How do people afford this?

[Reiki Rooster]

I work 10hr days, hubby is 12hr, we work hard, but I have weekends off so that's when I get my time with the animals....chores lol. We bought a foreclosure house, and 2 used cars. Animals are free range when we're home ( helps TONS on feed bill ), and I have a VERY small Ebay store. A few years ago I thought ' I can sit on my couch and watch tv or think of something to make money'. So now the Ebay thing pays the feed and meds for the animals, and I get free eggs (some of which I sell) to boot That just works for us.

 

[pitbullmomma]

Regarding professions/jobs...

I work so I can enjoy my time off. Work does not define me, nor does it need to fulfill me, it's work.

I was pre-vet in large animal (we never used poo for lube and did change gloves between cows), but life happened and I had to go back to a full time job. I was upset for the longest that I didn't get to finish.

Now? I work half the year and make as much or more than I would with DVM after my name, all based upon experience outside of college. I'm good at my job, but I don't love my job. The best part is I don't have to worry about my job when I'm on my off time and can do what I like without worry of being called in.

Dude, I wish I could have read this post back in 2000 when I decided to change careers and pursue my dream (which turned nightmare, lol) of becoming a vet. Everything you said is so true, real, and sensible.

I let the letters after my name define me, and it set me up for many years of beating myself up, especially after I left the profession. You are absolutely right: WORK DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. It's taken me over 50 years of living and learning and therapy and self-work, losing loved ones, losing my marbles once or twice, to learn this. That is a long time.

I wish you, or other people, had told me this. A big reason for me becoming a vet was living up to my (unrealistic) expectations, and trying to impress my family and others.

I love my free time now, I work as little as I have to in order to pay the bills, and yes, although my work does fulfill me--it is a job. It does not define me any more. My chickens and my dogs don't care if I have a DVM after my name that I'm not using so much these days. My husband doesn't care what I do for a living, as long as I'm happy and sane.

Bottom line? You gotta do what makes you happy and sane. Being a vet does not allow you much (if any) free time. That said, I'm sure there are plenty of vets out there who love their life, and I applaud them. It's just not for me, who likes to spend many hours farting around on the computer, in my coop, doing yoga, and getting a solid 8+ hours of sleep a night.

To each his own, right? Free time, mental health, and good sleep, IMO however, are highly underrated.

 

[1cock2hens]

some people are just lucky and things fall into place //

I def dont have the best of the best and I go without a lot but I am happy to live my simple life with zero dept, the only actual bill I have to pay is my property taxes and those are very low compared to pretty much anywhere else in the country. When I was younger I did factory jobs mostly to get me started, to help me buy some of the things I would need to live this life, tools, etc..

I found cheep property and bought it when I was relatively young (24) and I have it already paid off at 31. I have a tiny house that I slowly built that still isnt done but I have no payments, so it's a free place to live. No electricity or water to pay for. My cars ,I like old cars and I usually pay cash for them so no bills.

Grow as much of my own food as I can so I don't have to spend money on food.

I trade for almost everything. I trade trees I grow, mushrooms, berries, firewood, things I have laying around, things I carve, bartering is key to my survival.. I am lucky enough to live in a very rural area that actually has a trading post run by a survivalist "church".

 

[centralcaligirl]

There will always be 2 kinds of customers: Those who can afford to buy organic, wholesome foods, and those who can't. Some of the buying choices are driven by economic necessity, while others are driven by convenience or perceived value or health benefit.

I am often amused when I go to the health food store. I might buy some multi grain flour, my spices, and some sprouting seeds. Other patrons buy the bulk of their groceries there, because they can afford to, and are committed to the benefits of a whole plant/whole grain/organic diet. Then, there's the granola "wannabees" These folks pop in on a regular basis and load their carts with health food junk food: candy bars, trail mix full of "healthy M&M's and healthy chocolate chips, potato chips, granola bars and other snacks. Of course, they make sure their friends and neighbors stay informed that they shop at the "Health food store", therefore have a healthier diet!

I couldn't agree more. I can't believe how many "food products" people eat instead of actual food.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Words of wisdom from a lowly peon....

You never see a wagon of gold following a hearse...

There's a difference between surviving and living... The choice is yours...

We are mere humans...and we only meander on the 3rd rock from the sun for a smidgen of time in comparison to...say...a tree.

If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life...

Appreciate today as tomorrow is never guaranteed...

 

[deepbluesea]

The only person I've ever met who is happy doing veterinary medicine is an exotic animal prof at a land-grant university. He works on everything from sloths to sea turtles. Lots of marine mammal necropsies, but since they're all wild, the stressors are different.

I work a stressful and meaningful job. I'm pretty much over it and my goal is to find something that pays the bills but is waaaaay less stressful. I would love to work in a greenhouse or grow seedlings for a home improvement store or some such.

 

[ShouldabeenaVET]

My secret: Give to God first. He will take care of the rest. We lived on one income and banked the rest when we got married. Had one car, one or the other of us walked to work. Bought land, built our own modest house. I stayed home till kids were weaned, then only worked part time. There were years at a time when I'd sit down and write all of our expenses on one side of a sheet of paper, and our income on the other side. We lived frugally, no extra money for hobbies or extras. Every single month, the expense side was greater than the income side. Every single month, we gave to God first. Every single month, all bills were paid when due. Now, if we were without medical insurance, just my hubby's medications alone would equal more than his income. He drives 100 miles/day to work. We live close to the bottom of the median income level for our state. I work per diem, and often do not have any work hours for 3 weeks at a time, then only 3 - 4 hours at a time. Hubby only works 4 days/week in the winter. Bills still get paid, we are mortgage free, no car payments. Have enough money in savings to cover short term loss of income. Hubby is 3 years from retirement, and I am cautiously optimistic that our retirement investments will see us through, as long as the economy does not tank. Still, God comes first. I write a check to give to HIS kingdom at the first of every month. He has seen us through incredible hardships.

I suggest that you look into Financial Peace University. This program has helped thousands of people achieve debt free living.

I outline our situation above, cautiously. Always risky to post such personal details on a public forum. But, I do so, to give praise where it is due. It is possible to live within your means. It's not necessary to have a fancy house, new cars. We have become a society who want it all and want it now. Many people do not know how to "defer gratification".

Absolutely! Dave Ramsey can help you financially. And the good Lord. We both work all week then come home and work ALL weekend. Feeding, mucking out the barn, cleaning corrals etc. Every morning before work we have chores and every day after work we have chores. We chose this life and we love this life. We dont travel, or have fancy clothes, we work we work we work.

 

[Mama Runner]

Where there is a will there's a way. I wouldn't give up my way of life even if I won the lottery. I would end up working more because I would finally be able to open Momma Runners Rescue and save every animal and plant I could.

 

[MollySunshine]

Where there is a will there's a way. I wouldn't give up my way of life even if I won the lottery. I would end up working more because I would finally be able to open Momma Runners Rescue and save every animal and plant I could.

Amen to that! My ultimate dream is to have an animal sanctuary. If I won the lottery,I wouldn't have to worry about how I would find the money to feed and house these beings. We could be partners

I feel the most inner peace when I'm in the coops talking to my chickies. No one at the end of days (that I know of) states, "Going to work everyday fullfilled me the most." It's a way to a means.

I enjoy this page, helps keep life in perspective. I enjoy hearing how people have obtained their own peace.

 

[Nardo]

No one at the end of days (that I know of) states, "Going to work everyday fullfilled me the most." It's a way to a means.

I have a Pastor friend that is quite a bit older than me and I'm almost 60. He said once that he had NEVER EVER yet heard anyone say on their death bed or as their time grew short, "I wish I had spent more time at work".