One of my biggest challenges for this to happen was to be able to save enough money to purchase the trailer I want and to also get this trip started. I picked up a seasonal job going to farmer's markets selling breads for a local bread company. It has been quite enjoyable. I am not a winter person... I really become completely sedate over the winter so it is wonderful to be outside all weekend long. I have met some really nice people and I love to people watch... so many interesting things to see. For instance the amount of different strollers and they all look like they were made by NASA. I love to listen to the different languages being spoken and the conversations going on around the market.
Picture of the Farmer's Market
In November 2011 I started crocheting like a mad woman. That has brought in some extra income. I can't seem to sell anything on my Etsy shop but I have friends that ask for specific items and I love to create these items for them. I call my crochet business Neldee... it is a combination of my grandmothers' names. Nelda and Delores. You can check out my crochet creations at Neldee.com.
Below is an outfit I made for myself... I crocheted everything but the pants, boots and glasses.
April 2011, I decided to start saving money by not having a cell phone. That is really the only item that I paid for once a month that is really not necessary. I don't have internet or cable TV so the cell phone seemed to fit into the category of unnecessary purchase. So I cancelled my $90+ a month cell phone and got a pay as you go phone instead. I saved over $1000 in 1 year. I spent around $150 for the entire year and that included buying a phone.
My most recent adventure to save money was to find, what I call, transitional housing. hehe... I moved from a 1 bedroom apartment from hell to pretty much a shack. I save over $600 a month. It is also the perfect place to transition my boys from an apartment to a trailer. I have lived here for 2 weeks now. We don't have electricity or running water at the moment but the electricity will hopefully be up and going within the week. I have to say I have kind of enjoyed not having water or electricity. It makes me get out more. I go out to eat or go to the library to charge my computer. I am outside a lot with my boys so all in all it has been pretty good. I'm still not a huge fan of peeing in the woods but I do love showering in the wide open... in the middle of the night of course. I have some great women here who live on the property and we get along great. Last night we had dinner by camp fire and had a great time talking and playing music. What more could you ask for?
Picture of front and side of shack
I am still looking for some odd and end jobs for extra income. The more I can save the better. So if you know of anything or need any audio/video editing or crochet items let me know. :)
You are amazing! I'm so impressed by how you are saving money to achieve your dream, and so proud of you :)
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