Two steps forward and one step back

 Two steps forward and one step back is still progress. 

I am in the process of moving out of my home of nearly 36 years. It is difficult physically and emotionally. 

I decided to hire someone to paint. My son had started with the hallway; some friends came and helped me finish the living room (all but one accent wall that we thought was fine. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.)

The kitchen and both bathrooms are still great from a remodel a few years back- we had the left over paint for touch ups here and there.

That left the three bedrooms that desperately needed painting, and one closet that really needed cleaning and then painting.

I decided I would hire painters. Yes, it's costly but so is my mental health and my relationship with friends and family.

When the movers came, and we took out the piano, we discovered that the living room accent wall was in fact NOT FINE and would also need painting.

Add that to the list for the painters.

Then a day or so later as I was dragging stuff from the basement to the side of the road, a friend drives by and stops and chats.

I'd been meaning to talk to him, as he knows about building maintenance (it's his job, actually). So I asked if he knew any painters. He said, sure, he could probably help me out. 

So we set up a meeting, he looked at what needed to be done, and said yep, he could do it. 

I said, wait, what you? 

He said sure.

I said okay, let's talk schedule and price. The clock is ticking and I need to get this listed.

He said he could start Monday if I got the paint. 

I said, and how much would you charge?

He said, I won't charge you. I'm doing this for you. I can do this.

He cautioned me that he did have a class two times a week, and of course he has his full time job. He could come after work, about 2:30 most days.

Great! Unbelievable! 

We met that Monday, I had the paint, he had the equipment, he got started. 

That was nearly two weeks ago. Two of the three bedrooms have been cut in, but that is all that has happened.

I have myself cleaned and painted the closet. Today I'm painting the living room accent wall.

I have to find a friendly, kind, and positive way of asking if he'll be able to get to the bedrooms this week. Because otherwise, I need to hire someone. 

Truly.

I have to get out of this house. For my emotional and mental health. And my financial health.

I bought a house today

Today was the closing on my new house-soon-to-be home. I have a lot of downsizing to do in the next 30 days so that I can move in. 

I hope to have my current house ready to list in the next two weeks! I need all hands on deck- will be calling out to friends and family to help.

In another post, I will catalog all that needs to be done to get my current house ready for market. It's overwhelming- 35 years and the accumulated stuff of six people's lives. Yes, the kids have taken most of their things - but some remnants are uncovered as I dig through drawers and closets. 

More on that another time. 

I've just spent a bit of time organizing my planned budget for 2025. Some areas are just best-guess, other areas are fairly easy to predict.

As if anything is easy to predict.

Income and Expenses

My income will probably be a bit less. I'm working on ways to improve that. That is one of the areas that is getting my imagination going- what will give my life purpose, meaning- and income! If you follow my postings here, you know that I teach university classes online currently. I hope to continue doing that for a couple more years. If it stays a good fit. Still, I'd like to expand my options.

My sister thinks we should do a podcast. We share a passion for saving the planet while being more frugal. She is a reseller of vintage fashions that she finds at thrift shops and yard sales. I am a researcher of sustainably packaged and responsibly produced goods: for instance, right now I'm using a subscription for Dropps * for my laundry and dishwasher soap, and Who Gives a Crap * for my TP and paper towels and tissues.

Some of my friends and family sell their plasma. This includes some who are full time teachers in public schools. 

They need the money.

Some other friends and family work online teaching English as a second language to students all around the world. They seem to enjoy it, and as something supplemental I might like that.

I've enjoyed selling some of the jewelry and other items that I've inherited, usually using eBay. I don't know if I'm ready to intentionally buy things to then resell. Maybe. We'll see.

I would like to do more writing than just this blog. Having a professional writer in the family, though, I know that writing is no easy meal ticket!

What other things might you imagine me (or you!) doing that would bring a sense of purpose, some enjoyment, and a bit of cash?

For my expenses, I'm trying to downsize those as much as I can as I try to increase my income. 

My monthly house expense (mortgage/HOA) will go down. So will my annual homeowners insurance.

My property taxes will go up.

My use of gas should go down, although I don't know how much of a savings that will be, since as my miles driven go down, the price of gas goes up. Still, I believe that living in a city within walking distance of several attractions and with an accessible bus route means that I will save some money in the near term.

I'm hoping my energy costs in general will go down with a smaller house. Again, it's hard to predict. I'm good at being frugal already.

The other part of this planning is planning ahead. When will I need a new computer? A new phone? A new car? What personal care should I look into- regular massage, or a hair styling once in a while?

Who shall I become? Looking at concrete items and specific numbers is helping me to look for a future me.

*Product placement links for your curiosity- no remuneration to me!