The kid will be moving out this winter. She plans to get married once her fiancée graduates BASIC training and move on base with him once he gets things sorted. Here’s a picture of him in training:
The demon Fear has raised its ugly head since I’ve received this notice. She will probably move out mid-winter when the bills are at their highest. Should this come to pass I might have to suspend my investment plan until spring returns just to survive.
Sometimes working for minimum wage sucks.
I’ve gotten rather spoiled with her sharing our household expenses. As a result I’ll have to limit my spending just to make the bills. Since I only bring home about $600 a month from my public job I’ll have less than $100 a month to buy food and supplies while I wait for spring to come back around. I might have to use my book royalties to make things easier, at the cost of my future.
I don’t like that thought. Every penny that I invest takes me that much closer to achieving financial freedom. I miss my freedom. I also don’t like the thought of having to tighten my belt once more. The memory of those two lean years still haunts me.
But that’s okay. I know I can make ends meet regardless. It might be tight but it’s not impossible. Some way, somehow I’ll not only scrape through, I’ll figure out how to continue investing at least a little bit towards my future.
One bright spot: I’ll be able to sleep in a bedroom for the first time in over seven years once the kid moves out. I’ll even be able to rearrange a bit to make this place more usable.
Look on the bright side Annie.
Maybe I’ll stumble across a way to increase my income so things won’t be so tight. Who knows? Anything can happen. In the meantime I am thankful that my daughter is on the verge of a brand-new adventure. I am also thankful that I know how to live extremely cheap. It allows me to survive in situations that would make the average person choke, so despite my fears I know that I will be just fine. I just have to ride the emotional wave.
How do you encourage yourself when fear raises its head? Please share your stories in the comments below.
“This too shall pass” is both the good news and the bad news. Either way it provides hope.
Hope is such a beautiful thing, isn’t it Linda?
I’m losing my public job October 1 and am nervous about how life living on social security will be. I’ve been studying your books to learn how to live on less and still be happy. I’ve been through tough times before so know I can do it. Thank you Annie for sharing the journey…
You are very welcome! I wish you luck on this new journey. I am sure you will be just fine. It might be a challenge, but you will grow stronger from it. Never forget that you can do this! I have faith in you.
“Just keep swimming” That is what you always do, Annie, and I admire that! When fear rears its ugly head, I find myself lost and in a state of panic until I realize that I need to move through it. I once read this, ‘fear is not real. It is the product of thoughts you create. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice.’
It’s normal to be afraid, Cam, yet so many blogs I’ve read tend to gloss over that fact. That’s why I work to be honest even about being scared. I’m not perfect. I’m definitely not some super-hero; perhaps by sharing the raw truth will help someone realize that fear is completely normal.
It is how we deal with our fear that defines us.
Sending hugs, Annie
Being a single mom, as you know is tough, but can be easy to come through in the end. The only time I was on government assistance was when I was married and lived in Las Vegas, on WIC. The program offered a lot and in general had good ideas for recipes. Don’t know if you have tried for govt. assistance, but you pay for it anyway through your taxes so might as well try to get some back by trying to get on the program.
Socks, sweaters, and warm clothing; also extra insulation around pipes to keep from freezing. That is my set up for winter. I have found a good combination for a comfortable winter sleep at night: socks, lightweight sleep pants and a long sleeve t-shirt. If I get too hot I just stick my socked feet out from under the covers for a few minutes and it cools me down, also moving around a bit helps distribute the heat.
Hi Sally!
Right now I would probably qualify for some financial assistance when the kid moves out. If worse comes to worse I’ll definitely consider it. Thanks!
I bundle up in the winter to save on utility bills as well. With the kid gone, I’ll be able to close off that bedroom to save on expenses as well if I have to. As for sleepwear, I’ve reached that age where I’m freezing when I go to bed and I wake up sweltering regardless of temperature. Oh the joys of middle age! I dress lightly and use several light blankets in order to compensate. When I’m cold I pile them on, removing them when I get too warm.
Thanks for reading!
You have always been my champion idol for getting through tough financial situations…!
I am so happy to hear of Katie’s be adventure !! Congratulations to her & her fiancé!!
I am certain you will get through this upcoming winter change…and I certainly will keep you in my hopes and prayers…
I look forward to how this new life shift will inspire new books from you!!
Thank you for always being a great source of inspiration, Annie!
Thank you so very much Kristy!