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How One Woman Survived Unemployment: She Enjoyed It
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
During her eight-month jobless stint, Amy Tinsley of Houston may well have been the happiest unemployed woman in America.
Tinsley, a former marketing director for a local law firm, was laid off in December. It was the first time since age 16 that she’d been without a job. Unlike most of America’s unemployed, however, Tinsley wasn’t fretting about her down time. In fact, she welcomed it.
With a healthy severance package, she paid off her car note and used her savings to pay her other bills — a full year in advance.
“Knowing that I wouldn’t have an income, I just decided in my head that I would give myself one full year to find a job. So I paid all my bills up for a year. I just took whatever I paid in light bills, cell phone bills, my cable bill and just multiplied it by 12 and sent a check into each one of these places so I would be paid up,” Tinsley said. “At least I wouldn’t have to be stressed out about paying for my bills.”
With a year’s worth of bills out of the way, Tinsley used her unemployment insurance to pay her mortgage. And for the next eight months, Tinsley, 38 and single, relaxed and enjoyed herself while she looked for a job.
“Getting laid off was really a blessing,” she said. “I’ve had eight months of ‘me’ time. Eight months to really think about what kind of things I’m interested in and, if I decide to go into a new career, what that would be.”
Tinsley’s friends call her hiatus, a “no-job vacation.”
“Because that’s what it is,” Tinsley said. “I’ve visited friends I haven’t seen in years. I’ve read books that I’ve been wanting to get to. I exercise. I took salsa and belly-dancing classes. I went to Paris. I went to Egypt. And I go to bed at night knowing that I can actually sleep in in the morning, knowing there’s not anywhere that I need to be. It’s been fantastic.”
In addition to planning a golf tournament for a local nonprofit agency, Tinsley managed to put out more than 100 resumes during her “job search.”
After two months of interviews, a couple weeks ago she took a business development position with a New England computer software firm that specializes in e-mail marketing products.
Tinsley is ecstatic.
“This is a company I really wanted to work for, and it feels good that I’m getting the job I want. It’s not just a job I’m taking just to pay my bills,” she said.
And, she’ll be working from home.
© 2009, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. A service of YellowBrix, Inc. © 2009, YellowBrix, Inc. 
RedHorse7
2 months ago
24 comments
Amy's story is very uplifting. However, I must submit that this isn't the norm for most of us on a "no job vacation". I've been unemployed for 14 months and was lucky enough to pay off my car loan. I'm single with no kids; however, those unemployment checks won't last forever and they're just enough to "keep the wolves at bay". I've applied to at least a hundred job ads with only two resulting in interviews. I've worked since age 16 and now it appears I may have to take a 2009/2010 job which pays a 1989 salary! Where's that "hope and change" I've been hearing about?
dawsonmona
2 months ago
2 comments
that is great for someone with a severance, no kids etc.. but lets get real here this is not the normal layoff scenerio. With the umemployment rate skyrocketing this is very unrealistic.
I have been out of work now for over 9 months and it has been little of a vacation...plus this is my second layoff in 2 years.. It has been a nightmare of being a final candidate in three positions with the position being closed due to fear. Wish we all had it this good! I have been able to avoid some major things like losing my home, I am not able to support my son in college this year, nor get by on little to zero child support for my 13 y/o daughter that I RAISE as a single mom.
I have been able to do gratis work for two start up companies rolling out a sales force.. this helped me keep my sanity but was still costly driving to get the job done.
I have been able to sell off alot of things I did not need but it still is very worrisome to be out fo full time work. Currently I am working on starting my own rep group and working on merchandising and rolling out a activewear line.. while I sell on commission for a major apparel company. I just hope and pray and have faith that God will put me in the right place at the right time.
sysmith87
2 months ago
20 comments
Thank you for this encoraging story.
julien
2 months ago
2 comments
I lack the finances to feel such leisure but I did enjoy my time off and the time I now get between contract work. I must however spend more time reading because I am no longer amused by Jerry Springer and his one hundred variations of "who's your baby daddy" LOL
StefF
2 months ago
84 comments
I'm on a 'no job vacation' myself. I haven't been as busy as Amy, but I have enjoyed my time off. I got a certificate as a Medical Claims and Billing Specialist and I'm trying to get a home business off the ground. And I've been looking for work locally. I have a lot more time to read, crochet and cook.
Sam4325
2 months ago
4 comments
I'm currently taking a "no job vacation" in my last semester of college, leaving plenty of 'me' time and room for volunteering. Like most people I worked full time straight through high school and college, and now I can finally travel and spend time with family. Like Amy I've sent out a plethora of applications and only for places I want to work for. It's time to do something good for myself. It's only til December, but I'm loving every minute of it!
nicholew
2 months ago
4 comments
This truly is an awesome story. While everyone may not be able to follow in Amy's footsteps with the finances, it's important to learn a lesson. How we approach any situation is important.
I was laid off in May with a small severance package. I knew it could come which helped me the day I walked out the door. I had the summer off to do whatever I wanted to do. Today I find myself in need of finding a new job but I also have put plans in place to start my own business as well. I'm happy, regardless of my situation and it shows.
Find some good in difficult times. It will help guide you through.
vitamariesaint
2 months ago
2 comments
well most of us don't have that great severance package and a mortgage low enough to pay w/ measly unemployment. but kudos to you for having these luxuries...........
Account Removed
2 months ago
That's absolutely a fantastic story, it's fun to see a happy ending with a positive spin. However, I'd hazard a guess that few people would be able to follow in her shoes. Luckily I was able to follow a similar path thanks to my then boyfriend, now husband but my story had a lot more stress revolving around health insurance and bills. But the moral I'm taking from this story is to search for the silver lining...and I love the idea of paying bills far in advance. Nothing better than a bill with a "you owe $0"