Turning the Virtual Page: From Flyers to Job Boards

 

Lately, I've been learning a lot about shopping for deals. I recently came across a great app called Flipp—for anyone who hasn’t used it yet, it lets you search flyers from multiple stores based on your postal code. You can search for a specific item or browse within a particular store’s flyer. I've also learned that many flyer deals reset on Thursdays, which is helpful for planning.

I’ve been trying to get better at meal planning around key sale items. I usually start by checking what's on sale—especially meat or dairy—and then decide which store makes the most sense that week. What’s surprised me is how some "discount" stores are oddly expensive for certain things, while more "luxury" stores sometimes have better deals. It’s been a good exercise in being mindful about what I buy and where I buy it.

Strangely enough, I’ve realized that searching flyers feels a lot like browsing job boards. I don’t always know exactly what I’m looking for, but I need to learn to identify a good opportunity when I see it.

When I first started my job search, I panicked and threw out applications in every direction. Ironically, some of those roles I was less excited about are the ones now getting back to me with interview invites. That’s a tough spot—especially early in the search—because turning down an interview feels risky. What if no one else calls and I’ve blown my only shot?

It’s easy for your brain to spiral when you're worried about money and the future. But today, I’ve decided to recommit to applying the same mindset I use with groceries: I wouldn’t buy a food item I dislike just because it’s on sale—why apply to a job I wouldn’t want to do? From here on, I’m focusing on roles I actually want and feel ready to take on—something aligned with my interests and experience, but that also stretches me to grow.

Photo: An outdoor fruit market in Florida. Taken by me.