I'm Being Audited...by the Nevada Unemployment Office!

Red Rocks Park in Las Vegas

Last night I spent a few hours taking my rough job listing and composing it into something readable because...I've been audited by the Nevada Unemployment Office! My appointment is Monday morning!

The letter advised me to must arrive early, be dressed appropriately, have my job search list, photo ID, and audit letter. They do advise you that you can bring your resume for them to look over but it's optional.

So, while I was busy typing, looking through my planner and notebooks, Marcus asked me "How many jobs do they want you to be applying for daily?"

I think that's a great question, don't you? I've been trying for 2-3 a day. Of course, due to limit of job postings, I've been applying for work that I'm not qualified for.

I do promise to be back to blog about the experience.

Volunteering is Good for the Soul

Red Rock Park in Las Vegas

On Thursday, I headed to Calvary Chapel Spring Valley to assist in assembling the Send The Message notebooks for the conference on Monday.

I wanted to share with you how important it is to volunteer while being laid off. It's important to be around people and doing something productive. The time just flew by, I didn't even eat lunch. And no, the conversation didn't surround me being unemployed.

When I got home I was a Catty Kathy explaining how I worked the trimming machine and the new people I met.

Ah, volunteering is truly good for the soul!

Calvary Chapel Spring Valley Food Bank - Las Vegas

Calvary Chapel Spring Valley Food Bank free monthly food assistance for families in zip codes: 89102, 89103, 89113, 89117, 89118, 89139, 89141, 89147, & 89146 or if you have a church referral letter written on CCSV letterhead.

Must provide proof of residency, valid picture i.d. for adults & birth certificates or social security cards for children under 18. First come first served, quantities limited. Calvary Chapel Spring Valley reserves the right to refuse service for those that do not meet eligibility requirements. Food assistance limited to once every 30 days.

Hours: Wednesdays
Time: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

National Telecommuting Institute - WAH Opportunities for People with Disabilities

I was referred to National Telecommuting Institute several years ago while recovering from a work injury.
If you are receiving SSDI or live in a state that's vocational rehab department has partnered with NTI you may want to consider applying for their WAH opportunites.

Here's a portion of their bio:
National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) is a unique educational/job-matching organization pioneering the development of telework jobs for Americans with disabilities. NTI staff bring together employers who have agreed to "go virtual," advanced communications technology, and vocational rehabilitation agencies to enable individuals with disabilities to train for and work online in environments that are more easily accessible to them.

NTI prepares qualified individuals with disabilities primarily for work as customer service representatives, but also as technical support agents and medical transcriptionists. Equipped with voice and computer connections, NTI employees have provided service for customers of organizations and companies such as the Internal Revenue Service and AAA Roadside Assistance.

Work from Home Jobs Questions Answered Here

When I share with people that I used to work from home, as a Virtual Customer Service Rep, I'm usually bombarded with questions.

I thought I would share some of those frequent questions and answers here.

Q: I thought those ads for work at home opportunities were scams?
A: They are. I've never seen the reputable companies have to advertising on TV, radio or in the newspaper.

Q: How do I find out about WAH opportunities?
A: Visit WorkplaceLikeHome and WAHM, both are free to join their message boards.

Q: What do I need to start?
A: The job I had required a corded land phone, headset, desktop computer that meets the company's requirements, a quiet work area and unlimited phone service.

Q: How did you train for the position?
A: All the training was done on the computer, in my home. Some of the jobs might require that you live in the company's local area so that you can go there for training.

Q: Did you get paid weekly or bi-weekly?
A: I was paid bi-weekly direct deposit.

Q: I have small children and/or dogs, will that be a problem?
A: Yes, when you're working there can be no background noises that indicate that you are not working in a brick and mortar building. Some people did worked only when their children were in daycare or school.

The Church at South Las Vegas - My New Church Home

I found a new church home in The Church at South Las Vegas. Pastor Benny Perez has such enthasium for the Word. His sermons are relivant to what our society is going through.

Last Sunday's sermon spoke to me so deeply. I cannot remember the last time I was so emotion after a sermon.

Remember, we all have value! Pastor Benny Perez

$5 Dollar Dinners $50 Bob Evans and $25 Mimi's Cafe Gift Card Giveaway

This one ends today so stop by $5 Dollar Dinners for all the entry details!

Good luck!

Food Stamps - We Were Approved!

We were issued our EBT card before we left. The funds were posted today.

Here's a few of our tips to make the process less stressful! (please keep in mind this is based on Nevada guidelines or state may offer additional ways to apply)

Apply early ~ don't wait till you're out of food and funds

Drop off your application ~ the wait time was 9 hours!

Make sure you have all your documentation to avoid delays and extra visits.

Don't bring your kids ~ remember the long wait time?

Ask questions ~ the clerks are overwhelmed and our's forgot to provide information

Stop by the food stamp website for more information

Nevada Health Care Clinics Offers Sliding Scale Fee

I actually found this by accident looking through the Yellowbook pages. The Nevada Health Center clinics offer sliding scale doctor's visits and lab fees for people who do not qualify for state programs.

I phoned the clinic, on Friday, made an appointment for Charles on Monday. Since we were applying for sliding scale they needed a photo ID, copy of source of income, and his birth certificate. They review your income every six months.

He was seen promptly, the clinic was clean and the staff helpful.

The visit cost only $28.20! What a blessing on a limited budget!

Menu Plan Monday - October 5, 2009

First, I want to thank Organizing Junkie for sharing the link to Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup. The husband and teen loved it! I'll definitely make it again.

Thank you to everyone who left me grocery shopping tips. I'm very inspired to make sure we have good meals without breaking the bank. I've placed my first food order with Angel Food Ministries this month. I'll let you know how that works for us.


Chicken Thighs and Brown Rice

Baked Cajan Catfish and Spinach

Lasagna

Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwiches

Sloppy Joes on Wheat Buns

Question: Do You Own A Freezer?

Charles usually tells me what he sold when he comes home from work. It seems that the freezer is the popular seller!

Do you own a freezer? Does the impact of the unit's electric usage out weigh the grocery savings? Do you take a separate shopping trip for freezer items?

Could the Answer Be Within Us?

I recently heard from a dear friend. General Dynamics is doing doing a large lay off this month and she's included in this round. Twenty plus years of service and she's looking at updating her resume.

Another friend's partner was denied benefits after being laid off from a job that he had for 3 weeks. He's appealing but there's currently no money coming into the home.

Saturn, the car company is going to be dropped by GM, local suicides are up and there's so much displaced angry that in Chicago a teenager was beaten to death.

Many ask why is the Heavenly Father making us go through this. I don't believe he is. Remember, this is of our own making and as a society we are not use to getting on our hands and knees and crawling through a journey of hard road.

Could the answer be within us? Is it's time to help each other ~ stranger, homeless, our enemies?