The Big Quit!

I had a health scare and decided to quit smoking. I actually wanted to quit when I turned 50 but missed that mark. However, I did quit, just at 51 and a few months.

So, I weighed my options: cold turkey, vape, chantix or the patch. I chose the patch. I quit December 30, 2018.

Day 1 I tried cold turkey. I hid in my room because I felt like crawling out of my skin . withdrawal is real folks!

Day 2 I started the patch. I had a few rough days, well my family did, other than that, I feel good.

So 27 days being a non-smoker feels pretty good.

#2019 the year of Jill

You can go back to college too

 

Let me start by saying that you can do anything you truly set your mind too. I went back to school in 2009. I received my A.A.S in Business Administration 2 years later. Why? It appeared that I would find a job relatively quickly in this field. Did I love it? No. I panicked. I was new to Indiana, had no friends and no family, and was getting divorced. I saw it as my only way to support myself and my children.

I am now attending college to work in the field of my hearts desire. I have always wanted to be a teacher but doubted by abilities. I will graduate in about 2 years with my teaching degree.

What is the point to this? I know that someone is out there saying that they can't do it because they are single, have small children, have no money, work too much, have a life crisis, have no one to help them, etc. I have here to tell you that it is possible. 

The only excuse that is stopping you, is yourself.

Reach for the stars, for they are reaching to you.

Kroger summer grilling fun!

Try the Orange creme soda with vanilla ice cream. You will have a dreamscicle float!

Money

First let me say that I have very little debt. I am totally underemployed. I've probably filled out 500 applications in the last 2 years and had 8 interviews. I have 2 degrees (B.S. in Psychology and A.A.S in Business Administration with a medical emphasis). I am a teachers aide.

I started working at schools so that I could be my children's mother. I work while they are in school and I'm home when they are. It doesn't pay much but does allow us to buy into the company health insurance.

My rent went up $180 a month in November, gasoline has gone up about 50 cents a gallon.

My hourly rate hasn't changed.

We have cancelled cable, went to straight talk at home for phone, have a bare bones cell phone (I drive a distance with an unreliable van), buy nothing new, and take no vacations.

I do have internet but I am taking college classes to be a teacher.

We are on a balanced school year. 2 weeks off 3 times a year during the school year and 2 months off for the summer. I have worked summer school which ends on Tuesday. They also payed me a lot less money for this position but I took it, as I have no choice. I applied for another summer position but haven't heard if I have the job as of yet.

The thought of no income for 1 month is making me shudder.

I do not qualify for assistance because I use loan money for school, I do not qualify for a grant for school because I have a prior degree. I'm frustrated to say the least.

I'm an avid couponer, repurposer, and thrifter.

I'm on the lookout for any work that I can do from home. I'm even willing to babysit, sew, or do laundry.

Why? I do this for my children. 

Home made dishwasher detergent

Ingredients:

1 cup Borax
1 cup super washing soda (arm and hammer)
1/2 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup lemi shine.

Use white vinegar as your rinse agent.

I use 1 Tablespoon per load.

This worked really good, no hard water spots.

Graduation

 

It is that time of year again! Graduation. I have survived 2 kids getting their diploma. I'm getting ready to survive the 3rd. I've decided that this milestone doesn't need to break the bank, not that I have the money for it anyway.

So, we didn't order announcements. I'll make my own. 

I didn't order graduation pictures. I'll take my own.

We aren't ordering a cake. I'll make my own.

 His party will be at home with food that I cook and drinks that I make.

I have always lived frugally so why should this be any different.

My big expense will be a camera. My son broke mine. But, I will get many more uses out of it with the other kids, and my grandchildren.

Once we decide on something. I'll post the pictures here and give instructions. I'm hoping to help someone else save a buck.

Can you make money working from home?

 

It is that time of year again where I am pondering the possibility of taking the summer off of work. School will be out and I will be unemployed, however, can I afford it? Probably not.

So, as I search for summer employment, I was wondering if it is truly possible to work from home?

There are so many schemes it is so hard to decipher who is legitimate and who is a con artist. As of this writing, I have no solution.

Maybe some of you do?