Debts, phone calls and random advice...

WTF?? I just read this article here about debt and stress:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080609/ap_on_bi_ge/stressing_over_debt;_ylt=AjPtLrEy741g3jVZt5wsDapv24cA

And I quote:
"Indeed, the survey found that upwardly mobile, middle-class families were among those who had the most debt stress. Others were women, couples with small children, low-income working families, Democrats and those who graduated high school but haven't taken college courses. Those least likely to be stressed from debt include men, retirees, empty nesters, college graduates and Republicans."

HAH! They obviously don't mean _recent_ college graduates. Yeah, you guessed it, still no job. And two rather disappointing notes in what was an overall dud sort of day- one, the tutoring company won't consider recommending me since I'm in FR and their big selling point as a company is 'in home tutoring'. What a load of carp. I mean they say on their website that tutoring can take place in other places, besides people's houses. I thought the local library would be just fine for that. And two- a previous casual employer was chatting with a friend of mine and mentioned her concerns about the speed I worked at, since she paid at an hourly rate.
Multiple things make me unhappy about this.
1. WTF? The work I did for her varied each time. I worked as quickly and as efficiently as I could. I was methodical and made sure I got things done right so they didn't have to be done twice.
2. Several times she would stop by and talk to me as I worked. That certainly wasn't improving my speed any.
3. Said other friend is a little ADHD- constantly active to the point of wearing out people who are watching her. By comparison, any performance of mine would suffer.
4. And most importantly of all- why didn't she address this concern to me at the time when I was working for her? Granted, I was a substitute worker, but she could have said something. I came over often enough that if she really had a concern, she should have talked to me. I'm mad about that. I don't see how I could have possibly worked any harder or faster, but I wish she had enough respect for me to mention her issue to my face.
Argh.
At least it was casual labour, not a job I actually have to put on resumes. I still kind of can't believe it- I usually fault myself for being not friendly enough as a generic job failing. I never thought the speed at which I worked would be the issue...
Argh. Meh. Whatever. She's one person. She's an ex-employer, I can't work for her right now and I shouldn't give a flying flip about what she may think of my speed while working.

In other news... following in the wake of many conversations about penny pinching, I forthwith list my tips.
Tips:
1. Don't spend money. Don't carry money with you anywhere unless you absolutely have to buy something. Freeze your credit/debit card in a bowl of water in the freezer.
2. When shopping for food, check price by volume, not by container. Though it's a bigger container and you might think you save more, sometimes it's cheaper to buy the two smaller ones. Weird, ne?
3. Borrow laundry detergent from other people until they tell you to knock it off.
4. Don't use your trackphone at all if you can help it.
5. Take anything you're offered free.
6. Actually use those coupons you cut out of the paper, but only use the ones for things you actually need.

Things I have Learned From Having NO Income
1. The charity of others is never to be scorned.
2. Potatoes taste really good when you haven't eaten all day.
3. Your housemates probably won't let you starve as long as you're entertaining.
4. Don't take yourself or anyone or anything too seriously.
5. It could be worse, but don't tempt anything by saying that.

Oh, and the phone call mentioned in the title was a very frustrating phone call I had today with my mom.
Don't want to talk about it right now. It could have been worse, but I'd rather not think too long and hard about _how_ it could have been worse.
Wish me luck on the job search tomorrow- we'll see how it goes...
The best part of today was my Holy Hour. I read a good bit of a Fulton Sheen book. He is teh awesome.