Stuff and Other Stuff
Feb. 23rd, 2025 11:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ryanreacts When I had my interview for Death Valley, I was asked if I wanted seasonal or year-round work. I said something to the effect of, "How about seasonal for now, but after I see how it goes I might switch to year-round?" My interviewer thought that was reasonable, and signed me up for one season, starting in January and ending in June.
At the time I was thinking I would just save as much as possible and then move back into my old apartment building in El Cajon.
Shortly after I arrived here, I was browsing CoolWorks (which, in my experience, is the best website for finding seasonal jobs with housing) and found a resort in Washington with at least three different dishwasher/kitchen steward jobs. I would literally kill to live in Washington again, AND this place offers a bonus after your first twenty-one days of employment and a bigger bonus at the end of the season. Unfortunately, they listed multiple start dates, and the latest one was like a week before the end of my season here. I still wanted to apply, but I knew I should polish my resume first. Polishing my resume is one of my all-time least favorite things to do, so I put it off for a while. Yesterday I made up my mind to go ahead and do it . . . and all of their dishwashing job listings are gone.
So I texted DJ, the manager of my old apartment building. She (once again) said that I can definitely move back in as long as they have an empty unit. I asked how much rent is these days and she said the lowest possible option is $1,050 per month.
One of the biggest perks of seasonal work is that living expenses are much, much, much lower than they are in the real world, meaning that it's actually possible to save most of my earnings. HOWEVER. Between now and June, I'm only going to be able to save a few thousand dollars. As much as I miss my cozy peaceful apartment in El Cajon, I just feel like it wouldn't be responsible to dive back into paying real rent until I have saved up a bit more. Like, I don't want to break down the numbers or make a statement like "I need to stay at Death Valley for x months and save up," but it would be wise to stay here long enough to save at least $10,000.
I think I might need to be employed for at least ninety days before they can switch me from seasonal to year-round, but I'll ask HR about it tomorrow or Tuesday.
If I stay here for the rest of 2025, I should be able to save more than $12,000 without even trying.
ANYWAY. Let's talk about stuff! You know, like, stuff I could buy . . .
Sometime soon, I really do need to buy more pillows, at least one more work shirt, and at least one more towel.
I don't exactly "need" a new sling bag right away, but mine is kind of starting to fall apart. I'm somewhat obsessed with this one. The red pattern is the same as one of the best backpacks I have ever owned. But I think I would get the blue one. The only thing I don't love about it is the label, which I could cover up with some fun pins.
As much as I prefer the sensation of holding an actual book and turning actual pages, it might be a good idea to get a Kindle. That way I could buy books & comics without, you know, having to wait for them to be delivered to the middle of the desert. Speaking of, whether it is a digital or paper copy, I MUST buy Jenny & Kristin's book - but that won't be released until April.
Obviously I don't need to be spending money on toys, but I did join the LPS subreddit, and about two weeks ago someone posted two pairs they found, and one of those pairs included an adorable pink & white cow, and now I must have that pink & white cow . . . someday. I also really like the Diner Dash three-pack.
At the time I was thinking I would just save as much as possible and then move back into my old apartment building in El Cajon.
Shortly after I arrived here, I was browsing CoolWorks (which, in my experience, is the best website for finding seasonal jobs with housing) and found a resort in Washington with at least three different dishwasher/kitchen steward jobs. I would literally kill to live in Washington again, AND this place offers a bonus after your first twenty-one days of employment and a bigger bonus at the end of the season. Unfortunately, they listed multiple start dates, and the latest one was like a week before the end of my season here. I still wanted to apply, but I knew I should polish my resume first. Polishing my resume is one of my all-time least favorite things to do, so I put it off for a while. Yesterday I made up my mind to go ahead and do it . . . and all of their dishwashing job listings are gone.
So I texted DJ, the manager of my old apartment building. She (once again) said that I can definitely move back in as long as they have an empty unit. I asked how much rent is these days and she said the lowest possible option is $1,050 per month.
One of the biggest perks of seasonal work is that living expenses are much, much, much lower than they are in the real world, meaning that it's actually possible to save most of my earnings. HOWEVER. Between now and June, I'm only going to be able to save a few thousand dollars. As much as I miss my cozy peaceful apartment in El Cajon, I just feel like it wouldn't be responsible to dive back into paying real rent until I have saved up a bit more. Like, I don't want to break down the numbers or make a statement like "I need to stay at Death Valley for x months and save up," but it would be wise to stay here long enough to save at least $10,000.
I think I might need to be employed for at least ninety days before they can switch me from seasonal to year-round, but I'll ask HR about it tomorrow or Tuesday.
If I stay here for the rest of 2025, I should be able to save more than $12,000 without even trying.
ANYWAY. Let's talk about stuff! You know, like, stuff I could buy . . .
Sometime soon, I really do need to buy more pillows, at least one more work shirt, and at least one more towel.
I don't exactly "need" a new sling bag right away, but mine is kind of starting to fall apart. I'm somewhat obsessed with this one. The red pattern is the same as one of the best backpacks I have ever owned. But I think I would get the blue one. The only thing I don't love about it is the label, which I could cover up with some fun pins.
As much as I prefer the sensation of holding an actual book and turning actual pages, it might be a good idea to get a Kindle. That way I could buy books & comics without, you know, having to wait for them to be delivered to the middle of the desert. Speaking of, whether it is a digital or paper copy, I MUST buy Jenny & Kristin's book - but that won't be released until April.
Obviously I don't need to be spending money on toys, but I did join the LPS subreddit, and about two weeks ago someone posted two pairs they found, and one of those pairs included an adorable pink & white cow, and now I must have that pink & white cow . . . someday. I also really like the Diner Dash three-pack.
