Darling and I are looking at college stuff. He'll be applying for financial aid, but won't know if he's received it until after we've paid for classes.
Although we're very behind financially, I'm fairly confident in my ability to catch up and scrape together 14 credit hours worth of funds in a few weeks. It helps that Darling has picked up a shift a week washing dishes at a nearby restaurant, and it helps more that I'm getting another raise from the bakery. I can't imagine Darling won't be offered a work study job, at the very least, so I can look forward to some sort of refund in a month or two.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Dealing With Conflicting Priorities
With our trip to England out of the way, I find myself confronted by the many choices I've postponed making. Do I keep both of my jobs, or the better paying one, or the one I enjoy? Do I go back to school next semester, and if so, for how many hours? Stick with AutoCad or explore new interests, or old interests? Should we move when our lease ends, or plan on breaking our lease, or attempt to negotiate a temporary lease, or stay with our landlord and suffer his insanity for another year?
These questions are intricately interconnected. See, if I stay with the lower paying job, and quit the high paying job, I can take training shifts to become a baker, at which point going to school would be a bit redundant. However, if we plan to move - which might be necessary with a lower paying job - getting to the bakery at five (or one) in the morning might be impossible. Rents in this area are skyrocketing. Moving might be the only way to get to the AutoCad classes I need access to, at which point I could transfer to another restaurant up north and stick with my old better paying job. But I am totally in love with this area, and am tempted to dig in my heels and hold onto this home as long as possible. The higher paying job would allow me to go to classes and stay in my home, but I am increasingly disgusted by the management and hate the though of depending on them for my livelihood...
Baker's hours clash with waitress hours. I'd like to downsize to a smaller and cheaper home, but I am totally sick of relocating. I'd like to go to school, but not so much as I want to be debt free. Keeping both jobs will prevent me from going to school, moving will require changing jobs, reducing my hours may require me to move...It's something of a labyrinthine Catch-22.
I know this is a case of conflicting priorities, so I have made a quick list of my "wants" in life:
* 1 day off a week to spend with Darling and friends
* 1-2 weeks off twice a year to travel
* $100 saved every month
* $1,000 debt paid every month
* Regular doctor and dental visits
* College Classes
* Time to cook, bake, knit, read, write, blog, game, walk, garden, etc.
* Volunteer work with the shelter
With these desires in mind, surely I can boil our options down to a sensible course of action.
These questions are intricately interconnected. See, if I stay with the lower paying job, and quit the high paying job, I can take training shifts to become a baker, at which point going to school would be a bit redundant. However, if we plan to move - which might be necessary with a lower paying job - getting to the bakery at five (or one) in the morning might be impossible. Rents in this area are skyrocketing. Moving might be the only way to get to the AutoCad classes I need access to, at which point I could transfer to another restaurant up north and stick with my old better paying job. But I am totally in love with this area, and am tempted to dig in my heels and hold onto this home as long as possible. The higher paying job would allow me to go to classes and stay in my home, but I am increasingly disgusted by the management and hate the though of depending on them for my livelihood...
Baker's hours clash with waitress hours. I'd like to downsize to a smaller and cheaper home, but I am totally sick of relocating. I'd like to go to school, but not so much as I want to be debt free. Keeping both jobs will prevent me from going to school, moving will require changing jobs, reducing my hours may require me to move...It's something of a labyrinthine Catch-22.
I know this is a case of conflicting priorities, so I have made a quick list of my "wants" in life:
* 1 day off a week to spend with Darling and friends
* 1-2 weeks off twice a year to travel
* $100 saved every month
* $1,000 debt paid every month
* Regular doctor and dental visits
* College Classes
* Time to cook, bake, knit, read, write, blog, game, walk, garden, etc.
* Volunteer work with the shelter
With these desires in mind, surely I can boil our options down to a sensible course of action.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Return to the Pantry
I made a soup last night of all the veggies that survived two weeks in the fridge. Which wasn't a whole lot. We finished the soup today after a breakfast of free baked goods. Tomorrow we will spend $20 at the grocery store to restock on staples: eggs, rice, and sugar in particular.
I am craving the foods and snacks we've gorged ourselves on the past two weeks. Chippies, grocery store convenience foods, cider and crisps and biscuits...All high fat and sugar. We can not afford to take those habits home with us, physically or financially. Food in England struck me as incredibly cheap, but I know that's an optical illusion created by the fact that we eat the most expensive foods available in Austin. Which is something I need to look at, to reconsider.
It is such a relief not to have our vacation out of the way, but to focus on short term savings and daily spending as opposed to international currency rates and flight prices.
I am craving the foods and snacks we've gorged ourselves on the past two weeks. Chippies, grocery store convenience foods, cider and crisps and biscuits...All high fat and sugar. We can not afford to take those habits home with us, physically or financially. Food in England struck me as incredibly cheap, but I know that's an optical illusion created by the fact that we eat the most expensive foods available in Austin. Which is something I need to look at, to reconsider.
It is such a relief not to have our vacation out of the way, but to focus on short term savings and daily spending as opposed to international currency rates and flight prices.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Back and In The Garden
We got home just after midnight last night, showered, and crashed.
The trip was definitely a success, financially as well as socially. I can hardly believe we did not overdraft our bank account. We did borrow some money from a friend when we'd found out at the last minute that rail fares had increased substantially. Sadly, I never had access to the Internet and did not get Tina's suggestion for National Express Buses. Next time :)
It is so great to be home! Austin had a good rain while we were gone and the garden has gone quite mad. My precious tomato seedlings actually look like tomato plants, and the tomatoes I'd purchased from the community garden have are growing heavy with green fruit. The eggplants and pepper I'd purchased with the tomatoes have several buds and flowers. The garlic stalks are thick and almost as tall as the tomatoes, and the chard is ready for harvesting. The herb garden is an entity unto itself, large and complex enough to lose a toddler in. Our bibb lettuce bolted completely to seed, so I yanked it out and planted six bell pepper seedlings in its place. The rest of the bell peppers were transplanted into individual containers in case pests wipe out the tiny ones in the garden.
Having transplanted the bell peppers, I planted cantaloupe seeds in the "bedside nursery."
This evening I picked up free bread and sweets from the bakery I work at and made a soup of the veggies that survived our two weeks away: carrots, radish, turnip, kohlrabi, and cabbage. Darling has spent most of the day in bed dealing with jet lag, but I am trying to remain active and awake until bedtime. No time for a shifty sleep schedule, tomorrow it is back to work and I have 6 days to make rent :)
The trip was definitely a success, financially as well as socially. I can hardly believe we did not overdraft our bank account. We did borrow some money from a friend when we'd found out at the last minute that rail fares had increased substantially. Sadly, I never had access to the Internet and did not get Tina's suggestion for National Express Buses. Next time :)
It is so great to be home! Austin had a good rain while we were gone and the garden has gone quite mad. My precious tomato seedlings actually look like tomato plants, and the tomatoes I'd purchased from the community garden have are growing heavy with green fruit. The eggplants and pepper I'd purchased with the tomatoes have several buds and flowers. The garlic stalks are thick and almost as tall as the tomatoes, and the chard is ready for harvesting. The herb garden is an entity unto itself, large and complex enough to lose a toddler in. Our bibb lettuce bolted completely to seed, so I yanked it out and planted six bell pepper seedlings in its place. The rest of the bell peppers were transplanted into individual containers in case pests wipe out the tiny ones in the garden.
Having transplanted the bell peppers, I planted cantaloupe seeds in the "bedside nursery."
This evening I picked up free bread and sweets from the bakery I work at and made a soup of the veggies that survived our two weeks away: carrots, radish, turnip, kohlrabi, and cabbage. Darling has spent most of the day in bed dealing with jet lag, but I am trying to remain active and awake until bedtime. No time for a shifty sleep schedule, tomorrow it is back to work and I have 6 days to make rent :)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Last Day Before England 2009
It's been a crazy week for us so far. In an attempt to maximize our income before crossing the ocean, I worked mornings and nights for a couple of days with three hour naps in-between. Wednesday I spent the afternoon with friends and received my annual birthday present, which also happens to be my annual hair cut-n-color. I am a blonde now, by the way, for the first time in my 24 shiny years of life.
We are going to England with very, very little money in our pockets. Our trip two years ago cost about $5,000 dollars. We have managed to save less than $2,000 for this trip, including plane tickets. We will be spending the next couple of weeks wandering free museums and living as cheaply as possible. Today is my last to make money, as well as buy travelers checks. Tomorrow morning my brother is picking me up at 7:00 in the morning and we head out.
We are going to England with very, very little money in our pockets. Our trip two years ago cost about $5,000 dollars. We have managed to save less than $2,000 for this trip, including plane tickets. We will be spending the next couple of weeks wandering free museums and living as cheaply as possible. Today is my last to make money, as well as buy travelers checks. Tomorrow morning my brother is picking me up at 7:00 in the morning and we head out.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Birthday Barbeque
When I was young(er) and (more) impressionable, my stepmother took me to the grocery store and spent over $100 on groceries. It blew my little mind. My Mom and Dad both had to count pennies to make the most basic of purchases, even when assisted by food stamps, but my stepmom spent nothing of blowing a bill on two or three times a week on food.
Every once in a while she would throw great barbeques. Although this woman and I most certainly have our differences (she has a tendency to "kick out" people living in her home with no notice, once on Christmas Eve when I was fifteen...) a few of her parties make up some of my fondest memories. My 21st birthday was the greatest: a beautiful sunny spring day spent by the pool drinking cider and eating an amazing feast including chicken, sushi, veggies, and steak. My Dad later informed me that she'd spent over $300!
I throw the occassional party myself, six in the past two years. I prepared enough food for at least fifteen people, mostly organic and totally from scratch. Each of these parties probably cost me much less than $50 in supplies but took all day to prepare with the help of my Mom and Darling. Eggroll and noodle dough was rolled out by hand, dozens of veggies meticulously chopped, and elaborate desserts (sugar plums, figgy puddings, caramel cake) constructed by hand. I love these parties, but was horrified when my husband suggested I throw one for my own birthday. I'd rather have no party than spend the entire day in the kitchen preparing one.
This year, however, I invited my Dad and Aunt to celebrate our birthdays together, which put me in a bit of a bind. What do I want to do for my birthday? Not cook or go into hyper-hostess mode, which is my modus opereni when feeding guests. My ideal party is the one Stepmom threw for me all those years ago; a stress-free event featuring anyone cooking but me and lots and lots of food. I suddenly realised that one thing I've always, always wanted to do was go to the grocery store, buy a party, and let someone else manage the heat.
So that is what I am doing.
My Mom gave me a big pile of money for my birthday, Darling and I made "the perfect vegetarian barbeque" shopping list, and we bought it. Veggie burgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, loads of grilling vegetables, ice cream, chips and salsa, my favorite soda (Big Red)...All we are making at home is the cole slaw, guacamole, devilled eggs, and potato salad. And that is all courtesy of my Mom and Darling.
Local, package-free, seasonal, or organic? Not so much. A sensible way to spend (all) our money before crossing the ocean? Definitely not.
The best birthday present (to myself) ever? Quite possibly. Especially since the leftovers will last us all week.
Every once in a while she would throw great barbeques. Although this woman and I most certainly have our differences (she has a tendency to "kick out" people living in her home with no notice, once on Christmas Eve when I was fifteen...) a few of her parties make up some of my fondest memories. My 21st birthday was the greatest: a beautiful sunny spring day spent by the pool drinking cider and eating an amazing feast including chicken, sushi, veggies, and steak. My Dad later informed me that she'd spent over $300!
I throw the occassional party myself, six in the past two years. I prepared enough food for at least fifteen people, mostly organic and totally from scratch. Each of these parties probably cost me much less than $50 in supplies but took all day to prepare with the help of my Mom and Darling. Eggroll and noodle dough was rolled out by hand, dozens of veggies meticulously chopped, and elaborate desserts (sugar plums, figgy puddings, caramel cake) constructed by hand. I love these parties, but was horrified when my husband suggested I throw one for my own birthday. I'd rather have no party than spend the entire day in the kitchen preparing one.
This year, however, I invited my Dad and Aunt to celebrate our birthdays together, which put me in a bit of a bind. What do I want to do for my birthday? Not cook or go into hyper-hostess mode, which is my modus opereni when feeding guests. My ideal party is the one Stepmom threw for me all those years ago; a stress-free event featuring anyone cooking but me and lots and lots of food. I suddenly realised that one thing I've always, always wanted to do was go to the grocery store, buy a party, and let someone else manage the heat.
So that is what I am doing.
My Mom gave me a big pile of money for my birthday, Darling and I made "the perfect vegetarian barbeque" shopping list, and we bought it. Veggie burgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, loads of grilling vegetables, ice cream, chips and salsa, my favorite soda (Big Red)...All we are making at home is the cole slaw, guacamole, devilled eggs, and potato salad. And that is all courtesy of my Mom and Darling.
Local, package-free, seasonal, or organic? Not so much. A sensible way to spend (all) our money before crossing the ocean? Definitely not.
The best birthday present (to myself) ever? Quite possibly. Especially since the leftovers will last us all week.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Happiness is A Day In The Garden
The saved bell pepper seeds I planted in our bedside nursery started to sprout today. I am so pleased. This is the closest to free, sustainable food I have ever come.
To celebrate I spent the day in the garden, weeding, watering, and transplanting the rest of the tomato seedlings we are likely to keep. The seedlings we have no room for will go to the area children's shelter (which is putting in a garden this year).
While working in the garden I discovered that one of our eggplants from last year, which was cut to the ground and mulched heavily, survived the winter and is showing some green! This is a success almost on par with sprouting saved seeds, but not quite...Maybe when I save eggplant seeds from this two-year wonder, and sprout those next Summer...
It is days like this that make me wonder if we need to continue our local veggie delivery service...
To celebrate I spent the day in the garden, weeding, watering, and transplanting the rest of the tomato seedlings we are likely to keep. The seedlings we have no room for will go to the area children's shelter (which is putting in a garden this year).
While working in the garden I discovered that one of our eggplants from last year, which was cut to the ground and mulched heavily, survived the winter and is showing some green! This is a success almost on par with sprouting saved seeds, but not quite...Maybe when I save eggplant seeds from this two-year wonder, and sprout those next Summer...
It is days like this that make me wonder if we need to continue our local veggie delivery service...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2009 Net Worth
Darling made the last bank deposit last week and apparently managed to forget my pay check. We now have an overdraft which has already cost us $60 and may cost us more before we get to the bank tomorrow. Discovering this is not how I wanted to start April.
The only reason I noticed this now is because I gave up a night shift to catch up on my sleep, regain my sanity, and calculate our net worth. I should have stayed at work...
So, I have -$248 in our checking account, possibly even less if the other two pending transactions go through before noon tomorrow. I have $238 in check form and $2 in cash. There is $15 in our savings account and $785.65 in our IRA. That's $792.65 in mostly useless assets.
I owe my brother $550. I think I owe the HR department at work $861.18. And I am a few months behind on my student loan debt of $13,197.35. Which brings our liabilities to $14,608.53.
Our net worth is -$13,815.88, $83.93 more than last month. Which is a good thing, really, but I really hoped to make more progress. I would really like to celebrate this blog's two year anniversary with our highest net worth ever, but that doesn't seem to terribly likely at our current rate.
The only reason I noticed this now is because I gave up a night shift to catch up on my sleep, regain my sanity, and calculate our net worth. I should have stayed at work...
So, I have -$248 in our checking account, possibly even less if the other two pending transactions go through before noon tomorrow. I have $238 in check form and $2 in cash. There is $15 in our savings account and $785.65 in our IRA. That's $792.65 in mostly useless assets.
I owe my brother $550. I think I owe the HR department at work $861.18. And I am a few months behind on my student loan debt of $13,197.35. Which brings our liabilities to $14,608.53.
Our net worth is -$13,815.88, $83.93 more than last month. Which is a good thing, really, but I really hoped to make more progress. I would really like to celebrate this blog's two year anniversary with our highest net worth ever, but that doesn't seem to terribly likely at our current rate.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Oh Wow...
I though we had one more payment to send our lawyer, but I just checked our account history and discovered we are in the clear - I just made the last $200 payment! And last weekend I managed to earn enough money to catch up with the bills we owe our landlord :) What a relief!!!
Now I just have to focus on HR payments, my brother, and student loans. As soon as I have a moment to breathe I will tally our net worth, but tomorrow I work both jobs and volunteer at the shelter, and require a few hours sleep beforehand.
Now I just have to focus on HR payments, my brother, and student loans. As soon as I have a moment to breathe I will tally our net worth, but tomorrow I work both jobs and volunteer at the shelter, and require a few hours sleep beforehand.
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