A Fool and His Money
I’m kind of lazy. Well, I’m really lazy sometimes. Ever since I graduated from high school I’ve had a hard time managing my time, so I don’t have a job while I’m in school. I hardly get my schoolwork done as it is, I can’t imagine trying to organize it alongside even part-time working hours. Needless to say, I have no source of income. My parents are more than kind enough that they cover my gas money and general living expenses, so my savings shouldn’t go anywhere, right? I also have a spending problem. I’m a little bit of a shopping addict, mostly as a response to stress or depression. What stress? Who knows. I’m in an almost perpetual state of wanting a vacation, sometimes even while I’m on vacation.
So why is any of this relevant? Because I should be saving money for this trip. I should’ve been saving money for at least a year now, but when I had a decent amount saved up and got some paid film work it seemed like I had money to spare. Wrong. So in late September, my savings almost completely depleted, I turned to the one place I could get help.
eBay.
Since then I’ve sold five CDs, nine DVDs, two Playstation 3 games, three Gamecube games, a computer program, and a Silver Surfer compilation book. This raked in $288.71, but after deducting shipping and fees from both eBay and PayPal, I got a net profit of a little more than $100.
It’s not much but every little bit helps, right? Especially since I’ve still been spending money needlessly. Having an eBay account is a double-edged sword, since while I’m making money by venting my unwanted and unneeded possessions, I’ve also been inducted into a new spending venue.
So I’ve got almost $250, and the trip is less than five months away. Am I boned? How much money will I need for three months anyway?
I’m boned, aren’t I.
Quick Update Video
From earlier this week, Ned and I went to go visit Joe at Cheney Tech. We’re almost ready to start construction, and Joe walked us through how it will look once it’s done. Thanks to Ned for bringing a real camera to take some decent video.
If the above video is taking too long to load, try the version on YouTube.
Diesel 101
Dan and I dropped by Cheney today to see if we could get some video with the students working on the various projects related to the bus. Unfortunately, I’m really dissatisfied with the video on my cellphone, and we came by close to the end of school on a Friday, so not much of the video was any good. I’m hoping to return and interview them again later, with a better camera and more time. But for now, here is a little video of Joe explaining some basic workings of a diesel engine.
Help!
The help we’ve gotten so far just getting this project launched is incredible, but we’re going to need a little more help this summer while we’re actually on the road. What we need help with is pretty simple, and doesn’t require any money: we’re looking for places to park, shower or do laundry. If you could help us with any one of those things, we’d be eternally grateful. If you think you can help us out with any of those things, or anything else, please let us know. Make sure you tell us who and where you are, and how to get in touch with you.
Thanks!
Eight-Ball Says…
I’m almost out of money, and almost entirely due to stupid spending habits. Really just one habit: spending. Over the past year, Mom gave me over $900, in addition to whatever I had and whatever I earned. She and Dad also supplied me with grocery money and gas money while in school, and continue to do so. And yet I have under $200.
If I want to go on this trip, I need to come by some money. A miracle would be nice. I suppose I could fit a part-time job into my schedule, though most of my free time is in the morning and I’m not very effective before 11 am. eBay has panned out poorly.
Outlook not good. My two most likely options at this time are not going, or making living out of a bus for a summer on a hundred dollars or less yet another of the feats of this journey.
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