Definitely a time when I am looking forward to a new year. I am blessed in many ways but, frankly, 2018 was brutal.
I've juggled the ups and downs of travel agent life by having a steady second gig on the side. It's what made it possible. In this biz, you book a client today, and you get paid when they travel, which might be a year away.
Alas, at this time last year my 7 year second gig vanished. No complaints, it was a great gig while it lasted. But I've had a heck of a time replacing it. And its been burning a hole in my jeans (aka = I'm more than broke!). It's like I've been pedalling backwards.
In November I took the bull by the horns and started looking more seriously for jobs big and small.
Mystery shopping has been interesting, not a lot of pay, but heck, I got reimbursed for a bottle of Grey Goose in an airport duty free shop this month.
And I've been ghostwriting... actually a great fit for me, with instant tangible results: write a book this week, get paid next week. My first one is done, and I'm half-way through my second one. I have missed writing! Just a couple of the oddball things I am incorporating into my income stream.
Now, in my quest to get a steady 1/2 time gig, I've ended up with a 3-month full-time contract. It comes with lots of opportunities for going forward attached. After contract #1 I'll be auxiliary, which will give me an undetermined number of as needed hours, plus the chance to bid for full-time, part-time and contract gigs with the same company. It's a good set up. I'm a bit disappointed that I'll need to do 40 hours/week to start, as it will restrict my travel work initially by only working from home (during wave/peak season!), but in the big scheme of things, it will be fine. But I am going to be one busy girl come mid January. I've got a commute into Victoria coming up, which I hope to do by bus.
It's all good, and I'll be glad to be getting steady (decent) pay. Putting cash in my jeans, vs the lack thereof burning holes in my jeans!
It'll be a fresh start, and will be nice to work on a new project with new people (and great to still have my cruise team; they are gems).
And for a girl who will turn 60 (!?!?!?!?) in less than a month, that's a good thing.
LOOKING FORWARD to 2019!
