Why I Quit My Second Job, and It Started Saving Me Money

Every since I can remember I've worked multiple jobs.  It's how I saved to buy my own house, and it's how I've learned to live.  But this year, 2019, I decided to quit my second job and commit to only one.  This is the first time I've only had one job since I was a teenager. 
My main job is at a small bank as a universal banker.  It's not what I want to do forever but with still taking classes towards finishing my degree it's worked into my schedule pretty nicely.  I make a decent hourly wage, just under eighteen dollars an hour, and I only work about thirty-eight to forty hours a week.  I have every Wednesday and Sunday off, and I only work a half-day on Saturdays.  It's manageable.  And I get good paid time off options and benefits, such as a 401K, tuition reimbursement, and a pension. 
My second job, the one I recently left, was at Sunglass Hut.  I worked at Sunglass Hut for three years and I don't regret it at all.  In the great scheme of things, it was a halfway decent job.  I worked with a lot of fun and great people, I got paid to talk, as employees we got good discounts on the merchandise, the company gave us a 401k, and honestly, I did like it there.  It just didn't pay well.  And the hours weren't guaranteed how they are at the bank.  For if the store isn't making its goal that week, hours get cut and employees get sent home.  This never happens at my main job.  In three years I only made about twelve dollars an hour plus commission that we weren't promised, for the entire store had to make its goal in order for each employee to get paid out their commission for that week.  Meaning, I could make my sales goals all day every day, but if other employees didn't and the store didn't make their goal I wouldn't see that commission ever.  It was extremely unfair and frustrating, but it wasn't as if the commissions were anything great anyway.  They were close to nothing so it barely made a difference.
I kept working at Sunglass Hut solely for the employee discounts and the good company of my other coworkers, but it was starting to take a huge toll on me.  I was working seven days a week, plus taking classes.  I was tired and drained.  My ride to Sunglass Hut was thirty-five minutes one way, over an hour roundtrip.  And if I was in a hurry I would forget my reuseable water bottle or lunch.  Meaning I would have to buy water and lunch whenever I worked there.  I would keep snacks in my purse, but sometimes that just wasn't enough so working at a mall I would be tempted to get food I typically don't eat.  I didn't do this every time I worked.  For the most part I was prepared when it came to food at lunchtime, but I found myself making impulse buys working at the mall.  Food was my biggest impulse because a latte at the Lindt Chocolate store here and there didn't seem like a lot, but it was for it added up financially.  And I impulsively bought all kinds of clothes from the stores I would pass by.  The deals would be too good and seeing things I wanted every week I found myself treating myself more often.  I would legit say, "I work two jobs and got to school!  I deserve this".  But I didn't deserve anything.  My second job started costing me more money than anything.  Days when I just wanted a break I had to work.  Days I wanted to catch up on housework or homework or just myself, I had to work.  It started being too much for me, so after much consideration, and endless talks with friends and family I decided to quit my second job.
I thought I was going to feel sad about leaving the mall, but I don't.  Sure I miss seeing my friends that I worked with, but I get together with some of them still, and I keep up with them on Instagram all the time.  I have a lot more time for myself and for my fiance, Jake.  Since only keeping one job I feel like I have my life in order in a way I didn't before.  I have a much stricter budget now.  I've found time to work out and plan dinners and lunches better, and I save money in gas for my car and wear and tear on it as well.  I'm spending a lot more time with friends, and to me, overall, quitting my second job has been great!  I wish I did it sooner. 
I understand that not everyone has these circumstances, and people do need to work multiple jobs to get by.  But sit down and ask yourself, "Is this really worth it"?  Make a list of the money you make each week or each month from your side job, then deduct the gas you spend to get there.  Deduct if you ever buy anything while at work, such as a coffee to get through the day or a sandwich when you're hungry.  Then write how long each week it takes you to get ready for that job and the commute there and back.  Think about things in your life that need to get done, such as housework and social stuff.  Could you make a dent in these things with the extra time you spend at your second job, getting there, working, and recuperating from it?  Obviously, if the money is good, stay, but if it's minimum wage, is it worth it?  If it's getting you to be in the career field you're trying to get into, stay.  If it brings you happiness, stay.  But if your second job is taking away from your life, consider making an exit. 

How Getting Engaged Has Changed My Attitude, and My Friendships

Earlier this year I unexpectedly got engaged, in Europe, an absolute dream!  I hadn't been thinking of marriage at this point in my life, even though Jake and I have been together seven years, for I have a lot going on at the moment.  I'm graduating after this fall, debating whether or not I should go to grad school, trying to move up in my career/branch into another one, maintain a thriving social life, and like always, struggling to stay healthy and live my best quality of life.  But when Jake asked, we had a long and serious talk, and then I happily accepted his proposal.  I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't jump around and say yes a million times over right when he asked like one sees in the movies, but I had to be absolutely sure we were on the same page about things.
We live and own a home together, but we've both changed and grown a whole lot since we first met when I was seventeen and he was nineteen.  So I went down the list of importances to be sure we had the same vision about our lives, and when that was a mutual yes, well then we celebrated!

It's not that I hadn't thought about marrying Jake, I just didn't think it was going to happen at that moment in my life.  I was so focused on myself and my own personal growth problems, that I hadn't been putting as much effort into our relationship as I should have been.  Jake had been making major career strides and growing as a person and I think I was taking Jake and our long relationship for granted.  Thankfully that's changed.  Since getting engaged Jake and I cut out more time for each other and continue to grow, for we understand that the stronger we are together the better our relationship will be.
I realized I need to slow down and put more attention into Jake and I.  I've learned that things don't always have to be perfect.  Sometimes good really is good enough when it comes to work and school and that's something I couldn't understand before.  Obviously, I care deeply about what I put out there with my name attached to it, but since getting engaged, planning a wedding, and putting more time into my relationship with Jake, it's given me a different outlook on my current life.  I put way too much pressure on myself when it comes to school and work, and that's something I'm continually working on.

Something else that unexpectedly happened since getting engaged is the people in my life.  I may be overreacting, but I know since posting that picture of a ring on my finger my circle of friends has changed.  Positively, people I haven't talked to in a while all started messaging and getting ahold of me.  I've spent time with friends I had lost touch with, and a few I've been talking to regularly again.  I'm happy about this because I didn't realize how many people I hadn't kept up with, and even missed.  But negatively, I've lost a handful of friends too.

Example One, a really good friend of mine, who is a few years older than me, thirty, started acting odd since I told her of the engagement.  She was saying she was happy for me, but I could tell there was more going on, something else on her mind, but I ignored it for she was a good friend of mine.  She sent me wedding things every day.  Texted me nonstop Pinterest ideas for a bachelorette party, wedding shower, and the wedding itself.  It was fun.  Something I had never experienced before, planning a whole wedding with friends, and I planned on having her apart of Jake's and my day, but every time she sent me something she started talking about her nonexistent wedding.  I didn't say anything, just let her talk and vent for I love my friends and I respected her opinions, but she had a way of turning things negative by constantly talking about herself not having anyone, significant otherwise, and not being even close to marriage.  She'd spiral by saying she most likely was never going to have children or a family because she can't find anyone.  I always tried to comfort her and talk, but being around her was like walking on eggshells for little things set her off.
And one night, we were at dinner with another friend, and a harmless comment I made derailed her.  While talking about her dating life I mentioned that, in my opinion, online dating doesn't work.  I never knew this would upset her so much but my seemingly innocent comment lead to her screaming at me in a restaurant.  It ended bad and after giving her some space I tried reaching out and even apologizing, but it never worked.  A good friend and I haven't talked in eight months and counting all over a night out after one comment.  I know there's more there.  She has more in her life going on, and she projected that towards me, and that's not fair, but I also don't think it's cool of her to not return any of my texts and online messages.  I'm sad that our friendship is apparently over, but the more time goes on the more I realize this person clearly wasn't that great of a friend in the first place.  Even though we used to talk every day and see each other weekly, she must not have felt the same about us the way I did.  I wish I could understand or have her tell me her reasoning for leaving our friendship in the dark, but I guess not everyone gets closure on every relationship in their lives and I just have to accept that and move on.

Example Two, my roommate, who was definitely one of my funniest and craziest friends, who I always used to go out with, seems to have moved on as well.  Since the official wedding announcement, it appears she's been going out a whole lot more, and never with me.  I even ask her to hang out, and I plan outings, but I feel like we're at such different places in life and she's been making it obvious.  All a sudden she's been canceling on me, being flakey, and seemingly never wants to be around me anymore.  Writing out, I feel like I sound crazy, but there's definitely been oddness and an off atmosphere with us.  When I am around her I try to not talk about wedding things, especially because she never asks, but I feel a kind of sadness that I've lost yet another friend.  I didn't plan on anything changing with getting engaged, and maybe I'm looking too much into all this, and sound insane, but it's the conclusion I've come to.

As for the other relationships in my life that are thriving and even picking up, I'm thankful for that.  I have multiple friends who haven't acted any different, and that shows me who is true in my life.  And to the few who have been reaching out to me and we've reconnected, I love that.  I consider myself a very social person, and I care about having meaningful relationships in my life.  So if someone wants to be my friend and we have fun together, well I consider that a win.
Getting engaged has changed things in my life, but not in a bad way.  Jake and I have been happier and more connected than ever.  I'm truly happy and excited to get married, and I've found light in other friendships in my life.

Dairy Consumption : Does it really do a body good, or are dairy products a leading cause of modern day health concerns?

Dairy Consumption : Does it really do a body good, or are dairy products a leading cause of modern day health concerns?

Victoria Vinci

Professor Pamela WIlliams

ENG 124

December 1, 2017

Abstract

With the growing rate of dairy alternative options worldwide is there still a place for regular hormone injected dairy coming from animals?  Why, if there are known links of dairy contributing to major modern day health concerns do the human population continue to pick up that gallon of milk and block of cheese at the local grocery store when other options that taste just as good are out there?  The FDA allows six hormones to be present in the human food supply, and these six hormones lead to obesity, early onset puberty for children, cancer, and male reproductive disorders, yet the government recommends three servings of dairy a day per person.

Milk, does it really do a body good, or are dairy products a leading cause of modern day health concerns such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, to name just a few.  Growing up children are taught how milk makes one big and strong, but have the recommended dairy servings suggested by the government been a lie, and are in fact harmful to the body? Is the human body in fact not supposed to be processing dairy products at all?  Could this be why according to numerous health and wellness research groups and publications such as Nutraceuticals World the rapid growth of dairy alternatives such as nut and grain products continue to skyrocket year after year?  The answer is yes. For the way dairy products are continually injected with hormones and chemicals, this leading to many health concerns, human digestive issues, and development in humans; dairy alternatives need to be talked about more, since they’re the future of the declining traditional dairy farm industry.  While the health benefits that come along with dairy can be found in other foods and beverages; the average human should switch to dairy alternatives, because there are endless options that taste just as good as regular dairy, cleaning dairy from one’s diet reduces major health risks, and overall it's just plain better for the environment and the human body.

The human population has been consuming and having dairy apart of their diet for over 8,000 years, but that doesn’t mean it comes without downfalls.  There is evidence out there proving that dairy consumption is in fact linked to human health concerns, because of the chemicals injected into the cows where a lot of the product originates from.  According to an article posted in The Iranian Journal of Public Health, “steroid hormones are very potent compounds in dairy foods, which exerting profound biological effects in animals and humans...Special concerns should be paid to the effects, which may occur during certain and sensitive time points including perinatal and

pubertal periods” (M.& R., 753, 2015).  This goes along with findings from Dr. Jennifer Landa, who’s published a piece on children’s health for Fox News, saying, recent studies have found children have been going through puberty earlier and earlier than years prior, and one of the reasons for this is all the hormones the FDA allows in the human food supply, dairy being one of the major components.  Some of the hormones the FDA approves of in human food are estradiol, estriol, testosterone, and preogesterone, these all being sex hormones that are known to accelerate the age at which puberty typically occurs.

These hormones affect the obesity epidemic as well.  “Estrogens are made and stored in fat tissue, increasing exposure in overweight and obese children” (Landa, 2012).  Numerous articles claim that estrogen makes one gain weight. If so, why is it injected into food, especially when obesity is such a major health concern among Americans?  According to The Journal of Dairy Science, estrogen is present in dairy products, and do affect the fat content in milk.  For example skim milk vs whole milk vs cream. Experts have proposed that “estrogen in milk may be responsible for increased cancer risk, male reproductive disorders, and adolescent weight gain”  (Pape-Zambito, 2533, 2010). The higher the milk percentage is, the more saturated fat that comes with it, and saturated fat has been linked to the number one killer of Americans right now, cardiovascular disease (Huth, 267, 2012).  None of these problems are worth the health risk of consuming dairy. They’re all not good for the human body, and can possibly be avoided by switching to non-dairy items such as coconut milk and almond milk cheese. All of which are lower in calories than cow’s milk, free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and are naturally lactose free, which a number of people, including myself, can’t digest lactose correctly anyway.  

Nutraceuticals World goes on to say, “The non-dairy milk drinks market has seen considerable development in recent years in the light of rising interest in lactose and

dairy-free options...Over 90% of dairy alternative drinks launched in 2015 were marketed on a health platform of some kind” ( Nuts, 2016).  This being because of new and more

research constantly coming out proving there are better and healthier options out there.   Just because one has been eating and drinking something their entire life and they’re used to it, doesn’t mean it’s good for them, their body, and the environment.  Yes dairy contains a lot of good calcium that the body needs, but dairy isn’t the only source where calcium is found. Calcium can be found in green vegetables, mineral water, and beans and legumes (Rozenberg, 2017).  All of which are healthier and lower calories options.

In an online video called Obesity in a Bottle : Understanding Liquid Calories and Nutrition by The Learning Zone Express, they express that due to the rise in popularity of soft drinks, energy drinks, and coffee drinks the demand for milk began to decline.  Milk couldn’t compete with soft drinks like it used to in recent years. So the dairy industry tried to reinvent itself by marketing sugary flavored milk drinks such as chocolate milk, strawberry milk, even mocha, and strawberry banana flavored milk in order to stay relevant.  But these drinks, marketed to be “healthier” since they’re dairy, just aren’t any better for the human body than the typical soft drink. In most cases these drinks have more than double the amount of calories and they’re loaded with sugar, saturated fat, and all kinds of other chemicals (Films, 2010).  This isn’t in anyway defending other types of beverages such as soft drinks, but with all the health concerns known and talked about, there are plenty of healthy and great tasting alternatives to flavored milk drinks. If one loves chocolate cow’s milk, why not grab chocolate almond milk instead? It tastes almost exactly the same, and the health benefits are incomparable to cow’s milk.  And the options are endless. For example I love hazelnut milk and pistachio milk. Each are creamy, and have their own distinct, but delicious flavor. The dairy industry is having a difficult time competing with all the alternatives out nowadays. It’s only a matter of time before people are educated enough to make the dairy free change. And it’s not just milk. It’s dairy alternative cheese, yogurt, ice cream; everything nowadays can be made dairy-free, and most wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference in taste and consistency.  

With the rise of countless diseases and health concerns, one would think the average person would try to do whatever available to avoid any type of health problem.  Especially when these health problems lead to a shorter lifespan. By decreasing and getting rid of dairy from one’s diet, one could possibly expand their lifespan and their quality of life, just from reducing or restricting dairy from one’s diet.  It’s not a guarantee that one will avoid health complications by switching to dairy alternatives, but it’s worth a shot. For each human on this Earth only receives one body, so why not be careful and take the best care of it? With so much information available to the average human, leaving dairy in the past is worth it when it means a better future.  It’s not about giving anything up by cutting dairy out of one’s life. It’s gaining a whole new realm of food options that are now readily available at all grocery stores, due to the popularity of dairy alternatives, and the incredible and countless health benefits that come along with them. Benefits that regular dairy just can’t compare to.

References

• Films for the Humanities & Sciences (Firm), Films Media Group, & Learning Zone Express (Firm) (Directors). (2010). Obesity in a bottle : Understanding liquid calories and nutrition[Motion picture on Online video].
• Huth, P. J., & Park, K. M. (2012). Influence of dairy product and milk fat consumption on cardiovascular disease risk: a review of the evidence. Advances In Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 3(3), 266-285. doi:10.3945/an.112.002030
• M., & R. (2015). Hormones in dairy foods and their impact on public health - a narrative review article. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 44(6), 742-58.
• Nuts & grains challenge soy for dairy alternative drinks: further growth expected with growing interest in free-from products as a lifestyle choice. (2016, May). Nutraceuticals World, 19(4), 14. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A453286262/HWRC?u=mlin_w_baypath&sid=HWRC&xid=d169f763
• Landa, J. Hidden Hormones can Bring About Early Puberty in Kids. (2012, October). Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/10/05/hidden-hormones-can-bring-about-early-puberty-in-kids.html
• Pape-Zambito, D. A., Roberts, R. F., & Kensinger, R. S. (2010). Estrone and 17beta-estradiol concentrations in pasteurized-homogenized milk and commercial dairy products. Journal Of Dairy Science, 93(6), 2533-2540. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2947
• Rozenberg, S., Body, J., Bruyère, O., Bergmann, P., Brandi, M. L., Cooper, C., & ... Reginster, J. (2016). Effects of Dairy Products Consumption on Health: Benefits and Beliefs--A Commentary from the Belgian Bone Club and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Calcified Tissue International, 98(1), 1-17. doi:10.1007/s00223-015-0062-x

My Easy and Affordable Skin Care Routine

Lately I've been obsessed with my skin so much that I rarely wear makeup anymore.  I've even been posting natural and unedited selfies online, something I've NEVER done before and I never thought I would do.  But my skin is so healthy I can't help but show it off instead of smothering it in makeup.  And these are the products I've been using that have made such a difference.

In the mornings I like to wash/wipe down my face with a towelette.  I always use Kirkland's a.k.a Costco's brand because it's the best bang for your buck, but it's also a great product.  It's scentless and my sensitive skin can handle it because it doesn't dry my face out. 

Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream is my absolute favorite!  I can't say enough positive things about how perfect this skincare product is.  I buy it from The Body Shop and use it multiple times a week for a beautiful and hydrating glow.  It's a bit pricey, but it's completely worth it, and a little of this stuff goes a long way.  I'm a big fan of The Body Shop and it's products, but this one is my go-to that I use most often.

Get it here.

If I'm not using vitamin e moisturizer I'm using Burt's Bees day lotion with clary sage, a more affordable option that I can buy from the drug store.  It's just a basic moisturizer, but I've been using Burt's Bees products since middle school and it's a brand I like and that I trust.

Get it here.

After moisturizing I love to use an under eye cream since the skin under your eyes is different than the rest of your skin on your face.  My absolute favorite that I like to stick to is from Estee Lauder.  This will last you forever.  I use the tiniest bit ever morning and rarely have to go out and replenish this stuff.  It's so soft and smooth and cool going on under the eyes I find it very refreshing in the morning!

Get it here.

If I do have makeup on that day, for example if I have work and at the end of the day I need to take my makeup off, I always take it off with coconut oil.  The kind I use is from Costco and I couldn't find a link online unless it was on eBay, but I'm sure most coconut oils are fine, as long as it's unrefined.

Along with moisturizing and cleaning my skin I also drink an insane amount of water.

  All I ever drink is water, tea, and the occasional cup of black coffee or latte with almond milk.  Water is the best thing for your body and your skin, and I love to mix it up with lemons, limes, and even berries!
Every morning I take collagen supplements, I buy them at Costco, but I've also tried ones I found at Marshall's and those were just as good.  I love collagen because not only is it good for your skin but it's also good for your hair, nails, and appetite as well.
And every night before bed I mix two shots of Apple Cider Vinegar with "the Mother", again I buy mine at Costco but I've bought it from Target or a local supermarket too,  in a glass of water and drink that.