"ITS GONNA TAKE TIIIIME, A WHOLE LOTTA PRECIOUS TIME"

It gets discouraging at times. I can read all about the Michael Burries and the authors that show you how you can start now but its just downright hard.

The task at hand is possibly finding something I am really great at and the money should flow thereafter. According to a friend of mine "the money will take care of itself". Not to obsess about money but things are a lot more comfortable with it :).

In the meantime I have discovered that to work home I need to sell myself to ppl about the accounting services i can offer. I have started with my family members(well, one in fact, he is an entrepreneur). Indeed he says he needs a lot of help with accounts for his business, something he just does not have the time or patience for. He also has a few friends of his that requires that kind of assistance as well.

Perhaps that is an area that I can explore. I can offer my services to those start up companies that go to those organisations that offer help for sole traders and small LLC companies to start.

So, I will start with my individual family member and hopefully others he may know. In the meantime i can investigate those organisations that provide help for start ups.

I have to remind myself that people like Michael Burry,Warren Buffet and all the investment gurus did not make it overnight. It took time,lots of time(years) to achieve what they wanted and it took focus and understanding of their interests in minute detail to achieve their ultimate goal.

Its gonna take time...................

Cheers,J.

Starting Over

Starting Over. It's something a lot of us seem to be doing in these economic times.

I am starting over. I am trying to accomplish so many feats all at once but the main thing is surviving. So, in starting over I have to answer the question. "How do I start over?"

Well, there's no question, when you have bills to pay and dependants and a host of other important issues your mind is a playground for all kinds of entertaining things to do.

Going through the list of expenses I had whilst working it's amazing how much of some things can be cut out now(of course no choice now eh :) ).

Eating out for sure, I colour my hair myself,I don't think i can do the cutting though, don't have the A/C on in the car as much as before which means I just limit driving to early morning and late evening(midday traffic is a killer anyway), I also wash my own car(ok, i did it just once so far;it's due for another).

So, some changes have been made. The most important thing now is finding something that can help me make money...a job, using my own skills to get clients and work at home or at clients(accounting for small businesses) or even teaching secondary students accounting.

There are options and I think I can explore. It is pretty tight for everyone out there, both businesses and individuals.

It's time to start a new chapter but I am hoping things will get going. Here's to a successful week and starting over....

Cheers, J.

Avon Business

Being an Avon Representative has proven to be an interesting diversion from what I usually do. I am meeting different people and talking to people I never thought would be even remotely interested in Avon but here it is they are interested and I find myself seeking out others in order to make my Avon Business successful(something I never thought I'd do) and enjoying it too.

It also means a lot of responsibility in making sure my clients get what they asked for and their satisfaction is ensured.

In terms of cash management I have to ensure that I receive the half payment down make a deposit on orders. It is my first experience of owning a business and making sure it succeeds. As an accountant I understand the importance of cash being the lifeblood of an organisation. I now understand it first hand running a business.

So far I have to say it is quite the experience and I don't know how long this would last but I am sure I will own a business or have my own at some point.

For now, I know I have to plan my sales targets, cater for my expenses and plan a strategy for the direction of my business...my Avon Business.

Starting a business...an AVon Business

It has been some time since I have actually written anything here. I am so busy being unemployed than employed. :)

Since my last time writing in here I have started as an Avon Sales Representative and just speaking to my husband and a few friends it's almost as if I told them I am paying all my life savings to take a walk on the moon. The surprise, shock and "it's so out of character for me"." Me being an accountant and not being people oriented". All perception I believe. I am sure I can sell and to besides Avon has training and mentors to help me get through. It's exciting though because it's like being in business and having to be the one to drive the business,the sales, determine whether you are making profits,look at expenses etc. I have already set up my template on excel and purchased my folder to keep my receipts and invoices etc.....

It's a start and I am really excited and challenged by it. It is different from my every day norm of accounting.

However, I have not entirely gotten away from the accounting nor do I want to. Having signed up with an organization for volunteer work to provide accounting assistance to NGO's has helped to keep my mind out of the doldrums as well.

With Avon and Volunteer work it keeps me busy and challenged and I have to say I am loving it. It gives me time for my family,time to read and learn other things as well and hopefully more time to write as well....

Success

You know I always thought that when I was successful enough I could do the things I really wanted to do but I am fast realizing part of success on the whole is doing what you want to do anyway even when conditions are not what I'd like it to be

We always wait for that right moment, when things are or should be exactly as we envision to enable us to fly(so to speak). That could mean many different things to different people. Whether it's to stat a business,write a book or change careers.

I have decided I won't wait for the right moment. I am not going to timidly put a toe in the water to see if it's just right, I am jumping in with both feet and it is a liberating feeling(and this from someone who is'nt a strong swimmer. Ok,ok.....I can't swim). I have started and there is no looking back. My journey has begun.....I am learning to swim as I go along and sometimes that's the best way to learn anyway.......and succeed.

2010 New Years Resolutions

Well, it's a new year and I am sure New Years resolutions abound. I have thought about it and read a few articles(Million Dollar Journey) and another from Zen Habits(Leo Babuata) and I have come up with my own little mix to help me through 2010.

Million Dollar Journey(MDJ) author stated that their method of keeping track of their financial goals is by using Google's spreadsheet. I think that is worth doing and I will do the same using Microsoft Excel though. Part of keeping track of my financial goals include(i guess this would be major and instrumental :) : finding a job or creating one for myself(some form of self employment),Track my expenses(something i already do),Control and pay off any credit card debt,write a will(i would prefer a lawyer that specialises in this),save and build for children's education(or at least something to help them start), Track net worth,build emergency funds and save for something fun....

To do the above, requires careful tracking and of course effort on my part. I already started with Tracking expenses so now I just have to set up the rest on Excel and this would give me something to work with and towards.

With regards to Zen Habits. There was an article written about basically minimising the clutter in his life and I want to do the same. It means really to stop thinking to much ahead or playing on the past too much(whether they are mistakes or success). I believe the knowledge of the past helps the future though(you can try to avoid previous mistakes) but I believe I just want to enjoy each moment as it comes because this THE Present is all I really know. So, I had best enjoy my kids, my hubbie,my own company and family and friends as well. Forget the petty stuff like stupid habits that annoy and try to focus on what I have now and I think I could be happier now. In fact I could'nt be happier. I enjoyed Christmas with my children and New Year's and I think being unemployed really has it's advantages. Kids at 3 and toddler age are so easy to please.They just want their parents and a huge dose of love and LOTS of attention. However, the reality of unemployment cannot last forever. So, while I will enjoy the simpler things in life(not only because I am forced to :) ) but I am looking at doing something I enjoy and who knows eventually be paid for it. I really do enjoy writing although for the most part I have not been able to write in a while because I was waiting for the perfect moment and perfect article to write.

Perfection is such an illusion.....However, I will do my best and that's as Perfect as I can get for 2010 and beyond....

Just Managing

Well, these days I am just barely managing my finances(not working does that i suppose...:) ) but I am surprisingly not worried at all. Not just because I have a hubbie who is taking up most of the load but I believe everything is for a time and there is a lesson in everything. Things can only look up and I am working on getting things to look up as well, not just waiting for it to happen.

However, it's crunch time for me today and for the next few days. I plan to make the time well worth it. I am saying my prayers and giving it my best shot. My friends who have exams now, will understand what this means and anybody who ever had exams.......

In the mean time I do realise I have plenty to be thankful for this season and I am praying Next Year brings some Blessings and continued Good Health to all my friends and family.......


All the best this season.....