Tuesday, October 1, 2013

STOP-tober

Only two blog posts for the whole of September. I've never written so little in the almost three years I've been blogging.

As of this morning I weigh almost as much as I did when I was nine months pregnant. I've never been this big except when I was two of us.

I don't have the lodger that we changed our whole living arrangements in order to accommodate. I don't have all the work I thought I was getting for this year. I've never been this close to no money in all my adult years (and most of my childhood years as well).

But hey, it's October 1st, the school year has started in earnest (after the long summer break and all the Jewish holidays following), the weather is noticeably cooler, we have returned to routine! In addition to all that, God has sent me a sign via His angel Elaine Colliar.

Elaine writes Mortgage Free In Three. She is my heroine and guru on all matters to do with affording a good life with very little income. Today, on the very day I made the commitment to, as Elaine always says, pull up my big girls' knickers and get on with it, she published STOP-tober: The Money Diet. I knew instantly that by the powers of cosmic synchronicity and/or a divine hand, this post was written especially for me.

This month I am going to stop too because sometimes you need to stop in order to start. That's all for now. More tomorrow.

16 comments:

  1. I downloaded this today for free - have not yet read it yet... may be useful.

    http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Just-Survive-THRIVE-ebook/dp/B00CLIHMP0%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIIZWR7XAPD47GHJQ%26tag%3Dgeoburke-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00CLIHMP0

    Make sure it is still free before downloading... it can change back at any time

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    1. Thanks Janice but I don't have a kindle or anything else other than my laptop and I don't download whole books (or movies) onto it.

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  2. I've been wondering for a while, why didn't you get the lodger? I have lodgers and in general, it's going really well. My biggest/only problem so far has been visitors. But as a result, I communicate this topic better in advance. I don't get lodgers anymore who don't comply with my views on this. I guess it's possible to find a student, intern...in Jerusalem. ?? greetings from Ruth (reader from Berlin)

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    1. Hi Ruth. I did get some responses from men but we need a female lodger. I think the problem is that females want their own home and their own kitchen more than males. Or they want to share with other singles where they can entertain freely and benefit from an extended social life. Living with a middle aged mum and her 4yo daughter isn't so attractive to a student who values her independence. I'm waiting for that one mature student or traveler to meterialize. :)

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    2. Yes, I also think that living with a mom and kid narrows down demand. And it's good not to get the lodger who doesn't grasp what living with a mom and kid means - I've seen this happening. But I'm sure that you can find someone, at least for short term. I know that people spend time in Jerusalem.You might also increase your efforts by networking... so that everyone around knows that you're the one with a room etc. As you can see, I'm really into this ;-) I'm wondering what kind of men answered ;-) I barely took male lodgers - only while there was a 3rd person in the picture. I can tell you stories... like the Israeli/American guy who called. And when I said that I happen to speak Hebrew etc, he immediately turned seeing the room into a blind date, wanted to bring a bottle of wine etc. I also loved the Italian who passionately distributed kisses to anyone around in the apt at this point (had never been to Germany) and offered to cook every night. There was also one who was keen on fixing stuff.

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    3. Thanks for your interest and support Ruth. I have told everyone and posted on a number of websites. I am also following any short-term leads.

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    4. Good luck! I guess it'll work out soon. As far as I understand you approach it the right way and it seems to be a matter of persistence.

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  3. Good Luck and kudos for your great attitude!!

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    1. Thanks Gillian - as long as you have your health (and a daughter and her health)....

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  4. A good friend of mine is a great fan of Airbnb. I've personally never used this, although have only heard of Petra's positive experiences. No commitment, short stays and a source of income.
    https://www.airbnb.com/?af=1922719&c=A_TC%3Dm84nccm9s3%26G_MT%3De%26G_CR%3D22111491256%26G_N%3Dg%26G_K%3Dairbnb%26G_P%3D&gclid=CLiU_Mep9rkCFUOR3godlUwA1Q
    Michelle

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    1. Thaks Milata. I actually signed up with airbnb but didn't finish the registration as I need to dress the room and take photos. I will do it.

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    2. Rachel, Petra is a Facebook friend of mine. May be worth you getting in touch - pity she was in Jerusalem three weeks ago, she's back in New York now. I'll let her know you may be in touch - she always has great advice.
      Michelle Freedman

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  5. Best of luck with the lodger - it's something that may be in my future too - and I will have a similar problem, just with a bigger child!

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    1. It's a great way to supplement your income if you can do it and it only takes the one right person at the right time.

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  6. Hello missus - I know how you feel re the blogging mine is also diminishing - I don't log in my food, my exercise although I do on map my ride. I've just lost my mojo - I think we all do. I know how you feel about the weight it has been a struggle for me for so long now and I wish I had the answers - my friend who I wrote about on the lighter life its nearly all back on and she's beating herself up about it but they are designed to fail. Good luck with the lodger if I ever become homeless I'd love to share! x

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    1. Thanks Natasha, you know I'd love to have you here.

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