Okay this is REAL sad.  The other day I got a flat tire on the way home from work.  As I was crossing over the trinity bridge I could hear the dreaded ‘flop, flop, flop’ of my tire and I knew the deal.  Still I tried to fake the funk and my hooptie finally reached the nearest gas station where I called my mom & brother.  Why is it people will follow you all over creation, swerving all over the road to TELL you, your tire is flat BUT they won’t pull over to help you fix it?  GEE WIZ, dude, I know my tire is flat, I can’t ‘escape’ the loud flopping noise & wobbly driving.   

Okay that’s not the devastating part. Not at all, getting a flat, being stranded for an hour, driving all over town for a tire, only to get a used one that was a RIP OFF at $40.00. No I weathered all of that like a champ.   Wait for it….. the BAD part.  It wasn’t until AFTER all that, I realized that I switched out my purse the day before and didn’t have my wallet. So no credit card, no bank card, no CASH or  driver’s licence to even write a check.  So moms hooked me up on the tire and we headed our separate ways.  FORGETFUL ME, didn’t think about GAS MONEY.  

Wait for it…. I only had $2.34 to buy gas.  What’s was even worse…I couldn’t even get a gallon of GAS because why?  These exxagerated GAS prices!   I normally keep emergency cash with me but so much has been going on that I didn’t get to the bank. I mean HAD I went to the bank like I should’ve I would’ve realized I didn’t have my wallet and would’ve been PREPARED. But that’s not how it went down and alas, I was AGGED about GAS PRICEs. yeah– monsoon’s, presidential elections, 5.0 shooting an innocent man in NY on his wedding day, and I’m complaining about GAS. 

I remember in texas when $2.34 could by literally 2 gallons of gas! So here’s the transcript of BUSH’s feeble attempted of explaining AROUND the questions he’s asked about oil & gas.

Bush Gets Gassy

The senate voted on a bill to use the strategic petroleum reserve to temper gas prices this month so now it’s got to get passed through the House.  If you don’t know what that is…visit

Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Or you can support our environment and global warming preventive measures and carpool or use public transit—if you can.

kd

I get this newsletter and they have great classes at all craft levels for sewing, crocheting, home made bath and body, candle making.  Then they have street bazaars where you can sell your crafts.  If you’re short on cash, here’s your chance to pay for your classes by volunteering. 

4 Hour Shifts – Volunteer for 1, 2, or 3 shifts!

Earn 32.00 in class credits per shift in the form of a gift certificate.

To make signing up easier and to ensure you receive your gift certificate on time, we have listed the various shifts on our website for signing up, just like you would a class.

Volunteer our evening to night shift and we’ll make it 45.00 per shift in class credits!

Click Here for More Information

Being Edited:

Some writers who decide to start freelancing as a business don’t always know what they need to determine when creating their rates. There are tons of sites, blogs and even fellow freelancers that could give you information regarding the formula in creating your fees.

It’s not easy however, keep in mind your overhead, time, experience and education.  For instance, if you’re new to the game of course you wouldn’t charge as much as someone who’s been doing it for 20 years.  It’s about knowing your market, region and craft and worth. 

I remember when I started out I did free projects to gain experience and build a portfolio.  Soon after I began charging a small fee (keep in mind this isn’t my livlihood —yet) and as I gained more experience word of mouth brought me more clients and MORE experience.  Therefore I was gradually able to raise my rates to accomodate experience.

However, I was still undercharging. When you undercharge you may feel like you’ve been taken advantage of and honestly in this business even your closest friend will take a lesser rate than ‘correct’ your mishap.   That’s not their fault, it’s yours.  So definitely know what your time is worth and what type of barter arrangements you’re willing to accept, as well as if you’ll discounts for family, friends and repeat business. 

Shocked? Bug-eyed? Well you ARE running a business.  Knowing how to handle your  accounting, admin and marketing half of what running a business is about.  I think alot of writers jump think I’ll freelance for a living but aren’t prepared for all that it takes to run a business, because technically, whether you’re doing a 9 to 5, acting, singing, writing or painting part or full time and getting paid for those services you are technically a business!

Another thing you have to know is the difference between billable and actual work hours.  If you’re writing full time, you’re most likely not going to succeed in charging billable hours to match a 40 hour work week.   As for myself, I have local, independent, corporate, national and non-profit rates for certain services and I also have an hourly rate (which I rarely use, as I’m prone to do per project basis)

I also have rush delivery fees and day rates.  So you have to know what works best for you and what type of admin work you can keep up with.  I’ve switched my schedule to my online calendar and it allows me to truly see where I spend my time (school, work my writing) and how to better garner time management. I also have created a personal and business budget so I can keep track of where the money goes!  LOL

Of course setting your rates is the tip of the iceberg and the beginning of a new journey. And you see how much you have to think about!  Well here’s a link to tell you more.  Good luck!

How to Set your Freelance Writing Rates.

kandie

THE BROKE!  

AACK.  I love SUZE ORMAN, I’ve been in commercial accounting (the daytime whip cracking gig) for about 13 years, but I never really ‘cared’ about personal finance until about 5 years ago when the reality of my ‘big break’ split my head in two.  LOL  I believe it’s going to happen but that doesn’t mean I have to be ‘careless’ about my approach to creating a financial legacy in the meantime.  For those of you not feeling me yet, check out my post on ‘Creating a Financial Legacy’.  

Anyway, that used to be me but…not anymore…. If you are part of the Young, Fabulous & Broke generation, you cannot afford to be without this book. This is a book that’s MORE THAN A BOOK. It interacts with Suze’s web site so that she can give you step-by-step advice tailored specifically to your financial needs. Step-by-step Suze will help you become Young, Fabulous & NOT Broke.

I recommend Suze for the twenty-thirtysomething crowd who need to manage debt and a lifestyle. She’s candid and personable and her books aren’t boring they speak to a younger generation without ignoring the mature audience. Especially great for single women who are wanting to mange finances and learn more about investing, the right time to buy your first home and whole insurance versus term life insurance for the singles.  You can find out more about Suze on KERA public television in Dallas or on her site www.suzeorman.com—-

Let me know your thoughts & opinions and ways that you’ve curbed your spending to enhance your future!

KD