Bit by bit... that is how everything is built, everything that's anything of value. It takes time, but time goes by so quickly. One week till June and I feel like we just started the year 2014!
I've been thinking lately of starting to have a designated amount going to Montessori savings each week. Ideally I'd raise $10,000 in the next 12 months which means I would have to average $834 per month going towards it, or roughly $208 per week, unless my bonuses go towards it. I think my bonuses could go solely towards living expenses while studying (housing, groceries, cell phone, CrossFit).
I have a lot of hesitation to committing to Montessori -- I'd lose my job security and other things -- but at the same time it's a good new direction; I'm just deathly afraid of being unprepared or left high and dry. I feel like I should work and save for an extra year to have savings as back-up but that may not even be prudent. You have to have enough momentum to do something; if I put it off too long I will spend the money on something else and never do it. In a way, when the rubber meets the road you make it work -- that's why it's easier to pay off debt than to save for something, because you have to pay it off so you find a way. We so often make excuses when it comes to saving for something we don't have to save for (don't have to, in our justifications, that is).
Anyway, if I'm wanting to put aside $208 per week the next 12 months it would be a lot easier if I were splitting rent, and Philly is quite interested. We're going to talk about it -- maybe next weekend. If she did room with me, my rent would drop by $225 per month which is a slam-dunk savings towards Montessori. Pretty great!
I know that if I just didn't think about it (like I do currently for rent) and just kept stowing away that money I would have the savings before I knew it. If there is anything we finally learn after we turn 25 it's that time keeps going; there is no stopping it. Why not let its ceaseless, effortless pendulum work in our favor? Little by little -- Rome was not built in a day.
Clare has me thinking about doing my Montessori training in Europe -- strange as that sounds, I'm tempted. Both London and Barcelona (oh, and St. Petersburg) :D have AMI-accredited Montessori schools, and although the pros of going to Minnesota are much more in number, I want to weigh the experience as well, because studying something I'd already be studying, but doing it abroad, is tantalizing. Eduardo says that the Spanish people may seem cold to tourists or not very smiley, but once you start talking to them they are quite friendly and welcoming. Interesting, eh? He lives very near Barcelona so that is the folk of which he speaks. :)
That is it for now!
I like the savings plan, but one should never get desperate to accomplish a goal or feel forced to do things they wouldn't do otherwise. Keeping that in mind, I might also suggest selling some things you may have to help raise additional funds. As you said, little by little - and every little bit counts! It seems that even if the Montessori training in Europe was the same cost as in the USA, the cost of travel and living in Europe would be much higher. Note that I'm not opposed - I just see it as (1) more expensive (2) something that may not give you as many leads for connections and support for future endeavors or further training in the field as staying in the USA would... Those are my thoughts, just 2 cents. It's in my prayers! :)
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