I finished reading 1/2 Price Living by Ellie Kay. She had some good stuff to say. Two things that stuck out to me early in the book (that honestly kind of depressed me) were:
1. She highly recommends having a plan before going to one income.
We have a plan, but I felt as though maybe she was talking about more than what we have. Our "plan" still has a lot of unknowns. I think she would have thought we were crazy to consider going down to one income in our situation.
Anyway...
2. You should have 6 months of savings aside before quitting.
Ha! I'd never quit if we had to have that.
Oh the other thing she mentioned is that she recommends being out of consumer debt before going to one income. Again, we're a few years away from that.
So, are we crazy? At first I wondered. But a few days have passed and I still feel that this is what God is calling us to. I also feel that this year is the time. My knees are shaking just saying that!
I did get some good tips from the book as well. Her grocery tips were pretty interesting. I had no idea you could use store coupons and manufacturer coupons for the same item. (generally speaking)
My friend, Deborah, lent me Women Leaving the Workplace by Larry Burkett again. If you remember, that was the book that started this whole thing 5 years ago. It's amazing how a book can read SO differently depending on the time of your life and where you find yourself.
I plan on blogging more about the home based businesses and what I'm getting out of Larry's book too.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Home Based Businesses
Welcome to the roller coaster! Last night was a rough night, but after a little crying and encouragement from people I love, I feel much better.
So about a month ago, I got invited to a friends house for a Jewelery party. I told her I had no extra money cause we were saving so stringently. My friend encouraged me to come just to fellowship with old friends.
The "jeweler", also a friend of mine, went through her spiel on the jewelery and how you too can have a home business. The main gist of the business portion was that you can make an extra $1000 a month selling jewelery.
Afterwards, I was hanging out with the girls and explaining to another friend what was going on in my life. I proceeded to tell her how I planned to quit, but our budget was $1000 short.
Ding!
My mind immediately made the connection to the jewelery presentation. At this point, I just thought, how interesting, but really nothing further than that.
A few weeks later, our au pair hosted a jewelery party booked off the first one. Again the thought entered my head, but anyone who knows me knows I don't wear jewelery. So again I just let the thought pass.
Two weeks ago, I hosted a girls night for some old friends that went to a bible study I used to go to (the one I met my husband at, actually). I was chatting with my friends about homeschooling and trying to raise extra money, again the selling jewelery came up.
I started to think, hmm, Lord? Are you trying to tell me something.
In the meantime, my pastor's wife gave me a book: 1/2 Price Living by Ellie Kay. One of the chapters is about home based businesses. She specifically mentions Premiere Designs in this chapter (later she mentions others), the jewelery company I am speaking of above. I'm not one for "signs", so again I just thought it was interesting.
Tuesday night, my friend, the "jeweler" called and invited me to go to an informational meeting about Premiere Designs. At this point, I figured it can't hurt to gather more information about it. So I went.
In the book (1/2 Price Living), Ellie talks about finding your interests and researching what can be turned into a business. She has a little chart to list out 3 -4 potential options for home based work, start up costs, weekly time commitment, pros, cons, etc. I started thinking about my potential home businesses. I have come up with the following four. I'm still working on the research for all of the other info I need.
1. Systems Consultant (process mapping, requirements gathering, software research, etc)
2. Video Editing
3. Premiere Designs
4. Teach piano lessons
I may end up with a combination of these.
I'll be commenting more on this book in future posts. Some other things have stuck out to me that are interesting.
Please pray for guidance as we continue to pursue so many things regarding this transition in our life. Also if you have any advice or thoughts on what we do... let me know!!!
So about a month ago, I got invited to a friends house for a Jewelery party. I told her I had no extra money cause we were saving so stringently. My friend encouraged me to come just to fellowship with old friends.
The "jeweler", also a friend of mine, went through her spiel on the jewelery and how you too can have a home business. The main gist of the business portion was that you can make an extra $1000 a month selling jewelery.
Afterwards, I was hanging out with the girls and explaining to another friend what was going on in my life. I proceeded to tell her how I planned to quit, but our budget was $1000 short.
Ding!
My mind immediately made the connection to the jewelery presentation. At this point, I just thought, how interesting, but really nothing further than that.
A few weeks later, our au pair hosted a jewelery party booked off the first one. Again the thought entered my head, but anyone who knows me knows I don't wear jewelery. So again I just let the thought pass.
Two weeks ago, I hosted a girls night for some old friends that went to a bible study I used to go to (the one I met my husband at, actually). I was chatting with my friends about homeschooling and trying to raise extra money, again the selling jewelery came up.
I started to think, hmm, Lord? Are you trying to tell me something.
In the meantime, my pastor's wife gave me a book: 1/2 Price Living by Ellie Kay. One of the chapters is about home based businesses. She specifically mentions Premiere Designs in this chapter (later she mentions others), the jewelery company I am speaking of above. I'm not one for "signs", so again I just thought it was interesting.
Tuesday night, my friend, the "jeweler" called and invited me to go to an informational meeting about Premiere Designs. At this point, I figured it can't hurt to gather more information about it. So I went.
In the book (1/2 Price Living), Ellie talks about finding your interests and researching what can be turned into a business. She has a little chart to list out 3 -4 potential options for home based work, start up costs, weekly time commitment, pros, cons, etc. I started thinking about my potential home businesses. I have come up with the following four. I'm still working on the research for all of the other info I need.
1. Systems Consultant (process mapping, requirements gathering, software research, etc)
2. Video Editing
3. Premiere Designs
4. Teach piano lessons
I may end up with a combination of these.
I'll be commenting more on this book in future posts. Some other things have stuck out to me that are interesting.
Please pray for guidance as we continue to pursue so many things regarding this transition in our life. Also if you have any advice or thoughts on what we do... let me know!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I can't do this...
No seriously, I can't do this.
I want to change my name. Tonight was completely "mommy", "Mommy", "MOMMY", "MOMMY!".
No idea how I'm going to do this.
I want to change my name. Tonight was completely "mommy", "Mommy", "MOMMY", "MOMMY!".
No idea how I'm going to do this.
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Life Lived in Fear...
... is a life half lived.
A few years ago, my three older children wanted to try out for a musical. We practiced a song, pretended like mommy and daddy were the judges, everything we could to prepare them for an audition. We got to the theater and filled out all the paperwork. My six year old son was called first. He has no fears and confidently went in before the "judges" and performed his song. My older son and daughter were in the next group. Just as their group was called, both of them chickened out. I told them this is a one shot chance. If they didn't go now, they were going to miss out They decided not to try out.
My six year old son made it into the Children's Chorus, and had a blast. Come show time, he got so spoiled with late nights, ice cream with mommy and daddy on opening night, treats from other family members that came to see him, a tshirt, the works! My older son said to me, "I wish I would have been in the play" and I reminded him how he had the chance.
There have been situations since then that I've had to remind my oldest son on how he will miss out on so many great things if he continues to be afraid.
Then in look in the mirror....
I struggle with those same fears.
Yesterday, I had a rough day with the kids. For one reason and then another, my patience was running short with them. I started to get discouraged and afraid. How am I going to do this full time when I can't even handle one weekend day?? Why do the children that I LOVE so dearly, drive me so crazy sometimes??
I fear that I will do this for a few months and realize I can't. Then what? All this planning, praying, hoping....
So I must rely on the Lord's strength, so that I can fulfill His plan for me and my children. I don't want to miss out on the great things God has for me when we do it His way.
A few years ago, my three older children wanted to try out for a musical. We practiced a song, pretended like mommy and daddy were the judges, everything we could to prepare them for an audition. We got to the theater and filled out all the paperwork. My six year old son was called first. He has no fears and confidently went in before the "judges" and performed his song. My older son and daughter were in the next group. Just as their group was called, both of them chickened out. I told them this is a one shot chance. If they didn't go now, they were going to miss out They decided not to try out.
My six year old son made it into the Children's Chorus, and had a blast. Come show time, he got so spoiled with late nights, ice cream with mommy and daddy on opening night, treats from other family members that came to see him, a tshirt, the works! My older son said to me, "I wish I would have been in the play" and I reminded him how he had the chance.
There have been situations since then that I've had to remind my oldest son on how he will miss out on so many great things if he continues to be afraid.
Then in look in the mirror....
I struggle with those same fears.
Yesterday, I had a rough day with the kids. For one reason and then another, my patience was running short with them. I started to get discouraged and afraid. How am I going to do this full time when I can't even handle one weekend day?? Why do the children that I LOVE so dearly, drive me so crazy sometimes??
I fear that I will do this for a few months and realize I can't. Then what? All this planning, praying, hoping....
So I must rely on the Lord's strength, so that I can fulfill His plan for me and my children. I don't want to miss out on the great things God has for me when we do it His way.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
You can't turn a parked car
When I first thought about being a stay at home mom, the other thought that quickly came was to home school my children. The thought of trying to home school my children on my own seemed very overwhelming. Their education is so important that I thought I wouldn't be able to do it any justice. Therefore I was considering an online e-learning school. This way I had both the curriculum in front of me as well as the accountability to make sure I was on track.
As I considered this more, I was a little concerned at trying to keep up three kids all in different grades and log enough time etc. A local radio host recently switched to homeschooling her children and talked on her blog about the curriculum coming and all. I started to think, well if I can get an entire curriculum, then that will be my guidance and ensure my kids are "keeping up with their grade".
The other benefit to traditional homeschooling is that I could put my older boys on the same curriculum. Currently, one is in first grade and the other in second. But my first grader is already reading at a third grade level and basically breezing through first grade. I would consider putting both of them on a third grade curriculum.
I had lunch with a good friend of mine last week to discuss homeschooling and what she does with her children. I started researching curriculum's and homeschooling conferences. I am learning more and more and will continue to post things that impact us here.
So that is the direction we are heading in now.... homeschooling our children next year. I'm still relying on God for wisdom and guidance but figure it's a lot easier to steer a moving car. If I move in the direction I feel that God is leading, I can trust that He will turn me if I'm going the wrong way rather than staying still until I'm sure one way or another. As I've heard it before, "You can't turn a parked car".
As I considered this more, I was a little concerned at trying to keep up three kids all in different grades and log enough time etc. A local radio host recently switched to homeschooling her children and talked on her blog about the curriculum coming and all. I started to think, well if I can get an entire curriculum, then that will be my guidance and ensure my kids are "keeping up with their grade".
The other benefit to traditional homeschooling is that I could put my older boys on the same curriculum. Currently, one is in first grade and the other in second. But my first grader is already reading at a third grade level and basically breezing through first grade. I would consider putting both of them on a third grade curriculum.
I had lunch with a good friend of mine last week to discuss homeschooling and what she does with her children. I started researching curriculum's and homeschooling conferences. I am learning more and more and will continue to post things that impact us here.
So that is the direction we are heading in now.... homeschooling our children next year. I'm still relying on God for wisdom and guidance but figure it's a lot easier to steer a moving car. If I move in the direction I feel that God is leading, I can trust that He will turn me if I'm going the wrong way rather than staying still until I'm sure one way or another. As I've heard it before, "You can't turn a parked car".
Monday, January 10, 2011
Redeeming The Time
Last Wednesday on the way to work, I once again was struggling with whether or not quitting my job was lacking wisdom or exercising faith. I prayed this morning "Lord, you're going to have to have someone I trust tell me straight out what to do" It was a quick prayer, but prayed with sincerity and need. On the way home I was listening to Moody Radio and there is a little segment called Redeeming The Time. The 30 seconds of dialogue really spoke to me. I sent a note to the radio station to get the transcript. Here is a link to the transcript.
http://www.lifechangingseminars.com/read.php?requested=1184
It wasn't "someone I trusted" per say, but it still felt like God was speaking to me. I even started crying in my car. It's so amazing to me when you feel like the Lord is meeting you right where you are. The part that really got me was "One way to know God’s will is to ask the question- “What activity is there, that I and only I, can do, that if done well could have great results throughout eternity?” "
Wow.
http://www.lifechangingseminars.com/read.php?requested=1184
It wasn't "someone I trusted" per say, but it still felt like God was speaking to me. I even started crying in my car. It's so amazing to me when you feel like the Lord is meeting you right where you are. The part that really got me was "One way to know God’s will is to ask the question- “What activity is there, that I and only I, can do, that if done well could have great results throughout eternity?” "
Wow.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Food for thought
Last weekend the in-laws were over. My sister-in-law wanted an update on where we were. I told her a little bit about what's been going on. She encouraged me that this decision wouldn't only have physical effects, but would also have powerful spiritual effects as well.
Something my brother-in-law said though really made me think. He said sure you can continue to work and get out of debt and get the budget to where everything works, but then who gets the glory? It would be easy to look at myself and everything that I did to make the finances come in line. He said if we make this move and trust God to meet our needs and bring the finances, then who gets the glory?
Hmmm, food for thought......
Something my brother-in-law said though really made me think. He said sure you can continue to work and get out of debt and get the budget to where everything works, but then who gets the glory? It would be easy to look at myself and everything that I did to make the finances come in line. He said if we make this move and trust God to meet our needs and bring the finances, then who gets the glory?
Hmmm, food for thought......
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