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Compared to my parents, I feel a little sheepish about complaining about work. They came to this country as immigrants and were able to raise three children, send them all to college, on a very meager and often sporadic income. Yet, as I punched the clock at my desk job for the last five years, I began to wonder is that what I signed up for?
Of course it is, but the benefits I was reaping from it were no longer enough. Between juggling the care for two young children, working full-time, and trying to keep the house from looking like a tornado hit it – well it was all a little overwhelming. Throw in some medical issues for one of the little ones, and aging parents to boot, we were in the middle of one heck of a stressful intergenerational sandwich.
I decided that this is the year to make some big changes. Having endured the financial hardships that we did as kids, I couldn’t give up earning my own income. It’s not about the title or the perks, but just knowing we had a back-up plan in case one of us loses our job or decides we just can’t take it anymore (hopefully, not at the same time). The bills would still have to be paid, groceries for the table, and a dry roof over our heads.
So step one, I decided to seek employment that would allow me to work at home full time (or at least a majority of the time). Luckily, I have a former boss who is willing to give it a shot. It’s new to her and to me. We will likely have to work out the kinks together, but I would be giving up a lengthy commute and gaining back about two hours a day. In addition, I would be saving on the coffee that I buy at the nearest coffee stand and the breakfast and lunches that I also spend money on. Most of all, I will be giving up the trips to the mall close to work, where I indulge in the all too regular retail therapy to help cope with an especially stressful or slow day at work.
Naturally, with the switch to a smaller company, I was giving up my premier full coverage health insurance. Although, I would be getting coverage at the new company, it just couldn’t match the buying power of the international company that I am leaving. What now? Well, the obvious answer was to avoid paying more for medical costs by just getting healthier. I have started an easy to follow exercise plan. Thirty minutes of running, walking, dancing or whatever aerobic activity that I can do either in the morning before work or that I can squeeze in during lunch.
To both save money (I am embarrassed to admit just how much leftovers and uncooked produce that we would throw out to the compost bin each week) and to make healthy eating easier, I enrolled in a meal service. At the recommendation of a friend, I signed up for a service call Sun Basket. I must say, it is very easy to follow and my family actually likes it. A big win, as we make the transition to healthy eating together. Their low-carb diet has just enough flavor and variety to keep things interesting.
There are other changes in the works, but this is what I’ve got so far. It’s a whole life thing. As I make positive changes in one area after another, I am starting to see the ripple effects in other parts of my life. It’s a work in progress, as they say. I still have so much to figure out, but the tide has turned and I feel like I have the momentum it takes to keep it going this time around.
Walking away...
One step at a time