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rylredrants · 3 years

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20 Years Ago

It’s been 20 years since that day. And just like I wrote in the only ‘memory’ referencing 9/11 on my Facebook, I don’t want to jump on a bandwagon or soapbox. I don’t want to join the throngs of people answering the question that, for those of my generation, needs no explanation… “Where were you when?”

But I can’t not write today.

For me, the where was easy. I was in Colorado Springs.

To say it’s an area with a large military community doesn’t do justice to the sentiment. The Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Stations, Fort Carson Army Post, Peterson Air Force Base, and Schriever Air Force Base are all within an hour’s drive, give or take traffic. My new husband was stationed at Fort Carson, a Cavalry Scout.

My mother called me in hysterics- which was not unusual, waking me up earlier than normal. I was working at the Olive Garden as a server. My daughter was 4 years old.

I got up, took her to daycare, and went to work. There was a TV on the same kind of AV cart we got excited about in school sitting inside the server’s station on one side. We didn’t have customer-facing televisions and this was long before smartphones were in everyone’s pockets.

Another military spouse showed up for her shift, unaware of the events. She turned around to go home. She lived on Fort Carson and didn’t get through the gate for several hours.

That evening, I was part of a small sleepover of sorts where a handful of us “Scout Wives” held vigil together- crying and waiting for some kind of news from our husbands. The post was locked down tight. We didn’t get to hold them in our arms until the evening of September 12th.

The “where” is an easy question.

I think the bigger question is “WHO were you when? And who did you become in the aftermath?

Twenty years ago, I was a 22-year-old newlywed. He was my 2ndhusband- a cute boy in a green uniform with bright blue eyes, a grin for miles, and a quirky little gap between his front teeth. He had deployed to Bosnia straight out of basic training. We met in a bar within weeks of his return to the states, around Valentine’s Day of 2001.

The day the towers fell, he still was not old enough to legally buy a beer.

I had already rebuilt my life once when I left California and split up with my daughter’s father. Our new life was just beginning, but when my mother wailed, “You just married a soldier and we’re going to WAR!” I felt it. I felt my entire life unraveling again.

We moved to Germany the following spring where he was almost immediately sent to Kosovo. It was slated to be a 6-month tour. His replacement unit was sent to Iraq as part of OIF 1, so they extended their mission to 9 months. From there, there were moves back to Colorado, a separation, reconciliation, a move to Texas, and 2 more deployments to Iraq.

By the time we separated, I was 30 years old. We owned a home and he was slated for a third deployment to Iraq. The TBI (traumatic brain injury), PTSD, migraines, and back problems were so bad that he did not deploy, and was medically discharged before his 30th birthday.

We stayed on friendly terms for another decade, but every time I saw pictures of his new life and new wife I felt all of it all over again. He still had the big grin, but the sparkle in his eyes was gone.

That man has his name, his fingerprints, and his DNA but little else remained of the boy I married all those years ago. My husband went to war, but despite coming back upright and without a flag draped over his body, he never came back.

This is one of those things that people outside the military community don’t often realize. Whether or not you wear the uniform, war changes you. Military families deal with their own stress, trauma, loneliness, and fear from having loved ones in a warzone for weeks, months, and sometimes years at a time.

Waiting for that telegraph, knock on the door, or news story that mentions their unit… that part has changed over the years but living in that constant state of dread is the same.

It’s a state of anticipatory grief… waiting for the moment when the grief process will begin and be recognized by those around you.

When the same uniform walks through the door, the rest of the world sees the happiness of a homecoming.

But for so many, that happiness is often quickly replaced with learning who the person wearing the uniform has become in their absence.

New kinds of stress, trauma, loneliness, and fear often follow.

The stress of readjusting to sharing your home. The trauma, packed neatly away in their rucksack spills out all over the floor with their gear. Then comes the loneliness when they isolate and disconnect, and fear that you will become the target of their anger.

When my soldier returned, his drug of choice was video games. I called myself a ‘PlayStation Widow’ because he would spend every waking moment outside of work with a controller in hand, often not getting up to eat, drink or even smoke. His anger was most pronounced in his road rage- yelling, swearing, speeding, and tailgating.

I learned to manage his anger with my tears.

The rage would take hold and I would take responsibility for it, trying to figure out how I could have caused it. ‘What did I do? How can I fix this? What does he need?’ Eventually, I realized that he only calmed down once I’d become so spun up into it that I’d broken down in my own panic.

Over a decade later, when my current partner, Pirate, is struggling with his mental health, my first instinct is still to take responsibility.

It’s only because of the therapy, medication, and communication, on both sides, that I’m able to acknowledge and support him without taking it on as my own.

I swore I’d never get involved with military personnel again when that marriage ended.

What I hadn’t considered is that relationships are often brought about by proximity. I’ve lived near military installations for most of my adult life- Forts Carson, Hood, Meade, and Huachuca stateside, plus 2 years in Germany.

Friends, lovers, 2 ex-husbands, and my current partner have all brought their own trauma-filled rucksacks along with them, and into my life.

They each had their own experiences and their own way of handling things.

Dirty D had a picture on his MySpace of himself crouched down, naked, pistol in hand that was taken shortly before he was hospitalized for holding the gun to his head. I was friendly with his wives and girlfriends, including the one he moved to Idaho with to live off the grid on a hand-built homestead.

Taz was working nights as a bouncer when we met. He was sent to Germany only to be medically discharged and returned to Texas because his body was too damaged from previous trips to “the sandbox” to deploy again.

The Postman shared stories he wrote about his time in Mogadishu, Somalia. You probably know that as the place where "Black Hawk Down" happened. We met while he was on leave from Iraq and he later emailed more stories to me from Afghanistan.

The Mad Scientist once talked about being with his unit early on during Operation Iraqi freedom. Food was scarce so they were only getting one MRE a day. He had a stash of candy bars that he broke small pieces off from to share with the guys in his unit that were struggling the most with hunger.

MM also experienced those lean rations and hunger along with going days on end unable to get clean. The bulk of his PTSD revolved around food and cleanliness.

We once drove over 3 hours to go to a ‘Princess Bride’ themed burlesque show. The venue said they had food, and we didn’t have time to get dinner before going to the theater. When he discovered that the concession stand was closed he had a meltdown, leaving me alone to go get a hamburger at a bar down the block.

Pirate has nightmares, crying out in his sleep and trembling so violently that our bed shakes. He was medically discharged from the Army before his unit deployed. He lives with survivor’s guilt on top of the PTSD he developed as a 5-year-old missionary kid in Kenya during a civil uprising.

And none of this takes into account the first responders, civilians, and all of their families who have been impacted by this.

Here we are 20 years later...

I just saw a video where a teacher discussed telling her students about 9/11. She explained that there were 3 targets that symbolized the very idea of America in their own way. The World Trade Center was a representation of the American economic power, the Pentagon is a symbol of military power, and the 3rd target, the Capitol is the seat of our democracy.

20 years later, the 3rd target was attacked again.

This time, the attack did not come from foreign powers but instead from home-grown terrorists, radicalized to believe the blatant lies of a spray-tanned reality TV star who is spending this anniversary as a ringside commentator at a casino boxing match in Florida. I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

We are in a politicized pandemic that quite literally almost killed my own mother last week. I’m living in the hottest city in America where we moved for a job that Pirate was fired from 3 weeks after we signed our year-long lease.

Oh, and the Capitol police have requested the fences be put back up for the “Justice for J6” rally next weekend. These 'very fine people' are gathering to show solidarity for those who literally smeared shit on the halls of our democracy.

Showing support for those arrested for assaults that left several people injured. Five people died shortly before, during, or after the event, and 4 officers who responded to the riot died by suicide in the months since.

Today there are people all over social media posting stories of where they were that day.

But others are the younger people who have been taught to “remember” an event that was little more to their personal history than a scary movie on TV. They were too young or too far removed from it to carry the same scars as those who lived through the events of that day and all that came after.

I’m glad they only have to perform the remembrance rather than experience it. But for the rest of us, I think that it is part of the healing to look back on this anniversary and say,

“I was there. I was present. That day changed my life in ways that still matter to me.”

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itsyourturnblog · 4 years

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After five years of working together, Sheldon’s boss has moved on to greener pastures. His new boss hasn’t even been selected yet, but he’s seriously freaked. “What if I don’t like them?” he complains to anyone who will listen. “What if they don’t like me? What if they’re some kind of control freak who wants to tell me how to do my job? What if they have totally different expectations than my old boss had? What if they want to bring in their own team and we all get fired?”

Few things are more stressful in a career than the prospect of a new boss. But if managed correctly, the experience can be positive for both you and them.

Before they start:

Look forward to working with a new boss.

I mean, actually look forward to it. Assume that your company won’t hire an idiot. In fact, consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, a new boss with a fresh perspective is exactly what you need to enhance your skills and take your career to the next level.

Do your research.

Connect to them on LinkedIn with a nice note about how much you’re looking forward to working with them. While you’re there, take a look at their career progression, any interests or associations they have listed, where they went to school. Take a look at their endorsements and recommendations. Then have a peek at their other social media accounts. Search to see if they’ve made any media appearances — interviews, guest posts, podcast appearances or op-eds.

Use this information to get an idea of who they are, and what’s important to them.

In their first week:

Be welcoming, but not fawning. Any boss worth their salt can smell bullshit a mile away. Instead, be warm. Keep it light. Ask them if they have any questions. In other words, just be kind and decent.

In your initial meeting, follow their agenda, but be sure to get these three key points across:

This is what I’m good at.

This is what I’m working on.

This is what I’m excited about.

That’s it. In the first meeting, they don’t need to know your thoughts on which projects are bogus and which of your colleagues needs to be fired. Keep office politics out of the discussion. Make it clear that you are there to support them and help them get up to speed as soon as possible.

Over the next few weeks:

Make time for them.

New bosses often have a ton of questions. Take time to answer them as clearly and honestly as you can. If appropriate, prepare a short deck outlining your key metrics, strategies and challenges and take them through it.

Clarify expectations.

Are they expecting you to be super-fast in your work? Or super accurate? Or both? Do they want weekly check-ins, or are they cool only hearing from you when there’s a problem? Would they like you to regularly pop into their office for a chit-chat or are they more formal?

There’s a good chance your new boss’s expectations will be different than those of your previous boss. It’s best to get clear on that ASAP.

Set boundaries.

Sometimes, even the best-intentioned bosses can accidentally step on toes. If your new boss accidentally meanders into your area of responsibility, simply say, “I can take care of that”. If you have to leave work every day at 5:30 to pick your kid up from daycare, let them know as soon as possible.

Watch their back.

If you see your new boss is about to step into a hornet’s nest, let them know. If they’re in danger of unknowingly missing a deadline, let them know. This is how you build trust. And it’s how you become a valued employee.

Let go of the past.

This is perhaps the most important step. Things will change. This new person may have a different style, different ideas and different priorities than your last boss. Clinging to what was is a sure-fire way to become more of a hinderance in their eyes than a help.

What if the new boss actually turns out to be a bit of a jerk?

Okay, I admit that can happen. But if it does, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Remember: no matter what, you’re in charge of your career.

You can read more about that here.

Hey there! Here’s and idea… sign-up for my weekly newsletter (green box at top right of your screen on desktop, or under this post on mobile) so you’ll never miss a post. I promise I’m not a spammy nightmare. One per week, and that’s it.

Old Job, New Boss? How to Impress the Hell Out of Them was originally published in It's Your Turn on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

by Judy Sims via It's Your Turn - Medium #itsyourturn #altMBA #SethGodin #quotes #inspiration #stories #change #transformation #writers #writing #self #shipping #personaldevelopment #growth #education #marketing #entrepreneurship #leadership #personaldev #wellness #medium #blogging #quoteoftheday #inspirationoftheday

#ItsYourTurn #It's Your Turn #IYT #altMBA #Seth Godin #Inspiration #Stories #Change #Transformation #Blog #Medi

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fidelityjobs · 4 years

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Q&A With Rachel Theran-Teixeira

By @fidelityjobs

We sat down for a Q&A with Rachel Theran-Teixeira, a Squad Leader in Consumer Knowledge and Strategic Insights at Fidelity Investments. Read about how Rachel has adapted to our “new normal” in today’s environment, balances being a working mom, and what makes her day-to-day at Fidelity so exciting.

FidelityJobs: Tell us about your background and career path – and how did that lead you to Fidelity Investments?

Rachel: After business school, I spent over 7 years at a company in New York. I loved working there and still look back fondly at the experience I gained. I’m from Boston, so when I moved back to be closer to my family, Fidelity was on my radar. I tried out some new experiences, worked at smaller companies, but never really felt settled. In 2014, I saw a job posting that looked like it was almost written for me. I had a quick round of interviews and started as soon as I could. When the head of my Domain asked “Why Fidelity, why now?” I answered that I hadn’t been ready for the company I planned to be at forever. It sounds cliché, but it’s true.

FidelityJobs: Can you provide us an overview of CKSI, and how your role makes an impact on it?

Rachel: CKSI stands for Consumer Knowledge and Strategic Insights, and I tend to think of it as the analytical arm of Fidelity. It felt like a natural home for me due to my background in science and business. When I joined Fidelity, I was focusing on Digital Analytics, Paid Media, Site Performance—all focused on Personal Investing. In 2018, I became one of the product owners for personalization. This was a great progression because it leverages my background in analytics, customer experience, and marketing. What I love about being in CKSI is the amazing co-workers and the variety of work that we do. It’s a great cross-section of analytics, qualitative insights, data science, and data management. When I need to get something done, I know that I can tap into the expertise of my domain.

FidelityJobs: Tell about your day to day in your role at Fidelity.

Rachel: I’m a Squad Leader, which is basically a Product Owner. My team is split between Bangalore, India and Raleigh, North Carolina—so even before the pandemic, I was working from home a couple of days a week. I often wake up about 5:30-6:30am, check email and get ready for the day. I wake up my 2-year-old son at 7:00am, have breakfast with him before he goes to school, and get the day started. I have one on ones with the associates, we hold team meetings, and groom stories. Most of the days is spent meeting about product and roadmap planning, meeting with stakeholders around story requirements, scrum of scrums, etc. Right now, I end my day a bit early so I can pick my son up from school, as daycare has shortened the hours due to pandemic scheduling.

FidelityJobs: What would you say is one of the more unique things about your role & team at Fidelity? Why?

Rachel: What I love most about my job is the balance of creativity, analytical, and technical thinking. The product owner role is unique in that we get to wear a lot of hats every day. It keeps things fresh and exciting, and I’m never bored with my work. My team is so unique because we have all managed to become so close and many of us have never even met each other in person. I had the opportunity to visit the team in Bangalore last October, and it was so amazing to meet everyone face to face. It was just a fascinating and fantastic experience. Since then, we’ve had a lot of people join the team, even in North Carolina. Now that we all are on video so often, it’s more important than ever to find ways to connect.

FidelityJobs: The pandemic has hit different people in different ways. How have you managed these challenges over the past several months? How has Fidelity helped you?

Rachel: Until recently, my husband and I were both working from home full-time with our son at home full-time (he’s now back at school). That was very challenging. When we felt comfortable, we tried to find a sitter, but unfortunately that didn’t work out. We’ve had to be very flexible about our schedules. For most of the time, my son was home I took Friday off and my husband took Thursday off. Fidelity gave us 5 “COVID days” which I was able to use to spend quality time with my son and make sure his emotional needs were taken care of. We’ve also had to relax our standards on screen time and be more forgiving of ourselves; that is really hard but important.

FidelityJobs: What are some of your favorite parts of your job?

Rachel: My squad and myself tend to get a little involved in a lot of things, so I sometimes get sneak peaks about new products being launched, marketing campaigns, and other news; that part is really fun. In that same spirit, I get to meet a lot of diverse stakeholders from around the firm, and it’s nice to get to meet and work with such a wide range of people. I love the wide exposure and variety of projects I get to work on.

FidelityJobs: Tell us what you do for fun in your leisure time.

Rachel: These days, I spend all my free time with my family. I love to just hang out; we have a great backyard and we will play on the swings or have our “band practice”. My 2-year-old is the lead guitar, my husband plays baby banjo, and I’m on the tambourine. We are also exploring building train sets and teaching our son to play catch. I also love to bake. I’ve been exploring healthy cookie recipes and easy breakfasts.

#FidelityAssociate

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pawneewafflesben · 7 years

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19. Parents meeting when they take their kids to class AU, 26. Sitting on the same park bench AU, and/or 47. Meeting at a festival AU 😊

I totally should be working on birthday Fics but Instead i’m writing tumblr drabbles because apparently that’s all I ever write anymore??? ENJOY AND THANK YOU FOR THE PROMPTS ANGELFISH!

19. Parents meeting when they take their kids to class AU

They stood right outside the doorway to Lily’s new preschool classroom, while the other four year olds smiled at their teacher and made their way inside.

But not Lily.

Instead, Lily is clung onto Ben’s pant leg with watery eyes and a trembling bottom lip. Which Ben couldn’t help but find odd considering Lily always had a baby sitter, or went to a daycare, in each town when he was on the road auditing. Last night she had practically ran around their new house at the prospect of going to a real preschool. She’s even picked out her outfit all by herself (a purple skirt and a shirt with Rey and BB8 on it that certainly did not match, but Ben let it slide. If she was happy, he was happy.)

But for whatever reason, Lily was no longer happy. She wailed at the fact that Ben couldn’t stay with her and hid her face every time Miss Ellen, her teacher, tried to talk to her. He was almost tempted to say forget it and take Lily home. Except today was his very important first day working at the accounting firm and showing up late was not an ideal first impression.

He shot an apologetic smile in the direction of Lily’s teacher before crouching down beside his daughter. “Lily,” Ben smoothed back his daughter’s stray hairs and kissed her forehead, “You have to go to school, Sweet Pea.”

Lily crinkled her nose and shook her head before burying her face into Ben’s shirt. He tried not to think about how he’d definitely be walking into work in a snot and tear stained covered dress shirt.

Miss Ellen opened her mouth to try and convince Lily to join her class when a blond haired little boy came running up to her. He gave Miss Ellen a bright toothy smile before turning towards Lily with a frown.

“Hi,” the little boy stepped closer before tapping Lily on the shoulder. Lily turned her head slightly, so half of her face was directed at the boy.

“Are you scared?” Lily managed a small nod, but remained glued to Ben’s side.

But the little boy smiled, “School isn’t scary. Miss Ellen is nice, and I can be your friend,” He reached for Lily’s arm and pulled slightly, “Sit at my table! We can play superheroes for outside time!” Lily hesitated, her face clear of any tears and obviously intrigued at the idea of playing superheroes, but still uncertain about leaving Ben.

Ben started to encourage Lily to go inside with her classmate when a woman came running down the hallway.

“Sebastian! You know you can’t go running ahead of me like that, you could get hurt!”

The little boy, who Ben assumed must’ve been Sebastian, frowned at the floor and mumbled “Sorry Mommy,” before trying to tug Lily into the classroom again. This time Lily scooted forward, but not before looking up at Ben as if to ask can I go? Ben nodded and kissed Lily’s cheek, telling her to have fun before watching her wander into the classroom with wide eyed wonder.

Miss Ellen assured him that Lily was in good hands and told him and the woman beside him, Ms. Knope, to have a good day and that pickup for aftercare was at 5:30 sharp. Ben only nodded, suddenly overcome with a whole new set of emotions and could hardly quell the tears forming in his eyes.

—

“First time drop off?”

Ben jumped at the sound of another person’s voice. He’d practically ran out of the preschool building afterwards, needing to be alone for a moment to cope with the fact that his daughter was growing up. But when his eyes flickered up to the person beside him he was met with bright blue eyes and he no longer wanted to be alone.

“Um, it’s that obvious?”

She giggled and said, “Oh just a tiny bit. But it’s okay. I was a wreck the first time I dropped Sebastian off. I cried all week, not even JJ’s waffles helped.”

Well that certainly didn’t make Ben feel any better.

“Buuuut,” she took a step closer and places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. It should’ve felt strange, he only knew this woman’s last name who her child was, and yet it was perfectly natural. “It does get easier. Even if it means they’re growing up, just think of all the new things they get to experience. It’ll be okay. I promise.” She smiled softly and that definitely made Ben feel a little better.

“Thanks, that’s really nice. Thank you-”

“Leslie Knope,” she stuck out her hand and her grin grew about ten sizes.

“Ben Wyatt.”

“Well it was nice to meet you, Ben Wyatt. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow for drop off?”

“I’ll be here every day for the rest of the school year.” She beamed even more at his words. Ben was sure it was physically impossible to smile that much, but apparently not for Leslie Knope.

“Great!”

Ben smirked but he wasn’t sure why, “Great.”

He still missed Lily all day, but when she climbed into his Saturn at the end of the day babbling about her new best friend Sebastian, he knew Pawnee was home.

26 Sitting on the same park bench AU

Leslie Knope is lost.

Not physically lost. She knows her way around Washington DC just about as well as she knows her way around Pawnee. She’s more metaphorically lost. Unsure of where her future’s headed or what she’s was even thinking moving to Washington.

Ann would tell her that she’s anything but lost. That she’s had her future planned out since she was ten years old. She’d become Governor of Indiana and work in government and make the world a better place and one day become the first female president of the United States.

But Ann isn’t here. Ann is back in Pawnee. Along with her mom and the entire parks department.

While Leslie sits on a park bench near the Washington Monument and tries to figure out what the hell she was thinking moving to DC to work for the Department of Interior. A job that she’s sure she’s barely qualified for, in a city that’s larger than life and filled with so many important people that are just so sure of their lives and paths.

Not for the first time today Leslie considers calling Ron and begging for her job back.

He’d say no. Tell her to roll the dice or something else incredibly wise while pretending he doesn’t really care.

So instead Leslie stares at the sky and the trees and tries not to cry or think about the trees and sky in Pawnee.

“Can I sit here?” A man’s voice snaps her out of her own thoughts. There’s plenty of other empty park benches along the sidewalk, but for some reason Leslie finds herself nodding and scooting over to make room for him.

“Thanks,” he smiles softly and fishes out a laptop from the messenger bag he was carrying and starts typing.

He’s kind of cute, for a weirdo that didn’t want to have his own bench. His hair is sticking up on five hundred different directions and his jaw is set in concentration while he types away.

“Is it your first time in DC?” He doesn’t look away from the computer screen. But his voice makes her jump, again, and Leslie feels her cheeks tinge pink when she realizes he didn’t noticed he was staring at her.

She clears her throat and looks away before answering, “Uh nope, no this isn’t my first time. I’ve visited lots of times.” She tries to quell the tears that keep forming when she thinks back to the past visits. The Times she would return to Pawnee and talk to her Mom and Ann for hours about every monument and building and politician she came in contact with.

“I actually moved here yesterday, I start my new job tomorrow,” Leslie attempts to smile but it falls flat. Saying it out loud makes it sound real, and more nerve wracking.

“Oh, so you’re a local now?” He’s smiling at her now, paying no mind to whatever he’d been working on so diligently before.

“I guess so.”

The man furrows his brow and tilts his head in confusion, “You don’t seem very enthused.”

For a split second Leslie considers telling him that she doesn’t have to explain her feelings and fears to him at all. That she’s allowed to feel however she wants to and how dare he question her. But she glances at him and he looks genuinely concerned for her and her feelings and it just spills out.

“I’m, I’m scared. I can’t possibly be qualified for this job and there’s so many things I could mess up on and I- I could fail-”

“You won’t,” her bench partner cuts her off halfway through her rambles. His words spoken with such certainty and insistence that Leslie almost believes him.

But then she remembers that she doesn’t even know this man’s name, so how could he possibly know that she won’t fail.

“I could.”

“But you won’t.”

Leslie eyes him suspiciously, was he psychic? Did he know her future? What was this guys deal?

He laughs and shakes his head, “I’m not a psychic.”

Crap on a cookie she’s said that out loud.

“Then how do you know I won’t fail? How do you know I won’t screw everything up and completely destroy the Department of Interior in my wake?”

“You won’t, you’re not going to mess anything up, because you obviously care too much.” Leslie just stares, suddenly unsure if caring too much isn’t considered a compliment.

“Look, I’m a political consultant. And I’ve met countless politicians and government employees and you can tell when a person is going to accomplish great things or not. Just by whether they care if they’ll do a good job. There’s so many people who don’t care, but you do. So you’ll do great. I have no doubt.”

Leslie can feel the blush returning to her cheeks before stuttering out a quiet “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome Miss-”

“Leslie Knope,” Leslie holds out her hand and smiles, really smiles, when the man shakes her hand and introduces himself as Ben Wyatt.

“I really do think you’ll do great,” he insists again, his hand lingering slightly longer than the usual introductory handshake.

And even though he’s just a random man who decided to sit next to her on this park bench, Leslie thinks maybe she believes him.

47 Meeting at a Festival AU

“Do you need any help finding your way around?” Ben’s standing in the middle of a very busy and crowded Wintertime Holiday Festival when a short blonde woman appears beside him.

“Uhm,” he’s honestly not sure what he’s doing here. He was just driving to his next assignment when he needed a cup of coffee and Pawnee was the closest stop.

“We have lots of different rides and games!” She rambles on about the ice skating rink and the Ferris wheel and a petting zoo with a national treasure of a mini horse. Her words, not his.

“I actually was just trying to get a cup of coffee, every other place around here is closed so…”

“Oh! That’s over in concessions, this way!” When she smiles at him it was like every thing around her lit up.

She stands with him as he waits in line. He learns her name is Leslie Knope, she’s lived in Pawnee her whole life, and this was her biggest project working as Deputy Director of the parks department. He tells her is name is Ben Wyatt, that he’s just passing through for work, and that he’s a budget auditor for the state. Her smile drops at his job title. He imagines she’s probably thinking about Pawnee and if he came and gutted their towns budget with a machete. There certainly wouldn’t be any type of festival, wintertime or otherwise.

Ben’s about to apologize when the man at the counter asks him for his order.

“I’ll take a black coffee and a-” he pauses to glance at Leslie, her smile is back and her nose is bright red when she scrunches it up in disgust at his coffee order. “A hot chocolate, please.” Ben doesn’t even try to suppress his smile when he sees Leslie’s face light up over hot chocolate.

“It’s a shame you’re just passing through.” They’re still walking together while sipping on their drinks. Leslie probably has important things to do since this is her project, but she never wavers from his side.

“Oh yeah?”

Leslie nods and smiles at her coco cup. “Yeah, I mean, you paid all that money for admission just to get a cup of coffee. Now you’ll have to leave without getting the full Pawnee Wintertime Holiday Festival experience.”

“That definitely is a shame,” but he can’t stay. They have to be at city hall by 7:00 tomorrow and it’s already after 9:00 and there’s still a two hour car drive ahead of him. “I could probably stay for a little while longer.”

Lack of sleep will be worth it just to see her eyes sparkle.

“Yeah?” She looks so hopeful and excited, he kind of wants to give her the world.

“Yeah, maybe you can show me that pony you mentioned earlier.”

She hits him and informs him that Lil’ Sebastian is a miniature horse and national treasure, good sir! He doesn’t get it. But he’ll pretend to if she keeps smiling while walking beside him.

#my fics #benslie #benslie fanfic #benslie fanfiction #benslie fic #leslie x ben #ben x leslie #leslie and ben #ben and leslie #parks and rec fic

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marclefrancois1 · 5 years

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The Agony and Ecstasy of Room Sharing for Siblings

The following post e0a9e1e9e6412908cf53cee25f32209b62d23d03e119cd2df63e6855e8fc22eee0a9e1e9e6412908cf53cee25f32209b62d23d03e119cd2df63e6855e8fc22eepostlinke0a9e1e9e6412908cf53cee25f32209b62d23d03e119cd2df63e6855e8fc22eee0a9e1e9e6412908cf53cee25f32209b62d23d03e119cd2df63e6855e8fc22ee is courtesy of The Marc Le Francois Sleep Health Blog

Room sharing for siblings presents special challenges for parents and families when it comes to getting a good night of sleep. I wrote an article in the New York Times on this topic which is coming out soon. To help me with this, I asked subscribers to my mailing list to tell me about their experiences.

I’m fortunate to have some of the smartest readers on the internet. I asked my readers about how room sharing affects their family’s routines at night— the good, the bad, and the ugly. This information informed the article I wrote.

Benefits and joys of room sharing

Several moms mother notes that room sharing helped quite a bit with her younger child’s sleep issues. Natasha says:

My daughter age 2.5 and son age 5 share a room. This began about 8 months ago after a sleep trainer recommended it might help with my daughter’s sleep challenges. She would scream at bedtime and wake up in the middle of the night for up to 3 hours. The room sharing worked like a charm!

Dr. Kara Garcia, a pediatrician in Pennsylvania, takes about how helpful this has been with her children, now ages 5 and 7.5 years old:

I put my kids in the same room once my younger one was in a bed, so at about 2 yo. They were in separate rooms before that.

My eldest has always been a “nervous” sleeper, had a tough time getting to bed alone, but ever since we put them together he has been great at bedtime. My youngest is very flexible and after she got over the fact that she didn’t “have her own special room,” she likes being able to sleep in a bunkbed with her older brother.

I talk to patients about this a lot – each kid has a different sleep style and you have more success if they have “complementary sleep styles,” so to speak.

WHAT’S GOOD: kids with separation anxiety thrive with someone else in the room, they are good buddies

My big worry now is when and how to separate them! They like having their own space, but want to sleep in the same room. I fear the regression my son will have when they are separated. But maybe they will sleep in the same room until he moves out

Children also tend to wake each other up less than you expect, although the mornings remain a challenge, as Dr. Garcia notes:

My kids go to bed at the same time, and usually wake up around the same time – 8:30 pm – about 7:30 am. I am lucky.

Middle of the night wakings rarely result in both being awake. Neither is a light sleeper, so maybe that’s why, but I feel like even with other families, this is an overblown concern.

Sometimes the first one awake will wake the other one in the am, and that can be a bummer. They usually will stop doing it if we ask them to stay quiet in the am and just come over to our room.

One father writes:

At night, it’s not a real issue. Even when one wakes up crying from a nightmare, the other one stays asleep. While we were night-potty training them and would bring take them to pee in the middle of the night, they didn’t wake each other up (or wake up themselves). Nap time, when sleep is lighter, is more of a challenge. It is much harder for one to get up without waking up the other.

Rachel notes that sharing a room is economically and environmentally sound:

The best thing about kids sharing a room is saving space. We had to give up our home office space to move the babies into a separate bedroom from their sister, which matters because we both work from home often. We don’t have enough bedrooms to give each child their own room. It also feels more environmentally friendly to share a smaller home as a family, rather than heating and cooling a 4-bedroom house.

It can even help on weekend mornings:

Our twins sometimes are content to babble at each other when they wake up in the morning, rather than immediately crying for us. This helps us doze in the mornings sometimes.

Another father writes:

If they both wake up early, they first turn to bothering each other instead of us. Also, it them being in the same space makes it easier to not have to confine activity or noise away from only one room instead of two while they sleep. It is also easier to not have to shuffle them around when we have visitors staying with us.

One thing that I’ve found helpful is having an OK-to-wake clock (a stoplight that is red during sleep hours and turns green at wake-up time). We have used this to establish the norm that if the light is red, they can’t make noise. There are books and stuffed animals in the room but no toys that make too much noise to keep them engaged and from waking each other up.

Room Sharing Challenges and How to Negotiate Them

Compatible schedules

It can be really challenging if children have an incompatible bedtime. Rachel writes more about this:

Our twins used to share with their 3-year-old sister, but it was a mess. We’d put the twins down at 7:30 in pack-n-plays in our home office so we could do bedtime with the 3-year-old in the kids’ bedroom, then we’d have to move the babies to their cribs after their big sister was asleep. She would then wake up in the middle of the night and come into our bed almost every night. The day we gave the babies their own bedroom, she started sleeping through the night in her own bed.

Natasha says:

We have a challenge that both kids need to go to bed at different times. My daughter still naps – at daycare they let kids nap for over 2 hours until past 3 pm which means my daughter won’t fall asleep until 9 pm. But my son needs to sleep at 8 pm. This is difficult. And i haven’t yet found a workable solution. If i put my daughter to bed too early she just screams so my son can’t fall asleep.

EV writes about the challenge when two children have different sensory preferences for falling asleep. Some children like music or sound; others require absolute silence.

One of my children falls asleep very easily (7) The other one (9) tosses and turns, wants to listen to a story on the radio etc. This makes it harder for the younger one to fall asleep and she complains.

Another mother writes:

My son, 7, shares a room with my daughter, 4. They both go to bed at 7:30pm though my son looks forward to going to bed (he’s always been very good about going to bed) and my daughter would rather stay up. My daughter will be disruptive by either coming out several times or doing silly things/trying to get a rise out of her brother. This creates a problem for my son who desperately wants to go to sleep and for us who want to start our evening sans kids. While the 4 yr old’s behavior has actually been better this past week, when she is disruptive we move my son into our room to go to sleep and later move him back into bed once they are both asleep. This lets him go to sleep and hope incentivizes her to stay in bed.

Sometimes, one child may be freaking out:

The challenge is if one is having a melt-down and the other one is ready to go to sleep. We have at times put one to bed and then let the other get through their melt-down outside the room before taking them in to bed, but it’s hard for this not to be disruptive to the one who is already in bed.

Bedtime compromises

Sometimes you need to make some compromises with bedtime. Sara, a mother of three writes about the challenges of having ten month old twins and a 3 yo boy in a two bedroom apartment.

The twins go to sleep around 7:45 or 8, and E has some play time with us then reads books in the living room and goes to bed around 8:45. (If he goes to bed earlier than that he’s up around 5 am.) His bedtime routine isn’t ideal – one of us has to lay down with him, though we try to leave before he’s all the way asleep

The one challenge now is that if one of us is alone with all three kids we definitely have to use screens to keep the older boy occupied and quiet during the twins’ bedtime routine.

Bedtime stories can be a sticking point:

I thought we’d be able to read them the same bedtime stories, but they are not really interested in the same stories anymore, so that’s not as streamlined as I’d like!

Pamela, who blogs at The Living Feed, is the mother of a 3.5 yo girl and 2 yo boy. She notes:

The bunk bed separation is a challenge for our story time routine. The first week or so we would lay down on the top bunk and read + fall asleep there. It was disruptive to then move my sleeping son to his bed. I tried standing next to the bed while both of them were on the top bunk but that was awkward. Last couple of days we’ve been doing story time on the bottom bunk – it helped the younger one get the comfort of being in his own bed + spend a few extra minutes laying next to his sister (which he actually loves to do, but which I cannot allow them to do because his sister’s movements throughout the night wakes him). This setup is lesser of an issue for the older one, who happily moves back up to her top bunk as soon as she gets the satisfaction of reading enough books.

Managing the transition:

If you introduce a baby into your older child’s room, doing so mindfully can be really helpful. Sara describes the way she handled this:

My 3-year-old son and 10-month-old twins have been sharing a large bedroom in our two-bedroom apartment since the twins were about six months, right around my son’s third birthday. It had been the adult bedroom, which we were sharing with the twins. We moved them from arm’s reach co-sleepers to cribs at around 5 months and did some night weaning and CIO sleep-training before we moved the toddler in with them. (They went to sleep relatively easily and had been sleeping through the night before 4 months, but both started waking up and eating at least once a night after that regression).

I’ve been surprised so far at how well it’s gone. We’re lucky that our older son, E, is very into being a big brother and not particularly jealous of the twins. We bought him a new twin bed (the IKEA kind that can turn into a low platform bed when he’s a little older) and made a big deal about him picking out new bedding for his special bed.

Sarah Christian, a mother and sleep consultant in Pennsylvania, talks about the difficulty with one of her children when the family took in a foster child. The youngest boy, who is 4, had to move in with his older siblings. She talks about how they negotiated this transition :

After trying in every way we could think of to reassure him that he was still just as loved and that sleeping still was important, we decided to look for ways to take the fight out of bedtime. For a few months, we ended up letting him sleep on a mat on the floor in our bedroom. It let him find a way to still be close to us, while still keeping the boundary of letting him know that he did need to go to sleep at bedtime. Sometimes he would start the night in his bed in the room he now shared with his big brother and sister, then in the middle of the night he would tiptoe into our room to sleep on the floor. As long as he was quiet and didn’t wake us, we let him do his thing.

After a time, he became more comfortable with the new routines of life with four kids, and he started staying in his bed all night again. We would offer some encouragement/praise in the mornings when he did, and remind him of how good it felt to sleep all night in his bed and wake up feeling well-rested.

Tell us about your experiences with room sharing

Thanks to everyone who wrote in— there were so many great responses that I could not include them all. If your children share a room, let me what works and what doesn’t.

The post The Agony and Ecstasy of Room Sharing for Siblings appeared first on Craig Canapari, MD.

from Craig Canapari, MD https://drcraigcanapari.com/agony-ecstasy-room-sharing-siblings/

from https://www.marclefrancois.net/2019/03/24/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-room-sharing-for-siblings/

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dandelliongirl · 5 years

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August

die she must ♫

So summer came and went! I didn’t blog at all in July and I don’t mind it. My summer was full of swimming, spending time at the summer house, eating, going on bike rides and runs, rollerblading, SUP paddling, watching H2O, shopping, berry picking, eating strawberries and ice cream, road tripping and living my best summer life. ☼ Now it’s back to work and life isn’t all roses..

I worked until the 17th of July, and work during those weeks was very slow. I got to watch twitch streams, take long lunch breaks and finish any work I had on my to-do list from the spring. I’m glad my coworkers were all on vacation before me.

My first paid summer vacation ever was amazing! I did everything I had planned to in the short 2½ weeks I had, and the weather was amazing! ☼ Me and my guy took our annual shopping road trip, I spent a bunch of time with mum and dad at the summer house and in my little sleeping cottage surrounded by beauty and nature. Mum, grandmum and I started a quilting project together and me and dad went on long bike rides with his fat bike and my off-road bike exploring the little country roads around our cottage. Temperatures were in the +30 celsius range with no rain, and lake water was warm enough to walk into. I even went on a late night swim with my guy which was so much fun! I also saw my dance friends before one of them moved abroad and two of them went away to their study cities, and I got to watch the rally world cup live at my boyfriend’s cottage. I’m so glad I’ve been able to take the most out of my summer.

I cannot believe how fast an entire summer went and to be honest it kind of scares me to think about the upcoming 8+ months of more or less misery. This Sunday mum and I got to spend one of the last summer days outdoors by washing rugs (and my guy’s kendo coat) at the shore, and it was warm enough to go swimming and sit on the dock for a bit while our laundry was drying. I’m so proud of myself for getting over my fear of cold water. I still need it to be above 18 ish celsius but it’s a lot better than I’ve done in the past. I’m an absolute scaredy-cat when it comes to cold/wet conditions, and being able to challenge that has felt incredible! It’s moments like last Sunday that make the winters worth it - at least somewhat. Besides I’m definitely excited for Christmas - it’ll be here so soon. And I’m hoping for some good cross country skiing weather. And hopefully a trip next spring... I got to do two more photoshoots for my photo project this summer, so I’m also hoping for at least one pretty fall foliage photoshoot.

So work... Students are now enrolling for courses and our support queue has around 90-100 unopened requests at all times. It would be fine otherwise but we also have meetings and trainings and other things to attend to and see to, so it can get pretty stressful. I’m fine staying in my lane, and I work incredibly well under pressure, but my colleagues seem to constantly be in a really bad mood. Obviously and understandably a lot of our end users are in a really bad mood as well. We also have a new boss, and while I love her entire attitude and she’s an amazing boss-lady, she obviously needs a lot of help and instructions on a lot of things since she started less than a month ago. Regardless, aside from training guidance counsellors (which has literally been the stuff of nightmares lately) and the awful mood our team seems to be in I’m enjoying the feeling of importance and having stuff to do. It is taxing and I do find myself more tired after work than I used to, and I also find it harder to detach myself from my work during time off, but I’m consciously working on it, and having started body combat and HIIT classes again helps get things off my mind. Ballet is starting this week as well but it’s right after my HIIT class so I’m going to have to figure out a system of going to one or the other if both of them are too much to go to in one night. I’d also like to take modern dance again for the first time in years but that group overlaps with my ballet class..

Lately I’ve really been wanting to buy a sublimation printer, namely the Canon SELPHY. I bought new ink for my Canon PIXMA MP550 because I could not justify an entirely new printer when my actual printer works as a photo printer as well. However I think the old inks have dried up because I can’t get the printer to print in colour. So, I decided I would order a set of pictures I picked out on Sunday, including some graduation photos from May. It was around 10€ for 100 photos plus 5€ postage and handling so it’s still a lot cheaper than an entire 130 € sublimation printer plus ink and paper for 50€.. I still really want it though because it could print photos directly from my phone and my camera without the added need for PC intervention. I’m trying to be mindful of the environment though, and also the fact that we have very little space in our apartment as is. We’ll see.. I did a cleanup of our bookshelf and walk in closet and managed to get one bag of donateable books, clothes and other stuff. I’m trying to KonMari my life in order and towards a more minimalist lifestyle, which is something I usually do this time of every year as a “new school year” begins. It’s an old habit but it helps me get at least a bit excited for the upcoming year when my stuff is in order. Needless to say another piece of electronic junk doesn’t really go with the idea. (Oh speaking of which, I got my boyfriend his Christmas present since it’s easy and discreet to deal with now that he’s still working for a couple more weeks. I won’t disclose what it is in case he reads this but I went way over my budget with it - another reason why I haven’t jumped at the printer thing.. I’m having his present delivered hopefully sometime this week.)

So the Sims 4 Realm of Magic trailer just Premiered on YouTube and I’m cautiously excited. I’ll still wait for Deligracy, James Turner, Plumbella and Lilsimsie to publish their reviews, but maybe for the Christmas sales I could go for a build-a-bundle with the City Living EP, Realm of Magic GP and Romantic Garden SP.

Me and my guy have started Fire Emblem Three Houses, and we just made it to the (mild spoilers!) time skip part. Fire Emblem is a very hard core strategy game and probably more fun to play than to watch from the sidelines. There seem to be so many characters that most of them are super 2D and very annoying caricatures of age old anime stereotypes. I like the plot/story though and I find it very interesting, but from the golden deers (my pick) the only people I tolerate(d) are Claude and Lysithea. Compared to Valkyria Chronicles 4 with a cool story and engaging gameplay that was interesting to watch, and characters I got invested in I’d still recommend VC4 over FE, but we are pretty early into FE still. Maybe the characters will grow on me now that they’re older and hopefully less annoying.

My high school class has a reunion this Saturday. Me and two other classmates are carpooling for a short visit since I have to work on instructor training and its materials on Sunday, and I don’t feel like hanging out with drunk people anyway. Something tells me nobody has actually grown up in that regard.. Anyway it’ll be interesting to see where everyone has ended up. It has been six years since graduation and I’ve only kept in touch with 3-ish people.

My guy is playing pokémon with his friend tonight and I’m seeing my friend from way back in daycare tomorrow, which sucks because I was hoping for some quality time of H2O and more Fire Emblem now that he has two days off, but we’ll have plenty of time together starting September when he is home full time. I’ll probably continue work on a photo book I’m making for mum and dad for Christmas about our summer house. It’s been 10 years since I started spending actual time there, and mum has wanted a photo diary for a while now. I’m glad I’ve started early because it takes a lot of effort picking out the photos and arranging them in the book.

I’m glad I got to blog for the first time in a while. Feels good to be caught up. I don’t want future me to forget these experiences and little moments I’ve loved and valued at this point in my life. Now, onto September! I’m glad there’s still more than one week of August left.

#personal #diary #August2019

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batchaoticcollectionnight-blog · 6 years

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I have medical insurance, but my deductible is $4000?

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Is there any way at 29 weeks pregnant I can figure out how to get more help paying for this? I live in Southern California. Anything will help right now, I am just getting worried because $4000 plus all of the other stuff to get ready is a little overwhelming. Is there a way to apply for something that will help me with these expenses?

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://howmuchisinsurance.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr

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With 4 year driving record? thanks

What medical insurance will cover me?

i'm 19 years old no medical insurance i'm in city college part time but my parents aren't an option.i'm also an LPN BUT ONLY WORK PART TIME AND CAN'T GET JOB INSURANCE i noticed i was growing excessive facial hair and irregular periods was dx with PCOS i would like to seek treatment for it what medical insurance company would cover it seeing that i was already dx if any?

Did Alanzo have car insurance in Training Day ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=InPoPRfqNWM If he didn't have car insurance why do we have to?

Will my insurance be raised because someone else got a ticket in my car?

My boyfriend was driving my car and got a texting ticket. Will my insurance rate increase?

How much does car insurance cost in a month?

How much does car insurance cost for inexperienced driver? I'll be a newcomer in Winnipeg. I'd like to buy used car to drive to college. Can I buy a car and get a drivers license with a student visa? Thank you.

Where is good for recovery truck insurance?

hi can anyone help me .been searching for recovery truck insurance .but not having much luck .anyone send me a link or tell me a site that i can try please many thanks

Is insurance affordable under the Affordable Care Act?

Cheap car insurance for 18 year old?

Ok my younger brother is looking for cheap car insurance, hes just turned 18 and is looking at cars in the 400 region, there has been loads of nice looking cars for that price all fully working but obviously reasonably old. this is fine but when it comes to insurance some companies have quoted up to 8000!! I was just wondering if anyone had any tips that could help us out? aiming for under 1000 if possible! Thanks. Mark.""

Can I be under my parents' insurance under a different state?

I am a college student with a permanent address in Illinois, but I am in California for college. I am planning on getting a car in California. Can I get insurance under my parents' policy? What is the cheapest way of doing so? Should I register the car under their name or my name?""

State Farm Insurance Policies?

How old do you have to be to get your own car insurance with state farm?

""If you take drivers ed online, will it still reduce your insurance cost?

I am fifteen almost sixteen and i want to take drivers ed online instead of during the school year. If i take it online will it still reduce my insurance cost? I also live in the state of Montana.

Is it legal for our group insurance company to mandate life insurance?

Our group health insurance provider is now saying we have to buy life insurance through one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. Is this legal in the State of Ohio?

""Poverty level, affordable health insurance plan for a family of 5?

i want to help my parents find health insurance that they can afford

Cheap Cars & Car Insurance? Help Advise?

I passed my test yesterday - with only one driving fault. i'm now looking for a cheap car and insurance? I'm 20 years old. also is it worth doing you pass plus as I've heard it lowers your insurance but then I've heard insurance goes up?

Insurance Cost On two different cars?

Would the insurance on an 2008 Ford Fusion be more than a 2006 Cadillac CTS? I live in Maine.

What is the average of a full coverage insurance for a new 2014 sedan in NJ ?

How much is insurance on 2003 lexus IS300?

wondering how much i might be paying a month if im getting a more expensive car..?

I have medical insurance, but my deductible is $4000?

Refused car insurance for being?

a house husband (was told by insurers ) so could i word it as being a child carer (without telling lies) for insurance purposes

Will my car insurance be invalidated?

Phoned my car insurance company today to report a minor bump. The guy asked if I had any points on my license and I told him that yes I have 3 points for speeding. He said that they had no record of this. I don't know why they have no record of this but that's not really the point. Will they try to claim that my insurance is invalid? If they do try this will I be able to claim a refund as I will have been paying them money for literally nothing for the past four years?

Do I need auto insurance if I don't have a car or plan on driving?

I want to get my license because it is something that I need to get out of the way now. I don't have a car or plan on driving until I can even afford auto insurance but this summer is the only time I have free to get my license. I'm 20 and in college.

How much would my property insurance go up after a large claim and non-renewal?

I own a 5 unit apartment buidling and after 20 years of no claims, I filed one large $80,000 claim last year for a burst pipe and water damage. The insurance company won't renew my property insurance this year. How much do I expect my insurance cost to go up if I find another insurance company that will insure me? I was paying $3,000 per year. Would I expect the premium to double or more?""

Insurance for a 2005 Infiniti coupe for a 16 yr old in Houston area?

I'm about to turn 16 and am starting to look at cars. Does anybody have an Infiniti coupe and how much is it to insure? I'm just north of Houston if that is a factor

Insurance for a honda civic?

I am 16 years old getting insurance for the first time got my licence a week ago never driven on it.....i want the simplest insurance ever something that will let me drive my car legally

Why are car insurance quotes sexist for young drivers (females are always cheaper)?

Just because they presume that since your a lad/guy your very likely to crash. And girls won't? Its not the Victorian era there's a lot of young women that are into cars & are racers. There just as likely to crash imo. It shouldn't be stereotypical that boys will wreck there car. Yes I love cars but I would never take risks in my first few years. It suck that I cant get an affordable insurance quote for my mothers 1.2 VW Polo. Yet a female friend of mine of the same age (18) can get covered on a 1.6 mini cooper for 1700. Thats not even her first car! When she was 17 she was driving a mercedes kompressor! I cant even get a quote below 2500 & I live in outside of Edinburgh City near the country side :( Plus theres insuramce companies out there that exist just for woman (Shielas wheels etc) that offer cgeap quotes to women! Its discrimination in my opinion.

Got a Speeding Ticket in NJ. Will my Insurance Rate go Up?

Got a speeding ticket in NJ, and the cop said I was going 66 in a 45 zone (which is untrue, but that's besides the point). 1. Does this put points on my license? If yes, how many? 2. Willl my Geico Insurance go up? If yes, by how much? 3. Will a defensive driving course help at all? I'm 20 years old, this is my first offense ever, and and I own the car and insurance.""

Why does registration for a newer car cost more than an older?

Registering my 2011 vehicle in California costs 2.5 times ($249) more than my '94 vehicle ($99). I understand with auto insurance there's a premium to insure the newer vehicle because it is valued more, and if I get into an accident, it would cost the insurance company more for repairs/replacement for the newer vehicle. I can't imagine an accident with either car would cost the gov't any differently, so why is there an age discrimination being applied here? I have a feeling this is some BS fee. Am I right, or can someone please clarify.""

How much would full coverage auto insurance be?

I plan on getting a 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic and was wondering about how much would full coverage be in Northern Virginia,I would ask the insurance company but I'm not the one with the policy and if you're wondering what insurance we have its Farmers.""

""Can't get insured, what to do?""

In April 2008, my wife totaled out my Impala(at fault, fault of my wife). In Jan 2010, some lady totaled out my Saturn which was sitting in front of my house, we were inside the house at the time. I had full coverage, but the lady did not have anything. Of course my insurance went up. I am trying to get insured for a motorcycle that I want, but all I keep getting is that I am uninsurable. I personally have not had any at fault accidents. How can I get around this, Is there an easier way? I have to get full coverage 500 deductible and collision on this motorcycle. THIS SUCKS! HELP Please!""

Can I expect a better rate switching to new provider?

I have the same auto insurance for last three years. Can I expect a better rate switching to another provider?

USAA car insurance while deployed?

it is illegal in MA to have no car insurance. I can take my car off the road but it costs $120 to get new plates. Does USAA have an option for insurance cheaper than the minimum allowed by your state. How am I going to drive anyway when I am deployed??? thanks

How does low income families apply for health insurence?

My family of 4 has about $32000 annual income. How do I apply for health insurance?

Car Insurance problem?

I need to renew my car insurance in the next few days but I am also moving to a new address in under 3 weeks time. This new address offers me much cheaper car insurance. I don't use my car much and can do without using it all for 3 weeks. If it is parked on the road and fully taxed is it a legal requirement to insure the vehicle even if it isn't used. I can live with it being stolen or damaged but I wouldn't want to be fined for being uninsured. The only problem with insuring the vehicle under my current postcode is that I'm at the whim of the insurance companies to what discount they offer me when I actually move. All the insurers I have phoned can't guarantee a fixed price for the new postcode if I register my the policy under my current postcode for the first 3 weeks. My main concern is not to do anything illegal so at the end of the day it's not worth saving money if I am going to get in to trouble or be fined.

""Insurance group 19, how much does it cost?""

its a mercedes gl 320, diesel. How mcuh does insurance group 19 cost?""

Is cure auto insurance a scam?

is cure auto insurance a scam. they seems to good to be true

Car accident with no insurance?

I was stopped at a red light behind two cars. Both cars started to go and so did I the next thing I knew I had hit the car in front of me. The car in front of me hit the car in front of him. We all pulled over my car isnt to bad but I drive a suburban, the car in front of me was a smaller car so his looked a little worse. Nobody was hurt, and all cars were drivable, so we decided to not call the police we just all exchanged information. After we had finished and they left I immediately called my insurance lady to let her know what happened. I am not super clear on this next part, we have been going back and forth with our insurance since that call and will continue to fight it. When I called the insurance lady she said I wasnt covered. She said that they had received the last payment much later than it was due (not sure how because it was mailed the same time as always) but because of that our insurance had been cancelled. A couple of weeks ago they had chased our check, she said we were reinstated as of yesterday (the day of the accident) but because it was the same day they werent liable to pay the damages. We are going to keep fighting them because I dont think its fair. Even if they decide that they wont pay we can afford to just pay for the damages to the rear end of the car in front of us, because know matter what happened I am at fault for following to close. We cant afford to pay out of our pocket also for his front end and the rear end of the first car. Shouldnt those damages be covered by the car I hit because he was obviously following to close to the car in front of him? Im a little freaked out with all this, this is the first accident I have ever been in and we have always had insurance, so we thought. The insurance company did say they mailed us a cancellation notice but if they did we have never received one.""

What would insurance cost on a 1987 Firebird for a 16 year old?

My family has 2 cars. One is a 1994 Ford Escort. Another is a 1999 Honda Passport. My insurance company is State Farm. I'm a 16 year old male. If my mom is the primary driver on a 1987 Firebird, I'm the primary driver on the 1994 Ford Escort, and my dad is the primary driver on the 1999 Honda Passport, how much would it cost? I guess State Farm requires me to be fully insured on all 3 cars, but if there is only liability on the Firebird and the Escort, could I maybe get insurance for $1,600/year? I have 1 ticket to my name (no turn on red), but i'm going to court in like 2 weeks to get that taken care of. I've been driving since April. Thanks.""

""Is a motorcycle cheaper than a car in terms of maintenance, fuel and insurance?""

No matter what I get, my budget most likely will be $5000. But i'm talking about other costs like maintenance, fuel and insurance. I know fuel obviously is much less than a car for motorcycles, but how about maintenance and insurance? Basically i'm a highschool student, I'll be going to college next year, its a 50 km ride one way. Public transit would take me 2 hours...so If possible, i'd like to get a car or motorcycle. I already passed my first road test, but I don't have a motorcycle licence, but I'd like to. Infact the college i'm planning on attending does motorcycle courses and licencing. I'm thinking that If I do get a bike, i'd ride it for september- early november, store it for the winter, then spring till the end of the school year. Obviously I'd ride it during the summer too! I dunno, what do you experts think? You think its a good game plan or am I just in over my head? Which should I get?""

Would insurance be cheaper then normal for this car?

Would insurance be cheaper then normal for this car, its a 1993 ford mustang 4 cylinder auto, because its old and a auto 4 cylinder? Plan is to insure it with the auto four banger in it, then do an engine swap imported v6 turbo, with manual transmission, new drive shaft, differential, exhaust, etc.. what they don't know.. they don't know lol""

How much is seasonique with blue shield california insurance?

please tell me. i'm on yaz now but four periods a year would be heaven. thanks.

Good individual insurance?

My job doesn't provide insurance because it's technically not full time. I absolutely cannot be without medical insurance because I deal with things like depression, asthma, allergies, and back and neck pain from an accident (I need an insurance with very good prescription drug coverage, chiropractic care coverage, and mental health coverage-like therapy/psychiatrists). Needless to say I can't afford to NOT have insurance. I'm also overweight, so it's very hard to find affordable insurance for myself. Since February, I have been on individual insurance with CHAND, a high risk insurance division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. The insurance is pretty good, but I pay $260/month, which is way out of my budget. My question is this: are there any good and inexpensive insurances out there for me? I'm trying to save money for a second bachelor's degree (college) and a wedding. Can anyone help? Thank you in advance- I deeply appreciate it!""

Affordable standard transmission car for teen?

Any suggestions for a cheap manual car for a 17 year old male? I don't mind if it's a 2 or 4-door. Anything that is known for low insurance so my parents could afford it.

Can someone take out a life insurance policy on a mentally retarded person who didn't know what he was signing

This person was mentally retarded (52) and died of brain cancer. HIs brother (an attorney) took out an insurance policy for the 52 year old. The 52 year old did not really know what he was signing. The amount of the policy is unknown. Is this insurance fraud?

I have medical insurance, but my deductible is $4000?

Is AARP's Homeowners/Auto Insurance A Good Deal?

Mom's insurance company made a whopping raise in her premium claiming they have been under charging her for 58 years! She wants to switch to AARP for homeowners and auto insurance. Are they a good company to deal with?

Getting out of a speeding ticket for insurance purposes?

Is there a way I can get out of a speeding/failure to meet at a stop sign ticket? I really don't care about paying the ticket or court costs at all, but I just can not, really, really, can not pay the extra insurance money. I am paying out of state tuition AND I am in Architecture. Architecture is SUCH an expensive major. The police officer (whose name I can't even read on the ticket because it is just a scribble) gave me a ticket for speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign. I have always been a great driver, I never speed, I always stop at stop signs, I don't drink/text/talk over the phone and drive, I always have my seatbelt on. This one time I absolutely needed to get home at 2am I decide to go a little faster and yup, of course I get a ticket. I don't want to lie, I was doing 36 on a 20 zone at the time, I admit it even though I honestly did not realize I was going at 36 I didn't' do it on purpose. I didn't think hey I'm just gonna go faster because no one is around , I really honestly did not notice I was going at 36. But I am not sure about the stop sign thing. Honestly I was not paying much attention because I drive through this stop sign everyday but I distinctly remember there was a car already at the stop sign coming from the left so I HAD to stop. There was absolutely no one else coming from any of the four sides, so I might have not stopped completely but I did slow down almost to a stop and then kept going. Then like I said I was going at 36 on a 20 zone. This was at 2 a clock in the morning when there was literally not a soul around. The police officer was practically hiding in a dark, empty parking lot and came out of no where. I really don't want to make excuses for myself. I know what I did was wrong and I'll admit it. But this is my first ticket, and I really don't want t have to pay so much more money on my insurance for a slip as small as this one. My boyfriend was with mi in the car if that means anything. I really don't know, I've never had a ticket before. I've been reading up on how to get out of a ticket, and a lot of people say it is good to talk to the officer, and I thought about doing it but the officer's name is not readable at all. He also completely misspelled my name. In Puerto Rico we use both my father's and mother's last names so I have two last names. Let's say my name is X, my father's last name is Y and my mother's is Z. In Puerto Rico it goes like X Y Z and since my license is from Puerto Rico that is how it is written in my license. But the police officer wrote X Z. So my name is wrong in the ticket. I don't know if that counts for anything, someone told me that if they misspell my name or the officer's it means the ticket is dropped. This seems unlikely but hey, like I said I really have no clue. Again, I don't want to make excuses for myself, but I just can't afford extra insurance costs. I just cant...""

""If you pay late on your insurance, how quickly will an insurance company drop you?""

Aren't there always other reasons to drop people from insurance? Loopholes, loopholes.""

Where can I get affordable health insurance for my family?

USA 2013, it's now illegal, NOT to have medical insurance for everyone in your family. I get insurance for myself through work, which is mostly paid for by them, except my high deductible and co-pays, which I can barley afford. My wife and kids will cost me over $800.00 per month to insure through my employer. Can't afford that, it's almost as much as my rent. Half the insurance companies I've applied for say I make too much, the other half tell me I don't make enough. What I'm I supposed to do, eat or have insurance? If I just don't buy any, I'll be penalized through taxes at the end of the year. So, does anyone know of any good health insurance companies out there? Thanks.""

""How does my health insurance deductible going up to $6,000 from $2,500 make it more affordable ?

For me? Can anyone tell me?

Need cheaper car insurance?

right now im paying 388 with a company called dairyland insurnace. i have points on my license right now. and it is killing me. the car is a 06 dodge stratus. should i raise my deductible? switch to aig insurnace. this is just way too much. the lowest id prefer to go is 300 even. anyone know any good companies or the best way to find cheap insurnace . should i look in the yellow pages and not the net

Is it against the law not to have car insurance in Illinois?

My friend just got her liscense but she doesnt have car insurance. She drives her parents' car, n the car insurance is under their name, not hers. But i also know that they do not hvae enough money at the moment to add her name to their insurance. Is this wrong? if so, how wrong? What would happen to her if she ever got caught?""

What is the best way for me to compare California Health Insurance companies?

It's open enrollment time and I would like to compare health insurance companies without having to go into each and every individual insurance website. Is there a website with a grid for this? If there isn't, someone should create one! Thanks for any advice --""

Braces cost without insurance ??!! HELPP!!! $4200???!!?

Apparently my teeth aren't severe enough for insurance to cover it, but i was told that i still need them. I tried Twice Now (16-17 yrs'ol) in NYC My teeth are similar to hers where on big tooth is a little pushed back and the other forward and the bottom is crowed & one tooth is sticking wayyy out of alignment http://www.public.iastate.edu/~lora/braces_decision.html Iwent to a dentist & they said i would have to pay 4200 for them. Obviously my mom is not going to pay that even with a payment plan, is this the usual cost for braces without insurance coving it ??!!!""

Something about getting health insuance?

yes i triedd to get free health insurance at a health place and i make to much money , i only work pt at my job, and i collect social security every month. I also tried to get medicade i can't get that. my monthly income is two thousand a month. there was another option is called healthy NY if i apply to that , the payments on that are $200 a month. i can't afford hat either i have too many bills , so is there any more ideas you people can give me. please help.""

How long does a dui on your record affect your car insurance?

ex. I got a dui almost 5 years ago, will an insurance company look at my record from the past 5 years or longer? How many years from your dui do they hold it against you?""

What is the cost of the insurance for the car i want ?

I want a Suzuki Ignis 1.5 sport im just about to start driving wants the insurance going to cost ?

Home Owners Insurance?

My wife and I are planning on buying our first home and are currently shopping for mortgages. As a first time home buyer I am a little bit confused about a few things and I thought I just ask here :) One of the mortgages we looked at (online, from our CU) listed a Hazard Insurance Monthly in the Prepaids & Reserves section (which is part of the closing cost). - I am aware of the need of Homeowners Insurance, but does that include or exclude Hazard Insurance? - The monthly rate for Hazard Insurance was listed as $1,900. That seemed extremely high to me, so my question is: What is an average amount for Hazard Insurance (or Homeowners Insurance in general)? FYI: The home we are looking at is located in the SF Bay Area and will have a value of approx. $700,000. Any comment will be appreciated...""

Help! Accident on motorcycle with no insurance.?

I was recently involved in an accident on my motorcycle with a Hertz rental car. I purchased the bike 9 days before the accident and was planning on adding the motorcycle to my car insurance policy. No one was hurt in the accident but a police report was filled out at the request of the rental company. I was wondering if insurance companies possibly have some kind of grace period for accidents a certain number of days before the policy is added, or if need be, transferred to the motorcycle. The rear bumper of the rental car was dented and the right rear lights were damaged. My motorcycle is fine. I live in California.""

How much is car insurance for a 16 year old?

Can i lease a car with my own credit but insure it with my parents insurance?

can i lease a car with my own credit but insure it with my parents insurance? i am under my parents insurance policy.what i would like to do is lease a car with my credit, and insure the car with my parents insurance (which i'm under).is this possible?""

Cheapest car insurance rates for older car/no record/liability only?

hi- if anyone knows chespest company, i did a online quote for progressive, but dont want to take the time to go through all companies. if anyone knows cheapest rates-company, please let me know""

Would applying for car insuance quotes give a bad record?

I'm searching for car insurance but I am not sure if applying for a quote online will give me a bad record. Like applying for a credit card does you know.

What should I do about Car Insurance in New Jersey?

I live in NJ. I am 19 years old. I have had some problems in the past with my license. I have hit 2 Deer, had 2 2-Car Accidents, and have 3 Speeding Tickets. There was a period of 90 in which my license was suspended for these violations. I have been clean for a year now. Allstate has jacked my premium this year from $6K to $8K for 6 months. I wanted to change insurances. I tried to get Geico and Esurance but they won't insure me, even with my granddad on the policy as a primary. Esurance was going to cover me on Sunday along with my granddad, but today I called to give them my credit card # and someone different from the person I originally talked to on Sunday said that they cannot insure me. I have been without Insurance for a week now b/c I thought I was going to be with Esurance. What should I do now? How bad is it that I have been without insurance for 5 days? Should I go back to Allstate? Another thing I was thinking was dropping my insurance all together.""

What are the risks with Co-signing on a car and putting insurance in my name for a bf?

My daughters father needs a new and wants us to get it together. I would be co-signing on the car and the insurance would be in my name. It would mainly be his car, I would only pay $100/month on the insurance. I'm very hesitant about doing this as a) our relationship is rocky b) he has a bad record...many tickets/fines to the point where he could not get approved for insurance c) I dont want to get screwed over. He's pretty upset that im saying I dont want to, and is complaining that he cant rely on me, but I feel im protecting myself and my credit. So what exactly are the risks, and how can I get him to understand why I'm saying no?""

Help European health insurance card?

my health insurance card has expired and i fly tomorrow? is this card important? if i get ill will they still treat me? and will my insurance company cover me still?

Can anybody help me about car insurance?

For the last few months I've been sharing my Dad's car, I've been a named driver for that car. Now I've bought my own car, however, at the moment I cannot afford to pay the 220 starter fee to insure me on my own car just yet. So my question is, if I upgraded the insurance on my Dad's car to fully comp. Will I be covered to drive my car? I'm 17 by the way, if that changes anything. Any help will be very much appreciated.""

If you have two insurances...?

We have two medical insurances on our children. Should there still be a copay? Should having 2 insurances cancel out the copay?

Great sports cars that don't have bad insurance?

Okay so I'm 16 and need a sports car. My budget is 40K and if been looking at used ones. I was thinking about a porshe but it seems there insurance and maintenance is outrages. I have also been looking at Mercedes Benz. They seem to be a bit better but not sure. anyone have a porshe or a Meredes??? I also live in Canada. Or any other ideas for a sports car.??.? :)

How much will it cost (roughly) for a 21 year old to insure a new Audi A1 S-line 1.2?

its in the 1-10 band for the insurance which is the lowest group. the audi a1 is number 9. but i want to know what i would be expecting to pay insurance wise! would appreciate any comments.

I have medical insurance, but my deductible is $4000?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shawano-wisconsin-cheap-car-insurance-quotes-zip-54166-cletus-turner/"

0 notes

skycommasatdusk · 7 years

Text

8-10-17

I gave myself permission to stay in bed today. When morning came and the phone started ringing and the texts started pinging, I pulled the comforter up to meet the pillows and remained there for a very long time. Then I had to pee.

And, there was the bathroom scale. What the hell. A shriek escaped my throat and I shuffled on.

8 a.m. and I’m filling my vitamin supplement days-of-the-week tray and coffee is dripping over chocolate milk and sugar. I’m not going to do this day. But, as long as I’m up, I’m going to have my coffee. And, I’m going to have whipped cream on top of it.

The whipped cream dispenser went ‘hiss’ instead of ‘splort’, but it hadn’t beaten me. I’d bought a 3-pack at Costco. Hah! Take that Another-Day-That-Wants-To-Knock-Me-Down. I’m still here, though not fit for social consumption.

The coffee is delicious, and I am emboldened to check email. See if there’s anything uplifting on Bored Panda. There is. Another whale rescued by a scuba diver from miles of line attached to an anchor. Once set free, whale comes at rescuer like a speeding bus, but doesn’t knock him down. Just asks to be petted, like the family dog. Good. Good. There is still good.

Scan through emails with trepidation and dare to review information on meeting right here in my neighborhood that I’d planned to sponsor and network for much needed new business. It’s been moved. Of course. 45 minutes away. In a different county. Groan.

This day is not going to knock me down.

It’s not. I will keep my head down. I will avoid the many piles of things that need doing. Paper piles here for work. Paper piles there, time sensitive for other work. Files on my desktop, time-sensitive, waving hysterically to get my attention. Text from landlord to correct a slight breach of parking garage rules. It’s okay, I’d been expecting that.

I recall a dream from last night. Mother had purchased a second home nearby, and had not used me as her realtor. I was pathetically okay with that, I figured she’d gotten a better deal by writing with the listing agent. But, she hadn’t even consulted with me, and then I came to learn that she didn’t even get an inspection of the property before closing the deal. Was it closed? Was it too late? The property was clinging just above a canyon, and on the other side was a homeowner who overwaters his gardens. How could she not listen to my urging that she needs to get an inspection done before she closed escrow? And, why were there two washers, and three dryers in this house? Spread out from kitchen to sitting room? And, why was there a neighborhood party going on? And a parking lot, and my son was attending to the parking kiosk? Why couldn’t I maneuver the grassy yard to get back to my car? Why was there an open-air crawl-through bridge to get to the other side?

But, it’s morning. On this day during which I’m backing away from the mania. What to do?

A hike in this uncharacteristically steamy hot southern California day? Sounds gross. Food? Not hungry. Make my bed and straighten up? Well, duh. I don’t want to die of a sudden heart attack and be found here with my home a mess. Best to put on clean underwear too.

Blinds open? Blinds closed? Music on? No. It only drags me to whatever mindset any particular song touches inside me. News, God no. Enough of that. Quiet. I can hear the plane flying across the sky taking people to vacations they eagerly anticipate, or dragging them on a heinous, nerve-wracking business trip in coach with their knees up to their shoulders trying to get comfortable, eschewing the flight attendant’s offer of coffee because they read that article about the water used for making coffee and tea on planes, and, of course, they would risk walking away with a large coffee stain on their white pants when they reach their destination.

Sounds. Cars. No horns yet today. No sirens yet.

Typing this. Chastising myself because I’m still learning to not put two spaces between the period and the next capitalized word since Lynda, the editor, taught me it should only be one space.

9:30 a.m. Where does the time go?

I’m still above ground. Not even lying flat on the faux wood laminate floor, my cheek pressed to the coolness. Not there. Sitting, on a stool. Resting my arms straight in front of me across the desktop to ease the aching of my arthritic arm and shoulder. Quick text to ask if my granddaughter was wrestled into day two of the school year. No response. Many possibilities.

Europe is calling. I signed on for it, and there’s no turning back. Heaven knows I need the break, to get away, to experience new. But, finances are worrisome. An understatement. And, the task of making the plans so that, once there, I can relax, feel so very difficult. Train schedules and hotels and currencies and tipping rules. Packing; 16 days + 1 tiny, manageable suitcase. Another immense chore. But, the clock is ticking down to departure date.

Tick tock.

Calendar pages turning.

But not in that annoying way shown on the Rachel Maddow Show or in the Target online ads. That annoying computer-generated swishing sound.

Traveling alone. Good? Bad? Will I make friends? Do I have room for new acquaintances in my head? Safe?

Lovely twittering sounds from the lone dove that nests in the palm tree outside my door. Where is his mate for whom he’s built a nest of palm strands and lint and bits of paper? Perhaps she is nearby and he’s alone only because he’s bravely standing sentry. Bold enough to stand his ground as I pass by within 30 inches of his beady glare.

Shoes on, sunscreen sprayed, hat chosen and adjusted. Keys secured in pouch carrying overpriced Epipen, tissues and loose change. Sunglasses ensuring a superficial wall between me and whatever, whoever, I may encounter. 10:04 a.m., facing the day outside of my cocoon because sitting still never sits well with me. Earphones on, attached to phone, but no station or podcast selected. The plugged-in visual is just a deterrent.

A body in motion tends to stay in motion.

‘Beep beep’, goes the UPS man at my neighbor’s door. ‘Growl’ goes the garbage truck. ‘Whiz’ goes another airplane.

59 years old. 59 years old.

Retirement age is 62? 64? How much longer? When can I slip off these tap dancing shoes? Papers somewhere detail the financials if I retire in one year versus another. Another. Another decision to be made.

Heel, toe, heel, toe, (lather, rinse, repeat?), heel, toe…

Car races me to the curb end of the crosswalk. Car wins, expresses with arms and eyebrows that she's sorry she cut me off.

But she's not. She did it will full knowledge that I was striding there. In the crosswalk.

Audi Honda BMW Toyota Chevrolet Prius GS Se E 320 Is Crv Mc250 Accord Accord

Paris accord.

No, no, it’s Paris Agreement. Paris Climate Agreement. Paris Climate Accord. Whatever. Still holding, thanks to other fully conscious countries.

Snatch of a song in my head:

…they alive dammit, ' females are strong as hell…

Leaf blower.

Power tool humming. What's that tool called? It used to be so easy to access words. Names.

White female, 30s, stands on sidewalk with two police officers. Another patrol car pulls up and dispenses two more police officers, one male, one female. First police officers depart.

Carpenter: rap, rap, rap, rapping. Sun beating down on him leaning into building from the ladder.

Dog barks and barks.

I miss the sound of my dog’s bark. 10.4 years of love and seizures. I loved that dog.

Tall floor to ceiling windows look into doggie daycare. Dogs running and playing with each other. Dogs angling for human attention. One tiny fluffy white dog stands away from the others, very still, legs nearly trembling, eyes searching the distance. For what?

Tears in my eyes.

81 degrees.

Powerball 356 million. MegaMillion 393 million. No winners.

I'm not a winner.

59.

59 years.

59 years, segmented into how many parts?

Part 1: Infancy, who loves me? Who do I belong to? Mother? Papa? Grandma and grandpa?

Part 2: Childhood. Mother hates me, I'm a burden to her. Sisters play with me, but I'm too bossy, trying to be special. Papa loves me, but I’d better not anger my mother. Grandma and Grandpa love me, can we go see them today?

Part 3: School years. Friends. Frenemies. Seated in my little chair staring out the fire escape door at the house and fenced in yard 3 stories below, wondering about my future. Losing my new crystal blue glasses on the day after I got them. Summer, waiting beside the highway with my sisters for the bus to take us to swim lessons at the municipal pool. A little money in my pocket for a treat at the shop across the street before the bus takes us home. Knowing I’ll later spend that money on cotton candy as I get off the bus. Spending the money on ice cream after I get out of the pool and wait in line under the Midwestern sun.

Part 4: California. Jr. High and High School. Mother keeps reminding us that we are so cool because we now live in California instead of dusty old Iowa.

Part 5: College. Yay. I’m me. Just me. No old family stories weighing me down. Education. Singing on stages. Boyfriend. First. Writing, writing, writing. 4 more years to be safe while I grow up. Wondering when it is that someone is grown up.

Part 6: First jobs. Insecurity. Successes. Failures. Finding my legs. If not my wings.

Part 7: Marriage. Writing, writing, writing.

Part 8: Children. Love, love, love for my children. PTA, carpool lines, producing special events and haunted houses and children’s game shows to benefit the schools. Accolades. Fears of public speaking falling away. Writing, writing, writing.

Parts 9, 10, 11, 12: Separation, sex, divorce, love, heartbreak. Writing

Part 13: Realtor®. Hustle, research, learn, work, work, work. No rest. Too weary to work, too anxious to sleep. Wine.

Heel, toe, heel, toe.

Music from the open door of the furniture store: 'you are so wonderful, to me.’ Changed from ‘you are so beautiful’?

Why? What was the thinking?

PC? Feminism? Are you necessarily objectifying someone if you love their looks? And, if that’s so, does that mean you don’t really love them at all?

Lightbulb: Write a book.

Second Bulb: Finish a book. Proud of book.

More bulb flashes: Shout out on Craigslist with my offer to pay anyone with access to a publisher to put my finished manuscript on a publisher’s desk? Book flight to New York, walk manuscript in to publisher’s offices and beg successive people until the doors are all flung open for me and someone has promised to read.

Optimism.

Brief.

Slow down.

Just today.

Today, I will not strive and grasp and claw and re-think and redouble my efforts until I collapse with aching body, weary mind, red eyes.

Today. I will just be.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Welcome! Can you sign in please? This home offers 3 bedrooms 2 baths in 2,023 square feet, beautifully updated. Built in 1939. The kitchen features industrial grade appliances and marble countertops. Master suite is quite large with original hardwood floors leading off to the latticework tile bathroom floor which holds a claw foot tub offering the bather a view of the canyon, separate rainfall shower. The exterior maintains the original Spanish style well-suited to this quaint Beachwood Canyon neighborhood. The schools are highly rated…

No, no one died in the house.

Yet.

0 notes

dirtyjazminrice · 7 years

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1 - Who was the last person you texted? - My mom

2 - When is your birthday? - May 9

3 - Who do you want to be with right now? - I wish Ryan didn’t have to work tomorrow so we could be hanging out right now

4 - What sports do you play? - None

5 - Who is the first person in your contacts? - My aunt Diane

6 - What is your favorite song as of the moment? - Whichever song on the Poptopia spotify playlist had that sexy ass bass that had me feeling a certain kind of way on the drive home from work. Also, Praying by Kesha

7 - If you were stranded on an island, who do you wish to be with? - Ryan or Bear Grylls

8 - What do you feel right now? - Conflicted. I want to watch the new episodes on the Bob’s Burgers live stream, but i also want to start A Court of Thorns and Roses

9 - What chocolate is your favorite? - Dark

10 - How many boyfriends/girlfriends did you have? - The past tense sounds ominous. I’ve had 2 in the past and 1 right now, so 3

11 - Why did you create a Tumblr account? - Because my emo friends in high school had them and i wanted to be a part of the group

12 - Who is your favorite blogger? - Jenna Marbles technically counds

13 - Where do you want to be right now? - In the mountains or by the beach

14 - What do you want to be in the future? - Happy and financially stable

15 - When was the last time you cried? Why? - Last night. I finished Eleanor and Park. WHY WOULDN’T SHE WRITE HIM BACK. WHY DIDN’T SHE CALL HIM. WHY DIDN’T SHE TELL HIM SHE LOVED HIM TOO. WILL THEY EVER SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN

16 - Are you happy? - Momentarily I’m bummed, but ultimately I’m very happy

17 - Who do you miss? - Caitlin

18 - If you were given a chance, would you like to have a different life? - No

19 - What was the best thing you were given? - The gold coated rose Ryan gave me a few years ago

20 - Who was the last person who called you? - Sophia

21 - What is your favorite dish? - Sushi

22 - Who is your bestfriend? - Loaded question.

23 - What is your biggest regret? - Not applying to that Nebraska Furniture Mart job before it went off Indeed

24 - Have you ever cheated on your partner? - NEVER

25 - Who do you spend crazy moments with? - I’m not sure what this means, but probably Ryan

26 - Name someone pretty. - I’m having a harder time thinking of someone who isn’t pretty

27 - Who was the last person you hugged? - Ryan. He had a rough day.

28 - What kind of music do you listen to? - Loud music, preferably with bass. So hard rock, rap, EDM, etc

29 - Are you over your past? - Sure? lol

30 - Who is the last person in your contacts? - My old assistant manager Vail

31 - What kind of person do you want to date? - Someone exactly like Ryan

32 - Do you have troubles sleeping at night? - Only when I eat too soon before bed

33 - From whom was the last text message you received? - My mom

34 - What do you prefer, jeans or skirt? - Jeans always

35 - How’s your heart? - She’s good. Wishes her questions were answered about Eleanor and Park

36 - Did you ever have a girlfriend/boyfriend whose name starts with a “J”? - No, but all my exes have

37 - Do you like someone as of the moment? - A little

38 - What would you want to say to your latest ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend? - I’d take the high road and ask him how Europe was or tell him the hair cut was a good idea, but I’d want to ask him how it felt when the girl he cheated on me with and always was in love with the 3 years we were together got pregnant with another guys baby, and will never ever be with him ever again

39 - Do you have any phobias? - Death and spiders

40 - Did you try to change for a person? - I tried to change for my first boyfriend because I was young and desperate

41 - What’s the nicest thing have you given to someone? - Most recently I gave Ryan the best birthday presents of his entire life. Got it all on video. I also gave him a very sentimental book commemorating our relationship and it made him cry so that too

42 - Would you go back to your previous relationship? - Hell no. Mostly i look back and wonder why i let myself stay with him for so long. I guess wildly changing friend groups (and sometimes no friends) made me want some stability

43 - Are you in a good or bad mood? - Good to neutral. It’s the weekend

44 - Name someone you can’t live without. - My family and Ryan

45 - Describe your dream date. - Hiking in the mountains, exploring hidden water forms, kayaking in a large body of water (if it’s an ocean, extra points), playing in the water, going to eat sushi, and then resigning back to our bedroom for the end of the night

46 - Describe your dream wedding. - Not expensive.

47 - How many roses did you receive last Valentine’s? - Never really celebrated Valentine’s day. It seems lame to me, whether I’m in a relationship or not. Anymore it’s just an instagram competition and it’s exhausting.

48 - Have you ever been kissed? - A few times

49 - How long is your longest relationship? - 4 years today (exactly. yay happy anniversary Jazmin and Ryan)

50 - Do you regret your past? - No

51 - Can you do something stupid for someone else? - Can I? Yeah. Will I? Idk depends on what and who

52 - Have you ever cried over someone? - I’ve cried over everything, i assure you

53 - Do you have a grudge against anyone? - Idk probably

54 - Are you a crybaby? - Hell ye

55 - Do people praise you for your looks? - Sometimes

56 - Did you fall for someone you shouldn’t? - No

57 - Have you ever done something bad but you don’t regret? - Not that i can think of

58 - Do you like getting hurt? - Who likes that?

59 - Does anyone hate you? - If they do i don’t know about it. I’d prefer not to. It’d give me anxiety

60 - Did you slap anyone whose name starts with an “R”? - I’ve never slapped anyone

61 - What hair color do you prefer? - Dark brown

62 - If you can change anything about yourself, what is it? - Wow this brought an onslaught of insecurities. Let’s avoid changing physical appearance and say I’d more pure hearted

63 - Do you love someone as of the moment? - Hell ye

64 - Have you ever thought of killing yourself? - No

65 - Do you have issues with somebody in your school? - I don’t go to school (thank god)

66 - Can you live without internet? - I could but I don’t want to

67 - What’s the song that remind you of your special someone? - All of my hard rock, especially Rise Against and Linkin Park. Also You’ll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins

68 - Are you good at holding back your tears? - No. I like to think I can do it but i cannot

69 - Are you a crybaby? - You asked that already. I definitely am

70 - Have you ever experienced being hysterical? - No

71 - Are you a KPOP fan? - No

72 - Do you study hard? - I study medium

73 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love? - Yes

74 - Did you ever had a kiss under the moonlight? - yes

75 - Have you ever ridden a boat? - Yes

76 - Did you have an accident last year? - Like car accident? No

77 - What kind of person are you? - what the fuck kind of huge ass question is that. Like i even know. look at my blog. it probably won’t help anyway

78 - Have you ever thought of killing someone? - No, wtf

79 - Have you ever been jealous? - Oh yeah. Another thing i’d change about myself is being less jealous and focusing on what i have and not comparing myself to anyone else

80 - How can you prove your love to someone? - being emotionally there for them, always listening to them and giving them a shoulder to lean on

81 - What are you thinking right now? - how i’m no longer paying attention to the new bob’s burgers episodes

82 - Who is the 6th person in your contacts? - fuck who cares about my contacts

83 - Do you have any memories you want to erase? - there was this one time in elementary school when i was with my daycare we went to the lincoln children museum and we were in a play vet area and this older boy had a play syringe and said he was going to put me to sleep and that really freaked me out and fucked me up

84 - Have you been hurt so bad that you can’t find words to explain how you feel? - I mean probably

85 - Did you ever badmouth someone? - i am a sinner

86 - Have you ever had an argument with someone? - wtf i’m not a newborn

87 - Do you have trust issues? - not really. i’m super trusting

88 - Are you broken-hearted? - no

89 - Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”? - ryan

90 - Do you think all the pain is worth it? - all what pain? all pain we ever experience? no i don’t think all pain has purpose. some pain is just needless and painful

91 - Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”? - not really. i don’t think there’s some predestined future.

92 - Who do you want to marry? - ryan

93 - Do you believe in destiny? - no

94 - Have you ever thought “I already found my soulmate”? - yeah, though i think people could end up with a variety of different partners. I don’t think everyone has only one person.

95 - How do you look right now? - not my best, but lots of side boob

96 - Do you believe that first true love never dies? - no

97 - Have you found your true love? - ye

98 - What should you be doing right now? - paying attention to bob’s burgers, reading my book, or applying to other jobs

99 - Name one of your ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriends. - aaron. there might still be posts on my blog about him somewhere

100 - Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough? - eh i don’t think so

#ask thingy #irrelevant

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mbrainspaz · 2 years

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Corporations be like “we want to fix our high employment turnover rate” and then start bringing in little snacks and micromanaging harder instead of giving their employees higher pay and more agency to do their jobs well 🥲

#lmao #we never learn #corporate hellscape #life of a texan peasant #i’m laughing but i’m crying #I’m a 30 year old with management experience not a 5 year old at daycare but go off I guess boss #I do like the popsicles

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jess-daysatcamp2017 · 7 years

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So I am now at camp courage

Right so I'll start at the beginning of today which seems about a week ago 😂 So when you get given a camper and say right I promise you will only have him for a half day here's 4 pages of notes about him on top of his camper profile go and talk to Erin about him before you work with him too I was slightly intimidated. This young boy takes medicinal cannabis and has been kicked out of every single daycare facility and school there is and after reducing a member of staff to tears yesterday I was like right okay hair up hat on (didn't wanna lose my hair) big girl pants on I can do this. I'm telling you I spent a whole morning with him and the boy was fine as long as you gave him space. I had no behaviours out of him at all all morning and I managed to get him to come up to me and hold my hand!!! This is the boy who I was told to stand 5 feet away from at all times! So I was pretty happy kinda loved him by the end of it. Then I was back to Alex who I had yesterday who wasn't having a great time was a little distressed because outside was too hot but inside was too loud. However he got picked up at 3.30 (2 hours early) so I took my chance and ran up the hill and showered and packed because we aren't allowed back to camp until 7pm on Saturday evening. So after dinner we had a meeting and they bought us some cake because I'm pretty sure they can tell our staff is getting a little frustrated with a few things I'll try and explain in a nutshell in a second. But then we were shuttled off to camp courage me and four other brits because it was either camp courage where we would have beds or camp friendship with sleeping on the floor in a room with 30 other people so I picked camp courage and it's not the best. I feel like these rooms would house prisoners not staff but I've got 5 days off so I'm gonna try not complain too much once I've slept and gone to the hammock garden tomorrow I'm sure I'll be fine it's just very buggy and lots of spiders I'm just going to spend as much time outside as possible. So basically I'm here until Saturday when Megan picks us up who I absolutely love by the way she's a HMA (healthcare medical assistant I think?) at camp and she's the bomb dot com. So what we are annoyed at: Leadership!!!!!!!!!!!!! So basically they are a bunch of 21-23 year olds and they don't know what they are doing they are very bossy not very welcoming and we feel like tbh they do nothing they don't have to work with campers or sleep in the bunks with campers so idk what they do for their 3,000$. This week! - so everyone is annoyed that we are kicked out of camp because we just feel homeless being carted from place to place and the choice between sleeping on a floor and sleeping at courage with spiders I mean not the best set of choices really. Work hours - so if you're on residential which doesn't seem very often (see rant below) you work literally from 6.30am or earlier when campers wake up until about 9.30pm at night when the campers go to bed with on call in between and idk how we are supposed to be set up for success when I'm working like 15 hours a day without a break. If you're on day-camp you work 7.45am-about 9.30pm again still ridiculous working hours with no break at all. Day camp and residential - so this may sound stupid after moaning about working hours but basically we run day camp and residential side by side so some people work day camp some people work residential and once day campers have left the left over staff help with bed time routines until everyone goes to sleep. But all of a sudden camp friendship staff have been coming over to work at our camp but all of them get to be on residential and no camp Eden wood staff get to be on residential we are all on day camp. I know it's longer hours but I would much rather be with one cabin for the week and have the proper camp experience at least for a week to be able to experience it and they keep telling me I'll get a chance but I'm on day camp again next week and just feel like I've been trained and yet I'm not even doing it. So I know that may sound like I'm having the worst time ever because I'm not it's just easier to vent it here. The kids are amazing and I love working with them I just get frustrated when things aren't perfect as like the activities for example I could run them so much better but I just have to accept how it is and I know I'll look back and be like I loved my summer so much and all of this will be insignificant so I just got to keep going and all will be well. Like the little amazing moments make up for the shit ones when you're sweaty and tired and exhausted so yeah please don't worry I'm surviving!!!!

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fesahaawit · 7 years

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How We’re Reaching Financial Freedom On One Income – Mom’s Income.

[Hey guys! Liz, the Chief Mom Officer stops by the blog today to share her journey to financial freedom as the sole breadwinner of her family of 5. If you don’t feel empowered after reading this, I’m shutting down the blog!! (Okay, no I won’t, but I will wonder what’s wrong with you… ;)) Enjoy!]

******

Many people think it’s impossible for a family to just live on one income nowadays. In fact, 60% of families are dual income, with both mom and dad working outside the home, while back in 1960, 70% of families had only the dad working outside the home.

My family is different – we’re in the 6% of families where only the mom works outside the house. And we’re not just living on one income. No, we’re on FIRE in a big way, saving and investing more than half my income and working toward financial independence in my early 40’s.

We’re a “traditional” family, but in reverse. I’m the breadwinner who heads to work in corporate IT while my husband stays home caring for the kids, cooking, cleaning, and running errands :) I support my family of five humans – me, my husband, and three boys ages 13, 9, and 2 – the dog, and the cat.

How did we end up like this? How do you pursue FIRE on one mom’s income? Let me show you…

How It Happened

When my husband and I first got married over 15 years ago, we were both blissfully ignorant and naive. I fully expected we would both work forever and earn roughly the same amount. I was 21 years old working full time in a call center, putting myself through full-time college debt free, and my husband worked full time in a factory. We didn’t make a lot – roughly $25k each – but it was enough to get us by.

Our oldest son was born a few years later, and I had gotten a better job paying $35k per year in corporate IT. We originally shopped around for daycares, but had to look at different paths once we realized we couldn’t afford it on our salaries. At first, my husband switched to the third shift at the factory, but that took a huge physical toll on him (working overnight is rough!). I then got a decent raise at work, and we calculated that my husband could leave the factory job and take a well-paying part time night/weekend gig turning apartments into condos. So he did, but after a year and a half the work dried up and he went back to the factory to work the second shift (evenings instead of overnight).

I would work 6 AM until 3 PM, come home, then my husband would immediately go to work from 4 PM – 12:30 AM. We saved and invested for retirement and college, eventually selling our condo and buying a house. Our middle son was then born in 2007, and we were getting by OK. The downside of this schedule, of course, is only seeing each other on the weekends. Life continued on this path for a few years until the Great Recession.

Then things became difficult. My husband’s factory closed down, and factory work where we live was impossible to find. We didn’t know it then, but my husband would never work another full time job again. Although the job loss wasn’t ideal, we were able to figure things out. I was in an MBA program and could go to classes on nights and weekends while working full time, and we still managed to pay our bills while saving and investing. Though it was definitely a struggle, and at times we took on some debt.

Finding a job in the depths of the Great Recession that would (1) allow us to continue having someone at home all the time or (2) pay enough to cover daycare expenses proved impossible.

Then, the unthinkable happened. When my husband was 37, five years ago, he almost died of septic shock.

Overnight, his unemployment evaporated. Working became impossible. It took about four months for him to recover enough drive a car, let alone care for our boys again, so we pulled the youngest out of preschool and enrolled him into daycare full-time. We stopped all savings and investments, and had to get by on less income to free up more money to pay for the extra $1k/month in daycare costs, plus all the new medical expenses now.

That event was our financial turning point. It was then that I realized we could live just fine on my income, and eventually thrive off it. We figured out how to cut all expenses to the bone, eventually getting used to – and enjoying! – our new normal.

Debt, even “good” debt or “small” debt, kills you when things go wrong. I had vowed to get rid of all our debt and achieve financial freedom once and for all. I got extremely aggressive about freeing up cash flow, and within 18 months we terminated the remaining $33k from our car and MBA loans.

That was three and a half years ago now, and ever since we’ve lived on only my income. We use more than half of it to save, invest, and pay down our mortgage. My financial goals now are to be mortgage free by the end of 2019, fully fund my three boys college compact, and achieve financial independence in my early 40’s.

How We Thrive On Mom’s Income

In my real life, I don’t know any other moms that work full time supporting their family while their husband is a stay at home dad. And I don’t know anyone for that matter who’s pursuing FIRE, even on two incomes, and especially not people saving/investing over half their incomes.

Here are five keys on how we’re able to do it:

#1. Artificial Environment of Economic Scarcity

I don’t budget (gasp! Horror!) except when I was aggressively paying down debt. Instead, I automatically save and invest to reach my financial goals, and then I spend the rest on whatever’s needed for the month.

Dr. Thomas Stanley in The Millionaire Next Door refers to it as creating an “artificial environment of economic scarcity.” Since I don’t have money in my checking account, it’s not there to spend. I took out a 15-year mortgage specifically to force myself into higher payments. I automatically save/invest for college, retirement, and mortgage freedom. And then I only spend what’s left over after I’ve put aside what I need for my goals.

#2. Income Inflation, and Lifestyle Deflation

Back in crisis mode, I deflated our lifestyle while increasing our income. As they say in the London Underground, “Mind the Gap” – I take that to be the gap between income and spending.

During our financial turning point, I eliminated tons of expenses that have never returned to our life. We sold things, ended subscriptions, lowered our fixed costs, and have kept them low. I happily pay $4 for my Ooma phone instead of the $50 I was paying before, and then $25 for Netflix and HBO subscriptions instead of whatever ridiculous amount cable costs nowadays. I shop at warehouse clubs for all our groceries and household goods, and shop around for car and home insurance every year. We go on camping vacations and road trips and have a blast – no expensive day trips or vacations. While my coworkers shop for second homes, we go to the park to play.

As for the income inflation side? Well, I finished that MBA about four years ago, and combined with my career strategy, my income has increased by over $40k since. Now over half of every dollar I earn goes straight to buying freedom. I’m no longer willing to work for “stuff” – I work for myself and my family.

#3. Frugal Fun

My co-workers on two incomes have new homes, second homes, new cars, expensive vacations, home remodels, expensive weekend trips, and so on. We live in the house we bought 11 years ago when we only had one kid (we’re now up to three).

We do fun things like spending $11 on day trips (thanks to Groupon, used book stores, and free museums), go to free hot air balloon festivals with homemade muffins, and we even host “Chopped Championships” with food we have around the house. The library is our friend, giving us free books, movies, and even a 3D printer! Free and nearly free activities consume our spare time, and we have inexpensive hobbies. Think kids need to be expensive? They’re only as expensive as you let them be.

#4. Not Caring What Others Think

People may find our lifestyle weird, strange even. A married couple with three kids living on mom’s income while dad stays home? Pretty rare. On top of that, living well below your means results in living very differently than folks used to the lifestyle inflation that two incomes typically bring. I don’t really care what other people think of our family arrangement, though, nor our frugal life or pursuit of FIRE. We’re doing what works for us!

#5. Crystal Clear Priorities

There’s nothing like a near death experience to clarify the priorities in your life. Buying stuff? Going into debt for a car? Using raises and bonuses to go on fancy vacations or second homes?

Hell no.

Using money to buy mortgage freedom, college funding, and financial independence?

Hell yes.

Moms On FIRE

I started my site specifically to cater to other moms like myself – interested in personal finance and investing, financial independence, family breadwinners, and/or high income earners.

I’ve been fortunate to meet other amazing moms, virtually, who are also the breadwinners of their households in all kinds of different ways. Some are the higher income earners of a two-income family, others go to work while their spouse stays at home, women millionaires, moms working to support their family and their own parents at the same time, and women interested in all the fun details of personal finance and investing (and not so much in extreme couponing).

We may still be uncommon, but we’re a growing force in the world.

To other women out there, I say this: whether you’re the breadwinner, earning a high income, a single mom, in debt, a millionaire, or anything else – you too can set yourself on FIRE!

Whatever’s happened in your life, you can overcome it and achieve your wildest dreams. Get clear on your priorities, stop caring what others think, and live your life the way you want!

****** Liz writes over at Chief Mom Officer, a site dedicated to helping other moms with money, work, and frugal family life. Every Wednesday she publishes a new interview with a breadwinning, six figure, and/or millionaire mom. Connect with her over on Twitter or Instagram!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Speaking of FIRE, check out this in-depth article on the originals of the FIRE movement. It spans over 800 years, did you know that??? (For those new to the scene, FIRE = Financial independence, Retire Early)

How We’re Reaching Financial Freedom On One Income – Mom’s Income. posted first on http://ift.tt/2lnwIdQ

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heliosfinance · 7 years

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How We’re Reaching Financial Freedom On One Income – Mom’s Income.

******

How did we end up like this? How do you pursue FIRE on one mom’s income? Let me show you…

How It Happened

Finding a job in the depths of the Great Recession that would (1) allow us to continue having someone at home all the time or (2) pay enough to cover daycare expenses proved impossible.

Then, the unthinkable happened. When my husband was 37, five years ago, he almost died of septic shock.

How We Thrive On Mom’s Income

Here are five keys on how we’re able to do it:

#1. Artificial Environment of Economic Scarcity

#2. Income Inflation, and Lifestyle Deflation

Back in crisis mode, I deflated our lifestyle while increasing our income. As they say in the London Underground, “Mind the Gap” – I take that to be the gap between income and spending.

#3. Frugal Fun

#4. Not Caring What Others Think

#5. Crystal Clear Priorities

There’s nothing like a near death experience to clarify the priorities in your life. Buying stuff? Going into debt for a car? Using raises and bonuses to go on fancy vacations or second homes?

Hell no.

Using money to buy mortgage freedom, college funding, and financial independence?

Hell yes.

Moms On FIRE

I started my site specifically to cater to other moms like myself – interested in personal finance and investing, financial independence, family breadwinners, and/or high income earners.

We may still be uncommon, but we’re a growing force in the world.

To other women out there, I say this: whether you’re the breadwinner, earning a high income, a single mom, in debt, a millionaire, or anything else – you too can set yourself on FIRE!

Whatever’s happened in your life, you can overcome it and achieve your wildest dreams. Get clear on your priorities, stop caring what others think, and live your life the way you want!

How We’re Reaching Financial Freedom On One Income – Mom’s Income. published first on http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B

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