What should I do now?

Don’t you hate it when you don’t know what you really want? You don’t want what you have, but you don’t know how to change it.

Sorry, I need rephrase that last sentence. I’m not writing about a hypothetical situation. I’m writing about my career. I can change my career to anything, but what do I change it to? Do I select any, unappealing thing and just go for it? I’m not passionate or interested in anything. I know I’ll have a difficult time doing quality work. Although, I must admit that I’ve spent years doing work I don’t really enjoy. The quality of my work has declined over the years, but my employer is happy with my job performance.

I have been given an opportunity to double my workload by filling a new position for the same employer. The employer just launched a joint venture with another company. He has an unfilled position in this new venutre. If I take this position, which the employer was kind enough to offer, I’d do twice the work. The work is demanding. My salary, however, would not change at all. Why? Because of the recession.

I should explain why I’m in this position. Profits paid to my employer’s primary business have dropped significantly this year. I should’ve been fired months ago. We’ve exhausted the primary company’s cash flow and our options. The employer can keep me around by hiring me to work for the new joint venture. I’d be a part-time employee, but the workload is heavy.

My position at the primary company paid pretty well until this year. While I still have health insurance, I’ve had my salary reduced.

I suppose I’d be a fool not to take him up on this offer, but my heart sinks when I think about the work. I do not want to do this type of work anymore. If I’m going to do something I don’t want to do, I should make sure I’m paid extremely well for it. The money earned would be the reward.

It sounds like I should spend this weekend combing the job boards for high salary jobs in any field. I should apply for any high income jobs that I believe I could do.

10 ways to fund a savings account while you’re flat broke

You’re broke. I get it. I’ve been there. But you can save some money. I did! Here’s how:

1. If you’re paid via direct deposit, have 3-5% of your check deposited into a high interest savings account. If you’re lucky enough to receive a raise make sure the additional cash goes directly into savings.
2. Get paid to save. Try: Suze Orman/TD Ameritrade’s Save Yourself Account OR open up a high yield savings account with SmartyPig.

Additional tip: Do not set up your savings account so that you can transfer money out of it.

3. Temporarily reduce a monthly service plan. Switch to a less expensive cell phone or cable plan. Stash the cash you’re saving in your savings account. If you’re unable to adjust to reduced service you can return to your original plan after a few months.
4. Increase your auto insurance deductible on your old car to reduce the premium.
5. If you must use credit, stick to cards that offer cash rewards. Deposit rewards into your savings account.
6. Cut back on smaller expenses: drive less, eat at home, bring lunch to work everyday, skip the morning coffee, skip public transportation, read the news online, stay home, rent a $1 movie from Redbox. Transfer the money you save into your savings account.
7. Carry larger bills and leave the debit card at home. Time magazine produced an article that suggested we spend less when we carry larger dominations. $20s, $50s & $100s. It’s true! I hate to break a twenty.
8. Make a game out of saving money. A few games I enjoy:
• How much cash can I keep in my checking account until payday.
• How many days can I drive on a single tank of gas
9. Deposit any refunds, cash gifts & unexpected income into savings.
10. Use budget billing options to pay utilities. I’ve been doing this for years and it works!! As soon as I move into an apartment I set up this option. Utility companies always overestimate my monthly usage by $20-$40 per month. After about 6 months my bill for each utility drops by up to $40/month. At the end of each month I deposit the extra cash into my savings.

Bonus tip: Getting rid of cable tv? Continue to bill yourself for the service. Move the cash into your savings account each month.