When money is tight (what a weird expression), often people do a combination of things, look for items that can be cut back on or you can do without; if you are making payments on a house or car, you may look into refinancing these things; or in some cases, you get a part-time job.
Money is tight currently for me. The reasons are various; no pay raise in past four years, paying more for benefits, and I would like to save money to buy a house.
Lets see, I don't drink or go out a lot, so nothing to cut there but I am going to cut some luxury items like Netflix and buying soda at work (you do the math $1.50/bottle, 2 bottles a day). Since the "Move" back in July, I've been trying to minimalize current possessions and what comes in the house, as space is limited, so not much to cut out there as well. I don't own a house and my car is paid for but I am working on lowering the APR on my credit card, so doing all I can there. All thats left is a part-time job.
I've done the part-time gig in the past and quite frankly they are not for me. For one thing, I would end up having two suppers, one before work and another at home as I was hungry again. Then to top things off, I was usally so wound up that I'd be up for another couple of hours. Which wouldn't be so bad except the employer doesn't seem to appreciate that their retail job is not my life. I have a day job and some sleep is required so no it's not ok to keep me at the store till 10 pm or later simply because I'm over a certain age and have no state appointed work curfew. Added to this, a part-time job would mean that I wouldn't be home a lot and that's not fair to Rosie (plus I really really don't want one).
Having said all this, I've taken a part-time job. It doesn't pay a lot and there are no health or retirement benefits. What the job does have is flexible hours, excellent co-workers, and I'm doing something I love. Are you ready for what my new job is? It's knitting! Ok, ok bare with me here. As evidenced by my stash, I have plenty of yarn to keep me busy for a long time, it's paid for and will result in lovely items for myself and possibly some gifts (yes Erica selfish knitting is definitely in my future but I still plan on making some things for the deserving few). Knitting can be done anywhere at anytime so it's a perfect job for a dog owner.
The idea for my part-time job started back in May when I purchased an app for my iPhone called HoursTracker. The reason for the purchase (think I started with the free version but bought the full version soon after) was to track how long it takes me to knit something. You know how it is, you've just completed a project and it never fails a non knitter will ask you "How long did it take you to knit that?". With this particular app you can assign an hourly pay rate and that got me thinking about how really knitting could be a job of sorts. Knitting Guild and Knitting Group are now staff meetings (a lot more enjoable than at my full-time job!), this blog is my time sheet and knitting events like Wisconsin Sheep and Wool, Stitches, etc are conferences (which I'm never sent to at my full-time job). So you see, knitting is an excellent part-time job.
Last week I posted my 2012 Rewards which will function as my "payscale". After writing about WS&W, it made me think that I should start saving money for events like that and here is my revised 2012 Rewards.
2012 Rewards (Updated)
1. Every 20 knitting podcasts or iTunes university I listen/watch while knitting, purchase 1 audiobook.
2. Every project completed, put $5 in savings towards a rigid heddle loom.
3. Every 20 projects completed, purchase 1 item from my Ravelry shopping cart.
4. Finish 4 adult sweaters, purchase yarn for a sweater in queue.
5. Every 10 blog posts, purchase 1 movie.
6. Work 10-19 hours in a week, put $10 in savings towards fiber events. Work 20+ hours, put $20 in savings.
As I've only put in 6.8 hours this week, and Sunday is the end of my "pay period", need to get back to work. Till next time!
