This is a sign you have an unhealthy risk pool

I recently received my COBRA paperwork from my previous employer. The COBRA rate for my high deductible ($2.5K) plan is $532/month! I looked on the exchange, and I can buy a comparable plan for around $200/month. The COBRA administrative fee is only 2%, so that tells me my former employer has either an extremely unhealthy risk pool or is the world's worst negotiator. My employer 2 jobs ago had a Cadillac plan, and their COBRA was less than my most recent employer's.

On a related note, the health insurance for my new job starts on day 91. My current coverage is good until mid-Sept. I bought a 2 month short term policy for under $100 total on ehealthinsurance.com.

Favorite line from the employee handbook at my new job

If leggings are worn please insure that your top/blouse is long enough to cover your rear end.

I laughed out loud when I read it.

This makes no sense

Saturday I mailed something to Florida, a destination over 12 hours away. It arrived on Monday, a transit time of 1 day. I was impressed.

Friday I mailed something to a city 30 minutes away. It didn't arrive until today, a 3 day transit time. I was not impressed.

This situation makes no sense.

Same song, different band

This morning 5 salespeople got fired at my company. It seems "Another One Bites the Dust" is popular in many workplaces.

My new exercise routine

My last job had a gym in the room next door to our office. It was so convenient to use when it was too hot, cold, or rainy to walk outside. My new job doesn't have this, but it has something that's going to be equally useful to my health. We are located on the top floor of a 5 story building, so there are lots of stairs available for use. I've committed to myself that I will take them up once per day and down every time. I generally leave the building twice a day to get outside for a break, so that's 3 downs per day. That is no big deal. But up! The first day was shall we say a bit humbling. I envision really upping my cardio function and leg muscles in the upcoming weeks and months.

Job search update

After negotiation and careful consideration, last Monday I accepted one of the two jobs I was offered, and I declined the other. My background check was completed the next day. I immediately called my present employer and gave notice. My last day at this job is Tuesday of next week, and I start my new job the next day. 

Friday of last week I got a call from the employer with whom I interviewed on Monday. They wanted me to take a personality assessment and complete information for a background screen. I told them that unfortunately I had already accepted another position. On Tuesday of this week I got an interview request for another position to which I have applied. I thanked them for their interest and declined the interview.

It is crazy that it works this way. I've been seriously job searching for over a year with very little results. Now, jobs are practically falling out of the sky. I told my coworker that if I'd been offered any of these jobs by itself, I would have taken it. This is not an usual phenomenon as I have seen it with my job seeking customers at work more than once. It is definitely nice to be wanted. I am very much looking forward to starting my new job in 5 days.