Bret Favre stage...

You know what I mean, retired, un-retired, retired..  and now completely UN-retired.

I am beat.  I took this Friday morning kind of slow because I'm just whooped.  I am having trouble getting the amount of work I have scheduled done in the time frame I want because I'm out of shape, and it being 93 degrees with a 100 degree comfort index isn't helping much either.

As I was talking with a friend of mine who I often hire to help me out (laid off, 4 kids, decent sized home payment, 2 newer cars, etc) the subject of working less of course came up.  His wife is in a teaching type position where she works 9 months and is off 3 months, but gets paid across the summer.  He feels like she should get a summer job of course.. (And I'm the one single!!!  sheesh)

But finally the point..  Why not work every day like this and "get all the money".  Well, I don't want "all the money".  Also, something I think I've never mentioned, is that I have 2 friends who retired, one had a minor medical procedure done while still on his company insurance, and died of it, 5 days before retirement.  No telling where "all the money" went with him.   Another friend of mine retired.  He was pretty active for awhile, but slowly spent more and more time on the couch, and passed away 2 yrs after a 40 year career.  I know where "All the money" went in his case, I'm friends with his children and they inherited nicely, and I'm sure that pleased my friend.  But, I don't think 2 yrs on the couch was the plan.

My point..I have to resist these urges to hug the couch on my down time.   Which has a lot to do with the loads of work I put on myself in my Bret Favre stages of un-retirement because I put too much on myself.
See the balance problem?   So I guess my "system" does have its flaws but I don't intend to go back to a 9 to 5 anytime soon.  I think double scheduling jobs will be a thing of the past.. after I knock this one out.  I also think my retired phases need to have a hobby (paying or not) or some kind of activity planned.

I have a friend who is burning her candle at more than both ends.  I think she's got a hot spot in the middle as well!  It kind of made me realize my own balance.  My much sought after "personal time", or retired stages, don't have the quality they can if I'm always recovering from a huge surge of work after sitting on my ass for extended periods.

Options.  Well obviously I can be in better shape, and that NEEDS to happen.   Are you listening, ME?
Hobbies need to be re-ignited.  I have a vehicle I want to rehab.  I've considered getting back into the real estate game, get me a fixer upper home.
And I'm thinking of learning to fly.  Not in a plane.  More like a flying squirrel.. by jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.

And maybe I'll do NONE of that, because I'm already stressed over that like its a to-do list.  Or maybe I'll do some of it, and something else.. or some of it and nothing else.   Balance.

I tried to stand on a friends balance board.  Its a board slightly wider than a shoulder width stance, on a log like tube.  The object to balance by standing on the board on top of the log.  What I found out is you don't get up on it and stand there balanced.  You have to continually adjust.. a little this way, then a little that way, and when you can do it without over correcting one way or the other, then you were balancing. 

So thats my goal.. I need to swing a little more to the active side because I don't want to just die (hopefully metaphorically) while I'm retired.  But I don't want to over correct and work 2 jobs all the time either.

Fat checks though.  I do remember the consumerism trap!  What can I buy???  Burning a hole in my pocket!!!

Geo Arbitrage for us semi retirees.

I just saw the term recently on a blog I have followed for years.  I don't know how 'linking' is done properly so I'm not going to link, but the blog is titled "Early Retirement Extreme".  Anyways, that was the term and this is the following description...

4. Geo-Arbitrage

Geo-Arbitrage, loosely, is when you generate income in a country with a high-value currency and spend it somewhere with a low-value currency. To the business tycoon, this might mean purchasing goods in China to sell in America or setting up an Indian call centre to serve clients in England. My experience in geo-arbitrage was far more modest: I simply generated money in Scotland (through work) and moved to Canada, where British money goes a little further than the Canadian dollar. The C$450 I spend from savings per month took me only a week to earn in Scotland. I’d advise anyone to do the same thing: work somewhere lucrative for a while and relocate to somewhere vibrant and cheap, while maintaining a minimalist and frugal lifestyle.

Now if you want to see an extreme example of this I highly recommend George and Tioga. Again, google and you shall find.. but George lived in the high dollar state of California, and retired with very little income and means to support himself, so he bought Ms Tioga, his RV, and went on his vagabonding adventures.  He now mostly lives in Mexico, and blogs fully of his lifestyle.. right down to his income and expenses.  What a life he lives now, compared to retired and near destitute to maintain a 'life' in California.

But back to me.. because really, this IS all about me, right?  :)  I live in what is probably the most expensive part of the state of Kansas. But don't get me wrong, in most cities there are still affordable places to live.  And forget for a moment that I own my "building" and rent pays most of my overhead.  Even assuming it did not, with my room mate, and the going "rent" I would still be able to live here fully for under 600 per month.

So my "geo arbitrage" was more of a Situational arbitrage.  I created a situation where I already was that I could live how I wanted.  My formula works more in the way that I've created a VERY inexpensive way of living, and I make a VERY high income relative to my expenses.  Would my income cover your expenses or be considered high to you?  That doesn't really matter, it more than covers mine, even if I only work 4 or 5 days a month.  Was it easy?  No way.  In fact, in certain ways it was forced. (which I shall touch on very soon in a new post)  But it can be done, and it can be done about anywhere.  But if you can really take advantage of the GEO part... and why couldn't you in this world of the far reaching internet..  how bad would it be to sit on the beach in Mexico every winter spending dollars made in the US or some other high overhead country?  Ask George, american money still goes a long way in Mexico.

Working less... Semi Retired.. need to Live more

I have 2/3 of the title of my blog down.  I'm definitely working less, which is basically semi retired so I do realize the redundancy.   What I'm not doing much of is living.  I  mean sure, I have my interests and I pretty much do what I want.. but I'm also a worrier. 

I worry about my money and remaining in my semi retired state.  Like I had posted earlier, I got back down to one car, and made a pretty good deal on another, so my "stash" is back up to mostly healthy.  Also I have secured an amount of work that would take me OUT of the semi retired status for a month or two.  All of this will combine to stuff my bank account, at least for the foreseeable future, so why do I worry so much about spending a little on living?

Well, the fact is, you can have a pretty good life without spending a ton of money.

Some things I'd like to do more of revolve around just getting out of the house and out into nature, nature not always being the forest or the lake, but just out into human nature as well.  And that doesn't have to tap into your savings.   I can go to the local swimming pool for just a few dollars.. and who doesn't know about the wildlife you can often view there?!?!  I have three dogs, and I admit taking all three can be a chore and next to impossible, but I can take turns, and get them out for walks, trips to the dog park, the lake, and even over to the pet store when its time for supplies.  They would dig that for sure.

I am dipping into the stash for a poker tournament this weekend.  I love poker but consider the expense unjustifiable even though I occasionally win and have some decent skills.  But I've abstained for several months and I feel like I'm due.  I will keep you posted on the results.

So those are some of the things I'd like to do more of.  What do you do on a budget that makes life enjoyable to you?

Terms like retirement or employed don't have to be permenant.

Right now I have a load of work coming on that is probably going to last the rest of the summer.
And that's ok.  We all know the story of the squirrel and the grasshopper... and I prefer to be the squirrel.
I need to get some "nuts" stored up for the long cold winter.. and starving or freezing has never been the intent of my semi-retired frugal ways.

My point today is that people tend to look at phases of their lives as definite.  I'm retired. I don't work. Or on the other hand.. I'm a ________. Fill in the blank.  But you are defined by your status.  

I just don't agree with such hard and fast lines in my life.  Right now I'm going to be fully employed.  And it's healthy, as I need to get functioning, in better shape, fatten up the bank account.. and  just generally change the gears of my life right now... keep it fresh!   Those of you sitting in the same cubicle, waiting for one of your four weeks of vacation, or at least the weekend, know what I'm talking about.   How nice it would be for a change.. something FRESH.

Well, I was mostly retired all winter.  I've been semi-retired all spring as I dealt with some medical issues.  And now I need to work, for the winter will be here before we know it and in my line of work and skill, work is just not as readily available.

I will say this.. I don't know what field you're in, or skills you possess, or your desire to live a life of more change..(change sucks sometimes)..  but back to my point.  I basically ran a few craigslist ads, put the word out to my social circle that I was looking for a little work, and within weeks I am booked for the summer with some jobs possibly becoming recurring maintenance contracts.

The bottom line, I'm in control of my life.. in as much as the levels of work, the length of work, and even the work I decide to take.   Does it scare me in between times of such income, and times of semi-retirement? 
Yes.. it still does.  But my confidence grows over time,  just like with anything.

So what are you doing today?   I'm going to replace a shower door, and work on a remote controlled entry gate to an apartment parking lot.   Its a nice sunny day.   Not bad.

What to do when you get fired...

Well, I guess I can't get fired, because I QUIT! haha.

But I've had a month where I didn't get too much done. Maybe how you might feel if all of a sudden your income was shut off.

Well if you've lowered your expenses then there's not a lot to worry about. And I believe having these big houses, and big new cars, and these rooms full of items that made you feel better at purchase, but now sit around taking up space...are all about attachment.

Last month I bought a truck. It was a truck for which I've been searching quite long. It has everything I wanted, which was very specific and why the search took so long. I was very gratified to let a few thousand dollars out of my grip! haha (if you only knew). But now that I own it, I find that it's not as exciting as the search, and its not really perfect.. and life is not really that much better for owning it.

So luckily, even though I wanted this truck badly.. I still bought it as my personality led me.. which means I drove a hard bargain and I believe I bought the truck at the right price.

Which means, I think the search is back ON, because said truck is for sale, and I expect to make 700-1000 profit because of how I bought it, and how I will market it.

So even though I spent the month "fired"... I have options. I'm not attached to my possessions, and in fact, I rather enjoy the feeling of want, and pursuit.. and so in a way, that pursuit produced an income, and because my expenses are low, probably 2 months of income, doing something I like, for a couple hours (the buying and selling, not the search).

Anyone want a shortbed chevrolet silverado, in the 90's OBS style? V8 automatic. Pretty hard to find, and I'll make you a great deal.. ;)

New Blog Title

Well, since all 6 of my readers are just reading, I came up with a blog title myself... cmon guys! At least tell me what you think of it.

I think it's more honest. I work. I have "jobs". I just have a lot less than most people, which allows me the time to live more.

Now, semi retired? Depends on how serious you take the word "retired". I think you can retire many times. It doesn't have to be a one time event.

So anyways... how was my week? Well, I was fully retired this week. I am wrapping up a few medical issues that hindered my ability to work in my field and expect to be a little busier next week.

And that's what my blog is about. I didn't ask for time off, I didn't have to have a mandatory Dr appointment, and I didn't have to stress out over what my boss or co-workers thought about my inability to work for over a week.

You might say.. I didn't make any money. Yea. You would be mostly correct.. and correct enough that explaining is moot.. I didn't make any money. And I bet I STILL will have more left over at the end of this months expenses than most people. And if you think NOT.. I bet you don't know that a larger percentage of people than you think earn LESS than their monthly expenses, and are living on credit.

So anyways.. I just have to get this darn medical thing cleared up so when I'm semi-retiring, I'm not laid up on my ass!!

For my next posting trend, I think I'm going to touch on how I was FORCED into this minimalist lifestyle I talk about here. It's not really easy to go against the grain... swim upstream.. step outside of the box. And I admit, given a choice I probably wouldn't have done it either.

Life kinda helped me along... and thats where I think I'm going next.

Also, happy to start a discusssion.. anyone? Buehler? Buehler? Buehler?

Thinking of changing the title of my blog...

I hear you.. I do have a JOB. Not every day, not every week, but I make money by having a job, and then the job is over. So actually I have a LOT of jobs.

I guess my intent when I started this job was that I didn't have a full time job. A "9 to 5" job. Something with seniority, or tenure, or really, responsibility.

But I am beginning to concur, my blog title is a little mis-leading.

So, aside for asking for your help with readers and participants... I"m looking for a new title for the blog.

Please, suggestions and comments in the section below.

Some of my thoughts...

Living on Less

Semi Retired Minimalist

Making it with a part time job

I hate having a job (OK, just kidding. sorta)

Live by doing what you love

And you can see MY trend.. but what do you get from what I'm saying?
Please leave your comments. Love for SOMEONE to bust my comment cherry!
Come on, you know you wanna.. there will only be one..

Extended leave of absence...

Sorry for being gone... But it was kind of nice to not have to ask anyone for time off, being on any supervisors crap list, nor worry about how I'm going to make it without a salary for a few weeks.

I developed a skin infection, probably caused by staph, which resulted in a few very painful skin lesions. Basically I've been unable to sit (butt) or walk (knee) for a few weeks, but I seem to have turned the corner and making a recovery. Hopefully the dent in my ass where Staph decided to have a picnic will smooth over for the most part.

Just wanted to say that I hope to be back regular immediately, or soon. I do have a few jobs backed up obviously and need to get em done for this months operating expenses.

Also, have been hoping for some new readers, and I really don't know how to market or network, but would like to maybe have some discussions, or maybe a guest post, or something of that nature.. so if you're one of my few readers, and think you might know someone who'd enjoy this topic, please invite them to stop by, and everyone, please feel free to make a comment, suggestions, or even start a topic. I'd love the participation.

Dave.

Some of my favorite blogs

About living cheaply, read about George and Tioga! I've been reading this blog for years. George has no secrets about how he lives in paradise, leading the vagabond life in his golden years. He discloses ways of living on less, and even discloses his full balance sheet monthly.
http://blog.vagabonders-supreme.net/

Another blog I frequent is by a young man who has retired in his mid 30's. He also gets right down to the numbers and how he accomplished this feat and tells you how you can do the same. No matter your income, the math remains the same. I'm also a fan of how he lives affordably in 232 SF of living space with his wife and small dog. Check Jacob out at..
http://earlyretirementextreme.com/

And just one more for today. Talk about working from anywhere. This young man has figured out the way of the new world. He has lived in more cities in this last year than in his previous entire lifetime. Check out Everett Bogue at..
http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/

Information is power! Charge yourself!

PS. I am looking for blog post ideas. Do you have any specific questions? Would you like me to talk about how I deal with certain aspects of a semi retired/employed lifestyle? Please email me or drop me a comment below. Have an idea for a guest post? I'd love to talk with you about it.

How to make money by not spending money

The best way to get a raise is to spend less!

Lifestyle. Thats a pretty broad word. I don't intend to cover my entire life in one blog post, but I wanted to talk about how I live.

I've mentioned in a post that I live in a duplex, and I rent out the other side which covers 70% of my house payment. I also have a roommate that pays the remainder or my house payment which leaves me with utilities, cable, internet access and my cell phone. As I've said before, my entire monthly budget is WELL under $500.00.

Some things I do to further trim my budget.

I buy work shirts, tshirts, and sometimes even very nice dress shirts at my local Goodwill and Salvation Army Thrift Stores. You'd be surprised in our throw away society what can be found in your local thrift store.

I've been cutting my own hair for over 15 years. I know it seems like such a small thing, and maybe some of you ladies will draw the line on this one.. but for me, its very simple, very easy, and I've never had one comment good or bad about my cuts.

I RARELY eat out. Before you begin your whine about how convenient this is, let me say that I eat very well, and I still have treats.. and I have no problem maintaining my weight of 175 at ALL times. I am 6 feet tall.

I have mentioned that I have no credit cards, and no car payments. I realize you may not be there now, but you can get there if you want to bad enough. I was forced there by circumstances like divorce, job loss, and some job disability. Those are very motivating factors, but you don't need that kind of motivation to reach the same goal.

One of my next moves which I'll write about in my next blog is finding a low priced home, fixer upper, must-sell or some similar situation involving a great price on a home. Why you say, when I'm living so cheaply? Well, I can get an additional FULL rent on the unit I'm living in, and if I buy properly this will help pay my mortgage on my new property, and increase my equity building efforts by paying off another asset.

I'll go over the numbers I'll be trying to attain in my next post. Come back, I'd love your comments on my ideas. Still waiting for my first!

Remember, I'm not a financial planner, and not telling you how to make fast money, or get rich quick on the internet. Just telling you how I live on what I have, which I believe is very minimal compared to todays standards.

Another Funday Monday!.. but might work a little tomorrow...

Being your own boss

Well, not much has changed.

That big chunk of work we picked up off a one weekend post in Craigslist Barter section is still keeping us busy.. busier than we would like to be.

And here is where its hard to have a "no job" mentality but a contract responsibility to a client.

So we're busy this week trying to be work like. And I know this part is whats so contradictory to the title of my blog, and I've often thought of changing it. But I really don't have a job. I have a task I agreed to perform for someone for a set task.

So let me say what I DON'T have that I might have with a job.
I will not be taxed on this job, at least until I spend the money.
I will not have insurance provided on this job.
I will not be paid more or less based on how many hours I put in on this job, I am committed to my word and my bid.
I will not be guaranteed any work beyond the scope of this one bid.

So, is it a job. Yes, by Websters definition I'm sure it is a job. But I'm talking about a career I guess. ANd even if your career seems like a job, if you're locked into doing it every day then it is your career, at least for now, even if it is delivering pizzas.

I had a last minute Dr appointment today. I did not call anyone, I did not ask to be off, I am not in trouble, and I absolutely am not worrying about it. In fact I"m sitting on my couch after eating lunch at home, pondering even going to the "job" at all today. My client is ok with it. I do great work, gave her a great price, don't take any money up front, and have lived up to my word. (remember, never over promise and you'll never have to "explain")

So, that's where we're at today. Punch list on a friends rental, and some deck repair, and a bathroom finish. Will keep you posted on hours involved and profit.. See how my estimate stacks up.

I enjoy thinking of the stress I miss out on by not having to ask for time off from my postal supervisor. Ahhhhh.

Busy schedule for being semi retired.

Remember, I said I'm going to try and post at least every other day, and I intend to give it every effort.

But this week I have a full sheet.

From a craigslist ad I am installing about 160 feet of privacy fence. I was negotiated a little cheap for this job, and honestly with what else has popped up I may have to pass on this one. We have reached a number of $1100 for 3 days of work for 2 guys. I know, not too shabby, but digging 30 fenceposts is NOT why I got into a minimal living situation. Jury is out on this one.

Also picked up 2 smaller interior repair jobs involving paint, drywall, texturing from a craigslist ad posted in the BARTER section. I love bartering and have posted recently about it, please look for it in my post archives.

And I have a punch list for a rental move in involving those small irritating tasks that never seem to get done.. door stops, cleaning, trim, paint touch ups.. etc.

So whats the numbers on this week? I think an interesting thing to do is to estimate it now, and come back and revisit this next Monday, and see how close I am.

The fence on hold for now, I think it is about 30 hours, and about 900 dollars, cash or trade. I hope to do a little better if more of the pay is in trade, but stay tuned, lets see how this turns out.

Living on 1 days wage

I like that title. I find that I can create acceptable writing style and grammar but I'm not the most creative individual in the web. OK.. pat pat pat my own back, but now on the the post.

Thanks social networking.

Lets start with Facebook. I have a 140 friends on my list. And just like a lot of you I would hardly talk to many of them except that I know them from my past. School mostly, but some friends and acquaintances from way back then.. and yes, most of the EX'S.. who unfortunately do not live in Texas!
I saw a friend post her status update one morning about needing a deck power washed for her parents in a city near me. I dropped her a line and was hired immediately. $200.00 to power wash a good sized deck. I gave her a respectable price, they were happy to pay me and we had a great time catching up. Any job that starts and ends with a hug is a pretty good job.

Well, lo and behold, the neighbors that stared at us all morning weren't just being nosey. They were watching our work... and guess who called yesterday? I will be washing their deck tomorrow. Still under priced, but for 300.00. Will it be a "HUG" job? Probably not, but they are happy with our price, and they already know I do great work. Who isn't happy to get referrals and call someone with verified skills? They have to look at the nice clean deck I washed every day as they sit on their own faded moldy deck.

So, 8 hours of work, and I have completely covered my basic expenses as I documented in my post "The No Job Budget" . Though I will look for and take any work I can get for the next 29 days, you can understand why I won't be too stressed in that pursuit.

What are you doing today? Is it FINALLY FRIDAY for you? I've had 4 Friday's this week. ;) Remember, the quickest pay increase you'll ever give yourself is decreasing your expenses. The only raise you'll NOT pay taxes on.

Have a great weekend.

How to NOT make it WITH a JOB.

If you haven't heard it before, a decent acronym for JOB is Just Over Broke. And isn't that the truth.

This post started out to be about a kid. Namely my kid, and since he doesn't know about this blog... yet, and since you really don't know me personally, I was going to tell his most recent history. And then I started thinking, I did the same things when I was his age. So this is a story about a couple kids.

My first real job came with the USPS, I was a letter carrier. Pretty good money for blue collar work. A great job in tough economic times like the late 80's when I started. And I was a WORKER. I worked every minute they would let me and most years I would almost double my yearly salary based on base pay. But here was the problem with earning good money...... NO FINANCIAL SKILLS.

I had a child obviously and was paying a pretty significant amount of child support. I also was married, not to his mother, and we bought a home as soon as we could. Almost accidentally we bought one of the most affordable houses of all we were shown... and in fact I will say it was completely accidental. It ended up being close to both of our JOBS and luckily was the home we chose. Just for laughs.. it was 49,950.00 and the awesome bond money interest rate was 8.5%. HAHA. hmmm

In addition to this home we had a few credit cards, always with a balance. Two new vehicles, 1 motorcycle, 1 jetski, a lake lot, and of course we lived the high life. (not high.. toke toke.. just living large!)

Needless to say, when this marriage ended, the cards came tumbling down, and in a hurry. A not so unfortunate incident inasmuch as what I learned and how it changed my life. Trust me, it's not that much of a curse NOT to be able to borrow a dime. It just took the label BAD CREDIT to learn, and isn't that the way sometimes. The harder road sticks. Also, try being the proverbial 30 yr old guy living in your parents basement. It proverbially SUCKS.

My son is in a similar situation. He has a son, and plans to marry the mother soon. Until last week he was the only one working, roughly 10 bucks an hour, unskilled. They have one car, with payments of course, and live with her parents. They also carry revolving debt, mostly store type cards for things they just had to have NOW.

His recent story that maybe you can relate to.. receiving his tax return.
Being that he was recently temporarily seperated from his fiance, and returned home to live with mom, he had no car and though missing his child was his major concern he was seriously inconvenienced without transportation... so it was mentioned that I should find him one of my "auction beauties". And that's what I started doing, looking for him a great car at a great price.

Well, that takes time, most good things aren't easy or quick.. or, as they say.. "Everyone would be doing it". Comes along week 2 and I decide to run a nice 10 yr old ford explorer by him. Well come to find out he just bought a 52 inch plasma TV. Being the good dad, I remain calm but ask him if he has any money left. Well, the TV is on credit. It's only $80.00 a month.(He doesnt even know how many months) When I asked why he borrowed when he had his tax money..hoping to hear he still wanted a car.. I learned that the tax refund money was used to pay "wedding expenses".. you know, the Vegas for 10 days on a 10 buck an hour job variety.

Quick Tip: If you want GREAT wedding gifts.. DON'T ask your guests to take an expensive trip to see your wedding. JUST SAYIN...

But anyways.. I'm not going to make this much longer, its too long already. I think you can see the points I'm trying to make. Now, I try to love myself, and I love my kid, so I am not angry, nor did I lecture him. But, it is a perfect example of what NOT to do if you don't want to report to that Just Over Broke every day for the next 45 years...

About Me

My name is Dave, I have no "JOB", though I do some times work, I am nearing 45 years old and I live in a suburb of Kansas City.
I decided to attempt a blog about my ideas, my thoughts, and my way of living which isn't what could be considered "the norm".
I do not receive any government assistance, I do not have a trust fund or investment income of any kind, and my net worth is under 10K.
I do live in a home that is owned by a relative and I do pay under market value, though not significantly, and I have a decent car, 3 dogs, and a life. A very good one actually, though far from perfect.
I'm going to try and write about how I accomplish this feat, what I think I am doing right, what I think I need to do more of, and what I do that hasn't worked and I need to change (Which is where you may be able to help me).
Obviously this is the first thing I think I should be doing. This is my first attempt, so I will be learning as I go. I hope to find some sort of organization, some writing style that is fun to read and will be educational for all, myself included, and I may even try to monetize it, which I'm not trying to hide, after all... I have NO JOB.
So, if you would like to come along, contribute, or whatever the "you"s in blogville do, then I'd appreciate having you.
And away we go...