I’m bored but I’m basically getting paid to exercise…
Variable Expenses Budget: $500.00
Spent Today: $0.00 – Yay!
Variable Budget Remaining: $108.87
October Income Goal: $2,500.00
Earned Today: $132.72*
Earned To Date: $912.36*
Goal Remaining: ($1,587.64)
It finally feels like autumn here in the southern parts of the U.S. and I am far more excited for the turn of weather than anyone around me. The cooler weather is perfect as I begin a two-week gig (I have signed up for the same gig eleven times over the next fourteen days.) This is a pretty rare occurrence in terms of the possibility and my freedom/ability to do it. However, it pays $21.00 an hour and I’m essentially getting paid to exercise; I walk around the outskirts of a large store corralling carts, helping customers load belongings into their vehicles, and providing carts to customers fumbling to carry too many packages. On my first shift, which was cut a bit short due to so few customers, I logged more than 23,000 steps. While this is an usual gig for me to pick up, I couldn’t turn down the steady money and the possibility it created for hitting my October income goal.
Before the gig, I spent a couple of hours doing research for my cover letter for the role at University B. Conducting the research and really thinking through the possibilities for the role has me a bit more excited about it as a possibility than I was previously.
I spent the evening on the phone with Herr Philosopher. Such a smart, clever, and interesting man. And kind. Kindness is something I feel like I have been missing for some time in the context of a romantic relationship. The timing of his appearance makes me a bit…weary. While I am a highly independent person, who enjoys great swathes of time alone, I have been a bit lonely lately and I worry that it is making me a bit more “open” than I would otherwise be. For now, I will try to enjoy getting to know someone new.
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*Income is reported as cash on hand. Some gigs are 1099 gigs (taxes not withheld) and some gigs are W-2 gigs (taxes withheld) and it would be tough to distinguish between the two in a neat way. Instead, I will report cash in hand, and money set aside for taxes and expenses related to gig work will have a budget line item each month.
Ms. Afro Penny 
Hiya 😊. You haven’t meant this new guy in person right?
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Nope…a date is being arranged…made more challenging by the fact that my gig has me overscheduled for the next two weeks…
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Also if I could get paid to exercise, I would do it in a New York second.
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Hello,
I have never been so relieved to hear that someone I’ve never met is applying for a job.
While I would never tell you what to do, I am glad you are applying for the position in University B.
I have worked in Higher Education for 30+ yrs. and it can be quite …well cultish sometimes. While I respect and agree with why you left your former position; I was concerned with the timing.
You left before getting another job, and I have seen great people with gaps in their resume have a really hard time. In addition, the impact on your debt repayment AND how the economy is getting …tense (more than usual).
I would love to see you in a well paying position sooner rather than later.
But, I’m sure so would you 😉
Be blessed.
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👋🏿Let’sthinkaboutthis, thank you for reading my blog and taking the time to comment, it is genuinely appreciated. Everything you wrote is…true. Leaving my previous role before having a new role lined up was a likely not the best financial choice but as of yet, I still have no regrets. In addition to applying to this role at University B, I have also been referred by a former colleague to a role at a large consulting firm. Colleges and universities are probably a better fit in terms of work culture for me but I am trying to be a bit more open. I genuinely appreciate your concern and well wishes and will post any updates as far as the job hunt goes…if nothing else to stay accountable in my search.
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