new business venture

Last night was my first night working for my first "client."

"Client" makes it sound a lot dirtier than it really is. It's dirt dirty, not sexy dirty. Covered in dirt and sweat and mosquito bites and whatnot.

So I spent two hours after work destroying weeds in someone's very overgrown, mosquito-infested garden. Tonight, provided it doesn't storm, I will return for two more. $60 - BAM! Not bad for a few hours worth of work. Not to mention I like being outside in the evening, listening to my iPod, daydreaming about hitting the Mega Millions or Power Ball or whatever you call it. Which I did not win. Boo.

A few neighbors saw me toiling away like the good gardner I am and asked my client if I do other work, like babysitting or pet sitting. Heck yeah I do. I am not picky. Therefore, today I will be working on a flyer to distribute around the neighborhood. If I can do odd jobs for people 4 hours a week, that's more than $200 a month. Bonus for big weekend jobs. These fancy people on the Main Line love hiring poor souls such as myself to distribute cocktails and tapas at their gatherings.

I think that if I show I work hard and I'm willing to be adaptable, something good could come of this. Networking with wealthy folk in a fancy neighborhood?? Probably a good idea on my part.

I have to say, the last thing I want to do at 6pm when I'm finally home from work is to go and watch someone's kid or play gardener, but I'm out of ideas. If I could work from home, I would in a heartbeat, but as stated in an earlier post, most of those jobs are scams. I've been taking online surveys for points and free gift certificates and whatnot to (hopefully, eventually) offset some costs.

I want to go out and buy a new pair of work shoes...or new clothes...or go to a concert...on VACATION...so on and so forth. I'm young, unmarried, childless. This is the time I'm supposed to blow money on stupid things. I want to do that now. Dammit.

Next time I write it's going to be about something other than money. Cross my heart. It's just that right now, it's about all I can think of.

i'm a winner! (all over the place post)

Thank you, Ashley, for picking me as your JuJu giveaway winner! I'm so excited to use my new piece of home decor. Now to find a place a place for it...

It's Monday and August is more than half over. Where does the summer go? As much as I'm enjoying getting home while it is still sunny, I'm looking forward to autumn. I am not a fan of heat and humidity - I prefer to be in hoodies and sweaters than tanktops and flipflops.

Cody and I just got back from our first and only vacation of the summer. Does being gone Friday to Sunday count as a vacation? I hope so...especially since it took 5 hours to get there. As much as we wanted to go to Ocean City, MD, we decided on Lake George, NY. It was more driving, but it was well worth it.

We stayed at the Sprucewood Motel in a cute little cabin. It was such a great find! The motel is located about 2 miles outside of town and right at the end of the trolley route. Although there was no beach access, supposedly the campground across the street lets you use their beach. We spent most of the time in the pool - it was clean and shaded and we had it all to ourselves. We did a lot of walking downtown (as small as a downtown it is), ate some good food, and even went horseback riding. It was very low-key, but perfect for us.

Anyway, I'm super proud of my spending situation lately. I did a good job while away, but I could definitely use extra funds. If I could knock out my car insurance and/or phone bill with money I get from doing side jobs, I'll be set. Does anyone have any ideas for making extra money? I wouldn't mind babysitting, but I don't really have references. I've never waitressed - plus I hear waitressing jobs are few and far between these days.

My best spur of the moment ideas was to put up an ad on Craig's List - kind of like an "I'll do whatever (within reason) to get paid!" Yard work, baby sitting, tutoring, so on and so forth. So far, I've gotten a response from one woman to do yard work at her place in Bala Cynwood. Hopefully this one job turns into more.

I wish those work from home signs I see all over the place were legit. Grrr.

recap

Thanks to last Sunday's storm, our router is fried and we have to buy a new one. Awesome. Not having internet at home isn't such a bad thing, thanks to the fact that Mom loaded me up with about 15 magazines. I've also super-cleaned the kitchen and living room. I'm productive, I swear.

The Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival last Saturday was FANTASTIC! I couldn't have been more happy about winning such a fabulous prize. It was incredibly crowded - a lot more than I expected - so my pictures were few and far between. I'll upload them as soon as I have a chance.

Half day of work today, so I'm off to the beach in a bit. Yey!