I'm taking a look at each family and what's realistic from each. I'm going to send them invoices by January 21.
Two families are locked into the rates and these rates are accurate and on target for now.
One family--I'm tutoring two kids. I'm going to ask for $175 per month along with two bags of chicken feed and one bale of straw each month. This will remove the headache of the chicken feed trip/expense and help me with the coop. D11 can be responsible for the chickens from now on.
Other family--Mom has been cleaning out her textbooks and she has donated quite a bit of stuff. I will ask that she continues doing so. I will increase my charge to $200 for her FOUR kids.
Other family--has bartered some work from the student (a teenage boy)--but I will ask for $175 per month for geometry, language arts and history.
This would bring my tutoring total to $1,000. I can add workshops and writing to bring up the balance to the $1280.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
I'm spending far, far, far, far, far, FARRRRRRR too much time managing the household as opposed to managing my business, for starters.
Also, I'm letting my clients get away with free to partially free services because I'm trying to please them and be nice and I'm afraid to lose anyone for fear they can't pay. Everyone needs to pay SOMETHING though.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
Heather, You need to come up with a "set" fee and charge them. You are providing a service, therefore, the parents need to pay for said service. You are providing your time, space, electric, water and heat to work w/these children. You can't do it for peanuts. Come up with a payment plan that is reasonable and advise them that it's a new year and your fees are going to be said price and do not waffle on that.
If it will help you, you might want to check around to see what other home school teachers are charging for services. Don't sell yourself short because believe me, the parents are getting educations for their children for little cost. Is that fair to you? No. Start putting yourself first and don't worry about them leaving. If they do, they'll be back because you are by far cheaper than other home school teachers.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
Ya know, I had a really good set up last year. Had the brochure with the printed rates and so forth. My rates were pricey, but I stood by them. Then, I overworked myself and ran myself ragged.
Then, when I didn't get the students I needed in the fall. I panicked, plus I was obsessed with Smokey living in sin and so forth, and let things go. I thought, at the time, having a lower income while I filed for dissolution would serve me in the long run because Smokey had pretty much abandoned the kids again completely and I could ask for more since I was the one soley responsible for the D11 on a day-to-basis.
Things have changed again. I need to put things in place to earn what I deserve.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
Now is the time to reconsider your prices because it's the first month of a new year.
Yes, you definitely need to put something in place because you are working and not getting the full benefit of your time, efforts, knowledge and yes, the use of your home for creature comforts for the kids coming there.
Again, don't sell yourself short.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
I woke up ready for spring. Oh, but wait! The sun is actually out now...Nevermind.
I had a minor setback and some leaps ahead.
I'm spending 30 seconds on the setbacks and moving forward.
D19 spent the night at my mom's apartment. Apparently, I was the topic of conversation about how she is worried about me and how I need to do this or do that...The thing that bugs me isn't that my mom is worried. I get that, she is my mom. What bugs me is how my mom spends her energy analyzing me with my D19 and coming up with things I NEED to do, according to her. I'm tired of so many people making the assumption I'm going to screw up. Sum up: My mom isn't my mirror anymore. She has a negative, weak view of how I maneuver in life and, sometimes, I believe she puts me in a lower spot so she can feel better about herself. She has plenty of issues to worry about in her own life.
Downer number two. Smokey is due for a visit tomorrow. I'm doing well. I don't want to see him or talk to him. I'm going to make this clear in a brief text. I beginning to see how many people in my life see me a certain way and how being with them brings me down to their viewpoint. I'm choosing to keep these people at arm's length. The girls want me at the house during the visit. But, I'm going to tell him I have work to do and don't want to be disturbed.
The POSITIVE!!!!
I have a tech writing gig!! The mom of the difficult student threw me an assignment!!! I have until Tuesday morning. I'm excited, but a bit scared.
I also have to get D19 back to school on Sunday.
I have a million things going on with tutoring and planning and getting lessons done...
But, the upside here... I asked for ways to earn my $60,000 per year. I have been meditating and focusing on how I'm capable of earning this amount and more AND VOILA! I got an assignment.
In my organization book, the guy talks about how important it is to dwell on the positive. He has this method in his business where he spends only one hour on the stuff that brings his PMA down. He keeps the sales that don't work out or negative stuff in a folder and he looks and acts on the stuff for one hour before heading back to the positives.
On another negative note, however, I looked at D11's academic scores. We have lots of work to do. Her skills in certain areas are low. I HAVE to manage my time better and be a organized, capable businesswoman in 2014. New Mirror. New Heather.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
When should I let Smokey know about my "not being disturbed" rule? I haven't texted at all and I don't want to screw up the peace of mind I've worked so hard to achieve this past week. Do I wait until tomorrow morning.
I'm making the assumption he is coming. I haven't heard anything one way or another.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
Me: I'm assuming you are coming to visit tomorrow. The girls will be here from 10 am to noon. I will be working in the bedroom. If you need to talk to me, text or email. Thanks.
Smokey: Yes, I will be there at ten. OK and thank you.
I feel all scared and full of anxiety again. Holy shid. I can't believe I used to feel this daily. Wow. This is eye opening.
I decided to go ahead and send the text to show, if I have to, that I am making time for his visits and not stopping him from seeing his kids. I gave him 24 hour notice that the girls will be ready and waiting. I was trying to be proactive.
The minute I sent the text, the anxiety began. Then, I received the text and my stomach sank--like I had some hidden expectations--even from myself.
I immediately made the assumption from his response that he is feeling exactly as he did when he sent the mean text.
Whatever. The point is, I'm recognizing how I allow this man to impact my peace of mind. I'm also recognizing I have the power to control my own peace of mind, no matter how many accusations or hurt or mean texts he sends.
I need to work extra hard today and tomorrow to maintain my PMA. Keep the anxiety to a minimum. Progress not perfection.
I will meditate today. Write extra affirmations. Exercise. And, generally behave as if I'm someone NOT affected by his antics.
"You know, it's times like these when I realize what a superhero I am." Tony Stark/Iron Man
“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” Lois Wilson
Your text was good and opened the door for Smokey to visit with the girls. You cannot block him from that and yes he'll be in physical proximity to you. How do you prepare yourself mentally for this? How can you find your own center?
On to another topic about your new assignment. Congrats! I hope you will maintain a portfolio of your work as a means to show potential employers what you've done and show them the quality of your work. This way, you'll get more and more assignments.
I hope you will maintain a portfolio of your work as a means to show potential employers what you've done and show them the quality of your work. This way, you'll get more and more assignments.