As you know, I'm all about multiple income streams. That doesn't mean they all have to be big streams, but I think it's a good idea to not count on any one source of income to cover everything. I like to have at least three income streams going at any one time so that when necessary I can drop a stream, or add one when an opportunity comes up. The primary (and biggest) income stream right now (weekend job at the rest home) covers my rent and most of the bills, the second largest covers groceries, and the third (selling online) is basically for miscellaneous stuff.
My second income stream (cleaning houses) has been dropped for now as my last client is on a road trip, and I'm seriously thinking of not going back to that kind of work. Even though the pay as an independent cleaner can be good, the work is tedious (especially when you've cleaned the same place for years), and I'm at the point now where I'd rather clean my own place than someone else's. As some of you also know, the most stressful part of this type of work for me (which I really wasn't prepared for), was realizing just how badly some (many?) pets are treated. I could write a whole book on the topic, but let's just say for now that I've been in houses where: there was no water left out for the four-legged, food in cat dishes had turned fluorescent-green because of mold, clumping litter had turned to cement with every inch on top covered with poop, dog poop was smeared on leather couches, cat poop had popped up all over the house as boxes were too full -- you name it, I've seen it. Unreal. And it certainly didn't make me think highly of the human race.
But anyway, I have an opportunity soon to do some babysitting for this 8-year old kid in the neighbourhood. Now I've babysat in the past so am not unfamiliar with this line of work, but what intrigues me about this position are the hours. Four to eight. In the MORNING. I know I'd have to get up really early for this gig (although I get up at five on weekends anyway), but I love the fact that I would be done for the day when some folks are still in bed. I also really like the idea that while I'd be working a combined total of 44 hours per week, I'd still be free Monday to Friday 9-5, plus all evenings. How cool is that?!
Am going to meet kid and parent tomorrow. Will let you know how it turns out.
If you haven't already seen it, I sent you an email. ;)
Posted by: Krissa | Friday, August 22, 2008 at 05:22 AM