Finances and Goals

Whoa, what a totally boring title...



I am a bodyworker. I feel fortunate that I have been able to pursue this career, even if only on the side. My real job is what pays the bills, but I don't mind that either. I am grateful for this, but I still feel a bit stifled. I wish I didn't have to spend the majority of my work week at a job I "don't mind". Basically, I love my co-workers, it's not stressful, we have a busy season, and it's tolerable, but I don't love the work I do. I'm never really proud of what I accomplish in a day. I have felt more pride in waxing our wood floors than I ever have over what I do every single day. I also fear becoming stuck. I am way too comfortable with my job, so comfortable that a challenging day has more to do with office politics than it does with my skill set. On the other hand, I'm thankful for this comfort, because it's allowed me to focus on building my practice up. While I was in school, I spent a lot of work hours studying for tests. This was sneaky, but really, it was that or reading CNN all day long (Ok, fine, or televisionwithoutpity). Also, many of my co-workers have become regular clients. It really has worked out. I just know that I need to move on in the next year or two. It's much less about the money than it is about personal goals. I want to do more, and I know if I don't move on soon, I will be labeled Too Specific in my field.

I would also like to make more money, and I know I could. Money is a horrid pain in the ass, but that's mainly the case when you don't have enough of it. I have become more responsible about budgeting and saving. My priority is to prevent financial discomfort and be more than just caught up. I want a back-up for emergencies; car repairs, home issues, family troubles. I do have a 401K through my full time job, and I just recently started a savings account. I want to not use the credit card for gas. That is so stupid, and I become very irritated with my own dependence every time I fill up. I also realize that if I am doing it on occasion, there are many others who do it consistently. Scary scary scary.

This leads me to the home buying topic. I think if my husband and I knew then what we know now, we might have waited to buy a home. I love our house most of the time, but I sometimes wish we had waited. Also, I am not good with long term projects, and home is one BIG long term project. Our home is old and has character, but the basement walls are also falling off/over/around, and my husband wants to fix that and finish the basement. I just want to check out altogether. I can barely handle the idea of wallpaper removal, which is one of the worse jobs ever, and taping before painting. If it were up to me, our walls wouldn't look so smooth because I would have done a half-ass sand down. I like little projects. Like organizing files or rearranging the magnets on the fridge.

Having a home will not prevent us from traveling, and even though we have threatened the walls around us with going back to renting, we know it wouldn't be a good financial move. Also, the basement will be worked on, and I'll have to get over that anxiety. Ultimately, you do what you truly want to do. We are in the process of discussing travel plans with another couple. It will happen, and the home will stay put.