This may be just an odd quirk of mine (I have many) but I have a hard time talking to people about weight and money. I can blab on forever about anything else but these two things make me clam up. I'm thinking because they are embarrassing to me that I have a hard time. Or, I don't want people to know that I have problems with both.
But, I'm taking the step and putting this out there because I want to hold myself accountable. I shared with you all of things I'm looking forward to in 2013 but I didn't share my actual resolutions. Mostly, because I didn't want to bog this blog (ha) down with negative things. I looked at some of my pictures from when I first started blogging and I realized there are skirts/pants/tops that I have not worn since then because they don't fit. There are a lot of bloggers that are posting about what they are eating, how they are working out, what they weigh, etc. Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a nutrition/exercise blog. I might post a list of blogs that I'm finding inspirational and let you follow along with them. I do want to post little updates on how I'm doing just so I can give myself a pat on the back. From my heaviest, I'm down about 8 lbs so far even after the holidays. I'm pretty proud about that since I was sick and haven't been to the gym in a while. I'm going to start trying to get back to the gym and get a routine going. Hopefully, I can keep the trend going! I'm trying to be down at least 15 before I go to Europe.
Also, I'm not doing well on the money front. For some reason, this is the hardest to admit. I'm in some serious debt and I have a huge trip planned that is going to cost a bunch of money. Not good. All of my expenses seem to be going up (mortgage, association dues, etc) but I'm not making any more money. However, I'm meeting with my parents this weekend to help me figure out a budget and I've been looking for ways to make some extra cash. I'm going to apply for a part time job this week to help out with some bills. I've gone on to a bunch of websites that pay for surveys or taste tests and signed up for those. I'm seeing if any of my friends want portraits done as well. I don't charge much for them currently but it will be good practice and every little bit helps, right? Any other suggestions about what you all are doing to save money would be great.
This is now out for the world to see... eek!
Weight and money seem to always be two of my biggest issues - I'm finally doing well with money. Not so well with the weight part. Gah.
ReplyDeleteI understand being uncomfortable with these two topics - they are very personal! The money thing I think is common among our age group. We just bought a book that sounds kind of interesting - "How to Save for Retirement without Living Like a Pauper or winning the lottery" or something along those lines, I'll let you know if it's good/helpful!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the weight - when the weather is nicer I'm always down for meeting for walks!
Isn't it hard to talk about these things? You don't want to be a bummer, but pretending everything is dandy doesn't quite seem right.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone though! I've got part time jobs and budget setting swimming around in my brain at top speeds. One piece of advice: charge for your portraits! Even if you don't feel comfortable charging a "professional" price, set something small! You are a great photographer and your subjects are getting a photo that they might not be able to take on their own. That's worth something! And you're awesome!!!
Thanks! This makes me feel better. I do charge something small but I feel weird begging people to get portraits done :) Good luck with your head swimming too. I bet freelancing can get pretty stressful!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally down for some walks this spring/summer! Definitely let me know what you think about the book and I'll get it from the library (see, saving money!). I'm not even worried about retirement right now but I guess I should be. I do have a 401K set up so hopefully that will be enough for now.
ReplyDeletewell, good luck with the weight part, you can do it! I'm hoping writing this post can motivate me so hopefully it can motivate you too!
ReplyDeleteThese are two very personal topics that cause many people tons of stress. Of course they are hard to talk about, but it is good to get things out there sometimes. I think that, oftentimes, it can help. And just know that you are not alone! I would love to do some fun activities with you to help with both of our weight loss. Walks, dance parties...whatever! And I would be happy to hang out and do free stuff with you, too. We don't have to spend money to have fun, right? We are always here to listen and help. You don't have to be embarrassed around the birds. Congrats on your weight loss and on working on the budget! YOU CAN DO IT!
ReplyDeleteAlso, we will be needing new family photos soon! :) xoxo.
Sometimes talking about things is a good way tackle the problem head on.
ReplyDeleteAbout five years ago, I decided to get a part-time job. It has helped out a lot. Besides the extra money, it has brought me in contact with many new people and experiences. I have had my main job for 16 years and having the part-time job helps me keep things fresh. Also, I found out that my part-time job has a pension, dental and medical and I will be fully vested at ten years (woo hoo), not a bad side benefit. So I am now looking at having two retirements with double medical and dental when I retire.
So, you never know what a part-time job will lead you in life.
I was just thinking about how those who thrift may often have overspending issues. Shopping is my weakness, so I turned to budget options. But I still have the tendency to go overboard. Fortunately, I think I'm on track to pay off debt (mostly school debt) in the next few years, but it's so stressful to have that looming over you and to feel like you have no control over bills/spending habits. - Leah, wisestyle.wordpress.com
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