Money - Step Two: How to Get More of It

If you happened to read my first post on my finances then this will make sense to you. If not, read it here.

I'm going skip step one for the moment and move into step two - Earn More.

Idea ONE

About a year ago, I was approached by a guy I was friendly with in my industry with an interesting job offer. This wasn't full time employment but still something very exciting. I followed up with him on this offer, and it turned out he was serious! So over the course of a month or so I hammered out the details - how much time it would take, what my capabilities actually were, and some of the legal ramifications.

Then, there was silence. This coincided with my accepting full time employment in a slightly different industry, so I thought he felt a little abandoned.

The other day, I was scrolling through my personal design email address. And there were a bunch of emails from this guy's company (I'm on the mailing list), and it turns out that they were filmed for a TV show. Now, I'm taking a different look at the whole situation. I think that he was just too busy to broker two completely new deals at the same time. Adding in my jumping ship, he probably thought that it was a better choice to go with the TV show. And I don't disagree.

But now that I'm steady on my feet and he's out of TV land, I'm going to reach back out to him. You never know.

Idea TWO

A newer idea I have had was to branch out of Interior Design and try my hand at copyediting.

I have always been interested in literature and writing. And I envision having a career as a interiors magazine editor is the BEST JOB EVER. But the extreme downside is the notoriously low pay that is common in the publishing industry.

The current interest has a different bent. First, I have been educated in the different roles each type of editor plays in the creation of a written document. Who knew I have been copyediting my entire life?!? I am that person who can spot an out-of-place comma a mile away. Or transposed letters - Ack! the bane of my existence. Or a document that has clearly been translated into English and not well. *lots of head shaking*

Second, the pay is less bothersome, because I would only be doing this on the side as a freelance gig.

But to begin I would need some sort of education. As much as I have a natural affinity to the job, I have no formal training, minus an above-average high school education. To get someone to trust me enough to pay me the going rate, I would need something, anything to back me up.

I have found an online certificate program (from a legit university) that isn't that expensive, but is still more than I would want to spend on a side gig. I signed up for their free introductory course, sort of, in hopes that it would discourage me from continuing a fantasy about editing. I have also started research on professional study scholarships. I even discussed this with a friend in publishing, and she suggested that I go ahead as she is certain I'm a great fit for the position.

Now, none of this has produced any sort of income for me as of yet. And this whole post is of no value unless it does eventually put money in the bank. So wish me luck. I will stopping writing blog posts and start writing essays for scholarship applications.

*** Postscript ***

There is also talk about finding a new full time job, in order to up the life satisfaction level, so I will also be writing a new cover letter. And updating my resume. What fun! Put those editing skills to the test.