Continuing...

Today I looked around to see what I could do for term life. While the coverage is about 4x what I currently have, after they take a gander at my mental/blood lipid/bone density numbers, I'm sure it will be completely unaffordable for the likes of me. I have 2 policies totaling $15,000. I don't think I need any more - I have no children, nor a spouse that needs me. So I'm thinking of cashing in the cash value of the smaller ($5000) one, and using that cash to begin to pay down my 6.8% portion of my student loan debt.

I have listed many more books for sale at half.com (look for womanwithpoodle), and they sell, one book at a time. This past weekend I actually sold two! I listed my unwanted decks at AT just now, along with 4 tarot books for $15 + shipping. Someone's interested, hope they buy them!

More on my life changes - I am convinced that the symphony is not going to survive this recession in anything like it's present pitiful shape... and I do NOT want to go down with the ship. I have a couple of options, and am working toward making at least one of them a reality. If not... No, let's not go there. There is an orchestra meeting tomorrow, and I'll know more then (if I can stomach to go to the meeting).

First - I did hear of a colleague who wanted an acupuncture associate. We talked and it sounded positive, but he hasn't yet responded to two emails and a phone call. I'm ready to write that off.

Second - part-time work from home as a medical transcriptionist. I'm not sure how good the money is, but I do enjoy working with the computer, and with my education and smarts should have no trouble landing a good gig. Maybe I'm pie in the sky here, but I bet I could live on 20/hours/week if the symphony was still around.

Third - I'm going to offer my services to area spas as an acupuncturist. A friend commented that none of the spas in her area were interested, but I'm going all out to make a good impression (portfolio-wise) with a girlfriend to help me out on the presentation front.

Fourth - my biz. I have NOT given it what I've needed to, and it shows. But I'm convinced that it's doable, but I'd need some kind of cushion while working on it. I thought I had that with the symphony, but that job is a HELL of a psychic drain - eminently unhelpful. I've been struggling with my own acu technique - working with Toyohari has not been spectacular, so I'm back to the drawing board with Chinese Acupuncture (by Morant). Not a problem in the least.

My *big* decision is where to move. It would cost me $1400 in fees to break my lease (and that would go on my credit rating!), so I'm stuck here through the 16th of September 2009. Tomorrow morning I'm going to amble over to the next apartment complex and see what their rates are like - I was thinking they would be lower, but I spoke to someone over their and they sound comparable, unfortunately. I don't want to live in a dump!

But... while I was visiting my parents I got a bee in my bonnet. They have been living in a 5th wheel travel trailer for 13-14 years, and mostly loving it. Lots of living light on the land, because you don't have room for so much *stuff*. A Motorhome looks like this, a class C looks like this, a 5th-wheel looks like this, while a travel trailer looks like this. Now, I certainly could not afford a Motorhome, Class C, or a 5th wheel... but I might be able to swing a travel trailer... to LIVE in. Used, of course. No way would I buy anything new.

Other than the cost of the trailer, there is the electricity/propane/rental of wherever you park. There is a wonderful park just outside the city where my parents have spent some time, and the monthly cost would run about $375. Gas would be a problem for the commute into town, but if I wasn't with the symphony, and was working as a medical transcriptionist part time and coming into town 2-3 days a week to work at the spa... I think that would be very very cool!