It’s a rare moment Justin and I get the opportunity to talk. You know, really talk – about finances, plans, etc. The kind of talk best done out of ear shot of a easily stressed and environmentally-sensitive kiddo. Earlier this week, we plopped ourselves on the bed and really hashed things out.
This discussion came about as we had been looking at our yard and really, really, really wanting to do more – more perennials, more raised beds, water catchment and graywater usage, more investment into a home and garden we weren’t sure we would be able to afford or remain in when/if Justin’s work runs dry. Is it worth the investment? Should we plop more money in this yard, only to give it away come as early as next spring? But what if work holds out and we’re able to keep to the plan? What if we’re putting off the enjoyment of where we are, in case of something that doesn’t even happen? How do we plan for such unknown variables? And how do we live in the meantime?
We’ve sat stuck for several months, idling at this inevitable fork in our minds. I felt myself reaching for a solution; something that would give me permission to move in either direction. I don’t even care which way we travel, just give me a damn course already!!
Our conversation swirled around a few main topics: Is it a waste of time to invest anything else in this place? If, come December, Justin finds himself unemployed what do we want to do? And how? Are we saving enough money? I’ll spare you the details and share with you our conclusions.
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Navigating the Fork:
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Before we looked at anything else, we had to look at where we want to be and how we want to get there. We don’t know where we want to be but we know it’s not here. However, we’re very particular about moving. Neither of us wish to move hastily or go into debt again. So we made the choice that come what may, until we have the savings to support our original “Five Year Plan“, we’re not budging.
If Justin gets laid off we’ll do whatever possible to remain in this home while we work toward our financial goals. If staying in our home becomes impossible, we’ll continue to stay in Vegas where we have career connections and family support. We are not going to move out of Vegas until we can do so debt-free. If things remain at the current pace, this will be in 4-5 years. But we’re going to try to expedite that process (explained below).
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Investing in the Present:
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Once we decided we were going to do whatever possible to stay in our current home, the choice to invest more into our garden and home came easier. We still had to decided what to invest and how. Perennial fruit-bearing, insectary and nitrogen-fixing plants, as well as animals, more raised beds and water catchment/greywater storage and usage encompass our desires.
In regards to plants, we’ve decided to invest in nitrogen-building and insectary plants first. These will support our annuals and general landscape over the next year, thus saving us time and money. Come winter, we’ll be able to judge when or if to add fruit-bearing perennials (who’s benefit would be farther off) based on the local economy. Raised beds will be done using only free and salvaged materials, although the soil will likely be purchased. Animals for eggs or manure and rain and greywater catchment will save us money soon after their initial investment making it a worthwhile endeavor now.
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Investing in the Future:
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Then came the real financial discussion. Are we saving enough and what can we do to save more? What options do we have if Justin is laid off and what are our options now?
Two decisions were made. The first: I’m going back to work. As an independent massage therapist, I can make good money seeing only one or two clients a week. I love my work and if I’m careful about who I see (no more deep tissue work) I will be able to work without injury to my back. I saw my first client yesterday and it went very well. This decision brings up a lot of other thoughts; perhaps I’ll blog more about it later.
The second decision is to reconsider a new online venture. It’s been something I’ve been mulling over for quite some time, and although it is a small initial investment, it will require much more of my time and energy to get off the ground. But its potential of passive income (even if to the smallest degree) once it’s established is great and will be a huge asset to our goals. I’m not going to go into details just yet but if all goes according to plan, I will be getting started within the next week.
So there you have it! I have a definitive course and plan of action, as well as feel so much more secure knowing we will be staying here as long as we possibly can. Not all of it is ideal but it feels good and stable, not to mention wise. And I love that I no longer have to feel so torn about pouring my heart and soul into my garden!
How is everyone else weathering the current economy? Anyone else deciding on new courses or making new plans?
My name is Tara. I am a mama and a lover, a full-time nomad, a passionate devourer of Life and an Organic Life Coach.
You always inspire me with your clear plans. We do have a plan but I’ve yet to put it into blog format. I hope to soon though.
We are doing well in the economy. Though we live in a place that has remained very strong despite national circumstances. Always readjusting, though, and ready to meet whatever the current circumstances bring.
Congratulations on starting to work again. It’s great you have such a marketable and flexible skill!
It is wonderful that you and your husband were able to hash through so much, it feels so good to have talks such as these!
It sounds like you came to a good conclusion for your life plans.
We went through a shift in mindset to actual living the mindset of “Be here now” it was always so easy for us to intellectually understand this term but not always putting it into play. It has truly changed our lives being mindful of this mantra. I am happy that you also have chosen to ‘be here now’…
Many blessings to you on this journey! Congratulations on your new job endeavors and exciting dreams for your future!! I look forward to hearing about your future plans, and *future gardens* yay!!! : )
I’m so excited to hear more as your plans come to fruition!
I’m in a similar boat – I came into the profession of teaching at the worst possible time. I still have not landed a regular position (have been subbing for 1 1/2 years), and likely will not anytime soon, due to massive layoffs and cutbacks.
I have no idea what to do next and feel frustrated, but you’ve inspired me! Thanks and good luck!
Now I bet this made you feel good ay? Makig such solid plans is moving forward, even if just an inch here and there, on a path. LOTS of luck.
What are we… on the same plane of something? Yesterday, TJ and I had the same sort of talking day. I, also was sick and tired of feeling like I was in “limbo” and we finally made some decisions.
Glad you guys feel like you have some stability. I know that making decisions has already made me feel better.
It’s so interesting how life takes us down these roads, right? It’s good to hear you’re communicating clearly about your goals to one another.
As to how we’re weathering the economy… We’re basically debt free at the moment but about to go into debt by buying a home in Portland. I’m REALLY nervous about it because right now I’m the one who makes the money. Ben is a hard worker and just about to be done grad school. I’m looking forward to what he gets into career-wise out in Oregon. I have a lot of anxiety over our finances because I was getting used to and enjoying our debt-free status.
One thing I think about is what if we decide to have a kid? I don’t even want to imagine how far into debt we could go into then if we didn’t have a clear plan.
How do you guys do it? I think I need to create a budget…
When do I get a massage?!!! LOL!!!
What Nitrogen giving plants will you be planting? I need to run over and see your place. I can only imagine how great it will be when I see you again in August! Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
glad you plan on staying around. Spoke with a guy y’day working on a house on the block. He’s working for 3 companies. He’s keeping very busy doing remodeling jobs.
What a great plan! Congrats to you on coming up with you and having “the conversation” that’s always the hardest part I think…
I’ll be sending lots of good vibes your way. I have a massage therapist that I’ve been seeing for years, locally, but if you were local I’d be all over supporting your plan. Best of luck and I’ll be sending lots of good vibes your way!
Ohhhh, don’t you just love those conversations about planning for the present and future. I always feel like I can do anything after one of those talks. It sounds like you both have a great plan and will be able to stick to it. Best of luck. How are we weathering the economy, very carefully and wisely…my husband plans to retire the end of 12/09! Boy does that sound great and alittle scary…we will be amping up our frugal practices and finding new ones. Again Best of luck!!! Oh yeah I have a question, what is unschooling???I’m way past having school age children and have never heard of this …Thanks
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Thanks for the comments all! I’d respond to them earlier if my blog wasn’t spazzing on my comment notifications right now.
you should come over before you leave though and check things out. not sure what else we’ll be planting yet – we still have a lot of research to do there!
Yes, it feels soooo good to have had the convo and have a direction. SO good! Going back to work brings its own challenges but all is well.
*gardenmama, “be here now” is so very hard for me to do. Trying not to think too far ahead is almost agianst my nature. Balancing the Now and the Future is usually my goal but I tend to focus too much on the latter. However this “plan” is giving me more I can focus on now, which I’m enjoying.
*heather, I def want to hear more about your plans!
*laura, don’t let anyone tell you having a baby is expensive. i mean, it can be but in most cases it’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. that being said, yes, we budget like a badass.
*elizabeth, we’ll see about the massage.
*coli, unschooling is a form of homeschooling in which we allow our child’s natural curiosities and interests to direct his learning. it’s of course so much more than that but that’s the idea. feel free to poke around the “natural learning” categories to get an idea of what it looks like.
*thanks for the all well wishes guys! and i’m really glad to hear everyone is doing well!
Sounds like you’ve made some really good progress!I bet it feels great!
We’ve been having the same sorts of conversations around here, too. Have yet to come to a clear conclusion, but we are slowly narrowing our choices a bit. Thankfully dh works in a pretty recession-proof job (health care)so our income is stable and jobs are pretty easy to come by.The pay is just not really as much as we’d like (it never is though, is it? LOL!). We are working hard to pay off past foolish debt and that feels very, very good.
So glad you and your husband were able to lay our some clear plans for yourself. I’m still in that limbo mode…my husband and I are on two completely different pages – we’re reading completely different books – so it’s hard to make a plan.
HI Tara
I’d just like to add that the investment made to YOUR home may just be the edge it needed to sell in 5 years’ time. This ‘grow your own’ bug isn’t going to vanish anytime soon and you could be making someone else’s life so much easier and in the direction they wanted to be in when you want to sell.
I’m glad you’ve made some great progress in this regard. And well done for getting around to having the conversation in the first place- it’s not always easy. Good luck with your new clients and can’t wait to hear more about your new venture.
oh, i’m so familiar with these questions- we rent our house and have done so much to the land, would love to do more, and struggle with very similar dilemmas. Your plans are always such a motivator for me- keeping the goals in line with the present. You’re very inspiring!
We have similar decisions to make regarding a 5 year plan that we have now bumped to a 3-4 year plan. We decided that life is too short to not pursue what you want (small farm/market farming/midwest/warmer climate/closer to family). The problems come into all of the variables of making dreams come true (finding new jobs in the desired location/purchasing land/building a more sustainable home while living in limbo waiting for home to be built/still managing to increase the size of our family/etc., etc. It’s a lot to wrap brains around, but you have to live life to the fullest…right?!!
It’s so great that you make plans and consider alternatives, rather than getting bogged down in frustration. You have such a positive outlook.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your online venture…
We left the states in 99′ and lived in new zealand for three years, and australia for the past 7. Four and a half years ago we bought 22 acres of completely undeveloped land in a lush subtropical part of Australia. Over the years we’ve built our own passive home, with solar panels, built a compost toilet, had large ponds excavated for water collection, put in a 4 thou. gallon water tank for rainwater collection, planted lots of fruit trees and made gardens, raised chickens for eggs and manure. We’re glassblowers, so our income is completely unpredictable. We’ve managed to be debt free, we’ve built as we can afford, and we’re on the frugal path. Our boys are 10 and 2, they’ve watched mom and dad build the house- we lived on site in a small tepm. house we built first. Building in stages allowed us move into the first stage- kitchen, livingroom, 1 bedroom with a loft; while still building funds and energy to build the other 2/3 bedrooms, and the verandah.
We’ve just had family over from the states…..they’re also finding it really hard over there in cali. rent/jobs, unable to find a stable position.
I feel stable, although the work on the property is never ending. I could have never Planned all this, it just unfolded over time with intentions.
Keep doing what you believe in, all the little things do amount to Big things in due time.
I think you’re a rad mama!!
the communication in your relationship is so awesome — with this, no matter what, things will always work out.
Well, isn’t it nice to have a plan?
The economy keeps me worried. My husband is working and I stay at home and homeschool the two girls. I am trying to spend less and waste less, which I should do regardless of the economy.
My latest thing is making my own washing detergent. Saves tons and tons of $ and it works well!
Good luck to you and your garden!
Struggling with our own plans over here! We have enough land but are so far from any kind of town that it seems unsustainable. How much sense does a commute make with peak oil living around the corner? Do we really want to isolate ourselves? Arrrgg!!! We keep planning, going in circles, hoping clarity comes soon. So glad you’ve found clarity.