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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Feb 16, 2016 20:08:08 GMT -5
Moving - I filled up another trash bag with clothes for good will. Next week I want to tackle my linen closet, which is filled with paperwork and random junk.
Career - I am approved to start doing contract work for the editing company. I still have to go through a short training process, but at least I will get paid. Also, I ordered a study guide for the histotechnician certification exam.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 20, 2016 19:59:00 GMT -5
It was a crap week this week. The peanut and I both got sick. 1. Improve our financials a. Continue to increase/acquire income: now I wait for the college to sign off on my promotion b. Teaching business rebuild: had another meet and greet c. Save 2. Career a. Get in a position to apply for grad school in a year 3. Health a. Exercise 4. Start working through my stash. a. Knit for charity b. Finish one UFO (cross stitch) a month went to a stitch in at a LNS for a few hours. May have another finish c. Finish a quilt/quilt related project. 5. Work on our House a. Declutter gave away bag of clothes; got another bag of trash from the girls room b Repair c Update made an appointment for measuring for flooring next week; the peanut is now in a twin bed got to shop for sheets Other misc. Volunteering-made calls but have to follow through; worked a little on box tops need to work more this week. DD1 FHC (First Holy Communion) : printed invitations, started addressing invites. Need to finish Easter basket gifting: started a washcloth for DS. Had to rip it all out, because I cannot read Reading:
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Feb 22, 2016 11:22:54 GMT -5
Eergh! Just lost 3/4 of a post! Damn, damn, damn! I was organizing my goals in a nice outline, but now I'm just going to do a few highlights. (The highlights being the only things I actually accomplished this week anyway.) 1. Got caught up, studied, and got 100% on my test in 10 minutes without even trying very hard. 2. Bills paid, MRD for 2016 taken out, YNAB up to date 3. Got an app to chime every 15 minutes to help my posture. Put up a whiteboard to track my daily chores I want to remember. 4. Paid up a couple bills immediately, instead of waiting until due-date. (Hey, it's not much, but it's something.)
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Feb 23, 2016 14:04:55 GMT -5
Well, our moving plans have changed a bit. We had been planning on staying in one of my mom's fiance's houses until we got settled, but she broke up with him this weekend. He claims his offer still stands, but we don't want anything to do with him after the way he treated my mom. I am hurt and angry for her, but we should have no problem finding somewhere else to live. If we can't line up a place before we leave, we can stay with my mom or my brother until we find a place to rent. Career-wise, I completed a few editing assignments and ordered a study guide for the histotechnician exam.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Feb 28, 2016 8:39:05 GMT -5
I'll try to update later. This week was all shot to hell. But I had lots of other stuff, like conferences and volunteering in the kids' school.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Feb 28, 2016 8:54:47 GMT -5
I've found a new place to live. I've decided to estate sale all my stuff except for personal items from old place and start fresh. I'm even going to lease furniture much to my children's horror!!
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Feb 28, 2016 10:40:15 GMT -5
I got a day of holiday pay, plus a day of OT on this coming paycheck, so I'll get to throw 90% of that on to the college fund I'm dividing the other 10% between my "fun money" and "new house fund". I had a long conversation with my son the other night, and I think he's finally starting to "get" going to the community college for one year. He was really worried he wouldn't get the classes he needs, but until he knows what he wants to do, he still has to get the general classes covered, and the CC will do that for him (and cost $20k or so less). I also discussed that when he gets a part time job this spring, we'll get a Roth account set up for him so he can start putting a little away. I told him even $25/month while you're 18 will go a long way to get you started. And, at that amount, he's not going to miss it while he's in college, but he'll get used to doing that kind of saving. I also sent him an application for an online savings account. He doesn't have a ton of money in his account, but 1.12% is better than .02% (I get 2% through the same credit union, but that's because I do the debit card purchases--I don't want him using the debit card and getting into that habit quite yet). Anyway, 1.12% looks like the best I can find for him for now. He'll have easy access to it when it comes time to start paying tuition/books/fees, etc. House work is coming along well. I've almost completely reorganized the upstairs to how I want it. No more donation trips yet, but will hopefully have a couple bags/boxes ready by the end of next week! ETA: Did well on the grocery shopping this month too! Spent $230, and that includes the $75/month I save for bulk meat purchases (beef I buy from my brother, plus chicken/pork I buy in bulk and freeze). I think we're only going to do a 1/4 cow this year, so that will keep that price down (much cheaper to buy from my brother than at the grocery store--I can't believe the price of beef right now!)
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Feb 28, 2016 10:47:13 GMT -5
On the "teach son to cook more stuff" front... He's learned corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, waffles, pancakes the last two months. I meant to teach him borscht, but I got called into work and had to make it myself. He's gotten to where he can follow recipes pretty well and I try to have him cook at least one or two new things a month. He's got a pretty good base down so far, as long as he can afford a little food, he'll know how to cook it!
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 1, 2016 14:17:10 GMT -5
Half a week late here. Not much to report. Got a lot of good feedback on my resume from my prof, so that's something. Sick kid + birthday this week. Spent too much on a really good birthday cake, but otherwise, did okay money-wise. Transitioning into SAHM-dom, but will need at least 1, and probably 2 days of daycare each week starting next week. Of course, right on cue, my mom got sick so I'm missing the daycare tremendously. Went from fine to falling over in 2 days. I'm not surprised, as this always seems to happen at the worst possible time. It's like, I wasn't meant to watch my own kids or something. The one daycare we looked at was okay, but underwhelming. Some other good possibilities are full. Anyway, getting tired of waiting to hear back from DM's Dr., so I suppose I should call and see if I can get her in to see the NP.
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Mar 2, 2016 17:55:34 GMT -5
I received my study guide for the histotechnician exam, and it ended up just being more practice questions. I was hoping it would be more of an outline of what the test would cover. I already have an online version of 5 different practice tests that I paid $50 less for. At least I can return it. I also completed a few more editing assignments, and they bumped my pay rate up a bit. I will still have to find a different job after we move, but we should have more saved than previously anticipated. We are both getting more and more excited about moving. I hope we will always be able to come back and visit at least once every couple of years, but we are both ready to move somewhere less crowded.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 2, 2016 21:56:57 GMT -5
OK. Here's the cliff notes version:
House stuff: We have gotten spaces measured and identified possible flooring candidates. Samples need to be returned, estimates need to be given to me. and I want to visit one more store before we pull the trigger. I am aggravated that the flooring store does not put prices out in daylight like Home Depot.
DH cleaned our living room carpet today..and I didn't even ask. He just did. He's working on fixing paint issues tomorrow.
Sunday I am not working and teaching very little (I think.) Will work on decluttering my bookshelf.
Worked on some spring clean up in our yard last weekend. Two bags of yard waste decluttered.
Kid stuff: Now focused on DD1-summer schedule needs to be dealt with. We've been working FHC prep. She's have a dress made for her. So excited. Made the appointment to meet with the priest. Just have to finish her book that prepares them for the sacrament. Party invites need to go out this weekend. Finished all my school volunteering and some preschool volunteering. Got almost $800 worth of box tops sorted, packaged and mailed.
Money: Taxes, etc, is next project after FHC party invites go out. Lost a student. Trying to schedule another meet and greet. Promotion is sitting at the college level...who knows when it will be acted on...Working 7 days this week. Not looking forward to that.
Crafting: Started a new cross stitch, but spent $1.20 on it..most everything I had in the stash. Worked on an old project but didn't finish. Did some charity knitting, but no finish.
Health: Had to cancel dental appointment due illness. Need to reschedule. Need to get back to exercising. Found another easy medical study I can do, but they have weight limits, which I am close to.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 4, 2016 16:19:36 GMT -5
Ok, I'm not going to lease furniture. I'm bringing the mattresses only and buying bed frames plus a few night stands. I had a dining room table that my daughter seems to have given to an old boyfriend. So I need a dining room set and a living room set. I MIGHT lease those. Or just get something for now. I wouldn't mind getting a sofa bed or a futon because the bedrooms are both upstairs and I have friends with issues with stairs.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Mar 4, 2016 16:59:52 GMT -5
1. Meet current retirement savings goals - 2. Increase exercise to at least 5 days per week - 3. Lose 10 pounds - . 4. Develop a better relationship with my SIL. - 1. Finished out my 2015 contributions, need to start on 2016 now. 2. Back on track 3. Back on track 4. Not going to happen.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 4, 2016 23:25:01 GMT -5
1. Finished out my 2015 contributions, need to start on 2016 now. 2. Back on track 3. Back on track 4. Not going to happen.At least you tried!
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 6, 2016 20:09:19 GMT -5
Cliff notes:
Money stuffs: Worked an extra day yesterday, sent out an application.
Worked outside for 2.5 hours today and filled three lawn bags with spring clean up stuff. This counts as decluttering and exercise.
I was crafty this week, but no finishes.
Got half the FHC invites ready to mail tomorrow..the rest can be mailed later or will be hand delivered. Potentially 30 families attending.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 15, 2016 12:21:41 GMT -5
Darn, I wish it were 9 1/2 weeks in, as I feel completely screwed. Here goes a lame attempt: 1. career--still unsettled as far as childcare. Looked for a more ideal location, and coming up with a big goose egg. Oh! There was one, but the go see went weird, and suddenly they didn't have an opening. I felt bad my kids were a bit wild, but you'd think a daycare might have something around to keep kids occupied while the adults talked. It's probably better we don't go there anyway, if they're that clueless. Some job possibilities started popping up, as always seems to happen when I'm mired in family obligations. Skipping my QB class today. I get nothing from going to class anyway, and can probably do better on my own at home without all these people around me talking and ruining my concentration. 2. money--not doing too much shopping, mostly just the basics. YNAB fell by the wayside a bit. Our finances are just too complicated. I'll try another fresh start by April 1st at the latest. 3. habits--the board sucked. Tracking daily accomplishments in my calendar again. Basically in survival mode since my mom got so sick for a while and DH has a kidney stone. The habit on working on is not getting down in the dumps with everything, as that causes a downward spiral. 4. follow through. still working on it. I guess jumping back in and starting over can sort of be considered that.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Mar 15, 2016 16:25:38 GMT -5
Darn, I wish it were 9 1/2 weeks in, as I feel completely screwed. 3. habits--the board sucked. Tracking daily accomplishments in my calendar again. Basically in survival mode since my mom got so sick for a while and DH has a kidney stone. The habit on working on is not getting down in the dumps with everything, as that causes a downward spiral. I think that is a great habit to work on. Sometimes the act of smiling and being pleasant to others will make a real difference in my mood.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Mar 15, 2016 17:14:53 GMT -5
Still not pregnant... So still have not met our 1 and only goal for 2016
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wyouser
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Post by wyouser on Mar 15, 2016 17:26:15 GMT -5
Nooooooo, No, No, No. Not today. We contemplate no goals at all today. This is National Everything You Think Is Wrong Day.......I am so not going there today!
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 18, 2016 0:02:04 GMT -5
Still not pregnant... So still have not met our 1 and only goal for 2016 I'm sorry. It's hard being in a situation despite no matter what you do, you are still not in control.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 18, 2016 0:21:00 GMT -5
Here's where we are: House: More outside work done; DH almost done with minor repairs; ordering flooring tomorrow if the peanut cooperates. FHC: Invites not out yet for all; most are. Finish up for Saturday. Excited for who has RSVPed. Should be a good time. Dress is almost done. Have to go shopping for shoes..and I should find something to wear. Crafty: Finished another afghan block to donate; cast on another one. Acquired a bit of stash..no needlework finishes..another small start Health..I'm above ground, and that has to be good enough now. Kids need some things taken care of, and I still need to see the dentist. Finances: Some bright spots, but overall not so good. Did not get interest from book keeping job I applied for. No word on raise for main job. Have most paperwork assembled for taxes: need to organize and give to accountant next week; applied for a small part time job..not holding breath; debating whether to apply to teach at other studios-pay is horrific..like less than half of the normal going rates....Need to also work on scholarship application for school. Hoping refund will be good to us. I much prefer to stick my head in the sand and ignore, but DH is gently asking me not to. High up on the agenda is finding a copy of "Raising Your Spirited Child" and reading it.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Mar 18, 2016 12:02:00 GMT -5
I've been dividing grocery shopping trips to get several small debit card transactions at once, in order to meet my monthly "quota" for earning 2% on my checking account (2% on up to $15k, so $30 is nicer than $0.30, even if it's not a ton). Overtime was good to me this month, so I was able to set aside quite a bit for DS's college fund. And, sounds like he's mentioned community college to my parents and his uncle, so looks like he finally accepted that. I've been on top of YNAB, and use it how I want to use it. Have a bunch of stuff to enter today though (busy week). Two crappy events... son's car, and the dog, both died. Sucks. The car I am trying to repair myself, just need my son to be home to help trouble shoot it (starting the car while I check for various issues). Losing the dog, I miss her so much It's a lot harder to motivate myself to go for a walk when I don't have that monster jumping around and running to the door when she sees her leash. So, I'll need to seek out other stuff for easy exercise. Spent another big chunk of "fun money"... got tickets to see Sweeney Todd in June, but to make sure I could get them the only day DS has available, I had to order them with tickets for The Magic Flute. I'm hoping next month doesn't require the big ticket stuff, so I can build that fund back up. I'm so glad DS loves theater as much as I do, and probably more. The Magic Flute will be our first opera, and maybe my last, but we'll see how it goes.
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Mar 19, 2016 15:43:59 GMT -5
Sorry about your dog. I was sick for most of last week, so I didn't get too much done as far as my career goes. I did finish one editing assignment and speak with a recruiter though. Also, a friend of mine just moved back into town, and she is going to take some of my furniture, so I guess I have made some progress toward moving too.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 19, 2016 16:00:29 GMT -5
I still have my job. DH got a betting fitting job, I hope. Now he just needs to keep it.
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Artemis Windsong
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The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
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Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Mar 19, 2016 16:24:37 GMT -5
I"m still working on being worthy and sufficient. The root of this is social anxiety.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 20, 2016 13:05:03 GMT -5
I've got social anxiety as well, plus generlized anxiety. Cutting down a little on caffeine is helping a bit.
So, this week I'm going to start over. I've got daycare set up for DS2 last week. He starts this coming Tuesday. It's not a permanent solution, but it eases my mind. I can't see maximizing work hours with the rates this daycare charges, though. It only makes sense for very part-time hours. Not sure what to do for the summer. I called all kinds of places. Apparently, finding care for my 6 yo is the challenge. Go figure!
Missed my class last week, and I'm behind as a result. Oh well. It doesn't really matter as long as I catch up before the next test.
Restarting YNAB on the 1st, or thereabouts.
Getting back up to speed with my habits. Just trying to keep moving forward.
Got my replacement CC and registered it right away, so there's one thing I didn't procrastinate on. Oh, the unauthorized charge was for only $3.29 at a 7-11 in Florida. I'm impressed with this bank for catching it right away before they got to do a big charge.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 20, 2016 14:28:31 GMT -5
I've got social anxiety as well, plus generlized anxiety. Cutting down a little on caffeine is helping a bit. So, this week I'm going to start over. I've got daycare set up for DS2 last week. He starts this coming Tuesday. It's not a permanent solution, but it eases my mind. I can't see maximizing work hours with the rates this daycare charges, though. It only makes sense for very part-time hours. Not sure what to do for the summer. I called all kinds of places. Apparently, finding care for my 6 yo is the challenge. Go figure! I like starting over. Sometimes, I start over at noon, if a day is going badly. It helps. I think summer care for the 6 yo is harder. Mine wasn't quite ready for an all day Y thing. And we were very low in seniority for summer camps at his old preschool, which he was familiar with.. I was hoping to get a bunch done today. It's not happening. The youngest did not sleep well last night. Her behavior was not good, but we've been working hard on telling her she needs to tell us what's really upsetting her. On the up side, the peanut has not peed anywhere in the house, nor has she tried to bite. Moral victory.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Mar 24, 2016 18:43:18 GMT -5
Quick Check in:
Very little progress. We have new toilet seats...which falls under making the house look nice. I worked on a Hardanger project. I should show a picture. DH actually really likes it, and is upset DD1 has claimed it for her own.
FHC is coming along. We're working on errands with that tomorrow, and DD1's dress is nearly taken care of. I have a choice between two dresses..Have to pick one and return the other.
Finances are the big focus....have to get stuff together for Taxes and I want to draft copy for applying for scholarship at the kids school. I have two job interviews next week Tuesday for small part time jobs. And I should work on getting box tops/cambells labels ready for processing after break.
I'm sleeping through DD2 coming into our room, now. It only took a month. The bad thing is she's up when I'm up. I've been staying in bed late so she rests longer, but then I'm late for work and everything else. Usually I'm up at 5:30. Have to think through a solution on this.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 9:43:06 GMT -5
I don't think in terms of goals, but I do have a few now that I think of it.
Fitness- almost daily workouts. Hey, I'm retired- I have no excuse.
Housekeeping- adhering to schedule I set up last year, which means every room is cleaned top to bottom once every 2 weeks. With minimal clutter and just DH and me in the house, the house is almost always presentable in case someone drops by.
Financial- it's weird not to have savings goals but we have no wage income. I did set a max withdrawal amount for this year and we should be able to meet it despite scheduling a trip to Iceland in August and having to replace the A/C. OTOH, I'm finally seeing the difference in cash flow in mortgage, utilities, etc. between our old house and the new one and we're spending about $500 less per month. Some of that decrease is in groceries, which makes little sense except that I think we're buying more at Costco.
I've also been dimly aware that our investments are way too complicated. I won't tell you how many mutual funds, ETFs, etc. we're holding. I've always been good at paying attention to the big holdings and weeding out under-performers, but am starting to look at the small holdings with an eye to selling and moving into something similar that I already have. (If it's extraordinarily good, of course, I could sell bad stuff and move more into the small holding.) This will be a slow process but every time we take an in-depth look at the portfolio I'm going to move in this direction.
Volunteer stuff- I'm knitting chemo caps for the local hospital at the rate of about 1 per week. Joined the HOA Board- there are a few dysfunctional people in the neighborhood but overall they're good people and I like the others on the Board. They've been very happy with a few of my recent ideas. Will eventually be working in the garden behind our church where we grow produce for the local food kitchen; need to integrate that with maintaining our own property. I also totally overhauled the church Web site and moved it to a new platform; now I have to get others trained so it's not all on me to keep it updated.
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Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Mar 26, 2016 14:09:34 GMT -5
Moving - My mom, fiance and I have been discussing it, and we decided that my fiance and I will move into my mom's empty house in a town about 30 miles from my hometown when we first move back in June. This way we can help my mom get it ready to sell, and we won't have to worry about finding a place to rent right away. (We also didn't like the idea of my mom trying to clean out the attic herself.) The town has a population of 1500 people, so it is going to be a big change, but we are looking forward to it. Also, the town is within commuting distance of at least three larger towns with factories and hospitals, so we should be able to find jobs fairly quickly. We still have quite a bit of money saved up, and my mom keeps telling me how inexpensive heat and electricity are for her old house, so we should be fine financially. Also, my farmer uncle really likes my fiance, so he can probably find work during harvest season.
Career - I have been scanning the job postings in the area we are moving to, and I am seeing lots of jobs that I meet the basic qualifications for. When I apply for jobs like that in SoCal, I get told I am overqualified, but I am hoping that will be less of an issue in an area with lower unemployment. If not, the editing work will help keep us afloat while I wait for a good job to open up (or decide to go back to school).
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