Musings Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Life on Salt Spring

Day 129 – September 18th 2008

Posted on September 18, 2008September 22, 2021 by Duncan Elsey

Budgeting is Boring – Part 1

Well, since we've moved to Salt Spring, budgeting has become a necessity. I'm now following a new direction with my business – and not taking on any new clients. Duncan is no longer working a 'normal' job as he is renovating the house.

What we have found from budgeting is that we spend less… No surprise there eh?

Well, actually I was surprised. Usually it doesn't make any difference…

But it's amazing once you sit down and come up with a REASONABLE budget – how the urge to spend naturally reduces.

Now I stress the word REASONABLE. Most people think of budgets as a CONSTRAINT – something that is 1) a hassle, 2) stops them having fun, 3) is boring and 4) takes too much time. (Sorry Mom! She's an accountant!)

Well, we now have a budget for alcohol, for weekends away and holidays, for personal expenditure (which we don't need to justify to each other), for entertainment (eg. dvds, eating out) and for 'treats' which might include a massage or occasional bottle of champagne.

Now some of you may be thinking "That's not a budget!". But I think that's why it works. Because it DOESN'T constrain us. We SPEND LESS, it's EASY and FEELS GREAT! Because it maintains our dream of living here on Salt Spring (for the budget to work – it helps if it's linked to a goal or dream).

I used to buy all sorts of little 'treats' while I was out – and they really added up. Of course I didn't NEED any of them. With a budget, I realise it's going to impact the budget we've set, so I resist the urge to buy – get home and feel great!

And we actually have massages now, we still eat out and have treats. But it's guilt free. And did I mention we SPEND LESS?

TV – Entertainment or Life-drainer?

Posted on September 11, 2008September 22, 2021 by Duncan Elsey

Well, I think it's both. But because it can be so hypnotic I would err on the life-drainer side… I wonder how much TV you watch? One of the things that often amazes me is how much time TV watching takes up. And what I could be doing instead… Even here on Salt Spring –…

A New Wave…

Posted on September 5, 2008September 22, 2021 by Duncan Elsey

Spreading the love – or just a smile perhaps?

It's been a while since I've mused so I though I would share my plan to save the world… It all started with walking the dog.

On my road only (I don't do it all over the island – well not thoroughly anyway!) I now wave and smile at ALL passing traffic.

It started with just waving. Then it graduated to waving AND smiling. And most recently I have added in trying to make eye contact. Now sometimes I have to guess where the eyes are because of glare off the windscreen (your windshield in North America!). But I AM trying!

Now, often people don't notice or are too busy on their cellphones BUT maybe about 50% of the time I get a smile and wave back and I get a little thrill! It's fun!

Why? Well, I figured it's a great way to spread happiness and meet people. One day I'll be out with the dog and they'll be on foot or in their gardens and they'll recognize me as that crazy waving girl and will stop to have a conversation. Or perhaps it'll be raining and there's a puddle and they'll give me an extra wide berth or offer me a ride – because they feel like they know me. Or I'll see them in town and they'll say hello in person! Self-serving? Maybe. But I also genuinely enjoy (in this busy and increasingly impersonal world) making that connection.

Now I recently mentioned my waving plan to a caring member of my family. The response was mild horror…

The Great Make-up Debate?

Posted on August 15, 2008September 22, 2021 by Duncan Elsey

Why is it that so many of us feel naked without make-up?

Yes, it's partly because we're deluged with images of airbrushed perfection.

But it's mainly because we all buy into the fact that we don't look good enough 'as we are'.

I started wearing make-up regularly when I was 15. I had bad hair, bad clothes and milk-bottle glasses. I knew I didn't have much going for me in the looks department at the time and make-up gave me a little more confidence. Although I still remember a fellow bus traveller also aged 15 who asked me, "Why do you bother wearing make-up when you wear glasses?". That hurt – but it didn't stop me!

So, what's the relevance to Salt Spring? Well, I must admit I've been gradually wearing less and less make-up over the last few years. First I started only wearing mascara on my top eyelashes. Then I stopped wearing eyeliner. Then the no make-up… Step 1 was wearing no make-up in the house. Step 2 was occasionally 'popping' to the shops with no make-up on. This is no joke, I was a make-up addict and going cold-turkey was not an option. And then I moved to Salt Spring.

And as a make-up wearer you are definitely in the MINORITY here on Salt Spring. Women of ALL AGES regularly go make-up less.

Wherever you go, there you are.

Posted on August 6, 2008September 22, 2021 by Duncan Elsey

Letting Go – Part 1 (of many I would imagine)

I forget who said "Wherever you go, there you are." – I think it was Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Because people keep asking "How's it going on Salt Spring?" And of course it's fanTASTic. I LOVE it here. I LOVE the potential this place has, the peace & quiet, the space, I LOVE walking the dog and getting out in nature and strolling along the beach in the evening, I LOVE taking it easier, I LOVE checking the veg garden and seeing what is coming up – have the tomato flowers been pollinated? Are the tomatoes coming yet? I LOVE making my favourite foods – French Onion Soup (with the cheese/bread topping), Cornish Pasties, Shortbread, Strawberry Jam etc.

And yet, I often wake up and feel a sense of mild panic. MILD panic, but panic nonetheless. I never ask "What have we done?", it's more "What happens if this doesn't work out?".

Well, (I hope Duncan will excuse me for paraphrasing him here – I've probably summarised it wrong) Duncan is worried how he will feel if he has to go back to a "normal job" and work/commute in 2 years time (we've given ourselves 2 years to make this work).

Of course my worries and fears are MORE ridiculous. I'm worried where we'll be in 30 years – what happens when we retire/get old? If we enjoy ourselves and live this lifestyle for the next 30 years will we run out of money and be homeless on the streets?