We planted the tree outside the church today. Darling, his sister, her husband, and their two children, three shovels, a spade, a box of ashes, and a Cherokee Brave Dogwood. The soil was dry clay and rock.
...
Tomorrow we attend a wedding in the mountains. I'm wearing the same borrowed dress I wore to my brother's, and the sensible heels I found in the trash.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Visit In VA
Blogging from beautiful, chilly Virginia. We arrived by plane about 24 hours ago. I had a migraine on the plane, which was one of the worse experiences ever. The difference between a migraine and normal headache for me is my desperate need to lie curled up in a ball on the ground. Every inch away from the floor feels like another ton of pressure on my sinuses. Migraine at 1500 feet? Not fun at all.
Today was spent organizing my mother-in-laws possessions. Darling and his sister spent hours agonizing over every rubber band, letter, hat...Too much to keep, too much to dispose of. Most of it was finally packed into bags, brought back into the house and garage, and promised to Goodwill 'any day now.' Not that they didn't do a huge amount of work. We also picked out a Dogwood to plant at Mother-in-laws church in her memory tomorrow, and spent all evening going through photos.
Today was spent organizing my mother-in-laws possessions. Darling and his sister spent hours agonizing over every rubber band, letter, hat...Too much to keep, too much to dispose of. Most of it was finally packed into bags, brought back into the house and garage, and promised to Goodwill 'any day now.' Not that they didn't do a huge amount of work. We also picked out a Dogwood to plant at Mother-in-laws church in her memory tomorrow, and spent all evening going through photos.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Basic Update
Last night I served made-from-scratch egg rolls served on a bed of rice. First dinner made at home in a little over a week. And tonight Darling made delicious veggie chili and rice.
Tomorrow Darling and I head up to Virginia, so you may not hear from me until Thursday of next week. I won't be calculating our net worth or posting our priority list until then.
I made a lot of unrealistic promises to myself about this month's accomplishments. Until today, we weren't sure we'd be able to afford rent. There is some money for debt servicing, but not a whole lot. Darling probably won't be returning to his current job when we come back from VA, so we might be living off of my tips for a week or two. So that decision I made to reach our pre-European-vacation net worth by now? Not happening.
Tomorrow Darling and I head up to Virginia, so you may not hear from me until Thursday of next week. I won't be calculating our net worth or posting our priority list until then.
I made a lot of unrealistic promises to myself about this month's accomplishments. Until today, we weren't sure we'd be able to afford rent. There is some money for debt servicing, but not a whole lot. Darling probably won't be returning to his current job when we come back from VA, so we might be living off of my tips for a week or two. So that decision I made to reach our pre-European-vacation net worth by now? Not happening.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A Clean Footprint
When we first moved into our townhouse, we were pleased by the tiny back yard. Not much at all, but room enough for a potted garden like we had in Virginia.
8 months later, and we have no garden beyond the potted palm - well, un-potted palm - friends helped me rescue in a daring dumpster dive. It was given a not-quite-temporary home in a cardboard box on our back stoop while we looked for an affordable pot. In the meantime, our tiny yard was ravaged by monstrous un-dead weeds.
Bizarrely, it was our electric bill that made me decide to whip that area into shape. Never mind that the coin-operated dryer we use has no effect on our bill, karma is obviously telling us our carbon footprint is too heavy. So I moved the palm into a new temporary home: a plastic litter container from the kitty-sitting days. Then I redistributed the spilled soil around the yard, ripping up armfuls of weeds as I went. At first I wondered how to move the weeds from our house to the dumpster in the parking lot, then decided to stack them in the far corner of the fenced-in area instead. We now have a make-shift compost pile of sorts. I would feel guilty about this resulting "mess" the landlords will have to deal with after we move, but it was their responsibility to maintain our yard in the first place.
Our stoop swept, the tree dealt with, and the yard slightly more manageable, I took from our closet the washing line Darling and I bought when moving here from my brother's way back in January. I strung it between three fence posts, creating a triangle of rope. Just about enough room to hang a load of washing. Clothes, towels, and sheets are hanging on it now. I don't have any clothespins, so I used our abundance of twisty ties to secure smaller items like socks and underwear.
I don't think the entire project took an hour, it cost no money, we saved energy, and we saved the $2 it cost to run the dryer. I also called the leasing office about the broken air conditioner, the actual cause, I believe, of our insane electric bill.
8 months later, and we have no garden beyond the potted palm - well, un-potted palm - friends helped me rescue in a daring dumpster dive. It was given a not-quite-temporary home in a cardboard box on our back stoop while we looked for an affordable pot. In the meantime, our tiny yard was ravaged by monstrous un-dead weeds.
Bizarrely, it was our electric bill that made me decide to whip that area into shape. Never mind that the coin-operated dryer we use has no effect on our bill, karma is obviously telling us our carbon footprint is too heavy. So I moved the palm into a new temporary home: a plastic litter container from the kitty-sitting days. Then I redistributed the spilled soil around the yard, ripping up armfuls of weeds as I went. At first I wondered how to move the weeds from our house to the dumpster in the parking lot, then decided to stack them in the far corner of the fenced-in area instead. We now have a make-shift compost pile of sorts. I would feel guilty about this resulting "mess" the landlords will have to deal with after we move, but it was their responsibility to maintain our yard in the first place.
Our stoop swept, the tree dealt with, and the yard slightly more manageable, I took from our closet the washing line Darling and I bought when moving here from my brother's way back in January. I strung it between three fence posts, creating a triangle of rope. Just about enough room to hang a load of washing. Clothes, towels, and sheets are hanging on it now. I don't have any clothespins, so I used our abundance of twisty ties to secure smaller items like socks and underwear.
I don't think the entire project took an hour, it cost no money, we saved energy, and we saved the $2 it cost to run the dryer. I also called the leasing office about the broken air conditioner, the actual cause, I believe, of our insane electric bill.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Days Off
It was so good to have Monday off! Even though I had to deal with the heavy job of shopping by myself, didn't eat out, and wanted to be spending much more time with my poor working Darling...oh man, sleep is so very good.
Noting that we haven't had time to eat more than breakfast these past several days, I bought morning and snack-type items such as cranberries, raisins, unsweetened shredded coconut, apples, eggs, powdered soy milk, OJ, (incredibly expensive) organic almonds, and granola (on sale). Hopefully a few weeks from now I will have an evening or two free to re-introduce dinner to our lifestyle.
So this is how we eat right now. There's a lot of repetition, not enough fruit or veg, and plenty of whole grain. Maybe a year from now around this time I will do an update and see how things differ.
In other news, Darling and I are having our first day together in a loooong time. I'll be baking bread and catching up around the house, and he will be job hunting. It looks like we will be a single-income household when we come back from Virginia. Darling is just too unhappy with his company right now. I have one more double shift tomorrow, and it looks like we'll be able to afford rent...at the very last minute :) Which of course means we get the phone bill in the mail...
Noting that we haven't had time to eat more than breakfast these past several days, I bought morning and snack-type items such as cranberries, raisins, unsweetened shredded coconut, apples, eggs, powdered soy milk, OJ, (incredibly expensive) organic almonds, and granola (on sale). Hopefully a few weeks from now I will have an evening or two free to re-introduce dinner to our lifestyle.
So this is how we eat right now. There's a lot of repetition, not enough fruit or veg, and plenty of whole grain. Maybe a year from now around this time I will do an update and see how things differ.
In other news, Darling and I are having our first day together in a loooong time. I'll be baking bread and catching up around the house, and he will be job hunting. It looks like we will be a single-income household when we come back from Virginia. Darling is just too unhappy with his company right now. I have one more double shift tomorrow, and it looks like we'll be able to afford rent...at the very last minute :) Which of course means we get the phone bill in the mail...
Monday, September 24, 2007
Not The Best Week For Food
Yesterday I left for work at 10:00 a.m. and didn't get back home until after 4 this morning. The entire week has been like that. Because he can't afford any more vacation time, Darling has been working insane hours himself so he can get the Friday-Wednesday off we need for Virginia. So we have not been the happiest of campers lately, nor had a lot of time to focus on food.
Yesterday there was just enough time to whip up some whole-wheat pancakes served with honey before missing the bloody bus (over ten minutes early) and jogging to work. I get one free meal a day at work, so lunch was a veggie pizza without cheese (my stomach's been acting strangely lately, so I'm cutting down on dairy). At around 1 a.m. I had a basket of fries to get me through the rest of the evening/early morning.
Darling took a piece of frozen pizza and had a candy bar at work, then came home and had pasta.
Today my love has to work, so I will be buying his lunch and shopping myself. I even had to prioritize our list alone. Since we'll be taking some of this week off and not shopping for a few days after we get back, I'll be focusing on a few hardy fruits and veg and some pantry stuffing. I need to have a good stash of dried fruits, nuts, and flours for our fall baking.
Yesterday there was just enough time to whip up some whole-wheat pancakes served with honey before missing the bloody bus (over ten minutes early) and jogging to work. I get one free meal a day at work, so lunch was a veggie pizza without cheese (my stomach's been acting strangely lately, so I'm cutting down on dairy). At around 1 a.m. I had a basket of fries to get me through the rest of the evening/early morning.
Darling took a piece of frozen pizza and had a candy bar at work, then came home and had pasta.
Today my love has to work, so I will be buying his lunch and shopping myself. I even had to prioritize our list alone. Since we'll be taking some of this week off and not shopping for a few days after we get back, I'll be focusing on a few hardy fruits and veg and some pantry stuffing. I need to have a good stash of dried fruits, nuts, and flours for our fall baking.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sleepy Post
Last night's dinner was spaghetti and a simple finger-food salad of sliced carrots, cucumber, and celery. More oatmeal for breakfast this morning, as well as another double to look forward to at work. Monday will be such a relief...assuming I manage to get it off.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Defeat of Daunting Celery
I got home at 3 a.m. last night, not having made an impressive sum of money despite being too busy to eat anything substantial since pancakes that noon. A little frustrated that Darling hadn't made or left any dinner, and too tired even to microwave some pizza myself, I crawled into bed and passed out instead. There were vegetables and yogurt in the fridge, oatmeal, apples, boiled eggs, bread and peanut butter...It was definitely more a case of being too tired to chew than the result of a sparse pantry.
When Darling and I don't wake up together, my breakfast is a simple bowl of hot oatmeal. Today I added flax meal and a little bit of brown sugar. Not only is this meal comforting and delicious, but the complex carbs will keep me energized well into the afternoon.
I also decided to have some celery and peanut butter. I really wanted some last night, but the task of dealing with the huge, slightly wilted stalk was too daunting. This morning I chopped up the entire batch, so next time it will be a case of pulling a handful out of the fridge and snacking away.
When Darling and I don't wake up together, my breakfast is a simple bowl of hot oatmeal. Today I added flax meal and a little bit of brown sugar. Not only is this meal comforting and delicious, but the complex carbs will keep me energized well into the afternoon.
I also decided to have some celery and peanut butter. I really wanted some last night, but the task of dealing with the huge, slightly wilted stalk was too daunting. This morning I chopped up the entire batch, so next time it will be a case of pulling a handful out of the fridge and snacking away.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
More on shopping and bulk
Today we had a late brunch of yogurt, apples, and raisin pancakes with honey. Then Darling and I had to rush out on different errands. My love, who has his first class this evening, packed an apple and a boiled egg to keep him alert until dinner tonight. I had several pancakes leftover, which have been wrapped and frozen for future breakfasts.
I was asked why we would take empty margarine and yogurt containers with us to the store. In both Virginia and Texas I have discovered a number of stores have a bulk foods section where you can scoop as much flour, candy, nuts, dried fruits, etc, as you need into plastic bags. We take our empty containers (yogurt and margarine are the only two things we buy regularly that come in containers) and use those to transport bulk foods. We note the container's weight, first, to make sure we don't get charged extra, and not only do we help the environment by reducing plastic bag consumption, but we also get a discount for our trouble. The best part? No more suddenly leaky bags on the way home :)
I was asked why we would take empty margarine and yogurt containers with us to the store. In both Virginia and Texas I have discovered a number of stores have a bulk foods section where you can scoop as much flour, candy, nuts, dried fruits, etc, as you need into plastic bags. We take our empty containers (yogurt and margarine are the only two things we buy regularly that come in containers) and use those to transport bulk foods. We note the container's weight, first, to make sure we don't get charged extra, and not only do we help the environment by reducing plastic bag consumption, but we also get a discount for our trouble. The best part? No more suddenly leaky bags on the way home :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Cheating?
Food update: For breakfast I made chocolate chip pancakes, made with white flour, blue corn flour, and expensive eggs. Something about having corn flour in the house really pleases Darling, and it adds fiber and iron to our diet.
I put dough to rise and an hour and a half later prepped a green pepper, onion, cheddar, and mozzarella pizza with half and rolls with the other half. Put both in the oven for 30 minutes. The cooled pizza was cut into 6 slices. Dad ate one and the rest were frozen for Darling's daily lunches.
Unfortunately, we ended up being away from the house for most of the day after this and spent $15 on dinner out. So...Yeah. I wish I could be a better example this week. This wasn't meant to be a challenge, but a representation of how Darling and I get by. Sometimes circumstance results in "cheating".
In fact, I'll never forget the day we moved into our first apartment. Darling and I walked towards the grocery store, debating on how to spend the only $20 we would have until I earned my first paycheck. Our pantry was empty, our stomachs were empty, we were very nearly clueless about life, marriage, and finances in general. And we passed a Dominos Pizza.
Yeah, we bought that massive vegetarian pizza and ate every bite on someone's grassy lawn. We didn't have any furniture at home, so this seemed less barbaric than eating on our floor. It was a stupid decision, I suppose, but I don't regret it. It's such a sweet memory...
I put dough to rise and an hour and a half later prepped a green pepper, onion, cheddar, and mozzarella pizza with half and rolls with the other half. Put both in the oven for 30 minutes. The cooled pizza was cut into 6 slices. Dad ate one and the rest were frozen for Darling's daily lunches.
Unfortunately, we ended up being away from the house for most of the day after this and spent $15 on dinner out. So...Yeah. I wish I could be a better example this week. This wasn't meant to be a challenge, but a representation of how Darling and I get by. Sometimes circumstance results in "cheating".
In fact, I'll never forget the day we moved into our first apartment. Darling and I walked towards the grocery store, debating on how to spend the only $20 we would have until I earned my first paycheck. Our pantry was empty, our stomachs were empty, we were very nearly clueless about life, marriage, and finances in general. And we passed a Dominos Pizza.
Yeah, we bought that massive vegetarian pizza and ate every bite on someone's grassy lawn. We didn't have any furniture at home, so this seemed less barbaric than eating on our floor. It was a stupid decision, I suppose, but I don't regret it. It's such a sweet memory...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Food For Us
Tenille commented on wanting to know more about what we eat a few days ago. Darling and I been doing better than usual in this area lately, so every day this week I'll be sharing what's going on with us food-wise.
We shop, as I've mentioned before, only on Mondays, only at our local co-op Wheatsville. Actually, that's our plan and our set routine. On the rare occasion we make our way to the closer Sun Harvest, but I hate being able to smell the meat section from the dairy aisle. We dream of having time for the farmer's market on Wednesdays. I think I've gone into Whole Foods about five times ever, and only ever bought a last-minute tofurkey a few years ago before Thanksgiving. It is one of those places too tempting to be indulged in. And yeah, we pop into convenience stores, guiltily snatching up Hershey bars and Arizona Ice Teas, about once a week.
Anyway, before shopping we spend about $10 on a lunch at one of the greatest restaurants ever, Veggie Heaven. Why spend a fifth of our grocery bill before we even hit the store, when we could easily have breakfast or lunch at home? The habit developed because directly after shopping we hang out with friends across town. These friends are constantly either offering chips and cookies or running out for a quick Thundercloud Sandwich. $10+ tip is a much better price to pay for a two huge bowls of chinese veggies, rice, and faux shrimp (soooooo good) than two mediocre sandwiches. Also, Darling and I tend to get grumpy while shopping. Lunch alleviates this immensely.
After lunch we walk down the Austin drag. Our second-hand clothing is faded and worn, Darling's long hair goes a bit wild in the wind, and a huge bag of empty yogurt and margarine containers bulges at my side. We look like total Austinite hippie elitists, and bums ask us for money every step of the way.
At the store yesterday we spent just under $50. Forgive me for having misplaced the list, but this is a basic rundown of what we got away with:
In Bulk:
* high-gluten white flour
* wheat flour
* sugar
* oatmeal
* peanut butter
* cinnamon
* pasta
* salt
Dairy:
* organic, cage-free, omega-up-the-wazoo eggs
* Soy yogurt
* saux salami (okay, none of this is actual "dairy" but it's in the general area)
Produce:
* sweet taters
* apples
* celery
Other
* popsicles
On the way out of the store, we fill two containers with water for 25 cents a gallon. And that's what we start the week with.
Stay tuned to see how I turn this "stuff" into food.
We shop, as I've mentioned before, only on Mondays, only at our local co-op Wheatsville. Actually, that's our plan and our set routine. On the rare occasion we make our way to the closer Sun Harvest, but I hate being able to smell the meat section from the dairy aisle. We dream of having time for the farmer's market on Wednesdays. I think I've gone into Whole Foods about five times ever, and only ever bought a last-minute tofurkey a few years ago before Thanksgiving. It is one of those places too tempting to be indulged in. And yeah, we pop into convenience stores, guiltily snatching up Hershey bars and Arizona Ice Teas, about once a week.
Anyway, before shopping we spend about $10 on a lunch at one of the greatest restaurants ever, Veggie Heaven. Why spend a fifth of our grocery bill before we even hit the store, when we could easily have breakfast or lunch at home? The habit developed because directly after shopping we hang out with friends across town. These friends are constantly either offering chips and cookies or running out for a quick Thundercloud Sandwich. $10+ tip is a much better price to pay for a two huge bowls of chinese veggies, rice, and faux shrimp (soooooo good) than two mediocre sandwiches. Also, Darling and I tend to get grumpy while shopping. Lunch alleviates this immensely.
After lunch we walk down the Austin drag. Our second-hand clothing is faded and worn, Darling's long hair goes a bit wild in the wind, and a huge bag of empty yogurt and margarine containers bulges at my side. We look like total Austinite hippie elitists, and bums ask us for money every step of the way.
At the store yesterday we spent just under $50. Forgive me for having misplaced the list, but this is a basic rundown of what we got away with:
In Bulk:
* high-gluten white flour
* wheat flour
* sugar
* oatmeal
* peanut butter
* cinnamon
* pasta
* salt
Dairy:
* organic, cage-free, omega-up-the-wazoo eggs
* Soy yogurt
* saux salami (okay, none of this is actual "dairy" but it's in the general area)
Produce:
* sweet taters
* apples
* celery
Other
* popsicles
On the way out of the store, we fill two containers with water for 25 cents a gallon. And that's what we start the week with.
Stay tuned to see how I turn this "stuff" into food.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Financial Math Isn't That Hard...
About a week ago Darling and I discovered that - somehow - we had enough money to pay all of our bills and buy plane tickets to VA. I was so surprised by this surplus of cash in our bank that I asked Darling to check my math and did so myself over and over again.
If your financial equations ever seems sketchy, throw them out and just start over. Especially if you happen to be me, a woman brought to tears by basic algebra.
Fortunately we have overdraft protection, which seems to mean they charge $27 instead of $30 when you make idiotic mistakes like this. I have enough cash to cover the fee, as well as groceries for tomorrow. Now we only have to worry about rent, which we thought we'd saved half of. Looks like I'll be picking up some shifts and maybe working overtime to make ends meet this week.
If your financial equations ever seems sketchy, throw them out and just start over. Especially if you happen to be me, a woman brought to tears by basic algebra.
Fortunately we have overdraft protection, which seems to mean they charge $27 instead of $30 when you make idiotic mistakes like this. I have enough cash to cover the fee, as well as groceries for tomorrow. Now we only have to worry about rent, which we thought we'd saved half of. Looks like I'll be picking up some shifts and maybe working overtime to make ends meet this week.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Replies and Practice
I just thought I'd take some time to reply to the many insightful comments on my current extended-family living situation, and give an update on how things are working out right now.
First off, thanks for the heads up on codependency, anonymous commenter. My mom has several books on this subject that I read as a child (I read everything I could get my hands on growing up), and I brushed up on the disorder sometime after getting married. Despite growing up in an environment that might have fostered codependency, I lack the defining symptoms. I dislike being around self-destructive people and avoid developing relationships with addicts in general. I currently celebrate an intimate and egalitarian partnership with the healthiest man I have ever met. Although I want to help my dad, I feel no need nor responsibility to fix or control him. All that matters to me is that he eats on a semi-regular basis.
Lu touched on an important issue by reminding me that first and foremost I should be concerned about my marriage, home, and lifestyle. Darling's happiness is vital to my own, and I would not allow my father to get in the way of that. My husband insists that he wholeheartedly supports providing my dad with a place to sleep, eat, and keep his stuff while it is in our power to do. As for home and lifestyle, I wrote yesterday that it will be a challenge re-opening my home for social events, but we will endeavor to do so.
The basic consensus is that I need to focus on my own needs, priorities, and future. An anonymous commenter reminds me that members of a dysfunctional family often want to go back and fix things, but it is better to look towards a bright future. Let me tell you, I obsess about the future (last night I woke up demanding to know what color we should paint the front door of our future home...dark green, by the way, with leaf stencils done by the children, says Darling). However, I am concerned with the now. Now my dad needs support, and I can offer him a little. NOW my family is coming together.
Right now I'm actually enjoying having my dad back with us. He is working again, so not always on the couch. Yesterday morning he was, and we chatted while I made pancakes (the waffle maker died). He has a hard time understanding my lifestyle, which he finds very boring (what do you watch your t.v. on?) and impoverished (he doesn't understand how organic groceries are cheaper than regular fast food meals). In a few days we will discuss his potentially moving in with Ob, as well as our long-term plans and his required contribution to them. He has even bought a few things the kitchen needed: a bamboo cutting board and oven mitts.
We talk about "other cultures" when we discuss extended families. People all over the United States live 3+ generations to a household, if not 3+ families to a home. The nuclear family is hardly a tried and true concept. Our country quakes under the weight of those left behind by this experimental system: women trying to raise children alone, our elders neglected in homes, and twenty-somethings turning to credit for their most basic material and emotional needs. As house prices and rents rise, room is becoming increasingly scarce and precious. I see old men in the streets of Austin, and wonder where they came from, where their teeth and limbs went, and who should be taking care of them. The government? Ex-wives? Ex-employers? Abandoned little girls grown up and planning bright futures?
I won't sacrifice my future for my father's sake, but as long as I can save, pay back debt, pay rent and utilities, and offer (organic) food to those who ask for it, I will be a happy person. The 20 Year Challenge is not about achieving financial freedom at any cost, but facing the day-to-day obstacles and building (and living) a great life in the process.
First off, thanks for the heads up on codependency, anonymous commenter. My mom has several books on this subject that I read as a child (I read everything I could get my hands on growing up), and I brushed up on the disorder sometime after getting married. Despite growing up in an environment that might have fostered codependency, I lack the defining symptoms. I dislike being around self-destructive people and avoid developing relationships with addicts in general. I currently celebrate an intimate and egalitarian partnership with the healthiest man I have ever met. Although I want to help my dad, I feel no need nor responsibility to fix or control him. All that matters to me is that he eats on a semi-regular basis.
Lu touched on an important issue by reminding me that first and foremost I should be concerned about my marriage, home, and lifestyle. Darling's happiness is vital to my own, and I would not allow my father to get in the way of that. My husband insists that he wholeheartedly supports providing my dad with a place to sleep, eat, and keep his stuff while it is in our power to do. As for home and lifestyle, I wrote yesterday that it will be a challenge re-opening my home for social events, but we will endeavor to do so.
The basic consensus is that I need to focus on my own needs, priorities, and future. An anonymous commenter reminds me that members of a dysfunctional family often want to go back and fix things, but it is better to look towards a bright future. Let me tell you, I obsess about the future (last night I woke up demanding to know what color we should paint the front door of our future home...dark green, by the way, with leaf stencils done by the children, says Darling). However, I am concerned with the now. Now my dad needs support, and I can offer him a little. NOW my family is coming together.
Right now I'm actually enjoying having my dad back with us. He is working again, so not always on the couch. Yesterday morning he was, and we chatted while I made pancakes (the waffle maker died). He has a hard time understanding my lifestyle, which he finds very boring (what do you watch your t.v. on?) and impoverished (he doesn't understand how organic groceries are cheaper than regular fast food meals). In a few days we will discuss his potentially moving in with Ob, as well as our long-term plans and his required contribution to them. He has even bought a few things the kitchen needed: a bamboo cutting board and oven mitts.
We talk about "other cultures" when we discuss extended families. People all over the United States live 3+ generations to a household, if not 3+ families to a home. The nuclear family is hardly a tried and true concept. Our country quakes under the weight of those left behind by this experimental system: women trying to raise children alone, our elders neglected in homes, and twenty-somethings turning to credit for their most basic material and emotional needs. As house prices and rents rise, room is becoming increasingly scarce and precious. I see old men in the streets of Austin, and wonder where they came from, where their teeth and limbs went, and who should be taking care of them. The government? Ex-wives? Ex-employers? Abandoned little girls grown up and planning bright futures?
I won't sacrifice my future for my father's sake, but as long as I can save, pay back debt, pay rent and utilities, and offer (organic) food to those who ask for it, I will be a happy person. The 20 Year Challenge is not about achieving financial freedom at any cost, but facing the day-to-day obstacles and building (and living) a great life in the process.
Friday, September 14, 2007
A Plan For Papa
I really appreciate the supportive comments and advice on my last post. Having my Dad move into my den is a sticky issue. I'm not capable of helping him make any real life improvements, in fact, evidence shows I may be more of an enabler than a healer. By giving my father a place to stay free of rent or responsibility, I make it possible for him to damage himself further without consequence.
However, I can not make myself turn him away. Family is like that sometimes. It is unusual in our culture for young adults to care for their parents, but it happens. If offering my dad food to eat and a place to sleep is all I can do, I will. But that doesn't mean I have to become a crutch.
There are only two options for Dad right now. The first option is my brother. Next month Ob will have a spare room, which he has offered to Dad on the condition that he not drink. It is my opinion that Dad will not eagerly accept this offer. Dad doesn't like Ob's sober, sensible wife or the strength and common sense she encourages in her husband. As long as Dad is comfortable with me, he will see no reason to deal with her.
Option B is as follows: Dad can stay with us for a few weeks, but he's going to have to deal with our life how we live it. Until now we have done our best to give him privacy and space. It is time for us to reclaim our home. We will resume our Wednesday Dinner and Game Night and try to invite friends and family over at least one other night a week. As the holidays near I hope to become much more of a hostess. If dad chooses not to move into Ob's spare room, he's going to find a number of holiday parties occur in the middle of his bedroom, especially once we get the dining table. I wouldn't throw parties just to spite Dad, but I won't dampen my holiday spirit because he chooses to stay in our living area.
If Dad weathers out the holidays and wants to stay with us until our move in February, we have a 3-bedroom budget plan. We will find somewhere for $1200 or less that will let us sign a six-month lease. Lenore, who will be attending school that semester, will only be asked to pay $100/month. Darling and I will pay the same $700 we do now, and Dad will be asked to pay $400. That will take up a substantial amount of his budget without being an unreasonable room and board price. If he flakes, Darling and I can cover $1100 rent for a few months, and it will be made clear that he will not be welcome in our home any longer.
The best situation, I think, would be for Dad to move in with Ob until February, and then move in with Darling, Lenore, and me to help pay rent on a larger place. I love my family and want to spend much more time with them before we head out west (or east, or north:) I hope to remember this as the period our family came together as a working support network, not the period I realized we're all as broken and dysfunctional as we look.
However, I can not make myself turn him away. Family is like that sometimes. It is unusual in our culture for young adults to care for their parents, but it happens. If offering my dad food to eat and a place to sleep is all I can do, I will. But that doesn't mean I have to become a crutch.
There are only two options for Dad right now. The first option is my brother. Next month Ob will have a spare room, which he has offered to Dad on the condition that he not drink. It is my opinion that Dad will not eagerly accept this offer. Dad doesn't like Ob's sober, sensible wife or the strength and common sense she encourages in her husband. As long as Dad is comfortable with me, he will see no reason to deal with her.
Option B is as follows: Dad can stay with us for a few weeks, but he's going to have to deal with our life how we live it. Until now we have done our best to give him privacy and space. It is time for us to reclaim our home. We will resume our Wednesday Dinner and Game Night and try to invite friends and family over at least one other night a week. As the holidays near I hope to become much more of a hostess. If dad chooses not to move into Ob's spare room, he's going to find a number of holiday parties occur in the middle of his bedroom, especially once we get the dining table. I wouldn't throw parties just to spite Dad, but I won't dampen my holiday spirit because he chooses to stay in our living area.
If Dad weathers out the holidays and wants to stay with us until our move in February, we have a 3-bedroom budget plan. We will find somewhere for $1200 or less that will let us sign a six-month lease. Lenore, who will be attending school that semester, will only be asked to pay $100/month. Darling and I will pay the same $700 we do now, and Dad will be asked to pay $400. That will take up a substantial amount of his budget without being an unreasonable room and board price. If he flakes, Darling and I can cover $1100 rent for a few months, and it will be made clear that he will not be welcome in our home any longer.
The best situation, I think, would be for Dad to move in with Ob until February, and then move in with Darling, Lenore, and me to help pay rent on a larger place. I love my family and want to spend much more time with them before we head out west (or east, or north:) I hope to remember this as the period our family came together as a working support network, not the period I realized we're all as broken and dysfunctional as we look.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Daddy Day Care
Dad was in a the hospital for several days a couple of weeks ago, then spent a week with a friend recuperating. I just got a call from him saying he'll be moving back onto our couch tonight.
This is a little upsetting because we thought Dad had realized our den is not the best place for him. Plans for another two-bedroom home and budget were discussed and agreed upon. Now we are back to having an unreliable man dependent on us and an impossible savings goal to meet in about four months.
This is a little upsetting because we thought Dad had realized our den is not the best place for him. Plans for another two-bedroom home and budget were discussed and agreed upon. Now we are back to having an unreliable man dependent on us and an impossible savings goal to meet in about four months.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Why I don't "Do" Cell Phones
Yesterday I was asked how much Darling and I pay for our land line. The answer is "certainly more than a cave man." In fact, we probably pay more for our package than most people pay for their basic cell phone service. Why do we do this very un-frugal thing?
1. Darling and I are total web addicts. There are "better deals," I think, if you get the Internet bundled with cable, but we don't even own a television. So an Internet/phone service combo is the best for us right now.
2. There are a number of unexplored health and environmental issues being raised about cell phones, including the latest and most terrifying decreasing bee population. Something is going wrong with our crops, people, and I don't want to be part of the problem.
3. The cultural effects of instant, real-time communication are both great and, well, annoying. In fact, it's becoming an unnoticed workers rights issue. I think employers are really beginning to take for granted the idea that employees can be reached at any time for minor details and emergencies alike. I believe in the 8-hour day, 40-hour week, including lunch breaks. The idea that people can be called at home, on vacation, or other times that should be reserved for family, recreation, and relaxation disgusts me.
1. Darling and I are total web addicts. There are "better deals," I think, if you get the Internet bundled with cable, but we don't even own a television. So an Internet/phone service combo is the best for us right now.
2. There are a number of unexplored health and environmental issues being raised about cell phones, including the latest and most terrifying decreasing bee population. Something is going wrong with our crops, people, and I don't want to be part of the problem.
3. The cultural effects of instant, real-time communication are both great and, well, annoying. In fact, it's becoming an unnoticed workers rights issue. I think employers are really beginning to take for granted the idea that employees can be reached at any time for minor details and emergencies alike. I believe in the 8-hour day, 40-hour week, including lunch breaks. The idea that people can be called at home, on vacation, or other times that should be reserved for family, recreation, and relaxation disgusts me.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Broke Kid's Guide To Saving Money
Blunt Money's post 5 Painless Ways to Save More Than $150 a Month and a friend's lament over the hopeless state of her finances inspired this:
5 Painful Ways to Save More than $150 A Month (when you are so god-awful broke there's no other choice)
1. Don't have a cell phone. Just don't. Not for emergencies, not in the car, not the pre-pay toys you can buy at the gas station. Pay for the cheapest land line you can find and never stray far from it.
2. Don't pay for any extras on your landline, including the Internet. Trade your desktop for a laptop if you haven't already and hit up the local laundromat, coffee shop, or porch where you can pick up your neighbor's unprotected wireless for free.
3. Never buy anything in packaging again. Every time you buy a packet of cookies you are paying a tithe to the garbage gods. Shop for flour, sugar, salt, and other dry goods in bulk and spend your excess (the stuff that used to go towards soda and chips) on more fresh fruits and veg than you ever thought you could afford. Borrow cookbooks from the library to learn the alchemical process for turning this stuff into deliciousness. Though I can tell you now nothing will EVER taste as good as boxed mac n' cheese.
4. Oh man, don't even get me started on cars. You wouldn't even be reading this if you had a car, because people who don't have cars automatically save $250-$500/month. Not having a car, and building my life around not having a car, is the greatest investment I never had to make.
5.Live like a caveman, even if you don't have to. Capture your water from the sky, sweat out the summers, bundle up for the winters, live off the land, and migrate to land with better living if necessary.
5 Painful Ways to Save More than $150 A Month (when you are so god-awful broke there's no other choice)
1. Don't have a cell phone. Just don't. Not for emergencies, not in the car, not the pre-pay toys you can buy at the gas station. Pay for the cheapest land line you can find and never stray far from it.
2. Don't pay for any extras on your landline, including the Internet. Trade your desktop for a laptop if you haven't already and hit up the local laundromat, coffee shop, or porch where you can pick up your neighbor's unprotected wireless for free.
3. Never buy anything in packaging again. Every time you buy a packet of cookies you are paying a tithe to the garbage gods. Shop for flour, sugar, salt, and other dry goods in bulk and spend your excess (the stuff that used to go towards soda and chips) on more fresh fruits and veg than you ever thought you could afford. Borrow cookbooks from the library to learn the alchemical process for turning this stuff into deliciousness. Though I can tell you now nothing will EVER taste as good as boxed mac n' cheese.
4. Oh man, don't even get me started on cars. You wouldn't even be reading this if you had a car, because people who don't have cars automatically save $250-$500/month. Not having a car, and building my life around not having a car, is the greatest investment I never had to make.
5.Live like a caveman, even if you don't have to. Capture your water from the sky, sweat out the summers, bundle up for the winters, live off the land, and migrate to land with better living if necessary.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Hot Bathroom Action
Friday we discovered that our hot water was, well, not. I called for repair, but knew no one would respond until today. Thus, the weekend of heating huge pots of water for dishes and baths began.
This is not the first time I've lived without hot water. Between the ages of age 12 and 16 I never lived in a house that had phone service, electricity, and hot water all at the same time. Remember in Gone With The Wind when Scarlet raises her fist and declares she shall never be hungry again? That's my attitude towards cold showers. Never again. I had tiny tepid baths instead.
During yesterday's tepid bath, I had time to notice how utterly filthy our toilet had gotten. We've lived here eight months and still hadn't purchased a scrubber. After recycling my gray water and making the tropical tree we pulled out of the dumpster very happy, I took ten dollars to the Goodwill down the road. This particular store has more new stuff than donated, and for $8 I purchased a cute little scrubber, a matching trash can, two of those amazing eraser sponges, and a big bag of kissables. I had time to scrub down the bathroom and then enjoy candy with a friend before heading off to work.
And the best part? I get to take a piping hot shower in that scum and mold-free environment tonight :)
This is not the first time I've lived without hot water. Between the ages of age 12 and 16 I never lived in a house that had phone service, electricity, and hot water all at the same time. Remember in Gone With The Wind when Scarlet raises her fist and declares she shall never be hungry again? That's my attitude towards cold showers. Never again. I had tiny tepid baths instead.
During yesterday's tepid bath, I had time to notice how utterly filthy our toilet had gotten. We've lived here eight months and still hadn't purchased a scrubber. After recycling my gray water and making the tropical tree we pulled out of the dumpster very happy, I took ten dollars to the Goodwill down the road. This particular store has more new stuff than donated, and for $8 I purchased a cute little scrubber, a matching trash can, two of those amazing eraser sponges, and a big bag of kissables. I had time to scrub down the bathroom and then enjoy candy with a friend before heading off to work.
And the best part? I get to take a piping hot shower in that scum and mold-free environment tonight :)
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Better Than Ginseng
Yesterday I came home from work tired, but not exhausted, after a slightly-longer-than-usual day. After learning to take for granted the fatigue I feel after and even during six-hours of work, I couldn't believe the energy levels I was experiencing as I helped close down the kitchen at midnight. It was wonderful.
Darling told me he felt the same way and thinks he knows why: yesterday after breakfast we enjoyed a twenty minute walk up and down the road.
Could such little exercise, fresh air, and sunshine really do us so much good? This morning we woke up bright and early (for us) and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and quick walk around the neighborhood before Darling got on the bus for work. Even if yesterday's energy surplus was a fluke, I couldn't imagine a better way to start our morning.
Darling told me he felt the same way and thinks he knows why: yesterday after breakfast we enjoyed a twenty minute walk up and down the road.
Could such little exercise, fresh air, and sunshine really do us so much good? This morning we woke up bright and early (for us) and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and quick walk around the neighborhood before Darling got on the bus for work. Even if yesterday's energy surplus was a fluke, I couldn't imagine a better way to start our morning.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
BYOB
Buy your own bag?
We take the bus to our local grocery co-op once a week. At first we used plastic bags from previous trips, but these wore out quickly. Paper bags last longer, and I covet the ones with handles, but paper is at least as environmentally unsound as plastic and also dies young.
About a month and a half ago we bought a cotton string bag from the store to carry groceries home. I hate buying anything new, especially for $5, but was immediately amazed at how much the stretchy string bag could carry. I don't know the brand name, but they were something like this. The next time we had a little extra grocery money we bought a second bag, and can now carry our week's groceries home with relative ease. I could manage both alone without problem if Darling couldn't come shopping one week.
That's not the first time a "holder" purchase has made shopping easier. We used to buy our bulk spices in tiny plastic bags, which are barely useful in a cluttered kitchen cabinet. Then we noticed the nice little containers sold next to the bulk spices. When we needed to buy chili powder, I weighed the glass jar before filling it with chili, put a sticker with all the necessary purchase information on it, and made sure I didn't in any way obstruct the bottle's price tag. Sure, I paid $1.50 for the container, but my spices will last longer, stay organized, and when we run out I can just take it back to the store and refill.
Lately I'm growing frustrated storing our leftovers and vegetables in empty margarine and yogurt tubs. Putting something in a yogurt tub is like saying,"I'll see you again when you're moldy." Now some nice glass/plastic (not sure which) bowls with plastic lids have caught my eye at Wheatsville. They would be perfect for storing sliced carrots, shredded cabbage, boiled rice, or anything else I want to contain without banishing. I could look in the fridge and see food rather than half a dozen "canola spreads." I realize that tupperware exists, but already I'm entranced by the perfect clearness and quality of these bowls, which I could serve as well as store food in...
Also, I'm looking for something to buy bulk flour in. I use several pounds a week baking, but can't reuse the bags for fear of holes developing. The container I hold it in at home is a bit too bulky to drag around. I see they're selling bags to carry fruits and veg (and this is something I might purchase someday because Darling insists on bagging even a single squash), but not powders. Any suggestions?
We take the bus to our local grocery co-op once a week. At first we used plastic bags from previous trips, but these wore out quickly. Paper bags last longer, and I covet the ones with handles, but paper is at least as environmentally unsound as plastic and also dies young.
About a month and a half ago we bought a cotton string bag from the store to carry groceries home. I hate buying anything new, especially for $5, but was immediately amazed at how much the stretchy string bag could carry. I don't know the brand name, but they were something like this. The next time we had a little extra grocery money we bought a second bag, and can now carry our week's groceries home with relative ease. I could manage both alone without problem if Darling couldn't come shopping one week.
That's not the first time a "holder" purchase has made shopping easier. We used to buy our bulk spices in tiny plastic bags, which are barely useful in a cluttered kitchen cabinet. Then we noticed the nice little containers sold next to the bulk spices. When we needed to buy chili powder, I weighed the glass jar before filling it with chili, put a sticker with all the necessary purchase information on it, and made sure I didn't in any way obstruct the bottle's price tag. Sure, I paid $1.50 for the container, but my spices will last longer, stay organized, and when we run out I can just take it back to the store and refill.
Lately I'm growing frustrated storing our leftovers and vegetables in empty margarine and yogurt tubs. Putting something in a yogurt tub is like saying,"I'll see you again when you're moldy." Now some nice glass/plastic (not sure which) bowls with plastic lids have caught my eye at Wheatsville. They would be perfect for storing sliced carrots, shredded cabbage, boiled rice, or anything else I want to contain without banishing. I could look in the fridge and see food rather than half a dozen "canola spreads." I realize that tupperware exists, but already I'm entranced by the perfect clearness and quality of these bowls, which I could serve as well as store food in...
Also, I'm looking for something to buy bulk flour in. I use several pounds a week baking, but can't reuse the bags for fear of holes developing. The container I hold it in at home is a bit too bulky to drag around. I see they're selling bags to carry fruits and veg (and this is something I might purchase someday because Darling insists on bagging even a single squash), but not powders. Any suggestions?
Friday, September 7, 2007
Credit Industry=Vampire
Yesterday we watched Maxed Out, a documentary about the credit industry. It reminded me that while some people - a very small portion of our population - can use consumer credit to their advantage, the industry as a whole is basically a vampire. How is the credit card industry like a vampire?
* Immortal: Successful corporations don't die, they merge. So, unlike a human fascist, you can't just wait out their reign of terror. They have all of eternity to accumulate wealth, power, and prestige. Banks are especially long-lived, and many "young" businesses, such as check cashing outlets, are really Wells Fargo in disguise.
* Power to Regenerate: Occasionally corporations take damage, but it's usually aesthetic and easily healed. Remember when Wal-Mart cut off Kathy Lee Gifford after the nasty child slave-labor incident? Many people don't.
* Looks Human if You Squint: Despite being immortal, corporations have the exact same rights as humans, plus more. The right to profit has more than once trumped "real" human rights in court. Did you know that MBNA wrote the bill that made it so difficult to file for bankruptcy in 2005? Apparently it's a powerful corporation's right to write its own legislation these days.
* The Weak Deserve It: We don't mind so much the blatant exploitation of the truly downtrodden. When vampires - or the credit industry - further destroy the desperately poor, we assume they must deserve it. Or pretend not to notice, which isn't hard because ignoring the desperately poor has become habitual.
* Dangerously Seductive: You see the teeth, the blank stare, the pile of half-dead victims still wailing in its wake...yet you can't pull away. You trade a little bit of your soul, at first, in exchange for a taste of the beauty, power, and immortality. Jeans, diet pills, a house on credit, a college education on credit, a family...and in the end you have nothing. Unless, of course, you're one of those clever kids who has made the beast your friend and ally.
* Immortal: Successful corporations don't die, they merge. So, unlike a human fascist, you can't just wait out their reign of terror. They have all of eternity to accumulate wealth, power, and prestige. Banks are especially long-lived, and many "young" businesses, such as check cashing outlets, are really Wells Fargo in disguise.
* Power to Regenerate: Occasionally corporations take damage, but it's usually aesthetic and easily healed. Remember when Wal-Mart cut off Kathy Lee Gifford after the nasty child slave-labor incident? Many people don't.
* Looks Human if You Squint: Despite being immortal, corporations have the exact same rights as humans, plus more. The right to profit has more than once trumped "real" human rights in court. Did you know that MBNA wrote the bill that made it so difficult to file for bankruptcy in 2005? Apparently it's a powerful corporation's right to write its own legislation these days.
* The Weak Deserve It: We don't mind so much the blatant exploitation of the truly downtrodden. When vampires - or the credit industry - further destroy the desperately poor, we assume they must deserve it. Or pretend not to notice, which isn't hard because ignoring the desperately poor has become habitual.
* Dangerously Seductive: You see the teeth, the blank stare, the pile of half-dead victims still wailing in its wake...yet you can't pull away. You trade a little bit of your soul, at first, in exchange for a taste of the beauty, power, and immortality. Jeans, diet pills, a house on credit, a college education on credit, a family...and in the end you have nothing. Unless, of course, you're one of those clever kids who has made the beast your friend and ally.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Things I Loved About England
* The Conversation: The issues Americans and the English face are so similar, yet so different! We both have economical, environmental, and social struggles, but in entirely different context! It was excellent comparing and contrasting National problems, and realizing that neither country is totally better than the other in any concrete manner.
* Pubs.
* Energy Efficient Housing: Sure, they were a bit tiny, but almost every house we visited had an indoor drying rack, no air conditioner, and people opened windows to cool down their homes.
* No bugs: so opening their windows wasn't the health risk it is in Texas.
* No GMO's: So eating packaged food isn't a health risk!!! I could drink milk without fearing for my life :)
* Affordable health care: okay, so this didn't come up...but it was available.
* The Advocate: A newspaper created for and by the homeless to raise awareness and funds.
* Public Transportation: Amazing. So fast, efficient, and safe compared to that I've experienced in the U.S. (which, being car-free, is a lot).
* Free Museums. Everywhere.
* Cheese and Onion Pasties, chips with vinegar, and Vimto....soooo gooood...
* Pubs.
* Energy Efficient Housing: Sure, they were a bit tiny, but almost every house we visited had an indoor drying rack, no air conditioner, and people opened windows to cool down their homes.
* No bugs: so opening their windows wasn't the health risk it is in Texas.
* No GMO's: So eating packaged food isn't a health risk!!! I could drink milk without fearing for my life :)
* Affordable health care: okay, so this didn't come up...but it was available.
* The Advocate: A newspaper created for and by the homeless to raise awareness and funds.
* Public Transportation: Amazing. So fast, efficient, and safe compared to that I've experienced in the U.S. (which, being car-free, is a lot).
* Free Museums. Everywhere.
* Cheese and Onion Pasties, chips with vinegar, and Vimto....soooo gooood...
Job Interviews and Budget Stuff
Darling missed his interview yesterday for a most annoying reason. Did you know there are actually places that can not be reached by foot? It just wasn't possible get to the building without a vehicle. Once he figured that out, he just turned around and came home. Who wants to work for a company with a set-up like that?
Last night he sent out four more applications, and has scheduled another interview for tomorrow. There was a response in his e-mail from one company we're really excited about: a co-op brewery. So my love is feeling pretty good about his options right now.
My own work-related stress, I think, is caused by the realization that we can only make so much money. We've gone a bit mad with our goals, and it's beginning to wear on me. While our lifestyle has not drastically improved with our income, our future goals have increased in number and expense. My biggest fear is that we won't pay off our debt on schedule because we're saving our excess funds for moves and vacations.
As a result, Darling has agreed that we can continue to live on a single income. The two months before our trip to England we lived on my tips and his earnings went directly to our trip fund. From now until future notice, each of his paychecks will go straight to debt servicing.
Last night he sent out four more applications, and has scheduled another interview for tomorrow. There was a response in his e-mail from one company we're really excited about: a co-op brewery. So my love is feeling pretty good about his options right now.
My own work-related stress, I think, is caused by the realization that we can only make so much money. We've gone a bit mad with our goals, and it's beginning to wear on me. While our lifestyle has not drastically improved with our income, our future goals have increased in number and expense. My biggest fear is that we won't pay off our debt on schedule because we're saving our excess funds for moves and vacations.
As a result, Darling has agreed that we can continue to live on a single income. The two months before our trip to England we lived on my tips and his earnings went directly to our trip fund. From now until future notice, each of his paychecks will go straight to debt servicing.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Job Anxiety
I came home from work really frustrated yesterday: $60 for 12 hours. I think I would have done better, but didn't push for the best position. My dad has been in the hospital for the past few days and I haven't been focusing. We need to buy those plane tickets, but the thought of leaving town again with my dad sick scares me. Also, via weird politics and stupid decisions on my part, I'm not working on Thursday.
It seemed that having the next two days off would be good for job hunting, which I decided to do last night on Craigslist. I was looking for something comfortable, 9 to 5, where I could dress nice and earn a steady paycheck. Darling, peering over my shoulder, saw something that interested him and took my place. My love applied for five jobs last night, and got a call from Apple first thing this morning. He's heading to his interview now. I happy and proud for him, but a little annoyed with myself. I know one bad day at work shouldn't be so crushing, but I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll be trapped in customer service forever.
It seemed that having the next two days off would be good for job hunting, which I decided to do last night on Craigslist. I was looking for something comfortable, 9 to 5, where I could dress nice and earn a steady paycheck. Darling, peering over my shoulder, saw something that interested him and took my place. My love applied for five jobs last night, and got a call from Apple first thing this morning. He's heading to his interview now. I happy and proud for him, but a little annoyed with myself. I know one bad day at work shouldn't be so crushing, but I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll be trapped in customer service forever.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Shopping and Three Hands
Yesterday's shopping trip was a success. We're getting good at buying in bulk using our own containers, and we get a small discount at Wheatsville for bringing our own mesh bags. Since we bought 100% biodegradable trash bags before the trip, there is no reason to bring plastic bags into our home for any reason. Now to get the recycling out of our pantry and our household will be a waste-free zone.
I've been observing rental prices recently. A three-bedroom house is going to run us between $1100 and $1400/month. Our plan is to divide rent by four, so everyone would be responsible for paying as much as $350 each. Darling and I would spend a maximum of $700 total, which is our current rent. Unfortunately, my dad is not dependable at all and could flake out at any time. Darling and I would need to budget $1,050 for rent every month as a precaution. On the one hand, this would not be a financially enjoyable experience. On the the other hand, it might get us used to England's crazy housing prices!
On the mysterious floaty third hand, Darling suggests that we ditch this lot and hightail it out west. I'm trying not to be tempted by the suggestion.
I've been observing rental prices recently. A three-bedroom house is going to run us between $1100 and $1400/month. Our plan is to divide rent by four, so everyone would be responsible for paying as much as $350 each. Darling and I would spend a maximum of $700 total, which is our current rent. Unfortunately, my dad is not dependable at all and could flake out at any time. Darling and I would need to budget $1,050 for rent every month as a precaution. On the one hand, this would not be a financially enjoyable experience. On the the other hand, it might get us used to England's crazy housing prices!
On the mysterious floaty third hand, Darling suggests that we ditch this lot and hightail it out west. I'm trying not to be tempted by the suggestion.
Monday, September 3, 2007
My Feelings On Labor Day
Happy Labor Day.
It's very sad that a huge portion of the working class, particularly the working poor, don't have today off. It is a terrible shame that our country no longer recognizes the basic rights won for us so long ago: eight hour work days, reasonable minimum wage, and weekends. I don't know if white-collar workers are aware of this, but these privileges have not been available to many of us for a long time.
These days, labor day is celebrated by sales of cheap goods, many of which are made by low-wage workers in other countries, often in sweatshops. Those clothes with "made in America" stitched in the collar? There are sweatshops in L.A., too. We'll drive around to hit the best stores, frowning at gas prices. How often do we frown at the price of other forms of energy, such as coal, mined at the expense of human safety in the hell holes that are Appalachia mining towns?
Take some time this holiday to appreciate the labor it takes to maintain your lifestyle. While buying back to school clothes, explain to your kids the significance of "made in _____" labels. Look the cashier in the eye, smile, and say, "Have a good day," no matter how harried, stressed, and rude she may seem. Tip your server an extra five percent, not for the quality of service but because she's sacrificing time that could be spent with her loved ones so you can eat out today. Better yet, stay home, relax, eat leftovers, and appreciate the time and labor YOU provide that keeps our economy, government, and society as a whole functioning.
It's very sad that a huge portion of the working class, particularly the working poor, don't have today off. It is a terrible shame that our country no longer recognizes the basic rights won for us so long ago: eight hour work days, reasonable minimum wage, and weekends. I don't know if white-collar workers are aware of this, but these privileges have not been available to many of us for a long time.
These days, labor day is celebrated by sales of cheap goods, many of which are made by low-wage workers in other countries, often in sweatshops. Those clothes with "made in America" stitched in the collar? There are sweatshops in L.A., too. We'll drive around to hit the best stores, frowning at gas prices. How often do we frown at the price of other forms of energy, such as coal, mined at the expense of human safety in the hell holes that are Appalachia mining towns?
Take some time this holiday to appreciate the labor it takes to maintain your lifestyle. While buying back to school clothes, explain to your kids the significance of "made in _____" labels. Look the cashier in the eye, smile, and say, "Have a good day," no matter how harried, stressed, and rude she may seem. Tip your server an extra five percent, not for the quality of service but because she's sacrificing time that could be spent with her loved ones so you can eat out today. Better yet, stay home, relax, eat leftovers, and appreciate the time and labor YOU provide that keeps our economy, government, and society as a whole functioning.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Flight Prices and Priority Shifting
Darling looked at end-of-month plane tickets. It looks like two round-trip flights will only cost about $500. If you wonder about the "only," I was expecting to pay twice that. This is a good thing.
To keep costs down, however, that priority is being mentally bumped to the top of our list. This is the first month we've ever put anything before rent besides food. In fact, because the phone and electric bill are both due by the 12th, rent will actually find itself #4 on our list. This is very scary to me, but can't be helped.
To keep costs down, however, that priority is being mentally bumped to the top of our list. This is the first month we've ever put anything before rent besides food. In fact, because the phone and electric bill are both due by the 12th, rent will actually find itself #4 on our list. This is very scary to me, but can't be helped.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
September Net Worth
Cash Total: $611.60 (down $1,817.02)
Debt Total: $16,067.57 (down $640.61)
Total Net Worth: -$15,455.97 (down $1,662.48)
One good thing is we paid more debt in August than July. Overall, however, this is pretty depressing. I'm only $702.03 wealthier than when I started this blog four months ago. Of course I knew this was coming since the begining, but it still hurts to see the numbers. Especially as I know this month isn't going to be much better with the wedding coming up. I don't know how we can increase our net worth by over $1600 while saving nearly that much and taking a week off.
We'll do our best to keep the October wedding costs to less than a $1000, send my loan company a big payment, and end our debt relationship with my college once and for all. While that might not put our net worth where it was last month, continuing to take bites out of debt is still our primary goal.Then what a relief it will be to not have any huge expenses again until holiday shopping...in November.
Debt Total: $16,067.57 (down $640.61)
Total Net Worth: -$15,455.97 (down $1,662.48)
One good thing is we paid more debt in August than July. Overall, however, this is pretty depressing. I'm only $702.03 wealthier than when I started this blog four months ago. Of course I knew this was coming since the begining, but it still hurts to see the numbers. Especially as I know this month isn't going to be much better with the wedding coming up. I don't know how we can increase our net worth by over $1600 while saving nearly that much and taking a week off.
We'll do our best to keep the October wedding costs to less than a $1000, send my loan company a big payment, and end our debt relationship with my college once and for all. While that might not put our net worth where it was last month, continuing to take bites out of debt is still our primary goal.Then what a relief it will be to not have any huge expenses again until holiday shopping...in November.
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