Lovely for you and free (or very inexpensive)!
Enjoy!
BREATHE
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MOISTERIZE
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CYCLE
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DAYDREAMING/VISUALIZING THE CHIC LIFE YOU DESIRE
XO,
LA
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Regime Fric Overdrive
The next few months (weeks, days!) are going to be interesting. In order to shore
up ourselves financially both Monsieur and I have taken on part time jobs. We've been thinking of doing so and suddenly a job each came about that seem to fit the bill (so to speak!). Within a week we've taken on 40 or so extra hours of work outside of our normal work/household life which is daunting and will be challenging no doubt. But the energy I feel when I think of how we're doing, instead of stewing, is intense and inspiring. Rudimentary calculations seem to point to 6 months.....we're going to give it that long before we even think about quitting and we should have knocked off most of our smaller debts (some medical, dental) by then and acquired some savings. We can then reassess our situation and move accordingly. Move is an interesting word choice as I've actually been proselytizing a possible move to a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. I'd also be happy downsizing to one vehicle - if we lived where that would be appropriate for us with jobs that didn't require solo transport such as we both have now.
Organization is key, now more than ever. I've seen in one week how the added
work has had me overeating. So before it gets out of hand I'm mentally reviewing my french chic attitude bank and start today to make sure I employ all the trucs so that I can reach my goals (and the end of the holiday season) in jeans that fit! Of course the mindset/organization/dedication that the french chic lifestyle requires
will not only assist me in areas concerning la cuisine, but throughout the home/life continuum. Weekends (in my case F/S/Sun) are, henceforth, primarily for getting laundry, grocery shopping and week ahead planning/stray appraisals done. I will chop celery and carrots in a quantity for the fridge - great snacks, starter course and starts to soup/stir fry etc. I'll munch those, with fruit or a few olives, instead of cookies/chips/candy etc (horrible time of year in an American household with Halloween candy ubiquitous). Make a big pot of rice, a pot of soup or stew....clean some lettuce. I ordinarily bake some bread, but that's one thing I'll give up for now as we've got options for good bread. I'm considering adjusting my mealtimes to 10 - 4 - 10 to accomodate my schedule, keeping the rest of the family on 6 -12-6 because of school etc. Usually I hang lots of my laundry - and put it straight into the closet on the same hanger - but weather changes and time constraints may cause more frequent dryer use than I like. We have an excellent aluminum rack from Aldi and a short line in the basement, but nothing beats the backyard when possible. My teenagers, as they do, have lots of things going on in their lives, including some jobs of their own, but they are aware of increased responsibility looming! They have their chores and are old enough to do many things - including cooking, as they all have skills/experience.
I'm going to take my weekly allowance out on Friday. Keeping it in an envelope and placing receipts inside as I go thru the week, marking the amounts spent on the outside. Very good method for me. We'll gas up the vehicles on Mon/Tues when it's lowest price usually.
I am realistic enough to know that this regime will require some cash outlay - most notably for a cleaning lady. I'd been researching this but put it on the back shelf until today. Only one day a month, she won't do the kids bedrooms - that's their responsibility - and it'll be worth every penny.
Of course you may recall I am starting my own business and, bien sur, I've got some work coming in. This is good, but requires my attention!!
Another big item is that we are starting to liquidate/assess our rental properties. The condo has an interested buyer. As we move closer to college/retirement we are
not poised exactly in the catbird seat so the regime is tres important for yet another reason. We can make some good decisions, not panicked ones, concerning the properties.
As you can see, I will still post. It clears my head! If you have any good ideas for
me, bring 'em on!
Optimistically, La
up ourselves financially both Monsieur and I have taken on part time jobs. We've been thinking of doing so and suddenly a job each came about that seem to fit the bill (so to speak!). Within a week we've taken on 40 or so extra hours of work outside of our normal work/household life which is daunting and will be challenging no doubt. But the energy I feel when I think of how we're doing, instead of stewing, is intense and inspiring. Rudimentary calculations seem to point to 6 months.....we're going to give it that long before we even think about quitting and we should have knocked off most of our smaller debts (some medical, dental) by then and acquired some savings. We can then reassess our situation and move accordingly. Move is an interesting word choice as I've actually been proselytizing a possible move to a smaller home with a smaller mortgage. I'd also be happy downsizing to one vehicle - if we lived where that would be appropriate for us with jobs that didn't require solo transport such as we both have now.
Organization is key, now more than ever. I've seen in one week how the added
work has had me overeating. So before it gets out of hand I'm mentally reviewing my french chic attitude bank and start today to make sure I employ all the trucs so that I can reach my goals (and the end of the holiday season) in jeans that fit! Of course the mindset/organization/dedication that the french chic lifestyle requires
will not only assist me in areas concerning la cuisine, but throughout the home/life continuum. Weekends (in my case F/S/Sun) are, henceforth, primarily for getting laundry, grocery shopping and week ahead planning/stray appraisals done. I will chop celery and carrots in a quantity for the fridge - great snacks, starter course and starts to soup/stir fry etc. I'll munch those, with fruit or a few olives, instead of cookies/chips/candy etc (horrible time of year in an American household with Halloween candy ubiquitous). Make a big pot of rice, a pot of soup or stew....clean some lettuce. I ordinarily bake some bread, but that's one thing I'll give up for now as we've got options for good bread. I'm considering adjusting my mealtimes to 10 - 4 - 10 to accomodate my schedule, keeping the rest of the family on 6 -12-6 because of school etc. Usually I hang lots of my laundry - and put it straight into the closet on the same hanger - but weather changes and time constraints may cause more frequent dryer use than I like. We have an excellent aluminum rack from Aldi and a short line in the basement, but nothing beats the backyard when possible. My teenagers, as they do, have lots of things going on in their lives, including some jobs of their own, but they are aware of increased responsibility looming! They have their chores and are old enough to do many things - including cooking, as they all have skills/experience.
I'm going to take my weekly allowance out on Friday. Keeping it in an envelope and placing receipts inside as I go thru the week, marking the amounts spent on the outside. Very good method for me. We'll gas up the vehicles on Mon/Tues when it's lowest price usually.
I am realistic enough to know that this regime will require some cash outlay - most notably for a cleaning lady. I'd been researching this but put it on the back shelf until today. Only one day a month, she won't do the kids bedrooms - that's their responsibility - and it'll be worth every penny.
Of course you may recall I am starting my own business and, bien sur, I've got some work coming in. This is good, but requires my attention!!
Another big item is that we are starting to liquidate/assess our rental properties. The condo has an interested buyer. As we move closer to college/retirement we are
not poised exactly in the catbird seat so the regime is tres important for yet another reason. We can make some good decisions, not panicked ones, concerning the properties.
As you can see, I will still post. It clears my head! If you have any good ideas for
me, bring 'em on!
Optimistically, La
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Your Money or your Life
Stephanie at Bonjour Madame has a recent post on 'your money or your life' which is
resonating with me. She uses the example of the movie A Good Year. Of course if any of us were in the situation where we could choose to inherit a vineyard I don't think there'd be much question!
I don't really care for the phrase 'in this economy' but there it is. 'In this economy' if you are struggling with work that you don't enjoy or doesn't reward you amply in some way, it fells peevish to complain: what about all those without any work at all? Despite 'the economy' - or any other factors - I believe it is
important to be rewarded properly for your work and to do something that you at least enjoy (if not love).
I've read/heard that many of the French (and perhaps other Europeans) with great social benefits and vacations mandated and a built in cultural more that everyone should enjoy life (or at least have the means via good food, wine, family/vacation time etc) don't care as much about loving their job. They look at work as a means to live. It feels as tho, maybe because we don't have the same political/social set up, Americans don't have that luxury.
Personally I am in that conundrum right now as well, Madame. I have spent the past 3 years learning a (new) profession. Now that I am working (for a management company) the work seems endless. I don't even want to calculate my hourly wage. With 3 teenagers to support I obviously have to maintain an income. The decision I have made is to team up with a wonderful friend who is also an appraiser. We are meeting this week to start the ball rolling on opening our own company. As women we both value our family time as much as our work and don't see this as a problem - both should get their proper due. I'd been avoiding working for myself because of the added work: finding clients, billing, taxes etc. I've changed my view - we are going to create an income stream OUR WAY - with balance, attention to the important details, great service and time left over for living.
I'd love to hear how others are coping with this.
resonating with me. She uses the example of the movie A Good Year. Of course if any of us were in the situation where we could choose to inherit a vineyard I don't think there'd be much question!
I don't really care for the phrase 'in this economy' but there it is. 'In this economy' if you are struggling with work that you don't enjoy or doesn't reward you amply in some way, it fells peevish to complain: what about all those without any work at all? Despite 'the economy' - or any other factors - I believe it is
important to be rewarded properly for your work and to do something that you at least enjoy (if not love).
I've read/heard that many of the French (and perhaps other Europeans) with great social benefits and vacations mandated and a built in cultural more that everyone should enjoy life (or at least have the means via good food, wine, family/vacation time etc) don't care as much about loving their job. They look at work as a means to live. It feels as tho, maybe because we don't have the same political/social set up, Americans don't have that luxury.
Personally I am in that conundrum right now as well, Madame. I have spent the past 3 years learning a (new) profession. Now that I am working (for a management company) the work seems endless. I don't even want to calculate my hourly wage. With 3 teenagers to support I obviously have to maintain an income. The decision I have made is to team up with a wonderful friend who is also an appraiser. We are meeting this week to start the ball rolling on opening our own company. As women we both value our family time as much as our work and don't see this as a problem - both should get their proper due. I'd been avoiding working for myself because of the added work: finding clients, billing, taxes etc. I've changed my view - we are going to create an income stream OUR WAY - with balance, attention to the important details, great service and time left over for living.
I'd love to hear how others are coping with this.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
THE ELEGANT NATURAL RECESSIONISTA WORKS WORK
Generally I prefer la rentree for organization. The start of the school year, the end of summer,
whatever it is - gets me going. Making resolutions in January seems so common. Alors, I have to reevaluate many things right now and premiere among them is - work. Making money. Our recent financial past is not good. Now is the time to promote and hustle and make the most of my appraisal license. Per usual, I got into something (appraisal) at an unusual time. And you'd think a bad time, but you'd be wrong. There is tons of work for RE appraisers. My petite hurdle is weaning away from my current employer to some other sources: banks, attorneys etc. so I get more of the cold hard stuff. Some calculations seem to show I can just about double the fee per report. More money, same work (and always learning a better, faster way).
CURRENTLY ITEM NUMBER ONE FOR THE RECESSIONISTA - making work ultra lucrative will add considerably to it's je ne sais quoi, not to mention what it'll do for the joie de vivre meter.
whatever it is - gets me going. Making resolutions in January seems so common. Alors, I have to reevaluate many things right now and premiere among them is - work. Making money. Our recent financial past is not good. Now is the time to promote and hustle and make the most of my appraisal license. Per usual, I got into something (appraisal) at an unusual time. And you'd think a bad time, but you'd be wrong. There is tons of work for RE appraisers. My petite hurdle is weaning away from my current employer to some other sources: banks, attorneys etc. so I get more of the cold hard stuff. Some calculations seem to show I can just about double the fee per report. More money, same work (and always learning a better, faster way).
CURRENTLY ITEM NUMBER ONE FOR THE RECESSIONISTA - making work ultra lucrative will add considerably to it's je ne sais quoi, not to mention what it'll do for the joie de vivre meter.
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