Birthday Freebies!

When you’re young, you look forward to your birthday. Having a birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese or the skating rink. Even a backyard party with all your friends and family with some cake and ice cream. It seems like the mound of presents just keeps growing as every new guest comes enters. And you wait patiently until you can rip off the wrapping paper with fury. You don’t often know which gift came from whom, but at that age, who cares?

Well once you get older, you realized that you no longer get gifts from everyone. That the day you were born isn’t that important to everyone. Your birthday is just another day. Often you have to remind people that your big day is coming up.

But guess who doesn’t forget my birthday? All the stores and restaurants that I frequent! As my birthday approaches I get excited for the emails and cards from different places offering me freebies. So if you still want to feel like a kid opening up a ton of presents, be sure to sign up for these birthday clubs:

What's my name? I forget

So most of my friends know me by the name my parents gave me: LaKeshia. I was never a big fan of it, but after 30 years I was finally accepting the name (see the story on my name here). That is until I became unemployed last year.

You always hear stories of people with ethnic names not getting jobs. I thought this was not so true anymore. We elected a man named Barack Obama, the least American name of any president. We've evolved, I thought, people are creating all types of unique names for their children.

Moving on Up

A few years ago I would have been able to get a home loan with no problem. In fact, in 2002 I was approved for a loan at the age of 22 and making less than 25k a year. After looking at houses and all the costs that went into them, I realized that I really couldn't afford a house. With taxes, insurance, maintenance and everything else I knew that I would be quickly underwater. Well I know first hand how the mortgage industry crumbled. Loans were handed out like candy.

Now, almost 10 years later, I have my college degree and have a stable career making good money. However, I can't get a home loan. My debt to income ratio is messed up because of student loans. Plus they just aren't lending as easily any more.

So recently when my lease was due for renewal on my apartment of four years, I wondered what I was going to do. I've been VERY unhappy there. Management has changed and is now terrible. I thought by the time I was 30 I'd be living in a house and maybe even married. But life rarely goes as you plan when you're younger, so I'm making adjustments.

The Jobs are Coming

I began 2010 by losing my job of five years and I was out of work for several months. It was starting to look pretty grim and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to find anything. It seemed like employers were looking for someone with entry level experience or more than 10 years experience. That left me, with only six years of experience, without a lot of options.

Not many jobs were available in my public relations and marketing profession, especially in the Detroit area. Automotive companies and suppliers were cutting their budgets and getting rid of a lot of marketing people. That left the market saturated with highly skilled people as well as a lot of people newly graduating from college. And I was left stuck in the middle.

I've Cut the (Cable) Cord

So many people can't believe that I don't have cable. I can't believe that so many people are paying such outrageous prices just to watch TV.

About three years ago, when I moved into my new apartment, I didn't opt for cable. A few months after moving in, a gentleman came to my door offering cable. Told him I mainly watched network TV and wasn't interested. He convinced me to get "basic" cable (no boxes) for only $12.99/month. At this rate I said it was a great deal. Well.....

It's Been a Long Time

So I haven't blogged in quite awhile, and I feel pretty bad about it. Especially since as a public relations person, I'm always touting the greatness of blogs and social media. They can build your personal brand and your company, yada yada yada. Lately, I have not practiced what I preach.

So with that being said, here I come again! I'm planning on catching everyone up on what's been going on in my life. I'll share some of things I've learned about life, dating, family and work. Although a lot of people don't even read my blog, one day I'll be famous and I will have already written most of my life story.

Well, on to the next post! See you soon.