Single Girl Life | My Week Ending Oct 5, 2018: Meaningful Work, Making Money, Missoula

Welcome back to My Early Retirement Journey. In case you're just joining us, here's a little bit about me.  I am a single 30-something, openly Christian, hesitantly immigrant-y, human woman. I enjoy watching TV while eating takeout, and I want to retire early. I currently work as a consultant in a tele-health call center making around $40/hr. I started my professional life in 2015 at the ripe ole age of 31 after a few false starts. I spent 2016 paying off about $10,000 worth of credit card debt. I spent 2017 paying off about $20,000 in private student loans; I still have about $300,000 in federal student loans for which I am currently on an income-based repayment plan for the next 25 years, give or take.  I started really getting into savings and investing late 2017 when I stumbled upon the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) community.  In 2018, I made the decision to try to save for a sabbatical and maybe if all goes well continue the journey to early retirement.  Along this journey, I give weekly more personal than finance updates just like this one. Come along with me, I urge you!

My week

Monday – So I read an article that says don’t make permanent decisions when you’re having temporary feelings. I mean it’s something we all know. It’s just not wise, but sometimes you just need a reminder. Specifically, they said don’t quit your job on Mondays! Ok. I can do that. We’ll see how I feel Tuesday. Of note, they also advised to set attainable goals on Monday. Things you can check off and basically keep it moving to stave off the Sunday blues. I wish there were like a big party we could all go to. Anyway. Hanging in there.

I think where I am at now is this:  yes, doing meaningful work might make the journey to early retirement more enjoyable, but I’m not willing to take the pay cut that comes with “meaningful work.” I know how much I need to FIRE and taking a pay cut even with more “enjoyable” work will just make it take longer. Work will never really be truly enjoyable for me. It’s work! The newness wears off eventually, and all you have left with is work.

Tuesday – I think one of the things my money affords me is time and convenience. That’s really where my money goes. For example today, I made a quick run to the grocery store to pick up trash bags and paper bowls. Ended up getting a few other pantry items as well, since I was there. Had I a stricter budget, this trip would have likely lasted longer than the 9 minutes it took for I would have spent twenty to forty minutes comparing prices. Some shopping trips I do want to spend the time getting the best bargain, but sometimes I don’t. With the financial flexibility my budget allows, I don’t have to if I don’t want to.

Wednesday – Long day. Work 11a to 7p. Then wellness class. Have a gnat problem. Fried some fish and ate it with rice. Why are none of my beloved TV shows holding my attention. Do I want to buy a house? I can’t seem to find my way out of NC so do I just give up the ghost?

Thursday – I went to Tai Chi yesterday. Yay, me! I really didn’t want to. Ended up cleaning fridge before work. So many gnats! Only 2 more classes for Tai Chi left. Praise the Lord! Today I don’t feel like quitting work. I just want to get through the week and get to the weekend. I am so uncertain about this blog. It bugs me that other people are making money, and I’m not! I didn’t even have that as an objective, but now that I know it’s possible (thanks, Tuppenny) in your first year, I’m starting to rethink my position on doing what it takes to generate an income. I just don’t want to commit to social media. Ugh. Two errands for Aunty MERJ today as well. These random bills. At least 1 I think is going to get another review. So that should help. Tried to pay myself back for some of the rent I’d covered over the summer, but she didn’t have enough, so I’ll have to void that check.

Friday – So glad it’s Friday. They are offering overtime at work for the weekend because we are so backed up on outbound calls. I’ve been thinking about it. But we’re so busy during the week, I like my weekends. And duh, I’ve been trying to work less…not more. On the flip side, I’m thinking of picking up a weekend job. Humans are so complex. I want to use more of my training than I am now. Should I move to Missoula? It popped up a couple times at work and it got me thinking about a new destination again. Trying to figure how much more I want to do with Pinterest. It’s so time consuming and has yet to drive any remarkable traffic to my blog, but other female bloggers really seem to be getting it to work for them. I don’t know. What do you think?

TV this week: House Hunters, House Hunters Intl
Takeout this week: $0

Your turn

How was your week? What did you do? See? Feel? Think? Decide? How's your life journey in general?

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