know what might happen,It's kind of morbid,he said that's part of the truth.


YOU!  You there!  Stop buying stuff for Nike's management team and start Paying Yourself First.  You earned it.  You keep it!

No, really.  Stop spending everything you make and pay yourself first.  You're the sole shareholder of the sole propietorship of You, not-quite-Incorporated. 

Paying yourself first is not about having enough in the bank to pay your funeral in case you get run over by a bus.  It's about having enough in the bank to pay for your next month's expenses in case you lose your job.  A few years later, it's about having enough in the bank to pay to go back to school in case the job you trained for is in a field where most of the work is about to be outsourced to China.  A few years after that, it's about having enough in the bank to pay for 30 years of retirement in case you simply decide you don't want to get another job, because sitting on the deck having a beer is more fun than working. 

Be the Millionaire Next Door.  In Texas terms -- are you a rancher who's "all hat, but no cattle?" or "got thousands of cattle, don't care about his hat"?  Do you want to end up like Paris Hilton or Warren Buffet?

YOU!  You there!  Stop buying stuff for Nike's management team and start Paying Yourself First.  You earned it.  You keep it!

No, really.  Stop spending everything you make and pay yourself first.  You're the sole shareholder of the sole propietorship of You, not-quite-Incorporated. 

Paying yourself first is not about having enough in the bank to pay your funeral in case you get run over by a bus.  It's about having enough in the bank to pay for your next month's expenses in case you lose your job.  A few years later, it's about having enough in the bank to pay to go back to school in case the job you trained for is in a field where most of the work is about to be outsourced to China.  A few years after that, it's about having enough in the bank to pay for 30 years of retirement in case you simply decide you don't want to get another job, because sitting on the deck having a beer is more fun than working. 

Be the Millionaire Next Door.  In Texas terms -- are you a rancher who's "all hat, but no cattle?" or "got thousands of cattle, don't care about his hat"?  Do you want to end up like Paris Hilton or Warren Buffet?


I'd rather be secure finance-wise than to end up like Paris Hilton.

I'd rather be secure finance-wise than to end up like Paris Hilton.


Well, Paris stands to inherit $35MM, so if she can stay out of jail she'll be in good shape. ;D

With all the above money talk Howard, here is my two cents:

There is nothing wrong with you spending some money on yourself.  You work hard and should treat yourself to some "rewards".   :)  And of course you should also save some money for yourself, and maybe do a few nice things for your Mom and Dad.

It is all about balance.  I bet that you have a friend (or maybe even your Mum or Dad) who could help you set up a budget spreadsheet that includes:

-Money to pay for "necessities"
-Money set aside for "savings"
-Money to spend on "fun"

It is surprisingly easy to burn through money if you do not set up a budget.  :-\\

Nice problem to have, isn't it?   :)

Well, Paris stands to inherit $35MM, so if she can stay out of jail she'll be in good shape. ;D

With all the above money talk Howard, here is my two cents:

There is nothing wrong with you spending some money on yourself.  You work hard and should treat yourself to some "rewards".   :)  And of course you should also save some money for yourself, and maybe do a few nice things for your Mom and Dad.

It is all about balance.  I bet that you have a friend (or maybe even your Mum or Dad) who could help you set up a budget spreadsheet that includes:

-Money to pay for "necessities"
-Money set aside for "savings"
-Money to spend on "fun"

It is surprisingly easy to burn through money if you do not set up a budget.  :-\\

Nice problem to have, isn't it?   :)


I have one budget with so much money in an envelope and another envelope for fun and necessities.So I'm saving up as best as I can,It's not easy looking at your money every single day.

But anyway,today is 230-7 so I'll see you later.

It's not easy looking at your money every single day.


If you find it difficult looking at your money.. I strongly.. strongly.. suggest, you never, ever apply for a credit card.

If you find it difficult looking at your money.. I strongly.. strongly.. suggest, you never, ever apply for a credit card.


d o you guys mean "looking at" or "loooking after?"

If you find it difficult looking at your money.. I strongly.. strongly.. suggest, you never, ever apply for a credit card.


You're right Davey.I was told from My Mother that my brother before he passed away 12 years ago that he owed $15,000 in credit card bills.

I thought today was a pretty nice day.The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze about 75-80.Good enough to do cart collecting.The best part of my day was when I had found an elderly woman's bag in a shopping cart with a small cell phone,change and some papers.So I gave the bag to customer service and minutes later the woman got her bag back.In return I got a $2 reward for my good deed of the month.Last Month,I found some groceries and this month I found a bag that belong to a lady.Wow,good Luck is riding on my side ever since I've been working here.I wonder what I'm going to find next? God only knows. :) 

I have one budget with so much money in an envelope and another envelope for fun and necessities.So I'm saving up as best as I can,It's not easy looking at your money every single day.


Now try the same thing, with a third envelope called "Retirement".  Do not touch this envelope for any reason short of starvation.

Yes, this means you'll have to get used to looking at your money every day.  Trust me on this, it gets easier as the amount of money gets bigger, though.

Why?

Consider two investors, "Foo" and "Bar".  Both start working full time at age 20.  Both retire 40 years later, at age 60.  For simplicity's sake, assume that both make the same investments, and earn a constant 8% return on their investments.

"Foo" saves $2000 a year from age 20 to age 30, and nothing for the next 30 years (age 30 to age 60).
"Bar" saves nothing from age 20 to age 30, and $2000 a year, every year, from age 30 to age 60.

Over his career, Foo has put in $20000 ($2000 times ten years).
Over his career, Bar has put in $60000 ($2000 times thirty years).

Yet at age 60, Foo has $314,870, but Bar has only $244,692.  Even though Bar saved three times as much, he ended up behind the curve at the end of the game.

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest"
  - Falsely attributed to Albert Einstein, but no less true.

A few hours spent idly playing with the exponent function (try it with 5%.  try it with 10%. How much extra would Bar have to save to catch up?  How about if Foo doesn't stop saving after the first 10 years?  What if Bar made 9% instead of 8%?  How much better an investor does Bar have to be in order to catch up to Foo?)  on a calculator can be the most productive hours you'll ever spend in your life.

I thought today was a pretty nice day.The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze about 75-80.Good enough to do cart collecting.The best part of my day was when I had found an elderly woman's bag in a shopping cart with a small cell phone,change and some papers.So I gave the bag to customer service and minutes later the woman got her bag back.In return I got a $2 reward for my good deed of the month.Last Month,I found some groceries and this month I found a bag that belong to a lady.Wow,good Luck is riding on my side ever since I've been working here.I wonder what I'm going to find next? God only knows. :) 


Good for you Howard!  You did the right thing.

Sometimes the grocery store will "test" an employee for their trustworthiness and have an employee leave a purse in a cart to see if the person collecting carts will return the purse with all valuables left intact.  That is what happened to my little brother when collected carts.  He passed with flying colors.

Now try the same thing, with a third envelope called "Retirement".  Do not touch this envelope for any reason short of starvation.

Yes, this means you'll have to get used to looking at your money every day.  Trust me on this, it gets easier as the amount of money gets bigger, though.

Why?

Consider two investors, "Foo" and "Bar".  Both start working full time at age 20.  Both retire 40 years later, at age 60.   For simplicity's sake, assume that both make the same investments, and earn a constant 8% return on their investments.

"Foo" saves $2000 a year from age 20 to age 30, and nothing for the next 30 years (age 30 to age 60).
"Bar" saves nothing from age 20 to age 30, and $2000 a year, every year, from age 30 to age 60.

Over his career, Foo has put in $20000 ($2000 times ten years).
Over his career, Bar has put in $60000 ($2000 times thirty years).

Yet at age 60, Foo has $314,870, but Bar has only $244,692.  Even though Bar saved three times as much, he ended up behind the curve at the end of the game.

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest"
   - Falsely attributed to Albert Einstein, but no less true.

A few hours spent idly playing with the exponent function (try it with 5%.  try it with 10%. How much extra would Bar have to save to catch up?  How about if Foo doesn't stop saving after the first 10 years?  What if Bar made 9% instead of 8%?  How much better an investor does Bar have to be in order to catch up to Foo?)  on a calculator can be the most productive hours you'll ever spend in your life.


Foo,Retirement? What are you thinking..I got another 35 years before that ever happens. ::)

Good for you Howard!  You did the right thing.

Sometimes the grocery store will "test" an employee for their trustworthiness and have an employee leave a purse in a cart to see if the person collecting carts will return the purse with all valuables left intact.  That is what happened to my little brother when collected carts.  He passed with flying colors.


No It wasn't an employee who left a bag or purse,It was an actual customer and I got a $2 dollar tip for my good deed. :)

Just another busy day at Pathmark as usual with doing the cart collecting from 10am-2pm.Today I found an umbrella this time but no one claimed it so I put it on top of a table just in case if someone claims it.So overall,It went well.No complaints from the supervisor,I'm doing great. :)

Foo,Retirement? What are you thinking..I got another 35 years before that ever happens. ::)


The point he is making Howard is now is a great time to start saving for retirement (even if you won't be retiring for many many years).  You have relatively low expenses and the point of saving NOW is that you won't always have the energy to work like you do now.  When you get older and possibly more achey, you not gonna want to work as much, and the money you will have put aside now, will be what you use to live on then.  I wish I would have saved some when I was working good, but I didn't and I am sorry now.

The point he is making Howard is now is a great time to start saving for retirement (even if you won't be retiring for many many years).  You have relatively low expenses and the point of saving NOW is that you won't always have the energy to work like you do now.  When you get older and possibly more achey, you not gonna want to work as much, and the money you will have put aside now, will be what you use to live on then.  I wish I would have saved some when I was working good, but I didn't and I am sorry now.


How much should I save for retirement? ???

How much should I save for retirement? ???



Just keep putting some away every paycheck...and like FooBar suggested...don't dip into that particular envelope unless it is a complete emergency. A savings account would be a good thing for something like this.

Just keep putting some away every paycheck...and like FooBar suggested...don't dip into that particular envelope unless it is a complete emergency. A savings account would be a good thing for something like this.


Yeah Erin,But I need to spend it too,I have to have spending money.

Yeah Erin,But I need to spend it too,I have to have spending money.


Howard  I still think some sort of savings account for some of your money would be the best or pay some money into a personal pension or life assurance or something but I understand that there are some rules about how much you can earn/save otherwise you might not be able to get SSI.  Can't your job adviser help a little on this?  Surely he must know the rules and what you can and can't do with your money.

We are not saying don't spend any money at all.  Save some for your long term future, some to buy a bigger item or a proper holiday and some for 'treats' (CD's, DVD's etc) and other purchases.

Howard  I still think some sort of savings account for some of your money would be the best or pay some money into a personal pension or life assurance or something but I understand that there are some rules about how much you can earn/save otherwise you might not be able to get SSI.  Can't your job adviser help a little on this?  Surely he must know the rules and what you can and can't do with your money.

We are not saying don't spend any money at all.  Save some for your long term future, some to buy a bigger item or a proper holiday and some for 'treats' (CD's, DVD's etc) and other purchases.


You know that's great,I'll look into that.I can talk to my job coach on this.He was telling me about saving for death insurance,It may be morbid to discuss but that's life sometimes. :(

Had a pretty good day but it was a little on the warm side.Cart collecting was as usual,hectic.After doing that,I went to sweeping the inside and outside of Pathmark and that's about it for the day.

You know that's great,I'll look into that.I can talk to my job coach on this.He was telling me about saving for death insurance,It may be morbid to discuss but that's life sometimes. :(



Howard  I still think some sort of savings account for some of your money would be the best or pay some money into a personal pension or life assurance or something but I understand that there are some rules about how much you can earn/save otherwise you might not be able to get SSI.  Can't your job adviser help a little on this?  Surely he must know the rules and what you can and can't do with your money.

We are not saying don't spend any money at all.  Save some for your long term future, some to buy a bigger item or a proper holiday and some for 'treats' (CD's, DVD's etc) and other purchases.


I agree with Karen.  There is nothing wrong at all with spending some of your money on "treats", that is the fun part of having a job and making money.  Enjoy life.

But you ALSO need to put some money away for a rainy day.  That is where the "budget" comes into play, figure out what you can afford.  ??? Maybe a family friend or your rabbi could help on this. ???

Now here is my opinion though.  I would NOT spend my money on "death insurance".  You can't get to that money unless you are dead, in which case you will not need it!  It would be different, Howard, if you had kids who you would need to provide for after your demise.

You need to put your money into something that will provide some "old age" money for you.  At this point, a simple savings account would probably be a good way to go to start.

And, if as you say, having a formal account somewhere is going to cause you SSI problems, at least stick the money in an envelope (as you have been doing) and STICK TO THE SAVINGS PLAN.  Eventually when you get to work full time and make enuf money to get off of SSI, you'll want to then put the money in the old bankeroo.

Foo,Retirement? What are you thinking..I got another 35 years before that ever happens. ::)


I'm thinking what Bookmistress, Karen, Quirk, and LyricBoy were saying, and I'm thanking them for filling in for me.

Basically, my point is that now is when you decide whether you want to retire. Whether you retire 20 years from now, 35 years from now, or never (might not be a bad thing if you love your job.  Might suck if you hate your job.  How sure are you you'll love whatever your job is gonna be in 2042?) depends on the decisions you make today.

The problem with jobs is that a lot can change in 35 years.  I'm lucky.  Ridiculously, goofily, dumbasstastically lucky.  I actually do love my job, but I still make sure to pay myself first.  Because 20 years ago, my job didn't exist.  And 20 years from now, my job won't exist.  (I'm kinda surprised it still exists!)  So I'll use those years to save up as much as I can.  When (not if) my job goes away, I'll either have enough money to tide me over while I get another job in another field, or I'll have enough money to live off my investments and won't need another job. 

The more money you've put away for a rainy day, the easier it is to look at the pile and smile.  Don't think of it as "toys you can buy", think of it as "months of retirement".  The coolest part is that the bigger the pile gets, the faster the pile grows.  One day you're living hand-to-mouth.  Next year you've got a couple of weeks banked away.  5 years down the road, you could go a year without work.  20 years down the road, you could go 10 years.  35 years down the road, you could go the rest of your life without lifting a finger.  It's easier than it sounds.

I agree with Karen.  There is nothing wrong at all with spending some of your money on "treats", that is the fun part of having a job and making money.  Enjoy life.

But you ALSO need to put some money away for a rainy day.  That is where the "budget" comes into play, figure out what you can afford.  ??? Maybe a family friend or your rabbi could help on this. ???

Now here is my opinion though.  I would NOT spend my money on "death insurance".  You can't get to that money unless you are dead, in which case you will not need it!  It would be different, Howard, if you had kids who you would need to provide for after your demise.

You need to put your money into something that will provide some "old age" money for you.  At this point, a simple savings account would probably be a good way to go to start.

And, if as you say, having a formal account somewhere is going to cause you SSI problems, at least stick the money in an envelope (as you have been doing) and STICK TO THE SAVINGS PLAN.  Eventually when you get to work full time and make enuf money to get off of SSI, you'll want to then put the money in the old bankeroo.


I have a "budget" envelope,Actually 2.One for the 100 dollar bills I save every Thursday when payday comes and another for 20's and 10's,that's for fun,food or whatever I want.I've been using envelopes for many years now and It's very helpful.

Man, today is HOT here in Picksburgh.  My thermometer went up to 93 degrees. :o

Bad day for wrangling carts? ???

Man, today is HOT here in Picksburgh.  My thermometer went up to 93 degrees. :o

Bad day for wrangling carts? ???


Today in New York,It's going to be about 91 but this weekend it's going to drop to about 79 with comfortable humidity.Today will be a hot day to do cart collecting but this weekend should be better.

Wow,I'm glad I came like I did cause today got humid with hazy sun then the heavy downpours with thunder and lightning came at around 6pm.And the rain missed me when I was at Pathmark cause it didn't start till I got home so I was lucky.But anyway,It wasn't all that bad to do carts,It was just the humidity that got to me.Anyway,That's about it.Tomorrow's my day off and Friday I work 10-230pm.

I'm off to work,see you all later. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/15/wave.gif

I'm off to work,see you all later. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/15/wave.gif


Have fun, Howard!  :)

Had a quite interesting day at Pathmark.I did a lot of the carts and a lot of the sweeping and the new schedule came out so it looks like I'm working a 6 hour shift on Wednesday The 4th of July. :(

Sunday-2-6
Monday-1030-3
Wednesday-10-4  :(
Thursday-230-7
Friday-3-7

But anyway,towards the end of my shift,this very elderly fragile woman was sitting in her car and she needed help getting out so I helped her and I then called the supervisor and assistant manager to come help her into Pathmark as well.The lady needed one of those Go-carts but she didn't know how to operate those so the assistant manager helped her out.And later I helped her again to her car with her packages using those Go-carts and getting into her car was painful.Another good deed was done and I was rewarded one dollar.It's scary helping those people.It made me think of helping out my grandmother for a moment there.And that was about it.That must be my 3rd good deed of the month and I'm proud of it. :)

Had a quite interesting day at Pathmark.I did a lot of the carts and a lot of the sweeping and the new schedule came out so it looks like I'm working a 6 hour shift on Wednesday The 4th of July. :(


Yeah, my brother works at Rite Aid and he has to work 13 hours on the 4th.  :-\\

Nice to see you getting as many hours as you are getting though.

Nice touch with the little old lady.  Elderly people usually remember when people at stores help them out.  Karma to you...  :)

Yeah, my brother works at Rite Aid and he has to work 13 hours on the 4th.  :-\\

Nice to see you getting as many hours as you are getting though.

Nice touch with the little old lady.  Elderly people usually remember when people at stores help them out.  Karma to you...  :)


At least,I'm going to keep busy during the 4th.Maybe that'll bring down the sales so that more people will show up.They also could have a bake sale and sell franks and water to help The JDRF(Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation).

I'm suprised all these good deeds have been done.Maybe that's considered a good sign for me and maybe the supervisor or assistant manager will look into full time in the near future.See,it pays off.Last year at Au Bon Pain I got a Quarter raise and maybe this year I could get the same or something better than that.Everybody there who have seen me work(3 Months) says I work hard and do a good job and that's all that counts. :)

Had a pretty good day today.Towards the afternoon they were doing contributions for JDRF and I gave a dollar for my brother who had passed away 12 years ago from diabetes and you recieve a frank and soda/water.But anyway,It ws busy as usual and wednesday I work on July 4th 10am-4pm.

Had a pretty good day today.Towards the afternoon they were doing contributions for JDRF and I gave a dollar for my brother who had passed away 12 years ago from diabetes and you recieve a frank and soda/water.But anyway,It ws busy as usual and wednesday I work on July 4th 10am-4pm.


I wish I coulda been there to contribute.  My Dad had diabetes, and both my Mum and my bro have it.  :-\\

I wish I coulda been there to contribute.  My Dad had diabetes, and both my Mum and my bro have it.  :-\\


Maybe tomorrow when I work,during lunchtime I'll contribute a dollar for you,How about that LB?  :)

What would you like on your frank?

I wish I coulda been there to contribute.  My Dad had diabetes, and both my Mum and my bro have it.  :-\\



So does my dad.  I also went to school with someone who has had it most of his life.

So does my dad.  I also went to school with someone who has had it most of his life.



I'll contribute a dollar for you Stats but one person first and LB asked.But anyway what would you like on your frank? chili,mustard or relish?  :) ;D

Maybe tomorrow when I work,during lunchtime I'll contribute a dollar for you,How about that LB?  :)

What would you like on your frank?


"The Works"  :)

I'll contribute a dollar for you Stats but one person first and LB asked.But anyway what would you like on your frank? chili,mustard or relish?  :) ;D



Thank you very much, Howard--you are very kind.  Have whatever you want on the hotdog since you will be eating it (I don't want to get anything that you don't like!)   :)

"The Works"   :)


Wow,that's a lot of toppings right there.I'll eat one and think of you later for lunch or on my break. ;)

I'll be working 10-4 today and buses run on holiday Schedule(Sunday) so I'll see you guys later. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/15/wave.gif

Wow,I'm so glad I got through today cause it was a 10-4 shift and boy was it such a hectic day that you wouldn't even believe. :P :o

Carts are coming at me from every which way and I guess customers are doing their shopping for the holiday.And before I started work,They had on sale Apple Pie for 1.99 and I took it home so my family and I could eat it.But anyway,I hope I don't see 10-4 for quite a while,I enjoy the short shifts,I get more done that way.

I'm off to work for another fun-filled day.Today is 230-7 and nothing like yesterday,I guarantee that.I also don't think they're going to serve franks today cause of the inclement weather but maybe on Saturday.But anyway see you later.  :)

Not a bad day today.The weather was partly sunny to mostly cloudy but the heavy rains did not show up.Most likely by tomorrow on my day off.But anyway,It was pretty easy and better than the 6 hour shift was just tremendous.That's about it for now.If anything new comes about,I'll let you all know.  :)

I'm off to work today 3-7 and hopefully today the franks will be served and the franks are for the JDRF and I'll be sure that I'll eat one fro LB later on this afternoon.Take it easy and see you soon. :)

I'm off to work today 3-7 and hopefully today the franks will be served and the franks are for the JDRF and I'll be sure that I'll eat one fro LB later on this afternoon.Take it easy and see you soon. :)


Man, that frank sounds good.  I can almost taste it myself.  ;D

Man, that frank sounds good.  I can almost taste it myself.  ;D


I was about to get a frank but the woman closed up shop and went inside for the day and went home,Sorry.

Not a bad day for cart collecting.A little hot but some wind made it feel tolerable,in the low to mid 80's.Tomorrow should be around 92 with just a chance of a thunderstorm later on in the evening and for Monday,95.

But anyway,I feel so happy that today in the mail I finally got my Union Card for Pathmark and I'm in,definitely!  :) http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/yelclap.gif
Local 1500 U.F.C.W..What I forgot to ask the supervisor today is the Union book that explains the benefits of working IN a union and what they offer,I should do that tomorrow or Monday.But anyway,that's about it for now.Tomorrow is 1030-230 so I'll see you guys soon. 

Not a bad day for cart collecting.A little hot but some wind made it feel tolerable,in the low to mid 80's.Tomorrow should be around 92 with just a chance of a thunderstorm later on in the evening and for Monday,95.

But anyway,I feel so happy that today in the mail I finally got my Union Card for Pathmark and I'm in,definitely!  :) http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/yelclap.gif
Local 1500 U.F.C.W..What I forgot to ask the supervisor today is the Union book that explains the benefits of working IN a union and what they offer,I should do that tomorrow or Monday.But anyway,that's about it for now.Tomorrow is 1030-230 so I'll see you guys soon. 


Howard, don't be disappointed if you find out about the only thing the union will do is take money (dues) from you and not offer much in return...hope it works out for you...

Not a bad day for cart collecting.A little hot but some wind made it feel tolerable,in the low to mid 80's.Tomorrow should be around 92 with just a chance of a thunderstorm later on in the evening and for Monday,95.

But anyway,I feel so happy that today in the mail I finally got my Union Card for Pathmark and I'm in,definitely!  :) http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/yelclap.gif
Local 1500 U.F.C.W..What I forgot to ask the supervisor today is the Union book that explains the benefits of working IN a union and what they offer,I should do that tomorrow or Monday.But anyway,that's about it for now.Tomorrow is 1030-230 so I'll see you guys soon. 


Yeah, you're part time so the Union will do nothing for you.

Yeah my mom was in UFCW years ago when she worked in the Bakery and they didn't do a thing for her and she was full time.

Most unions are simply fronts to keep the employees placated, in general, most Unions are as bad as the employers, obviously there are a few strong ones, such as the ones destroying the U.S car industry by lobbying for Joe Schmo to earn $80k a year tightening lug nuts in Peoria.

I was in a union.  I hated it.

Most unions are simply fronts to keep the employees placated, in general, most Unions are as bad as the employers, obviously there are a few strong ones, such as the ones destroying the U.S car industry by lobbying for Joe Schmo to earn $80k a year tightening lug nuts in Peoria.


It's been that way with the UAW for over 30 years now...I can remember them threatening to strike back then when they claimed a person making 25 bucks an hour or so with the opportunity for unlimited overtime couldn't make it on that wage.

Detroit was held hostage by these mobs and their leaders and you see the shape they've been in for the past couple decades..but we need to blame big business and never fault any other source.....

Most American workers today are smart enough (or so I'd hope) that the Unions and what they supposedly do for the worker are unnecessary in light of safety and the like.  Granted, the unions did help way back when, but they became too powerful, lost sight of their original intent and have become one big political money sucking organization who has no real concern for it's workers except to suck money out of the workers wallets in the interests of "making it better for you"....  Bunk......

The Unions protect the lazy worker, giving him equal rights because he/she is too lazy to put forth 100 % effort in order to remain competitive..the slovenly are protected and there is no seperation between the hard worker and the slacker, as long as they pay their dues they're all equal...and just how fair is that??  Not in my world it's not....

Howard, don't be disappointed if you find out about the only thing the union will do is take money (dues) from you and not offer much in return...hope it works out for you...


Thanks Esox,I hope Pathmark does something for me.The problem is I don't know how long they'll be able to take care of me a year or 2 down the road,Who knows what might happen.I overheard a co-worker yesterday saying to someone about the people here(Pathmark)who stay and do good get something but other than that that's all I heard.Just didn't want to butt in.

But do you think that Pathmark will work out and maybe have enough room for full time or could I ask if they have something else for me to do besides cart collecting and sweeping?

Yeah, you're part time so the Union will do nothing for you.



So what exactly will it do for me besides taking out dues?

I was in a union.  I hated it.


So tell me about why you hated it?  ???

Thanks Esox,I hope Pathmark does something for me.The problem is I don't know how long they'll be able to take care of me a year or 2 down the road,Who knows what might happen.I overheard a co-worker yesterday saying to someone about the people here(Pathmark)who stay and do good get something but other than that that's all I heard.Just didn't want to butt in.

But do you think that Pathmark will work out and maybe have enough room for full time or could I ask if they have something else for me to do besides cart collecting and sweeping?


Howard, it's not a question of whether they have room for you as full time, the big issue is that jobs such as you have now are always going to be a part time position, due to many reasons.

I'm sure that once you get "in tune" with this Union fiasco your now involved in, get familiar with the union book you have, you'll find that the part timer(even though he's having to pay union dues) won't get any backing from the union..it's a money grab and everybody knows it...maybe you'll get a chance to talk to your union steward, if one even exists, and you'll get a bunch of rhetoric from him about your benefits.....

Howard..just one other comment....

I remember back when you started at Pathmark and weren't sure about there being a union or not there, and now you see that there is.

If, after getting all the reasons for/against being a union member in your head straight, and you decide you don't want to be in the union, you'll find out that you can't make a choice to be in/not to be in the union....it's mandatory, just another way they hold something over you and basically tell you that you can't make choices on your own...all unions are like that though, so don't feel too bad ...

Not a bad day for cart collecting.A little hot but some wind made it feel tolerable,in the low to mid 80's.Tomorrow should be around 92 with just a chance of a thunderstorm later on in the evening and for Monday,95.

But anyway,I feel so happy that today in the mail I finally got my Union Card for Pathmark and I'm in,definitely!  :) http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/yelclap.gif
Local 1500 U.F.C.W..What I forgot to ask the supervisor today is the Union book that explains the benefits of working IN a union and what they offer,I should do that tomorrow or Monday.But anyway,that's about it for now.Tomorrow is 1030-230 so I'll see you guys soon. 


Howard,

There have been alot of negative posts here about unions.  You would think that Osama just sent you your Al-Quaeda card!

While I am not a big fan of Unions, there are some benefits and some negatives too.  here are my thoughts:

Plusses
====
If you have a boss who treats you unfairly, the Union often will file a greivance (if you ask) and there are rules in your contract to protect you.

If the boss wants to give all the overtime opportunities to his buddies, most Union contracts prohibit that.  Overtime opportunities usually have to be doled out more or less equally.

The boss cannot unilaterally cut your pay.


Minuses
=====
You have to pay Union dues

If the boss would like to give you a raise, oftentimes the contract prohibits that as favoritism

If the Union leadership (or the members via vote) get greedy and decide to call a strike when the contract expires, you do not have a job for a while.

Most Union contracts mandate promotions (in union-represented jobs) occur by seniority, not by how good you are.  Of course management can always promote somebody to a management job, no problem.


I do not know the specifics about YOUR union.  I have seen unions do good and do bad.  Keep an open mind, and above all, continue to do the fine job that you are doing.  And I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do not get involved in union politics.  As a newbie that would not be good.

Howard, it's not a question of whether they have room for you as full time, the big issue is that jobs such as you have now are always going to be a part time position, due to many reasons.

I'm sure that once you get "in tune" with this Union fiasco your now involved in, get familiar with the union book you have, you'll find that the part timer(even though he's having to pay union dues) won't get any backing from the union..it's a money grab and everybody knows it...maybe you'll get a chance to talk to your union steward, if one even exists, and you'll get a bunch of rhetoric from him about your benefits.....


Thanks Esox,I'm learning a lot. :)

Howard,

There have been alot of negative posts here about unions.  You would think that Osama just sent you your Al-Quaeda card!

While I am not a big fan of Unions, there are some benefits and some negatives too.  here are my thoughts:

Plusses
====
If you have a boss who treats you unfairly, the Union often will file a greivance (if you ask) and there are rules in your contract to protect you.

If the boss wants to give all the overtime opportunities to his buddies, most Union contracts prohibit that.  Overtime opportunities usually have to be doled out more or less equally.

The boss cannot unilaterally cut your pay.


Minuses
=====
You have to pay Union dues

If the boss would like to give you a raise, oftentimes the contract prohibits that as favoritism

If the Union leadership (or the members via vote) get greedy and decide to call a strike when the contract expires, you do not have a job for a while.

Most Union contracts mandate promotions (in union-represented jobs) occur by seniority, not by how good you are.  Of course management can always promote somebody to a management job, no problem.


I do not know the specifics about YOUR union.  I have seen unions do good and do bad.  Keep an open mind, and above all, continue to do the fine job that you are doing.  And I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do not get involved in union politics.  As a newbie that would not be good.


Wow,I guess there are some good and bad points to being in one.I'll just stick with the good points and ignore the bad ones.As for me,I'm just going to continue to do my very best and make myself,job coach and my supervisor proud. :)

I'm off to work in about an hour or 2 so I'll see you guys later. :)  http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/hello.gif

BTW,I forgot to tell you that I found another pocketbook an elderly lady lost in one of the carts and this time she gave me $4 in reward money.So this month is looking pretty good for me. :)

Anyway,that's all I have to say.Talk to you guys later and keep cool cause it's going to be a scorcher! :P

Most Union contracts mandate promotions (in union-represented jobs) occur by seniority, not by how good you are.  Of course management can always promote somebody to a management job, no problem.


I do not know the specifics about YOUR union.  I have seen unions do good and do bad.  Keep an open mind, and above all, continue to do the fine job that you are doing.  And I STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do not get involved in union politics.  As a newbie that would not be good.


There's the biggie right there....no matter if your a slacker or a hard worker..seniority rules.

It's almost like tenure for a teacher/professor who decides to skate away their last few years to retirement..

In a non union environment/workplace..you get promoted and move up by hard work and dedication, not by how long you've been around.

Unions and the umbrella of protection it affords slackers/malingerers/lazy/worthless individuals is almost as bad as equal opportunity..it matters not if you are the best carpenter/ironworker/equipment operator/cart collector in the world or have decided to be the worst, you are protected and it takes dynamite to get you tossed....

I see you are dedicated to your job Howard, so the above does not apply to you...

The advice to you about NOT getting involved in the BS of union politics is sound....because thats all it is, a major dose of BS...

There's the biggie right there....no matter if your a slacker or a hard worker..seniority rules.

It's almost like tenure for a teacher/professor who decides to skate away their last few years to retirement..

In a non union environment/workplace..you get promoted and move up by hard work and dedication, not by how long you've been around.

Unions and the umbrella of protection it affords slackers/malingerers/lazy/worthless individuals is almost as bad as equal opportunity..it matters not if you are the best carpenter/ironworker/equipment operator/cart collector in the world or have decided to be the worst, you are protected and it takes dynamite to get you tossed....

I see you are dedicated to your job Howard, so the above does not apply to you...

The advice to you about NOT getting involved in the BS of union politics is sound....because thats all it is, a major dose of BS...


Don't worry Esox,I'll stay of their way and just do my job. ;)

Should I bring up my Union card situation with my job coach? ???

What a day it was and I was sweating bullets.Didn't do many rounds of cart collecting but at least I got some done today.I'm off tomorrow and Wednesday,return thursday.

Should I bring up my Union card situation with my job coach? ???


If I were you I would mention it to your job coach.  And be PROUD of it, despite some negative stuff said here about unions (some by me), it is another milestone for you.  :)  Not that long ago, you had no job.  Now you got a job and a Union card.  That is progress!  ;)

Is it perfect?  Nope.  But I have never seen anybody with a "perfect" situation anyway.

Keep working hard.  People will notice you and opportunities will arise one way or another.  The first step is to have a job and to be good at it!  :)

Don't worry Esox,I'll stay of their way and just do my job. ;)

Should I bring up my Union card situation with my job coach? ???


I'd let him know that you were given the card, yes...he may have some advice for you that could help.

It is a milestone as LyricBoy stated, and congrats are in order for you...I remember as well when you had no job and were frustrated with the job coach situation.....you should be proud of your situation....

If I were you I would mention it to your job coach.  And be PROUD of it, despite some negative stuff said here about unions (some by me), it is another milestone for you.   :)  Not that long ago, you had no job.  Now you got a job and a Union card.  That is progress!   ;)

Is it perfect?  Nope.  But I have never seen anybody with a "perfect" situation anyway.

Keep working hard.  People will notice you and opportunities will arise one way or another.  The first step is to have a job and to be good at it!  :)


And already I've been at Pathmark almost 3 months now and I survived a few rainstorms and 1 heatwave.

I'd let him know that you were given the card, yes...he may have some advice for you that could help.

It is a milestone as LyricBoy stated, and congrats are in order for you...I remember as well when you had no job and were frustrated with the job coach situation.....you should be proud of your situation....


I was angry and upset that I didn't have a job and now I should be so happy. :)

Well,today In the mail I got The UFCW 1500 book and my father said that part timers are screwed.The dental doesn't kick in for 6 months and the others if I was full time lesser than that.

Well,today In the mail I got The UFCW 1500 book and my father said that part timers are screwed.The dental doesn't kick in for 6 months and the others if I was full time lesser than that.


Too bad the Union won't wait until your benefits kick in to start taking out their slice...fat chance of THAT happening....

Well,today In the mail I got The UFCW 1500 book and my father said that part timers are screwed.The dental doesn't kick in for 6 months and the others if I was full time lesser than that.


Howard,

How do the union dues work?  If it is charges as "x percent of paycheck" I would not say that you would be getting screwed if you have to wait 6 months for the dental to kick in.  If the Union is the one covering the dental insurance, this is being funded by dues, and part timers likely are paying LESS in dues than the full timers. (Maybe not, maybe the dues are "x dollars per month" regardless of part or full time)

Most places I know of, part-timers NEVER get benefits, regardless of how long they are working there.

Every job (and Union) has plusses and minuses.  You are only getting "screwed" if the minusses outweigh the plusses!

Too bad the Union won't wait until your benefits kick in to start taking out their slice...fat chance of THAT happening....



Which won't be until September.

Howard,

How do the union dues work?  If it is charges as "x percent of paycheck" I would not say that you would be getting screwed if you have to wait 6 months for the dental to kick in.  If the Union is the one covering the dental insurance, this is being funded by dues, and part timers likely are paying LESS in dues than the full timers. (Maybe not, maybe the dues are "x dollars per month" regardless of part or full time)

Most places I know of, part-timers NEVER get benefits, regardless of how long they are working there.

Every job (and Union) has plusses and minuses.  You are only getting "screwed" if the minusses outweigh the plusses!


I could ask my supervisor about the union dues.

I could ask my supervisor about the union dues.


Howard...did you get the chance to ask about the dues??

Howard...did you get the chance to ask about the dues??


Yeah, that's very important because if they're only giving you 24 hours at $9/hour or whatever and you gotta cough up $250 in dues per month, that's a massive chunk of your $$ they've just taken away.

Yeah, that's very important because if they're only giving you 24 hours at $9/hour or whatever and you gotta cough up $250 in dues per month, that's a massive chunk of your $$ they've just taken away.


Especially if all that is going in as a part timer who can't make use of the benefits until he's past the 6 month point...and even more so if he has no "protection" from the union umbrella as a part timer...seems like a big money grab to me....

Wow,I'm so glad I got through today cause it was a 10-4 shift and boy was it such a hectic day that you wouldn't even believe. :P :o

Carts are coming at me from every which way and I guess customers are doing their shopping for the holiday.And before I started work,They had on sale Apple Pie for 1.99 and I took it home so my family and I could eat it.But anyway,I hope I don't see 10-4 for quite a while,I enjoy the short shifts,I get more done that way.
Howard, if you want to work full time, you need to get used to the longer shifts....even if you worked a 5 hour shift every day (with no day off) you'd only hit 35 hours.  If you want at least 1 day off, you have to work at least 6 1/2 hour shifts....

There's an old guy in "Sicko" who works at Pathmark so he and his wife can afford their meds!
You see him throwing garbage down the compactor and there's a sign on it that says, "If you are under 18 years old, don't even think about operating this equipment!"  The guy's 79!
:-\\

Especially if all that is going in as a part timer who can't make use of the benefits until he's past the 6 month point...and even more so if he has no "protection" from the union umbrella as a part timer...seems like a big money grab to me....


In most industries that's all unions are anyway.

Of course, this is coming from somebody who makes a point to cross union lines whenever possible.

Howard...did you get the chance to ask about the dues??



I'll ask tomorrow,the manager was running around the store doing lots of things at once.

Howard, if you want to work full time, you need to get used to the longer shifts....even if you worked a 5 hour shift every day (with no day off) you'd only hit 35 hours.  If you want at least 1 day off, you have to work at least 6 1/2 hour shifts....



I know Mama,It was just so busy,I guess I complain a lot.The next time they give me a 10-4 shift,I'll stick it out as best as possible.That's why I'm trying to work my way up in Pathmark to earn full time.Now that I'm finally discharged from my program,I could ask the manager/supervisor to add another day that's if they want to give it to me.

Today was a better day than the past few ones which were so hot and humid compared to this afternoon when it was nice and comfortable around 83 degrees.Did what I had to do and that was it.This woman was telling me that she had lost a pocketbook in the carts so she reported it to the manager and the police and then later she told me if you find it,Let me know.Wow,It seems that I've been finding a lot of good stuff and within the past few months I've gotten 4 dollars here,3 dollars there.If I find this woman's pocketbook,I may get another reward but hopefully It's not expected.

It was such a nice day today doing carts that I got a lot done and later I took a small break for lunch so right there's nothing much to report as of now.

Today was a better day than the past few ones which were so hot and humid compared to this afternoon when it was nice and comfortable around 83 degrees.Did what I had to do and that was it.This woman was telling me that she had lost a pocketbook in the carts so she reported it to the manager and the police and then later she told me if you find it,Let me know.Wow,It seems that I've been finding a lot of good stuff and within the past few months I've gotten 4 dollars here,3 dollars there.If I find this woman's pocketbook,I may get another reward but hopefully It's not expected.


You da man, Howard.  ;)

You da man, Howard.  ;)


It seems that I'm finding something new each month,must be a good sign from above that someone's telling me that this is the right job for me.If this keeps up,I could get promoted but we'll see what happens.

I'm off to work in a couple of hours,see you guys later. :)

What a nice day it was today.I did a lot of cart collecting and did some sweeping then I got an excellent compliment later from the supervisor saying that the sidewalks are pretty nice and clean.But other than that it was quiet for a Saturday with no complaints whatsoever.  :)

It was a quiet day at Pathmark and got just about everything done.Today I was talking with my new co-worker friend Jim and I feel so comfortable with him.He's 21 and he goes to college.One day I may want to ask for his phone number so we can exchange them and maybe one day in the future Him And I could go to MSG for wrestling since we both like it a lot.I enjoy confiding in co-workers,It makes me feel good.  :)

Not a bad day at work,plus it was quiet as usual.Must be the summer months.Nothing much to report right now.

I'm off to work later from 230-630.I don't know if the supervisor would want me to do cart collecting in the heavy rain downpours but she might have something for me to do indoors instead of outdoors.I don't see many people shopping today but we'll see what happens by this afternoon.

I'm off to work later from 230-630.I don't know if the supervisor would want me to do cart collecting in the heavy rain downpours but she might have something for me to do indoors instead of outdoors.I don't see many people shopping today but we'll see what happens by this afternoon.


This could be a very busy day for you Howard.  I know up this way in the summer that when it's rainy, the outdoor activities slow and the people flood to the malls, grocery shopping and the like because they can't be out boating or enjoying the lakes and stuff like camping......

This could be a very busy day for you Howard.  I know up this way in the summer that when it's rainy, the outdoor activities slow and the people flood to the malls, grocery shopping and the like because they can't be out boating or enjoying the lakes and stuff like camping......



Esox,What a day I had.Pathmark's parking lot was half flooded with 5-6 inches of water.And the drains were clogged with standing floods as well.The supervisor told me to not go into the dirty water to get the carts,You can get them tomorrow.And also combined with the heat and humidity to go along with the heavy rains made the day very sticky and a very swamp-like smell to the air.Tomorrow the pumps should drain out and the parking lot should be back to normal.But other than that,It just wasn't a good cart collecting day. :P

Esox,What a day I had.Pathmark's parking lot was half flooded with 5-6 inches of water.And the drains were clogged with standing floods as well.The supervisor told me to not go into the dirty water to get the carts,You can get them tomorrow.And also combined with the heat and humidity to go along with the heavy rains made the day very sticky and a very swamp-like smell to the air.Tomorrow the pumps should drain out and the parking lot should be back to normal.But other than that,It just wasn't a good cart collecting day. :P


I had a hunch it would be "one of those days"....

I had a hunch it would be "one of those days"....



Out of the 3 months that I've worked there never have I've seen Pathmark look like a big riverbed.But hopefully,It'll be back to normal by today or tomorrow.Anyway,today's 230-7 and there might be another round of showers and thunderstorms so I'll see you later Esox. ;)

Out of the 3 months that I've worked there never have I've seen Pathmark look like a big riverbed.But hopefully,It'll be back to normal by today or tomorrow.Anyway,today's 230-7 and there might be another round of showers and thunderstorms so I'll see you later Esox. ;)



Maybe you should go to work with a snorkle and a set of flippers, Howard.  ;D

Maybe you should go to work with a snorkle and a set of flippers, Howard.   ;D




Yeah,I wish.Maybe a bathing suit. ;D

Well,Day 2 and some of the water has drained but most of the big flood has stood in the middle of the parking lot so it still resembles a river.Hopefully and I'm pretty sure that the water will be gone by Sunday.It's going to take a few more days to recede.Most customers are complaining and Pathmark is losing money that way.But anyway,It was an ok cart collecting day,a bit on the humid side.And I got paid.I guess that's all for now. :)

I'm off to work in about a couple of hours.Today is 10-4 and hopefully today or tomorrow the big flood should be gone and there shouldn't be any more rain till next week,that's what they're saying.Anyway,take care.  :)

Business was back to normal as the flood finally receded and cars were packed in the parking lot.Other than that,work was busy and that's basically it.Today was the last day of my assistant manager.She's moving to North Carolina to stay but it was great working with her for the past 3 months.

Business was back to normal as the flood finally receded and cars were packed in the parking lot.Other than that,work was busy and that's basically it.Today was the last day of my assistant manager.She's moving to North Carolina to stay but it was great working with her for the past 3 months.


Will they make you Assistant Manager?  ;)

Business was back to normal as the flood finally receded and cars were packed in the parking lot.Other than that,work was busy and that's basically it.


OK, then I won't send you my diving mask and flippers.

;D

Will they make you Assistant Manager?  ;)


No I don't have experience for that.

OK, then I won't send you my diving mask and flippers.

;D


Maybe the next time there's a flood,I'll let you know.  ;)

But anyway,I'm off to work and I'll see you guys later. :)

It just wasn't a good cart collecting day.You had all this rain,wind gusts,showers and flooding and wearing boots over my sneakers felt uncomfortable but I made it through the day.When I came home,my feet looked like wrinkled prunes.took a shower later and felt much better afterwards.Now I know how cart collectors feel when they have to push carts in rain or snow.

It just wasn't a good cart collecting day.You had all this rain,wind gusts,showers and flooding and wearing boots over my sneakers felt uncomfortable but I made it through the day.When I came home,my feet looked like wrinkled prunes.took a shower later and felt much better afterwards.Now I know how cart collectors feel when they have to push carts in rain or snow.


I work across the street from a grocery store that has a double-deck parking lot.  Today they started demolishing the upper deck, so most of the parking lot is a pile of rubble.

Try collecting carts in THAT!  ;D

It just wasn't a good cart collecting day.You had all this rain,wind gusts,showers and flooding and wearing boots over my sneakers felt uncomfortable but I made it through the day.When I came home,my feet looked like wrinkled prunes.took a shower later and felt much better afterwards.Now I know how cart collectors feel when they have to push carts in rain or snow.


Hmm maybe it's just the sort of boots you are talking about but most people would take their sneakers off first I think  :-\\

I work across the street from a grocery store that has a double-deck parking lot.  Today they started demolishing the upper deck, so most of the parking lot is a pile of rubble.

Try collecting carts in THAT!   ;D



Did you have to deal with the heavy rains that day LB? ???

Hmm maybe it's just the sort of boots you are talking about but most people would take their sneakers off first I think  :-\\


No Karen,I was in a rush to get working.I clocked in a minute late,went to see my new schedule again,saw it raining outside and went to borrow someone else's boots cause I forgot to bring mine.Then I also bought in Pathmark a few new pairs of socks cause my socks were soaken wet and a new umbrella cause it was broken.So yesterday as you can see was rushed.

No Karen,I was in a rush to get working.I clocked in a minute late,went to see my new schedule again,saw it raining outside and went to borrow someone else's boots cause I forgot to bring mine.Then I also bought in Pathmark a few new pairs of socks cause my socks were soaken wet and a new umbrella cause it was broken.So yesterday as you can see was rushed.


Howard, buy yourself a pair of hikers that are Gore-Tex lined, wet foot problem solved..as long as you don't have water coming in from over the top of them...

Howard, buy yourself a pair of hikers that are Gore-Tex lined, wet foot problem solved..as long as you don't have water coming in from over the top of them...



No wonder I came home and my feet were wrinkly prunes. :P

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/PathMark_Sign.jpg/200px-PathMark_Sign.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/97/PathMark_Sign.jpg/200px-PathMark_Sign.jpg



http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/527104490_1d35324cda.jpg?v=0

Ok,Who put that there?  ;D^

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/527104490_1d35324cda.jpg?v=0

Ok,Who put that there?  ;D^
Should the trolley be in the corral?

No wonder I came home and my feet were wrinkly prunes. :P


Get a pair of gore tex lined hiking boots Howard....seriously.  They breathe to let water vapor out, but don't allow water to come in.....