2020-09-019-001 COVID19

This year of 2020 has been a year of change globally. Earlier in the year,(about March 2020) there were news reports online initially of a Corona Virus which was in the process of being understood and which eventually was  labelled COVID19. 

With only images of persons dropping down without any warning, them being clothed,and also with face masks, precautions which were suggested were implemented and there was:

Social distancing, 

Washing of hands before entering public spaces and on reaching home,

after a period of shut down and then phased access to facilities.

The early online medical releases which included the symptoms of "flu (s)" from previous years supported the concept that contagious diseases could be managed, if not prevented:

Prevention could range from:

Drastic measures such as closure of airports or access by air of hundreds of persons at a time to 

Limiting the number of persons who entering a facility with shared air spaces such as a mall in  which there were several floors, a limited number of plants or air cleansing objects.

Prevention could be taken to mean:

Change in diet to more immune boosters, such as more vegetables, fish; less flour and carb intake,

Physical exercise outdoors to increase the individual's oxygen intake.

An increase in the intake of liquids which are designed to flush the system, such as water, juices.

In real terms, this COVID 19 virus may last for a number of financial periods and over the medium term interest rates could fall reducing the income which could be earned as that is one of the easy ways to manage costs in periods of uncertainty.

Disbursements in certain sectors may increase such as agriculture which in itself is diverse in activity, as there are: Sellers of seeds, seedlings, soil, additives to the soil, 

Sellers of equipment of various sizes and complexity, such as manual devices, gas operated equipment, such as brush cutters, tractors and lawn mowers.

Given the impact of time on the  receipt of  income for a simple activity which may require low cash outflows as seedlings could take up to a few weeks from the purchase of seeds to the sale of a seedling, the input into this industry could be large to meet the needs of an increasing number of participants, however the industry could remain extremely competitive and without support, could be a drain on a person's resources.

Learning curve: Given that it is possible that past results may generate confidence in a person's ability to recreate produce,  attempts to generate products and produce at a different time in the year may also impact upon cash flow, expectations and results.

Originally posted on Facebook - August 17, 2018 - Changing Careers

I started reading this article and the one preceding it and I liked both articles a lot. What the articles do not say are:

Before making the jump learn several practical skills while you have extra money, such as:

Growing several things which you can eat. Learn about long term, medium term and short term with those crops even if you think that you have accumulated enough to jump. They may be your saving grace over the medium to long term.

Consider developing your shopping skills in an economical way:
Learn which stores offer 'Buy one get one at 50% off" for shoes, accessories for shoe care or foot care.
Rethink the "Fund raising events" for "work clothes" over time, as you can experiment with another look while donating some of your gently used items.
Learn how to sell off your extra "good quality" items, such as sheets, towels as early as possible. Start reducing your purchases of these items from now as cash in the bank means less storage space or rental space being used.

Don't underestimate the need for funds. When you think that you have put away enough, check again and see if there is another "Tax Saving Plan or for those who save in US dollars, a seven year or longer term bond" in your portfolio and if you can reinvest the interest earned for another period. The "good life" is expensive and those "other savings" tend to buffer our lives.

Start practicing gratitude as being positive and grateful  helps in the transition.

Before leaving your job or career, consider asking for a reduction in your work hours to keep a job which you like, but to which you may not be able to devote as much as you would like. Also consider assisting in another area of work in the company to develop some additional skills which may assist in your transitioning into another position or company if you like working in "blue chip companies"

Currently I work 3 days a week and due to rainfall, between Monday and today I harvested some cassava which I had forgotten or did not believe was good as yet. I was able to give some away and I was grateful for something else which came in as relatively "free food" which I "had" to eat as I can give away so much and no more. This reduces my need for some cash periodically.

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/money-finance/saving-spending/changing-career-financially-prepared?fbclid=IwAR2ZlGI-XqmqIDYePC11Eo6fnc22_zbKBVZXpCwkDTIeIn__ry4qqr1iNww

Originally posted on Facebook - Planning 2018-05-013 -001 Grocery and To do Planning'

Have to make my grocery list before the end of the month....

I know that I have a mental plan of due dates when I need to get things...

Such as: groceries which I can get, when I go to pay bills which are to be paid early in the next month for the latest.

Things which I pick up when I deal with bills which are interest sensitive and which benefit from being paid as early as possible....

The things for which I can keep cash which I can use as part of my splurge money... (You know the dollar and two dollar choices:)

The choices which I have to make so as to save some cash... Luckily in my mind I have some choices as to places where I can put some of the small savings... I just have to get it into action.

Taxes to pay next month.... So do I put cash away this month and work out my taxes for this quarter at this mid point or do I just work on filing my return for last year?

Definitely need some thinking space and time..... Yes, I know an hour with the Lord can give me the mental clarity which I need.....

However right now there is: bread to bake, shower curtains to wash, hang and rehang and almost a day of chores to get through before tonight.... So Lord, just help me to make the right choices...

Originally posted on Facebook -Motivation Moment 2018-05-015-001

Some persons who are developing strategies to save or who may be trying new experiences sometimes identify their positive influences early in the process while some identify theirs later down the road..

Here are some examples of persons using different motivators to keep themselves going:

1 They start saving their time. Yes, there are persons who cut out some of the "time spenders" such as reducing their trips to the grocery and using the time to:

Accomplish some chores earlier in the week,

Try out a new side for dinner.

2 They start saving smaller amounts to keep their enthusiasm going... Yes sometimes it seems that the big saving goals may not happen the way we want them to and saving a smaller amount allows us to contribute to a goal in another way.

3 They try to put in some small amounts of "Do good time". This might mean:

5 minutes in meditation in the morning and 5 minutes in the afternoon if you cannot have more time... Think adoration time.

Assisting as a volunteer for half an hour

Listening to inspirational music for 3 minutes. This boosts the mood and may assist you in not going off track in a big way.

Stopping to say a prayer at lunch time. This can allow you to recharge and may give you the energy to thrive in the afternoon to evening.

So tell me what has been motivating you..

Originally posted on Facebook - The Power of 5's 2018-05-016-001

Recently I was going through a sweet tooth phase and I discovered that Tru Valu Long Circular sells Biscuit cakes, (a past love from my childhood) at $2.00 for one.

The first set of three biscuit cakes which I bought were :

Thicker than the expected "height";

The taste was one part essence which pervaded each mouthful,

There was just enough sugar in it;

The texture was soft and a small piece warranted a second taste and so forth.

Since then I have been trying to capture that taste and texture almost every week.

So to get back to the Power of 5's. After consuming those Biscuit cakes, I tend to get creative as to what I can do with a little bit. So here are some of the Power of 5's suggestions:

In some earlier posts, I have explored the 1/2 lbs and 1 lbs which can allow you to create a soup with $10 of ingredients.

If one were really stretched, then an omission of an item can take the cost of the soup down to $5.00 or

Change the type of soup from a split pea, potato, pumpkin soup, to a potato soup to a pumpkin soup or

A fried pumpkin side or a fried potato side all under $5,00 or within $5.00.

Some of the other alternatives are: a bunch of pakchoy with 5 pieces for $10.00 or 4 pieces for $10.00 which works out to about $2.00 or $2.50 per side or thereabouts if one were to consider the other ingredients.

Recently I was able to purchase a bunch of callaloo bush for $8.50 which was outside of my range of prices for items for that day.

However the bag of callaloo bush included a pack of coconut milk which normally costs about $4.50.

When the two items were put together, the callaloo bush came out at about $4.50.

I was also able to get 3 small sweet potatoes for about $5.00, some pieces of ginger for about $5.00.

So with that in mind, let me leave you with a math puzzle and a test of your optimism:

There is a game which is offered by NLCB where you can wager $1.00 and win $30.00. So if you were willing to wager 4, $1.00's, twenty times you may achieve a gross receipt of $2,400. Now this return does not compare to that of Cash Pot and you may be seriously tired after trying, but if you are willing to work your brain, then the grocery shopping may be a thrill as you can look at all of the $5's with glee.

So look at the forms, read the front and the back and enjoy...

Originally posted on Facebook- The Power of 5's 2018-05-018-001

Yesterday I gave in to the allure of the 5's in a doubles and a baiganee with channa, chutney and slight pepper. However back to the real world and here are some of my under, equal and over $5.00 items:

Catelli - elbows, small pack about 300 gms - $4.00 Makes a small enough pie to serve one or two persons as a side dish for about 2 or three meals. ( milk and cheese do not count in this as some persons will eat the "elbows" boiled with seasonings.)

Carailli - $3.00 for about 2 small ones or 1 large one for $5.00. These can create a serving for 2 persons for about 2 meals as no one really likes Carailli.

Peas - Lentils, split peas are each about $4.00 - $5.00 Most persons cook about a quarter of a pound with garlic. So a pound of peas can last a month to six weeks for two persons.

Mince meat - At some supermarkets, you can ask for about $5.00 in minced meat and they will weigh it out for you without a fuss.. Cooked in a sauce, this can become a side.

Mackerel in a tomato sauce or in brine is my last suggestion at $5.00. This can be curried and served as a side for 2 persons.

Here are my over $5.00 which can last for awhile:

Mushrooms in a tin at $10.00 - Sliced thinly and curried, they can be served as a side. As a pizza topping, they may take longer to be eaten.

Sardines @ $7.00 serves 2 -3 as a side

1/2 pound of Peanut Butter - can make cookies, "punches" eaten on apples, with oats, sugar, essence and baked as a bar, eaten by the tsp to prevent heatburn.

Pakchoy, Callaloo Bush and other vegetables last for several meals.

Flour 2kg - can last a month or so.

Macaroni or spaghetti @ $5.00 or so.

Enjoy your shopping and eating for the weekend

Originally posted on Facebook - 2018-05-019-001 - Lines of Business -

Some persons have different lines or business which provide either income, experience or a way to give back....

So let's say that I am using some of my earnings from my regular job to buy food..

If my intention is to develop compost then I may buy: onions, garlic, newspapers, carrots, potatoes, eggs and sweet potatoes as my contribution to the home.

If my intention is to develop plants, then I may buy: most of the above, however I may add Pro Mix or one of the plant starters to get pieces of the potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots to grow...

Now if I were to create and sell the "seedlings" of potato and pieces of sweet potato plants, then my cash inflow may be faster than expected. However if I were to keep them to create products to sell, then my income may be received at a later point in time....

If I were preparing my Cash Flow or my Profit & Loss, then I would have no " sources" of funding as basically I took some of the purchases and perhaps turned a profit... That is if I were like most persons and threw away the bills or did not copy them as they faded quickly. (Perhaps some of the "Groceries" may provide member statements with items purchased per calendar year which may be printed on regular paper, so that persons can have support for their tax return.)

Worse yet, if I picked up some slices of tomato with seeds or a whole tomato, planted the seeds and got a whole lot of crops, then I would have few expenses unless I decided to accrue for some rent which may reduce my profits.

However, In real time, I would have to weigh the produce, take pictures, get copies of the grocery bills and thus incur some type of cost which if I were filing an income Tax Return would allow me to claim some expenditure. In real time, that is difficult for the average person..... However...

The Income Statement for the Tax Return could be used to open a Bank Account and allow the person to move forward.

The funds in the "business" account would need to be kept separately from my other funds as I would need to pay myself and use my funds as I see fit.

I could open different business bank accounts or Unit Trust accounts to keep different sources of business income as I may sell some of the businesses at a point in time and the Bank account or Unit Trust Account for the Business may form part of the "history" of the business...

In real terms, I would move towards paying taxes every quarter, reduce my penalties and interest.

My lines of business may assist in tracking new businesses as there may be some exemptions on the payment of taxes with respect to new businesses...

So it just may be worth your while to track your lines of businesses or disaggregate your funds even though the income may seem minute..

Someone with a different eye may see some breaks that you may not see....