How much vacation do you take?

[pomtzu]

With the economy and job market what it is now in the U.S, a lot of people will take whatever job they can find, regardless of the benefits. Some 10-15 years ago, you could shop around and be somewhat choosy, and take a job not only based on salary, but what benefits it had to offer. I wasn't overly happy with my job and I had considered finding a job elsewhere for more money, but that also involved finding a job with good benefits and within reasonable travel distance. I made decent money where I was, had great benefits, and only had to drive about 7 minutes to get there. I had job offers with more money, but traveling an hour each way would have defeated the purpose, and in the end, I would be losing, considering gas prices, tolls, wear and tear on my car, so it wasn't worth a change. And I sure wouldn't start a new job with 4 weeks vacation either. Money is a short term motivator in a lot of instances, and you really have to weigh all the options. I hope that somehow this economy will turn around in time for my grandkids to not have the struggle that so many people have today.

Sorry - I got a little off topic.........

[Randi]

With the economy and job market what it is now in the U.S, a lot of people will take whatever job they can find, regardless of the benefits.

I certainly would, too! It just seems hopeless to even get a shit job. When 30 year olds, fresh from University can't get jobs, how are we around sixty ever going to get one.

In my opinion, greed has contributed a lot to the mess we're in now. Still, some who screw up, still get their million $$ bonuses.

[pomtzu]

In my opinion, greed has contributed a lot to the mess we're in now. Still, some who screw up, still get their million $$ bonuses.

Yup - and the government bails their company out too. All of this when thousands of people are losing their homes to foreclosure and can barely feed their families. I'm glad I'm old!!! At least I don't have to worry about just starting out in life, and facing a lifetime of who know what anymore. Guess I never really had it so bad afterall.

[Glacier]

As much as possible! The only way to keep my hubby from going back to work early is to take him out of the country! We just got back from Honduras a couple weeks ago! Stuart is self-employed. There are no paid breaks ever. Even in Honduras, he was working at least an hour a day by email!

I have a very generous benefit package at work. I get 5 weeks of paid holiday time a year that can be banked indefinately. My boss encourages us to use it regularly. Every five years I get an extra week of "long service leave". It has to be used before I'm elegible for the next one.

I earn a day and a half a month of sick leave, which can also be banked. I currently have 6 months of sick leave banked. I rarely use it! I used two weeks last year; one after surgery to fix my wrist and another after I had laser surgery on my eyes.

I also have "special leave". It's kinda like personal leave for reasons other than illness. I get six days a year, but can bank up to 30 days of it which I have. People with kids use it way more than I do. I've only ever used it to attend funerals or take care of Stuart when he was injured.

I have a week booked off in May. Going to Saskatchewan to visit my family and meet my newest niece, who is due to arrive May 9. I have two weeks booked in September...I'd like to spend my 40th birthday on a beach somewhere. Gotta find a dogsitter for that before I book anything though! May dogsitter is already arranged.

I'm also doing a deferred salary plan at work. For the next five years, my employer witholds part of my salary and banks it. I get the 6th year off with pay. I could have done a shorter time period of banking, but this way it's less of a financial impact and in five years it will much much easier to find a critter sitter! I have a count down app on my phone..it's 1963 days from today until I'm off!

[Alysser]

As much as possible! The only way to keep my hubby from going back to work early is to take him out of the country! We just got back from Honduras a couple weeks ago! Stuart is self-employed. There are no paid breaks ever. Even in Honduras, he was working at least an hour a day by email!

I have a very generous benefit package at work. I get 5 weeks of paid holiday time a year that can be banked indefinately. My boss encourages us to use it regularly. Every five years I get an extra week of "long service leave". It has to be used before I'm elegible for the next one.

I earn a day and a half a month of sick leave, which can also be banked. I currently have 6 months of sick leave banked. I rarely use it! I used two weeks last year; one after surgery to fix my wrist and another after I had laser surgery on my eyes.

I also have "special leave". It's kinda like personal leave for reasons other than illness. I get six days a year, but can bank up to 30 days of it which I have. People with kids use it way more than I do. I've only ever used it to attend funerals or take care of Stuart when he was injured.

I have a week booked off in May. Going to Saskatchewan to visit my family and meet my newest niece, who is due to arrive May 9. I have two weeks booked in September...I'd like to spend my 40th birthday on a beach somewhere. Gotta find a dogsitter for that before I book anything though! May dogsitter is already arranged.

I'm also doing a deferred salary plan at work. For the next five years, my employer witholds part of my salary and banks it. I get the 6th year off with pay. I could have done a shorter time period of banking, but this way it's less of a financial impact and in five years it will much much easier to find a critter sitter! I have a count down app on my phone..it's 1963 days from today until I'm off!

I'm curious as to how you find a dog sitter for 16+ dogs?

[Glacier]

I'm curious as to how you find a dog sitter for 16+ dogs?

Well, it's not easy, but first and probably most importantly, I pay and pay well! Critter care is always a big part of our holiday budgeting! I'm always a bit amazed that anyone will agree to take this place on! Even more amazed that anyone agrees twice and are still my friends after!

I have paid airfare to bring a friend here to dogsit. She used to live here so it's like a paid visit for her. I'm hoping she'll be able to come again in September. I provide a car and gas card for non-local dogsitters. Locals can use the vehicle too, especially if they have to take a dog to the vet and want to avoid getting fur in their own car!

I always leave the fridge fully stocked along with a beer fridge full of whatever their drink of choice may be! I leave cash for supplies and a gift card to a gas station if the dogsitter lives in town normally. I make arrangements with both my vets so that the sitter can take any animal in any time without worrying about the bill. I made a book with a page for each animal, includes their picture, age, any medications they take and a description of their personality and habits. It has saved a few people from freaking out when they can't touch Delta or when Felicia comes limping through the room(her limp is permanent and doesn't bother her at all, but at first glance she looks like her leg is broken!). Also has a list of the basic chores that have to be done every day and a list of emergency phone numbers.

We have satelitte tv, wireless internet and a hot tub too! I also bring back presents from wherever we go!

We had the best dogsitter ever for awhile, but he went back to university down south. I tried to convince him to get his Master's degree on line, but he wouldn't go for it! He's coming back in May for a couple months. He's staying here while I go to see my family. I think he's more excited about hanging out here than I am about my new niece! I need to find a new Todd. It was very nice to be able to go away for even for a night and have someone we trusted completely stay here.

[chocolatepuppy]

I get 4 weeks paid vacation a year, after 15 years with the company. (I'll have 20 years this coming November) At 21 years, I get 5 weeks. We also get our birthday paid which we have to take in our birthday month or lose it. I can't save days into the next year, but can save some of them and take the money at the end of the year. I usually don't take all of my vacation. The last two years saving some days came in handy towards the end of the year when I was off on sick leave. The company will let you fill in blank spots left by sick pay (waiting week) and let you take one vacation day a week as 'pay only' to cover your weekly health insurance costs.

[Alysser]

Well, it's not easy, but first and probably most importantly, I pay and pay well! Critter care is always a big part of our holiday budgeting! I'm always a bit amazed that anyone will agree to take this place on! Even more amazed that anyone agrees twice and are still my friends after!

I have paid airfare to bring a friend here to dogsit. She used to live here so it's like a paid visit for her. I'm hoping she'll be able to come again in September. I provide a car and gas card for non-local dogsitters. Locals can use the vehicle too, especially if they have to take a dog to the vet and want to avoid getting fur in their own car!

I always leave the fridge fully stocked along with a beer fridge full of whatever their drink of choice may be! I leave cash for supplies and a gift card to a gas station if the dogsitter lives in town normally. I make arrangements with both my vets so that the sitter can take any animal in any time without worrying about the bill. I made a book with a page for each animal, includes their picture, age, any medications they take and a description of their personality and habits. It has saved a few people from freaking out when they can't touch Delta or when Felicia comes limping through the room(her limp is permanent and doesn't bother her at all, but at first glance she looks like her leg is broken!). Also has a list of the basic chores that have to be done every day and a list of emergency phone numbers.

We have satelitte tv, wireless internet and a hot tub too! I also bring back presents from wherever we go!

We had the best dogsitter ever for awhile, but he went back to university down south. I tried to convince him to get his Master's degree on line, but he wouldn't go for it! He's coming back in May for a couple months. He's staying here while I go to see my family. I think he's more excited about hanging out here than I am about my new niece! I need to find a new Todd. It was very nice to be able to go away for even for a night and have someone we trusted completely stay here.

Not trying to hi-jack the thread..

but wow!! Sounds like a real good deal you have set up. If you ever need a permanent dog sitter let me know..