Here are 5 things you should know.
1. Many states consider a significant reduction in pay a “constructive dismissal” – if your employer reduces your wages due to the stimulus, you may be able to file under unemployment insurance.
Some sources!
https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/eligibility-benefit-amounts
Working Reduced Hours If you are working but your employer reduced your hours, you may be eligible for benefits. Your reduction in hours must not be the result of a disciplinary action or due to your request.
So if your hours are reduced, you can claim.
Next, if your pay rate is reduced here:
https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/efte/pay_agreements.html
Reductions in the pay rate are legal, but should never be retroactive (see below). Remember that pay cuts of 20% or more may give an employee good cause connected with the work to quit and qualify for unemployment benefits. Notice of any changes in the pay rate should always be in writing, for the company’s own protection, in order to minimize disputes over the rate of pay.
YOUR STATE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT IN CERTAIN WAYS
Obviously, check your local laws to confirm. It’s also worth noting that the stimulus package adds a static $600 to your unemployment benefits. You may be eligible to claim more than your typical wages for the next few months.
Also worth noting that employers cannot reduce wages for hours already worked (in the US, at least). This is only if they try reducing your future rate.
2. If you know someone that is trying to start their own business or be an entrepreneur then you should help them sooner rather than later. They will most likely fail if you wait to see if they “make it.” They need help in the short term in order to continue in the long term.
If you do want to support as a friend or family member then you should pay the market price and not expect a discount. Business owners sacrifice a lot to be able to serve you and it’s a disservice to them to expect a discount. It only harms their business by trying to take advantage of them.
Support for a business can be shown in multiple ways.
3. When ordering food for pick-up to eat at home, you can request that they don’t include plastic utensils with the order.
Most restaurants are currently either closed or limiting service to only To-Go orders, so most people ordering food are eating at home. Using reusable utensils at home is a small way to reduce plastic waste if you are able to do so.
4. If you can’t find your favorite brands of food staples in stores, you can often order them directly from the manufacturer.
Many companies accept orders from individuals as well as wholesale for store shelves, and will even waive shipping fees over a certain amount.
Just Google the company name to find their website and it should be easy from there.
5. There is a secular, science-based alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Whereas AA focuses on a spiritual approach to sobriety that may be triggering for some (or otherwise not a good fit), [SMART Recovery](https://www.smartrecovery.org/) takes a scientific approach that empowers the individual by providing tools and resources to recover from addictions. The model has evolved over the years to address the changes in our understanding of addiction. Here’s an article by someone who wrote about their switch from AA to SMART Recovery.
