Do I paint gourds for a living s/m
Posted By: gourdpainter on 2008-09-09
In Reply to: curious - I am QA
I do and love every minute of it.
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I sure wish I could go paint gourds.
Or just about anything else. Too poor to retire and can't think of another field to get into. But best wishes to all of y'all who DO get to leave MT and move on to something else!
And if you do paint gourds...
how do you do this and where do you sell them? I love to paint little things like pumpkins and such for Halloween, but have never seen much of a call for it other than that time of year. Would love to make money doing that all year round!
Do you really paint gourds? Just wondering.
I know it is off topic but cool, I wish I was an artist. I might get into making jewelry and try to sell that. I love artsy stuff.
Oh, by the way, I got tired too of not being paid to sit and stare at a screen and I did find something waaaay better. Still work at home, but for a local hospital, very small, no VR at all, they don't like it. Better benefits, better pay, better perks, better situation all the way around.
So, anyone out there miserable, yes, look. You would be surprised of what you can find. There is life beyond the nationals.
Do what I did and just send or email resumes out to every single thing you see. The final choice is up to you, just listen to what each has to offer and if no good, go onto the next one. Send to local places you would not even think twice about. Local hospitals, small local transcription companies, even insurance companies who don't outsource hire transcriptionists. Just try anything and everything.
Seek and ye shall find. Well, I did anyway. 
Gourdpainter going to paint gourds and do other things s/m
I would like to thank everyone who has responded to my posts in a nice way. My presence here seems to stir much dissension which is not and never has been my intent. I post on a number of forums that are of interest to me and never in all my days have I seen such HATEFUL, SPITEFUL people as some who post here.
To the friends I have met here, please stay in touch via email.
I wish all of you (even the hateful posters) the best.
Thanks all! The recruiter sure did paint a much
rosier picture! Said the work is easy, no ESLs, flexibility, etc. Too bad, I guess I will keep looking.
About that paint brush
I don't paint everything with the same brush either. Just as there are good people and bad people, I'm sure there are good MTSOs and bad MTSOs. I think part of the problem has come about with the greed (or survival) if you want to call it that. Let's say back maybe 20-30 years ago when MTSOs first gave medical facilities an option to deal with the fact that it was almost impossible to recruit qualified MTs. Up until maybe 10 years ago one couldn't pick up a newspaper in any town big enough to support a hospital where the classified ads weren't begging for MTs. I travel a fair amount and always look at the classifieds and I haven't seen an ad for MTs in several years in ANY newspaper classified.
The MTSOs were able to fill a gap. They would pay whatever bonuses were necessary, often 2-3x usual pay rates to get the work out and MTs would crank it out. The TAT as I recall was 24 hours for H&Ps unless they were stat. DS, if I remember anywhere close to accurately, the TAT was something like 4 days. Then more MTSOs came on board and in order for them to get in the action they offered shorter TAT with the argument that faster TAT meant faster $$$. It got to the point it was and IS ridiculous. Would a hospital go bankrupt if they didn't get their DSs within 3 minutes? I doubt it.
Next, we had the biiiiig MTSOs swallowing up the smaller ones until there are hardly any mom and pop MTSOs left. Either they could sell out or be put out of business because there was no way they could compete. Just like the big box stores, the big MTSOs can probably be profitable on maybe a 2% profit margin (volume), something that is totally impossible for a small MTSO. I know this because I have been on both sides of the fence. During my career I have worked for many hospitals and many MTSOs, some good, some not. I never worked in a hospital where the facility and the medical staff did not appreciate and have great respect for their MTs and treat them with respect and dignity.
Then we have the MT training programs. Again, probably good and bad. We've all seen the ads that promise people they can take a short course and make $30,000 annually right out of the chute. We all know better. We all spent our blood, sweat and tears learning to be professional, COMPETENT MTs. We all know that it takes a person generally in the neighborhood of 5 years to become proficient. It takes a physician much longer yet we are expected to speak the language of medicine fluently in a relatively short period of time. I cannot count the number of calls I have received and still receive from people who have taken this or that MT course and have never been able to find employment. I tell them that the best I can do is give them a place where they can get an extensive list of MT companies who if they beg and plead MIGHT allow them to test and if they test and pass they MIGHT be offered a job. I don't have the heart to tell them after spending their money to educate themselves, they would likely make more flippin' burgers. I also have people asking me all the time how they can get into the MT business. I have one word for them......DON'T.
Maybe MTs shouldn't go back so far as to be primma donnas as they were in the past but good grief! MTs and medical records have always been non-revenue producing departments in medical facilities but for MTSOs MTs ARE the revenue producers. It's kinda like killing the geese that lay the golden eggs.
I've seen the incompetence in medical records, including some of my family's records that have had to be corrected. We've all made mistakes because we are human but when someone transcribes pot of orange, it doesn't take much to see that person doesn't have a clue and the quality HAS sufffered because of inexperienced people trying to make a living under the most nefarious conditions. I, for one, can't fault people for worrying about paying the rent and feeding their kids!
Painter of Gourds...
why do you still feel compelled to paruse this board? If was retiring and no longer wanted to be an MT, I think I'd find the gourd painter message board and be very happy.
Why are you finding yourself still downing MT. Not all of us feel we'll have to buy a job. We don't all have bad luck and not all of us are down on the MT business. A lot of us are doing rather well and love this job...
Good luck with your retirement, but something tells me you'll be back after Thanksgiving... 
Do you have a website for your gourds, gourdpainter?
though gourds and stewed tomatoes go well together...n/m
nm
I can't paint worth a you-know-what but I'm in on that Caribbean crap selling gig ... let's
n/m
Aha !! Retired and painting gourds as a hobby? Envy you. nm
.
Isn't that what we do for a living?
That's why keyboards were invented.
They will not hire MTs living in CA or CT.
nm
How can she pay living expenses on that? nm
X
making a living
Is there anyone out there supporting themselves and able to make living with a transcription company? i I have been wanting to make a switch but need a push. thanks so much 
making a living
I have been an independent contractor for over 20 years (MT for 30) and have 5 kids which I have raised alone with no support from their dad. I have bought my own house, have a decent car, pay all my bills and my kids have many excurricular activities (which runs into moocha dollars). Hope this answers your question.
making a living
I would definitely recommend Transtech for you, and if you are full-time, they offer you benefits, and can provide you with a computer if needed.
Decent living..
In short....the answer about Is it possible to make a decent living with them, without having to work 40 or 50 hours per week?.... NO 
This is where living in a certain state...
makes a HUGE difference in such things. I currently pay for the insurance for my husband and I (no kids but still need family plan) through DeVenture and it costs me a brutal $136 per WEEK, and the copays for office visits and drugs are still hefty. This is one of the main reasons so many people in this state (Maine) are uninsured...it's just too frickin' expensive 
MQ looking to earn a living
With ASR making money is getting tougher and tougher. Years of transcription experience counts for nothing here.
You either need a job to fit your cost of living or a cost of living to fit your job. sm
While I agree that you cannot live in California on $35,000 a year, no one is forcing you to live in California. Suze Orman says either find a way to lower your expenses or find a way to earn more money. It's common sense :)
There was a post a few weeks ago about not everyone being cut out to be an MT. I agree.
The original poster needs to stop whining and either get a job that pays more or get a new career. She can make $15,000 on minimum wage at a mall or Walmart.
BTW, it was insulting of her to say that MOST woman don't need to work. How dare she? In this day and age, most adults need to work. This is not 1958, this is 2008. I am not a bra burner, but my husband and I both make similar money, clean the house, cook, raise our 3 children. I am just lucky to have a job where I can work from home. I hated commuting anywhere, hate traffic, no patience.
But that doesn't mean that I work less. I treat my job like a job. I work in my home office but I work all day. I do not do laundry, chat with friends, cook. I go to work each day by getting ready as if I were leaving for an office, pour my coffee, make sure I have everything I need and start. I take bathroom breaks and a lunch break and take the full hour that I would somewhere else. I work 8 full hours as I do not include my lunch hour, so my day is 8 to 5. When I am done for the day, I turn everything off, leave the room and close the door, as if I were in an outside office.
My husband has a salary of $71,000 and I make near the same as him each year. I do not work overtime except very rarely, an occasional Saturday here and there, just like if I were on salary in another profession.
I am not perfect, but I love my job and do it well. I also know that MT'ing is not for everyone, although it seems as if a lot of MT's who are not very good at their jobs have a sense of entitlement.
Try living in Delaware where the just
1,100 workers worked their last day on Friday. What do they tell their kids. You are worrying about a measly Christmas bonus and jealous of CEOs? What about these auto workers?
Have some dignity and stop with the 2-year-old me, me, me. Be lucky you have an income and are not being told sorry this is your last day a week before the holiday season.
No one is ever just happy they wake up in the morning these days. It's always want, want, want... 
Not sure what us living in the same state has to do with anything. sm
Everyone's experience with a company is different. I think it just all depends on what your specific needs are. It's disheartening when I hear that other people have had a bad experience with a company that I think highly of.
It's because they are living in a falsehood.
If the person just does a one liner to sound like they are bragging, they are just trying to ruffle feathers. Don't believe everything you read on this board. Its anon and it is open to the public.
Living Wage
I don't know exactly what I would call a living wage for a weekly amount. I can tell you that for my family of 5, the GOVERNMENT says that if I make less than approximately $40,000, that I qualify for various forms of government aid due to low-income status.
$40K divided by 52 weeks per year works out to about 1700 lines per day at 9 cpl.
If you're only making 5 cpl (case in point: That recent ad on the Jobs Bank!), then you would need to type 3076 lines per day in order to keep a family of five above the cut-off for food stamps and free lunches!
I think a living wage is
1 thousand dollars a week.
I guess I'm living proof
that past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior. Did you ever have your days in the beginning when you could have been one of their cheerleaders? I know I did. Yet, I still saw those unhappy posts and, rather than automatically think they were lying, instead I wondered how they got so unhappy. I think I found the answer.
Variables in cost of living
Some states sound good, but then check out the taxes - real estate tax, personal property tax, sales tax, cost of heating/cooling, transportation, license plates, insurance, etc. A lot of it balances out in the end. Some states have outrageous license plate fees, (I paid over $600 for my car last year). I also get a personal property tax bill each year for everything including my dishes and silverware. State income tax is out of sight. Cost of heating in winter is unbelievable. I have to have 2 sets of tires for the car, 1 for winter, 1 for summer. I have to have 3 complete wardrobes for the weather changes.
How do they make a living if they don't get paid for their
services. I don't know that they get a percentage of the line rate, doesn't make sense that it would be like that, but I'm sure they get a flat fee. The MT doesn't pay, the company does. I didn't ask them about getting paid because that was none of my business. Maybe they don't get paid unless the MT accepts a position. A lot of companies offer referral bonuses, could be the same thing with TM.
We have to make a freakin' living
..
living "in the sticks"
I too live where there is no DSL or cable option. I use wild blue satellite. It is fairly affordable, though more expensive than DSL, but it works great - I started out downloading with dial up, and the difference is wonderful. You can Google search wild blue to check out the service closest to you.
does anyone know the cost of living in Bangalore? I need a job... lol nm
x
Cost of Living Increases
I work for a large MTSO and after four years have not received a cost of living increase. Is this standard operating procedure? Things cost more than they did four years ago. Do you think CEO is getting the same pay as four years ago? Any thoughts?
barely making a living
Used to make a decent living but lately (past 2 years) have not. Major pay cuts in all 3 jobs (per diem to hourly and page count to line count) and big expense of benefits for single mom and 2 kids.
I sort of lost all my incentive and feel very used. Thought my salary would increase over the years (or at least stay the same), not decrease. Keep trying to get motivated but can't seem to get there.
I am currently employed by a national, benefits are $550 a month and I have no control over how my lines are being calculated, plus it is on a 74 character line, not even 65 so my lines in my pay are way lower that what the company is calculating already.
Recently tested and interviewed with another national but they pay per page (which was way less than my page rate 10 years ago) and beneftis were more than $600 a month.
Any suggestions and ways to get motivated again would be appreciated.
Yes, you are living in a dream world, but you might get 11 cpl
nm
Terrible....can't make a living on that.
`
See the TransRAD ad for 7 cpl? No one can earn a living on that! If you see this
How many foster children are living with you?
The two comments made after my initial post left me so frustrated that I debated on responding. In the real world, most consider me to be kind hearted and easy going. For that reason, I usually avoid controversial issues for the sake of arguing.
This particular subject matter just hits very close to home and I have zero tolerance when misinformed people offer unwarranted advice. I feel it's very inconsiderate. The OP just asked about companies with insurance plans that covered IVF. She didn't come here asking for opinions or the blessing of MT Stars. What she is going through is difficult enough without complete strangers (probably sitting home with their 2-3 kids)telling her that wanting to start a family with her husband is completely unnecessary. I'm still amazed at how cold people can actually be.
Now to respond to your post.
First of all, if you did any research at all on the foster care and adoption systems in this country, you would not only be saddened, but you would not have posted. I'm not trying to be mean at all, but you are truly so misinformed that I don't know where to start.
My husband and I actually looked into foster parenting and even took the classes. We have a couple of friends as well as my in-laws who are foster parents. First of all, becoming a foster parent IS NOT a permanent situation. The small percentage of adoption that does result from being a foster parent can take up to 5 or 6 years! Plus, a very high number of foster children have special needs, severe behavioral problems, or mental issues caused from abuse. I do have one daughter who was 4 at the time we were taking classes. After spending years being protective parents, researching, and taking classes,we were afraid of exposing our small child to the abuse (physical, mental, sexual, drugs), that put these unfortunate children in foster care to begin with.
Yes you are right about so many beautiful children that need homes. There are literaly 1,000s of childless couples in this country that would love nothing more than to get serious about caring for them. Have you tried to adopt in this country? Good luck if you decide to take your own advice. You are looking at a long waiting list, tons of red tape and buracracy, not to mention a few grand. Oh and there is that chance after you have brought that sweet child home and bonded with him/her, that the crack-head bio-mom will decide she wants to play house and ger her an attorney (that you are paying for with your tax dollars.) After the court hearings are finally over (1-2 years later) you can kiss that little one good-bye. I've seen it happen to people very close to me...not on Lifetime. It does happens.
Seriously, why do you think so many Americans pay obscene amounts of money for international adoptions? Think about it.
Out of curiosity, do you have children?
and when you can't make a living anymore--sm
due to schloping American jobs to third world countries..it will be too late for ANY solution.
Can you make a living at home?
I have been an on-site MT for 15 years and have clinic-only experience in several specialties. I am considering a change to working from home. I am wondering if it is possible to work from home and still make good money. Do you folks feel that you do just as well as you would working on-site?
Has anyone made a substantial living off of an MLM?
I am talking about those companies where you sell and recruit...mainly recruit. My cousin has been a real PITA. She just signed up on one and has been on me to have a party or grab this golden opportunity and make lots of money. I really hate her speeches because she tells me like I have never heard it before but it is the same verse I have heard by many different at-home sales opportunities. They all say that you can make tons of money working part-time from home. They show people with fancy cars and fancy homes with swimming pools all thanks to this particular MLM. I have seen so many people join up with these things but never have seen anyone succeed. Has anyone else? Anyone else would have gotten a door in their face or a click and a dial tone if this was done by call but I cannot seem to do this to family. I have bought toys from her but I cannot buy every time. Boy does she make a person feel like a but-looser for it too as in No I don't want to spend anymore time with my kids.. No I don't want to buy educational toys for my kids. No I don't want to make 10k working part-time from my home. UGG
Can you do both and making a living there? In a word, NO nm
nm
Then I guess I have been living in a cave...sm
too huh? What the h** is up with you? Let me guess, you are of Oriental descent? I have still not figured out what is wrong with the word Oriental.
Does anyone really make a good living doing VR??? sm
I currently work for one of the larger MT companies that is mostly VR, platform isn't bad, but just not able to get my line count up. I was curious if it just me or if there were MTs out there who were doing good on VR and glad they have made the switch. Thanks.
you are living in the real world. sm
When some of these people get to that point they have to then they will be screaming for work and will type whenever they can.
Cost of living is higher
In eastern bloc and Ireland and India. They're gonna want as much as we make. And if not now, then soon once they seal the deal. Plus our HIPAA laws still don't apply anywhere but here. There is still that.
It also depends on your cost of living.
I live on the California coast, which basically means I can't make a living at the national going rate. Fortunately, I also have one small local account that pays at a rate commensurate with the local cost of living, and because I have this, I can survive. Not sure I'd call it a good living, but I can get by.
So what on earth are we supposed to do for a living then?
x
Living in a "security compound". Now that
.
Oh, but its OK that the MTs barely make living wages?
Shall we feel sorry for the poor MTSOs now? Please...buying meat past the expiration - most of this winter I had to hit the FOOD BANKS, and while working full time.
Not bizarre at all, and chances are, this person isn't living in the US. sm
A lot of the offshore companies front a business here but they are actually in India or Pakistan or whatever. Of course, they never tell you that.
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