We’re Live

My Website is Live!

Well we activated my website yesterday so I’m now  “open”. We’re not really ready for business. Still stocking virtual shelves and tracking down more products to offer but if someone happens to wander in and wants to buy something I can make the sale. We’ll be getting the advertising going over the next couple of weeks then have a Grand Opening.  If you want a sneak peak, feel free to check us out. 

Find us Here

Welcoming Haven.com

Stop By for a Visit

We’re still adding products but stop by for a preview and tell your friends. I’ll be sure to let you know for the Grand Opening

 

 

 

Get Ready!

Get Ready!

It’s Coming soon so Get Ready!

Woman with Megaphone: Announcing News and Making Statements, Speaker Icon, Advocate Symbol Stock Vector - Illustration of marketing, message: 378800812

 

New Store

Getting Set to Take Off This Week!

Keep Your Eyes Out!

 

eyes looking at something #2863309

Make your home a Haven

More Details to come!

Somethings Coming!

Coming Soon

I told you there’d be more info coming. There’s so much to do to get ready.  I keep thinking of more and more details that have to be addressed before I can make the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. But I am really excited and , truth time, kind of scared. I’ve dabbled with self employment in the past. The biggest attempt was 7 years with my own Arthur Murray Dance Studio. That was both the best and worst of times as the saying goes. In the end I had to sell at a loss. Long story and one I don’t feel like sharing today. 

 

 

Free coming soon Clipart Images | FreeImages

I’ve tried other things too from selling Mary Kay Cosmetics to candles, most recently Door Dash,  with varying degrees of success.

A year or so before I was laid off at Redfin I took a e-commerce course online. It was expensive but it went into a lot of detail and I felt I got my money’s worth until I got to the last unit.  The question for that chapter was What are you going to sell? But it didn’t give any guidance as to how to find a product. So after all the time effort and expense, that course didn’t get me where I wanted to go. 

E-Commerce

Since I’ve been retired I’ve kept hearing about e-commerce so I’ve been digging into that. How can your average Joe make money online? One way is to order a bunch of products, lets say T-Shirts with sayings. Have a bunch printed and send them to Amazon who will warehouse them and fill your orders. That had me wondering how much do I order, how many different sayings and what sizes?  I’ve met people that have done it but it’s a lot of work and when starting up a lot of it is guesswork. 

An Online Store

Ecommerce Clipart Images | Free Download | PNG Transparent ...

Recently I came across several testimonials from people that were running online businesses without having to purchase their product stock up front. So I started researching. Now I’m finally ready to share what I’ve been working on even if I’m not ready for the BIG REVEAL.

I’m planning an online store. I’m working on the web design now and selecting the products I want to offer. I bit the bullet and hired and advertising company to put together a small (its all I could afford) campaign for the grand opening. After all, if no one can find my store I won’t get any sales.  

I’m planning a Home Goods store to start out. I expect the store will evolve as we go along. I have a name and I think we’re headed into the home stretch. A couple more weeks and I can unveil  the site and open my doors. So stay tuned for more info as I get closer to launch. 

36,400+ Man Looking To The Future Stock Illustrations ...

Happy Anniversary to me

Happy Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day that turned my life upside down. Yup I was laid off from Redfin 1 year ago today. It’s not as if I’d never been laid off before but I’d never been laid off when I was 70+ years old. I just didn’t have it in me to start over again. so I’m trying out retirement. Evan after  a year I’m not sure it suits me. I still wake up in the morning feeling guilty because I’m not rushing around to get ready for work.  I worry about paying the bills.  Social Security doesn’t go that far and my Redfin investments are still in the tank.  I got a nice severance package and I’ve been using that to make up any shortfalls but it can’t go on forever.

 

Medtronic, Halyard Health's Corpak to lay off 266 in Illinois - MassDevice

 

Typical Day since Layoff

I’m trying to live the frugal life since the layoff. No spontaneous shopping trips. Minimal take out or restaurant meals. I stopped taking road trips to save on gas.  One  big thing I did was restrict my time ordering kindle books. Since I like series I made it a rule that I had to re-read all the books in a series before I could add a new one.  I’m working on the Stephanie Plumb series now. I’m currently on book 12 but the new book is #30 so I have a way to go. 

I also dropped cable and just have streaming now. That saved me $100/ mo. I’m debating if I want to downgrade the streaming service. I have “Live TV” but the price just went up and I only watch a couple of channels. If I’m patient eventually the new programing will be added to my streaming service.

 

The Frugal Lifestyle - Blog

 

Entertainment

My cats are a constant source of entertainment.  Just last night Banner was trying to stuff his fluffy body into a paper grocery bag, The whole side ripped out. Balboa was quite interested in watching this and when Banner got out of the remains of the bag Balboa was there to try to get in.  Banner immediately lifted his paw and bopped Balboa on the head- no claws, no rough housing just  “BOP!” It was such a surprise and so deliberate. It just cracked me up. Surprised Balboa too. 

 

 

Banner Photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Balboa photo credit Deb Neumann

Conclusion

If I could just shake the feeling that I should be working I think I’d like retirement.  I don’t mind relaxing and reading or playing on the computer. I’m not bored yet. I guess as long as the money holds out I’ll keep up the routine. I wish I could think of something to do on my own time to make money. A side hustle so to speak.  If I get bored or get itchy feet and want to travel again I can look for a part time job to support my habit. 

 

 

 

 

 

Retire? Me?

Suddenly I’m Retired

It is with mixed feelings that I am writing this post. I’ve wanted to retire for some time now but I wanted to retire on my terms. I’ve been putting every spare penny toward paying down debt and investing in my nest egg. That’s not to say I planned to stop exploring. I have often said I work so that I can take vacations. Well, surprise. The decision was made for me. I was laid off! Oh I’ll look for work but I have no desire to stay in my current career.

Retirement - Granville Central School District

What does Retirement feel like to me?

After my initial shock wore off, I had to take a hard look at my finances. After all I wasn’t quite ready to give up a  paycheck. I seem to be struggling to remember that I don’t have to cram everything into the weekend. Old habits die hard. I have to let the various Real Estate boards know that I’m no longer with Redfin.

Then I have to figure out my health insurance. At my age I have Medicare but I need to get some part C coverage with Dental and Vision. COBRA is way too expensive but I may be stuck with that until I have finished the tooth implants  (2) I’m in the middle of getting.

I wouldn’t be so concerned if the stock market hadn’t tanked. (Thank you Fed Reserve) My investments are mostly in Redfin Stock and it has taken a nose dive with rising interest rates. From a high of almost $100/share it’s down to $5.00/share.  At least it went up a couple of dollars after the layoff. 

 

What are my plans

 What am I going to do, you ask. Basically hang in there until my retirement account recovers. ( At least 2 +years) I am looking for work and may get up my courage to try freelance writing. There are a lot of those jobs listed and I can do them on my own time, any place. I will certainly need to take a different look at my trips and explorations. I’ll have more time and freedom but less money.

Yesterday I found myself thinking about a road trip through Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana. There’s a scenic drive in Minnesota along Lake Superior that I’m interested in. Then Theodore Roosevelt National Park  in North Dakota.  From there drive to Close Encounters Mountain, real name Devil’s Tower and then off to  “Going to the Sun Road.” (I’ll get into more in additional posts) but after consideration I decided it was too long to be away from my kitties. Pet care is expensive.

 

I can assure you that with more time on my hands you’ll be exploring retirement right along with me.  I’ll keep you posted as plans develop.