My friend Liana Silva-Ford posted what she called a “rant” on Twitter this morning about blogging and earning money. “Folks gotta eat, yo.” Indeed, they do. Reading her Tweets has spurred me to write this post.
One of the topics I’ve been vague about on this site is my own financial situation. A couple days ago I spoke with David Austin Walsh from HNN, the History News Network. He asked me whether it was common in Canada for people in my situation to be, well, in my situation: able to not work while figuring out what work they want to do. Definitely not, as far as I know. Here’s what I do know: I had good funding for a few years plus decent funding in other years, lived cheaply, and tracked every penny I spent. I came into my PhD program with money in the bank, and I left it with money in the bank.
Here are some of the choices I’ve made over the years: I worked part-time during my undergrad; I did my BA and MA at a university in my hometown; I TA’d almost every year of my graduate education; I lived with my parents until beginning my PhD; since then I’ve always had a roommate; I rarely drink and I’ve never smoked. In short, I’ve lived relatively cheaply even though I could have spent more without going into debt.
A few things have worked in my favour, yes. I grew up in Ottawa, and Carleton University had programs that appealed to me. My parents worked good middle-class jobs and I never had to help support the family financially or pay rent while living with them. My mom is extremely conscientious with money, highly organized when it comes to financial matters, and both my parents tend to cringe at the thought of paying full price. (Mom, are you still thinking about starting that blog?) More broadly and no less importantly, I’m a white, Anglo-Saxon, native-English-speaking, Canadian-born, able-bodied city-dweller from a middle-class family that values education and hard work. Etc.
I was and am fortunate in many ways, but I’ve also made money-conscious choices.
The choice to mostly not work while I explored this coaching thing came more than a year after I finished my PhD. For most of that time, I actively tried to earn money (with minimal success). The thought of not seeking paid employment was something I had to come around to. Over time I realized that I needed to invest in myself. For once! (This “for once” is only a very slight exaggeration.)
And so here I am today, not rich but certainly eating, grateful that I was and continue to be able to make choices that align with my values, and hoping this investment will pay off—literally and figuratively—before I reach the bottom of my bank account.
Comments
8 responses to “Money”
Love this post!
This issue was, and somewhat continues to be a concurrent theme that had prevented me from pursuing my actual intended career. In the middle of 2008 economic crisis, I was emotionally ready to leave my engineering major behind, knowing fully well that my values don’t align with it. Nonetheless, I powered through *because* of the well-paying job, I was supposed get in the end. As someone who did not have parental support economically after high school, I think it was the right decision for me, given my lack of other resources within Canada and the fact that my opportunity to explore what I really want to do comes from the savings/ongoing benefits from the employment I received because of my education.
Again, in the ideal world, I wouldn’t have to stick with a major I disliked just because I wanted to be able to sustain myself in the future. Moreover, a large number of my classmates are still not able to find a job, in an allegedly lucrative industry! I think, for a large part, despite our best efforts and interests, monetary problems have more to do with the broken system we are trying to get working for us, rather than our habits themselves (though habits definitely help!).
Money’s a real problem, eh?! My own situation meant that money was only a problem because I made it one; I had enough to live well, as long as I changed my definition of “well.” Other people don’t necessarily have that luxury, but I’m glad I eventually realized that I did!
I love this, Jen. What I’m reading between the lines is that by staying in the day, you’re doing just fine. It’s projecting out into the future…”what if?” that creates the stress in life. One day at a time, you’re living a productive and joyful life. When the time is right, the right work will show up for you. I’ve never seen this fail.
Thanks Jane! You’re absolutely right, and it was only after posting this and reflecting on comments here and elsewhere that I was able to unpack some of this deeper stuff. Just chill out, me! Why conjure up a money problem that just isn’t there? 🙂
Folks do “gotta eat” and so you are, thanks to good planning, management, and spending habits. Investing in yourself is a wise option provided you are able to meet the basic needs (shelter, food); it’s tragic to see people who have not thought through the consequences the way you have jump into such a process. It’s wonderful to see people like you actually invest in themselves and their skills to find better paid employment in the long run!
Thanks! I agree. Many people have lived a much better life than me, but I’m getting there (and thus now have $ in my bank account). I know people who just don’t earn enough, and it’s really hard to get out of this situation. Change requires an investment of money, time, energy, and some people don’t have very much of any of those things. So I do count myself lucky 🙂
I do think, though, that for a lot of folks, it’s not just a matter of budgeting/family background. I TA’ed at one of the US’s top public universities–and the wage was about $9,000 a year for teaching 60 students/semester, whereas, by the school’s own estimate, the cost of living per school year was $18K. Unfortunately, at least in US, the financial situation of grad students is quite exploitative, both for Ph.D. students who are TA’ing and for terminal MA programs, which are typically revenue generators.
Absolutely! HUGE problem. You may appreciate this newer post: http://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/from-phd-to-life/striking-for-a-better-now-and-a-better-future/