Most of you know that Mark and I are not retired. We live frugally as nomads – now on the road, previously on the water. We’ve been at that for over eighteen years. I’m a freelance writer, translator, editor, and photographer (and since last year author and book promotor). Regardless of his master’s degree in computer science, Mark picks up work along the way and ran a successful marine WiFi business for nine years. Because we are careful with our expenditures, we manage to maintain a less than ordinary lifestyle without working fulltime. Combining travel with eight to ten hours of work a day is extremely challenging and close to impossible – we do have experience with that while sailing.
These last months, you might have read between the lines that a higher cost of living, inflation, and the need of camper and truck improvements to prepare for travels abroad have been troubling us. For that reason, we decided to postpone our trip to Baja California, Mexico, and work in Arizona during the month of December. I would focus on more paid projects and book promo; Mark would apply for a job, locally. How hard could that be? You’ve all seen the “for hire” signs everywhere. And experienced how “nobody wants to work anymore.” And heard the rumors about businesses dying to find employees. Right? One thing is for sure, during the holiday season, many companies do need extra help.
It was mid-November 2021, when we found ourselves in the desert of Tucson, Arizona, and Mark uttered we’d spent $1,000 on fuel to drive across the country, still needed new tires for Thirsty (costing a similar amount), and that months of research and patience to find items on our list for a better price stopped being productive. Price tags online rarely drop anymore. “I need to find a job,” he decided.
The UPS delivery job
We preferred to stick around Tucson if at all possible, despite Phoenix offering more potential with its abundance of warehouses. Mark scanned hiring ads. Delivering packages for UPS with your own car appeared to be the most profitable temporary job. We could stay at our not ideal but free camping area on the edge of Tucson, separate the camper and truck, and make good money (over $20 an hour), plus a generous mileage reimbursement and a weekly bonus. All we had to do was “cover and secure” the bed of our pickup by buying a locking cover. Hours later, we remembered one vital part: our tailgate was still in Massachusetts. It had to be removed and stored for the camper to fit.
Storing our tailgate at a friend’s place in Massachusetts
The position of driver helper earned much less money ($15/hour, no bonus) and still required commuting, but Mark found one in the area that would work. The next day – as we figured out logistics – the job was gone. We needed a different approach.
The Amazon warehouse
Our attention turned to Amazon. Longtime readers might remember that Mark worked at an Amazon warehouse in Kentucky two years ago, with a program called CamperForce. Somebody was in charge of matching seasonal employees with Amazon and a campsite was included. This time, we were on our own. Mark filled out a job application online for an Amazon warehouse in Phoenix and was approved for a nightshift.
Then, we hunted for a campground. Near the Amazon fulfillment center. For a month. In RV central of the USA. During the busiest time of the year: snowbird season. We found two RV parks on Google somewhat close to Mark’s job site – one never answered the phone and didn’t reply to our message, the other (a trailer park) doesn’t allow truck campers! This boggles our mind, as we are as self-contained as any of the bigger rigs. It sure felt like discrimination…
We expanded our search, but there seemed no places in the Phoenix area to camp. Airbnbs cost over $2,000 a month. A rental car to potentially do the UPS delivery job instead: over $1,500 a month. We knew traffic in Phoenix to be horrendous and if Mark was doing 10-hour shifts, the commute had to be less than an hour each way. We started to feel helpless about our options.
But we were determined to find camping and make the Amazon job work. We pursued more “potentials” – some far away from the city, others closer. After days of research, we eventually had a choice between the last available long-term site at Leaf Verde RV Resort (30-minute drive without traffic) and Covered Wagon RV Park (20 minutes from Mark’s job but in an undesirable part of town), where we’d have to move spots four times, before noon, which is when Mark would sleep – a tough task to load the camper on and off the truck this often.
Entrance Leaf Verde RV Resort
More comparing ensued, as we checked reviews for both places, none too good. We settled on Leaf Verde and booked the site from November 30th to January 3rd. Mark had selected his first night shift to start on December 1st and the earliest hiring event he could book was November 23rd. These were the dates we went by for all our plans and arrangements; dates set by Amazon. What could go wrong?
Mark’s Amazon “hiring event” in Phoenix
According to our calculations, Mark would make $4,200 for a fulltime shift in December, without overtime: $20/an hour for the night shift, plus a $1,000 bonus after 30 days. He knew from experience he could add ten hours of overtime a week to that (another $1,200), amounting to a total income of $5,400. Subtracting $1,000 for the campground and fuel while commuting would mean he’d leave with at least $4,000 in his pocket (minus the taxes). This would easily cover our trip west, new tires for Thirsty, and pocket money for Mexico.
On Tuesday, November 23rd, we left Tucson and drove to Phoenix, where Mark talked to the HR department of Amazon, which performed a drug test and a background check. All results would be completed before he started work on December 1st. We waited and spent Thanksgiving and my birthday/book anniversary at Saddle Mountain BLM, an hour west of Phoenix. Mark kept checking the status of his application. The field for his background check remained empty…
On November 30th, the morning before his start date and the day we were supposed to get settled at the campground, Mark went into his Amazon work account again. His shift for December 1st was cancelled and no more seasonal jobs were available. Nobody ever notified him about any of this.
Horrified, he tried to reach someone at the HR department of Amazon, which is a challenge in itself. He eventually talked to a representative, in India, who confirmed what he already feared: his shift and his job were gone! His background check had been completed and approved the day prior, but this – apparently – was too late for his intended start date. A Thanksgiving delay of one day had cost him the position. Mark requested a call back from a manager, he’s still waiting.
Instead of making money, we now faced losing money for the campground (about $600) and wasting weeks of organizing and stressing about a non-existing job… Everything had fallen apart. What would you have done in our situation?
The Chewy warehouse
While in Phoenix for the Amazon hiring event, we had also driven to the Chewy fulfillment center to inquire and interview. If a seasonal job here were to work out, the drive would be shorter (less fuel costs), with potential for a daytime schedule, but smaller bonus. Mark also hoped to start work sooner than December. Unfortunately, Chewy offered no seasonal work. Despite being able to stop work any time (Arizona is an “at will” state, which means that employees can quit any time without notice, but companies can fire people by the same method), Mark was not interested in a regular position with benefits, because we don’t want to lose our ties with Massachusetts, our state of residence, where we pay taxes and enjoy health benefits. It would turn into an administrative and complicated mess.
A quick stop at the Chewy warehouse
The Macy’s warehouse
On that fateful November 30th, when Mark discovered he had lost his job at Amazon and spent hours on the phone, in vain, to resolve this unbelievable turn of events, we had errands to run in anticipation of our extended stay at Leaf Verde RV “Resort”. We added a stop to our busy day: Macy’s fulfillment center in Goodyear, AZ. The warehouse was hiring seasonal help that day, so Mark went in for a job interview and returned two hours later with a confirmed position. The hourly rate was similar to Amazon, but there was no bonus. On the flipside, the commute was ten minutes less and overtime unlimited. His hours: from 7pm until 5:30am. The job started on December 3rd and would last well into January. Perfect. We could breathe again!
The three of us settled at the campground and attempted a nightly routine for December. I took over all chores (cleaning, dishes, laundry, cooking, shopping by bike, prepping work lunches) and care for Maya (including long walks) during daytime hours and tried to pick up freelance work at night. Being settled in one place allows me to apply for more translating assignments, write articles, and focus on book promotion…
I’d go to bed around 3am, three hours before my husband returned home. He worked 60-hour weeks, with one evening off in between, and was gone for twelve hours each night.
On his one afternoon and evening off, twice in a row, we had to deal with our tire order gone insanely wrong. More phone calls, running around, frustration, and blaming Covid. So much for one relaxing night a week… But our relatively brutal schedule worked out and had a purpose.
After a good week or so, we had a routine going and everyone managed just fine. We knew it was temporary. Mark worked hard and Maya and I held the fort at home.
On Sunday morning, December 19th and two weeks into Mark’s job at Macy’s, I checked the clock as usually, when I heard our truck pull up: 5:30am instead of 6am! That didn’t bode well…
Mark opened the door: “Well, that’s it. They let all the seasonal workers go early!”
So much for companies not firing employees right before Christmas.
This late into the holiday season, we are out of options. We tried… We made just enough to cover our expenses, yet will have wasted six weeks of our lives in a pursuit to make extra money. And, for anyone saying it is easy to find a decent-paying job and make it worthwhile for us – apparently, it’s not!
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December 23, 2021 at 20:38
So sorry about all your frustrating hic-ups! I hope you are able to enjoy Christmas in spite of everything. Wishing you better luck and fortune in the coming year.
December 24, 2021 at 13:51
Thank you so much for swinging by and for the wishes, Martha! We will have a quiet Christmas to gather our wits and come up with new plans. 🙂 Have a fabulous holiday season!
December 23, 2021 at 21:05
Such an unfair ordeal. I hope something will come up for you in the next few months and that you will have good holidays despite all of these unfortunate events.
December 24, 2021 at 13:53
Thanks, Margie. I think we will take it easy the next few days and focus on some of the camper projects we haven’t had time for, before prepping our journey into Mexico. Happy holidays!
December 23, 2021 at 21:57
I was hanging on to every word waiting for a happy ending.
This is all totally unfair.
Who doesn’t follow through with a promised (already scheduled) job?
And who terminates employees before Christmas without cause?
This makes me want to NEVER shop at either place again!
December 24, 2021 at 13:57
Hi Donna!
Work ethics in the US seem to be different than other countries, something I didn’t quite realize before. Of course, it goes both ways. Employees could just up and leave as well. But, corporations know this, count on this, and calculate this in. And, don’t care.
On a personal level, it’s incredible how such an event as letting an employee go (after they planned their time, logistics, and finances around it) impacts that person on many levels, including his/her partner, accommodation, plans, aspirations. It’s a sad world we live in.
If we’ve learned anything it’s to plan holiday employment quicker. Most of Mark’s co-workers had been there for months already.
December 23, 2021 at 22:14
Oh Liesbet, how could they do that? I’m with Retirment Reflections, it makes me not want to shop there ever again. I wish I had the words to say something to make this better, somehow. But I don’t. Keep the faith that this is just a detour and things will get better for the three of you.
December 24, 2021 at 13:59
Thanks a lot for your care and sweet words, Lea. We are slowly adjusting to this new reality and figuring out what’s next. It was a shock, but we will adjust. We always do. And, at the end of the day, it’s just money.
December 23, 2021 at 22:21
Hi Again Liesbet, I was just thinking that there are some work at home jobs. I don’t know if they would suit your situation but maybe worth a look? Sending hugs.
December 24, 2021 at 14:01
Hi again, Lea. 🙂 Thank you for the suggestion. The work at home jobs are feasible for me (if there are assignments) and for my field, but in Mark’s case it’s a bit trickier. He looked into all that as well a month ago. We will figure something out. We are not destitute at all. We just hoped to fill up the travel kitty a bit this month… Have a wonderful holiday season!!
December 24, 2021 at 02:09
My heart goes out to you both, I don’t know anything about employment in the US, but this does sound an extremely tough situation.
December 24, 2021 at 14:33
Hi Rosie! Thank you for the sympathy. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? 🙂
December 24, 2021 at 03:27
Crazy how many people are looking for work and have to jump through all those hurdles just to be let go early with no warning. Life sure can be unfair at times.
December 24, 2021 at 14:35
Isn’t it ironic in a way? I just don’t get it. Well, I do get it. The world has turned into a selfish place, where power and money rule. But, we all have our little battles that we fight and unfairness that we try to live with. Yet, we will all prevail. As long as we don’t give up! 🙂
December 24, 2021 at 03:39
I am flabbergasted, really can’t believe they would do such a thing just before Christmas. Awful company. I know you are very resilient people and will get over this past events, but still not fair. In any case I wish you a Merry Christmas and fingers crossed for a good 2022.
December 24, 2021 at 14:39
Hi Gilda!
I know you get how we feel. And, yes, we are resilient. But, this episode is just one of the many punches we dealt with (and are dealing with) this year and that were out of our hands. Sometimes, it really gets too much and the negative moods overpower everything to the point where we question our lifestyle and our choices, try to come up with an alternative, and don’t find a better solution. So, we plug on and try to get back to the original plan of traveling abroad. As you know, that doesn’t come without extra challenges either these days. Honestly, what is a nomad to do? Settle down somewhere? Maybe time, namely 2022, will bring answers.
Merry Christmas to you and Brian as well and happy new year!! Xxx
December 24, 2021 at 05:38
Your experience as educated, qualified workers makes one understand better what the homeless face.
December 24, 2021 at 14:41
Good point! I have given that issue a lot of thought, lately, as we have seen quite a few homeless people in the Phoenix area. It’s a sad and helpless world… Yet, we can try and make a difference on small levels.
December 24, 2021 at 07:57
I’m dizzy, following everything you and Mark have done to work hard to find work for a month. I, as others say here, will not shop Macy’s, ever (and rarely did anyway). This is where some regulations should be stricter between employee and employer. I think it’s unethical to let workers go like this, and during the holidays no less. I “feel” your frustration, and hope things get smoother, better, soon.
December 24, 2021 at 14:46
Thanks, Pam. You never give these actions and events much thought until you are involved yourself, or until it affects you personally. We initially thought that Mark finding a job at Macy’s was actually an improvement and a welcome and deserved new direction after the Amazon job disappeared. A blessing in disguise. It made that event less horrible. But then this, cutting our prospected earnings in half.
Mark actually did apply for a few delivery jobs afterwards, here in Phoenix, but nothing came of that. We have to move on and decide if we will stay in this campground until January 3rd or leave and not worry about losing money. We still have a few projects to take care of first, though.
Happy holidays to you both!
December 27, 2021 at 07:34
Good luck with the projects…and the decision. If it makes you feel any better, the weather here for Christmas Eve and Christmas was a mixture of rain/snow/ice and damp cold. So much for the merry, huh? I know you were lots warmer where you are. xo
December 27, 2021 at 14:14
Thanks for trying to make us feel better, Pam. Thing is when something makes our friends unhappy (like bad weather), it actually doesn’t make us feel better… I hope you are all doing okay in MA. But, yes, we are happier being in a warmer place, despite the unusual cloudy skies and chilly days in Southern Arizona these past weeks.
December 24, 2021 at 10:17
Yikes! You certainly have the vaunted work ethic. If your blot is self-hosted (I think you are), you might add a tab–Work with me. I have one on my teacher blog (https://askatechteacher.com/product-reviews/) and get a surprising number of requests. Often, they’re for sponsored articles where companies pay to appear on my blog. They aren’t commercial, always informative, and help to keep the lights on! I would think you have a lot of people who know you with the marketing stuff you do.
Have a wonderful Christmas season!
December 24, 2021 at 14:55
Hi Jacqui!
Thank you for the suggestion. Not a bad idea. I have a sentence at the end of my writing bio (which nobody probably reads) tab, mentioning I’d love to write syndicated articles.
I like what you did on your Ask A Tech Teacher website – you provide options and have a specific tab for it. I have been playing with a few things for next year (already wrote that blog post, something I rarely do) that are related to sponsorships, or a tip jar.
I have been contacted many times by people who would like to post a guest post, but I never thought of charging for that… And I hate ads or pop-ups on blogs, but there might be more subtle ways to promote and make a buck or two. Lots of food for thought.
Thanks again and enjoy this holiday season!
December 27, 2021 at 07:37
Interesting ideas here, Jacqui, and I look forward to seeing what you discover is best for your blog, Liesbet. I’m the same. I don’t like seeing ads on blogs, and I ‘pay’ WP to keep them off my blog site. But a dedicated place to show you (your services) are for hire is a different thing entirely.
December 27, 2021 at 14:16
Agreed! We will see what happens. I’m a bit burnt out about the entire work and making money situation and challenging lifestyle and bad luck and unhelpful people in the real world kind of thing, so I’ll probably take a little break from it all in Mexico and start fresh in a couple of months. 🙂
January 2, 2022 at 10:54
I am, too. That’s when I like to get lost in my prehistoric people’s worlds. It feels like a vacation!
January 5, 2022 at 22:38
That is just the best – you being able to go on vacation in your own written words!!! Love it!
January 2, 2022 at 10:53
You probably noticed I have ‘donations’ on Ask a Tech Teacher. In all the time it’s been up, I’ve gotten two–maybe. I wonder if other blogs do better!
January 5, 2022 at 22:37
Hi Jacqui! I hadn’t noticed you have that “donations” section in the sidebar of Ask a Tech Teacher. You certainly are offering a service on there – even more so than with Word Dreams – so I think it’s a good idea and totally makes sense. I will research a bit more about how to do this! Thanks again for your wonderful suggestions.
December 24, 2021 at 11:55
Oh guys so sorry to hear about that unfortunate turn of events. F***ing corporate America. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but have you considered HyreCar, or the Uber or Lyft rental car programs. I was able to rent a car in the Bay Area, at I think Budget, that I used for Uber. The hours were ridiculous (80ish)!, but I grossed 1700 one week and 2200 the second. With Hyre car you are renting from a private party specifically for ride share. Uber and Lyft are relatively easy to set up, and with the car you can do some Instacart on the side… Of course with covid still around may not be good option. You guys are always welcome to come camp out at the ranch! Would love to have you. Best of luck!
December 24, 2021 at 15:01
Hi Dave!
Thanks for the input. You probably did mention this before, but I don’t remember. What a profitable gig! Certainly something to keep in mind and look into, next time around. Now, we are brain dead and exhausted coming up with money-making options.
I think we will just be super careful spending money and get the heck out of the US as soon as possible. Still a few projects and other personal and familial things to take care of.
We hope to meet you in Baja this winter. And, who knows, we might make it up the western coastline in late spring. We have a few big projects in mind in anticipation of our South America adventure and the ranch might make a decent base for those. 🙂
December 24, 2021 at 13:55
My head is spinning reading all this, hoping for a happy ending. Apparently, the “Hallmark” ending is on pause now. I skimmed the comments and wonder if Jacqui’s suggestion would work for you. You have a large following and maybe you will find the light at the end of the tunnel right here. I hope and pray that “Toil to Triumph” will be the title of your next update. HUGS from Cliff and Marian ((( )))
December 24, 2021 at 15:05
Haha, I do love your positivism, Marian. I think I will turn a leaf into 2022 and try to smile more then. It’s hard to imagine happy endings to anything right now, as we’ve had quite a bit of bad luck. This blog post is only one aspect of them.
But, then again, no real disasters and it all just comes down to money, time, and frustration. If we could be more positive, like you and Cliff, we would be able to handle these situations better. I feel a New Year’s resolution come up! 🙂
December 25, 2021 at 17:04
We had tons of money problems for at least he first 20 years of our marriage + 2 kids to support and nurture. Looking back, I see it is God’s grace carrying us through. That’s why I feel positive about our lives. . . . and your situation too.
December 26, 2021 at 16:20
Yikes about your money issues, Marian. I remember you mentioning that in the past. Artists and teachers don’t get paid much! I’m glad you managed to “flip” out of it. You both are hard workers and intelligent people, so the tide had to turn eventually! 🙂 Thank you for being such a positive thinker. We could – and should – learn from that!
December 24, 2021 at 14:03
Oh, Liesbet, that is heartbreaking! All we see are articles about jobs going unfilled but your situation illustrates the how incomplete those stories are. I hope that you and Mark can find some way to help fill the coffers before you head south.
December 24, 2021 at 15:13
Hi Janis!
Yep, it seems like there are many sides to the coin when it comes to jobs and the economy. Very strange. Macy’s ran out of seasonal work much sooner than other years, which means people are not ordering online with them as much as they used to, so the company must not be doing so well. Time to sell those Macy’s stocks of you have any! 🙂
We will figure something out. Dip into savings more. Spend less. Travel to cheap countries. Become a bestselling author, haha.
Hugs and holiday wishes to you and Paul!
December 24, 2021 at 17:17
Oh my goodness! We are so sorry you are going through this. Corporate America is so brutal and heartless. Count us among all the other commenters who will no longer shop at Macy’s (not that we were before, ha!).
We love your can-do spirit and your hopeful attitude, and we know things will look up for you guys. We are envisioning you truck-camping in the Baja very soon.
Sending Christmas greetings to you both and much sunnier days ahead!
Best,
Susan and John
December 24, 2021 at 17:23
And John is just reminding me that – when we were in our RV phase of traveling, we were able to find a great gig in Tampa in a fancy RV resort. In exchange for cleaning the restrooms three days a week, we were able to live there for free. That’s when we were still sailing and had left our boat in Nicaragua – we too had run short of funds and had to come back to the states to fill the kitty. John just googled “RV Park Jobs for Couples” and came up with a ton of websites and other resources. Also, the national parks have RV spaces for seasonal workers (the season might not be right at the moment, but it’s food for future thought). You have probably already turned these stones over, just thought we’d mention it. Best of luck to you both!
December 26, 2021 at 14:53
Thank you to John for all those thoughts and tips!
Yes, we have turned those stones. 🙂 Here’s the thing with exchanging work for a free place at an RV Park – we don’t like or usually need RV Parks, as we prefer being in nature and never pay for camping to begin with. So, we would need to make real money with those workamping jobs (there are resources, newsletters, and Facebook groups for this kind of work/exchange), which is rarely offered.
Also, I don’t want to sound too picky, but we decided years ago that we draw the line at cleaning toilets that strangers use. Incredibly gross. We have good friends who are currently doing this in Florida for a free place to stay. They have a big RV and need the facilities that are offered and it’s a great place with a wonderful climate. I totally understand, but we don’t want to clean bathrooms.
Just to give you an example (and you might have come across this too, but I hope not): three days ago, Mark went inside the shower stall at this RV “Resort” we are staying and found a pile of poop on the floor above the drain with an upside-down coke bottle stuck into it. Yes, that’s the kind of place we are staying in, apparently. I feel so awful for the bathroom cleaner and cannot grasp why anyone would do something so repulsive. But what would you do in this case of being the cleaner…
Sorry for this nasty side note. Thank you for the wishes, we have pursued many forms of employment and being able to work remotely online is truly the best one in our lifestyle. Unfortunately, it’s not possible (anymore) in Mark’s field. We will figure it out! 🙂
December 26, 2021 at 15:57
Eeek, how awful! I should have mentioned – the gig in Tampa was at a super-high-end RV resort and it was off season, so cleaning the bathrooms was really a fluff job. Sometimes we’d encounter the bathrooms untouched after we’d cleaned them a week before. We have our standards too – ha! We certainly never encountered anything as disgusting as you mentioned – otherwise we would have never done this gig. And we were a lot younger then 🙂
Happy New Year to you both!
December 26, 2021 at 17:35
Your gig in Tampa sounds like one of a kind with a very enjoyable and fair exchange! 🙂 We are getting older as well – and pickier, haha. Have a fabulous 2022, you two!!
December 26, 2021 at 14:45
Thank you so much for the sentiments and wishes, Susan. Truly appreciated. We are focusing on a few outstanding camper projects as of now. I need a dentist visit in Northern Mexico (Los Algodones) and then, we will get ready for Baja.
December 24, 2021 at 18:37
Liesbet,
What a harrowing tale of finding temporary work and a campsite in Phoenix or Tucson during the holiday season. We feel extra blessed having just returned from an almost idyllic three-week stay in French Polynesia and now celebrating Christmas with one of our children and his family in San Francisco. As everyone else has already mentioned, Steven and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happier New Year where you can fulfill your dreams to travel abroad again.
December 26, 2021 at 14:54
Hi Annie! I’m glad you two had such a wonderful time in FP! Isn’t it a stunning and special place? The hospitality of the locals is one of a kind, too. Enjoy your time in SF and have a fabulous 2022 as well!
December 25, 2021 at 18:08
Oh my goodness, what a saga! How ever do people manage who are less literate and computer savvy? I hope you sort something out soon. Happy Christmas!
December 26, 2021 at 16:24
Good point, Anabel! We often wonder about that, too, as we also take care of Mark’s parents from afar and they are not computer savvy at all. The latest drama was hackers getting into their email account and causing havoc. And that was the same day that his mom locked herself out of her email account… I’m very fortunate with Mark being so tech-smart! But it eats up huge amounts of his time, taking care of everyone’s problems as well as ours.
Our life somehow is always a saga. Maybe we should just settle down somewhere and take a deep breath! I hope you had a nice Christmas, despite the sad times for you and your family. Thinking about you!
December 25, 2021 at 20:57
I am so sorry about the job. And that termination letter! It’s like they think people worked there just for the joy of it, like they didn’t just ruin those employees’ and their family’s Christmas.
But I’m glad despite the trouble the tires worked out. And I hope you had a good Christmas today despite it all.
December 26, 2021 at 17:31
The tires were a multiple-week saga in themselves, as you know. We are truly fed up with being frustrated and dealing with people’s carelessness, irresponsibility, ignorance, and attitudes. Whenever you have to count on someone for something, you’re pretty much screwed. Being here in the Phoenix area hasn’t helped that case!
Anyway, I think if we’ve learned anything, it’s that we have to start these seasonal jobs earlier, so we can get at least four or five weeks in before there is any chance of these companies letting their temporary employees gone. I can’t say we started too late, though, as mid-November is about right to start the process. But we lost those two weeks with the Amazon fiasco. Two weeks that Mark could have worked for Macy’s already and then we would have reached our goal.
Oh well. Things are just not going our way in 2021. Luckily, the year is almost over.
December 26, 2021 at 15:35
Ugh. What a nightmare. It shouldn’t be this hard to match up people who need workers with people who want to work. I guess the toughest part is the residency issue and healthcare. Otherwise, you could just take a normal job for a couple months and leave when it suited you, but I understand the issue of residency, and health insurance is such a huge problem in this country. I wish I had a better suggestion. I guess the online jobs would be the most flexible, but those have their own challenges. I hope things get easier for you guys in the new year.
December 26, 2021 at 17:34
Not sure if you read “Plunge” yet, but in our situation, with Mark’s pre-existing condition and health care issues, we can’t afford changing our health care to another state or having the entire process messed up. That happened enough over the last few years within Massachusetts, to the extent of him losing some of the best doctors, due to a change in the policy.
Anyway, so much we have to keep on top of. This work episode was just one of the snafus this year. We will get over it and move on. We always do. And, we always figure something out. 🙂
December 26, 2021 at 20:13
What a horrible, stressful time! All that work, just to break even – ouch. I hope things get better for you soon.
December 27, 2021 at 14:13
Thanks, Diane. I think our number one priority now is to get out of the US and live a quieter, friendlier, and cheaper life.
December 27, 2021 at 17:16
Liesbet, it sounds like you guys need some serious down time to regroup from being trampled by the ‘system.’ Macy’s has been struggling for years and will not likely last much longer. I am not surprised that they ‘over hired’ for the holidays, but sorry you guys got caught in the cross fire. Given your history of nomad living, I’m sure you have overcome worse and will get past this setback in due time. Blessings
December 27, 2021 at 22:42
Hi Suzanne!
As often, you seem to really get how we feel right now. Yes, we need a little break from the system and this country and can’t wait to travel internationally again. In 2022, our main goal is prepping, leaving for, and traveling in South America. It would have been nice to make extra money, but we will figure something out.
Mark actually looked into Macy’s before applying to this job and they had a fabulous third quarter. If he thought they’d go bankrupt, he wouldn’t have applied. Apparently, less customers have been buying online; they’re shopping inside the stores again now. Well, that’s what he thinks is going on. The previous years, the seasonal jobs easily went through January, apparently. So, this was a big change for them , to let the temporary workers go six weeks too early! I’m not sure what the reasoning behind it all is, just that it sucked. And you might be right that the company is not doing well.
I might be selfish, but his job being done, meant my focus and time allocation to work was done, too. I have many more thoughts and writing ideas and goals and tasks… I’ll somehow have to figure out how to combine them with our life on the road again. I was quite pissed off about this change of plans and not only for financial reasons. Oh well. Life goes on. And, you’re right, we’ve had worse setbacks.
Thank you for the blessings!
December 28, 2021 at 08:19
My ‘blessings’ probably don’t carry much weight out in the cosmos, but collectively all these good wishes must make you smile and lift your spirit a little. 🙂 There are people out here, cheering you on. If only that could pay the bills!
December 28, 2021 at 22:41
You are so right, Suzanne. Having my (virtual) friends here on Roaming About has brought many a smile to my face. Now, I need to find a balance between not complaining too much and wanting to report what’s going on without causing pity. 🙂
December 27, 2021 at 19:46
Like you, I also thought :)there were plenty of jobs out there, especially at this time of year. What a disappointment, but I hope things turn around in the new year. Maybe think of it as material for your next book. 🙂
December 27, 2021 at 22:45
Haha, good idea, Deb. I actually wrote down our experiences in a more appealing way and sent it to a few newspapers. They’re not interested, of course, but that letter/document goes in my files for a new book. 🙂 It’s actually quite interesting how much can go wrong in just one month. So, I’m with you in hoping next year things will turn around – for all of us!
December 27, 2021 at 20:01
Oye! How far to jump hoops to get a job when there’s apparently help wanted all over. Well, I hope you’re at least enjoying the Christmas holidays together, and on your way to Mexico? 🙂 xx
December 27, 2021 at 22:47
Hi Debby! We’re still pretty pissed off about this change of plans. Well, I am, as I had counted on three more weeks of getting things done regarding my writing, blog, and book promotion. A girl needs her me-time! Oh well. So, doing camper projects instead, to prepare for our Baja trip. We still have a few things to take care of and are aiming to cross the border around January 8th. 🙂
December 28, 2021 at 10:01
I can only imagine how P’d you guys are. Who knows what will brew in the next week. The universe often brings us or halts us from something for a reason. 🙂
December 28, 2021 at 22:44
Hugh also believes things happen for a reason, Debby. I’m having a hard time coming to grips with that, especially in certain situations. Which I’m sure you can 100% relate to these years. But, I hope you’re right. One thing is for sure: from the moment Mark lost his job, we have been insanely busy with camper projects and helping his parents out over the phone. His mom even said “I guess that’s why you are out of a job sooner, to take care of us.” 🙂
December 29, 2021 at 10:43
And there you go! Reason number 1. 🙂 As the weeks go by you will see what was meant to be. <3
January 2, 2022 at 23:34
True. And, as time goes by, what once seemed like a disaster becomes just a bump on the road – moving onward and upward. 🙂
December 28, 2021 at 12:54
Seasonal workers should be given a solid contract. If Amazon continues that kind of treatment it will backfire on them.
So on to Baja, I guess? That makes more sense than heading north during the cold winter … but here we go.
Thank you for sharing your travel story, Liesbet. Hopefully this pandemic will subside and all will return to normal. I am amazed with how you three are so multi-talented and financially resourceful even in a hostile economic environment. Wishing you the best as you move south.
Hugs to Maya.
Carmen
December 28, 2021 at 22:50
Hi Carmen!
It would be nice to have a contract as a seasonal worker. Thing is that it works both ways. In the current situation, any employee can just leave as well, without notice. Or sign on for a job and not show up. Not that we’d do that (we are way too responsible), but I’m sure many a person has taken advantage of that “quirk” too.
Yes – Baja is on the horizon, early next year. We still have a few camper projects and tasks to mark off our to-do list, but we hope to cross the border before the middle of January. If all goes smoothly, which, in our case, seems to be a luxury these months! 🙂
I’m one to believe that if life doesn’t offer any challenges, it is too easy and boring. So, when it comes to finding jobs and trying to earn money, those episodes and attempts are all adventures in themselves.
Have a lovely winter in California – stay warm! We will keep in touch to see if our paths might cross next year!
December 28, 2021 at 12:55
I’m so sorry that Mark lost the job right before Christmas, and it ruined your plans. Same thing happened to my husband several years ago, moreover it was his birthday.. Hopefully the next year will turn into a better one🙂
p.s. Santa was generous with me this year, he brought me a paperback LOL I’m halfway through, I love it!!
All the best!
Christie
December 28, 2021 at 22:54
Hi Christie!
I’m so sorry that your husband went through a similar experience of losing a job – and on his birthday nevertheless. Yikes! I do hope that it was not a full-time job or that he quickly found other work. For us, it was certainly not as devastating as that!
I’m excited about your Christmas gift!! And learning about your enjoyment while reading my book brings a huge smile to my face! Happy reading – until the end!
December 28, 2021 at 15:08
Oh Liesbet, what a rotten deal! I’m so sorry that you both had to go through that. You and Mark must be so frustrated. You’re right when you point out that all the hiring signs certainly make it look like there are tons of jobs out there, ripe for the picking – but the reality is something else entirely. Rats! So how will all this impact your Baja trip?
I’ve loved following along with you this past year – especially seeing all the success you’re having with Plunge. I’m sorry for not being around – I nearly lost my youngest sister a few months ago and my energies have been elsewhere.
James and I want to wish you, Mark, and Maya all the very best in the New Year. 🙂 ~Terri
December 28, 2021 at 23:01
Hi Terri!
So nice of you to drop in and offer support. You are too kind! Thank you for following along and for the lovely words. Our Baja trip was/is delayed by about a month. Because Mark was “off work” much sooner than planned, it allowed us to do some camper projects and help his parents out over the phone. They needed it!
I’m so sorry to read about your baby sister. Such a scare – I do hope she is on the mend and that the future (hers and yours) looks bright again. These are challenging times. Too much is happening at once, which makes it hard to breathe (or think) sometimes.
Wishing you, James, and the rest of your family strength, good health, a decent dose of adventure and travels, and all the best for 2022!