Hey guys, I put in an application to be a server at a local brunch/lunch spot on Monday.
I went in on Thursday around 10 AM and tried to follow up with the manager, but she was busy and couldn't see me.
Today is Friday.
Should I wait until Monday to follow up a second time? Or do you think Saturday or Sunday is better?
I am very motivated to get the job and I have recent serving experience at a much nicer place so I think I have a good shot.
I would like to go in sooner rather than later, I just want to strike the right balance and not seem too pushy.
The server who communicated to me that the manager was busy, said that she would follow up with me via email. But, I don't exactly just want to wait for an email, I want to be active about it.
Any insight is appreciated! Thank you!

That’s basically my question. Since joining Chime I’ve been getting my direct deposit on average the 9th of each month instead of the 10th (actual pay day). The times have varied from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM and was curious about anyone else’s experience with DD clearing on Friday before the weekend (non holiday) for what is supposed to be a Monday payday. I’m not incredibly worried about it but as a person existing in the year of our lord, 2024. I’m broke and my employer would happily murder me before giving me a livable wage. I’m probably not alone on the last part.

I have recently completed a 6-month full stack software engineering bootcamp.I have been looking for a job and have run into a bunch of scams. I recently got an email asking me to fill out a questionnaire. I did so and received this email.
The fact that I had no real interview and that the job is offering $80 an hour and that they said they will send me a check for equipment are HUGE red flags to me. But I am desperate and would love for this to be real. Would it hurt if I provided the information they requested? Can I put a check in my bank and not cash it and see if it bounces? Will I be penalized?
"Hello Brianna,
We are pleased to extend an official offer of employment to you for the position of Web Developer (Remote) with our esteemed organization. Your extensive experience and demonstrated capabilities have led us to this decision, and we are confident that you will excel in this role as a valued member of our team.
Congratulations on your successful application! We are thrilled to welcome you to LIA, where we believe your expertise, skills, and background will greatly enhance our collective efforts and contribute significantly to the success of our company.
As part of your onboarding process, you will receive detailed instructions regarding your daily responsibilities via email. Additionally, I will be available online to provide guidance and support as you transition into your new role. Your onboarding journey will commence with a comprehensive 3 to 5-day online training session conducted via Zoom, allowing you to familiarize yourself with our processes and procedures.
The starting compensation for your position is $80 per hour, and you will have the option to receive payment on a weekly basis via check, direct deposit, or wire transfer. In addition to competitive pay, we offer a range of benefits including paid time off, a comprehensive wellness program, and health, vision, and dental insurance coverage. Furthermore, you will become eligible for additional benefits following three months of employment with us.
Upon completion of your training, you will be provided with a unique user ID, password, and access to our corporate server, along with a contact list for each department to facilitate seamless communication and collaboration.
To ensure a smooth transition, a check will be issued to cover the cost of office supplies and necessary software for setting up your workstation prior to commencing training and official duties.
Your offer letter of employment will be sent to you shortly, with the aim of expediting your onboarding process and initiating your training without delay.
In order to proceed with the necessary formalities, please promptly provide the following information to our HR department:

• Your Full Name:
• Full Home Address:
• Phone Number:
• Email Address:

Please send the requested details to HR at " (i removed the email) " and kindly copy me for reference.
Once again, congratulations on your new role, and we look forward to having you on board."

I am a young professional having recently graduated with my Master's (Jan 2024). I have a job offer. My start date is in October. Since I had interned with my employer last Summer, they were able to put me into the H-1B lottery and my entry got picked.
They have filed my H-1B application and are working on the RFE I've received. The role that I've been chosen for does not align with my taste. So, I've been applying and interviewing with other companies.
Now, I've received a job offer from another company. The role aligns perfectly with what I want to do and I would love to join this alternate company with the new role. Can I do that given my H-1B is currently being processed by another company? Is this process complicated?
I'd appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks!

In my early days of rapping, I used to walk between two job sites frequently to pick up some papers. Part of my route went over a busy bridge with virtually no cyclists or pedestrians. I thought it was a good spot to do some rapping exercises and trying to get a sense of how accurate I could immitate Danny's quirky voice on Atrocity Exhibition.
So one time, I got really into it because I briefly managed to hit a high note, beyond the top of my comfortable range. So I started belting to see if I could hit it again. I got really into it because I felt like my routine was finally paying off. Mind you, the note was still very unstable so I probably sounded more like a lunatic yodeling at the top of his lungs than the tenor I aspired to be in that moment.
The next moment, mid note (or whatever you could've called it), I spotted a car pulling up next to me, with the window rolled all the way down. It turned out to be my mom, asking me if I wanted to see a psychiatrist.
I of course, sprinted away, dodging the conversation and spent the next mile sprinting in shame and embarrassment. My mom will never look at me the same way. She said she wanted me out and that she was scared of me and my collection of weird quirks. She said that me making polyrythmic schizophrenic noises on an empty bridge was the tipping point of her tolerance.
Even worse, due to the fact that got kicked out of my home, I subsequently also lost my job in data analytics back in September and have been unable to find employment at all since that time. My unemployment benefits are very small and I cant find another cheap apartment. My last lifeline just learned she has terminal cancer and has not much longer to live. I have put in tons of applications and tried recruiters, but even Harnham won’t call me back. I know I shouldn’t, but I am very close to begging for a job just to survive.
Welcome to late stage capitalism. Where food and housing is a privilege, not a right.

Our DnD5e group is looking for more players to join our next Friday Campaign which will be starting at 7:30pm EST to roughly 12:00am EST. Our group prioritizes the story over all other elements, recognizing that Combat and Exploration are tools to help engineer tension. As such, our pillar breakdown is approximately: 60% Role Play > 25% Combat > 15% Exploration. We use Discord for Voice Communication and Tabletop Simulator as our virtual engine.
This homebrew campaign's theme is Dark / High Fantasy. The game leans on a more serious tone, however light moments will occur along the way. The character you will play, in conjunction with the other player characters, will be put through excruciating circumstances to test their ideals and mettle. This campaign is not intended for players that cannot distance themselves from their own creations. The goal of the DM is not to antagonize you, but to rather be the force that creates the drama that our group relishes in. As such, dark and gruesome themes will be explored in this story. Be warned, the players will be put into situations where they will not always have successful outcomes, and sacrifices might be necessary. We are requiring applicants to be 21 years of age or older.
Our group is looking for players that desire to create "living" characters that emulate realism. Ones that have goals, ambitions, and ideals that shape the actions they take. If you enjoy getting into the psychology of your characters and acting them as real world existences, then you very well could be the type of player we are looking for. Voice Acting is very much appreciated in our community of drama enthusiasts.
To note, while heavily Chaotic or Evil characters are in fact real, our story wants to prioritize DnD's cooperative orientated platform. Such characters are not in our appetite and will not be allowed for this story. Additionally, this campaign will be getting recorded and streamed for prosperity. Please only apply if this is agreeable to you. Webcam usage will not be required, but is very much desired and does give brownie points.
About the Campaign:
Calamities. Arkelya has had numerous upon its soil, and the continent of Estran has suffered from them greatly. The First Calamity, the Rending, occurred nearly five thousand years ago and ended what scholars refer to as the Eras. The Rending was the first of many extinction level catastrophes, but modern academics agree it was surely the closest the planet has ever been to complete annihilation. The devastation was so significant that the very continent of Estran was sundered and became three smaller continents. Despite the massive turmoil caused by the First Calamity, Arkelya and its denizens have survived but through great sacrifice.
Since then, civilization has persevered through what scholars have labeled as the Ages. Three such ages have come to be, and the current Age of Unity has held firm for several millennia. On the now North Western continent of Nuasol, efforts by the great nations have been spent to bring nearly a century of peace and prosperity to the populace. Alas, it seems conflict is in Arkelya's very blood, as a new war has surfaced for unknown reasons and threatens to bring a darker age to all.
Who will dare to help stall such gloom from encroaching across the continent once more? Who will stand up and unite against the malevolence that seeks to snuff out what light remains in the world? Can your character take on such a mantle, such a responsibility?
At this time we are looking to see if we can find other players that share our values in the DnD experience. Applications will first be vetted and interviews will be done to try and help ensure our group's values work with yours. If approved, you will be invited to a scheduled one shot where we can see you flourish in game and for you to see if you enjoy our Dungeon Master's style. After all, your happiness with the way the game is played is important for this story to see its conclusion.
Our DM's style focuses heavily on concrete descriptions in an attempt to paint in your mind's eye the same exact image they have in theirs. This can, occasionally, make some scenes rather verbose, but our community enjoys scenes that are dripping in imagery. Tokens and maps are generally reserved for combat. The majority of the work will be done within your mental canvas.
If all the above sounds amiable to you and you are interested please submit an application with the below link.
https://forms.gle/hvEGkNCpZRKqFHJ97
Thank you for showing interest in our game!

Hello all,
I graduated from a local university with a 3.0 GPA in 2021. I didn’t land my first internship till after graduation in June 2022 which ended in September 2022 with no offer. My experience with this first internship made me feel that I am not fit to be a software engineer as I failed to meet expectations. For context, I am somewhat of an anxious and nervous person. I have trouble asking for help when I need it and also, I get social anxiety working at the office to the point it becomes very distracting. The thing is that I actually don’t mind coding, but deadlines and social anxiety has greatly impacted my performance. Plus, I was experiencing imposter syndrome.
After not getting a return offer, I decided to take a mental break for the rest of 2022 where sometimes I would learn HTML/CSS/JS as I wanted to specialize in Web Development. Another reason why I might’ve failed in my internship was because I didn’t really like the work I was doing there as it was focused more on IT Support then Software Development. This is why I decided to focus more on specializing in Web Development. I started to apply to jobs again around the beginning of February 2023 and landed an unpaid internship which I accepted as it would only be part time so I thought that I could continue to learn while practicing what I’ve learned at this internship. Some red flags I should’ve noticed when starting out was that there were no leads, seniors, or even juniors—everyone was an intern, but I ignored it because I was more focused on seeing how I can add this experience to my resume. Also, compared to my previous internship I didn’t experience much anxiety. I’m thinking the reason why it is so is because the job was fully remote, and the deadlines weren’t so strict. The reason for why my boss only had interns is because he believes that ChatGPT would help us out a lot and that is also a red flag that I noticed but ignored. So originally, I would be focused more on frontend tasks like developing a web page and then making it responsive, but the company pivoted to something else and now I am tasked with more backend tasks like creating APIs which I have no experience with. I wouldn’t say this whole experience has been useless as it helped me realize why we need QA, docs, testing, and a whole lot of other stuff. My internship ended after 3 months, but my boss wanted me to stay, and I agreed as again I wanted to buff up my resume and also with the current job market, I assumed it is better to go with an unpaid position than nothing. But after a while, I started realizing that staying here would not be good for me and my resume. And the reason is that I think employers would be suspicious of my experience here or my experience at this company doesn’t look good for an average 1-YOE developer. So, I decided to put more time in applying to jobs again, but so far, I’ve been ghosted by many of my applications. And the ones where I do get something back, I get told that I’m unqualified and that they found someone better. At this point, I’m applying to any software position possible.
Now my question for you all is what would you do in my scenario? Should I continue to work at this unpaid position and focus on enhancing my skills? or should I just look for a paid part-time job that isn't software related while doing self-learning?
TLDR: Graduated in 2021 with a 3.0 GPA, got a first internship in June 2022 which ended without an offer. Struggled with anxiety, social anxiety, and imposter syndrome, affecting performance. Took a break to learn web development skills, then got an unpaid internship in February 2023. This internship was fully remote and less anxiety-inducing but lacked proper structure and mentorship. Despite learning some new skills, realized staying might not benefit the resume. Now applying to various jobs but facing rejections. Seeking advice on whether to continue with the unpaid position to enhance skills or find a paid part-time job while self-learning.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm taking my employer to small claims court, asking for payment in lieu of common law notice. In their defense they mention that I failed to fulfill my "duty to mitigate" by not seeking employment. I did, in fact, look for employment and have proof of applications, interviews, etc.
Do I need to file a motion to submit that proof as evidence? Or I can I just bring it with me to the settlement conference?

The HR kept saying "This is Germany" repeatedly.
The context was:
I had my last name different in everything non official. CV, Job application and so on. And after i got an offer from the company, i requested that the name in the company (and company email for example) to be the one i choose. And they agreed as long as the official names are correct. After a month of employment. One of the HR found out as if this is a discovery. And as if i have been hiding it. All documents contain the correct name. Except the IT system. So we got in this heated argument that "why was it okay to use different last name and now it is not okay?". While she was talking to me she kept saying this word "This is germany we do everything correctly, you don't just use whatever names". As if i am comming from the contry where they drink camel's urine and i am one of those. It made me very mad after the conversation.
What is your take on this? Would she say the same word to someone from Ukraine for example? Or that happened because i am brown?

I am self employed for last 3 years and have 3 years of accounts. Year 1 was slow growth and I paid myself minimal salary. However last 2 years have been amazing growth and I was able to pay myself a really good salary.
I will be approaching a mortgage broker in coming weeks. I am getting worried about the process and all the documentation they may require.
Is there any self-employed people on this thread who have successfully gone through mortgage application in last few years? Any tips? Any indication of what documentation banks will require?
Thank you!!

Professional Summary
Transitioning from a focus on full-stack development to pioneering data optimization, I've now embarked on
research into harnessing new advancements in resource utilization.
Education
University of Southern California Dec 2022
Master’s Degree, Computer Science: AI, Viterbi School of Engineering
Organizations: USC VEX Robotics, GRIDS USC, USC Photo Club
Honors: Presidential Scholar, Applied Sciences Dean’s Scholar, Dean’s List
Courses: Data Structures, Object-Oriented Design, Algorithm Development, Web Technologies, Natural
Language Processing, Machine Learning, Data Science, Databases, Computational Biology
Skills
Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java, Typescript, C++
Technologies: Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Git, Jira, MySQL, AWS, React, Angular, REST, MongoDB
Professional Experience
Machine Learning Engineer Intern
• Led research into optimizing the Viral Genome Search Tool in C++ to find genetic information, integrating
with protein database APIs
• Transformed DNA sequences into amino acid sequences for structural modeling using Python and C++.
• Employed supervised machine learning algorithms for optimal binding prediction and sequence optimization
between proteins using PyMOL
Science Systems and Applications, Inc (SSAI) Washington, DC Mar 2023 – Aug 2023
Software Engineer II – NASA Goddard Flight Center
• Contributed complex data optimization; designing and implementing databases, ensuring efficient and
optimized queries for data retrieval and storage using Python and MySQL
• Demonstrated proficiency in Git while providing continuous improvement with backlog tasks within CI/CD
tools JIRA and Bitbucket
• Developed automated software on Linux to enhance middleware operations, reducing file monitoring latency
by 50% for the new product pipeline
Software Engineer Intern
• Transitioned to complex full-stack solutions with music collaboration through NFTs on AWS services
• Participated in code reviews and contributed to debugging and testing efforts using Jest
• Contributed to the development of a music discovery platform, implementing features to enhance user
experience through React, D3 and Node.js alongside authentication through Metamask
• Engaged in agile development processes, rapidly iterating on features and incorporating user feedback.
Product Search Team: Software Engineer Intern
• Dived into full-stack development tasks for QR clothing ecomerce
• Started with backend solutions, utilizing Node.js and AJAX for data fetching while utilizing third-party APIs
including Google Maps and Spotify to enhance user experience
• Introduced Python to junior developers for data analysis, exploring libraries such as Pandas for data
manipulation for message filtering

Introduction

Decision-making is at the heart of every successful business and organization. The ability to make informed, accurate decisions can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Enter AI and data analytics – two powerful tools that are revolutionizing the decision-making landscape. But how exactly do they work, and what makes them so indispensable? Let's dive in.

What is AI?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using it), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction.
History and Evolution
AI's roots trace back to the mid-20th century with the advent of digital computers. Early pioneers like Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the groundwork, envisioning machines that could mimic human thought processes. Over the decades, AI has evolved from basic rule-based systems to sophisticated algorithms capable of learning and adapting on their own.

Understanding Data Analytics

Data analytics involves examining data sets to draw conclusions about the information they contain. It encompasses various techniques, from simple data aggregation and summarization to complex statistical analysis.
Types of Data Analytics

1. Descriptive Analytics: What happened?
2. Diagnostic Analytics: Why did it happen?
3. Predictive Analytics: What will happen?
4. Prescriptive Analytics: What should we do?

The Synergy of AI and Data Analytics

Combining AI with data analytics creates a powerful synergy. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data far more quickly and accurately than humans. When these capabilities are applied to data analytics, the results are transformative.
Real-World Applications
From personalized marketing campaigns and fraud detection to predictive maintenance and healthcare diagnostics, AI and data analytics are being used to drive efficiency and innovation across industries.

Benefits of AI in Decision-Making

Enhanced Efficiency
AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources for more strategic activities. This not only boosts productivity but also ensures that decisions are made based on the most up-to-date information.
Improved Accuracy
AI systems can analyze data with unparalleled precision, identifying patterns and correlations that might be missed by human analysts. This leads to more accurate predictions and better-informed decisions.

Data Analytics in Decision-Making

Data-Driven Insights
Data analytics provides the insights needed to make informed decisions. By analyzing historical data, businesses can identify trends, understand customer behavior, and make predictions about future outcomes.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics uses statistical algorithms and machine learning techniques to forecast future events. This can be invaluable in areas like inventory management, financial planning, and risk assessment.

Key Technologies in AI and Data Analytics

Machine Learning
A subset of AI, machine learning involves training algorithms to learn from and make predictions based on data. It's used in everything from recommendation systems to fraud detection.
Deep Learning
A more advanced form of machine learning, deep learning uses neural networks with many layers (hence "deep") to analyze data. It's particularly effective in fields like image and speech recognition.
Big Data Technologies
Handling and processing large datasets requires specialized tools and technologies. Big data platforms like Hadoop and Spark enable the storage, processing, and analysis of vast amounts of data.

AI and Data Analytics in Business

Case Studies

1. Retail: Companies like Amazon use AI and data analytics for personalized recommendations, optimizing inventory, and dynamic pricing.
2. Healthcare: AI-driven analytics help in diagnosing diseases, personalizing treatment plans, and predicting patient outcomes.
3. Finance: Banks and financial institutions leverage these technologies for credit scoring, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading.

Impact on Different Industries
From improving customer experiences to streamlining operations, AI and data analytics are making significant impacts across various sectors. Industries like manufacturing, logistics, and even education are reaping the benefits.

Challenges and Considerations

Data Privacy
With great power comes great responsibility. The collection and analysis of vast amounts of data raise significant privacy concerns. Ensuring data is anonymized and securely stored is paramount.
Ethical Issues
AI systems must be designed and used ethically. This includes avoiding biases in AI algorithms and ensuring decisions made by AI systems are fair and transparent.

Future Trends

Emerging Technologies
Technologies like quantum computing and edge AI are on the horizon, promising to further enhance the capabilities of AI and data analytics.
Predictions for the Future
As AI and data analytics continue to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and intuitive decision-making tools. The future holds the potential for AI to make real-time, autonomous decisions in complex, dynamic environments.

Implementing AI and Data Analytics

Steps to Get Started

1. Identify Needs: Determine what problems you need to solve.
2. Collect Data: Gather relevant data.
3. Choose Tools: Select appropriate AI and data analytics tools.
4. Develop Models: Build and train AI models.
5. Deploy: Implement the models and monitor their performance.

Best Practices

1. Start Small: Begin with a pilot project.
2. Focus on Quality: Ensure your data is clean and relevant.
3. Iterate: Continuously refine your models.

Tools and Platforms

Popular AI Tools

• TensorFlow
• PyTorch
• IBM Watson

Data Analytics Platforms

• Tableau
• Power BI
• Google Analytics

Case Studies

Successful Implementations

1. Netflix: Uses AI to recommend shows and movies based on user preferences.
2. Tesla: Employs AI for self-driving technology and predictive maintenance.
3. Walmart: Utilizes data analytics for supply chain optimization and customer insights.

Lessons Learned

• Start with a clear strategy.
• Invest in quality data.
• Continuously monitor and refine models.

Common Misconceptions

Myths About AI

1. AI Will Replace Humans: AI is a tool that complements human capabilities rather than replacing them.
2. AI is Infallible: AI systems can make mistakes and require oversight.

Clarifying Misunderstandings
Understanding the limitations and capabilities of AI is crucial for its effective implementation.

Conclusion

AI and data analytics are transforming the way we make decisions. By harnessing the power of these technologies, businesses can make more informed, accurate, and timely decisions. As we move forward, the synergy between AI and data analytics will only grow stronger, paving the way for a future where decision-making is more efficient and effective than ever before.
Introduction
Decision-making is at the heart of every successful business and organization. The ability to make informed, accurate decisions can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Enter AI and data analytics – two powerful tools that are revolutionizing the decision-making landscape. But how exactly do they work, and what makes them so indispensable? Let's dive in.

What is AI?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using it), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction.
History and Evolution
AI's roots trace back to the mid-20th century with the advent of digital computers. Early pioneers like Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the groundwork, envisioning machines that could mimic human thought processes. Over the decades, AI has evolved from basic rule-based systems to sophisticated algorithms capable of learning and adapting on their own.

Understanding Data Analytics

Data analytics involves examining data sets to draw conclusions about the information they contain. It encompasses various techniques, from simple data aggregation and summarization to complex statistical analysis.
Types of Data Analytics

1. Descriptive Analytics: What happened?
2. Diagnostic Analytics: Why did it happen?
3. Predictive Analytics: What will happen?
4. Prescriptive Analytics: What should we do?

The Synergy of AI and Data Analytics

Combining AI with data analytics creates a powerful synergy. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data far more quickly and accurately than humans. When these capabilities are applied to data analytics, the results are transformative.
Real-World Applications
From personalized marketing campaigns and fraud detection to predictive maintenance and healthcare diagnostics, AI and data analytics are being used to drive efficiency and innovation across industries.

Benefits of AI in Decision-Making

Enhanced Efficiency
AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up human resources for more strategic activities. This not only boosts productivity but also ensures that decisions are made based on the most up-to-date information.
Improved Accuracy
AI systems can analyze data with unparalleled precision, identifying patterns and correlations that might be missed by human analysts. This leads to more accurate predictions and better-informed decisions.

Data Analytics in Decision-Making

Data-Driven Insights
Data analytics provides the insights needed to make informed decisions. By analyzing historical data, businesses can identify trends, understand customer behavior, and make predictions about future outcomes.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics uses statistical algorithms and machine learning techniques to forecast future events. This can be invaluable in areas like inventory management, financial planning, and risk assessment.

Key Technologies in AI and Data Analytics

Machine Learning
A subset of AI, machine learning involves training algorithms to learn from and make predictions based on data. It's used in everything from recommendation systems to fraud detection.
Deep Learning
A more advanced form of machine learning, deep learning uses neural networks with many layers (hence "deep") to analyze data. It's particularly effective in fields like image and speech recognition.
Big Data Technologies
Handling and processing large datasets requires specialized tools and technologies. Big data platforms like Hadoop and Spark enable the storage, processing, and analysis of vast amounts of data.

AI and Data Analytics in Business

Case Studies

1. Retail: Companies like Amazon use AI and data analytics for personalized recommendations, optimizing inventory, and dynamic pricing.
2. Healthcare: AI-driven analytics help in diagnosing diseases, personalizing treatment plans, and predicting patient outcomes.
3. Finance: Banks and financial institutions leverage these technologies for credit scoring, fraud detection, and algorithmic trading.

Impact on Different Industries
From improving customer experiences to streamlining operations, AI and data analytics are making significant impacts across various sectors. Industries like manufacturing, logistics, and even education are reaping the benefits.

Challenges and Considerations

Data Privacy
With great power comes great responsibility. The collection and analysis of vast amounts of data raise significant privacy concerns. Ensuring data is anonymized and securely stored is paramount.
Ethical Issues
AI systems must be designed and used ethically. This includes avoiding biases in AI algorithms and ensuring decisions made by AI systems are fair and transparent.

Future Trends

Emerging Technologies
Technologies like quantum computing and edge AI are on the horizon, promising to further enhance the capabilities of AI and data analytics.
Predictions for the Future
As AI and data analytics continue to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and intuitive decision-making tools. The future holds the potential for AI to make real-time, autonomous decisions in complex, dynamic environments.

Implementing AI and Data Analytics

Steps to Get Started

1. Identify Needs: Determine what problems you need to solve.
2. Collect Data: Gather relevant data.
3. Choose Tools: Select appropriate AI and data analytics tools.
4. Develop Models: Build and train AI models.
5. Deploy: Implement the models and monitor their performance.

Best Practices

1. Start Small: Begin with a pilot project.
2. Focus on Quality: Ensure your data is clean and relevant.
3. Iterate: Continuously refine your models.

Tools and Platforms

Popular AI Tools

• TensorFlow
• PyTorch
• IBM Watson

Data Analytics Platforms

• Tableau
• Power BI
• Google Analytics

Case Studies

Successful Implementations

1. Netflix: Uses AI to recommend shows and movies based on user preferences.
2. Tesla: Employs AI for self-driving technology and predictive maintenance.
3. Walmart: Utilizes data analytics for supply chain optimization and customer insights.

Lessons Learned

• Start with a clear strategy.
• Invest in quality data.
• Continuously monitor and refine models.

Common Misconceptions

Myths About AI

1. AI Will Replace Humans: AI is a tool that complements human capabilities rather than replacing them.
2. AI is Infallible: AI systems can make mistakes and require oversight.

Clarifying Misunderstandings
Understanding the limitations and capabilities of AI is crucial for its effective implementation.

Conclusion

AI and data analytics are transforming the way we make decisions. By harnessing the power of these technologies, businesses can make more informed, accurate, and timely decisions. As we move forward, the synergy between AI and data analytics will only grow stronger, paving the way for a future where decision-making is more efficient and effective than ever before.

I have a degree in Management Information Systems (MIS), but due to the job market, I ended up in a marketing role at a small consulting firm due to my prior retail sales and administrative experience. We use Trello and simple tools, so there are no complex IT projects that could provide me with relevant experience. However, my goal is to transition into IT project management.
Given my MIS background, I understand databases, CRM, software development (simple, non-object-oriented programming, Python scripts, CSS), networking, and various cloud tools. So, moving into IT wouldn't be entirely new to me, and I believe I could easily pick up the work; the challenge lies in getting my foot in the door without prior experience.
To make progress, I'm currently studying for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. Although it may not be the most impactful, it's a step forward. My current job doesn't offer project management experience, and job applications haven't been successful so far.
My question is: What steps can I take to pivot into an IT project management role effectively? Are there specific industries I should target, certifications to pursue beyond CAPM, or ways to gain relevant experience, such as volunteering or internships? Any practical advice beyond networking would be greatly appreciated.
Additionally, if I were to take a project coordinator role in a non-IT industry to gain experience, would that hinder my ability to eventually transition into an IT project management role? Or would employers in the IT sector still consider my MIS degree and project management experience, regardless of the industry it was gained in?

My company recently declared bankruptcy, and didn't inform me until the last minute. My employer paid me last Friday as planned and informed me I would be working with him for one final week with the last day being today.
Yesterday, my employer told me that I was to be working directly for the general contractor to finish some work for them while they find another sub. He said it was supposed to be this entire week. Apparently general contractor said he would only pay me for Thursday/Friday and my former employer was on the hook for mon-wed. My boss claims he 'wouldnt screw me for a nickel' and he is going to 'make this right'.He hasn't given a timetable but I don't have reason to believe he wouldnt.... Yet.
The GC said they will have me work under their laborer contractor for cash. They had me write down my package and copy of my ID. My boss owing me three days aside, what are the odds I just did free work for this GC? My wife thinks there is an 80% chance I got screwed.
I have pictures of OSHA violations on the site (putting an extension ladder in a boom lift to reach something), and I have my time sheets screenshots. There is limited communications about this aside from my schedule which I also have screenshots of as well as witnesses that can affirm I was on site working during this time period.
How much grace should I give my boss to pony up $1000? What is my recourse aside from quickly uninstalling (not destroying) all of this work and tossing away the important bits of hardware?This is a national GC which I believe is publicly traded. This is interior all glass for a commercial residential clubhouse/ leasing office which they need for their turnover.

ATP, I should sue recruiters and employers for wasting my time and disrespecting me
So grab ya coffee and ya nuts, this is a true spiel!
some topics I ranted about:
-reject applicants without interviewing them -tell remote applicants in particular that they need not apply based on the applicant's location and why this is wrong if not illegal and just plain dumb -who try to circumvent taxes, fees or use employees for tax credits -who underpay employees -who blame qualified jobseekers for unemployment -who ignore applications -who put you through rounds of interviews for nothing -who cannot retain employees or trainees and lose dozens a week -who call you without leaving a voicemail or call-back info -who bait and switch jobs, pay and offers -who send remote workers effed up equipment or make you use your own -who ask you to have a million degrees and certs but offer minimum wage -and so much more.
it leads to my youtube pawdcast. I made this months ago before I cared about making videos. I just needed to exorcise my soul with a rant.

Title: I am 31 years old, make $92,600 base, live in Northern Alberta, work in Forestry, and recently returned to work after a year off for maternity leave.

• All $ in CAD. $1 CAD to $0.73 US.
• I will call my spouse H.
• We aren’t looking to change spending habits too much, this was more a fun exercise to see what we spend and how we’re doing financially now that I am back to work.

HHI: $166,000
Section One: Assets and Debt
Retirement Balance: Total $76,431 (joint)

• My retirement accounts include a DCPP of $62,495, an RRSP of $8125, and a TFSA of $130
• H’s only has a spousal RRSP of $5631
• DCPP amount is from a 5% base contribution plus 2% matching from my employer, and 3% from me. I have had this account since 25 (when I started at the company) and have done the matching the entire time except during my maternity leave. They continued the 5% base while I was off on maternity leave, I had the option to get the matching as well but we couldn’t swing the cost while I was only on EI.
• RRSPs are mostly from excess benefits money. I have flex benefits and get an annual amount to “spend”. Before we had our kid there was about $500/month split going into our RRSPs. Now we do $42.30/month split ($21.15 for each). The spousal RRSP means I can claim this on my taxes, instead of him claiming on his.
• TFSAs will be our next focus once we’ve caught up on the annual bills from May to July - annual house insurance and two vehicle insurances. We haven’t been consistent with depositing into our TFSA’s, so we have $80K+ room in each.

Equity: The house is worth $400,000. We owe $303,000. Equity is $97,000.
Savings account balance: $450 in emergency savings (this is a priority starting in August to beef up), $2000 in property taxes sinking fund (to be spent by July)
Checking account balance: $5288.15 - we both got paid today so I will be moving money around and this number will be down a lot by the end of the day.
Credit card debt: $16,635

• $12,855 LOC. This is entirely from vehicles - before I went on maternity leave H sold his truck and we took a $9500 loss - pulled the money out of the LOC to pay off the lien. In April, we needed a different vehicle so we took $6500 out of the LOC to purchase a new-to-us car. We have yet to sell the vehicle we replaced, but when we do that money will either go onto LOC or into emergency savings. We’re aiming to get $3000 for the sale.
• $530 My CC. This is from not budgeting for two road trips I took in the last two weeks, plus some other overspending on random things.
• $3250 H CC. This is from overspending on groceries/gas and vehicle expenses.

Student loan debt: $0

• H went to trade school (8 weeks/year for 4 years) to become a journeyman mechanic
• I took a 2-year diploma program that cost $12,000 (including books and random spending). My parents saved up $20K for me to go to college/university, so I got about $8,000 in cash from my mum once I graduated as I didn’t use all of the savings for school.
• I lived with my mum while in college and H lived with roommates so his income went to rent/groceries/bills and I had basically no living expenses as my mum covered everything.
• When he went to trade school I was working, so I covered our bills while he was off (and he got EI and some grants during that time frame).

Other Info:

• H and I have had combined finances since we were 19 when we married. This has greatly changed our financial situation.
• I have access to an employee stock purchase plan - I have about $1400 in my company stocks with no plan for them at the moment.
• I got a salary top-up when I went on maternity leave. My employer covered my 1 week EI waiting period and topped up to 100% salary for 11 weeks. The rest of the time I was off I was getting $1158 biweekly from EI.
• We qualify for the Climate Action Incentive from the federal government. This is about $1200/year.
• We get CCB for our kid of $140.61/month. This will increase to $273.74/month come July as our annual income was less in 2023 compared to 2022.

Net Worth: $164,484
Section Two: Income
Income Progression (Post College/Trade School):

• H has been in his field for roughly 8 years and his starting salary was about $37,000 ($19/hr). Two years ago, he took a $20/hour pay cut moving from a journeyman mechanic ($45/hr) to a service advisor ($25/hr). He’s since gotten a $10/hr pay increase from switching employers and switching roles/getting a raise. H now makes $72,800 not including any overtime, which he does get fairly regularly.
• I've been working in my field for 8 years, and my starting salary was about $41,000. I have not changed careers, but I have changed employers. I got two raises when at my first job post-college from $20/hr (41,000) to $23/hr ($47,800) to $30/hr ($62,400). When I started at my current employer in 2018 I was offered $78,000 annually, plus moving benefits (approx $2000). I’ve consistently gotten a 2-5% raise every year (except this year - but I did get a raise 2 weeks before going on leave) or have gotten promoted and am now making $92,600 before bonuses. I get two bonuses a year, one is based on company performance and has been $0 to $10,000. My other bonus is performance-based and has been anywhere from $1200 to $4000. I got both bonuses while on maternity leave, the company performance one was cut in half based on hours worked. I also had to pay back EI because of my bonus income.

Main Job Monthly Take-Home:
Mine: $4768.90 (two paycheck months)

• My monthly deductions include ESPP $213.60, DCPP matching $213.60, social club $5, flex benefits $26, plus taxes $701.27, CPP $203.97 and EI $59.14. In September I usually have an increase in my monthly take home as my CPP/EI is maxed out, but this might not happen this year as my RTW date was the end of April.

H: $3687.28

• H gets an advance on the 15th of $1000 and at the end of the month gets the rest of his pay. His end-of-the-month pay has ranged from $2600 to $3900 already this year because of illness, time off and short months.
• H’s deductions include taxes $623.25, EI $78.23, CPP $263.07, and $61.10 of HCP, but we’re not 100% sure what the HCP is cause he declined his benefits. This reminds me he should talk to payroll and see what’s up with that. He hits his 1st anniversary in August so we’ll see if he ends up maxing out CPP/EI in September or so.

Side Gig Monthly Take-Home:

• I craft and go to some markets and things, but don’t make much after counting all my costs. If I didn’t sell things I made, I’d have no room for craft storage!
• I am working on a custom quilt that when finished will bring in $275.

Any Other Monthly Income Here:

• As said above, we qualify for the CAI and CCB. CCB is $140/month currently and CAI is $400 quarterly.
• I get $500/year from my benefits to spend wherever and however I want. So far this year I’ve spent it on clothes and hiking boots. I have $190 left.

Section Three: Expenses

• Mortgage: $950 bi-weekly - $1900/month on 2 pay period months.
• Property Taxes: Sinking fund of $185/biweekly (we pay this annually in June. It is $2250 this year, last year was $1950).
• Home Insurance: $1640 annually. We pay this in full in July. I expect it to increase this year, but I’m unsure how much.
• Retirement Contribution: In addition to pre-tax contributions above, starting in August, biweekly contributions will be $377 to H’s TFSA and $226 to mine. H’s is more as I have my DCPP and when H’s total is closer to even or maxed out, I’ll max out mine.
• Savings Contribution: $200/biweekly starting in July, we also will have a home maintenance fund and will save $425/month.
• Debt Payments: LOC minimum is $130/month. We pay anywhere from $200 to $2000/month. This will increase come August, and the LOC will be paid off in May 2025. Both CCs should be paid off by September.
• Donations: $20/month to the animal shelter, and $20/month to SOS, I also volunteer at least 5-15 hours a month to a local sports group and to the foundation my MIL set up after my BIL passed. I sit on the board for both non-profits. We also randomly donate money to other things, or go in on 50/50 raffles different nonprofits have.
• Utilities: In the winter $600/month, the summer around $300/month. Gas and electricity combined. I live somewhere where it hits -40C and +40C depending on the time of the year.
• Garbage Rental: $40/month, $120/month when we get it dumped - approximately every 4 months. We live on an acreage and instead of carting garbage bags to work every week or going to the dump, we rent a dumpster for the driveway and call to have it dumped when it's full.
• Septic System Inspection/Cleaning: $400/year
• Internet: $105/month for unlimited fibre optic.
• Cellphone: $70/month for H. I have a work phone at no charge.
• Subscriptions: Amazon Prime $99/year, Spotify $11.54/month, Patreon $10.50/month (Money Feels <3), PlayStation Plus $32/quarter, Kindle Unlimited $10/month, Crunchyroll $9.99/month ($60.95/month total)
• Pet expenses: Roughly $100/month for food and litter for our two cats. Plus $400/year for an annual checkup. This will go up some as they age and probably have to have dental cleanings done.
• Car Insurance/Registration: No payments we own both vehicles outright. Insurance is $1500/year for both vehicles, we pay this in May/July. H spends around $300/month on gas as we live 30 min out of town. I have a work truck so I have no commuting costs. Annually we spend $160 on registration. AMA is 262.50 annually in July.
• Paid Hobbies: Don’t have fixed costs for these right now as we cut them out while I was on maternity leave. In January though, we’ll each get $100-200/month for hobbies.
• Daycare: $900/month ($450 the 1st and 15th). This is slightly more expensive than some others we found and does not qualify for subsidy or grants, but L loves her day home and the caretaker is great.
• Life/Disability Insurance: $125/month for both of us. This is $500K each for life and $100K each for critical illness.
• Food: Roughly $800/month in groceries and I’m not sure about eating out. Since going back to work a month ago life has been hectic so we’re spending more than usual on eating out/convenient foods. H has ADHD and forgets his lunch at home or in the car every day which is a waste, so he buys lunch either at the nearby grocery store or restaurants. I sometimes pack leftovers and sometimes go get food. I’ve been trying to get freezer meals and leave them at the office so I don’t have to pack things back and forth and we haven’t been making meals with leftovers.
• L’s Baby Supplies: $75/month? We have to buy diapers and wipes monthly pretty much.
• House Cleaners: This is an expense we had before H took his pay cut, and we’ve been slowly putting it back in the budget on and off. Roughly $200/clean which happens sporadically as the house is a mess and there is no time for two working parents to clean with an 11-month-old butt scooting everywhere. She always manages to find floor snacks
• Family: We send my sister-in-law money on a fairly regular basis, anywhere from $20-$100. She always pays us back, but we treat this as a write-off in case she doesn’t.

—
Day 1 - Friday
2 am - L wakes up and I get her back down 3 times before 3 am. At 3, H takes her out of the room to burn some energy before they both come back to bed roughly an hour later. Thanks, L. Thank you, H I was getting pretty frustrated with our darling child.
6:30 am - The first alarm goes off and I grab L for a cuddle and morning nursing session. Once she’s done, she rolls around and tries to climb both of us to get our phones before we all get out of bed at 7. Today is a PJ movie day at daycare so we don’t bother dressing her only changing the diaper and then H and L are out the door by 7:15. I leave for work at about 7:45 after doing some putting around.
8:15 am - I get to work and my first stop is the coffee machine. I get back to my office after talking to a few coworkers about our social club golf event next weekend. I see that an industry-specific mentor cohort program is open for applications so I find my most recent resume (2021!) and do a major update before applying. This year one of my goals is to work on leadership skills and mentoring so why not apply?
9 am - I had a hard time finding a bra this morning so I go online and purchase two new ones from the local bra-tique for pickup. My total is $170 after my 10% discount for signing up for their email list. This money is coming from my $500 annual work benefit for whatever I want and I now have $20 left. I eat my breakfast at my desk - yoghurt and homemade granola today.
11 am - I have a webinar on caribou to attend so I log into Zoom and while it's loading, pull up our cashflow forecaster to get the payday finances done before the weekend. $1750 to H’s cc to cover some overspending/vehicle expenses, $100 to the LOC, $373.10 for utilities, and $450 for daycare. Total is $2673.10 I’m not sure if I should include the bills in the daily writeups, but ah well. Day 1 spending is off to a great start.
1 pm - I get the notification that my bras are ready for pickup. Woohoo! I get new bras for the weekend! I send $50 to H’s TFSA once I confirm the bank account is connected.
2:30 pm - Eating lunch now as breakfast was so late. Freezer butter chicken with broccoli. I only have 1 more freezer meal at work so I make a note to restock.
3:30 pm - I work on some cycle times for the log haul for this coming logging season. It takes me a few minutes to remember exactly what I’m doing and how to do it. I am super glad I came back to work at the end of April as I get 3-ish months of slow time to get back into the swing of things before work starts to pick up.
4 pm - I am struggling to do any more than format my Excel sheets so I figure it’s time to pack it up and head home.
4:30 pm - After picking up my bras, I go to Once Upon A Child for some cheap baby clothes. L is in between sizes and we somehow managed to misplace all her more summery sleepwear so I’ve been grabbing a few here and there. OUAC has a sale on, 5 sleepers for $15 so I grab 5 of those and 4 other onesies for summer. We have a family photoshoot on Canada Day and I’ve been hunting for something that’ll match L’s ribbon skirt. $30.45
5 pm - I stop at the store to check the mail and grab a 12-pack of mixed tequila smashes. $37.55
5:30 pm - H calls. He’s off work and headed to get L. I pull burgers and fries out of the freezer, start up the BBQ and get the air fryer going.
6:05 pm - H and L arrive home in perfect time as the burgers and fries just finished cooking. I have an open Pineapple Tequila Smash and I hand H one to drink with supper too. L also has a veggie pouch with the burgers and fries.
7:20 pm - L is in bed nursing to sleep after her bath while H preps episode 4 of Obi-Wan Kenobi for us to watch. We watched it when it was first coming out, but he saw the discs at Walmart last week and figured to grab them. We thought we hadn’t seen all the episodes, but so far we’re 3:3 so we might’ve seen them all.
7:40 pm - L is down and out and I sneak out of the bedroom. I start a load of laundry and find the two bras I couldn’t this morning and handwash them. I sit down with H and we watch some Obi-Wan Kenobi.
10 pm - I check my email and see one from a local photographer group I really like. I’ve done at least two shoots with all 3 of them separately before and they’ve now joined forces. I went to their open house yesterday and won 50% off a boudoir package in 2024. I’ve wanted to book in since they announced their group, so I go through their open spots and book for November. My initial deposit is $262.50.
10:30 pm - We finished the last 3 episodes and watched all previously except for the finale. Of course. It was pretty good, but near the end, I started to scroll on my phone more than pay attention to the show. I swap the laundry, shower and head to bed at 11 pm.
H’s spending Day 1: $7.54 for lunch, $267.58 on vehicle parts/oil change that we didn’t budget for. Normally we would’ve, but communication is kinda crappy atm, and I think that’s due to sleep deprivation.
Day 1 total: $775.62 spending + $50 to TFSA. Oof off to a spendy start for the pay period.
—
Day 2 - Saturday
2:40 am - L is awake again and not going back down. This time it’s my turn. It’s already been a not-great night, hopefully, this 2 am party time doesn't keep happening.
4 am - We go back to bed. Our internet is on autopay and the notification comes through for my credit card. $105
7:20 am - L is up for the day. I don’t want to get out of bed yet, so I cuddle H and L rolls around, tries to stand and almost deletes everything on my phone. Then she notices my boobs so it’s time for a quick nurse.
8 am - I run the coffee machine and get breakfast going. We’re having pancakes this morning. While they’re cooking I pop some milk in the frother to make a fancy coffee. TBD if I drink it while it’s still hot. I feed the cats their morning meal.
8:30 am - H gets up and I’m still cooking. He grabs a coffee and takes L into the living room so I don’t trip over her and the plastic container horde.
9:30 am - H plays some Baldurs Gate 3 and L watches while I sort through the laundry I did last night. I try to get dressed and none of my shorts fit anymore so off in the donation bag they go. It’ll be a summer of dresses I guess! I start another load of laundry.
9:50 am - L is ready for a nap. Just kidding she just wanted some boob instead. We go outside afterwards to get some morning sun. Hopefully, this will tire her out and she will go down for a nap later! She hasn’t been big on sleep since she was born and gets major FOMO so we have no semblance of a schedule on weekends.
10:45 am - I bring L back inside and change her into outfit #3 for the day. Her trike got rained on and she gets soaked when she sits in it. I switch the laundry over, start yet another load and then pass L to H so I can head to the store, fill the Jerry can with gas for the lawnmower and do the recycling. 20 L of gas is $32.78 and I grab two lime slushes for H and I ($5.19). It’s +20 already and gorgeous. Total $37.97
11:30 am - L is ready for a nap! By 11:50 she’s down and I head outside to mow some of the lawn. It’s usually a 4 hr job so I don’t think I’ll get it all done today.
1 pm - I head inside for lunch, we’re having tuna sandwiches. L napped for 20 min and I didn’t get more than half the lawn mowed. After lunch, we head into town to hang out with my friend K and her two kids. We met in college back in 2014 and have babies of a similar age so it’s always nice to go over and visit.
4:30 pm - We leave K’s house and I swing by Wendy’s for a cold coffee-type drink for the drive home. I try the chocolate frosty-cinno and it’s terrible. Should’ve just gone to Tim’s for an ice cap. $4.19
5:05 pm - L fell asleep on the drive home so I hang out in the car with the windows down for another 5-10 minutes before moving things inside. She wakes up and we head in. H picks a meal and starts making dinner. L is fussy and still tired so I nurse her and we hang out in the cool basement while H cooks. I sort through the laundry that finished off today.
6 pm - H is still cooking our dinner, I reheat leftover pasta for L. H runs her bath and I bath her. She’s still grumpy on and off so she’ll probably be going to bed right after this.
6:45 pm - H and I eat chicken wings and shrimp poppers. L has decided it’s not bedtime yet, I tried to put her down and she got a second wind instead.
9:30 pm - I work on the website for one of the non-profits I volunteer for once L goes to bed at 8. After I’m done, I head into the craft room and work on the custom rag quilt project. One row left to sew together, then to put the final 5 rows together, figure out my borders and start cutting all the edges! It’s not ‘due’ until mid-July but I’d rather get it done sooner and not have to rush. My SIL texts and asks to borrow $50 till Thursday, I send it over out of my spending.
11 pm - H and I both go to bed after some kitty snuggles
Day 2 total: $92.16 (not counting $105 for internet)
—
Day 3 - Sunday
7 am - L is awake and I nurse her a couple of times cause she can’t decide if she’s happy or not. It was a decent night, but she must still be tired from not napping much yesterday. It’s my day to sleep in so H takes her out of the room by 7:30.
9:30 am - I get up make some coffee and slowly start on breakfast
10:30 am - L and I are eating breakfast, I made scrambled eggs, fried up leftover sausage, tomato and she also has two crackers with cream cheese. H and I wrote up a grocery list before I sat down and he’s off to town to get groceries and fuel up the car before the work week starts. Usually, H and his best friend C have a grocery shopping bro-date every Sunday, but C and his family are out camping this weekend so H heads in alone.
11 am - L is ready for a nap. I put her down and fold her laundry and the house laundry, taking a few breaks to scroll Reddit or Facebook and drink more coffee.
12:30 pm - L woke up and is kinda grouchy so we have a dance party to elicit baby giggles. H gets back from shopping and we put the groceries away, they cost $374.03. This is actually cheaper than the last few times we did a stock up so that’s nice! Groceries include ground beef, frozen chicken, wings, fries, cucumber, tomatoes, grapes, bananas, yoghurt, frozen lunches, macaroni, Ichiban, burgers, buttermilk, perogies, frozen fruit, frozen veggies, gravy mix, hollandaise mix, and more. We’ve been buying more convenience foods lately, but I do have 3 suppers planned for the week. He also grabbed me a big coffee mug for $6. He got gas for $60.83, and once we unload the groceries, he runs to the store for bacon, 2 jars of our favourite cowboy candy (pickled sweetened jalapeños), chips and a Starbucks frappe drink for $41.93. I make some sandwiches for lunch for tomorrow so I don’t have to scramble in the morning.
1 pm - Lunch is Ichiban noodles for H and I and baby charcuterie for L - strawberries, grapes, ham, cheese, and cucumber. We head outside afterwards to enjoy the weather, L is so close to walking, she pulls herself up onto everything right now. She has an after-lunch snack of mown grass and dandelions.
3 pm - We’re back inside and H puts on Die Hart 2. L goes down for her second nap at 4:15 and we finish the movie. I wake L up at 5:45 so she doesn’t sleep too long. When she wakes up she makes a face identical to her dad’s and it’s hilarious.
7 pm - H is cooking dinner, we’re having eggs Benny and bacon for supper. I prep L’s diaper bag for tomorrow and we run it out to the car. I also put all my laundry away so the closet is ready for the week. H sits on the chair once we’re done dinner and both cats flock to him and spread themselves over his legs.
9:45 pm - I finish off piecing the quilt top and head downstairs to shower. L is getting tired too so as soon as I’m done we head to bed. H is not far behind us.
Daily 3 total: $482.79. This is pretty usual for a grocery shop day.
—
Day 4 - Monday
6:35 am - My alarm goes off. Can’t lay in bed today as I need to meet my coworkers at the office at 7:30 am. We’re doing a team bonding mountain hike and it’s a 2.5 hrs drive away. I grab a banana, toast a bagel, add cream cheese and I’m out the door before 7 after filling up the cats' food.
7:30 am - I get to the office, fill up a water bottle, make a coffee and grab a few things from my office. Almost everyone is there, and we leave at 7:45
9:45 am - We’re there! I’ve seen 2 moose, 1 mule deer, 1 elk and almost hit 2 caribou on the highway already today! We start up the trailhead at about 10 am
1:00 pm - This mountain is much steeper than anticipated. A coworker and I decide at about 300 metres to the top that we shouldn’t push it. The last km has been extremely steep and we’ve hit our max. The rest of the group has gone ahead and summitted. We eat our lunch with a great view and start the trek back down.
3:30 pm - We’re back at the trucks! 11.2 km round trip. We hit the road to head home and stop at Dairy Queen for a celebratory ice cream. I spend $4.92 on a medium dip cone.
6 pm - Back at the office. I call H and let him know I’m headed home now and he suggests chicken wings for supper. I’m down for anything as long as I don’t have to cook.
7 pm - We all eat dinner. L has some veggie pouch, chicken wings/nuggets and leftover pasta. I am almost too tired to eat. One cat keeps trying to get L’s nuggets so he gets in trouble and shooed out of the dining room.
8:15 pm - I try to put L to bed and she goes down for a bit but decides ultimately that it’s not actually time for bed.
8:40 pm - I go and have a hot, hot shower, my muscles are sore and tomorrow might not be fun. L and H party in the TV area, she’s pulling herself up onto everything and trying to crawl up the couch. Not sure where she got this energy from! One of our cats comes for some aggressive cuddles and pets and H puts his dirty t-shirt on the chair for him. Our cat loves dirty laundry it’s hilarious.
9:20 pm - Time for bed for everyone. Hope tonight is a good night and we all can get some rest.
Day 4 Total: $4.92 (this would have been covered by one of the superintendents but a few people got ahead of her in line so she couldn’t pay for us all). My card is also charged by the garbage disposal company for the dumpster ($40.43 - counted in the bills above).
H didn’t spend any money today.
—
Day 5 - Tuesday
7 am - The first alarm went off at 6:30, but we are all tired and don’t want to wake up. I nurse L for a bit then we get up at 7. I’m pretty sore this morning so I’m not moving too fast. Get her dressed and H and L leave by 7:10. H fed the cats this morning so I don’t have to.
7:30 am - I forgot to pay H’s other cc and it’s due in 4 days so I pay it off now - $93.80 (random Amazon purchases and my KU). I pull some chicken out of the freezer to defrost and make my breakfast of homemade granola, hemp hearts and yoghurt. I leave the house around 7:45 to head to work.
8:20 am - I get to the office and immediately get asked some questions about blocks we have slated for this Fall/Winter. I’m not 100% sure of the answer and have to double-check with my boss. I grab a coffee and chat with the head boss before my boss arrives. I clarify what I need and relay the info back to my coworkers.
9:30 am - I eat my breakfast while I scroll through online courses offered by my company. I got an email yesterday of one I’m supposed to take so I book into that.
11 am - I book H and myself massages, 2 each - one this month and one next month.
12:30 pm - I took a long time to eat breakfast so I’m not quite hungry yet. I grab my running shoes from the truck and take a slow walk on the elliptical to help my sore muscles. This morning hasn’t been too busy, but I’m having a hard time starting my next big task (cycle time calculations) so hopefully the slow walk helps some.
1:30 pm - I’m back at my desk and diving into cycle time calculations. H grabs KFC for lunch $24.12
2 pm - Lunch time, I’m having a leftover sandwich from yesterday, a grapefruit cup, grapes and strawberries. I also grab a chai with milk from the coffee machine. I eat while I plug away at the cycle times.
3:45 pm - I finish off one section of cycle times and my brain has had enough. I go fill my water bottle and chat with a few coworkers. At 4:15 pm someone comes by to sign a few cheques I asked for and I leave the office at 4:30 pm
4:40 pm - H grabbed buttermilk instead of heavy cream and I need it for supper tonight so I swing by the grocery store. Then, I head out of town to a colleague’s house to drop off one of the cheques. $4.95
5:15 pm - I check the mail, get home and start cooking. We’re having Skillet Dijon Chicken with Asparagus and Mushrooms for supper. I also make some macaroni for a side. H and L get home about 5:45 to the cats waiting at the door.
6:20 pm - Supper is served! It is delicious. L and H aren’t fans of the asparagus, but the chicken, macaroni and sauce are perfection! H also riggs up a tie to L’s water bottle so it doesn’t hit the ground every 30 seconds. We fed the cats at the same time and they’re not begging for food quite so much tonight.
6:50 pm - We’re finished supper, H cleans up and I bath L.
7:30 pm - H calls my/our best friend J via FaceTime and we chat with her and her daughter R for a few minutes. L tried to steal the phone and gets mad when we don’t let her. J’s daughter requests a morning call so I promise to call at 7 am. J doesn’t think R will be awake yet so we’ll see!
8 pm - L is tired and ready to go to sleep. I put her down, have a hot bath, throw in some epsom salts, and read a bit on my KU.
9:40 pm - Bedtime!
Day 5 Total: $112.17 (removed $10 for my KU - counted in subscriptions)
—
Day 6 - Wednesday
7 am - I nurse L, she had a weird wake-up last night so we’re tossing the idea of taking her into daycare today. I’ll probably take her in a bit later and H will take his truck so if I have to WFH for the afternoon I can. Try calling J and R and there is no response - I am not surprised.
7:45 am - L and I leave the house, she’s not coughing much and doesn’t have a fever or anything so she’s good to go to daycare today
8:15 am - I drop L off at daycare
8:30 am - I get to the office. I talk with a few coworkers and ask our admin if my new phone has been dropped off yet.
9 am - My new phone is here! Now to start the setup process, everything takes forever with all the authentication apps we need. I also go through all my iCloud photos and organize/save them to my OneDrive while the phone is getting set up.
12:30 pm - I think the phone is finally done. Now to eat some lunch, I’m having leftovers from 2 nights ago - chicken nuggets, strawberries, grapes and a Cherry Bubly.
1:30 pm - H goes to a food truck for lunch. $35.01. This includes the tip.
3 pm - I had some more phone set-up to do. Might be finished now? Get an email about the cats’ annual checkups and vaccinations so I book their appointments for August.
4 pm - SIL paid me back the $50, plus another $50 she’d borrowed earlier. (+$100) I work on the photo garland for L’s first birthday for a bit.
5 pm - I haven’t gotten much done today beyond setting up my phone. I leave the office and pick up L at 5:20. I talk to her day home provider for about 15 min about how she’s been doing, etc.
6 pm - We get home! H has cooked supper already, so as soon as we get in the door we sit down to eat. Supper tonight is perogies and garlic bread. L also has a veggie pouch. H tells me the old vehicle was sold, and the buyers are doing a payment plan. We will get $300/month for the next 10 months. A lump sum would be nice, but H’s coworkers will handle all the paperwork so it’s no more work for us.
6:45 pm - Time for a bath! H cleans up supper, cleans the litter boxes (we have 3) and starts some laundry while I take L and get her cleaned up.
7 pm - All finished in the bath. We head downstairs and hang out until L is ready for sleep. I mostly scroll my phone and H plays on his Rog Ally. L climbs the couch and me and scoots around on the floor hunting for different treasures.
8:40 pm - L is ready for bed. I put her down and read some more KU
10 pm - H and I head to bed. I washed and dried a baby quilt to bring to work in the morning for a coworker.
Day 6 Total: $35.01 for H’s lunch. I spend $0, and ‘make’ $100
—
Day 7 - Thursday
6:35 am - The first alarm goes off. It’s a new one on the phone and nice to wake up to! L doesn’t want to wake up and she grumbles and rolls around.
7 am - We all get out of bed. I get L dressed while H packs up what he needs for the day. I get her milk together and they’re out the door by 7:15
7:50 am - I leave the house. After H and L left, I did the dishes and packed up my stuff for the day. Made a smoothie for breakfast (yoghurt, flax seed, orange, banana, rhubarb jam, frozen berries, watermelon, cranberry juice and milk) and there’s lots left over so I pop that into the fridge for tomorrow. I need gas in the work truck, so I head there before going to the office. I have a fuel card so I don’t spend any $ on fuel.
8:30 am - Get to the office and it’s time to make a coffee. I have some things to get done before my webinar at 11 am.
9 am - I show the quilt to my coworker, she loves it and buys it! (+$100)
11 am - Oops. I didn’t get the login link earlier and don’t know who to contact to get it so no webinar for me. I scroll Reddit and my socials and work a bit more on my cycle times. I snack on some grapes and drink another coffee.
1 pm - Lunch time! I’m having leftover skillet Dijon chicken and macaroni. It is still delicious, that recipe is going into the rotation for sure! H goes to McDonalds for lunch and spends $35.66. He bought a coworker lunch as well, she was having a rough day.
2 pm - Chat with a few coworkers about different projects/things we need to think of for this next year.
3 pm - I have an afternoon pick-me-up snack of Brookside pomegranate-flavoured chocolate and a ginger ale.
4:30 pm - I’m tired and don’t feel like doing anything else. I leave the office and call H to see what we should do for supper. We decide on potstickers and veggies, I’ll start cooking when I get home. I stop and check the mail on my way home too.
5:45 pm - H and L arrive home. I take L into the spare room and we call my mum and grandma for a video chat. L rolls around the bed and shows off how she’s almost standing!
6:10 pm - We sit down to eat, L isn’t that interested in either the potstickers or veggies so we pull out some leftover macaroni and she goes to town on that.
7 pm - Bath time! H cleans up and does some more laundry. It just seems to never end.
7:30 pm - Bedtime for L. I read some of my book while I put her down.
8:30 pm - SIL texts again to borrow $50. I send it over out of my spending. I get all of the borders cut for the custom quilt.
9 pm - H has SING on so I sit down to watch it, he’s also playing his Rog Aloy and I’m reading some more of my book.
10 pm - We go to bed.
Day 7 Total: $35.66 for H’s lunch. I spend $50, and ‘make’ $100
—
Weekly Expenses:

• Food + Drink: 575.09
• Fun/Entertainment: $0
• Home + Health: $38.78 (includes gas for lawn mower)
• Clothes + Beauty: $200.45
• Transport/Vehicle Expenses: $328.41
• Other: $496.30 (CC payment, photoshoot, TFSA and $ to SIL)

Total Spending: $1639.03
Reflection:

• This was a more expensive week for sure. I don’t usually spend money on clothes and the photo shoot deposit was a random impulsive spend. The vehicle expenses were also a bit different, usually, they’re budgeted for but not this time.
• Honestly surprised we didn’t order dinner at least once this week - usually we do!
• Events-wise, it was a typical week except for the mountain hike, those are not part of my usual work day. This time of year is slow and mostly involves prep for the coming winter.
• This was a fun experiment to write! I did have to cut some things as my word count kept increasing and I didn’t want it to be too long - is this too long even still? Too much detail on baby routines?

Hello. As the title says I’m about to be a 1st year psych & I’ve been looking for jobs up and down California, applying now to at least 33 jobs. I’m a CA native from SoCal, but I’ve been open to moving around to find the right spot. Almost all of the jobs in SoCal I applied to haven’t responded & applications have closed. I’ve had 4 interviews since April that ended up being no. One job said it was between me and another candidate but they went with the other due to experience. Is this normal not to get responses for jobs? Is our state that competitive for school psychs? Do you have any advice for a new psych if they haven’t found employment by August?
Any advice for interviews is so welcome.
**** Thank you for all the feedback.

Hi! So I was working here in Washington state at an ABA clinic as just a certified behavior technician. I recently ended up leaving this clinic for a new ABA employer. I started at the old clinic back in February and had all my application paperwork submitted to the state, however, it’s now June and my license is still listed as “pending” when I search it up. My new employer recently told me that my last job should have had this taken care of by now and that I should have not been working in the clinic without being officially licensed. I’ve tried looking up the laws for my state on this but am still confused. Is my new employer right about this? And can my old employer get in trouble for me working without my license being fully processed?

1. PERSONALIA

• Age: 30
• Education: Bachelor
• Work experience : 8
• Civil status: Married
• Dependent people/children: 1 child

2. EMPLOYER PROFILE

• SectoIndustry: IT
• Amount of employees: +-300
• Multinational? NO

3. CONTRACT & CONDITIONS

• Current job title: Application Manager
• Job description: An application manager oversees the maintenance, optimization, and performance of software applications. Often acting as a liaison between the IT department and business users.
• Seniority: 2
• Official hours/week : 38
• Average real hours/week incl. overtime: 38
• Shiftwork or 9 to 5 (flexible?): Flexible
• On-call duty: No
• Vacation days/year: 35

4. SALARY

• Gross salary/month: €3110
• Net salary/month: €2304
• Netto compensation: €40
• Cabike/... or mobility budget: Bike leasing
• 13th month (full? partial?): Full / part goes to bike leasing
• Meal vouchers: €8/day
• Ecocheques: 250/year
• Group insurance: 3% Salary
• Other insurances: Hospitality insurance
• Other benefits (bonuses, stocks options, ... ): Vakantiegeld

5. MOBILITY

• City/region of work: Gent
• Distance home-work: 25 min
• How do you commute? By Bike
• How is the travel home-work compensated: €0,35/km
• Telework days/week: 4/week

6. OTHER

• How easily can you plan a day off: Very easy
• Is your job stressful? No
• Responsible for personnel (reports): No