Non-traditional Income

Ideas. Expectations. Reality.

I've been contributing to my family's finances in a non-traditional manner for the entire life of my children, who are now nearing the tween and teen years. (Please pray for me.)  Sometimes my employment looks more like a traditional job and others times, like the past few months, it has been a grab bag of odds and ends that allow us to continue to pay the mortgage.

Why am I sticking to such a non-traditional path if its such a rough road at times? I don't know if anyone actually thinks these questions but the cultural message is sure there.
I'm supposed to:

• Work full time away from the house so that we can have nice things (my children break them) 
• Go on nice vacations (three fifths of my family gets motion sickness) 
• Buy a McMansion in a developed corn field (I remember those corn fields. I used to ride my bike on the edges of them.)
• Buy a new minivan or monster sized SUV (I have an SUV but it's over ten years old now and small by today's standards for a family.)
• Have my hair colored regularly
• Get a mani-pedi with frequency
• Go out to eat on Friday nights
• Spend $5 on coffee daily
• A millions other "shoulds" that are perpetuated by media, advertising, friends, acquaintances and strangers.

I am sticking to a non-traditional path because we have chosen to Opt Out of the hype. We are returning our subscription to The New American Dream. Instead of all the "shoulds" whispered, hushed but bold, I am listening to our passions and ideals.

Our passions and ideals are what our children will remember. They are what will give my marriage the best shot at faithful longevity. Some women my age are planning their dream weddings, I'm dreaming of my 50th wedding anniversary. There is a special beauty in a relationship that still simmers and flares love after half a century. I am passionate about being home and available for my children. They are school aged now. I had thought that they'd be ready for me to "go to work" by now but they are not.

Monday I had a job interview. I could have been so good at the job. I've been trained for it my whole life. It was basically mine for the taking if I wanted it. I came home, talked to my husband, listened to his encouragement and concerns, then didn't sleep well at all that night. The next day I casually brought the topic up in front of my children. Now, I know some people don't feel children should have a say in the adult decisions in a house but when decisions effect them they get a say. It may not always influence a decision but sometimes it does. There were honest questions asked above nervous shoulders. There were glistening eyes conflicting with consenting words. There was flat out whining. I prayed and declined the opportunity.

Some say God always answers prayers. That there are three answers.
Yes.
No.
Wait.
If that is the case I feel I've been told wait for the past 11 years. I'm not sure what I'm waiting for but I will continue to wait. But, I continue to wait on the idea of "going to work." What I am not doing is waiting to work.

Currently I have my hands in lots of random things. Some pay more than others. Some haven't yielded any income at all just yet. Others have the potential to allow me to not have to grab at so many odd sources of income.

Things I've done, or will be doing, for income this year.

• Internet Rater
• Freelance Design
• Scrap Metal
• Cash for Gold
• Craigslist
• Consignment Sales
• Asking
• Consumer Direct Marketing
• Stock Photography
• Online Article Writing
• And I'm sure I've missed something.

Reality is that all that scrambling, swallowing my pride, and uncertainty is worth it to be fully available to my children, their friends, my husband, my friends, and my family. We can still pay the mortgage and put food on the table. Yes, there is stress but it doesn't over shadow the joy that we have living the daily life they way we do. As The Bird said at dinner tonight, "Money can't make you happy. Only people can make other people happy."  We're broke but we're doing something right; something worth continuing.

Have you done anything non-traditional to live your ideals? Have you shrugged off the "shoulds" whispered at you daily to live an excellent life?

Keep chasing perfection, people. 

Eventually we are going to Catch Excellence.