I have had this domain for quite a while and was doing the standard posts about saving, spending less than you earn, etc., but I just deleted everything I had (a whole 9 posts!) and am going to start fresh.
My name is Ward Edwards, and I have worked in Information Technology for the past 16 years. Well that just came to an end. I was going along doing my job and then last Friday, just before quitting come, the boss comes to the door and tells me that there is insufficient work (which is true) and that I would be on an indefinite layoff until there is more work (which I don’t expect to ever happen). Since I have expected this layoff for quite a while, I have been putting as much away as I can, and keeping expenses low. I have the advantage of having a house that is paid off (more on that in a later post), but I participate in one of the most expensive sports out there – I ride dressage. I am fortunate in that I can do my own farrier work, get lessons from my wife, a wonderful riding instructor, and have my horse at a barn that is nearby, has excellent care, and is incredibly cheap.
I have spent the last week enjoying myself, taking things easy and going up and riding my horse. I have really enjoyed being able to go and ride in the mornings, which has got me thinking that I would rather have a business that I could run from home and have the flexibility to continue to do this.
The obvious choice is to start a business as an IT consultant, but the problem is 1)I am really getting sick of IT, 2) the nature of the business is that you are putting out fires, and so don’t have the flexibility that I want. Another choice is to go back to trimming horses feet (I worked as a farrier for a couple of years, and have been doing some work part time for the last 19 years). I enjoy the work, the money is good, but it can be hard on the body and I’m not getting any younger. A third option that I have considered is to go be a life coach. It sounds interesting, but from what I have seen, most successful life coaches make most of their money training other life coaches. I’m not sure what the market is like. I might give it a try anyway.
I would love to do some work where I can talk to people who are spending more than they earn and show them the reality of what they are doing. That is part of the point of this blog. I will also be discussing my thoughts on horses, politics, the economy, society as a whole and anything else that suits my fancy, but the main topic will be developing a sustainable lifestyle. It’ my blog and I can do anything I want :).
I will chronicle what is progressing in my life as time goes on, good and bad, so join me on a grand adventure.