{ Why Budgets Don't Always Work }

So, I've posted previously that to build a good budget, you have to be honest about everything. What's the point of building a house on half a foundation? It's the same with a budget. If you're not truthful, the numbers aren't supported, if they're not supported, the whole thing can collapse. For the last two months, I've been over budget, so was time for a re-assessement. The thing I wish more than anything to convey is that when you get to this point you can't see it as failure. It's merely a reevaluation.

What I realized is this: I created a budget based on old numbers (2006). Inflation and fuel have taken their toll. Self employement taxes and retirement savings are higher this year. Medical insurance went up. But there's another aspect to this picture that even I missed at first. Debt is debt and it was easy to roll the debt number into long term liability and sort of ignore it...kind of like the mortgage. It became a fixed number in the budget and I got so used to seeing it, I forgot to throw it in the middle of the room and look at it long and hard. After my reevaluation I got on the phone to start shopping interest rates and have concluded that I'm paying too much for my debt and all because I wasn't paying attention. After an hour on the phone, I've got three accounts consolidated into one at a lower rate and am saving 39%. It goes to show that the details matter and nothing should be sacred or assumed.

{ Happy Thanksgiving }

This lovely painting hangs over our fireplace in the Fall and then moves to the dining room for rest of the year. It was painted by Estelle, Ruth's Mom. She claims it is "just a painting" but all of her children swear it is of their Auntie who lived atop a mountain in Maine with no running water. Whoever she is, this picture represents family to us. So on a day when we will be with our Island Family and not our "real" family, "Auntie in Maine", as we like to call her, will keep watch over us and see that we are loved and well fed. Happy Thanksgiving to you all. May blessings abound for you and your loved ones.

{ Black Friday...more like Red November! }

AGGGHHH!!!! We're off budget AGAIN this month!!! It's the Christmas shopping...sighh...really, I just didn't plan realistically. A little less to the savings account than planned, but looking on the bright side, at least I'm not pulling from the savings account. So, it could be worse. Dad offered some sage advice last night about the evils of a home equity line and I will be listening carefully.

On a happy note, the nearly grown girl child chose to become baptized this weekend. It's been a joyful journey for her and she seems to enjoy the community her choice has provided her. How they grow and make their own decisions! Who knew?

I'll be with "tribe members" (aka friends)instead of family this Thanksgiving as I've elected to not travel away from home this year. I'll be with them in spirit but will have control over my own television...no football, only hoiday classics!

{ Thanks, Jess! }

Ruth and I just had a great meal with our fabulous friends, Jess and JP. Just to rub it in, Jess is the executive chef at Hedgebrook. Pumpkin curry soup, salad and rice pile with lemon curd and whip cream. SO YUMMY!

{ Missing My Mentor }

When my life is busiest and the most stressful (like the last couple of months) I find myself wishing I had my mentor by my side. My mother was an amazing woman. She was already a young single mom before she met dad and had me. She could have been a statisic but instead, she learned a business beginning at the receptionist's desk only to become the part owner of her own firm 20 years later. When she sold her ownership, she kept working part time, ironically as a bookkeeper. She shared with me a few years before she passed that she never liked being her own boss, the pressure was too much when other's livlihoods depended on her decisions, she preferred just going to work and doing excellent work.

As I struggle with whether or not to grow my business, to perhaps, hire in some very part time help and take on more work, I weigh my mother's thoughts carefully. It seems this year is full of lessons about juggling and balancing for me and I need to decide which turn my life will take soon. Do I build something bigger or do I streamline what is here and stay focused? I'm straddled on the teeter totter at the moment waiting for a sign, a voice. Were my mother here (and really she is), she would say to weigh all sides, make sure I can afford whichever decision I make and then trust my gut. But today is one of those days, I wish my Mom were here just to tell me what to do. This whole, grown up big girl thing is highly over-rated, really.

{ Holiday Pressure Be Damned }

So, here it is not even Thanksgiving and I'm already feeling the rising pressure to "go all out" for the holidays...financially, speaking. I fight this urge everyday not to whip out the credit card and go over board. This year, I am shopping local (that includes my online community too) and keeping it small and thoughtful. Some friends had a craft bazaar this weekend and I spent a tish more than I planned so now I have to run the numbers and cut back somewhere else. With local economics being what they are, I am trying to set aside 10% of Decembers's income to donate to the local foodbank. My resolution in 2008 is to make a regular monthly donation, even if it's small. Reminding myself that my time and friendship is just a vaulable a gift to those I love is sometimes hard, but so necessary in order to live what I believe. So, holiday pressure be damned! It IS the thought that counts!!

{ Save Yourselves! Shop Local! }

So, last week on our little island in the Pacific Northwest our largest private employer, with no notice, laid off 200+ workers and closed its doors. The community was breathless, the company owners feel terrible, and for a community this size, this is a major economic event that will have long lasting effects. So as you might imagine, the community is abuzz with "support our merchants". And I couldn't agree more. I will forgo the ferry trips to the mainland this year and try to spend as many holiday dollars in the little shops around town instead of the large box stores. But we are also part of a larger community, here and other locales online. We have created bonds with other shopkeepers and e-tailers and those merchants need our support as well. As the holiday flurry begins for us as shoppers, try to strike the balance between supporting your local brick and mortars and supporting your online communities. Be thoughtful in your purchases and know that with a little effort, every penny spent will impact your ALL of your communities.

{ Running to Stand Still }

So, I'm about done with the list below. The budget work is done except I have to format a spreadsheet and make some notes. I sent out my rate change notices (!)to clients. The client I saw yesterday opened my invoice with the letter in it (as I held my breath, which is silly because the rate change isn't that high and is still on the lower side of the average range) and handed it back to me for the file. I looked at him for a sign of displeasure and he laughed and said, "Your more than worth it." Wasn't that sweet? Ah, I have SUCH good clients!!

OK, a confession...I am over budget for October!! I have to do some entry to find out where we went off track but I think it was the last of the outside house projects...driveway gravel and fall clean up in the garden, which I couldn't do myself after my severe cut on my hand in September. Gas and propane were also higher than anticipated. Oh, well, can't dwell, I just need to learn from it and adjust the numbers going forward.

One fun note, as I look out the window of the office there is the coolest spider web between the window frame and the weeping cherry tree. I'll try to get a photo of it.