Choosing Health, Wealth and Happiness
Do you have weird ideas about money?
If I accumulate a lot of wealth does that mean someone else has to lose a lot of money.
If I stockpile money am I keeping it from you?
If I spend it faster than I earn it does that help or hurt you?
If I owe money does that mean I am a bad person?
If I donate money does that mean I am a good person?
If we all become super savers will the economy crash?
Can we all be wealthy?
For the last few years, I have managed to live solidly in the middle class but only had to work part-time. I call this my semi-retirement and the joy that it brings me never gets old. It gives me the flexibility I crave with plenty of time to spend with my loved ones doing activities I enjoy. I just got home from a 3 hour shift at the Nursing home and now am getting ready to go out to lunch with my honey. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon!
My part-time, flexible schedule works for me because several years ago, I decided to choose wealth. I got out of debt, stopped shopping for fun, cut my cable and got assertive with my money. You can learn more about how this has worked for me here and here.
As money doesn’t actually grow on trees and winning the lottery hasn’t worked for me – How does one actually choose wealth?
Continue reading “Time to Get Assertive – Pick Up The Phone!”
I started working at age 14 and my work ethic is strong. I feel the pull to be productive, to earn money and to pay my own way. By the age of 22, I became a manager at the human service agency that I worked for and by the age of 25, I was running a program. Once I finished graduate school I was a department director overseeing 30 staff and 3 different programs. There is a sense of security when you have a career, climb the ladder and earn a salary versus an hourly wage. You know how much money is coming in each month and can plan ahead relatively easily. You know where you will be Monday-Friday for 8-10 hours per day. Security is nice.
If you are a frequent paddler here at My Little Blue Kayak, you know I am not a fan of being super busy. I prefer a leisurely paddle to the middle of the lake, followed by 15 minutes of basking in the sunshine to an all out race across the lake. With that in mind, I have been super busy the last few weeks and haven’t had a chance to write. Spring is my busy season with yard work gigs, nursing home shifts and opening up the cottage for the summer.
I still don’t have much time, so I thought I would tie up some loose ends from earlier posts.
Remember back in October when I excitedly posted about my new (to me) 2015 Hyundai Veloster? I had saved money to purchase it with cash and nicknamed it Sunburst! Don’t get me wrong, I am loving my car but I am having a bit of a dilemma I thought I would share.
I did a lot of research on buying a used Subaru Impreza but the bright orange Veloster caught my eye and the decision to buy was made quickly without research. I am having 2 problems that are making me question my decision.
I just wrapped up my tough month of work that I wrote about early last month. In that blog post I detailed some of the things I planned to do to stay sane. I am happy to report I finished the month without pulling out my hair, losing my cool or having any type of breakdown. But I didn’t do it alone! I had lots of help to stay sane while working a lot of hours in an environment that doesn’t nourish my soul.
You know that feeling when you buy something that you have coveted for a really long time? There can be immense satisfaction in owning something shiny and new. In 2010 I purchased a Mini Cooper Clubman with 10,000 miles on it and I was in love. It was a deep brown color and it caught my eye the minute I saw it.
I nicknamed that car “Hot Chocolate” and it looked amazing with my little blue kayak perched on its roof. I loved that car from the moment I laid eyes on it until this week when I gently patted its hood and said good-bye. “Hot Chocolate hit 112,000 miles last month, was burning oil, sounded rough and was started to look her age!
I love to cook. I usually have a main ingredient in mind and then start perusing the fridge and the cabinets to see what else is on hand that I can toss in the pot. I think about what protein I want, what fresh vegetables I have and the spices that will bring it all alive.
Preparing dinner is my down time at the end of the work day. I usually drink a glass of wine or an ice cold IPA while cooking and sing along to my favorite tunes. I start a meal while still thinking about what else to add to it and the final product is often nothing like what I had in mind when I started. I will stop what I am doing to run out to the garden to pick some fresh basil, parsley and tomatoes or at the last minute prepare some type of sauce or salsa to top it all off.
You see, I am not a perfectionist when I cook in the kitchen. I am more of a creator or a sculptor.
Laughing out Loud!!! Ok, Ok. That is a stretch. No one has ever accused me of being an Artist in any way, shape or form.
I have been in vacation and family mode for the last few weeks and have not managed to carve out time to work on my blog or to study for my health coach exam. I have managed to spend actual time in my little yellow (sit on top) kayak, the canoe and relaxing in the lake. My honey and I spent a week vacationing in the Adirondacks with a group of friends and Child #1. That week was full of laughter, games and lake time.
Where do you stand in regards to technology? Do you love owning the latest and greatest? Do you rush out to buy the newest fads as soon as they are released? Do you use the newest, hippest apps to pay bills, get a ride, order a pizza, and track your steps? Or are you still using a flip phone, cashing your paycheck at the bank and using an instant camera?
I enjoy taking advantage of shiny new toys that make life easier but I don’t need the latest and greatest technological gadgets. As long as my stuff works, I don’t generally feel the need to upgrade.
I have an iPhone 4 that I bought refurbished 3 years ago for $100 bucks. I figure if I get another year out of it I will have spent $25 year to own a phone. I wonder how much an old rotary phone cost back in the day? I am certain it was less than $100 and it lasted forever.
