3 days after I quit (including the weekend), I got a call for another project almost immediately. This one, is about an hour away (not so bad), and is for about 3-4 months, possibly longer if I do a stellar job (which I am planning on knocking out of the park as their expectations are quite low).
Going to sign the contract at $110/hour, which means I’ll be earning:
Gross: $110/hour x 11 weeks x 40 hours a week = $48,400
Net: $52,00 / 2 = $24,200
After Estimated Expenses $24,200 – (3 months x $1000) = $21,200 net.
Let’s just say $20,000 to be on the conservative side.
This means I COULD technically clear my debt, but I think I’ll put 50% towards my debt, and the other 50% into my Emergency Fund until I secure my next project, which I am already lining up for January (I think I know a client who will need my services).
Now that I’m going to be earning erratic amounts, and I may not be able to get a project for half the year, I have to plan and even out my cashflow to make sure I don’t run into problems.
*smiles*
The future just seems brighter than ever. I don’t think I could’ve been any happier than the very moment I secured that contract.
The universe must’ve been in alignment because I also caught every train and every bus (instead of waiting 20 minutes in between), RIGHT as it was arriving in the station.
It was just…. karmic sweetness today.
Shopping Confessional
Oh, and I was a bit of a bad FB.
I saw that my favourite denim trouser jeans were fraying pretty badly at the back, so I KNEW I had to get a replacement pair ASAP… Went searching, couldn’t find ‘em. Ended up finding a pair at RW&Co. for $67 (tax included), and they are a thin material, that LOOKS like denim, but the best part is that it stretches at the stomach so that I can sit comfortably without feeling constrained after eating a big meal (LOL).
Like these pants, but in a darker ‘wash’.
I also brought them in for alterations (as we all know that tailoring is v. important), and that cost $12. Well worth every penny.
Oh and… *guilty*… I also bought the most adorable dove grey vest at Jacob. It makes my t-shirts look like actual, work appropriate tops, and I can wear cute short-sleeved blouses under it (my new obsession).
It’s called a “Belted Debardeur”, whatever that means in French. It’s hard to see in this picture, but it’s sleeveless, almost like a tank top in a sweater version, not quite like a real vest, and has a deep U-neck with a waist tie. $45.
Kind of along the same lines of what Dr. Allison Cameron wears a lot on “House”, except she does a lot of actual vests and I’m more of a comfy light sweater + faux trouser pants kind of girl (I love trouser jeans. If I find another perfect pair, I’m buying 2).
I figure I can take some inspiration from her, wear a short-sleeved blouse with a collar (or none), or even just a thin, u-neck t-shirt, and rock it out to be something a tad more professional than a plain ol’ t-shirt that’s comfy.
That’s all the self-indulgent shopping I did! I swear on the tail of my favourite bear!
…..Except for that new carryon luggage I had to buy. But I don’t consider that self-indulgent. More necessary than anything.
My brother took the last one I bought – that’s what you get for buying quality and leaving it at the mercy of your family, so I spent another $113 replacing what I had before. *sigh*
At least this one is a dark purple with lilac zipper accents and girlier.
- Professional Clothing in a Casual Marketplace
- My General Want List
- FB Retro: Getting the right jeans to fit (Oprah and Stacy London)
- How cute is this coat she’s wearing?
- What if everyone wore flipflops?
FruGal
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 11:51 AM:
Well done on your new position! Just goes to show what you can achieve when you know what you want and go for it. Good on you
Lisa
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 12:05 PM:
Good for you on the job front! And you sound very reasonably indulgent, which is to say, practical and you needn’t feel guilty!
Living Almost Large
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 1:05 PM:
Where is the job? Are you moving?
Patt M
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 1:08 PM:
Congrats! Knew you could do it!
Katelin
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 3:14 PM:
congrats on the new job, that’s awesome you could almost pay off all your debt, woo!
Sharon Rose
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 3:15 PM:
Congrats on the new project-I love it when a plan comes together!!
G+D
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 4:01 PM:
Congratulations on landing the new contract–that’s great news! Love your new buys, too. Especially that sweater!
Ashe Mischief
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 4:30 PM:
I love that you included Dr. Cameron on there! She’s definitely my “business professional” style icon (though I love Dr. Cuddy, too…)
Danz
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 4:50 PM:
Good for you getting such a great opportunity so quickly! I hope it all goes well.
Also, that belted vest looks great for work. I like how vests look with those short sleeved blouses – very cute but comfortable at the same time.
Rae
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 4:55 PM:
Congrats on the job, hon!! Sucks about the carry on,though – I would have hit the roof about that one!
The top is adorable! V. cute
Laura
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 6:37 PM:
congrats on the job!
& check my blog of a well deserved award. : )
Dolly Iris
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 6:58 PM:
FB I am SO happy for you. Congrats on securing that contract. It sounds like a well deserved fabulous day!!
Revanche
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 7:17 PM:
Oooh I fell in love with a sweater vest just like that at H&M. Sadly, they only had size 14s.
I LOVE Dr. Cameron's outfits! Love love love them.
a
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 8:38 PM:
FB i’m in Toronto too and looking for a good tailor – where did you go to get your pants tailored? any recommendations? and what kind of tailoring did you get done on the pants?
Thanks!
marisol
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 10:36 PM:
Congrats FB!
Mama Bear
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 10:51 PM:
Congrats!!!!!
Debt Dieter
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 11:04 PM:
Congratulations on finding a new contract so quickly, it must be a great feeling to know that your skills and experience are in such high demand!
Beauty Blabber
on Aug 13th, 2008
@ 11:39 PM:
Yay FB!
I love the grey vest, I’ve been looking for one for ages, and this one seems perfect. I love wearing blouses under vests like that one! Adorable;)
Question; the luggage that you bought, was it by any chance, by Swiss Gear? I have the same one:)
Mandy
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 12:16 AM:
Congrats on that new project! (:
and that dove grey vest looks like a good investment!
gilda
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 1:21 AM:
you’re so amazing. much respect!!! xox
Frugal
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 7:30 AM:
I was so inspired by your post yesterday that I wrote about you in my blog today (hope that’s ok!)
Fabulously Broke
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 9:19 AM:
Frugal: Thanks! It was more of a calculated risk that I took, so it wasn’t completely impulsive.
Lisa: Thanks. But after not spending for so long, it feels guilty.
LAL: The job is in Montreal
Patt m: Thanks!
Katelin: Almost. I’m going to pay about $10,000 of it, but keep the rest as a buffer until I secure the next contract.
Sharon Rose: My resignation and new job could not have worked out better.
G+D: Thanks!!!
Ashe: I think Dr. Cuddy and Dr. Cameron have some of the best wardrobes on TV. Very wearable
Danz: Thanks! The belted vest with a short sleeve will be nice for those cooler months when you don’t want to cover up
Rae: Thanks.. it did kind of irritate me, but hey, I got a girlier one. He won’t steal this one.
Laura: Thanks!
Dolly: Thanks!!!!
Revanche: I saw another cute top at H&M but same deal – they only had Larges
A: I just went to Salstyle in Eaton’s Centre. No one fancy. I just got the pants taken up at the bottom because I’m too short. And the rest of the pant fit perfectly, so no alterations there required. It was a very simple tailoring job.
Marisol: Thanks!
MamaBear: Thanks!
Debtdieter: It is. I felt really lucky, and now I just have to kill it at the client’s and I’m secured.
Beauty Blabber: I almost bought all the other colours too, but I held off as I knew I’d probably never wear the red one with anything other than black, white or grey, and it’d be a waste!!
Yes it was a Swiss Army one. The thing I hate about it is that if you pack it full, it leans forward instead of staying upright. It needs little legs.
Mandy: Thanks!
Gilda: Aww.. thanks!
Frugal: I just commented. Thanks for the sweet post.
Living Almost Large
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 11:34 AM:
Do you need to buy a car now that you are moving out of Toronto and out of our your parents house?
Does working for yourself make you pay more in taxes like it does in the US?
And do you think you can really get by with only $1k in spending a month including rent or hotel?
Fabulously Broke
on Aug 14th, 2008
@ 4:48 PM:
LAL: Nope. No need for a car, I can take the subway.
I don’t pay more in taxes if I work for myself — but if I earn more money, I pay more of course, which is going to be the case. My guess is I’ll be at 45% tax rate this year.
And yes $1k is reasonable
I don’t pay for a hotel, and the rent is split between BF and I… If I need to travel somewhere to stay in a hotel outside of Montreal, etc then the client would pay for it — the same way that they did before.
Shopaholic D
on Aug 16th, 2008
@ 8:37 PM:
get it girl! congrats on the new gig. oh, and you deserve your shopping spree – nice choices!
Living Almost Large
on Aug 17th, 2008
@ 2:20 PM:
When do you start? Crazy that you found something where you wanted to live. Although you travelled enough before to not have an Apartment!
Lys
on Aug 17th, 2008
@ 3:54 PM:
CONGRATS!!!!! Oh FB I am so happy for ya!!
And in Montreal of all places, should cut down on some of the traveling, no?
And you totally deserve a little shoppin’ spree. Karma just worked in your favor – and that’s a good thing.
SavingDiva
on Aug 22nd, 2008
@ 6:12 PM:
YEAH!
Love the purchases! I’m such an enabler!