Between applying for a new job, networking, and social obligations, I have been a bit overbooked the past few days…

Variable Expenses Budget: $500.00
Spent Today: $42.62 – October 20th through October 23rd
Variable Budget Remaining: $11.49

October Income Goal: $2,500.00
Earned Today: $356.06 – October 20th and October 21st
Earned To Date: $1,580.12*
Goal Remaining: ($919.88)

The weekend felt like it began on Thursday and didn’t end until this morning…

On Thursday, I worked all day at the big-box-store gig and then met with a former colleague about a job opening at her organization. It was a pretty cheap meeting and led to her submitting an employee referral for me. On Friday, I worked in the morning and then spent the afternoon with a colleague who helped me think more about the role at University B and the “vision summary” I need to submit with my cover letter and resume. Friday evening was spent at a wine and paint night with former colleagues from University B who updated me on changes at the university. I spent Saturday morning volunteering and afterward, I had a very, very late lunch with a student I used to advise to talk about his financial picture. He has financially irresponsible parents who used his credit when he was a minor and siblings for whom he provides some financial support. He is only 25. He went to University B for free so the small amount of debt he has is commercial and can be dealt with but the strains on his income are significant. My plan is to sit him down over the next couple of weeks and have the conversation with him I wish someone had had with me when I was 25.

Saturday evening was spent on the couch at a friend’s/former colleague’s apartment as we continued to chatter about University B and we relaxed. Sunday was spent at my parents’ home visiting with family who are visiting from the northeast. Today began early with a six-hour online “retreat,” I write now during the lunch break…

The amount I have left to earn this month to hit my income goal is a little less than $1,000 but seems attainable as I am scheduled to work at the big-box store every day this week, except today as I am working for University B. Ultimately, I think I will be just shy of reaching my income goal…

My remaining variable budget is almost non-existent. However, I think when all is said and done I will likely come in about $10.00 over budget but I am cutting myself a bit of slack as a lot of gas went towards transportation to gigs and going to my parents’ home three weekends this month.

Okay, now that I am all caught up on the money front, I will share some social/personal concerns in my post for today…
—
*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.