Like many aware, environmentally-conscious pacifists, it annoys me to be called a conspiracy theorist or considered an extremist. In my day-to-day life, talking about things that bother or concern me is a shy endeavor. Explaining the irrevocable evil of the Monsanto corporation, the sad facts of the fuel economy, or pointing out merits or flaws of political leaders are practices I am hesitant, yet drawn, to involve myself in.
And time and time again, people take my quiet vegetarianism and gentle beliefs as a joke or challenge. "I thought you didn't believe in debt," a coworker crows when I mention a student loan payment. "I hope you don't mind me eating a burger in front of you, I just couldn't stand the thought of harming a defenseless carrot," teases a carnivore friend. Worse of all, "I took all that food conspiracy stuff you were talking about seriously, went down to that New Age bookshop, and bought this book about how secret government organizations manipulate the market by..."
So even though the most sensible media has started talking about food rationing, I am hesitant to write on the subject. But I will answer the question some bloggers, such as Meredith from Like Merchant Ships, has asked:
Yes, we will be stockpiling a little, not just because of increasing prices but our intention to work and spend less this Summer.
Our strategic plan will be based on organic foods purchased in bulk. We will store these foods in glass containers. They include rice, oatmeal, dried and canned beans, nuts, flour, pasta, powdered milk, and dried fruit.
We will not be stockpiling or even purchasing bulk packaged goods. Boxed cereals, bags of chips, and baked goods are too expensive and rarely nutritious enough to justify.
I am also toying with the idea of preserving food for the winter, but we'll see whether the Summer's harvest calls for such measures come June.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Lake Party
Darling and I went to a lakeside party yesterday before work. We were invited by my mother's newest friend, B, who buys and restores houses and property in the Austin area. B is passionate about the green revolution, and wanted to meet Darling to discuss his help in fitting solar panels to some of her properties.
It was so funny to be invited to a party by the most monetarily wealthy person I know and find ourselves by a sweet little cabin built in the 1920's (Travis Lake is lined with mansions) and barbecuing with the friendliest family I have ever met, only 2 of whom could speak English. The majority of the party-goers were not Austin elite, but nannies and ex-farmers making their living as laborers. It was so much fun, by the end of the party I just about had Darling agreeing that someday we'll spend enough time in Mexico (or Honduras) to learn the language ourselves.
It was so funny to be invited to a party by the most monetarily wealthy person I know and find ourselves by a sweet little cabin built in the 1920's (Travis Lake is lined with mansions) and barbecuing with the friendliest family I have ever met, only 2 of whom could speak English. The majority of the party-goers were not Austin elite, but nannies and ex-farmers making their living as laborers. It was so much fun, by the end of the party I just about had Darling agreeing that someday we'll spend enough time in Mexico (or Honduras) to learn the language ourselves.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Walden Two
In Virginia I visited a friend who has spent the past year living at Twin Oaks, a community based loosely on BF Skinner's Walden Two. I grilled my friend relentlessly about the financial matter of this 100 person homestead. She was very patient in explaining to me how, upon becoming a member, one is expected to close all checking accounts and sell every significant asset - especially cars. The resulting amount of cash is loaned to the community, which invests it. In return, the community provides for all of that member's needs, including food (much of which is grown on their own farms), transportation (their is a fleet of vehicles insured by the group), health care, and shelter (each member has a private room). The community as a whole is employed in various industries, and the entire profit is divided equally among every member. This results in a monthly stipend of about $75, which can be spent on whatever that member chooses, or saved. Because every true need of members are met, many save this amount indefinitely or until they choose to leave. Upon separating from the community, the saved monthly stipend as well as the amount originally loaned to the community is returned in full.
Determined to know just what this mad group of hippies were thinking when designing this anti-capitalist retreat, I read Walden Two. I was struck by this line:
The profit system is bad even when the worker gets the profits, because the strain of overwork isn't relieved by even a large reward.
Having worked 20 hours in the past two days, and earned well over $200, I am torn by what strikes me at the same time counterintuitive and ingenious. And because my job caters to the act of overconsumption itself, I feel doubly compelled to question its merits. But I am not working to afford a bigger house, nicer clothing, or even gas to get to work. I suffer these stupid hours to travel far and wide, return to school, and support an otherwise leisurely lifestyle.
Could I not find ways to travel more cheaply, or for free? Could I not try much, much harder to find an applicable scholarship? Most frightening, am I buying into various green industry tactics to separate environmental activists from their green dollars? Have I really reduced our true expenses to the lowest common denominator?
Basically, there are two questions I am asking myself and readers:
1. Am I working too much in an industry that could not afford my true worth? Am I producing a surplus of goods - aka, waste - at a rate of pay that does neither relieves my stress nor guilt for having done so?
2. Could I reduce the amount of time I spend creating and selling waste (working) by reducing consumption, without disrupting positive aspects of our lifestyle nor creating more stress or guilt in the process?
Darling and I have drastically reduced both spending and consumption this year. We went a full month barely spending money at all, and have taken numerous vacations and periods of unemployment. I'd like to make such scenarios routine rather than experimental. We're not going to close our bank accounts and move back to VA, but I'll certainly be learning more than drafting this school year.
Determined to know just what this mad group of hippies were thinking when designing this anti-capitalist retreat, I read Walden Two. I was struck by this line:
The profit system is bad even when the worker gets the profits, because the strain of overwork isn't relieved by even a large reward.
Having worked 20 hours in the past two days, and earned well over $200, I am torn by what strikes me at the same time counterintuitive and ingenious. And because my job caters to the act of overconsumption itself, I feel doubly compelled to question its merits. But I am not working to afford a bigger house, nicer clothing, or even gas to get to work. I suffer these stupid hours to travel far and wide, return to school, and support an otherwise leisurely lifestyle.
Could I not find ways to travel more cheaply, or for free? Could I not try much, much harder to find an applicable scholarship? Most frightening, am I buying into various green industry tactics to separate environmental activists from their green dollars? Have I really reduced our true expenses to the lowest common denominator?
Basically, there are two questions I am asking myself and readers:
1. Am I working too much in an industry that could not afford my true worth? Am I producing a surplus of goods - aka, waste - at a rate of pay that does neither relieves my stress nor guilt for having done so?
2. Could I reduce the amount of time I spend creating and selling waste (working) by reducing consumption, without disrupting positive aspects of our lifestyle nor creating more stress or guilt in the process?
Darling and I have drastically reduced both spending and consumption this year. We went a full month barely spending money at all, and have taken numerous vacations and periods of unemployment. I'd like to make such scenarios routine rather than experimental. We're not going to close our bank accounts and move back to VA, but I'll certainly be learning more than drafting this school year.
Debt Regret
"I have about $14,000 in student loan debt," a friend glumly revealed yesterday, "I paid a little over $1,300 - over a grand a month! - and realized the other day that over half of that went straight to interest."
That particular friend felt so defeated by this realization that he lost all interest in paying this debt any longer. He didn't want to default, but simply grew forgetful and lax. He has lost the enthusiasm that sending large payments can foster.
I feel and hurt for the thousands of homeowners battling and losing to upside down mortgages. That must be pretty hard on the soul. But how do we define upside down debt on student loans, which are thrust on so many of us at such a young age, and may never reap any reward whatsoever? (Besides the intellectual and experiential experience of going to college, which could be found far cheaper in the library or travel)
I don't regret signing $20,000 of my future away when I was seventeen, but I wish it hadn't happened to so many of us. I wish at least one of the numerous teachers, counselors, or guardians who so forcibly urged each of their children to go to college by any means necessary had taken the time to read the small print with us.
That particular friend felt so defeated by this realization that he lost all interest in paying this debt any longer. He didn't want to default, but simply grew forgetful and lax. He has lost the enthusiasm that sending large payments can foster.
I feel and hurt for the thousands of homeowners battling and losing to upside down mortgages. That must be pretty hard on the soul. But how do we define upside down debt on student loans, which are thrust on so many of us at such a young age, and may never reap any reward whatsoever? (Besides the intellectual and experiential experience of going to college, which could be found far cheaper in the library or travel)
I don't regret signing $20,000 of my future away when I was seventeen, but I wish it hadn't happened to so many of us. I wish at least one of the numerous teachers, counselors, or guardians who so forcibly urged each of their children to go to college by any means necessary had taken the time to read the small print with us.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
School Talk
I finally return to work today, after 12 days of total freedom! As yesterday was spent almost completely in bed, napping and reading Walden Two, and making the occasional sandwich (after watering and weeding the garden and planting lettuce and more carrots, of course), I'm definitely ready to get back into a routine that involves earning money.
Of course the next few weeks are going to be far from routine for us. Soon Darling and I will be registering for classes and a few weeks after that we'll be students. We both intend to take two 5 1/2 week courses, one after the other. This will be a bit of a strain, since these classes often take place several hours a day, four days a week, but our work situations will accommodate this nicely. Darling's telecommute schedule allows him to work whatever 20 hours in a week he chooses, and I intend to work only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The Summer 5 1/5 semester courses will allow me to take the first to prerequisite courses - which normally takes two semesters - in half the time. I'll only be taking one class at a time, so I'm less likely to fall behind and get overwhelmed.
If I water the garden regularly every morning before school, and urge the other community members to weed, it won't be problematic to leave it be until harvesting in July. It may be snowing in some areas of the country, but the Austin Summer planting schedule pretty much ends in April (which is why I need to get the cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumber in the ground ASAP...) Even if I wanted to keep planting, the garden is getting to be a bit more than one person can easily handle size-wise anyway.
Of course the next few weeks are going to be far from routine for us. Soon Darling and I will be registering for classes and a few weeks after that we'll be students. We both intend to take two 5 1/2 week courses, one after the other. This will be a bit of a strain, since these classes often take place several hours a day, four days a week, but our work situations will accommodate this nicely. Darling's telecommute schedule allows him to work whatever 20 hours in a week he chooses, and I intend to work only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The Summer 5 1/5 semester courses will allow me to take the first to prerequisite courses - which normally takes two semesters - in half the time. I'll only be taking one class at a time, so I'm less likely to fall behind and get overwhelmed.
If I water the garden regularly every morning before school, and urge the other community members to weed, it won't be problematic to leave it be until harvesting in July. It may be snowing in some areas of the country, but the Austin Summer planting schedule pretty much ends in April (which is why I need to get the cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumber in the ground ASAP...) Even if I wanted to keep planting, the garden is getting to be a bit more than one person can easily handle size-wise anyway.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Back to the garden
Yesterday and this morning I couldn't imagine attempting the momentous-feeling task of tending the garden. It rained last night, so watering wasn't necessary, but the weeds were getting a bit ridiculous and we have an inexcusable surplus of eggplant seedling that need to be put in the ground. Worrisome black bugs are invading the potato foliage, but I trust the many lady bugs that have also made their home in the tall vines. Only two of the four pumpkin seeds I planted sprouted, but how many pumpkins do we need? And we're out of brown material - leaves - necessary for composting.
Fortunately, as the day went by I found myself drawn repeatedly to my little green babies. I put a good deal of compost in the garden and planted the three eggplants my mother gifted me with. Transplanted my strawberry plant. Planted some lettuce in a pot, and made a to-do list for the rest of the month.
A few months from now and our garden will be producing so much food! And most of the community hasn't even gotten started, eager to dig up larger portions of yard and plant personal favorite vegetables. I can't wait to watch our grocery bill - and hours spent at "my real job" - dwindle as our sustainability grows!
Fortunately, as the day went by I found myself drawn repeatedly to my little green babies. I put a good deal of compost in the garden and planted the three eggplants my mother gifted me with. Transplanted my strawberry plant. Planted some lettuce in a pot, and made a to-do list for the rest of the month.
A few months from now and our garden will be producing so much food! And most of the community hasn't even gotten started, eager to dig up larger portions of yard and plant personal favorite vegetables. I can't wait to watch our grocery bill - and hours spent at "my real job" - dwindle as our sustainability grows!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Financial Look At Our Virginia Trip
We are back in Texas, safe at home in our lovely little community cottage. I feel this trip has given us a lot to think about. Stepping out of our Austin routine for ten days, enjoying new experiences and indulging in activities we've missed has been an eye-opening experience. The best part is that my mom had a great time and is eager to loan us the car and house-sit again come August!
Our entire trip cost less than $900, including gas. Gas prices ranged, between April 10th and 21st, between $3.17 and $3.45/gallon. I expected to see gas at $3.50 before the trip was over, but was denied that horror. We did see diesel priced as high as $4.15, though.
We spent a good deal on motels, two coming north and two going south. I didn't realize one could haggle over hotel prices until the last night we sought shelter. We had about $80 left, and were low on gas, but it was ridiculously easy to talk night auditors down as much as $20! That's a lesson I won't soon forget.
We spent a good deal of money eating out, sometimes twice a day. We also went out drinking regularly. I spent $100 on staples from the Mennonite shop, and Darling and I spent another $100 on games, snacks, and general luxuries.
Our entire trip cost less than $900, including gas. Gas prices ranged, between April 10th and 21st, between $3.17 and $3.45/gallon. I expected to see gas at $3.50 before the trip was over, but was denied that horror. We did see diesel priced as high as $4.15, though.
We spent a good deal on motels, two coming north and two going south. I didn't realize one could haggle over hotel prices until the last night we sought shelter. We had about $80 left, and were low on gas, but it was ridiculously easy to talk night auditors down as much as $20! That's a lesson I won't soon forget.
We spent a good deal of money eating out, sometimes twice a day. We also went out drinking regularly. I spent $100 on staples from the Mennonite shop, and Darling and I spent another $100 on games, snacks, and general luxuries.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Nervous Things
Hanging out at the brother and sister-in-law's house, where a huge computer monitor is attached to the wall. Which makes me nervous. Wouldn't that make you nervous?
Other things that make me nervous include the following:
1. We're a thousand miles late changing my mom's oil. Doing that tomorrow, but still - why did we put this off?
2. We're spending tomorrow night here, which gives us two days to drive home. We've never made the trip in less than three.
3. Despite running very low on funds, it looks like we won't be accessing our college money and have no reason to put off registering for classes in a few weeks. We'll have to make good on this very scary promise!
4. Will we make rent this month? No doubt, as Darling and I both are coming home to a pay check, and bills are mostly covered. But I still won't believe it till I see it.
5. Having left the state for the first time in 8 months, we're hungry for more! Not only have I agreed to taking Darling to see the great South West this August (for his b-day),but rumor has it we're crossing the Atlantic Next Spring to visit England, Wales, and Ireland. Yikes.
Other things that make me nervous include the following:
1. We're a thousand miles late changing my mom's oil. Doing that tomorrow, but still - why did we put this off?
2. We're spending tomorrow night here, which gives us two days to drive home. We've never made the trip in less than three.
3. Despite running very low on funds, it looks like we won't be accessing our college money and have no reason to put off registering for classes in a few weeks. We'll have to make good on this very scary promise!
4. Will we make rent this month? No doubt, as Darling and I both are coming home to a pay check, and bills are mostly covered. But I still won't believe it till I see it.
5. Having left the state for the first time in 8 months, we're hungry for more! Not only have I agreed to taking Darling to see the great South West this August (for his b-day),but rumor has it we're crossing the Atlantic Next Spring to visit England, Wales, and Ireland. Yikes.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
VA Update
Yesterday I did a quick run to my favorite Mennonite grocery, the Cheese Shop. I spent so much, but 20 pounds of oats for $13? Yeast a fifth of the price I pay in Austin? Pounds of raisins and almonds, that Damson jam we can't find anywhere else, cornmeal, raw sugar, and the prettiest apron ever at amazing prices? Yeah...I went a bit mad. But there are certain staples we won't have to worry about for several months!
Darling and I had dinner and drinks with friends when my friend S called. S and I had an adventure or two running the student newspaper and toying around in the film lab, and share an appetite for alternative living not exactly celebrated in our posh women's college. S moved to a commune shortly before Darling and I moved to Austin, and I was psyched to learn she came out to visit. I grilled her last night about her community experience and she invited me and another friend (H) to visit today. After a trip to the hospital to meet another friend's newborn baby boy and before a dinner with my mentor. Yikes, our schedule is getting progressively tighter...
Darling and I had dinner and drinks with friends when my friend S called. S and I had an adventure or two running the student newspaper and toying around in the film lab, and share an appetite for alternative living not exactly celebrated in our posh women's college. S moved to a commune shortly before Darling and I moved to Austin, and I was psyched to learn she came out to visit. I grilled her last night about her community experience and she invited me and another friend (H) to visit today. After a trip to the hospital to meet another friend's newborn baby boy and before a dinner with my mentor. Yikes, our schedule is getting progressively tighter...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Time In VA
Darling and I took three days driving to Virginia, paying slipping up the Natchez Trace and bobbing in and out of Tennessee most of the second day thanks to country roads and detours. We spent both nights on the road in cheap motels. The second was run by a woman quite literally out of her home - she greeted us at the door at 2 a.m. in her pajamas and asked us to speak quietly in the lobby/den, her husband was sleeping behind that partially open door.
Last night we went to an expensively posh restaurant. I won't tell you what we paid for roast potatoes, acorn squash, and a dish of macaroni and cheese. (And drinks, including a shared bottle of red wine. Really, my friends and I have reached this point in our lives?)
We went dancing ($5 cover charge, but we were drunk on expensive X Lounge mixed drinks so no cheap beer at The Dawning). Darling ran into a bunch of friends he knew eight years ago, who have apparently all migrated to Las Vegas and were just in for the night. What luck! Now my love wants to go to Vegas for his birthday...
Despite hitting a friends guest bed hard in the wee morning hours, I dragged myself out of bed for a gentle yoga class at nine this morning from my favorite yoga teacher in the world. Then sent Darling "off to work" at a shop he can get wifi at.
Tonight we attend a group b-day party at a German restaurant.
For those of you wondering how Darling and I will even be able to pay for the gas home: Ah, good point...However, I'm getting paid vacation, Darling isn't even on vacation, and the activities we're spending money on (dancing and yoga) are things we love to do, but haven't since moving away! So I refuse to feel guilty.
Last night we went to an expensively posh restaurant. I won't tell you what we paid for roast potatoes, acorn squash, and a dish of macaroni and cheese. (And drinks, including a shared bottle of red wine. Really, my friends and I have reached this point in our lives?)
We went dancing ($5 cover charge, but we were drunk on expensive X Lounge mixed drinks so no cheap beer at The Dawning). Darling ran into a bunch of friends he knew eight years ago, who have apparently all migrated to Las Vegas and were just in for the night. What luck! Now my love wants to go to Vegas for his birthday...
Despite hitting a friends guest bed hard in the wee morning hours, I dragged myself out of bed for a gentle yoga class at nine this morning from my favorite yoga teacher in the world. Then sent Darling "off to work" at a shop he can get wifi at.
Tonight we attend a group b-day party at a German restaurant.
For those of you wondering how Darling and I will even be able to pay for the gas home: Ah, good point...However, I'm getting paid vacation, Darling isn't even on vacation, and the activities we're spending money on (dancing and yoga) are things we love to do, but haven't since moving away! So I refuse to feel guilty.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Settling In
Isn't it strange how clean and spacious empty apartments appear, then three months after moving in you can't believe what a dump it really is? You notice the peeling paint, sticking doors, and the impossibility of keeping the shower clean and shiny. This is the first apartment we've lived in that hasn't turned out like that. We had our doubts about this place from the start, but after three months we're really beginning to love our awkward little cabin. We've put down roots (both literally and figuratively) out in the yard, time to start focusing on our interior.
Until the place we never owned a mop. We were the occasional owners of vacuums. We never bought paper towels or good scrub brushes or spray bottles to carry eco-friendly vinegar-and-water cleaning fluids. We've mostly tried to live as clean as possible until moving out and letting the landlord deal with any stray dust.
We also never posted a single poster or hung a curtain, and my tapestry hasn't been up since moving to Texas. A yellow sheet covers our bedroom window. Darling's NABCEP certificate is tucked away in a binder somewhere, not hanging in a place of pride and honor in our office/den
Having moved four times in our three years of marriage, we are only now fully unpacking. I see four boxes in this single room taking up space and boasting clutter.
Still, that's about half as many boxes as one could find in a single room of the other house. It looks like we're settling down on this urban homestead for the long haul - well, long enough to earn our associate degrees from ACC, at least. Since I haven't spent more than a year in a single house since I was fifteen (eight years ago), three years seems pretty permanent. The next couple of months is going to be about making a home of this cottage and investing in areas we've long left neglected: Shelves to put our dozens of books, somewhere to put our cds, futon covers, nice sheets, window coverings, picture frames...
Until the place we never owned a mop. We were the occasional owners of vacuums. We never bought paper towels or good scrub brushes or spray bottles to carry eco-friendly vinegar-and-water cleaning fluids. We've mostly tried to live as clean as possible until moving out and letting the landlord deal with any stray dust.
We also never posted a single poster or hung a curtain, and my tapestry hasn't been up since moving to Texas. A yellow sheet covers our bedroom window. Darling's NABCEP certificate is tucked away in a binder somewhere, not hanging in a place of pride and honor in our office/den
Having moved four times in our three years of marriage, we are only now fully unpacking. I see four boxes in this single room taking up space and boasting clutter.
Still, that's about half as many boxes as one could find in a single room of the other house. It looks like we're settling down on this urban homestead for the long haul - well, long enough to earn our associate degrees from ACC, at least. Since I haven't spent more than a year in a single house since I was fifteen (eight years ago), three years seems pretty permanent. The next couple of months is going to be about making a home of this cottage and investing in areas we've long left neglected: Shelves to put our dozens of books, somewhere to put our cds, futon covers, nice sheets, window coverings, picture frames...
Summer Garden
Beans are poking their heads out of the black clay soil like little green dragons. I pulled one weed to realize it was a pumpkin seedling (our first so far), and patted it apologetically back into the soil. Corn is popping up randomly between piles.
The carrot tops are beginning to resemble small bushes, the potatoes are topped with flower buds, and there is a huge blank space in the garden where we pulled up seeding broccoli and cauliflower to put in eggplant, peppers, and cantaloupes. Three little berries are developing on my potted strawberry plant. One neighbor planted marigolds and daisies around the herb garden, another spent yesterday creating a cactus garden.
I will miss this yard while we are gone!
Darling has a work meeting today, so I am busying (um, will be busying myself) around the house, cleaning dishes and vacuuming for guests tonight and my mom this week.
The carrot tops are beginning to resemble small bushes, the potatoes are topped with flower buds, and there is a huge blank space in the garden where we pulled up seeding broccoli and cauliflower to put in eggplant, peppers, and cantaloupes. Three little berries are developing on my potted strawberry plant. One neighbor planted marigolds and daisies around the herb garden, another spent yesterday creating a cactus garden.
I will miss this yard while we are gone!
Darling has a work meeting today, so I am busying (um, will be busying myself) around the house, cleaning dishes and vacuuming for guests tonight and my mom this week.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Weekend Summary
Darling bought a $150 hard drive to help him finish his telecommuting gig before we head out on Thursday. He'll get his first check on Tuesday, which will cover that expense. We'll have the second check waiting for us when we get home, I suppose.
I worked 23 hours between Friday and Saturday, worked a few hours this morning and slept the rest of the day. Fifteen hour shifts are pretty strenuous, but it was great actually working for a change, and I made great money. I intend to work hard tomorrow as well, but will have to take Tuesday off for our last community dinner before the trip. Which leaves me to consider whether I want to work on my birthday or not. We need gas money so bad...
I worked 23 hours between Friday and Saturday, worked a few hours this morning and slept the rest of the day. Fifteen hour shifts are pretty strenuous, but it was great actually working for a change, and I made great money. I intend to work hard tomorrow as well, but will have to take Tuesday off for our last community dinner before the trip. Which leaves me to consider whether I want to work on my birthday or not. We need gas money so bad...
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Work Thoughts
After almost a year of quietly minding his own business, my brother started reminding me of how much he loves his Whole Foods job, and asking me when I'll join him. Of course he does this right before the official start Summer, right before my months of impoverished waiting should be replaced with wealth, riches, and prestige. I told him, again, that I'll think about it.
Four things keep me in my current position: potential Summer wealth, the flexible hours, eventual benefits, and my desire for a stable job history. The flexible schedule, as the Summer semester draws near, is increasingly dear to my heart. I change my mind hourly, but at this precise moment I am determined to stick with my job for at least another five months. The same five months that, last year, were the best-paid of my life.
Darling is doing well enough with his contract work. He definitely enjoys the freedom of staying home, though there is some difficulty in defining work time and relax time during the day.
Four things keep me in my current position: potential Summer wealth, the flexible hours, eventual benefits, and my desire for a stable job history. The flexible schedule, as the Summer semester draws near, is increasingly dear to my heart. I change my mind hourly, but at this precise moment I am determined to stick with my job for at least another five months. The same five months that, last year, were the best-paid of my life.
Darling is doing well enough with his contract work. He definitely enjoys the freedom of staying home, though there is some difficulty in defining work time and relax time during the day.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Financially Stagnant, Otherwise Productive
Having finally applied for my replacement social security card, I went to the DPS and applied for a replacement drivers license today. I put this task off for over a year, so it's nice to knock that off the to-do list, especially with the road trip coming up.
I attempted to pick up a shift, and failed miserably. Has this entire city just decided to stop eating out? Is that what happened? Cause that would be good for the population and all, but I've got bills to pay.
At least the garden is coming along nicely. We have twelve little eggplant sprouts, put some pumpkin, edamame, and pole beans in the ground around the corn, and planted marigolds and other flowers around the perimeter of the herb garden.
I attempted to pick up a shift, and failed miserably. Has this entire city just decided to stop eating out? Is that what happened? Cause that would be good for the population and all, but I've got bills to pay.
At least the garden is coming along nicely. We have twelve little eggplant sprouts, put some pumpkin, edamame, and pole beans in the ground around the corn, and planted marigolds and other flowers around the perimeter of the herb garden.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
April Net Worth
March was hard for us here at The Challenge. We earned only $1,145.27, which is $54.73 less than needed to fulfill the needs of our Bare-Bones $1200 Budget. Even if we had earned the minimum amount needed to maintain our normal lifestyle, our trip to Houston still would have put us in the black. The good news? We haven't had a credit card to cover our indiscretions. Instead, we have some savings, including last month's $228 charity fund.
When Darling and I first decided to devote 10% of our income to charity, we agreed that the money would serve as a short-term emergency fund. This is the first time we've used it as such. This is also the first time, in my entire adult life and marriage, I've lived above my means. $427 above my means, to be exact. So March and April "charity" will keep us in our home. After some discussion, it was decided that the $117 meant to pay debt would also help pay rent. And $48 was taken from our actual emergency fund to finish off the job and buy groceries (a day late).
Current Assets: $1,262.08. The small increase from last month is an illusion; I don't normally include charity as part of my net worth, since it's normally gone the next day.
Total Debt: $14,674.37 (down $35.10) We sent a check for $78 earlier in the month, and it's sorrowing how much of it was eaten away by interest.
It looks like our net worth (-$13,412.29) increased by $183.89. This is only because we calculated money this month that was ignored last month. Sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is me taking what I can get.
I've been taking Monday, Wednesday, and Tuesday off almost every week this year. These days have been spent exclusively with friends and family. Because work has been slow, I've been sent home penniless at least once a week, and have enjoyed the vacation and gardening time. However, it's pretty obvious that something needs to change. We need to spend less or earn more. So I told my buds that Mondays and Wednesdays are workdays for me again, at least for this month. Excluding, of course, our mid-month road trip. Oh dear...
When Darling and I first decided to devote 10% of our income to charity, we agreed that the money would serve as a short-term emergency fund. This is the first time we've used it as such. This is also the first time, in my entire adult life and marriage, I've lived above my means. $427 above my means, to be exact. So March and April "charity" will keep us in our home. After some discussion, it was decided that the $117 meant to pay debt would also help pay rent. And $48 was taken from our actual emergency fund to finish off the job and buy groceries (a day late).
Current Assets: $1,262.08. The small increase from last month is an illusion; I don't normally include charity as part of my net worth, since it's normally gone the next day.
Total Debt: $14,674.37 (down $35.10) We sent a check for $78 earlier in the month, and it's sorrowing how much of it was eaten away by interest.
It looks like our net worth (-$13,412.29) increased by $183.89. This is only because we calculated money this month that was ignored last month. Sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is me taking what I can get.
I've been taking Monday, Wednesday, and Tuesday off almost every week this year. These days have been spent exclusively with friends and family. Because work has been slow, I've been sent home penniless at least once a week, and have enjoyed the vacation and gardening time. However, it's pretty obvious that something needs to change. We need to spend less or earn more. So I told my buds that Mondays and Wednesdays are workdays for me again, at least for this month. Excluding, of course, our mid-month road trip. Oh dear...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)