"Money, Money, Money... Must be funny... in a Rich Man's World."

My title comes from an ABBA song about, well... money.  This is because I have money on the brain.  Not that I WANT to have money on the brain.  But when you have no money and need money, money tends to be on the brain.

"Oh... all the things I could do, if I had a little money. It's a rich man's world!"

Why do I NEED money?  Well, the way I live requires that I pay rent, utilities, etc.  Not to mention that I have a car I occasionally drive, debt up the wall, and 2 pets to take care of.  As much as I would sometimes like to give up the house and car and live in some commune somewhere, I know that as a modern bohemian, I need access to my technology to thrive.  And I like living in a house as opposed to a tent or my car again.

So I need money.  This is true.
And it's been frustrating because I have a hard time getting money.  Yes, I am on unemployment.  But I constantly run into problems with getting my money on time.  Like right now?  No unemployment money since mid-January.  Grr...

But I am doing everything I can (legally) do to make money.  I am still writing, I worked with my friend at an Expo for $50, I take back cans and bottles from home (and those I gather), I sell stuff to pawn shops and second hand stores, I advertise with Adsense, Google Affiliates, and Amazon Associates, I have many online stores, including at CafePress and Zazzle, and I recently started donating plasma.  I am still also doing some extra work in television and movies (but those opportunities are few and far between), I still sell on Etsy from time to time, and I am a part of Sponsored Tweets and MyLikes.  But I tell ya... for as much as I do, the money is still hard to come by.

I AM looking for a part time job too! (For all you haters out there who think hippies, bohemians, and free-spirits are just lazy...) But the problem is that I am "unqualified" to do a lot of the jobs available.  (Funny, since I have a college degree and 12 years of work experience...) When I DO get interviews, they always go with the person with "more experience." IE: NOT ME.  Frustration!!!

It's awful that a lot of people (friends even) don't understand the stress I am feeling or how desperate things can get around here.  Most of them don't truly seem to realize that I can't really go many places because a.) I can't afford to drive there b.) I can't afford to spend money once there and c.) I am not a person who easily accepts others' offers to "cover it" because I have been burned BAD in the past.  I just want them to understand.

I love my friends and family, but I am in a tough spot.  And until I can somehow dig myself out of it (and I WILL) I hope that they can provide me with a little more understanding.

Anyone else struggling to get by?  What are you doing to pay your bills? Let's help each other out!!

For now, I have to go try to make some more money.

"I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay... ain't it sad?"
Yes, ABBA.  It is sad.

But positivity still rules the day (for now) so I am off to make it happen!!!
Peace and Love,
Meagan

My Hippie, Bohemian, Free-Spirit Lifestyle in 2011

Happy New Year everyone!  How is 2011 treating you so far?  This modern day hippie/bohemian/free-spirit is doing pretty well so far this year.  I was a little worried there at the end of December, when January 1st was rolling around and I still didn't have rent money... but just as things usually do for me, it worked out somehow!  Now I am actually getting unemployment money, making a little more money with my online writing, and I am able to actually have the time to seek other employment that is suitable for me.  (Though... I am still not sure what kind of employment is suitable for me!)
Most importantly though, I am making sure that I am continuing to become a better person in 2011.  And I'm starting close to home; with the people who I always seem to hurt the most: my family.  In 2010, I missed birthdays, I cancelled things at the last minute, and I didn't communicate with my mom, dad, sister, and bro-in-law more than once a week sometimes.  That is simply unacceptable!
My biggest problem is that I tend to give and give and give to friends and strangers and then there is simply not much left for my family, and this isn't fair.  So I need to find some balance (something that is VERY hard for me.)
I am improving already though; I celebrated my mom's birthday with my whole family, I have talked to my mom and dad on the phone and in person several times, and I just went to a game night at my sister's house, hosted by her and my new bro-in-law.  So.... it's progress.
Even though my family doesn't quite understand that I would rather live out of my car than move home (it's something about the crazy bohemian belief in freedom, creativity, and the "open spirit" I think) or that I don't want to work just for money but to feel empowered, creative, and fulfilled; or why exactly I dress the way I do; I know that my family loves me and I need to show them my love in return.
This does not mean that I am going to stop giving to friends and strangers.  I couldn't stop that either!  I am of the belief that I have a life mission to spread peace, love, and creativity to this world, so I cannot give up on that ever! Ever!!
So it comes back to balance.  Perhaps if I get back into Pilates, I can find a little balance (and keep my bod smokin'!)
What else am I working on besides this "balance?"  Well, I would like to see some of my art reach the world on a bigger scale. (My "art" being my writing, my music, my acting, modeling, and performing, and my actual art and arts and crafts.)  How to do that is the next question!!
I mean... "art" is very important to a modern day hippie, bohemian, and/or free-spirit, and I am no exception to this.  As Laren Stover said in Bohemian Manifesto: A Field Guide to Living on the Edge (this is NOT verbatim) bohemians want to be known for their work, for their "art," even if it is not until later in life or after death (though most want a bit of fame while they are young and really able to live it up and enjoy it!)  I am not an exception to this either.  From a young age I had dreams of fame.  I wanted to be a country singer, then a Broadway star, then a top selling author, a poet, an artist, a pop singer, a model, an Oscar winner, a famous blogger, a world peacemaker, etc... the only "non-fame" role I have ever pursued was "teacher."  But even teachers can go on to become famous! (Sheryl Crow and Tim Gunn anyone?)
So what am I really after here?  Recognition for my art? Money? Fame? Acceptance? Peace and love?  I think it may be a combination of all of the above.
So we'll see what 2011 has to offer this modern hippie, bohemian, free-spirit.  Will I gain balance?  Will I make a difference in the world?  Will I become rich and famous and bigger than Justin Bieber? (Probably not...) We'll see...
Peace and Love,
Meagan

By the way, speaking of Tim Gunn (as I did above)... I am reading Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work and really enjoying it.  His point of view is interesting, but actually pretty basic: people should be good to one another (and have good manners!)  So if you're looking for another book to add to your reading list, I would suggest checking this one out.

Living the Bohemian Life...Random Tidbits From the Past Few Days

I feel like I am such a downer... even though I am grateful for what I have and I still have hope that the future will be better, right now... I just feel... down.  My unemployment is being held up again.  Why?  I don't know.  I don't know what else I need to do to convince them that I have nothing.  But, oh well.  If I can't get unemployment, I will just have to make money somehow myself, and more than the $30-$40 a month I make with my online writing right now.  But how?
I don't know.  But here's what I would like to see happen:

*More royalties from eHow.com (My average right now is $10-$30 a month...)
*Write more articles for List my Five and have them bring in at least $100 a month (this is possible, right?)
*Make more money off of my blog. (Right now, I haven't even reached the payout with my blog advertising... and the payout is only $10!  After almost 2 years, I have made $7.09 off of my blog... wow...)
*Write more articles for Hubpages, Squidoo, Bukisa, and The Examiner and somehow drive lots of traffic through so I can make some real money off of them.  (I've made $0.75 on Squidoo, plus some money for charity, a couple bucks on Bukisa, and a big $0 on Hubpages and The Examiner.)
*A part time job!  (I AM willing to work out in the "real world" too.)
*Get paid to sing, teach, act, write, perform, inform, help, craft, create, or even babysit!  I feel like I have a lot of talents that people could make use of.
*Become rich and famous and never have to worry about money again (This is probably the least likely thing on this list, but I don't want to count it out...)

We'll see how it goes...
But I have to rant a little before I continue.  What is the deal with unemployment!!??!?!?  I understand that there are people who cheat the system, but I am not one of those people.  So why is it so hard for me to get them to help me?  I just don't understand.  Am I an idiot?  Do I not know how to do something I'm supposed to be doing, and if so, couldn't they just TELL me, so that I could get some money to actually eat a decent meal?  (The most food I've eaten in two weeks was at my sister's rehearsal dinner and wedding!)  And what about a "bridge card" (food stamps)?  Why am I not getting that?  When I know people better off than me that have it?  People who don't need it!  People who have jobs, people who have people to pay for stuff for them, or students who have no cares in the world.  Why do they have this help and I don't?  I just don't understand...

Alright.  End Rant.  It won't help anything to be upset.

So let's look at the positives:

My sister got married this past weekend.  Both the ceremony and the reception were amazing and my sister looked SO beautiful! She and her man B. got married at the Bridge Street Wedding Chapel in Grand Ledge, MI and then had a great reception at Walnut Hills Country Club in East Lansing, MI.  It was magical.  Walnut Hills even made sure that I had all gluten-free food.

Speaking of gluten-free food... the restaurant that we had the rehearsal dinner at in Grand Ledge, Cugino's, did NOT have a gluten-free menu.  HOWEVER... a nice gentleman at the establishment (Chef, perhaps owner?) helped me out over the phone and in the restaurant, checking labels with me and everything, to make sure that I had a gluten-free experience.  I can't tell you how grateful I was for that.  So, if you are ever in Grand Ledge and are feeling hungry, please visit Cugino's.  The amount of attention, respect, and compassion that they showed me makes them very deserving of some extra business. (My food was really yummy too.  When I couldn't use the margarine spread or sour cream on my baked potato, we even got inventive with some cheddar cheese and real butter, and it was delish!)  So yeah.. go there.  Eat.  And enjoy!

Other positive things...

Let's make a list:
1. Over 100 fans on Facebook for PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian.  I will be having a contest soon to celebrate!
2. New friends!  I have made some new friends around the web and have a lot of new followers on Twitter.  Yay!
3. A donation to my blog was made by msfullroller, a blog follower of mine and a super nice person, who told me not spend the money on blog costs or charitable donations as I normally would but instead she said "Please use this for yourself."  Amazing.  To her I say: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  Your level of compassion for those who are struggling is inspiring.
4. Fun/Interesting/Important stuff I have found online recently and/or long ago and want to share with you:

Rusty Zipper - Vintage hippie clothes abound.  I love it. Too bad I can't afford it! haha

New friend Hunter Pecunia's website: Hunter Pecunia

To Where Now - Just check it out.  This is another new friend's page.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Just in case you know someone who is struggling and contemplating suicide.  (Note:  I am not one of these people.  I may be struggling, but I'm not really into "death," so... I don't think about suicide as a way out.  I thought that was important to note.)

Minecraft - Amazingly addictive simple game of building stuff with blocks.  I am obsessed! haha  I've built a giant castle, a "hippie den," an underground tunnel system under a theatre, and some sweet walkways and gardens.  I love it.  You can play for free or buy it.  I play for free right now.  So fun!!

Erica.biz - She seems very helpful and nice.  She has some good (free) online advice.

This is not fun, but important.  I found real people's stories of hard times on this Oprah forum.  They made me cry.  Some of them hit home pretty hard too.  Check them out here: Oprah.com Community Forum

And... that's about all for now I think.

Peace and Love,
Meagan

The Downsides of a Bohemian Lifestyle

I love my life.  I love my lifestyle.  And really, I like pretty much everything exactly the way it is.  But there are downsides to the Bohemian life.

The biggest downside?  No money.  Financially, I am wrecked.  I'm in debt from college (yay for that degree I'm NOT using...), I have credit card debt, and I owe my family and friends money.  It feels crummy.  I have the dream, of course, that someday my artistic talents or my performing or my writing skills will give me the big break I need to make tons of money, and then I will pay off all my debt, buy stuff for everyone I love, travel the world, and donate time and money and resources to charities all over.  Will that happen?  The rational side of me (yes, I DO have one...) says "Don't bet on it."  It's unlikely for someone like me to have massive success.  With that being said though, the dreamer in me keeps saying "Anything is possible."  So I keep on going...

But it's hard NOT to stress about money.  Especially when you only have $1.44 in your bank account and no idea when more money will be coming your way (as is the case with me right now).  And when there is little to no food you can eat in your house (as is also the case with me right now).  And when you owe friends money and you feel like you can't see them because it is just too embarrassing (as is also the case... well, you get the picture...)

But having no money is just one downside.  There's also this whole thing of people not really respecting me and my life choices.  Now, part of me... doesn't care.  Let people think what they want.  If they don't like it, they don't like it.  I will still love them, but I don't want to change just to please them.  But this is a hard road, this road of "I don't care."  Because part of me does care.  I mean, who doesn't want their parents to be proud of them?  Who doesn't want people talking about their successes... instead of always talking about their failures?  And who doesn't want respect?  I want respect.  I want success.  And I want to make my friends and family proud of who I am and what I do.

But maybe for now that is a battle I must lose...  I don't want to change who I am, compromise my beliefs, and work some 9-5 office or factory job just to please everyone else.  I can't.  It's not me.
So instead it remains a big downside for me.

Final downside?  I feel like there's not a lot I can do to change the things that I actually DO need to change.  Every time I try... I get screwed.  Example: Tried to get food stamps.  They called me while I was on Mackinac Island and couldn't talk, and now they just can't seem to find time for me.
I was finally getting unemployment.  I worked one day on Detroit 1-8-7 and suddenly they say I may not qualify for unemployment anymore!  I have no part time OR full time work and $1.44 in my bank account!  How can I NOT qualify?  So I start to feel like the world is out to get me.  Like I am looked down upon.  And like because I don't know how to "work the system," that I will continue to get screwed.  It sucks.  I've worked since I was 14 years old and I just want help.  Is it so hard to help people?  Maybe for some people it is...

Sorry to be so down.  But if I am going to represent my life honestly, I need to talk about the bad stuff too.  Maybe I am just thinking about it a lot because I just used my last bit of money on rent, our bathroom flooded today, and I'm hungry.  But while it was on my mind, I figured I would share.  Maybe some of you out there feel like you're in the same (sinking) boat.  And maybe if you are out there, we can help each other to reach the shore. :)

Peace and Love,
Meagan

The March for Babies

This past weekend, I did the March for Babies in downtown Lansing with my team: Baby Steps for Change.  The team consists of me, my sister and my cousin Nicole., but we were joined for the walk on Saturday by Nicole's darling baby boy L., and my sister's groom-to-be, B.  Among us, we raised over $300.00 for The March of Dimes.  I am so proud of that.  I didn't quite reach my $200.00 individual goal, but I did make $135.00 and there's always next year!


If you don't know a lot about the March for Babies or the March of Dimes, visit:
The March of Dimes
The March for Babies
Baby Steps for Change

Awww!!! Look at little L.!  He is learning to take his first steps ever, as we take the first steps to help save other babies.

I love babies.  I can't believe that there are people who DON'T love babies.  But if you are like me and DO love babies, check out The March of Dimes and the March for Babies.  This was my fourth year, but I'm not stopping anytime soon, so next year... join me!

Alright, I'll get off my high horse now.  Really though, the walk really was just a nice time too.  I got to exercise, hang out with L. and play with him, catch up with my sissy, cousin, and future bro-in-law, and enjoy the outdoors.  All while saving babies!  I had a blast!

Afterwards I came home and did some amazing grilling outside. Yummy!  So, next year, if you want to come to the walk, we'll have a big cookout afterward then too! (If I am homeless by then, we'll still do it... we'll do it in the woods, campfire style!! haha)

Anyway... more to come.  Stay tuned.
Peace and Love,
Meagan

This is NOT a good sign of the times...

"The BoarsHead Theater is canceling the remainder of its 2009-10 performance season because it has run out of money.

The professional theater in Lansing had shut down last month in a bid to save $77,000 between early November and late January. It had planned to reopen early next year with a performance in January, but expected gifts from corporate donors failed to materialize." Read more at The Lansing State Journal Online

This is bad news friends...

If our economic situation doesn't improve soon, we are going to have some serious losses to deal with. The first thing that usually goes, especially when it comes to government funding and donations...are the fine arts. As a music teacher, this troubles me greatly because fine arts do so much to enhance lives, share ideas, change viewpoints, challenge authority, educate, inspire, and entertain. To lose them is to lose a part of ourselves that cannot be replaced with anything else.

As if this weren't bad enough...

Michigan public schools are being forced to make drastic changes in order to survive. (Budget cuts, layoffs, etc.)  And Universities are dropping entire programs! If there is one thing we need to keep funded it's schools, and yet with everything being so bad, schools are not getting what they need. This means that children are not getting the education that they need... and deserve.

Even worse...

"LANSING - The projections for 2010 are in and the funds needed to feed hungry people in the seven county mid-Michigan area are staggering. To continue to serve seniors, families and children the Mid-Michigan Food Bank needs to raise $2.8 million dollars. Up to 18,000 families, including a large number of children and seniors, will be turned away due to lack of food. The demand for food is such that the supplies at the Mid-Michigan Food Bank are depleted every 10 days." Read more at The Lansing State Journal Online

It just makes me wonder. Where are our priorities? We're worried about savings accounts and not being able to buy as many Christmas gifts this year (which are legitimate concerns, of course) but what's worse? Paying a bill late or having to shut down a school? Getting a gift card for your spouse instead of a new HDTV or knowing that 18,000 families will not have food this winter?

All I ask is this... since this is a season of giving, look around your community and see what you can do to help. Every little bit does something! Some ideas:

Donate canned goods to your local food bank

Make a monetary donation to a local fine arts organization

Send your child to school with extra supplies to donate to the classroom. (Pencils, pens, paper, tissue, hand sanitizer, etc.)

And open your mind and heart, and help those around you. If we all give a little, we all gain a lot more.

Peace and Love,

Meagan (PonchoMeg: The Modern Bohemian)

Philosophies

So my cousin N. said to me something about how he gets by in life by focusing on his philosophies. He thought it would help me, because I have been a little... well, down in the dumps about the fact that our world is so fueled by money. I jokingly stated that my philosophies are solid but would probably only do me good in a commune, as a housewife to a wealthy (yet still Bohemian) man, or as a globe trotting celebrity who spent lots of time doing charity work. :) Okay, so this isn't entirely true. I can still have freedom, creativity, peace, love, fun, and inner serenity and have a "real" job... but it's trickier for sure.

I think what I need to do is follow my own advice. I wrote an article relating to people who need money, but aren't really made for the "daily grind" (and I'm not talking coffee. Mmmm... coffee.)

The title: "How to Make Money When You Aren't a 9-5 Kind of Person"

I talk about working part time, making money with your hobbies and passions, and basically... just making it happen. Which is what I need to do: Make it Happen! (Or as Tim Gunn says, "Make it work!")

So, here is the list of things I need to do:

1. Get at least 1 part time "real job."

2. Get some students and teach lessons

3. Sell some more of my jewelry

4. Get some gigs as a singer

5. Write more ehow articles

6. Get more followers for this little blog of mine

7. Sell some stuff out of my sweet online store

8. Spend more time being my creative self and eventually, it may help with the money issue (Basically... finish and publish my amazing book and sell millions of copies. hehe)

So yeah... I've got some work to do.

But I have realized something in these last few weeks of (self-created) torment... I can't give up the freedom I have found. I am me. I love me. And there are so many things about my life and my view on life that I cannot allow to be diluted or polluted by this modern world and this obsession so many have with money and power.

Jimi Hendrix said it right when he said "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

So I will continue to trust in the power of love. Love for others, love for life, love for the natural beauty in the world, and love for myself.

And everything will be alright...

"Real Job"

So, I love being a Modern Bohemian and living my life on my terms and not answering to anybody, but the truth is... it is near impossible to live this way much longer. Not that I am giving up my freedom all together... it's just... I need a "real job." The dreaded "real job." Sigh...

But here's the thing. There is a job that would be categorized as a "real job," but still acceptable in the Hippie/Bohemian/Free-Spirit community as an acceptable Modern Bohemian job... and that job is as a music teacher. That happens to be what I am qualified to do (with my college degree and all...) and there is a position open. And I interviewed for it. And I thought it went well. And they said that they would call last week. And they haven't called.

I have had a horrible time this whole past week, wondering about this job. Agonizing over this job. I'm sure Dale Carnegie would be disappointed in my complete freak out mode I have adopted, but there's a reason that I am a free-spirit... I've never been able to stick to something made up by someone else. I always have to put my own spin on things... not that it is always helpful. I should be staying calm and optimistic, but I'm not. The truth is... I can't be calm and okay because I want this job so much. I love teaching, and I love music, and I love working with kids. This job has it all! And it's part time, so no need to feel completely bogged down... and it's in my hometown! Why wouldn't they want me? I grew up there... but who knows...

I guess here's to hoping they call next week. I sent a thank you note and an e-mail. Maybe I should call next week, but I don't want to appear desperate... (even though I probably am...)

AHHH!!!

The frustration of it all...

I just want to succeed again. I have had a few failures haunting me for the past few years and I just want to break free of them and live in complete happiness and harmony with myself again. I feel like if I can succeed at finding and keeping a "real job" and continue to support myself financially, I can find that balance I need to be golden. :) Money (and lack thereof) really can contribute to stress, agitation, and a person's overall outlook. It's too bad, but if you're living in the U.S. right now, it's a reality. Reality. I like it so much better when I don't have to focus on reality. (See blog post about children...)

But the reality of the situation is, I need a "real job." I still hope it will be this one, but if not... I will pick myself up and try again somewhere else.

I will not falter,

I will not fall.

I will not fail you all.

Making Money Online

Modern Bohemians are not really known for having loads of money (unless they come from a rich family) but even otherwise unemployed Bohemians like me or even people with real jobs can make extra money online. I've been working on it for awhile now, and feel like I have really started to get the hang of it all. Only time will tell...

Things I Like

So I have had a day filled with stuff I like. And it's been great. Here's the rundown:

Morning: I spent the morning writing, reading, and doing other important work online. Yes work. I like doing my online adventures for money making much more than a typical 9-5, because, let's face it... I'm not a 9-5 kind of girl. I'm more of a 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM kind of girl!

So what do I do online that's so great? Well, I update my blog. And I love my little blog. It's very meaningful to me... even if no one reads it. (Don't get me wrong... I'm a little vain... I want LOTS of people to read it, but I think you know what I mean)

I also read other people's blogs, articles, etc. and see what catches my eye and my limited attention span.

I write for ehow. I tell you what... that site is awesome!! It may seem like a shameless plug, but it's really not. I love that site. I have met so many nice people on there, I've learned a lot from reading my friends' articles, and I get to make money writing and teaching others things that I know. So cool. If you haven't checked out ehow yet, please do. (NOTE: As of the most recent blog updates in 2016, I no longer write for eHow.)

What else? Well, I make the rounds... Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Stumbleupon, My bank account, and Paypal. I also check my other pages and add to them. (Squidoo, Bukisa, etc.)

Finally, I work on Etsy.com selling arts and crafts. (NOTE: I no longer sell on Etsy.)

Afternoon: Got a hot and ready pizza for my boyfriend and while I was out, got a yummy raspberry iced tea for myself (Arizona, if you were wondering). Man, I love tea. All kinds of tea. My favorites have to be green tea with citrus, raspberry iced tea, and white tea with peach. MMMMmmmm.....

Also while I was out, I stopped at a store called Thrifty Treasures. (AKA: A dangerous place for me to be because I want to buy everything!)

I got a cute picture with a very classic frame that looks like it would hang in a Grandmother's house (which is why I like it so much!). I also got some mini photo albums (4) and a cute leaf shaped tea-lite candle holder. All for under $5.00. Awesome.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening: I got to snuggle with the bf before he went off to do some work, listened to music, and am now cuddled up with my cat Ava and back on the compy.

What does tonight hold? Only good things I'm sure. We've got some friends coming to hang out, and that's always fun.

So... I may not have a "real" job or a whole of money or anything, but I have a lot of things to be thankful for.

It's nice to be able to look at the world and see the good, even in the midst of hard times. Yay for being a Modern Bohemian!