February 2011 Controlled/No Spend Thread

[dakota4600]

I'm counting yesterday as CS. I was doing a focus group last night and got paid $150, so spending $5 for dinner on the way there was worth it. I was planning on going home and eating, but got stuck in traffic (5 miles in 20 mins) so I hit a drive thru.

Which makes me 5/20 NS & 5/18 NEO

Bad drop off this AM. One little boy started crying and then mini-D did. He didn't sleep well last night and I am worried that he is getting sick. I couldn't even tempt him with Bob the builder books.

Honey- I use frozen veggies during the winter, I use fresh when they are in season locally. I avoid canned, except for green beans. DH likes canned ones and neither mini-D or I like them that much so DH eats them alone. LOL on the underwear. I have both a nightguard and a dayguard for clenching teeth. I don't wear the dayguard all that much, unless I'm really stressed, but I can't sleep without my nightguard now. I have a lot less headaches and jaw pain, plus my neck isn't always sore. It does take a few days to get used to. My advice is to use one that goes over the lower teeth. I've tried ones for the upper teeth and they triggered my gag reflex.

I also agree with Muttley there will always be a reason that this isn't the best time to quit, so stick with your quit date and vent to us as needed.

Muttley- No need to be embarrassed about nursing DS. Mini-D self weaned about 15 months. He was just so active that he would rather have a sippy cup so he could drink on the move. Plus I think my supply was drying up because he was nursing so infrequently. The only time he really wanted to nurse was first thing in the morning and in church or somewhere else where he was not allowed to run around. So we just offered the sippy cup instead and he was fine with it. It was bittersweet the last time I nursed him. I was glad to be done (though I was more excited when I stopped pumping.) but sad that he was not a baby anymore. By the way that bra size is hard to find!

[redwagon]

Got a CS day yesterday. Didn't work out though because I seem to be fighting something, or maybe I'm having a flare. I haven't figured it out yet. All I know is everything hurt last night. It's quite a bit better today, but I'm willing to bet I'll feel like crap again tonight. Blargh.

[mizbear]

dakota- If you prefer frozen veggies, I take my green beans and peas (if the kids don't eat the whole bag in one sitting- but they are bigger than lil D) and divide them by portion in freezer bags or containers. Since my niece and I both have mental health issues, I stay away from the extra preservatives.
I steam mine so they aren't so mushy like the canned ones and dress them in italian dressing or a chinese type dressing.

[muttleynfelix]

Dakota - I'm not so embarressed to still be nursing, but I think it is the open ended no idea how long we'll still be going. If I sit down with Ben at bed time and in the morning, he starts to fuss and definately wants to nurse. It is definately a big part of his life still. I'm ok with him nursing until he is 2 or so, but it is just unknown territory.

Honey - I forgot to mention on veggies. We do frozen veggies for Ben and canned fruit. I try to do fresh, but it is hard this time of year. For Bill and I, we do mostly frozen veggies. We'll do canned green beans and cook with canned corn, but other than that, I rarely used canned veggies.

[shanendoah]

Update: 3 of 11 NSD, 0 of 8 MOAN
begin whine Can the coughing please stop now? I am so sick of being sick. I haven't had a cold last this long in over 10 years, maybe even 20. I get home in the evening, and I don't even really have the energy to play games on my computer. end whine

Honey: What a wonderful compliment, completely unsurprising to us, but so nice for you to hear.
Please do stick to your quit date. I believe I read that the reason most people gain weight when they quit is that smoking gives you something to do with both your mouth and your hands, and that's a habit that's just as hard to break. I know gum helps a lot of people, but that only takes care of the mouth, so you need to find something to do with your hands in those idle moments, too. Not that I have any good solutions to that (biting your fingernails works, but isn't a habit you want to start, either), but it is something to think about.

dakota: Sorry about the bad drop off. They're bound to happen every once in a while, especially if mini-d isn't feeling well. I still want my mommy when I'm sick. Hopefully he starts feeling better soon

red_wagon: Hope you get whatever's got you under control and start feeling better soon, too.

I am certain there are things I should say that I'm missing, but between the meds and mucus, my memory is currently good for 20 seconds or less.

[gldnluvly]

Honey-42D over here! As to canned veggies, we have always eaten them. They were a staple growing up as they were cheaper than fresh in the winter. I"m just used to it. I have a friend who gives the canned veggies a rinse before she uses them. For corn, Green Giant vacuum seals theirs and it is as good as fresh. I'm going to check my pantry to see if there are any perservatives other than citric acid. I doubt it, but I'll let you know.

mizbear-Of course, it wasn't a lot of items, a new overcoat, sportcoat, a pair of cords and one shirt. The overcoat was nearly $300 reg. price. I don't know if I could ever do that well again.

[redwagon]

shanen - thanks. I hope you feel better soon, too!

I've got a lead on a freelance copy editing gig. this would be so great! ideally I'd like to turn freelancing into a permanent, full-time thing, so I'm very glad for the referral and hope I get it. They need it done by MONDAY. Should I add a rush fee? At my company we give a month for copy editors...

[shanendoah]

red_wagon: It would depend on the length of what they need copy edited - less than a page, I probably wouldn't add a rush fee, but more than that, with less than a week's time to do it, yes, they should have to pay a rush fee. I would also determine the rush fee by the word/paragraph/page - whatever metric your getting paid on for the job. They shouldn't think that they can get you to edit 20 pages in a week for the same cost as 3 pages.

[startsmart]

DC and NY Meetups? Please? ;D

Okay, finally looking at my calendar because I realized that I'll look up from the laptop one day and realize I'm supposed to be on a flight!

So, how about Sunday, Feb 27th in Washington DC? I'm totally open to places and events as long as I can get there via metro or bum a ride.

I head up to New Jersey the next week so how about March 5 or 6th in NYC? red_wagon help! places? I'm still working out where I will be staying in NY before my flight leaves.

[cathysmom]

Well, I almost got a no spend day on Sunday, but then we decided to order a pizza before the game. Oh well. At least it was in budget. With three CS days in a row, I'm now at 4/10 NS 3/18 CS and 4/15 MOAN days. I am on track for a NS today. Hopefully it will last!

SES - Thank you for sharing your enchilada sauce recipe. I've always used canned, but maybe next time I'll make it from scratch!

Sheila - Congratulations on all of your ebay sales! I keep saying I'm going to list some more stuff, but I'll probably be lucky to get $50 for all of it, since none of it is old or valuable.

Honey - I've run into the same issue with the cost of fresh produce. I've decided to cut back for a while and use more frozen vegetables and canned fruit until spring. I'll still buy some fresh fruit because my kids love fruit and I don't want them to lose that good habit, I just won't buy as much and we'll fill in the gaps with canned.

Shanendoah - I think that my family must have the same thing that you do. DD2 came down with it around January 14th (Dr. suspects RSV) and we're STILL coughing. The kids and I even went through a round of antibiotics because DD1 had a positive strep test and three weeks later only DD2 seems to have kicked this bug. DH is just now coming down with it so we may have a month left to go. I hope that you are feeling better soon!

[gldnluvly]

startsmart-I am free on Sunday, Feb. 27. I have wheels and am willing to be your driver. My only stipulation is that you have to sit in th front.

[redwagon]

Shanen - it's a 128pp book, so it'd be about 30 hours of work, if I go off of what our CE's do here for us...

[shanendoah]

red_wagon: Definitely charge a rush fee. Even if you did freelance full time, I would say charge a rush fee. In order to get 30 hours of work done in less than a week, you would have to put off other projects that would also be on deadlines. In your current case, that's 30 hours you have to find outside the normal 45+ you spend at work a week.
If you're billing by the hour, I'd charge your rush fee based on that. startsmart can probably give a little better advice, but my rule of thumb would be that I would normally do 3 hours of freelance work a day, so given 5 days, that would be 15 hours of work. They want you to do 6 hours of work a day, so charge them time and a half or double time (essentially OT) for those additional 15 hours. Make that your rush fee.
So: normal non-rush price for 30 hrs work, @ 10/hr (chosen for its simplicity, not as an actual price guide), is $300. Because they want this as a rush, charge an additional $5(or $10)/hr for the 15 hours of OT, meaning a rush fee of $75(or $150).

[mizbear]

My NSDs are going out the window because I can't say no to my nieces. On the other hand, I made the DEAN'S LIST at school!
I will be 2/5 done my class when I turn in these tests tonight.

[startsmart]

Yay GLDN! As soon as I figure out where I'm staying in DC I'll shoot you the info via email. So excited to be going back! Started laying out the itinerary today too

Red- I say it depends on the outcome you want and what you can realistically deliver. If you can do in as a rush but want to make this a more regular or on-going job I would mention that for short term projects you often incorporate a rush fee for the reasons shenan noted. Make it nearly double regular rates. Then say that because you'd like to work with them in the future you will waive the rush fee if they ...

I would say if $20 is your regular rate it becomes a $40 rush rate but you'll discount it to $30/hour as a standard rate (this way you increase your standard rate by 50% and they still love you for coming through in a pinch).

Some things they can give you:
Guaranteed number of hours/projects
First chance to bid on the next project
Two stellar testimonials for your use

For the last two it's important to note that you'll be happy to write the recommendation for them to edit and approve.
Letter of recommendation

[redwagon]

Thanks guys! Unfortunately they know this is my first CE project freelancing, so I can't say "usual" but I will still charge extra. And this is the second book they've published ever, so I don't anticipate them being a regular client. that said, i will ask for them to provide testimonials - great idea!! I think I'll say that if given three or more weeks I'd charge $25 but due to the rushed nature of the job I'm forced to charge them $35, and that future rushed projects would be $45. Does that sound good? I'm so not a negotiator, especially when I know this is my first freelance CE job prospect...

[spruby]

honey - nice compliment from the mom & nice gift from the other family - I just did an underwear refresh - big savings too! Please stick to your quit date - I agree on the gum chewing - how about finding a rubic's cube and use that to keep your hands busy?!

start/gldn/DC crew - I'm up for a 27th meet - up - not sure where you are thinking - but I'll throw out busboys & poets in shirlington, va - easy to get to, not expensive, they don't care if you hang out & chat, can handle a group of any size

honey #2 - we're in the frozen veggie camp - especially in winter - we eat no/low salt, much cheaper, easier to keep. we've done csa's - our issue ends up being time - in not enough to think up new ways to use what is in the bag before it goes bad

Update - one more day at work and then on thursday we head out on our replacement vacation - warm weather here I come - i need this break - had a major melt down at work (out of control blood sugar + personal attack = tears). One way or another - I'm either the head of the department or on to a better place in 6 months.

[spruby]

Woo hoo!!! I made junior member! ;D

One question - since a few of you are copy editors. What would you normally charge to copy edit a book of about 200 pages - non-fiction if that matters? Do you charge by the project? The hour? Would you do fixed price with a slightly lower price if you had flexibility in time - i.e. - the book has to be done in 6 months - so you can do it around jobs?

And how does payment work - 1/4 up front, 1/2 at the 1/2 way mark, balance when done? Something else?

[hmmm - many questions]

The reason I ask - my DH wrote a first draft of a book while on a sabbatical - and it needs a good copy editor (he writes technical stuff for a living). He is also taking early retirement later this year and will have 3 years to try freelance writing/book writing as a career (a long time dream). I'd love to get his book edited so he can decide what to do with it (polish it/ignore/self-publish/shop it/etc). So I'm in info gathering mode.

Thanks!

[redwagon]

spruby - what a timely topic! At my company the CEs invoice us at the end of the project with how many hours they worked. The pay rate is worked out ahead of time. We have had copy editors never deliver a final project because of family emergencies, so paying part upfront wouldn't make sense for us. Payment upon delivery keeps everyone honest, I feel. That said, as an individual, the CE might want a portion upfront because you are not an established, reliable company. I'm not sure I'd charge less for a longer time-frame, because I am still putting in 30 hours or whatever of my time. A rush project would mean I'd have to shuffle other things around and so I would add the rush fee (see discussion above). All this said, some CEs might charge you a flat rate. I charge a flat rate for my typesetting work and am making out like a bandit (actual work is generally not time consuming and can be done while watching tv, etc), so watch out for that and figure out what the hourly rate is and how many hours they are looking at. A 200 page book of an academic nature would probably take 40+ hours, especially if there are extensive notes and references/citations to check. I hope this helps.

[mizbear]

As long as my budget cooperates, I would be up for a DC meet up- if anybody is on the Eastern Shore or would need to be picked up along the way, my car seats 5, but I would say 4 comfortably (it's a yaris hatchback with 4 doors)

[redwagon]

startsmart - Forgot to reply to this earlier... that is too short notice for me for DC, but let me know when you are in NYC and we can get dinner and go for a walk around and get into trouble. Do we still have a bail fund set up somewhere?? Psyched to finally get to meet you! Can't believe I haven't, honestly.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 7 NS days & 1 CS days = 8 NS/CS days

Just a quick hello as I fight my way to the top of the test papers. Spent most of the last two nights covered in papers. Will have more tomorrow as I still have more tests to give then.

[MittenKitten]

Finally sent DS#2 to school. Last time he was in school was January 27th! (In all fairness he doesn't go to school on Fridays) So hope it goes well.

DS#1 is also at school. He earned his 4th stripe for Karate so now we just need to do a few things and he will be ready to graduate to brown belt March 5th. I personally will be happy when we are done with this goal and can go back to a more relaxed schedule.

I transfered my real estate license to a new broker yesterday. Now lets hope my deals go through! So tired of working hard and getting nothing.

Received DS#2s budget for his waiver from the committee. Somehow I need to make them see that blinds are a necessity and won't be torn down. he is pulling down all the curtains and his going to hurt himself with the rods falling down. DS#2's social worker tried to use my letter to explain that he uses the curtains to climb onto the window sill and can't do that with the blinds. somehow they can't figure it out ARG! Oh and one committee member went so far as to say we should go without blinds or curtains..... Really are YOU going to pay my heat and cooling bills with no blinds, not to mention how early he will get up with nothing blocking the sun.

Anyone have any ideas for how to explain this to them and get them to approve it I would appreciate the input.

Oh and I posted Honey's fried chix recipe on the blog.

Oh and I still need to argue with the state over how much we owe for DS#2's supplimental medical assistance. They readjusted it figuring DF would be working by Jan (of course at the rate he last made, really people where do you come from?)

I NEED a vacation.....

[dakota4600]

6/20 NS/NEO, 6/18 NEO

I am SICK of snow!!! We got another inch or so overnight. Not enough to cancel schools or anything, but enough to make rush hour a mess. It usually takes me 25 mins from the time I leave home to the time I get to the office including dropping mini-D off. Today it took me about an hour. I need to look up the number of a local plumbing company and let them know that one of their employees was driving recklessly this AM. He tailgated me on slippery roads then made a mad dash across 3 lanes of traffic to get to an exit, with the roads the way they were we was lucky he didn't spin out.

My dad dropped by last night as we were getting ready to sit down for dinner. He is working part-time for the census bureau and does surveys on a varieties of topics and had 2 appointments near us and had time to kill so he came over. He liked my beef stroganoff. Mini-D didn't like the thick egg noodles, he tried one then spit it out.

Not much else to say. Have a busy day at work.

[shanendoah]

Update: 4 of 11 NSD, 1 of 8 MOAN
My coughing is a little less, because the cold is moving from my chest to my head. Since being up and moving around helps keep my sinuses clear, I decided that I would go ahead and do the Wii last night. I didn't do anything that required balance, because I still do have some coughing fits, and nothing super strenuous on the cardio (10 minute hula hoop, advanced step, a "run" and then some balance games), but I was up and active for 30 minutes, so a MOAN for me.

red_wagon: I will grant that I know nothing about going rates for copy editing, but sweetie, $35 for 30 hours of work (and it would have been $25??). That's barely more than $1/hour, or $0.27/page. Even for a first, getting your foot in the door project, that's not a rational fee. startsmart please back me up on this. Especially if you intend to one day try and make a living freelancing, you simply MUST value your time more than this.

spruby: I come from the fiction world, so things might be a bit different, but there are two kinds of editing, and depending on what kind your DH needs/wants, fees will be different. In my world, Copy Editing is just going through and making sure sentences are complete, that punctuation is correct, and everything is spelled right. That is the less expensive bit of editing.
There is also Content Editing/Developmental Editing. That's where the editor works closely with the writer to correct not just technical issues but to make sure the book is readable, conveys the information its intended to, etc. This is much more expensive. I do know someone who does this, and I can tell you, its an investment. (Not saying it isn't worth it; she's helped a number of people get published, just saying its not cheap.)
In your DH's case, because this is academic type writing, I would check with one of the local universities. They often have their own press imprint and put out this kind of book. Even if its reserved for faculty of the university (if your DH doesn't work there) they could still probably recommend a local editor who works with the type of manuscript your DH has written.

mk: *hugs* I have no advice for dealing with the council, especially if the social worker is also having problems getting them to see the big picture.

[redwagon]

shanen - no no no. That's an HOURLY rate. Sorry for the mixup! No one really says "per hour" when talking about this because it's assumed. Thank you for your concern though!

And in all the publishing work I've done, "copy editing" refers to what you call "content editing" and "proofreading" is just your basic spelling/grammar check. Copy editors get $20-$50 an hour depending on material and experience, proofreaders $15-$25 based on the same criteria.

Ended up being a rather major spend day yesterday since I bought an external harddrive. My computer keeps crashing and blue thinks the operating system has a virus, so we're going to backup everything and then wipe my computer and start over. Annoying. But now I'll have a pretty blue MyPassport external to have as backup, which I really need, considering the 33GB of photos I have...

[Honeylioness]

MittenKitten - You know how much I like a little writing challenge now and then, so I drafted a possible response to the idiots on the committee:


*************************

To Whom it May Concern:

I am writing to you in regards to my son (...name...) and his budget waiver exclusion notice dated (...date...).

In my application I made note of the need to change the window treatment in his room to avoid him injuring himself, perhaps fatally. One of my son's challenges is not understanding the consequences of his actions which can cause him severe physically harm. An example is his persistent use of any kind of fabric window treatments. (name) will climb any form of drapes or curtains to access a window sill. In the past this has caused not only damage to the walls and window frames from rods and poles being ripped from their moorings, but poses an immediate peril for (name) as well. If we were to install larger and more substantial devices the risk of him being hit by one of them falling out of the wall increases exponentially.

However we have found that the use of mini-blinds seems to not trigger his impulse to climb, thereby greatly reducing his risk of self injury. Not only are the blinds a needed modification to keep my son's environment safe for him, they also allow us to help him keep to a regular schedule, which as I am sure you are aware, is critical for children like (name).

Leaving the window bare and uncovered is not feasible for several reasons: (name) needs consistent sleep and wake times, something that is nearly impossible to do when the light difference at 07:00 pm is enormous between January and July. Window coverings also let us keep him from being exposed to radical swings in temperature as glass is well known for it's heat loss. Even the most energy efficient windows are unable to prevent large temperature swings when a winter night can plunge to (...pick a recent low ... say -5 F).

And lastly there is the issue of privacy. Would you care to have your private space open to anyone who cared to look towards that window on display 24 hours a day? We all deserve the right to change our clothes or sleep without the constant uncertainty that someone may be watching us.

Therefore I am respectfully asking that you reconsider our application.

Sincerely,

____________________________________

[munjoyhill]

Update Munjoyhill

5/14 No Spent Days

6/25 MOAN Days


Just plugging along, I skipped a couple days not working out, I hurt my wrist shoveling this past weekend, and what weight lifting I do really hurts now. I'm going to rest it for a couple more days, just do a few walking tapes I have.

[sapphire12]

sheila -- wow that is awesome with the ebay sales!
spruby -- good luck to DH's book writing career. Enjoy your vacation.
gldn -- congrats on the debt payoff and fabulous deals while shoppoing.
honey -- Most veggies, I prefer canned or fresh; not a fan of frozen. However, I just noticed that Del Monte tomatoes have high fructose corn syrup. ARGHHH. I am switching to Trader Joes. Good deal on the undergarments and the football pool.
start -- Feb 27 works for me.
shanen -- I know how you feel. The congestion is finally gone from my chest. I feel better for a week and then I feel like crap. I think part of my problem is I changed my vitamin regiment; never do that in the winter again. Though I have lost weight as a result of not feeling well, so that is a plus.
MK, dakota -- hugs

[mizbear]

mitten- Is it possible to get a live interview/hearing with these people? When my Mom was my rep and they had me approved for disability, they had me go into the office and meet with someone. I didn't like t because of the problems I was having at the time, but it helped my case. Maybe they can set up some kind of demo with the curtain vs the blind. I know what my mother would have old them- but she is rather um, direct- "Are you going to pay any medical bills or come over and get up with said child at first light?"