Some of you (possibly one of my 12 followers) may wonder why I have been absent. Things got crazy there for a while. I had a minor surgery, a few life changes and a job offer. Life changes fast! My intention was to stay home with Amelia indefinitely; but a great offer came my way which was not only enticing, but flexible enough to fit into life with my ginourmous family.
Lets play catch up. A few months ago my sister in law and her son moved in with us. Shortly thereafter, a friend and former customer offered me a position within his company. The position is part time and from home as needed. My sister-in-law and I discussed the opportunity, as child care was a huge issue. Now, instead of sending Amelia to childcare, we trade days in our home. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday my sister-in-law watches the kids and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, it's my turn. So the first cost of working (childcare) is eliminated ($ 45 per day x 3 = 135 x 53 = $ 7,020 saved per year). This is an amazing savings. If anyone can share childcare share DO IT!
So here is my next challenge. When life's pace picks up and time is limited, we spend more money. We buy pizzas instead of making dinner, we send clothes to the cleaners rather than ironing them ourselves, we balance our checkbook once a month instead of checking on it once a week (we spend more when we don't check ourselves). My job now it to make sure that this job earns more than it costs. More important than the financial costs are our the costs associated with our time. Life moving fast means less time for the ones we love. And truly, those moments we may lose are the stuff that makes life worth living. Some times when we are going a million different directions, we are distracted and not fully present with those we love.
I am going to rely on a tenet my mother points out frequently. Wherever you are - be present. With limited time this becomes ever so urgent! When we multi-task we tend to give part of ourselves to many different directions and never all of ourselves to one. Do we want to miss the laughter of our children, or for that matter the kindness of a colleaugue? Do we want to be partially present at any point in our lives (exception being at the dentist)? I have to check myself and make sure that I do not allow my busy schedule to run my life. I must be organized and smart about this and keep my wits about me. Now the important question....
Why did I go back to work? The opportunity was invaluable. I was offered a position with a company that subscribes to my beliefs and values. I am working for a company which considers Earth Day a paid holiday as long as you volunteer a few hours of your time. I am working for a company which considers their customers, their employees and their planet to be invaluable resources. The company is called Evolve and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
Now here is my challenge. We have been able to successfully manage on one income. We invested more and put more in savings than ever before during the time that I was not working. We found ways to conserve that we had never discovered before. So now, when an opportunity to earn presented itself, I was in a position to say no. For the first time in my life I made the choice to work because I believed in the mission of a company, and not because I had to.
And now my blog moves in a new direction, and hopefully it can be as insightful (at least for me) as before. This new job does not require pantyhose, but the occasional hosiery sock is appropriate. And wouldn't you know that the first time I wore them, I ended the day with a run!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Generation that Does Not Know Poverty
I have a 14 year old step daughter. Last week she was visiting a friend she had not previously visited. When I picked her up I knew before she made a peep the conversation that would ensue. Like clockwork, she began to mention how nice the home she had been to was. Next, we chatted about how all of her friends seem to have nicer houses than us. Before you know it, we are living in poverty. And this makes me laugh my head off.
When I was 14 my mom had just gotten into medical school. We moved to Carbondale, Illinois and lived in Evergreen Terrace Student Housing. I found the name amusing, because there were no Evergreens and last I heard, a 2 x 5 concrete balcony was not a terrace. Student Housing was dead on because everyone was as broke as we were. We had a three room apartment and I shared a room with my sister. We took our lunch, ate tuna noodle casserole for dinner and drove a 1973 Dodge Dart. This was where we lived, and I knew we were not rich, but I don't think I ever thought of myself as poor.
Film producer Mike Todd is credited with the quote, "I have never been poor, but I have been broke.". This is how my family always felt, that this "being broke" was a temporary state on the way to something else. We were on the way to.......well to where I am now. I am in a place where the pantry has food in it, living in a home I love with a wonderful family. My husband and I have revamped the budget so that I can stay home with the new baby. And so when Al refers to us as poor, I am startled, and somewhat baffled by her idea of poverty.
A couple of years ago I was working with a counselor trying to make sense of the conflict in my life. I recall saying to him,
"I feel like I'm dwelling on petty issues, I mean seriously, look at this minutia of crap and then look at the chaos in Darfur. Am I really this egotistical?"
To which he replied,
"Elizabeth, you don't live in Darfur."
I remember relating this conversation to Alex some time ago. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I tried to explain to Alex that we are not poor, and that there will always be people with more. I tried to make her understand that we are lucky to have so much, things like cello lessons and being able to afford the rock climbing team. I told her that she should stop comparing her life to others and instead be thankful for what we have. To this she replied,
"But Liz, I don't live in Darfur."
She is funny, I will give her that, but she is also fourteen, which stagnates the depth of her world view. But she does strike a strong chord here.
This generation has so much! I have a friend with an eight year old. Her daughter came home the other day wanting an I-Phone. Apparently two other girls in class had them and it was about to become a trend. When Alex was eight she lost shoes, bracelets backpacks, books, lunch bags, 20,000 jackets, and the list goes on. Why the hell would I have given her a $250 I-Phone? Why too would I add a cell phone service into my budget for an 8 year old. I have a friend that teaches in Arizona, he overheard some of his high school students talking about allowances that cost more than his car payment. I have a another friend whose son and all of his friends were part of a ski team that cost $700 per season. Alex's extra curricular activities cost $150 per month. That's more than we pay to feed her.
Alex says that I cannot compare my life to hers because that was "back then" and this is now. That's what I said to my mom when wanting things that she thought was crazy. I wanted a pair of Jordache Jeans that cost $50. I know how much $50 is worth now (and I wanted them in the 70s) and frankly, she would have been fiscally irresponsible to buy those jeans for me. But that did not stop me from wanting them. So I think for our situation then, and Alex's now we need to look at our financial situation and determine what is feasible and fiscally responsible. God knows we could buy a nicer house in a nicer neighborhood. However, with our income and with our situation it would be irresponsible to do so; just as those jeans would have be irresponsible for me to have in the 70s.
But more important than fiscal responsibility is retooling the mental concept that a "cell phone" is a need. We've lost the difference between a need and a want. And it's not just the children in this generation. We, the parents, believe that our children must have everything that their peers have in order to be successful. In doing so we are setting ourselves up for failure. No matter what your status, someone will always have more. Alex needs to grasp that she has everything she needs. She has a home, she has clothing to keep her warm, she has food on the table and a loving family. This is what needs to be appreciated. Being jealous of others will only set her on a path which keeps her from ever being content with what she has.
I have a fond memory of childhood. Mom was able to stay home with me for the day. We made home-made bread and sang songs while we kneaded the dough. I remember this more fondly than any material thing I received in my childhood. This is my gift to Amelia, and the way we will achieve this is by me staying home and consequently, our family having less disposable income. So in ten years, when Amelia asks me for a jet-pack to fly to school with, I will hold my breath and say, "No you cannot have a jet pack, that would not be a wise use of our resources, do you want to make some bread?" (Future Savings .... Jet Pack $13,000 - Flour, Yeast, Honey, Butter - $240= $12,760 Saved)
Next Blog......That's Not Camping
When I was 14 my mom had just gotten into medical school. We moved to Carbondale, Illinois and lived in Evergreen Terrace Student Housing. I found the name amusing, because there were no Evergreens and last I heard, a 2 x 5 concrete balcony was not a terrace. Student Housing was dead on because everyone was as broke as we were. We had a three room apartment and I shared a room with my sister. We took our lunch, ate tuna noodle casserole for dinner and drove a 1973 Dodge Dart. This was where we lived, and I knew we were not rich, but I don't think I ever thought of myself as poor.
Film producer Mike Todd is credited with the quote, "I have never been poor, but I have been broke.". This is how my family always felt, that this "being broke" was a temporary state on the way to something else. We were on the way to.......well to where I am now. I am in a place where the pantry has food in it, living in a home I love with a wonderful family. My husband and I have revamped the budget so that I can stay home with the new baby. And so when Al refers to us as poor, I am startled, and somewhat baffled by her idea of poverty.
A couple of years ago I was working with a counselor trying to make sense of the conflict in my life. I recall saying to him,
"I feel like I'm dwelling on petty issues, I mean seriously, look at this minutia of crap and then look at the chaos in Darfur. Am I really this egotistical?"
To which he replied,
"Elizabeth, you don't live in Darfur."
I remember relating this conversation to Alex some time ago. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I tried to explain to Alex that we are not poor, and that there will always be people with more. I tried to make her understand that we are lucky to have so much, things like cello lessons and being able to afford the rock climbing team. I told her that she should stop comparing her life to others and instead be thankful for what we have. To this she replied,
"But Liz, I don't live in Darfur."
She is funny, I will give her that, but she is also fourteen, which stagnates the depth of her world view. But she does strike a strong chord here.
This generation has so much! I have a friend with an eight year old. Her daughter came home the other day wanting an I-Phone. Apparently two other girls in class had them and it was about to become a trend. When Alex was eight she lost shoes, bracelets backpacks, books, lunch bags, 20,000 jackets, and the list goes on. Why the hell would I have given her a $250 I-Phone? Why too would I add a cell phone service into my budget for an 8 year old. I have a friend that teaches in Arizona, he overheard some of his high school students talking about allowances that cost more than his car payment. I have a another friend whose son and all of his friends were part of a ski team that cost $700 per season. Alex's extra curricular activities cost $150 per month. That's more than we pay to feed her.
Alex says that I cannot compare my life to hers because that was "back then" and this is now. That's what I said to my mom when wanting things that she thought was crazy. I wanted a pair of Jordache Jeans that cost $50. I know how much $50 is worth now (and I wanted them in the 70s) and frankly, she would have been fiscally irresponsible to buy those jeans for me. But that did not stop me from wanting them. So I think for our situation then, and Alex's now we need to look at our financial situation and determine what is feasible and fiscally responsible. God knows we could buy a nicer house in a nicer neighborhood. However, with our income and with our situation it would be irresponsible to do so; just as those jeans would have be irresponsible for me to have in the 70s.
But more important than fiscal responsibility is retooling the mental concept that a "cell phone" is a need. We've lost the difference between a need and a want. And it's not just the children in this generation. We, the parents, believe that our children must have everything that their peers have in order to be successful. In doing so we are setting ourselves up for failure. No matter what your status, someone will always have more. Alex needs to grasp that she has everything she needs. She has a home, she has clothing to keep her warm, she has food on the table and a loving family. This is what needs to be appreciated. Being jealous of others will only set her on a path which keeps her from ever being content with what she has.
I have a fond memory of childhood. Mom was able to stay home with me for the day. We made home-made bread and sang songs while we kneaded the dough. I remember this more fondly than any material thing I received in my childhood. This is my gift to Amelia, and the way we will achieve this is by me staying home and consequently, our family having less disposable income. So in ten years, when Amelia asks me for a jet-pack to fly to school with, I will hold my breath and say, "No you cannot have a jet pack, that would not be a wise use of our resources, do you want to make some bread?" (Future Savings .... Jet Pack $13,000 - Flour, Yeast, Honey, Butter - $240= $12,760 Saved)
Next Blog......That's Not Camping
Monday, February 23, 2009
Oh #$@% It's Tax Time!
When I was in college I did my own taxes. When I got my first "real" job, I did my own taxes. Eventually I started to make more money and at that point I hired out the task . I guess I thought things were getting more complicated with home ownership, pre-tax health care savings accounts and the like. But after the past couple of years and more contact with the IRS than I would have liked to have had, I feel like a fool. I have been paying some yahoo who took a weekend workshop in 1993 to muck (I'd prefer to use another word here but am trying to quit cussing for the sake of the infant) up my taxes. I paid these numb skulls a few hundred dollars a year to put me on the IRS's frequent filer muck-up (again the other word would be more poignant) list. At this point I imagine that these IRS guys actually pull my annual files for kicks just to see who can find the error the fastest. And this was all for what?
In the 90's I had an excuse to want out of tax filing. I had never heard of Turbo Tax, and had to make a trip to the public library to pick up a form and a booklet, and extra forms for when I made errors. I would read through copy more boring than (insert most boring thing you've ever read here) and fall asleep every three pages, even with 6 shots of espresso under my belt. I actually recall taking 2 days off of work to do my taxes; of course I spent the first one procrastinating and drinking Bloody Marys. But as difficult as it seemed to me, I was never once contacted by the IRS. Now .... they have me on speed dial.
So this year, I decided to get back on the "proverbial" horse and file our taxes myself. I bought Turbo Tax for $59. I got together all of my paperwork and on a Monday night, on my own time, I filed our taxes. And after 2 hours and a glass of wine, I was DONE! It was very simple, even with additional medical, short term disability, having a baby, home ownership, and 401Ks. So here's the math ($239-$49= $190 saved this year) and here is the most humorous part of the saga.
Last year we went to have our taxes filed. The woman filing them got confused when looking at our HSA (healthcare savings account)distribution form. She asked us to wait one moment which turned into 20 moments while she walked from cubicle to cubicle in the office trying to find someone who could help her understand the document sent by the HSA manager. So, when it came to this document I was a bit leery. I was afraid it was going to be uber confusing, but guess what, it wasn't. As far as I can tell, she was simply (how do I say this nicely) not the sharpest knife in the drawer. And three years ago, Chad (that's what we'll call him) forgot to tell us we needed to file in Iowa because of a home sale. And two years ago, Chad II forgot a critical piece of information that we needed in order to file correctly. Now I know what you are thinking, because as I am writing this, I am thinking it too. Per Albert Einstein the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result". At this rate I am a raving lunatic; but this year I took back my sanity. And this year, when the IRS calls because I made a silly error, or I mistyped a number, I won't feel like a complete ass, because at least I #*$@ed up my taxes instead of paying someone to do the job for me.
Next Article.....The Generation that Can't Define Poverty
In the 90's I had an excuse to want out of tax filing. I had never heard of Turbo Tax, and had to make a trip to the public library to pick up a form and a booklet, and extra forms for when I made errors. I would read through copy more boring than (insert most boring thing you've ever read here) and fall asleep every three pages, even with 6 shots of espresso under my belt. I actually recall taking 2 days off of work to do my taxes; of course I spent the first one procrastinating and drinking Bloody Marys. But as difficult as it seemed to me, I was never once contacted by the IRS. Now .... they have me on speed dial.
So this year, I decided to get back on the "proverbial" horse and file our taxes myself. I bought Turbo Tax for $59. I got together all of my paperwork and on a Monday night, on my own time, I filed our taxes. And after 2 hours and a glass of wine, I was DONE! It was very simple, even with additional medical, short term disability, having a baby, home ownership, and 401Ks. So here's the math ($239-$49= $190 saved this year) and here is the most humorous part of the saga.
Last year we went to have our taxes filed. The woman filing them got confused when looking at our HSA (healthcare savings account)distribution form. She asked us to wait one moment which turned into 20 moments while she walked from cubicle to cubicle in the office trying to find someone who could help her understand the document sent by the HSA manager. So, when it came to this document I was a bit leery. I was afraid it was going to be uber confusing, but guess what, it wasn't. As far as I can tell, she was simply (how do I say this nicely) not the sharpest knife in the drawer. And three years ago, Chad (that's what we'll call him) forgot to tell us we needed to file in Iowa because of a home sale. And two years ago, Chad II forgot a critical piece of information that we needed in order to file correctly. Now I know what you are thinking, because as I am writing this, I am thinking it too. Per Albert Einstein the definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result". At this rate I am a raving lunatic; but this year I took back my sanity. And this year, when the IRS calls because I made a silly error, or I mistyped a number, I won't feel like a complete ass, because at least I #*$@ed up my taxes instead of paying someone to do the job for me.
Next Article.....The Generation that Can't Define Poverty
Monday, February 9, 2009
I Heart Craig
Let me begin this blog by apologizing to my nine followers. As you know, I was supposed to have blogged a while back - but believe me when I tell you; the phone company ate my modem. Word to the wise, read the fine print when switching Internet companies as you might end up spending $99 on a new modem.
Now - on to the good stuff!
I made a note on my "to-do list" regarding this blog. It read; "I Heart Craig". Apparently my step-daughter was reading through my to-do-list because as soon as Dave got home and we were all three chatting in the kitchen when Alex innocently (hmm) asked, "Liz, who's Craig?" To which I replied, "Craig's List Craig". Craig is the genius behind conservation, thrift and community in most metropolitan areas, and I love him slightly less than my husband, but definitely more than my step-daughter (don't judge, I am teasing here).
The title of this blog, "The Pantyhose Equation" comes from the obvious purchases one unquestioningly makes when working 60 hours a week in corporate America (pantyhose, a sweet ride, the occasional latte, great shoes, etc.) . What we have not discussed is the purchases we are required to make but make unwisely because we do not have, or do not make the time to think about them. These purchases are necessary, but can be made less painful through careful consideration and resourcefulness. These types of purchases include; schoolbooks, athletic gear, clothing, educational toys, etc. When in the rut of working 60 hours a week and commuting another 8-10 a week, we look for the easy buy and not always the smart buy. Most often we don't even entertain the smart buy if it requires any real effort on our behalf.
When on maternity leave (not the part where you are only paid 60% of your pay, but the unpaid part), my stepdaughter's cello case zipper broke. Last year's solution would have been to throw it away and get a new one. This year I had more time and less money, so we got creative. I searched E-bay, and was still looking at paying at least $75 for a used case, before shipping costs. This, coupled with the fact that I would be throwing something into the landfill that was 1. still good material and 2. cost $200 new was not acceptable
I looked at Craig's List on a couple of unlucky days and could not find a thing. Alex's Cello teacher suggested that we call REI to see if they repair canvas zippers and they passed me on to a company called Stitchlines in Denver. Stitchlines repairs tents and sleeping bags, and lo and behold, the occasional cello case. We paid $60 to have it fixed, we threw nothing away, save the broken zipper, and the seamstress sewed in an additional flap to keep the zipper from breaking again ($200 new-$60=$140 saved this year).
Now, I know for many of you this may make perfect sense, but for me it was a mind altering experience. I may have been going through the motions of taking care of the planet and our resources by recycling cans and glass and carrying my own grocery bags (when I remembered), but I was never really applying conservation in the broader scope. I was not thinking outside the box, because I had become a corporate lemming, doing without thinking simply because the because the money was there and the time wasn't.
So when a list of books for Al's English class came home, I hit the thrift stores, and when I only found a couple of the books there, I looked around for used paperbacks, and found "1/2 Price Books" off of Broadway in Denver. And when we were one book shy of the list, the owner sent me to another store, who sent me to another and I found the whole network of used bookstores in the area, all offering used paperbacks for a few bucks a piece (10 books at $2.50 each = $25.00 vs. $80 new=$65 saved this year).
Now with the new baby in the picture, there are many items that we need for only a short time. Two weeks ago we needed a saucer. I went to Craig's List and found a mother 6 blocks away who was selling one for $10. This saucer was $90.00 new . When I left that woman's house, I looked over my shoulder, saucer in hand and said, "Don't you just love Craig?". Ten minutes and $10 later I walked through my front door with a new saucer ($90-$10=$80 saved this year - thank you Craig) .
Craig has taken the garage sale one step further. He has made it easy to hone in on only the item you need, while considering only the location you want to look in. He is saving gas, promoting conservation and, making it really inexpensive to get good used stuff. Additionally, he is promoting community culture. Now I can use the Internet to locate a close, inexpensive and environmentally friendly option for all of Amelia's needs. And once again, I find that the economical choice is also the environmentally friendly choice.
To quote a smart man...."Buying used stuff is good as long as it ain't running shoes or your skivvies". Peace Out!
Next Week
Oh $#@% It's Time for Taxes!
Now - on to the good stuff!
I made a note on my "to-do list" regarding this blog. It read; "I Heart Craig". Apparently my step-daughter was reading through my to-do-list because as soon as Dave got home and we were all three chatting in the kitchen when Alex innocently (hmm) asked, "Liz, who's Craig?" To which I replied, "Craig's List Craig". Craig is the genius behind conservation, thrift and community in most metropolitan areas, and I love him slightly less than my husband, but definitely more than my step-daughter (don't judge, I am teasing here).
The title of this blog, "The Pantyhose Equation" comes from the obvious purchases one unquestioningly makes when working 60 hours a week in corporate America (pantyhose, a sweet ride, the occasional latte, great shoes, etc.) . What we have not discussed is the purchases we are required to make but make unwisely because we do not have, or do not make the time to think about them. These purchases are necessary, but can be made less painful through careful consideration and resourcefulness. These types of purchases include; schoolbooks, athletic gear, clothing, educational toys, etc. When in the rut of working 60 hours a week and commuting another 8-10 a week, we look for the easy buy and not always the smart buy. Most often we don't even entertain the smart buy if it requires any real effort on our behalf.
When on maternity leave (not the part where you are only paid 60% of your pay, but the unpaid part), my stepdaughter's cello case zipper broke. Last year's solution would have been to throw it away and get a new one. This year I had more time and less money, so we got creative. I searched E-bay, and was still looking at paying at least $75 for a used case, before shipping costs. This, coupled with the fact that I would be throwing something into the landfill that was 1. still good material and 2. cost $200 new was not acceptable
I looked at Craig's List on a couple of unlucky days and could not find a thing. Alex's Cello teacher suggested that we call REI to see if they repair canvas zippers and they passed me on to a company called Stitchlines in Denver. Stitchlines repairs tents and sleeping bags, and lo and behold, the occasional cello case. We paid $60 to have it fixed, we threw nothing away, save the broken zipper, and the seamstress sewed in an additional flap to keep the zipper from breaking again ($200 new-$60=$140 saved this year).
Now, I know for many of you this may make perfect sense, but for me it was a mind altering experience. I may have been going through the motions of taking care of the planet and our resources by recycling cans and glass and carrying my own grocery bags (when I remembered), but I was never really applying conservation in the broader scope. I was not thinking outside the box, because I had become a corporate lemming, doing without thinking simply because the because the money was there and the time wasn't.
So when a list of books for Al's English class came home, I hit the thrift stores, and when I only found a couple of the books there, I looked around for used paperbacks, and found "1/2 Price Books" off of Broadway in Denver. And when we were one book shy of the list, the owner sent me to another store, who sent me to another and I found the whole network of used bookstores in the area, all offering used paperbacks for a few bucks a piece (10 books at $2.50 each = $25.00 vs. $80 new=$65 saved this year).
Now with the new baby in the picture, there are many items that we need for only a short time. Two weeks ago we needed a saucer. I went to Craig's List and found a mother 6 blocks away who was selling one for $10. This saucer was $90.00 new . When I left that woman's house, I looked over my shoulder, saucer in hand and said, "Don't you just love Craig?". Ten minutes and $10 later I walked through my front door with a new saucer ($90-$10=$80 saved this year - thank you Craig) .
Craig has taken the garage sale one step further. He has made it easy to hone in on only the item you need, while considering only the location you want to look in. He is saving gas, promoting conservation and, making it really inexpensive to get good used stuff. Additionally, he is promoting community culture. Now I can use the Internet to locate a close, inexpensive and environmentally friendly option for all of Amelia's needs. And once again, I find that the economical choice is also the environmentally friendly choice.
To quote a smart man...."Buying used stuff is good as long as it ain't running shoes or your skivvies". Peace Out!
Next Week
Oh $#@% It's Time for Taxes!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Building Our New Community
Monday was declared a National Service Day. We were all asked to go out and volunteer or host an event in our home. I am ALL FOR community service, and donating to worthy causes . Everything I read regarding living frugally and saving money emphasizes strongly the need to give to others. But, interestingly enough, giving is something I had not done on a regular basis until I decided to leave my job, and consequently had less to give.
I think this anomaly occurred largely due to lack of time. I would make notes to myself to write a check for one cause or another, or I would see something on the news and mean to check out the website later for details, but I never followed through. But now that I have the time, I do follow through, and have been spending part of our tight budget on others.
So when this Community Service Day opportunity came up, I was all over it. I signed up to host a food drive. I listed my event on the Service.Org website. I printed 50 flyers and went door to door in my neighborhood. I took Amelia with me and introduced myself to everyone who answered the door. As embarrassing as it is to admit, up until last week I had only known three of my neighbors. When the Service Day arrived, we baked muffins and had a pot of coffee and a pan of hot chocolate on all day. My step-daughter Alex and one of her friends helped unload cars . It was a smashing success. We collected approximately 110 bags of groceries. I met tons of my neighbors and it all went off without a hitch. The day was full of positive energy, camaraderie and a common sense of purpose. We were a community, and Martin Luther King Jr. would have been proud.
The next day, however, was full of irony. I have always subscribed to the belief that "you have to give to receive". In "You're Broke Because You Want to Be" Winget says, "When you willingly share part of what you have earned with others, then it magically comes back to you. I don't know why it works, but I know it works."and then he goes on to tell a story about writing a check for a charity and in turn receiving reprieve in that same amount for a bill.
So the day after the food drive, while packing the food in the car, I closed the trunk with the keys nestled safely inside. Al the doors were locked too. So, the first thing I received after giving was a bill for a locksmith ($45). Secondly, the insurance company came to check out our roof after a windstorm and they informed me that the damage was $430. The deductible is $500, so the second thing I received after giving was a bill for $430. Yesterday, we received a bill from the tax man for $1001. So I am trying to figure out why Karma is throwing me this curve ball.
So I am thinking about what this law really means. If you give you will receive..... It does not say what you will receive. Now my first thought was...I did actually receive, it was just bills that I received. But the more I ponder this, the more I realize that what I received this week was worth more than the $1476 deficit we are running this week.
I met many of my neighbors. Since they turned out for a food drive, after simply receiving a flyer in their door, or after having briefly met me, I have to assume that they are somewhat similar in my beliefs. I have to assume that they share my yearning for a sense of community, that they care for others and want to make sure that others are not hungry. I have to believe that Amelia and Alex will be that much safer in my neighborhood, because my neighbors will know they are mine and may keep an eye out for them. I also have to believe that if my girls are up to no good my neighbors will be confident in knowing my values and will be sure to put my girls in their place. I have to know that if there is smoke coming from my house, my neighbors will make sure that we are safe. So what did I receive? I received a community, one I am happy to be a part of. A community that I am sure is worth more than a measly $1476.00. That being said, Publisher's Clearing House should be announcing their winner in mid February, and I not 100 percent sure that van won't be parked in front of my house. Oh Karma..you tricky little minx.
On another note - my cashier's name is Jan Eric.
Next Week..I Heart Craig
I think this anomaly occurred largely due to lack of time. I would make notes to myself to write a check for one cause or another, or I would see something on the news and mean to check out the website later for details, but I never followed through. But now that I have the time, I do follow through, and have been spending part of our tight budget on others.
So when this Community Service Day opportunity came up, I was all over it. I signed up to host a food drive. I listed my event on the Service.Org website. I printed 50 flyers and went door to door in my neighborhood. I took Amelia with me and introduced myself to everyone who answered the door. As embarrassing as it is to admit, up until last week I had only known three of my neighbors. When the Service Day arrived, we baked muffins and had a pot of coffee and a pan of hot chocolate on all day. My step-daughter Alex and one of her friends helped unload cars . It was a smashing success. We collected approximately 110 bags of groceries. I met tons of my neighbors and it all went off without a hitch. The day was full of positive energy, camaraderie and a common sense of purpose. We were a community, and Martin Luther King Jr. would have been proud.
The next day, however, was full of irony. I have always subscribed to the belief that "you have to give to receive". In "You're Broke Because You Want to Be" Winget says, "When you willingly share part of what you have earned with others, then it magically comes back to you. I don't know why it works, but I know it works."and then he goes on to tell a story about writing a check for a charity and in turn receiving reprieve in that same amount for a bill.
So the day after the food drive, while packing the food in the car, I closed the trunk with the keys nestled safely inside. Al the doors were locked too. So, the first thing I received after giving was a bill for a locksmith ($45). Secondly, the insurance company came to check out our roof after a windstorm and they informed me that the damage was $430. The deductible is $500, so the second thing I received after giving was a bill for $430. Yesterday, we received a bill from the tax man for $1001. So I am trying to figure out why Karma is throwing me this curve ball.
So I am thinking about what this law really means. If you give you will receive..... It does not say what you will receive. Now my first thought was...I did actually receive, it was just bills that I received. But the more I ponder this, the more I realize that what I received this week was worth more than the $1476 deficit we are running this week.
I met many of my neighbors. Since they turned out for a food drive, after simply receiving a flyer in their door, or after having briefly met me, I have to assume that they are somewhat similar in my beliefs. I have to assume that they share my yearning for a sense of community, that they care for others and want to make sure that others are not hungry. I have to believe that Amelia and Alex will be that much safer in my neighborhood, because my neighbors will know they are mine and may keep an eye out for them. I also have to believe that if my girls are up to no good my neighbors will be confident in knowing my values and will be sure to put my girls in their place. I have to know that if there is smoke coming from my house, my neighbors will make sure that we are safe. So what did I receive? I received a community, one I am happy to be a part of. A community that I am sure is worth more than a measly $1476.00. That being said, Publisher's Clearing House should be announcing their winner in mid February, and I not 100 percent sure that van won't be parked in front of my house. Oh Karma..you tricky little minx.
On another note - my cashier's name is Jan Eric.
Next Week..I Heart Craig
Monday, January 12, 2009
Cellular Cleansing
The last couple of months in the work place made me truly reassess the lifestyle of Corporate America. Knowing my days were numbered, I was suddenly endowed with an objectivity that I had never before possessed. My first week on the job, my manager sent me off to buy a Palm Pilot and a cell phone. I needed to be "wired in" to be a Sales Executive.....and that is the manner in which I spent the next several years. I had restaurants on speed dial in case I had to work late. I called my husband every time something occurred to me that I wanted to share (or nag about). Poor Dave. I called my mom, my customers, my friends, all from that phone. I remember taking it with me to the gym and setting it on the treadmill where the water is supposed to be held. But, as I was wrapping up my last couple of months at work, my relationship with my cell started to fall apart. I would leave her in the car overnight. She would lose her charge and I would forget to charge her. Soon, we were not so inseparable. And, as amazing as it sounds, my customers were still very well taken care of.
One day, while using the office restroom, I came to a lucid understanding of how out of control and crazy we have gotten with our technology. The woman in the stall next to me was, well, she was planning to be there for a while. The whole time I was in the restroom, she was deep in conversation with a client, friend or someone who hopefully did not know what she was doing. And then, when I thought it was as bad as it could get, she parked one call while she took another. What in the heck are we thinking? Is this why at my OB/GYN office it says "No Cell Phones"? Are we now trying to chat on the cell while getting their annual exams?
One of the changes I have made to our budget is switching our home phone package to offer only local calling and keeping one cell phone with the smallest package available for long distance calls to family and friends. This is saving $80 per month ($960 per year). Now my cell phone that was always at the ready has to be holstered and minutes are being rationed.
I was in the car the other day reaching for the phone in order to call my husband regarding some mundane detail that seemed so important at the time, when I stopped myself. I remembered the minute limitation and came to some interesting revelations. I was in a traffic jam on the highway and looked to my left and my right, in front of me and behind me. Three out of four people were on their phones talking or texting. I went to the store and realized that it's not just schizophrenics that appear to be talking to themselves anymore. Bluetoothes galore, I Phones, Blackberries, Cell phones...talking, texting, e-mailing. We are becoming so disconnected and have stopped being present simply becasue we are overconnected.
What are we getting from all of this? I see the benefits (because I watch commercials). We can go to the beach with our kids in the middle of the work day, we can go to the store, take a long lunch etc. But, we are no longer present at any one activity, or in any one situation. Many of us have stopped having conversations with the teller, the cashier and the butcher. Many of us take calls while dining with friends and while spending time with our kids.
I have always known that this journey into financial savings would lead me to ecologically friendly choices, but I had no idea that it would also lead to community minded choices as well. My goal this week is to be present in every situation. When I call my mother this weekend, I will be in a chair undistracted with coffee in one hand, the phone in the other and my full attention on the line. When I shop this week I will greet those around me, say hi to the butcher and learn the name of the cashier. And when I am in the restroom....I will be IN THE RESTROOM!
Next Week.......Building our New Community
One day, while using the office restroom, I came to a lucid understanding of how out of control and crazy we have gotten with our technology. The woman in the stall next to me was, well, she was planning to be there for a while. The whole time I was in the restroom, she was deep in conversation with a client, friend or someone who hopefully did not know what she was doing. And then, when I thought it was as bad as it could get, she parked one call while she took another. What in the heck are we thinking? Is this why at my OB/GYN office it says "No Cell Phones"? Are we now trying to chat on the cell while getting their annual exams?
One of the changes I have made to our budget is switching our home phone package to offer only local calling and keeping one cell phone with the smallest package available for long distance calls to family and friends. This is saving $80 per month ($960 per year). Now my cell phone that was always at the ready has to be holstered and minutes are being rationed.
I was in the car the other day reaching for the phone in order to call my husband regarding some mundane detail that seemed so important at the time, when I stopped myself. I remembered the minute limitation and came to some interesting revelations. I was in a traffic jam on the highway and looked to my left and my right, in front of me and behind me. Three out of four people were on their phones talking or texting. I went to the store and realized that it's not just schizophrenics that appear to be talking to themselves anymore. Bluetoothes galore, I Phones, Blackberries, Cell phones...talking, texting, e-mailing. We are becoming so disconnected and have stopped being present simply becasue we are overconnected.
What are we getting from all of this? I see the benefits (because I watch commercials). We can go to the beach with our kids in the middle of the work day, we can go to the store, take a long lunch etc. But, we are no longer present at any one activity, or in any one situation. Many of us have stopped having conversations with the teller, the cashier and the butcher. Many of us take calls while dining with friends and while spending time with our kids.
I have always known that this journey into financial savings would lead me to ecologically friendly choices, but I had no idea that it would also lead to community minded choices as well. My goal this week is to be present in every situation. When I call my mother this weekend, I will be in a chair undistracted with coffee in one hand, the phone in the other and my full attention on the line. When I shop this week I will greet those around me, say hi to the butcher and learn the name of the cashier. And when I am in the restroom....I will be IN THE RESTROOM!
Next Week.......Building our New Community
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Pantyhose Equation
Pantyhose cost $3.50 per pair and they usually run in the first use. If I wear 2 pair a week, that is $7.00 a week X 52 = $364. New shoes cost $40 (on sale). As a sales person I do a lot of walking and blow through a pair every 3 months. 4 x $40 = $16o. That's another $160 a year. I drink a latte 2 times a week because I work so hard that I deserve it. $7.00 x 52 weeks = $364. So far that is $888 per year.
These are the thoughts that have been preoccupying my days and nights ever since our new baby girl appeared in our lives. Now, I am not talking about when I was pregnant. When I was seven months along I told my sister-in-law to conk me in the head with something heavy if I even considered staying home after the baby was born. See, I felt defined by power lunches, sales meetings and weekly forecasts.
But definitions change and priorities shift and after three months of maternity leave, after instinctively putting my daughter's needs in front of my own, I was redefined. My original intention was to be back to work part- time after two weeks, but in that second week, with my child sleeping peacefully in my arms (after she cried for two hours), I called my boss and told him I would be requesting full maternity leave. I could hear the frustration in his voice, but for the first time in my career, I did not care. Suddenly there was something in my life that meant more to me than my career. After my maternity leave was exhausted, including the unpaid FMLA, I went back to work and put in notice. I was allowed to work from home until a replacement was found, and here I am this week, two months later, no longer on the career path to more money. The interesting thing is, I can't say it was that difficult a decision. I did not agonize over what I wanted. I agonized over how to get here.
So here I stand, redefined. And am I crazy? I am allowing myself to be redefined in one of the most economically trying times our generation has ever faced. Healthcare costs are soaring, my 401K tanked, and a gallon of milk is $4.00...speaking of milk, if I can breastfeed for a full year, I think I can save $1200 on formula ( sorry - I can't stop). And as all of this economic peril continues, am I afraid? Yes, but I am capable.
I am capable of trading a monthly manicure ($300 per year) for Wednesday picnics at the park. I am capable of stripping our budget to the bones and consequently making dinner instead of buying it. I am capable of finding creative new ways to save, ways I have never looked for, because after all, necessity is the mother of invention, and necessities change. My necessity last year was a pat on the back from my sales manager for selling a new deal. My necessity now is seeing my baby's first step, or watching her discover how cool her toes are. My blog will explore and divulge money saving hints and savvy idealogies regarding the "less is more" mentality. Join me on this journey!
These are the thoughts that have been preoccupying my days and nights ever since our new baby girl appeared in our lives. Now, I am not talking about when I was pregnant. When I was seven months along I told my sister-in-law to conk me in the head with something heavy if I even considered staying home after the baby was born. See, I felt defined by power lunches, sales meetings and weekly forecasts.
But definitions change and priorities shift and after three months of maternity leave, after instinctively putting my daughter's needs in front of my own, I was redefined. My original intention was to be back to work part- time after two weeks, but in that second week, with my child sleeping peacefully in my arms (after she cried for two hours), I called my boss and told him I would be requesting full maternity leave. I could hear the frustration in his voice, but for the first time in my career, I did not care. Suddenly there was something in my life that meant more to me than my career. After my maternity leave was exhausted, including the unpaid FMLA, I went back to work and put in notice. I was allowed to work from home until a replacement was found, and here I am this week, two months later, no longer on the career path to more money. The interesting thing is, I can't say it was that difficult a decision. I did not agonize over what I wanted. I agonized over how to get here.
So here I stand, redefined. And am I crazy? I am allowing myself to be redefined in one of the most economically trying times our generation has ever faced. Healthcare costs are soaring, my 401K tanked, and a gallon of milk is $4.00...speaking of milk, if I can breastfeed for a full year, I think I can save $1200 on formula ( sorry - I can't stop). And as all of this economic peril continues, am I afraid? Yes, but I am capable.
I am capable of trading a monthly manicure ($300 per year) for Wednesday picnics at the park. I am capable of stripping our budget to the bones and consequently making dinner instead of buying it. I am capable of finding creative new ways to save, ways I have never looked for, because after all, necessity is the mother of invention, and necessities change. My necessity last year was a pat on the back from my sales manager for selling a new deal. My necessity now is seeing my baby's first step, or watching her discover how cool her toes are. My blog will explore and divulge money saving hints and savvy idealogies regarding the "less is more" mentality. Join me on this journey!
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