Financial Independence - Is it for me?

Financial Independence!!!

That's the main topic on my mind today.  There are so many things that I want to do, but I just don't seem to have the time for.  I dream of working shorter hours so I can spend my time improving on my mad skills, or learning new ones. 

-I want to tap trees for sap and make it into syrup.
-I want to keep bees
-I want to garden
(Okay, most of this is food related, I need other things...)

Oh yeah,
-Bike a significant distance.
-Hike a lot
-Camp a lot
-Travel more

This sounds great!  It's not that I don't want to work...I like being useful.  But I'm frustrated by the fact that I can't take a few months off to hike the Appalachian Trail.  Who is going to let me not work for 5 months out of the year?!?!

I've been reading a few blogs, (1500 Days and Mr. Money Mustache to be precise), read Your Money or Your Life (a few times), and have squirreled away money for almost my entire adult life.  I've come to the conclusion that I just need to start putting that money to work.  (Most is already in investments, I don't have any outstanding loans except mortgage, btw).

I'm kind of risk adverse.  I don't want to own a rental property.  That sounds like work I wouldn't enjoy, so what's the point of that?  Do I pay off the house and then work on income investments, or income investments and then pay off the house? 

SO MANY QUESTIONS?!?!?!

Do I write a blog about it? 

Do I comment on other blogs about what I'm doing?

Is any of this blogging required for Financial Independence?

Has anyone tried to do this, and then failed?  If they did, and didn't blog about it, did it actually happen?

Where are my sunglasses?

Is this post just the incoherent ramblings of a mad woman?  Does it even matter?

April Snow Showers bring #30daysofbiking

It's the beginning of April, and there are quite a few inches of snow on the ground.  This is a big disappointment for me.  I took the pledge to do the #30daysofbiking, and I'm only on day 4.  The first three days were in the snow.  This is what it looked like on day 3.

Not even fair.

However, I've done the past three days without much incident.  They were short, quick, and to the point. 

I've noticed that biking does make my butt hurt - not because of muscle use but because bike seats are not that comfortable.  I think during the summer my hinder toughens up because I usually go for much longer rides without so much discomfort afterwards.  (I don't really notice that my butt hurts until it's the next time to get my rear-end on the bike again). 

Another weird thing I've noticed is that biking in the winter isn't that bad.  I was expecting to hate it a whole lot more than I did.  This is a good discovery.  I may have to extend my biking season to include some snowy days. 

Following those "Simple Living" Peeps? Me, too

Hi there. 


I admit it.  I am thrilled at the thought of living a minimalist lifestyle: owning a tiny home, making my living doing a blog, and biking everywhere while donning my uniform of comfortable jeans and a nice quality- ethically produced tee-shirt.  I imagine myself doing all those cool things, being chill, and being with my kids.  Oh yeah, drinking coffee, reading philosophy books, attending those art shows...


I am a failure at this lifestyle.  Mr. Money Mustache may call me a wuss for not riding my bike or walking to get to work or run errands.  (I would disagree.)  The Minimalists might challenge me to look at what I truly value, and check my calendar to make sure that it does reflect my values.  (I have a lot of things I value in life - most of them are not material).  I might be a disappointment for those in the ranks of minimalism/tough-assity/simplicity movement.  Self-righteous @$$es that make me want to pull my hair out for their "advice"!


But I listen and read them anyway.  I'm still fascinated at the lifestyle.


I actually identify with MMM the most.  He seems to keep his life crazy busy.  This is how I prefer to live my life.  I'm not sure why.  I always dream of having days off.  I love my three day weekends.  I really love when I have three day weekends where I have nothing planned.  However, within 24 hours of a three day weekend, I end up filling it with things I should do.  (I'm also an anti-procrastinator.) 


I keep trying.  Hell, this last month I took up meditating just so I knew what it was like to do nothing...just to be.  It's hard as hell!  I've mentioned it to a lot of people, and everyone says the same thing.  "I just can't do it."  Well, let me tell you, that's the problem.  No one can "do" it, and that's the point (I think).  My mind goes all over the place, and I'm so tempted to get up and do the thing, or write down a note, or itch my nose. 


I keep trying.  I ride my bike to work whenever I have the energy and safety isn't too much of a concern.  (I'm sorry MMM, I am not going to ride my bike 8 miles, in the dark, 10 degrees F with 30 MPH winds.  I hate cold.  It stays dark here in the northern states during the winter time.)  I also have kids that might appreciate me getting them home safely.


I keep trying.  I was not going to spend any money on new things in January.  I bought socks.  I think I bought a book, too.  I failed at that one, too, Non-Consumer Advocate.

But I got this one right.  I've had this espresso machine for around 15 years.  It's been on a deployment in the dessert.  A good cup of coffee seems to be a common thread with all those minimalism/tough-assity/simplicity movement people.  (Can't there just be one word?  Non-sheep people?  Calm-down about your social status people?  The Jones's Next Door Neighbor with the unkempt lawn?  Oh, that's me...)

Simplifying Life

S

My last post wasn't very well thought out, and was basically a stream of consciousness.  That is pretty much how it's going to be for a little while.  I'm trying to figure out what I really want to accomplish, and how that fits in with the rest of the family.  

I know a few things that I want out of life.  I want things to be simple.  I want to be happy.  I want to have small adventures.  These seem like such simple statements, but each one will require a change in my own thinking and habits.  I'll start with wanting for things to be more simple:

I started my new year by focusing on my home.  I'm one of five people living there, and I feel like I do most of the housework.  Whether or not this is true, I can't' say - I've only my own viewpoint to look through.  FlyLady is helping me out a bit - she's all about starting habits and "blessing your home".  So, first order of business is getting me to look at housework a little differently.  I enjoy a clean home.  I love cooking in a clean kitchen.  How do I not get angry at all the messes?

Establish a few routines:

Morning routine:

1. Wipe off counters, sinks, and shower
2. Get dressed
3. Load of laundry into the wash (set on delay so by the time I come home it's ready for the dryer)
4. Water
5. Empty Dishwasher
6. Make bed (assuming everyone is out of it)
7. Make myself a cup of coffee and some breakfast

This is not done in any particular order.  It takes about 30 minutes (mostly because our coffee pot died and now I'm making an americano with our old espresso machine).

After work routine:

1. Start dinner (pressure cooker, leftovers, or oven meals are the BEST!)
2. Clean clothes into dryer

This is where I am trying to get the children responsible for more chores.  Right now it's 15 minutes cleaning your room (I check for the floor at least to be clean, and if we get that straightened out, will work on the dresser tops and *gasp* closet and drawers).  We're also starting with the bathroom – wiping down sinks and counters. Dinner takes 30 minutes usually, and the kids and set the table.  

After Dinner Routine:

1. Get the laundry and fold/put away 
2. Put dishes in the dishwasher (Family Chore - everyone is responsible for their own dishes)
3. Clean kitchen (Hand wash all dishes that need it, wipe off counters)
4. Pick out what to wear tomorrow

The Time Between

The week between Christmas and New Years has always been a bit of a challenge for me.  There is a feeling of gluttony – from all the presents and eating.  There is also a little bit of a “oh, I just need that one thing” feeling.  There are also gift cards and presents that I don’t really want/need that should be exchanged.  So many obligations!  This is the week to use those gift cards and exchange presents…but it’s been SO COLD I don’t want to go out to do ANYTHING!

We started New Year’s Eve sending off our exchange student back to her own home.  I’m grateful for the experience, delighted that my children were able to experience having someone they weren’t related to in their home.  I’m grateful for having my family introduced to another culture.  I am also saddened that my eldest is experiencing feeling loss at her leaving.  Watching children grow up is a crazy roller-coaster of ride sometimes.

The rest of the day was pretty laid back.  We hung out with family, had some champagne and dinner, and went home way before midnight.   We then lit a fire and just lay there, as a family, for a while.  It has been really cold, and not shivering was a great way to end the night. 

So, New Year is now here, and resolutions are in order…I suppose.  As a family, we’ve been on the simplifying journey for about 12 years or so.  It’s a struggle, and we adjust pretty often.  Sometimes life just gets non-simple on you.  So, what goals do I have this year?

1. Get the children responsible for 1 chore every day.  This is beyond clean up your room and be responsible for your stuff.  We are starting the young kids with the bathroom – sinks and counters.  I want them to establish some good habits.
2. Keeping the house presentable.  I’m using the FlyLady method.  This is also helping with goal #1.  Do  little bit every day, establish habits, and don’t stress. 
3. Health – I cook a lot.  I’m going to continue that.  I’ve not been as good at the consistent exercise routine.  I’m working on establishing that habit.  Walking, running, and biking are my preferred methods of exercise.  However, -10ᴼ F is not ideal for me to be outside for any extended period of time.  I’m working on finding alternative ways besides mall walking. 

That’s enough for now.  I am trying to further simplify my life.  I’ll try to document my hacks as I get to them, but I won’t go too much out of my way.  That wouldn’t be very simple.  

On the Second Day of Christmas

It’s the day after Christmas.  I’m tired.  The last two days were spent visiting my family out of town.  A task made more difficult because my parents are divorced and run in totally opposite circles.   Christmas Eve we visited my grandma, ate food, talked with cousins, second cousins, and I ate too many of grandmas pickles.  (Everything is from her garden except the vinegar).   I still have the afteraffects of eating too much salt. At least they live in the same town. We ate breakfast with my dad's family.  We watched "White Christmas" with my mom. 

After family, we visited a friend from out of town to go out for Chinese.  She's a nanny, has multicolored hair, and has more energy than a second grader at a birthday party. It’s always nice to catch up with her and listen her tell stories.  My kids love her.  Her (grown) kids were also present.  Her son I haven’t seen in years – and he lost that adolescent flicker inspiration of too many dreams to the glow of more focused wisdom.   Her daughter I've seen more often.  She's introspective, and has started to be able to tolerate others unlike her.  Tolerate isn't the right word, maybe more comfortable with who she is and what she has the ability to become.

We came back in the evening, changed into comfortable clothes and opened the presents of cooking implements (mostly replacements for items destroyed in the past year), Lego sets, and clothes.  Little man was most excited about an electric toothbrush, my eldest daughter by a sketch book.  My middle monster delighted by candy and fuzzy pajamas.  Nancy, our exchange student from South Korea, liked everything.  She is such a gracious guest in our home.  She leaves soon.  We are not looking forward to that.

Later in the evening, we went to the in-laws home for more merriment.  We played some games, I got over the “I told them I didn’t want anything and the cousins are giving the gifts to each other” we agree to that gets broken every year.  I got over my associated guilt of not getting presents for the adults.  I barely forgive the obligatory family photo – after all I’m crazy tired and am dressed in sweatpants and hoodie.  This is not a moment I want to capture.  But my brother in law is in from out of town.  

And now it’s December 26^th.  I’m dedicating this day to get back to my normal, and perhaps start a new normal.  I have so many irons in the fire right now, and I keep trying to pull back.  I fail.  I try again.  So, this is a new attempt, starting a few days too early to be a “New Year’s Resolution.”  It’s starting with cleaning up the house.  I hope it will end with playing a game with the family and then falling asleep in clean sheets.  

Politicians and Their Fans

“And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”

 

Many of us are familiar with the above quote.  If not, there was some mention of grabbing a cat of some sort. 

This quote, I believe, is was the biggest clue on how President Trump would lead our nation in his first year in office.  The man does not lie well – his intentions are plainly spoken.  He back pedals quite often, as we can see by his tweets, deletes of tweets, or totally ignoring news that doesn’t fit his paradigm.  His paradigm is another story – it is something I’m not familiar with. 

And I feel like he is baiting his base, his fans.  (You know, fan is short for fanatic).  He can do ANYTHING and they (fanatics) still love him.  The bash others that have shown similar faults, but still bask in the glow of his golden toilet.