Random Thoughts Continued

I’m back at it today with my random thoughts.  This post will more or less be a continuation from yesterday’s post.  I do plan on working later on, but since it is for my own business, I’m setting the hours!  Shamefully, I’ve done very little over the past month in this area.  A combination of the weather and not being able to get up and down my driveway set me back with sending in inventory.

Yesterday I took care of the kiddo for 5+ hours.  They’ve asked me to work the same schedule next week.  The other caregiver (the grandmother), still can’t do much lifting.  Until she can, I’ll be getting the additional hours.

My job caring for the kiddo was supposed to end after cold/flu season.  At that point, the plan was for the lady that cares for his sister to take both kids.  The family has since indicated (on several occasions) that until he is off his G-J tube, they want to keep me around.  How long that could be is impossible to predict.  Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy the job as long as it lasts.  I can still use some very basic nursing skills, but no longer have the high stress that came with caring for kids on vents.

There is yet another perk to my job.  Since lately the kiddo is napping better, I’ve been watching/listening to a ton of business-related videos on You-Tube.  Yes, the family knows.  They were the ones to initially offer me the use of their tablet, although I opt to bring my own.  I’m still right beside him and only use one earbud.  I’m loving nap time.  Lol

Good grief, this post is becoming far more about my taking care of the kiddo than I intended.  Told you it was random thoughts!  From a purely financial level, thinking back, I had hoped the job would last at least until we could pay off Citi.  For his sake, I want him to advance to no longer need my care, but again speaking purely financial, I am now hoping also to get another debt paid off.  And that would be the furnace.

I am looking ahead at what we should target next and right now, I am leaning towards it being the furnace.  While doing so doesn’t make mathematical sense with this debt being at 0% interest (balance of $5,900) and the Visa at a fixed 5.99% (balance of $7,942), the expiring rate is what concerns me.  No, I don’t want to keep it around until the end of the year either.  It needs to be gone long before then!

I also realize I need to step up my game if we are to get it all paid off before 2020 rolls around.  I’d include Hubs, but he is already doing everything he can.  Why do I suddenly feel in the position of  “You’re it?” Lol  Since I hate to lose, I intend to show our debt just who is the boss.  While we were dealt a crappy hand this first quarter, it doesn’t mean we need to keep it.  We can still finish strong.

Entirely unrelated to paying off debt, my sister and brother-in-law are in the Netherlands this week.  They took our 91-year-old father for what will likely be his last trip to his homeland.  My dad still has two brothers, and my mom has a sister there.  Physically, my dad is in excellent shape (even walks entirely unassisted!) but it is his mind that is going.  From the text messages and pictures I’ve received, they are having a wonderful time.  It is good to see him happy, especially given the difficult adjustment my dad had with moving into assisted living earlier this year.

Well, I have business inventory to tend to.  After working yesterday, I took advantage of an additional 30% off at Kohls, spending $160+ on clearance items.  Also earned $30 in Kohls cash along with more Yes2You rewards.  Love the thrill of the hunt, plus the income it brings!