Dare to Dream

I hate to gripe, talk, discuss, or even think about money. It's evil.

Just got a bill in the mail from Pediatric Cardiologists for $1,300.00. The insurance that takes roughly 2 hundred dollars from my paycheck each pay period, 4 hundred a month thanks very much, did not cover my daughter's heart monitoring. Which I thought was completely ridiculous in the first place b/c everyone in my family including myself and my husband's mother had a murmur. I understood the visit to the cardiologist, the ultrasound, the EKG and that the doctor told us it was benign. But the 24 hour monitoring? Anyway, I am not a doctor and there was no way that I would forgo a medical procedure to ensure the health of my daughter. But the bill that ensued two months later stings. That amount may seem minimal to some, but for a smaller combined income for the DC Metro area and 45 days or so away from Christmas, it isn't to us.

For months I have contemplated acquiring a new job or a second job to supplement our income. I have been dissatisfied at my current position (for 2 years to be exact, incrediously, I know) and thought that it would be easier to leave the office than approach my sometimes, okay almost always unapproachable boss for a raise that I so need and that I am very deserving. A second job at night or on the weekends would cut into my family time and I've done the 2 job, 16 hour days, 7 days a week thing. I can hardly stand dropping off my 9 and a half month old off at daycare and being away from her for 8 hours as it is. Then I find out about 9 months ago that 2 legal assistants were given promotions based upon work that I have been doing for over 2 years. I spoke to a supervisor and she said there was no chance, not with our current budget issues and the fact that my husband is in the military and I could be leaving at anytime. The record skipped, errrrp! What? I can't get a promotion b/c my husband is in the military? I don't think so. Another 2 months go by and last Thursday I finally worked up enough courage and asked for my unit supervisor's help in obtaining my grade promotion. It went well, he said that he would do whatever he could. We'll see what happens but my patience with the job has already been wearing thin and I don't how long that I will wait. The government works slowly, which is an understatement, and if I don't have a person in power actively and aggressively fighting for me, I don't have a chance. And why do I want to keep subjecting myself to a overworked, underpaid, under utilized, uncreative and unstimulating environment?

I don't want to make it sound like we are struggling, by no means we are, but when a new baby comes into the picture and thoughts of college come to mind, saving every penny becomes very important. In the past I have wasted money on frivolous objects, lived paycheck to paycheck, happy go lucky. At one of my jobs, I would deposit roughly 1200 dollars every 6 or 7 days, if a holiday fell during that week, add another 4 to 5 hundred. What do I have to show for it? Well now with a husband and combined expenses, we have 2 car loans, my student loan and 2 credit cards with balances and rent. Not much left for recreation. I've revised the budget 6 times, factored in everything and now an unforeseen medical bill for $1,300.00 to go right back on the credit card that we just paid off. Ugh.

I have a couple ideas...

Last week, while I was performing my ritualistic scan of jobs, events, classes and pet sections on Craigslist.com, I came across an add offering a free facial by a Mary Kay representative. I emailed 2 of my friends and thought that it would be a fun Friday night activity to de-stress and get a nice glow for the upcoming holidays and best of all it was free! I knew "free" was out of the question, that the evening would be a product demonstration and eventually result in a purchase of one such product but we would leave with glowing faces right? Why not? So off we went, trekking our way into the District, eventually parking the car North of Georgetown next to the National Cathedral. It's stunning at night. Any who, we knock on April's door and the show began. Not much of a spa treatment and come to find out it's part numero uno of a 3 part series. Great... After I made my purchase, she asked if I would ever consider becoming a part of Mary Kay business. Unlimited earning potential, be your own boss, work at your own pace, possibilities are endless, and of course the pink Cadie. "Oh and these shoes that I am wearing, April quipped, Mmm, business expense." "When I visit my mother in Houston and decide to host a party? I write off the flight as a business expense of course." The leopard print shoes were cute and I have a great friend in Houston that I am dying to see. And I can go up to Massachusetts, visit with my family and hold a 2 our Mary Kay party and I can write all my travel expenses off? I can’t think of anything better than that. 50% off of products that I use everyday, but of course will be in Mary Kay boxes, can’t beat it. But, I'm not sure if I would ever drive a pink vehicle... Yeah, I think that I can deal with an unlimited earning potential. April showed us a magazine that all Mary Kay people receive and I looked at hundreds of names and the dollar figures associated with them. Extraordinary incomes. This one woman who has worked with Mary Kay for 2 years, made $118,000 last year. Yes, that's 2 ones followed by an 8, a comma, and then 3 zeros. Okay, she's definitely not laying on the coach, watching soaps and eating bon bons all day... One woman made $75,000 in one month. What? Excuse me? Oh and by the way, 12 to 15 hours a week is considered full-time. So I do a little research on this freaky option and find out that the dollar signs are not legitimate, you are pushed to keep product stocked, you have to attend meetings where dues are collected and best of all, you have to recruit new blood! Fake it until you make it is not my motto.

Option numero dos... A year and a half ago I was invited to a Silpada Designs jewelry show. I was in love. Silver jewelry that is to die for. I spoke with the representative at the party, she gave me some material and told me that she would give me a call a couple months after Lily was born. I kept that booklet in my purse for months and re-read it over and over again... She did call like she said that she would and left a message on my cell in April. I saved the message but never called her back. I am re-visiting the idea. 2 shows a week, 6-8 hours, roughly $1800 a month.

And the best for last... I've been doing some research on cake decorating. I love to cook and bake. Always looking up recipes for ideas and new flavors. I've made some "homemade" birthday cakes with my husband. Soccer ball, baseball, football field complete with action figures, a jumbo cake with a Red Sox inspired theme complete with a pair of socks spray-frosted in the center. But what about wedding/special occasion cakes? Am I creative enough? Well I got some books from the library last week and tonight I whipped up my first sample. My husband and I went to Michael's and bought two 6x2 rounds to try my hand at the craft. So I whipped up some Italian Meringue Butter cream frosting to which I added some melted white chocolate, all the while 2 small round Sour Cream Chocolate Cakes baked in the oven. Hopefully the first of many... It will take a lot of practice and my sample cake and frosting took about 2 hours to make and nothing is assembled right now. It's a 3 day process. Day 1: Bake the cakes. Day 2: Fill and frost. Day 3: Assemble. Tomorrow I'll cut the 2 cakes in half to make a 4 layer tier. I contemplated practicing with fondant, but after I looked at the amount of White Chocolate Butter cream that was produced, I'll save that skill for cake #2.

3 options, 3 businesses. What about teaching you ask? Well that's put on hold until my husband receives his orders and we will be permanently placed in a state long enough for me to take a certification test. I was going to take the Virginia Praxis in January. I like to jump on things right away, umm can be good or bad depending upon the situation, but that wouldn't make much sense if we are never to live in VA again. I have to do something, now, not later. I'm tired of hemming and hawing over ideas and not following through with them or talked out of them which has been the case 9 times out of 10. But then again, all the past events that were avoided and occurred, led up to where I am now with a wonderful life outside of work complete with a beautiful daughter and an amazing husband that I adore. No regrets... But I'm 28, I have a whole life-time ahead of me, I can falter a little and still come out on top or go back with the government. I'm not considering quitting my job (yet), these would be part-time options.

So I need to way the pros and cons of each one... I think that I already talked about the pros so here are the "cons." You need to invest into your business to take it off the ground right?

#1: Mary Kay. $100 for your starter kit and training materials. I have 2 more sessions with April to attend, she's harrassing my friend who showed her a little interest in becoming a rep... I'm sure there will be other trainings about make-up techniques and all other Mary Kay products. I can't see myself hosting parties, showing women how to put on make-up and wanting to drive a pink cadillac that is almost impossible to obtain. And I will become a certified stalker? No good. Not an option.

#2: Silpada. 4 options here. $199 for your starter kit, training materials and you can purchase up to 10 items from the catalogue at 50%. You need to be able to showcase the jewelry at the parties. The more items you have for the ladies to look at, the more likely they will buy. It's gorgeous stuff. On the higher end but excellent quality. Option 2 which I want to somehow be able to jump right into but impossible is the Business Builder Sign-Up kit. For $850 you get the $199 certification fee is discounted to $100, and you get 35 already selected pieces and then you can purchase anything else that you want at 50% off. Option 3 is a little more pricey at $1750. You pick out 50 pieces of jewelry, the Certification fee is waived and you can purchase additional items at 50% off. What a deal right? I don't even own 50 items of jewelry even if I broke them into individual pieces. I just need to find hosts for my shows. They get free jewelry depending upon how much their friends spend. Seems like a win win situation to me. My friend Amy in Houston already signed up for a show in February. Travel costs will be a business expense and I get to see my friend. This is definitely doable.

#3: Cake business. Practice, practice, practice, hours of standing before a hot oven, before a screaming stand mixer. Which of course I will need a Kitchen Aid with it's fancy but very functional and practical paddle and balloon whisk. The one I have now is a $30 jobby, totally functionable but smelled like it was about to blow up when I turned it on wicked fast. I'll explain. Out of the 5 settings, there are really only 2 speeds, fast and wicked fast. Baking is very precise. Ask my husband. He learned this past week. He tried his hand at making banana bread. When I reached for a glass and looked over and saw that he was piling all the ingredients on top of one another, like the recipe specified, I tried to explain the basic steps. Liquid ingredients are mixed together, and the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. So tonight I am whipping my eggs whites to soft peaks while simultaneously monitoring a boiling sugar syrup for it to read 250 degrees on the candy thermometer. Precision, precision, precision. But decorating is the fun part after the frosting is made and the cakes baked. In addition to $250 Kitchen Aid, I need all different sizes of aluminum baking pans, square, round, heart, bubble?, form boards, dowels to support the tiers, tons of butter and eggs and special cake flour, all purpose will never do... I'll need different size tips and learn the various techniques on how to use each tip shape. A heavy metal rolling pin for the fondant, a rotating cake stand for even frosting, metal cutters of various shapes to cut out marzipan decorations... 2 ovens, a walk-in freezer and/or refridgerator. Oh I should probably take a class or two. My list is never ending. Of course, I don't need all of this to start... Oh and a website, advertising...

So Mary Kay seems ridiculus. Silpada could work out if I want to make that initial investment. And when that one is successful enough and I am rolling in the dough, I can seriously consider cakes at a business level. Then when all the bills are paid and we have a ton of cash in savings, I can quit everything and be a humble high school teacher and a softball coach. My ultimate dream.

Phew something's gotta give here. I know I can make something work. Baby steps right?

Dare to Dream my friends. Dare to Dream...