A couple of days ago, I posted about how we're going to gradually start monetizing this blog. The reason? We were bracing ourselves to lose one of our larger income streams, and therefore we were looking for ways to bring in supplemental revenue.
Well, it all went down faster than we thought. On Friday, we learned I was being laid off from my online job. Grunt. This fills me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I very much like my coworkers, and will miss working with them. On the other hand, the hours were long and I won't miss getting up at 4:30 am to start work by 5 am.
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As with anyone facing a layoff, Don and I staggered around in shock for a few hours after we got the news. Last night we held a budget summit during which we mapped out our monthly and yearly expenses, and identified where we can cut back. Discretionary spending, of course, is being severely curtailed until further notice.
We recognize we're wildly fortunate, for a number of reasons:
• We have no mortgage. We own our home outright.
• Our living expenses are very low. After decades of frugality, we have black belts in frugality. That experience is coming in handy right now.
• We have other income streams, albeit not as large or as stable as the one we just lost.
So our task right now is to adjust our expenses to our reduced income, while simultaneously working to increase that income. We are SO used to his. We've done it many times before. It's not a hardship, it's a challenge.
In a way, I'm looking forward to my last day of work. It will allow me to devote more time to writing, which is how I'm hoping to ramp up our revenue. I'll be approaching the various editors I've worked with over the years and pitching additional material. Don and I will also be querying about new publishing opportunities to see if we can broaden our writing credits.
So while a door is closing, some windows are opening. It's just another adventure.
I am so sorry to hear this. On the other hand, better to rely on yourselves than something you have no control over, such as an online job that can be changed at any time. (Been there, done that.) I don't tell people NOT to work online. That's a great option if you have it. I just tell people to have a backup option. IME from long ago, online jobs can be changed/eliminated/off-shored quickly. Thank goodness you have been working hard at your writing craft!
ReplyDeleteGLAD YOU ARE PREPARED
ReplyDeleteBetter things are on the horizen!
ReplyDeleteBesides, people with special, God given talents, are wasted with those sorts of jobs.
Not to mention your farm is starting to ramp up and will need more of your attentions. Pregnant cow and so forth.
I've been starting seeds today. They're in my oven with the pilot light on keeping them warm so they can germinate quickly. Mostly cool weather plants, but couldn't resist starting a few tomato seeds too. Need to dig out grow bulbs for next step of tending seedlings.
And should I get more chicks? Everything that breathes becomes a beloved pet then they live very very long.
I think you'll be happier and more productive without that job. Your time will be full.
Praying for YD with all the changes going on.
Having been through this twice in the recent past, I empathize with you. Even if it turns out to be "a good thing", the initial shock is never easy to deal with. Good that you already have such practice at living frugally.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry about your job loss, but it seems like you have gotten past the greatest hurdle. Your attitude is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHello Patrice,
ReplyDeleteI missed this notice on R-R, so when I didn't see your regular column on your "on-line" employer's website today I figured I had better check here.
It seems several others there are also getting the sack or just "retiring". As a reader of your columns since the beginning of that website, I can only say that it is a shadow of what it used to be and certainly has "lost it's mojo". Yes, your financial loss, but their intellectual loss.
We've corresponded over most of those years, and I hope you and Hubby will get through this. My wife and I went through this multiple times, including one time we BOTH got laid off at the same time (house, mortgage, kids, car payment). What did we do? Looked each other straight in the eye, a big hug and a kiss, and out to dinner in one of the better restaurants in Sonoma. Then we said prayers when we got home, and within a few weeks we had managed to find new jobs that lasted until we retired.
God Bless you and Don, and don't give up.
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You are the reason I visited your former employer. I hadn't had time to do any serious looking for you over the past few weeks so today I looked specifically for your blog. Used to skim over the articles and look specifically for Patrice. Hmmm...less reason for skimming the articles. Hope you find some nice writing opportunities.
ReplyDelete