I Know Money Isn't Everything..But It Helps!
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
February 25, 2011 8:59am CST
We all get accused of being too materialistic at times BUT whenever a person works for a living and knows (deep down) they are not being paid what they are worth by the company, then it all gets a bit depressing and we all wonder why we bother.
Now, this has been happening to my John with Reeds. A couple of months ago Reeds were taken over by a company they do loads of business with, H & H Group. It has merged to become H & H Reeds Printers.
John had mixed feelings about it at first, even though H & H are a bigger company and are well-respected throughout Cumbria and beyond..but he needn't have worried so much because...he's got a 6 and a half percent PAY RISE!
What happened was; H & H looked into Reeds' wage structure and realised that none of them were being paid enough money. Of course, John knew this since he started there a couple of years ago. All the staff - after consultation with the Union, are getting a pay rise but some are getting a bigger one due to the lower wages they had to start with. This explains John's 6 and a half percent as opposed to 2% that a lot of them are receiving.
It comes into effect on 1st April 2011 and from that date onwards he will receive his pay MONTHLY. This will take some getting used to but I can advise him on that because I've (nearly) always got paid monthly so I was used to it.
How wonderful to receive some good news for once. It certainly makes up for my bike lock and pump selling for the sodding basic of 99p on Ebay last night! I coulda cried!!
What happened was; H & H looked into Reeds' wage structure and realised that none of them were being paid enough money. Of course, John knew this since he started there a couple of years ago. All the staff - after consultation with the Union, are getting a pay rise but some are getting a bigger one due to the lower wages they had to start with. This explains John's 6 and a half percent as opposed to 2% that a lot of them are receiving.
It comes into effect on 1st April 2011 and from that date onwards he will receive his pay MONTHLY. This will take some getting used to but I can advise him on that because I've (nearly) always got paid monthly so I was used to it.
How wonderful to receive some good news for once. It certainly makes up for my bike lock and pump selling for the sodding basic of 99p on Ebay last night! I coulda cried!!7 people like this
30 responses
@BarBaraPrz (45517)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Feb 11
Good to hear about John's raise effective April 1.
(Let's hope it's not an April Fool's joke...)
@BarBaraPrz (45517)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Feb 11
If you do do that, take someone with a video camera to record it for us.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Feb 11
If it is I'll be round there with my big mouth and let rip lol.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
I have a thng where I have "pick up only" so I don't post stuff anymore. I got caught out with postage when I posted a slow cooker off to someone..and I didn't take it to the Post Office BEFORE I listed the item. Silly me! So, there's me thinking it would be £7 tops to post and it ended up being nearly double that!!
I won't make that mistake again!
I agree that John will soon get used to being paid monthly. Well, he's going to have to isn't he?
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
27 Feb 11
This is some Good news for you, and one you should be Celebrating. I know many times so many of us continue to only wish we got paid more. I know I am one of them and considering when I am up for another raise in just over 4 months to submit a letter to them asking for more than what they will want to give me and see if it is accepted. I have been with my company almost 5 yrs. and know people who have been there a shorter amount of time, making what I do.
We are having some struggles here at the moment but know that everything is going to be OK. It is so True, Money isn't everything, but it really does help.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Feb 11
If you don't ask, you don't get, right? How I hate it though when others get more for doing the same work, that's hardly fair. Good luck with submitting your letter.
Unfortunately, our team didn't win yesterday (Carlisle United) so that was a bit of a damp squib lol.
At least Birmingham beat Arsenal today in the Carling Cup Final. Birmingham were the underdogs and I KNEW they would win! No-one else did though. They are still in the FA Cup as well (quarter-finals) so I hope they get to the Final and win that too!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm
The little videos may not play in the US but you get the general idea.
Unfortunately, our team didn't win yesterday (Carlisle United) so that was a bit of a damp squib lol.
At least Birmingham beat Arsenal today in the Carling Cup Final. Birmingham were the underdogs and I KNEW they would win! No-one else did though. They are still in the FA Cup as well (quarter-finals) so I hope they get to the Final and win that too!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm
The little videos may not play in the US but you get the general idea.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
I honestly do not know H & H and Reed's but based on your topic title.. yes money is not everything but is it something! Life is hard without it, i am not materialistic but i am practical, without money how will i be able to feed my kids? how will i be able to send them to good school and how will i be able to buy our needs..so without money life is indeed hard 
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Feb 11
It certainly makes life easier having money doesn't it? And if we go without money or have a little, then some more comes our way we didn't expect, well that's GREAT!
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
25 Feb 11
Hiya Janey,
Great News for you and John. There that is good for a change. How unusual for People to get a Pay Rise now when it´s more like a cut in Wages.
It does take some getting used to getting paid every Month you will get used to it very soon.
We get paid when they pay us and that is not every Month it´s when they feel like paying. Never mind about E-bay that is something that can happen to anyone.
Don´t cry then Janey not about E-bay at least. I felt like crying yesterday about a huge bill I had to pay but it´s to do with work and we are self employed so you know that you have to fund your own things.
Really pleased I am honest. Are you going to celebrate it somewhere? I know I would if it were me. Good luck to you both. xxx
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Feb 11
Well, all we need now is for Carlisle United to win tomorrow when we go to see them. I know we'd be going there anyway but we won't look as glum lol.
Thanks for your good wishes..and I'm "over" ebay now..I just thought it was a damn cheek of the guy winning it on 99p as I paid way more than that for the bike lock, in particular. However, it was my fault for not upping the ante before the auction started!
Oh, well, it all comes with experience, as with everything else in life.
Oh, well, it all comes with experience, as with everything else in life.1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
27 Feb 11
Hiya Janey,
Well did they win then Carlisle United? I don´t know you see. I don´t even get to find much about Wolves either sometimes.
Now I know something else about E-bay as well. Yes those kind of experiences are not that good but they make twice as cautious the next time around don´t they?
@kh_rabbe (195)
• Bangladesh
25 Feb 11
it's not true. Yes first i also think that money is not all. But now-a-days what's happening in world is forcing me to think that money is all. People can't have good food, home, cloths and good life also without money. Now-a-days respect is also depend on money. So for me money is a big thing.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Feb 11
Hello! Welcome to MyLot!
Unfortunately, we cannot live without money can we my friend? Over the last few years I have realised how little money I actually need but that's not the same as WANTING more money to get this house looking good, in order to sell it in future. No matter how frugal our lives may be we all want more money as it eases the pressure on paying bills and such-like.
John hadn't had a rise for about 4 years until today. I reckon there is another reason behind this; some workers may "walk" and find something else if they become too disillusioned. I know for a fact John's immediate boss is feeling undervalued at the moment. So, hopefully, this rise will help boost morale within the company, which can only lead to higher production!
Unfortunately, we cannot live without money can we my friend? Over the last few years I have realised how little money I actually need but that's not the same as WANTING more money to get this house looking good, in order to sell it in future. No matter how frugal our lives may be we all want more money as it eases the pressure on paying bills and such-like.
John hadn't had a rise for about 4 years until today. I reckon there is another reason behind this; some workers may "walk" and find something else if they become too disillusioned. I know for a fact John's immediate boss is feeling undervalued at the moment. So, hopefully, this rise will help boost morale within the company, which can only lead to higher production!
@squaredsoft (93)
• United States
27 Feb 11
I do not think money is everything. Although money plays a prominent role in our everyday lives, knowledge is the one that is truly everything.
The old proverb goes, "Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat forever." I believe this to be true.
The main reason we need so much money is because we are so reliant on goods and services, and we're spoiled in general. Money is needed, but we overvalue its importance and think we need much more to survive than we actually do.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
26 Feb 11
I am happy to hear that John has had a slight pay rise at work. At this time in the recession this is very welcome. When one company merge often redundancies happen and not usually pay rises. I so pleased for John and he most have been relieved not to have been made redundant or have a pay reduction. I am sorry to hear that your bike lock and pump got just 99 pence on E Bay yesterday.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
Many thanks for your kind words. It's about time he received some recognition in his job as he does work very hard for his money. He is a Virgo after all lol.
I was sorry that my stuff went for 99p on ebay as well..I shan't be using that amount as the minimum from now on.
Lesson learned..as they say.
It's about time he received some recognition in his job as he does work very hard for his money. He is a Virgo after all lol.
I was sorry that my stuff went for 99p on ebay as well..I shan't be using that amount as the minimum from now on.
Lesson learned..as they say.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
I should've started off the bidding at a minimum of £5 or something as it's not too dear and not too cheap either. I guess it's a learning curve, this ebay lark. In a bit I shall see if anyone has put another bid in for my MD player. Ooo, I do hope so.
As for John, he's a very happy man despite our team losing in a VERY dire footy game today.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16540)
• China
26 Feb 11
Today,even though we can't say "money talks" but without money we can't move a single step.I am glad that John has got a pay rise.Here mergers and acquisitions is also nothing new.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
Thank you. Well, in this case this merger will probably help Reeds in the long run. It's better to be taken over by them than not, in my opinion and my husband has done work for H&H for as long as he can remember, so it's highly unlikely that he'll be made redundant. This takeover - I feel has made his job more secure...and others too that he works alongside.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
I agree, that is that sad part about money but, unfortunately, we cannot live without it. No-one on this Earth can.
@asianjabba (158)
• United States
26 Feb 11
Congratulations on moving your life forward...and making more money while at it! All it takes is time and determination and as usual, a positive outlook on life. I hope all is well for you and your family in the future. As to the topic, money really does help if you have it. I am starting my second earning structure and it is hard and slow at first, but hopefully this will result in something steady.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
You sound like you have the patience to succeed my friend and I wish you all the luck in the world starting your "second earning structure."
Welcome to MyLot!
@anna18 (142)
• Philippines
26 Feb 11
In the company that I'm working, we worked for more than 40 hours a week, no medical insurance, no extra pay if the overtime is not scheduled. We are open for consultation, talk and solve problems but all these are not paid. Sometimes we do community work in which we have to spend but none of our expenses were given a refund.
It has always been said that we have to work. If one did one thing beyond his/her duty, we are always told that It is expected. I think money isn't everything. Respect to employees, even to those of the lowest rank, is something the company should have. The loyalty of those working even beyond their required number of hours were never acknowledge. As an ordinary employee, it is not just the salary that I came to work. Respect from the employee, the smile from the clientele who were cater everyday makes my day.
Salary or wages are the bonus. Company benefits such as health insurance is but vital for those you are employed.. just in case we get sick.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
I am sorry that you work for a company that doesn't value its employees. It does go on in this country as well, even moreso now as employees are frightened of losing their jobs so take on more work for the same pay, or don't get paid for doing overtime..fewer holidays..allsorts really.
In John's case, like I said, it's the RECOGNITION he's more pleased about than the extra money. I would feel the same way too if I was working there. It's extremely important to feel valued in the workplace, not just financially but with kind words and deeds. It does wonders to improve the morale of staff, just by telling them how wonderful they are.
Perhaps your management should be told this and I hope your working conditions improve soon.
It does go on in this country as well, even moreso now as employees are frightened of losing their jobs so take on more work for the same pay, or don't get paid for doing overtime..fewer holidays..allsorts really.
In John's case, like I said, it's the RECOGNITION he's more pleased about than the extra money. I would feel the same way too if I was working there. It's extremely important to feel valued in the workplace, not just financially but with kind words and deeds. It does wonders to improve the morale of staff, just by telling them how wonderful they are.
Perhaps your management should be told this and I hope your working conditions improve soon. @minitots (1)
•
26 Feb 11
That is good for you! I quite agree that money isn't everything but even the Bible says and I quote that "money answers all". I have found out that when we get depressed at our work environment, it is often an indication that our salary is no longer satisfactory and then we chose to either work harder to get a promotion or face a serious crisis of frustration or dissatisfaction. As time progresses, we either focus our positive energy at getting another job or getting a promotion or the bad energy directed at others displaying their own positive energies. However we look at it, a pay rise is always complimentary and somewaht flattering as though we have received a pat on our back. Good on you John!
@GardenGerty (157624)
• United States
25 Feb 11
Oh, what a nice change. It is good to be appreciated. Sometimes people just hang on because it is good to have a job of any kind. You and John will be feeling better about this company.Positive recognition tends to produce positive work outcomes. Sorry about eBay.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
I've got over Ebay now..but only just lol. I'm also having trouble with my bank sending money to my PayPal account (for Ebay's fees) as the amount wasn't recognised. This is probably due to it being a savings account but it has been verified so I'm a bit miffed to say the least. I've had to add another account i.e. my debit card, linked to my current account, which is something I should've done in the first place.
It is good for John to be appreciated at last. He's had dealings with H & H in his previous job so they all know that he's a good worker, as are many of them at Reeds. Let's hope they go from strength to strength..and move to Carlisle where H & H are. That would be ideal because it would reduce John's travelling time!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Feb 11
That's a good point you make there. In John's last job (well, for most of the time because they did move premises) he could actually walk to work. In this new company he has to drive 20 miles each way. In that time I would say the petrol has trebled in price and he drives an old car (no choice) but his wages have only just gone up to compensate for this. Gone are the days when employees received travelling expenses. You have to be an MP for that.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Feb 11
I suppose it's like a real-life auction isn't it? Houses can be auctioned off at a pinch but I'd HATE to do that. Imagine if it went for peanuts? I wouldn't be happy with that at all.
I get a bit fed up of people wanting to pay me cash instead of following the rules i.e. PayPal via Ebay. I say "PayPal only" and they still don't get the message.
Hopefully, my MD Player will sell for a huge sum..but don't hold yer breath!
Hopefully, my MD Player will sell for a huge sum..but don't hold yer breath!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
Oh, he needs it alright lol. It's certainly come along at the right time.
@Optimist104 (93)
•
26 Feb 11
Well, a bonanza like that is really mind shattering! While others have been getting their due desserts, John was perhaps overlooked! So, justice was served when he got back the 'real' increment. I am sure that new pay rise rate can be considered some form of arrears too.
So have fun spending the new found 'fortune'!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Feb 11
It won't be backdated (unfortunately) but I reckon it should..but anyway, a rise is a rise so I shouldn't complain. In this economic climate any extra money is a bonus.
Welcome to MyLot!
@yopyyop (187)
• Romania
25 Feb 11
I think it's normal to think all the time at money, especially on our days where everything is a around them. We all need money, not much or not too much, but we need them. End when you reached your target you realize that money aren't everything and you will be happier with other things also.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Feb 11
Yes, we can never have enough money can we, although that's not a problem for us at the moment as we never have too much of it!
