Layout:
Home > Archive: July, 2022

Archive for July, 2022

When it Rains it Pours

July 28th, 2022 at 03:14 pm

I have been living in my home for about 11 years, it’s only been the last three that I’ve actually owned it. 

 

Well nothing broke during the time I was here and renting but now it seems like everything is falling apart. 

 

I’ve mentioned my kitchen cabinets before and have been holding off. Well yesterday, underneath the sink, it collapsed completely. SMH. There was some minor water damaged but I think after the pipe debacle it got worst. So I just decided to go ahead and replace the cabinets. I’ve reached out to three organization’s for quotes. I’ll be buying the cabinets from Home Depot, vs having custom cabinets made and having them installed. 

 

Next I think my fence needs to be done, it’s leaning a bit, so I’m planning and preparing for that as well. The fence is a must, required by the HOA. 

 

When it rains it pours. 

 

Other news, I signed the offer letter. I want to pay off the remaining student loan and my mortgage. This new gig should get me there. With the potential to bonus $15k a year, I should be able to do it. 

Got the Job!

July 27th, 2022 at 02:41 pm

Well I got the job, not the work from home position but hey. Salary, $105k a year with the potential to earn up to 15% bonus. 

 

I was confused about which job to take but this one, though in office, I was leaning towards since the role paid more. 

 

There’s still a chance that the other company may make an offer. If so, I can weigh my options. Though less, my earning potential is greater because I can pick up additional clients. 

 

Other news, I didn’t win the Megaball, lol. I see it’s now at a billion dollars. I did purchase advance tickets so I don’t have to stand in long lines. I normally don’t play lotto but since the pot was so large I said why not. 

 

I’m still trucking along with decluttering, the laundry room and guest bath are all now clutter free. Time to tackle the office. 

Embracing a Minimalistic Lifestyle

July 24th, 2022 at 01:29 pm

I spent quite a bit getting my house in order and you know what?  I don’t care. 

I couldn’t figure out why I was depressed. 

 

Why I wasn’t in any mood to do anything. Then I read a post/article, oh no it was a book about your space and how it could depress you. 

 

Things in my home looked cluttered, messy, I felt unorganized, drained, exhausted for no reason. 

 

Then I decided to hell with it, get this bedroom in order, then it was the linen closet, next my main walk-in closet then my bathroom and the guest bathroom. 

 

I’ll admit my walk-in closet have me anxiety, I was afraid to even start but it took me only two hours, that I broke up, to complete. These last few days I’ve had more energy that I’ve had in a while. I even slept better. 

 

The most rewarding feeling was being able to quickly find things that I need now in my bathroom and room. I feel liberated. 

 

By doing all this purging, decluttering and trashing of goods, I realize that I spent way too much money on junk, in the past, most of this stuff was old. 

 

I think I want to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. I no longer find the urge to have a 100 pair of jeans or a ton of shoes. It too much stuff. I have friends who turned spare bedrooms into closets, I can’t believe I even considered this. 

 

While in target, hmm I think it was  TJ Maxx, either way, I had the urge to buy this cute little dress. I immediately thought, if you buy this dress, which dress would you get rid of? I couldn’t think of any so I left it. I no longer what stuff. 

 

Anyone here a minimalist? 

Still Decluttering

July 23rd, 2022 at 12:04 pm

After creating a clutter free clean space, I feel and slept great. The last few nights are the best nights I’ve slept in a long time. I finally got my bedroom cleaned and clutter free, Thursday I completed the walk-in closet. Today I’ll tackle my bathrooms and laundry room. I’m so ready to live a clutter free and clean lifestyle.   

 

The painter is scheduled to come today to complete the hallway and guest bath. I’m feeling great about this, nothing like a fresh cost of paint. 

 

Other news, I completed my third interview with one company, the executive director is eager to get me on board, meantime I have my fourth interview with the company I really want on Monday. The second company is moving really slow though . 

 

I finally heard back from a potential client, fingers crossed that I get this gig. If so, that puts me at about $3k a month extra. That’s contingent upon taking job offer one or two. You know where my mind is going, student loans. šŸ˜Š

 

Hope you all have a great day 

 

 

Got the interview!

July 21st, 2022 at 04:06 am

I got the call for the fourth and final interview. I'm so excited. This job would be everything I need and want. Fingers crossed. 

The interview with the teaching gig went well. This would be a part time contract gig, I submitted my writing sample today. We will see how it goes. 

I also sent over my proposal on a contract so fingers crossed on that one as well. I'm pretty sure I have that one. 

In financial news I earned another $100 gift card,  tomorrow I'll wrap up another article and that will be an additional  $100 gift card  

Lastly I started on the closet,  it looks good,  I tackled the top shelf, and tomorrow I'll tackle one side of the closet.  Though I want this space decluttered like yesterday, I'm taking my time cleaning this mess, I get anxiety when working my way through this junk

 

Quick Update

July 20th, 2022 at 03:13 am

Third interview went well. I’m super excited about the potential of joining a great company with great benefits and making a pivot in my career. Everyone I interviewed with was awesome! 

 

In addition to my third interview, I also landed another freelance HR gig, I’m looking forward to tackling this project. It’s a small organization that need to put some policies and practices in place. 

 

Tomorrow I have an interview with an organization to potentially teach a HR business course and Friday I have a third interview with another organization. Things are looking great. 

 

I also did a little decluttering again today, clearing out three sections in the bedroom. I’m so excited to have gotten these things done, the room is coming along nicely. The weekend I plan on tackling my closet. This space is so cluttered it gives me anxiety but it has to get done. 

Vanity Update

July 19th, 2022 at 01:55 pm

My accountant finally completed my taxes, I’ll be meeting with him today to review, the amount owed is $2500. I like him and he’s great at what he does but he’s extremely slow and it drives me nuts. 

I normally do my own but since I had the business I opted to let him do it. 

 

Other news, I decided to paint my vanity, I’d been looking for one and thought hmm why? You have a perfectly good one, just clean it up and paint it. You know what? I’m glad I did, because she looks great! 

 

When I bought the furniture, I only bought one nightstand and a dresser. Well I’m going to try and paint the old nightstands. If they turn out as good as the vanity, I’ll stack them and place in my closet vs. buying a new (or used) dresser to go in there. 

 

I tell ya, since I’ve started redoing my room, I’m in a much happier place. The clutter is gone and I feel so good about the space. 

 

Lastly, I have a meeting with a potential client today and a third round interview, wish me luck. 

New Furniture and Opportunities

July 17th, 2022 at 01:11 pm

Checking in, it’s been a wild week. 

Many of you know I’ve been saving to get new bedroom furniture, well every time I save the money, I threw it towards my student loans. 

 

Well this time, I just couldn’t do it anymore. The drawers were falling apart, the headboard wasn’t attached to the bed, so it kept moving, some of the drawer bottom pieces were collapsing. 

 

This set was given to me almost 13 years ago and the owner had it for about five years then, so it served its purpose. 

 

One furniture store had its Black Friday sale so I took this opportunity to purchase a night stand and dresser, cost, about $1000. I tried Facebook market place but people were not responding, and I also tried a few thrift stores, with no luck. 

 

One thing  I’ve learned while shopping for furniture, the drawers aren’t as deep any more, and there is a fee to deliver and a fee to bring your furniture into your home. That’s right, you’ll pay to have your furniture brought into your home. Ridiculous! Of course I didn’t t pay this, I figured the SO and I could move it in, but when the delivery guys came, I gave them water, we chatted a bit (they were from where my parents are from), and they brought it in, and I tipped them which I was planning on doing anyway. Insane to deliver furniture to leave on someone’s front lawn. 

 

Next, I have great news, I’ve gotten third round interviews for two companies. One is at a skilled facility as HR Director, a position I’ve wanted since graduating college. The other is a full time consultancy position with benefits, working remotely. Though for years I’ve wanted to work in a geriatric facility, and I’m excited about this opportunity, I’m more excited about the remote work. It’s more aligned with what I want to do now and that’s HR system (HRIS/HCM). Plus the company pays 100% medical, dental and visions, there’s a 401(k) match, $400 month stipend, they pay my internet and gym membership, and other miscellaneous benefits. Total reward package is about $95k. In addition, this role would allow me to keep my clients and do additional project work. 

 

Also, I am meeting with a potential client that will bring in $1k a month, it’s a catering company that need a few things done, and they’re looking at a  long term business relationship. 

 

I am still writing articles, last week I made another $100 in gift cards. i also competed a User Review for $25. 

Outside of that, not much has happened. Fingers crossed I get the remote position, my COBRA ends next month and it would be perfect. 

Mini-Update

July 9th, 2022 at 03:16 pm

Just wanted to share that I landed a mid-level contract on Thursday and a lower-level one on Friday, both are remote.  So I should be able to net about $3500 a month. 

 

I also had an interview for a full-time remote position on Friday that went well and I’ll be moved to the second round, just waiting to hear from the recruiter, regarding scheduling. 

 

I’m also scheduled for two additional second rounds with two other organizations. One is in person $100k a year the other is remote $85k full benefits, honestly, I’ll take the remote job over the office, it’s not about to pay for me. It’s more so my peace of mind and the $100k role sounds toxic, I’ll explore and see what the CEO has to say. 

 

In other financial news, I’ve been able to make about $400 in gift cards submitting content for HR professionals. This has allowed me to significantly decrease my grocery, household, and personal budgeted line items. I wish I could use it for gas, but I’ll take this. 

 

I also had to pay close to $700 to get my car fixed. I’m glad I have the money in both my car fund and baby EF. I paid using my credit card for points and will pay the bill today.  I’m disappointed I had to tap into the funds though. I think I’ll take the funds from the baby EF since my six-month car insurance renewal is coming. 

 

Tonight is my class reunion, so I washed my hair and colored it, saved me $55 I’m adding this towards my EF. My goal was to get to $20k this year, and I’m $3k away. 

 

Lastly, I paid an extra $50 on the student loans. I’m praying I get one of those remote gigs because if that’s the case I can pay number 3 off next month 

Iā€™m Back

July 2nd, 2022 at 04:27 am

I’m back from vacation, the islands were beautiful. 

 

Now that I’m back it’s time to buckle down on my finances, I got a little side track but I’m ready to get back serious. 

 

All major bills are paid through September, this gives me time to look for a job or new contract. 

 

Prior to leaving I had two really great interviews but no response. I hate being ghosted by recruiters, especially if you contacted me. 

 

Upon my return I knocked out a few applications, and next week I have two interviews lined up. Fingers crossed that something pans out. I get the feeling the job market will be switching to the employer. 

 

My COBRA ends in August so I started shopping around. I found a few on the exchange but the deductibles are high, about $8k. Hopefully I land a gig and can get group insurance. 

 

I took the night to up date my spending register and balance a few accounts. Of course travel and food were the budget busters. I’ll finalize every tomorrow. Net worth is still trending positively and I’m finally starting to earn some dividends on my investments. 

 

Though small, I’m loving how I’ve gone from being scared of investing to loving learning all about it. I know they say don’t watch daily, but doing so has helped me get a better understanding on what’s happening. Tonight was the first time I actually balanced my IRA account. 

 

Slow and steady wins the race.