An Airstream and the wind and my guy
Since May, I've been on vacation from my part-time job. I was a bit apprehensive about not having my 'fun' money but I was also excited about having some time to enjoy other interests. Being off has yeilded two huge payoffs: time to write and time to be home, unhurried sharing space with my guy.
Back to the money. I'm a lousy money manager and I'm getting better. My guy is very good with money. When I told him I was concerned, he told me not to worry. During this extended weekend we talked about how this past week had been leaner than most (because he pays every bill on time in full). He asked me what has changed since I've been off. Have I eaten less, felt deprived, has our standard of living taken a hit? The reality is actually the opposite. Paying closer attention to how I spend money and having less of it has meant having more: more time together, better food, more peace.
Being off, I've been actually cooking for him. Our meals are simple and satisfying. We eat together more often and we talk. We have always enjoyed simply talking and we have so much more time to enjoy each other's views. I don't miss shopping like I thought I would. And when I do want or need something, I now happily enjoy thrifting. I'm still purging. When I bring something in, something is going out. And more goes out that in.
For a recent writing prompt, I wrote about getting an Airstream and following the road with no map. DH read my piece and asked why not? We're looking forward to changing our address and lifestyle. Dear Daughter needs us now but not forever, and when we're sure she's okay, we're out of here. I'm not talking wishful, daydreaming either. I've started my homework, checking out used Airstreams and looking at double-wides, too. DH has a patch of land far away to be free of busyiness and close enough that we can buy groceries and supplies.
More later. I need to resume some purging because a tin can doesn't hold much, and all I need to hold onto has two legs and a big heart. I'm getting ready for a road trip.
Join us
Sounds fantastic! Money is hard for us creative types, but everybody has different strengths. it really helps when you meet someone who makes the hard stuff seem less daunting or even exciting.
ReplyDeleteTrue and yes, we capitalize on my other talents.
ReplyDeleteSounds very nice, La Tonya. But sometimes part-time jobs can be social.
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Newspaper on Saturday nights. I will always remember those pleasant evenings. I also remember my other PT job, parking cars in a high-rise car park. Not so social but I was alone with the radio in some pretty fancy cars, ones I never will be able to own.
You will always remember yours.
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that sounds like a very cool adventure...i hope you do it...it is the kind of life i would love to live...money...i used to make a jack load of it when i worked for the bank...6 digits at the peek...walked away from it though because there are def things in life more important...and we've never gone hungry...and had to live lean...and even our boys have come to understand its not about things...and if its important enough we save to get it...
ReplyDeleteThat has always been a dream of mine, too. Go for it!
ReplyDelete:o) Very cool! I echo Mama Z: Go for it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure to look forward to! I have been purging my home also. So many years of junk cluttering my closets. My husband and I had some tough years when we were raising our girls, but we were creative and the girls didn't ever complain about not having the things their friends possessed. Looking forward to your tales and poetry from your Airstream!
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ReplyDeleteI never was one to hold on to things. Wasn't inculcated with the notion that things made me 'happy'.
But I aso lived to dream in th moment and in the place I was at. Things and desird notions have a tendency to tether one. Never really 'wished' to travel to a particular place to live my life. I learned that who one shares the moment with is the journey in the dream.
Traveling, though, and physically leaving 'things' behind is a nice noton.
I agree with Mama Zen and Mary, 'go for it'!
that's 'notion'.
DeleteThe desire isn't to arrive at some place for me, it's experiencing the world that is living. There is more to life than where we reside And if you've ever been in a space that is stifling, unsafe or unwelcoming, well then that's a whole other matter. The larger message here isn't about a vacation, it's about living the life you want.
DeleteYOu're absolutely correct and your notion, I Love :-)
ReplyDeleteOf course we have to work so we can pay for those adventures and good food, but there's most certainly something to be said for doing what you love and loving what you have. I would much rather be poor and happy than have a ton of money but no time or appreciation for the benefits it might bring (then again, I might not mind testing that theory...) Anyway, go for it and have fun! Plus, road trips bring with them blog fodder ;)
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to read your post! My partner and I started embracing Minimalism almost a year ago after I stumbled upon Joshua Becker's blog, Becoming Minimalist. http://www.becomingminimalist.com/ Since that time, we have down-sized our possessions by more than half. We too have a dream to take it on the road. I love old Airstreams, but they're a little out of our budget. We've been looking at Dolphins and Chinooks : ) Life is short. I want to enjoy every bit! I can't wait to hear more about your plans and preparations. Best of luck! xo Karen
ReplyDeleteHi Pchef, I don't know if it'd be an actual Airstream and we're thinking used whatever it is. I only started purging around May? My guy is lives lean. It's just me who needs to let go. Over time I believe I'll possess only those things I truly love and need. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteIt's good to take a break and slow down, enjoy life and each other. The road trip sounds marvelous!
ReplyDeleteI love this spirit of adventure.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome! I'm a big believer in minimalism. The more stuff you have the more stuff you have to worry about...
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome. I don't think many of us are brave enough to let go. Jobs give us security, but they also take away so much freedom and flexibility. It's great you have the luxury to enjoy life even more when you're not bound to working.
ReplyDeleteWill be curious to hear how your "no map" experience goes!
Daniel, I'm still working and now have a grandbaby on the way. I don't have the luxury of not working, simply making plans and taking action to leave what I do now for something else. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteGot it, so it's a matter of working LESS rather than not working!
DeleteI was in Santa Ana some years ago and met a young couple that quit their jobs, sold their house and everything else and used the money to go travel around the world. The guy had lost both of his legs when he was 19 years old, and he was the one behind the whole idea. Found that so inspiring!
Hope your plans work out the way you want them to. Also, thanks for dropping by the blog and the nice comment. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
What a fantastic goal. Best of luck with the road trip someday. I liked your message about minimalism. I am pretty good about not buying a bunch of stuff that I don't need, but I still tend to hang on to a lot of things I don't need. Getting rid of the clutter and storage is a work in progress.
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