Depressed
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| Fri, 02-12-2010 - 1:14pm |
This week has been a real pain! We found out about the dental bills and then yesterday we took DH's car in to fix a flat and found out he needed 4 new tires. I knew he was going to need new tires, but it still sucked to hear it said. So we bought the tires, got a minor deal on them. $343 dollars for 4 new tires, the installation, an alignment and some wiper blades. I probably could have done it cheaper, but I was crunched for time, as usual! I'm really lucky because I did have the money. I had $150 in our car fund and I took the rest out of the Emergency Fund, but then this morning I had to pay the mortgage and my electricity bill came through. Then I had a couple more bills to pay and now I'm looking at my accounts and thinking. Where did my money go????? I know that my tax refund will be here to save me sometime in the near future, but it's just so depressing to see all of my money fly out the door!
I've really REALLY been contemplating how I can make more money. It doesn't make too much sense for me to get a regular job. I bring home $338 dollars a week with my piano. If I went out and found a regular job (keep in mind that I've been out of the workforce for 6 1/2 years and it's hard to find a job right now anyway, but I do have an associates in Computer science) and then had to pay daycare costs for a 2 year old, plus some possible after-school care for my older kids, would I really bring home more than I do now?
I have 6 openings for more piano students. That could be a potential $120 a week extra. I have been thinking about advertising my services for weddings, being more aggressive about it. Right now I'm just kind of a word of mouth thing. I haven't done a wedding in 8 months so obviously that's not working! I have an at-home business that I've just been doing nothing with besides getting a discount on my skin-care products. I have a lot of avenues for more income. It's just a matter of me deciding that I want to work harder and going for it.
Can I turn my depression into a go-getum attitude? As they always say, where there's a will, there's a way! I just have to find my WILL!!!

Honestly Abbie, I have a serious depression strategy.
When something gets me down/stressed out, I give myself a period of time to whine/sulk/mope. I seriously think the words: "I give myself permission to mope about this until x time & then I'm gonna get my sh*t together & do something about it".
When I had to move back from the US I was heartbroken...but I gave myself 5 days to mope & then start actively looking for work, apartments, etc.
As of late, I give myself like an hour lol can't afford to spend days moping about things!
Sometimes it helps to give yourself permission to feel the way you do - and that tends to help with the "will" part after. Well, it does for me.
I think you're right, it doesn't make sense for you to go to work & pay daycare...I'm in the same sitch. Do what you can do to up the piano - keep in mind wedding season is coming & people are booking for that so it's a good time to start advertising. At least you're being proactive & trying to make more money - that right there is showing you have the will to do what you need to do!
~ Mom to 5 ~
Feb has been rough for me too. And I haven't even gone to the dentist to see if I need work!
4 tires for 343? Thats pretty good. We need truck tires and that will be stupid, at least 600-800.
More income....what a fabulous idea. I like it. I wish you luck with the lesson spots filling up. I may work more in March myself. Feb had too much going on to work! LOL! I will look at March next week.
You are making progress Abby, keep going!
Inhale, exhale.
Norma
"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus
Sorry about your car troubles. I would be depress also. This winter we had to replace both batteries and tires +spare so it does add up quickly. Hopefully you can find a cheap option for your teeth. As far as extra income maybe you could look into census work. I don't know what is going on in your neck of the woods but where we live (minneapolis, mn) there are tons of temporary jobs available that last 6-10 weeks.
Hang in there!
Liz
Liz
student loan paid off 2010
Bathroom remodel loan paid off 2013
Pending Car loan to be paid by the end of 2014!!!!!
As my best friend told me when I was in a funk "Put on your big girl panties and get it done girl' lol.
All kidding aside, this tax refund will help you out big time. Pay off all the little things and start the sinking fund (as per Norma).
Advertising for more students/ weddings doesn't have to cost anything. Just post on craigslist or kijiji. Any extra helps, right!
You've come so far. You can do it lady!
Bex -