Good news, Bad news

As y'all might remember, my kidlet applied, took a test and had an interview for admittance to Cascia Hall Prep School.

Well, the good news is she WAS ACCEPTED!

I knew she would be. She's smart, funny, kind-hearted and truly excited about going to the school. (See, brain-washing your kidlet for years does work!). It's her daddy's Alma mater and that had a lot to do with it.

Now for the bad news--sending her to to this school requires a HUGE chunk of change.

I had hoped that the sales of my books would put us in a better place, but that's not happening. Oh, I've seen a slight increase (really, really slight) in sales since I placed GNOME in the Amazon KDP Select program, but nowhere near the amount of money we have to come up with.

Shoot, I still haven't broken even yet!

So my writing isn't helping out defray the cost of private school.

Then I thought what about my candy making. I love making candy. Yes, it's back breaking, but could I turn this into an online business?

Naw . . . there are numerous factors that play against me in this scenario.

• Who wants to buy candy from an unknown entity? I can't seem to market my own books, how can I possibly market artisan candies?
• Too expensive--even buying the supplies in bulk is an expensive proposition, then add the 'cost' of the labor (mine), and shipping. Trust me, shipping is a KILLER. It would simply be too expensive for the consumer.
• dealing with the government. Yeah, I'm talking about the tax man and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Tax first, UGH! 'nuff said.  FDA--well, I think they might take issue with the fact that I have a large fuzzy dog roaming the house where I'm making candy. I can keep her out of the kitchen, but that doesn't stop hair from floating around. (Sorry, friends who have been the recipients of my Christmas goodwill, but thems the facts.)

These bullet points were only a few of the hurdles I would have had to jump, and can actually think of at 5:15 AM when I'm writing this blog. Yes, I love the idea of having a small place to do business and make candy, but let's get realistic here. It ain't gonna happen.

Which leaves two other ways to pay for the kidlet's school--

1. remove the excess expenses from the budget. That means no vacation(s) this year. No skiing, no Walt Disney World, no nothing until we can get a handle on the added expense. And/or limiting our eating out. We didn't spend that much money eating out, but it would help if we limited the # of times we eat out. I like cooking, but the problem is having something for the kidlet to eat at 5:00 PM so she's digested her food by 6:30 when she swims, and having it keep for when the hubby comes home at 6:00. And no, eating AFTER swim at 7:30 just isn't going to happen.   
2. or . . . I really, really hate to say this, but maybe I'll need to get a 'real' job. I could probably walk up to my old boss and ask for a job and get it. The problem with this scenario is I've worked at a hospital for a long, long time and the hours would NOT be ideal. AND I did run into an old co-worker a week or so ago, and let's just say, I don't want to walk back into the VIPER'S NEST (her term, not mine), even with my eyes open. Things are not going well with a Hitler wannabe as second-in-command.  Instead of trying to wipe out a religion, she's trying to wipe out the old med techs, of which I was one of them. Yes, I knew this person. And no, I'm so not surprised at this turn of events. But I have a news flash for you, sweetie, you're one of the old techs, too. Watch your back you might find your agenda biting you in the butt!

Any ideas and suggestions for making money will be more than welcome. You see we just put the down payment to hold her place, the chunk of change isn't due until mid-July. So I have a few more months to try to win PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE.

Later, peeps!