The Magnificent Modern Mature Woman

By now, most of us have started the weekend holiday with plans. Many of you have traveled a distance to see family and friends or to go on vacation. All good.

In high school and college years, Memorial Day weekend meant the long summer of working one, two or three jobs. One year in college, I worked full time in stock for an upscale junior boutique, babysat and worked as a manager in the beer concessions at an outdoor concert theater. The boutique was closed on Sundays due to “blue laws” for the historic shopping district which also businesses closed early so that I could babysit and work in the music venue. With my schedule, it was a blessing to be gone so much which family members were my answering service plus missed most of the small city festivals which didn’t mean much to me. Now, I work in a business who is closed for the Holiday like others in the past for Memorial Day.

Memorial Day on Monday created to honor those who have died during service whereas Veterans Day honor all veterans, living or dead, who have served honorably in service to our country. Each are important. Growing up, I lived next to a WWII veteran and to a Vietnam veteran both from the same family so each one healed differently of their service to our country.

Truthfully, be thankful for our veterans this weekend who have given us the freedom to enjoy what is considered to be the first weekend of summer travel and vacations. Summer technically starts Friday, June 20th at 10:42pm EST making it the longest day of light while my birthday is the shortest, December 21st.

Thank you for those who bravely served and died for our freedoms.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

After sharing by posting two similar posts in the past few days, I have come up with ideas to resolve my situation that I believe that I’m not the only 55 years and older am facing. Shortage of incoming money to live life without worrying too much is not just a problem for me but for many people who are baby boomers.

With sitting on many items from an online closet that are taking over my house and my storage containers, I have decided to sell them in shows to give them exposure. Because of my shyness growing up, live selling was never a talent of mine. After praying, it seemed the obvious and the hardest thing to do. Unfortunately, I cannot give you my closet name but check out The RealReal, Etsy, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark which are all great places to shop. Most of these sites do have acknowledgment of great sellers by having something by their name so that you can trust them. Plus, feedback from the buyer of his/her experience with the seller for you to read. Sellers are rated on price, packaging, shipping times and communication virtually on all sites. Truthfully, my ratings put me in the top 10% for customer service and delivery which is partially from my fashion retail experience and my packaging to protect the product in transport.

This weekend, I encourage you to live out of your comfort zone to show your adult children, grandchildren and even yourself that you are living life to the fullest and going beyond your comfort zone. Be safe.

Live Life to the Fullest!

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Like many others right now, I’m facing financial difficulties partially because my employer doesn’t give raises because most of the employees get incentives except for me then with the cost of living being high, I’m scared of my financial future.

On top of that, my next escrow analysis next year, will likely put my house payment with taxes and insurance to 70% of my monthly take home pay. It’s already over 50% of it. With that being said, I am working on getting a second job.

Booked a trip a long time ago which I had the inkling of what was going to happen, I would not have done it.

My fault, my problem and my responsibility. Sharing because I don’t think that I am alone in this. My budget doesn’t match up to my obligations. Grateful that I have a roof over my head and a job. Seeking a second job which I mentioned before.

For those of you who are not in my situation, please don’t judge. I have two rescued cats who cannot be given up on again making it 5 for them.

Understand and not judge.

Thank you,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Never I thought that I would’ve considered getting a second job but I am now. At a time of the idea of being able to do things I love on the weekend, I have to consider my financial future. Why now? You ask might thinking. My employer doesn’t give raises because most of the employees get sales commission except for me.

After my last home escrow analysis, I realized in one year that there might be no funds left after my house payment, utilities, and small credit card debt so the job is in my future. My future move might be a dream that never comes true so I will enjoy my time there later this summer.

The good news that I have read is that fuel prices are supposedly going to drop noticeably later this year which will effect anything and everything that is shipped positively.

How are you on your budget? Are you cutting back on anything? Do you have a house payment still?

To calm my nerves, I’m watching more Agatha Christie movies on Britbox on Amazon which seems to work.

Hope your day is going well.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Decisions. Decisions. Toughest thing to do when it comes to relationship, money and retirement sometimes.

My decisions are mainly based on my intuition or feeling like it’s the best to do. Such as, “If it doesn’t feel right, then it isn’t,” with logic and critical thinking.

A friend of mine who doesn’t like her job because she’s social and works alone. Conveniently, there’s an opening at a place that has a job opening similar to her previous job before this. Then, on top of it, her current employer remarkably comes out with a crazy new personnel policies that sound questionable at best. She’s not even communicating with her daughter about it who got her the job along with my comments that some of the policies are a breech of individual freedoms. Red flag.

In point of my friend’s dilemma, one should be a of clear mind and have all the information available before making any big decisions. Honestly, think that most of us are concerned with adult children and grandchildren.

Wish you and yours only the best!

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Update: After conversing with her, I decided to check out Glassdoor and Indeed about her current employer which I was wrong and I learned more about it. The reviews are horrendous from former employees. I encouraged her to persevere while she starts her job search and finds new employment.

For the past few weeks, someone who I’ve known for many years didn’t appreciate her new job with weekends off which her daughter helped her get. It was difficult for her from working retail in well known national supermarket chain to working by herself in closed quarters. It got to the point that she was going to quit although her work environment at her previous employer wasn’t the greatest where she tried to get rehired immediately. I encouraged her to be grateful and to face the challenge head on.

A couple of days ago, I texted her that we should switch jobs so that she can be social and I could be alone. Immediately afterwards, her tone had changed because we used to tell each other stories of our jobs when she was working retail so she had a change of heart quickly. Now, she’s appreciating her new position at her new company.

Sometimes reasoning doesn’t always work for someone who might benefit from seeing the bigger picture until the tables are turned. She’d rather be alone than work with my coworkers which was her turning point.

Reverse psychology use it wisely and sparingly. It was a rare occasion for me.

Take good care of yourselves.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Humility generally means state of humbleness.

Am admitting that I was wrong about my coworker taking my keys out of my purse for they were found from the bottom of my purse under the lining of it. Found both sets of them. Apologized to everyone who spent time looking and told them my fix to the situation. Humbled myself to own up to my mistake and corrected the problem.

Don’t presume my coworker is innocent quite yet. This coworker confided in me years ago that she was fired although never proven for stealing at a company to which I am quite familiar with since their first location is in my home State. She doesn’t like people who are from my home State. Since then, she used the company meter machine to mail a package for her ex husband so she can no longer process the mail. Then, she had to speak with the police about another matter not of speeding but of petty theft. When I first started, I was away from my desk and she had someone going through my purse. Creepy and chose to quiet about as was in shock and no one would believe me. To my knowledge, nothing has changed regarding her employment.

Was I wrong to think it was her? Cautiously my answer is both yes and no.

Stay humble. Be alert and safe.

Thanks again,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Purpose defined by Oxford Dictionary is to (noun) “the reason which something is done or created or for which something exists.” “A person’s one resolve or determination.” Verb of “having one ‘s intention or objective.”

Purpose in life gives meaning to our lives by serving others in one capacity or another. Our purpose is best found by what or whom we are naturally drawn to that becomes our passion as well. Our reason for existence.

In my younger years, I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, a homeless shelter and new born to one year old children’s nursery while serving as a leader of a singles group. It gave me purpose to help make the world a better place although my contribution was small but significant. Currently, I’m helping my two rescue felines recover from abuse and neglect by their previous humans. Being present for them.

Many are “called” to be teachers, physicians, veterinarians, preachers, police officers, fireman and the armed services. Artists share their gifts of music, paintings and words.

Rick Warren wrote, “The Purpose Driven Life,” meant to find our meaning for existence and using it to help others. Although its writing from a Christian perspective, the information in it is very useful to find one’s purpose.

This is the time to use your gifts and/or passions to help make a difference in this world. You still have time to live with purpose if you haven’t yet.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David

“Side Hustle” defined as a secondary source of income in addition to a primary job. In recent years, side hustles for seniors have become popular to supplement social security and pensions. As with anything, please consider due diligence before committing to it especially ones that expect you to invest to get in on something which is a red flag.

After some research I found that freelance writing/editing/proofreading, tutoring, bookkeeping/accounting and virtual or present office assistant. Others are pet sitting/dog walking, crafting and selling homemade goods and gardening maintenance for others all found on a general internet search on Google.

In addition, Poshmark and Mercari are good for those who want to clean out a closet and make extra cash as well. Some people on both apps are making good money working full time in their closets presenting their items in live shows. Doing a live show is like doing a sales presentation in the corporate world which is difficult to do if you never done sales but one can learn with practice and patience. In my younger years, my side hustles were babysitting and working at Dress Barn years ago.

Truthfully, being active outside of the home is a good thing plus the extra income doesn’t hurt either.

Leslie Elizabeth David