Going for Not Broke

See that wonky-looking stuff on the right of the screen? That's what my iMac is doing these days. All in all, I can't complain. I bought it in 2006, so I got seven good years out of it. I was in the middle of my twice-yearly freelance project when it started this, and at first, rebooting would get rid of it for a little bit. Not so much now. I want to buy a new computer, but I won't. I have a laptop that works fine but runs much, much slower. I'm in the process of transferring all of my necessary files to flash drives. Scribus Update I had mentioned in a previous post that I was going to use Scribus as I worked on my freelance project this time to see how well it worked. I knew my computer's days were numbered, and rather than buy Adobe InDesign again (which I'd have to do because CS2, the Creative Suite version I have, will not work on a new operating system) I thought I'd see what my other options were. Well, it was slow going key command...

Since 2006, I've had a freelance project that I work on twice a year. The work takes about two weeks, which would be a lot less if I didn't have a full-time job to do at the same time. It's given me my share of headaches, but for the most part, I've enjoyed the work. It gives me lots to read on local history, it's work I'm comfortable doing, and it pays decently. Now is the time of year that I have to work on it (hence my absence from this blog recently) but unlike in the past, I had a lot of trouble getting into the work this time. Rather than just diving right into it, I would find myself surfing the web, checking email, doing the dishes, you name it. My change in attitude could be due to a lot of things: I've got a toddler now to keep up with, my work schedule has changed, the format of the work has changed, and I've been feeling very behind in my housework. However, I think the ultimate reason may just be that for me, this project has run its cou...

The dry rice failed to bring my phone back from the dead , so my next step was to take it to a tech shop. For $30, they were able to get it to come on again, but it gave me a light shock a few times. Also, the battery life percentage wouldn't update without doing some reboot by holding the on button and menu button for 10 seconds or so, and even that only worked a few times. After that, the same key combination would just take pictures. In short, I now have a new smartphone, and, as much as I tried to talk myself into getting something else, I got another iPhone, which contributed significantly to the higher credit balance I mentioned last time.  Part of me is really disappointed in myself that I didn't just opt to go back to a dumb phone. After all, I got by just fine for years that way. But, just like I suspected I would, I rationalized the heck out of buying another because I didn't want to lose my calendar, the few apps I've purchased, and all of the other pluses th...

On Monday morning, I awoke to find my iPhone  partially submerged in water in the Eskimo Joe 's cup I keep on my nightstand. I remember vaguely waking up in the middle of the night and checking the time on it. My guess? Afterward, I tossed it into the cup. I've been kicking myself a lot since then. First, for buying the phone in the first place. It was pricey, but I had gift cards that I was able to apply toward it, plus I told myself it would come in handy as I try to grow my home business (in short, I justified the heck out of buying it). Secondly, as I was purchasing it, I thought, "Hey, I'll save money by NOT buying the insurance." Thirdly, I've really grown to love it, which makes me really, really, really want to run out and replace it right now. According to online sources that I came across thanks to the Twitter hashtag #iPhoneInWater (and my husband's friend who works on gadgets for a living), sealing the phone up in a bag of dry rice for thr...

After seven years of dutiful, reliable computing, my iMac has started showing its age. It's manifesting in weird glitches, such as not letting me load photos. After a quick reboot, it will work fine ... for a while. Seven computer years equals like 75 human years, right? There have been at least four new iMacs since I bought mine, and the software updates on everything from browsers to operating software make getting a "tune-up" seem a little impractical. However, buying a new one presents its own problems. First of all, the price tag is way too hefty for me right now. Because of how this year started for me , I'm further away from my goal than I was six months ago. I don't want to make that worse by spending money I don't really have. Secondly, my current iMac has  Adobe CS2, which contains InDesign desktop publishing software that I depend on for a freelance project I do twice a year. My current version of Creative Suite wouldn't run on a newer c...

Birthday Surprise I got a coupon via email for a $5 discount on my next order from ArtBeads.com . I recommend anyone who enjoys beading to sign up to receive offers in your email inbox, too, so that you don't miss discounts such as this. Five dollars will buy a lot of beads! (Well, seed beads ... ) Cat Food I came across this offer for a free sample of Sheba cat food at Walmart.com. I have no cat, but if I did, I'd be signing up. Dieting Atkins offers a free starter pack that includes three bars (yum), a quick start guide and calorie counter. I got mine more than a year ago and was pleasantly surprised recently to see that it still offers the deal. It's limited to one per household per year while supplies last, so I just requested a second pack.

e-book image of "How to Write a Business Plan" by Mike McKeever As I switch focus to my hobby (crafts) for extra income to help me pay down debt, I've been toying with turning it into an official business. Enter thoughts of writing a business plan. Part of me thinks it isn't necessary. Why not just make stuff then try to sell it? Then, if it eventually gains enough traction that I want to go full time with it, then write a business plan. Everything I've read, though, makes me think that having a business plan might inspire me to put more effort into it than a "going with the flow" mentality does. Will it boost sales? No clue. But I do know that the two or three times times I've tried to sell my crafts so far have been money losers. I've spent more on vendor booth space than I've ever generated in sales. I can identify a few issues, the biggest of which is that I don't have much to sell. Perhaps a business plan would help m...