Thursday, February 7, 2008

Not a good day...

Today is one of those not so good days. Actually, I don't even know if this is such a good year. Anyway, trying to put a positive perspective on things is something I am finding hard to do this morning.

It all actually started a few days ago. At the beginning of the month, I always try to put my accounts in order. This month was especially difficult, as back payments from my loans started coming in, and the banks started calling. Anyway, the difficult times have started. It's a bit like the movies, when you can see trouble looming, but you just don't know what to do. I have always tried to be competent with my finances, but you see, it's not me that is the problem. Or is it? You see, I know I don't scatter my money around, not knowing what I pay for, or not thinking about tomorrow. I don't squander pennies on things I don't need. The problem is that I just don't get paid. Teaching is a profession that is difficult. I spend many hours trying to get work together for the kids, and finding new processes to help them learn, but the truth is that this is a private school, and even though I try, parents just don't pay me when they should, so everything goes haywire. I've tried many things - asking politely to be paid, sending notes home to parents, phoning and insisting on them bringing in the money, but nothing works.

Now, things have become too tiring to face. I can feel myself falling into a depression, I can't teach, I can't even get myself ready for lessons. The only thing on my mind is how I am going to get my money. I know you're thinking what about legally? Why not try that road. Well, for one, think about the expenses of chasing each and every person who owes money through the courts, and the other thing is - this is Greece, and as all things, people's rights are the last thing taken into consideration.

Anyway, today is not a good day, and I just needed to talk...to somebody other than the banks and debt collectors. Change is necessary, and it has to be done quickly... I just don't know how any more. Maybe you could give some advice...

3 comments:

GeekGoddess said...

I've never been in this situation but to me it seems ridiculous that you be working to teach kids without getting paid. You could write up a contract that gives a deadline (say, 2 weeks) for the parents to pay and if they haven't paid in full by that date, you refuse to teach their kids. You can be kind, but firm and say you are running a business here and you have bills to pay too. After all, if they stop coming, that means you'll have more time for the people who DO pay or time to look for other job opportunities. I think you should just put your foot down. Best of luck! I know Greeks are such pains to deal with. :(

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