This Week's Blessing: Another Job Opportunity

So I was contacted for yet another job opportunity.  So far the opportunities that I've had so far have not panned out but it's encouraging to have them continuously come in.

It's that time of month again-- when I look at my finances and I panic because I have no idea how I am going to pay the bills.  I think it'll get easier once I get through August.  I have reimbursements and some extra pay coming.  Until then, I'm getting through by suspending savings and maybe selling furniture that I don't need.  I'm praying that God will provide miraculously for me.  That's why I started doing this after all.  I want to see God's miraculous provision in my life.  

SO FAR: $13.79
$15.29 Grocery sale
$4.49 Rite Aid
=$19.78
10%=$1.98
+$13.79
=$15.77
+$30 cell phone bill
=$45.77
-$40 Support missionary
=$5.77
*There's more Rite Aid savings but can't find receipt right now

This Week's Blessings: 2 Job Opportunities

This past week was a great week.  I felt like God was blessing me for choosing to give. I had two people contact me for job opportunities. One is a contract, temporary position which I could do outside my regular job.  Another is in my field, hopefully a better-paying job.  I'm waiting to see if either one of them will pan out.  I also had a really interesting occurrence happen at work this week. I received the opporutnity to work on a rare case, a rare disorder. I'm really lucky.  A lot of potential opportunities could arise out of this case, including publication.  My supervisor suggested this could be my niche when I eventually go into private practice.  I feel lucky and I'm grateful.  It makes me wonder what other opportunities God will send and it encourages me to continue giving.  

I have been feeling slightly discouraged b/c my student loans are in the 6 figure range. I'm dying to pay it off so that I can go into private practice and work part-time.  Currently, I'm on track for public service loan forgiveness since there is no way I could possibly pay it off on my dinky less-than-the-US-median-salary salary.

I felt comforted this week b/c I felt God telling me that He can send all sorts of opportunities my way, opportunities that I never even imagined.  Each month around bill-paying time, I start to panic.  I've been so paranoid that I won't have enough money to pay the bills that I've been economizing like mad.  I'm feeling better and I can eel my faith rowing as I watch God provide.

SO FAR: $4.38
$68.10 bills
$26.01 YNAB sale
=$94.11
10%=$9.41
+$4.38
=$13.79

This Week's Blessing: Ticket Sale

This week I was able to buy a really chap ticket to go see my friend on the other side of the country.  I'm happy.

I decided that I'm going to go ahead and give to charity instead of setting aside the money for missions.  This means that I'll be really stretched in my giving, but God has been bringing me through for the last year.  He'll continue to help.  I calculated my giving percentage based on my salary and side income (excluding benefits).  I found that I've give 16-17% so far this year.  (!!!)  I'm not sure how I managed this.  My goal this year was to give 15%.  I've overshot it and I've been doing ok.  I have enough money for al my needs and some of my wants.  I bet I'm getting audited next tax season.

Speaking of taxes, I figured out that I can legitimately deduct the use of a home office and cost of a new computer given that my side income requires it.  The problem is the exclusivity rule.  I cannot use that space or that computer for anything other than my side business.  If I can deduct the costs, it's worth it.  I spent this weekend rearranging my room so that I have space for a home office.  I can't start using it as a home office until I get a new computer, which will be end of August.  So I'll start in September!

SO FAR:$59.61
$4.78 groceries
$99 plane fare
$43.93 books
$50 rent
$100 car insurance
=$297.71
10%=$29.77
+$59.61
=$89.38
-$35 World Vision
=$54.38
-$50 Orphan's Tear
=$4.38