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Cottage Gardens

Saving money on plants

15 years ago

IF, and it's a big IF...If I buy any plants this year, I'll be getting a 10% discount. I was offered a job this morning, finally, by the local home improvement warehouse. Let's grow something together.

It's not exactly what I wanted to be doing this summer, but I'm happy to have steady income now in this economy. There's even potential to turn it into a long term job if I play my cards right.

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Comments (18)

schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
Congrats, token. You'll be great.
plantmaven
15 years ago
Wonderful!
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little_dani
15 years ago
We all have times when we would rather be doing something else, but in this economy, I say hurray! Good for you!

Janie
thinman
15 years ago
Hey, a job's a job, and ten percent is ten percent. I just heard a poll today where they said that 15% of businesses say they will be hiring more help this year and 14% say they will be hiring less. Not the best news, but I suppose it could always be worse.

Congratulations on the job, Token.

ThinMan
FlowerLady6
15 years ago
Congratulations Tom. I'm sure you'll do well. I've taken a cut in hours and pay, but am still thankful to have my job. Times are uncertain these days and we have to do what we have to in order to keep on living each day. May our gardens bring us much color, peace and joy as we work in them.

FlowerLady
schoolhouse_gw
15 years ago
Amen.
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
... and a new door opens. That's fantastic, Tom!

It would be very dangerous for me to work in a home improvement center. I'd spend my whole paycheck there.

Edna
token28001
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everybody. Edna...It will take everything I have to keep the money in my pocket. The new kitchen cabinets came in this winter and my old 1940s kitchen is killing me. No counterspace, ugly cabinets, linoleum floor, and a bad layout make it hard for me to do more than cook a handful of recipes over and over. Maybe if I get a few projects of my own, I'll spend some money in there. Doing everything myself helps a lot, but I will need to hire an electrician. There are two outlets in the room. And I've already bought the light fixtures. I've had them for almost 2 years now. I found them on clearance at Lowes for $4 each. A box of 6 recessed halogens for $4. Can't beat that. They'll be out of style by the time I install them.

Also got word yesterday that the store manager wants to talk to me. I'm heading over again this morning to pick up a few things for the model I'm building for a client. I think he may want to talk to me about the Live Plant Specialist job. They just found out on Monday that the woman doing the job is leaving in two weeks. I really hope that's what he wants to talk about. It's supposed to be "good news" according to the manager that told me. It would be full time with benefits, better pay, and bonuses based on sales.

Got my fingers crossed.
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
Finger and toes crossed for you. Oh, that's even more dangerous ... plants *lol* Keep us posted.
girlgroupgirl
15 years ago
Good for you, Token.
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
15 years ago
Really hope it's good news, or even better, you can work there but not buy there...!!! just messing with you!!! lol!! Nancy.
token28001
Original Author
15 years ago
Still haven't heard from the manager. Either way, I'll be there Saturday for orientation. I know some people disparage big box stores, but it's a job and it's a NC company. That's got to count for something. :)
memo3
15 years ago
Congrats Tom! Any job in this economy is great news, so count your lucky stars. If you get a management position, all the better. You'll be able to move forward rather than just survive. Really great news!

MeMo
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
15 years ago
1940's kitchen,... at least you have a kitchen! I have been living in my husbands and mine woodshop for the last 3 years because all our money is going to my son's college education in an out of state school. We sleep in the office and cook on a camp stove in a corner of the unheated shop. The house still needs to be dried in. Almost there. I need more trips to the big box store LOL!!! Good luck on your job.
Redthistle
15 years ago
Congratulations on the job, Token! Hope the "Live Plant Specialist" job has your name on it.
token28001
Original Author
15 years ago
Finally, nearly a month later, they offered me the job today. Of course I took it. With the economy in shambles, model building isn't going to support my gardening habit. Tomorrow I will be official.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
15 years ago
Congratulations to them as well as you, you're not the only one that lucked out :o).

Annette
token28001
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. I've still got a lot to learn, but I love walking around talking about plants. One lady yesterday said she had never been in a Lowe's store where someone not only knew what Bacopa is, but showed her exactly where to find it. She said she and her friends would be back on Saturday.

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