"Bargain Basement Betty"

I still try everyday, to keep some of my "secrets" in how I think....I try very hard not to be too forthcoming with *everything I think* It makes my family crazy at times, and I have recently been called the "B" word. Now, that is NEW! My "real job" is in customer service, and management. Management, is like keeping everything, and everyone happy right? Believe me when I say, it is not for everyone-but, I seem to do pretty well in that department. (there goes my zodiac sign again) The "B" word brought me a new way of thinking.  That my way is not always the way others see it. Maybe if I said it this way..or that way...or......I feel a bit,well, humbled.

 Mostly, it is a theory of my thinking, and when you are responsible for the organizational part of a large company, and keeping productivity-profitable-well, that is what keeps me on the payroll, finances for my family rolling in, and me in "check" at times. OK, are you still listening?

It seems recently in my department, that any new ideas are met with some sort of response of "no we can't do that-we have never done that before-we have always done it this way, and it works". I can be as professional as I want, I can be as enthusiatic as I can be, I can be as convincing-factual,  and simple as "we are moving forward" and I get resistance. To actually change people, concepts of thinking, and perhaps a time or two of saying "this is actually going to make your job easier" (or not) comes with a lot of of diplomacy. That is where I got the "B" word back when they thought I wasn't listening.

Keeping it simple, and keeping everyone happy, and "fixing" just isn't something you learn in college. It really is a theory in thinking outside the box for everyday, and how you can really simplify your life.

At one time, I left a $40,000 job-yes, I did. 2 weeks notice, and I knew, I needed to be home with my kids. I took a $10,00 a year job. *ouch* This is where I started-Total life change, and I knew I had to do it, but HOW!? 

Instead of buying Wegman's wholewheat-5 grain  bread, I bought white bread for $.75. I didn't buy mozzerella sliced from the deli anymore, and rarely went to the deli-section. I bought American cheese food,I bought off brand foods/names, and coupons were my Sunday mornng ritual from the paper. I saved close to  $50 in my 2 week payperiod.  I really had to slim, and trim, and believe me when I say, that I read the local pennysaver front to back for deals. (a stove replacement, washer-dryer etc.) In the nicest way, I call it the "penny pincher" Yard sales, and 2nd hand shops were so much fun for my daughter and I. Some of our best memories on those take-off Saturdays, and off we'd go! 

Today, I am a better person, and I feel somewhat humbled. But it is not because someone called me the "B" word, it is because, I believe that I learned that simple is best, and that there is no such thing as "THE JONES's" when one is willing to see things in a different light, we don't need all the "extras" to do a good job, a job well done, or feel we are viewed in a certain way".

It is really all about simplifying, being open to new concepts, and standing tall to thinking outside what you thought you knew, were brought up to believe, or a standard of living. AND that simplicity still CAN make the world go 'round.

Peace........