Back on frugal wagon and other miscellaneous news
Wow did I spend alot of money in June. Stress and disaster is expensive! I more or less depleted my emergency fund, but I suppose that’s what its there for right?
So I need to increase our savings and to do so I’ve joined Chile’s Quit Now Challenge where I promise to eat all but four meals at home. Everything else I do is now a habit so I don’t think we can save any more money there.
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Today I gave notice to our landlord that we’d be vacating in 2 months. So…for the first time in my life I am swimming blind and liking the excitement. My husband and I have three plans and they are:
1. One of us will have a job offer before the end of August in California (maybe L.A.). So we’ll just move and get an apartment and that’ll be that.
2. We’ll just move and then scrounge around for jobs living off our savings until we get jobs. I am not too crazy about this plan because I feel it may mean living in a crappy neighborhood (because that’s where the cheap apartments will be) again. And really, I almost want to live in an exclusive gated community at this point since I am so sick of living in crappy places. I had this grand idea that getting a degree would bring me all this wealth that would enable me to live in nice places. I obviously didn’t count on that pesky value called "ethics" which makes me quit all the lucrative jobs I’ve held to date.
3. Bike trip across the country. This is obviously the more insane idea. But its the one we’re both most excited about even though it goes against all my normal ideas of safety nets and whatnot. If we decide to do it, I’ll write a bit more about this plan.
Then of course is the question, why move at all? Well, I don’t think I’ve mentioned it but I’m ready for a change. Philly is a nice city and everything, but I’m really sick of it. My husband is sick of it. We’ve been here for a long while and both of us has been wanting to move for a while but one thing or the other kept coming up. Now that we don’t have anything holding us back (except my comfy job), its high time we move. There are a million things I hate about this city (moving from neighborhood to neighborhood didn’t help) and I think its me more than the city. Additionally, there might be three of our friends moving to CA in the same time frame as us so that will be exciting.
I know it is stressful but think of the possibilities? You guys could really do ANYTHING! You could bike through Scandinavia if you wanted; why limit yourself to the unfrozen land? This may be the only time in your lives when you will be completely untied down by kids, jobs, businesses, mortgages, etc. Welcome an adventure with open arms.
Comment by organicneedle — July 1, 2008 @ 9:01 am
Change is good. Embrace change - because I’m usually too chicken to do it and someone needs to. Almost always, good things come from change.
Comment by Green Bean — July 1, 2008 @ 10:30 am
Oh, go for the bike trip! I don’t know if it’s really feasible for you financially, but if possible, I’d say go for it. Downsize, put everything in storage, and just do it. I have friends that have had dreams like that. The ones that didn’t follow them still regret it. The ones that did were changed by the experience.
Of course, it takes money and it takes planning. You still have to eat, and with biking, those needs increase.
Oh, and I totally get what you mean about thinking a degree was the magic ticket to a better life and being very disappointed to find out it’s not. I, too, have quit a number of jobs for ethical reasons. Sometimes I think honesty has way too high a price! But, I couldn’t sleep with myself otherwise.
Comment by Chile — July 1, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
I’m with Chile: go for the bike trip. Or something else very exciting and different. I traveled through Latin America for 3 months (a while back), and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It really changed my world view immensely.
Plus I’ve just left LA (after 10 years), and I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad I did! It consumes your soul (unless you’re Arduous), plus the wildfires and droughts are getting worse and worse and it’s not a very green place (except on the surface). Also not very good for your lung health. Seriously.
If you decide to go to California, I highly recommend going to SF. Very eco-friendly, loads of good things going on. Plus loads of awesome green bloggers that would be instant friends!!
Comment by Melinda — July 1, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
The bike trip across the country seems awesome! Go for it. But you will have to find someway to bike and blog, please. We need contstant updates as to your crazy adventure.
Comment by arduous — July 1, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
You’re an amazing and seriously motivational source in my life! The bike trip sounds like fun - you make a valid point I just realized a few months ago or maybe two years ago - a degree would lead to wealth and I’d live wherever I wanted comfortably. So much for that fantasy. I’m hoping to take the plunge and go away for a month myself in September when the flurry of activity has settled down.
Come to San Francisco - Berkeley especially for the produce markets - Monterey market in Berkeley has the most diverse produce you’ll find in an area - dozens of apple varieties, tomatoes and anything you can imagine - seriously. Also come to Sf for our famous sourdough bread, touristy farmers market, bi-rite for the salted caramel ice cream (so local), tartine for the sweets and our array of competing indian food joints - no naan n curry but the real stuff.
Comment by sfordinarygirl — July 1, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
O wow. This is very encouraging. One reason we want to do it is because there may not be such an opportunity later on. And who know what sort of random ailment might befall us later that could really prevent us from making such a trip.
We were talking about heading to Oregon and then biking down the West Coast so the San Francisco area. But not sure yet of the specifics.
Thanks SF! Your observations from your volunteer vacation really made me reconsider what I wanted to do in the next few years. So you’ve been very inspiring as well.
Comment by Beany — July 1, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
I can feel for you, not liking where you live. I’ve been there before and I know how it can effect your life in other, very sneaky sorts of ways! I really liked a lot of things IN Georgia, but never actually liked LIVING there.
I’m not sure if you care about an ex-Californian’s opinion on the matter, but I feel obligated to warn you about the crushing weight CA can have. It’s more subtle in the SF area, but still very much exists there too. Honestly, I never noticed it until I left CA. I don’t know exactly how to explain it. There’s just something about the psyche - from the Gold Rush to present day. It’s a great place for optimistic dreamers, entrepreneurs. It obviously works for a lot of people. But not for me. Despite my desire to be close to family and friends in the Bay Area, I cannot envision moving back there.
I could go on and on about how much I love Portland. But Portland doesn’t work for everyone either. If you are in town, I’d love to meet up!
Comment by natalie — July 2, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
oooh the biking trip sounds fun! whatever you end up doing, enjoy! what a great opportunity this is! I’m currently half-heartedly searching for jobs, and I too have realized that ethics can be an almost crippling force when it comes to a career. not sure yet what to do about that.
Comment by melissa — July 2, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Ah, ethics schmethics, we all know money is what matters! Having just moved I WOULD feel sorry for you but I remember you saying you aren’t taking anything so you don’t have to pack and drive a truck and all. Besides, moving really is fun and exciting. I love change- remind me to tell you about living on an island in the South Pacific sometime.
I’m excited for you two.
Comment by equa yona — July 2, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Natalie: My secret desire (now not so secret) is to live in Portland. I love their biking culture, their microbrews, the…well everything I’ve heard of anyway. But I promised my husband a year on the beach. And I keep promises.
Thanks for the kind words equa yona!
Comment by Beany — July 2, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
California would be wonderful. My hubby (who is from california) and I have talked about it so many times. Hope you both find GREAT jobs!
Comment by Heather @ SGF — July 3, 2008 @ 7:33 am
Thanks Heather
Comment by Beany — July 3, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
Perhaps my critique of CA is a bit harsh. If I really think about it, I do feel lucky that I got a chance to live there. (But I’m more thankful that I don’t any longer. If that makes sense?) I hope you enjoy! And please, please keep your promise to your husband.
Comment by natalie — July 3, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Can’t wait to see what you think of our fine state should you decide to make the move. Either way, the change will be refreshing, no matter what you choose to do. Wishing you luck . . .
Comment by m — July 4, 2008 @ 2:05 am